Legacy Of Power: At World's End
Part 5 – Battling
Chapter 20 – Here We Go Again
Written By Pink-Green-White-4ever
Story Ideas By: Pink-Green-White-4ever and Marcus
Last Revised: May 19, 2014
Summary: Sometimes life feels like a merry-go-round and all you can do is keep hanging on…
Genre: Action, Adventure, Romance
Rating: T for now
AN: It has been forever since I posted. I can tell you I've been stuck on writing chapter 22 for the better part of the last two years, hence why I haven't posted. I'm still technically stuck on the last several scenes, but I figured I had made you guys wait long enough, plus, I miss reading your reactions to the story. I'm going to try very hard to get chapter 21 posted in the next couple days as I'm going out of the country for a month on Saturday. Enjoy!
A mind can sure get weary
The way things come undone
With eyes that won't see clearly
And a heart that's overrun
You keep hoping things will get better
That you'll find a way through it all
You must hold on to what you believe
When the sky's about to fall
So keep hanging on
The hands of time just keep turning around
There's no telling where you'll find the strength to climb
So just stand your ground
All through the night
Till you can see the light
Keep hanging on for dear life
A spirit can get battered
As you journey down the years
And if dreams were all that mattered
You'd be miles away from here
Just keep thinking things will be different
That you'll find a place in the sun
Hold your head up high in that stormy sky
And the change will surely come
- Hanging On For Dear Life, MMC (aka the New Mickey Mouse Club)
9:00 p.m.
Sunday
March 18, 2007
Rootcore
Briarwood, CA
"Does someone want to explain to me what just happened," Xander all but demanded as they gathered in the library. Silence had reigned supreme since the teams had left the battlefield. "What the hell did they do to Nikki, Karone and Kim? And how the hell did Kim get that much power?"
No one answered him; too many had no answer, and others didn't like the implications of what was obviously happening. Dimitria and Ninjor shared a look before the woman in white nodded. Taking a deep breath, the Ninja Master stepped forward. "I can only answer one of your questions, Xander," Ninjor started.
All eyes turned to him. "Oh yeah? Do tell," Xander huffed, ignoring the looks of censure he was getting from many of the others.
"Kimberly has always carried strong power; stronger than any of the Morphin Ninjas, with the exception of Tommy."
The White Ranger's head snapped up. "What?" he demanded.
Ninjor turned to the young man who had carried the weight of his world's future far longer than any in the room. "You are by far the most experienced, and quite possibly the strongest Ranger, power wise," Ninjor started. "It would only be right that your equal in every way was your other half. Kimberly's loss of power and leaving changed your team in many ways, chief among them it diminished the potential the six of you had to be the most powerful Rangers ever. Had she not left, you MAY have not lost your Ninja powers and when you went Zeo, your powers quite possibly would have been limitless."
"So they never reached their potential as Rangers?" Jen suddenly asked, shocked. Her mind raced, as she knew Trip, Katie and Lucas' minds did; in their future, the Morphin Rangers had been reported to be practically unstoppable.
Ninjor nodded. "Correct. Losing Kimberly destroyed the perfect harmony among them. They are the first Earthlings to ever hold Ninjetti powers. Add to that, the bond between Tommy and Kimberly, even as teenagers was, as it is now, stronger than that between most married couples, because of the way it was forged in battle, tempered by friendship, and strengthened by love. As Ninjetti, you six have powers unknown," Ninjor finished, his eyes locked on the five still remaining.
All of the other Rangers stared at the five Morphin Rangers in silent shock. "They couldn't be more powerful than Nick, could they?" Chip finally asked. "I mean, he's the Light and all."
Dimitria, Ninjor, Udonna and Lianbow shared looks before Udonna stepped into the circle the Rangers had formed. "Your power sources are different," she began to explain. She knew the Ninjetti powers were far more ancient than those used by the Mystics. "While Nick is the most powerful wizard in this dimension or the magical one, hence his title as The Light, the Ninjetti powers are older than those of the ancient Mystics. They are far more powerful than even the Snow Prince or Mystic Mother's powers. The Ninjetti are not of Earth, and were around when Earthlings were still finding ways to make fire. Few people have possessed these powers since the Ancient Ninjetti race was wiped out centuries ago."
"So you're saying their powers are stronger, right?" Vida demandingly asked.
"Yes," Lianbow answered her. "The Ninjetti powers are literally anchored in the Morphin' Grid. It's as if the six of them, and by some extension Katherine, have literally touched the Morphin' Grid."
"I can't begin to image the kind of power that would mean," Cam murmured. "To touch the Morphin' Grid…that's…wow…" he uttered, astonished.
"The Morphin Rangers have always been linked to the grid, because when I created the original power coins, it was during my days as a Ninjetti warrior. Not only have Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Billy, Kim and Tommy touched it, and of course Katherine, but so have Jason, Zack and Trini, only on a lesser level," Ninjor finished.
Merrick cleared his throat then, drawing everyone's attention to him. "Then wouldn't it stand to reason any hope of bringing Kimberly back, it would lie with the Morphin' Rangers?"
The mentors all nodded. "Then how do you propose we get Karone back?" Dimitria asked.
Merrick's gaze shifted to Zhane, Andros and Kendrix. "The three people closest to her."
"And Nikki?"
The Lunar Wolf tipped his head toward the Mystic Rangers, who were gathered together before their mentors. "Them."
11:00 P.M.
Sunday
March 18, 2007
The Pit
Briarwood, CA
"Matumbo," Itassis announced as the two met.
"His power rises again."
Itassis nodded. Both had been avoiding the Rangers and doing reconnaissance of the pit, where they knew dark activity was increasing by the hour.
"We must warn the Rangers," Itassis told him. "I can only hope we are not too late."
12:00 A.M.
Monday
March 19, 2007
Rootcore
Briarwood, CA
Arms crossed over his chest, Xander leaned against the doorframe and watched Clare carefully. She stood in the small side room off of the main room of the large tree, carefully holding a familiar silver circlet in her hands. Her eyes shimmered with unshed tears and her lips trembled. "What are you thinking?" his voice came out a soft whisper in his effort not to startle her.
"That I wish we hadn't had to use all her powers up, that I could join the team on the battlefield. I hate sitting back and doing nothing while all of you fight."
Pushing away from the door, Xander moved to her. Carefully, he took the circlet out of her hands and placed it on her head before bringing his hands down to cup her face. "She'd be proud of you, no matter what," he smiled down at her.
"I know," she whispered.
Leaning forward, Xander pecked a kiss to her forehead. "Besides, you never know, you just might surprise yourself yet."
Clare looked up at him with dazed eyes. "Thank you."
"You're welcome."
7:00 A.M.
Monday
March 19, 2007
Rental House
Briarwood, CA
Jason couldn't stop the worry that seeped into him while he stared at Tommy, who was hunched over the railing of the deck off the back of the rental house. The White Ranger hadn't said anything since Kimberly had attacked them earlier. "Can I get you anything?" the Red Ranger questioned.
Tommy let out a sarcastic chuckled. "Jason, nobody can get me anything at this point. My life has, quite literally, been ripped to shreds."
"That's not true," Jason responded. "You've been through worse," he pointed out, knowing that he didn't need to get graphic about what, how or when.
The White Ranger shook his head. "I can't lose her," he gasped softly, his hands clenching on the railing before him. "Not again."
"You haven't lost her," Jason told him, moving forward to grip Tommy's shoulder. "She's just buried right now, under a bunch of magic."
Tommy bit his lip. "You saw what I did out there last night, right?" The Red Ranger sighed heavily and nodded. "She was fine until Kat touched both of us."
"Kim made peace with all of that," Jason defended his little sister, even if he knew Tommy was right.
Whipping his head to stare at Jason, Tommy glared at him. "Apparently not!"
The two stood there, staring at one another, a silent battle raging between them. "Tommy…"
"Why would she all out attack us like that if she was over it, Jase? Explain that to me."
Jason reached out again and placed both hands on Tommy's shoulders. "Remember all those demons we all knew we'd have to work through? This is Kim's. Like I said, she made her peace with them a long time ago; she just has to remember she did."
"Jason, why would she be angry though? I just don't get it!"
The Red Ranger looked torn. "Tommy, how much did Kim tell you when you two got back together?"
Tommy sighed audibly and leaned his back against the railing. "About Kat? Not much. About the letter and other things, we hashed that all out. The letter never had anything to do with Kat, or me, or any of the stupid scenarios we all got caught up in at the time. She found someone who understood what it was like to be a professional athlete twenty-four-seven. She told me how she felt we'd lost touch with each other, with me off saving the world and her no longer being apart of that secret. We just…she told me what I already knew a long time ago. We lost each other, going in separate directions."
Jason nodded. Kim had said much of the same thing to him, once upon a time when they'd been stuck in an unwanted situation with no way to morph. "Kim and I did a lot of talking about it all before, during, and after Murianthias." The White Ranger's deep brown eyes never left his friend's face. "I don't think she's ever even talked to Kat about it, but a lot of her problem during Murianthias had to do with Kat."
"I hadn't noticed," Tommy sarcastically snipped at his friend.
The Red Ranger glared at him before continuing. "Kimberly felt like she'd been replaced in every way the moment Kat came on the scene."
Tommy gave a start; he'd never even looked at Kat like that until after Kim's letter. "I never…"
"Bro, none of us set out to make her feel that way, but Kimberly's always been insecure, despite evidence to the contrary. She was always insecure about her looks, how people perceived her, everything. Having tall, blonde, blue-eyed beautiful Kat show up didn't help matters. Add to the mix, Kat ended up being one of the components in the equation to Kim losing her powers, and then the person she turned around and chose to replace her; it didn't help. Deep down, through it all, Kim blames herself most of all."
There was a light in Tommy's eyes that spoke of sudden realization where his beloved Kimberly was concerned. "She feels like she gave Kat her life."
Jason nodded. "Basically, that's what it amounts to. It's not us, it's really not Kat; it's her own guilt that's still eating at her," he told his friend. "Kim's never been one to give up, but she thinks she gave it all up, and his magic is only amplifying her guilt and turning it to anger in regards to the person who ended up taking her spot on the team. She's pushing all those feelings onto Kat instead of recognizing it was her choice to go."
As the two stood there staring at each other, neither saw the tall, lithe figure hiding just beyond the doorway, watching them with tears in her eyes and a resigned expression on her face.
10:00 A.M.
Monday
March 19, 2007
Rootcore
Briarwood, CA
"Someone explain to me why we're dressed like this, please?" Sky grumbled even as the younger teams met near the entrance to Rootcore. They were all dressed in civilian gear, with the Mystic Force, Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder Rangers decked out in rollerblading, skateboarding or biking gear.
"Because Mom, Anubis and Sensei wanted us to have an afternoon of fun and give the others some breathing room since we don't have class today," Nick explained, sighing softly.
Sky gave him a look. "We didn't exactly bring the right equipment to have fun."
Vida laughed. "What do you think magic is for?"
The SPD Pink Ranger stepped up then and took Sky's hand, drawing his attention to her. "Relax," she ordered softly, smiling. "Let's go have a little fun, relax, enjoy being in the past." The Blue Ranger gave her a look, one that was a mix between skepticism and amusement. "Besides, if you behave, I'll give you a reward later."
When Sky's face flushed, the others broke out laughing. "Syd!" he whined even as she cuddled into his arms. "Did you have to say that out loud?"
Sapphire blue eyes sparkled while pouty pink lips turned up in amusement. Pushing up onto her tip toes, Syd moved her mouth to his ear. "Everyone already knows we're sleeping together, why are you embarrassed?"
"I'm not embarrassed," he defended himself. "I just don't think it's everyone's business to know I'm sleeping with my girlfriend."
Sydney pulled back a little and smiled at him before reaching up to kiss him. "Relax, we're among friends."
Sky didn't say anything; he just wrapped his arms around her, hugging her to his chest. "I'll try."
"Alright already!" Hunter laughed. "Let's go!"
The five Mystic Rangers and Clare ringed around the other teams and performed the transportation spell.
Z couldn't help but laugh while Xander tried to teach Bridge to skateboard. Both Green Rangers were decked out in helmets, wrist, knee and elbow pads and both were teetering on skateboards. Bridge was watching Xander's every move, absorbing the Mystic's advice and instructions before trying to replicate the moves.
"He's doing pretty well," Clare grinned, coming to a stop next to Z before gesturing to Bridge. The Yellow Ranger nodded and smiled at the sorceress.
"Bridge is really good at rollerblading; he should take to skateboarding pretty well."
"How about we leave them to it and join the others?" Clare suggested.
Z just laughed and nodded, skating away from her boyfriend with her new friend.
"You guys look ready to cause some trouble," Tori laughed as she skated circles around Dustin, Blake, Hunter, Trent, Ethan, Nick and Jack, all of whom were on BMX Bikes. Maddy was off to one side of the group, helping Vida lace up her skates.
"Look who's talking," Dustin joked.
"Yeah, who knew the queen of the surfboards could get on skates," Hunter teased.
He grunted a moment later when Tori socked him in the shoulder in retaliation to his jab at her skating skills. "As I recall, I skated rings around your butt the last time you put a pair on, Bud."
Hunter had the grace to blush, while the others chuckled. "I think Sky could skate rings around him," Blake laughed, pointing to where Syd and Sky were, the Blue Ranger expertly skating circles around his girlfriend.
"Damn, where did he learn to skate like that?" Dustin asked.
Jack grinned. "You'd be surprised, but his mom taught him. She also taught me, Z and Bridge to skate."
"I thought you and Z only knew them since you became Rangers?" Shane asked, rolling up on his skateboard.
"We have. After I left the team, we spent a lot of time last summer hanging out at Sky's mom's house. She's pretty much adopted Z and me, and Sky doesn't seem to mind. Bridge's parents live in London, working for some huge research and robotics firm, so she's taken him under her wing as well."
"Let's rock," Conner laughed as Kira pulled him toward the group.
"Conner, why did you opt for skates?" Ethan asked, looking perplexed. "You know you're less than graceful on them."
Conner grinned. "Cause Kira's going to teach me, and I know I can't ride a skateboard, and I prefer not to get showed up on the bikes by the bike riding professionals next to you."
Ethan just shook his head while Trent gave Kira a sympathetic look. The Yellow Ranger shook her head and shrugged at the look her boyfriend was giving her.
"Are we ready?" Chip asked, coming to a stop near the group. The plan had been to get equipment and then go to the skate and bike park about ten minutes from the Rock Porium.
"I think so," Nick commented as the four teams came together.
"Let's move out!" Jack called as the teams followed Nick.
10:30 A.M.
The Pit
Briarwood, CA
"Beautiful?"
She flinched at the name before spinning around to glare at him. "Do not use that name when addressing me," she growled, eyes flaming green before fading back to black.
"My apologies, my lady," he grinned and bowed before her. "Did you sleep well?"
Kimberly just stared at him, unblinking and unmoving. She knew he'd snuck into her room that night, to watch her sleep, so she knew he already had his answer. "Just fine, thank you."
He grinned and moved toward her. Black-green power flared from his body to hers, only to be shoved away by a powerful blast of pink. Eyes narrowed, he watched for signs that he wasn't completely in control of her. "My lady."
"What?"
He scowled at her. "We have a meeting in an hour with the others, to plan our next attack. I'd like you there."
"I wouldn't miss it," she grinned evilly at him, making him relax and smile at her.
Rootcore
Briarwood, CA
11:00 A.M.
Her skin pricked at the breeze blowing across the balcony. She marveled at how far she could see across the forest. When Fireheart streaked across the sky, she could only smile at Leelee and Phineas' delighted laughter. Udonna had suggested the pair take Rootcore's resident dragon out for exercise. Her body gave an involuntary shudder before she realized she wasn't alone.
"Mind if I join you?" T.J.'s strong tenor softly sounded.
"There's plenty of balcony, be my guest," she gestured.
He rolled his eyes and moved to stand beside her. "Cassie," he whispered.
"What?"
"Will you talk to me? We've never had problems talking to each other before," he started. His curiosity was getting the better of him as to why she was suddenly so grouchy about him looking out for her.
She whirled around to face him, her eyes blazing with a mixture of anger, remorse and confusion. "T.J., I'm a big girl, I've been taking care of myself for a long time now. Why is it all of a sudden, you have this urge to protect me from getting hurt?"
He stared at her, choosing his words carefully so he didn't piss her off; he knew from experience an angry Pink Ranger was a scary person to deal with. "Because you're my best friend, because I couldn't prevent you from getting hurt the last time, because…" Cassie stared at him, her body language all but yelling at him to continue while her eyes begged him. "Because I love you and if I can keep you from getting hurt, I'd do anything to make it possible."
Cassie's face softened even as she moved to slide her arms around his waist, resting her head on his chest. "T.J., you're my best friend too, and you know I love you…"
He tensed, knowing she still didn't get it. He pulled back to look down at her, his hands cupping her face. "Cassie, you don't understand. I don't love you the way I do Ash. She's the sister I wish I had; you're so much more special to me."
Her eyes widened in shock. The possibility that anyone could love her like that had ended a long time ago, after the rejection from Phantom closed off her heart. "T.J.," she whispered. She didn't want to hurt him, but she didn't know how to respond to his admission.
"I didn't tell you to confuse you, but I just can't keep this up anymore," he spoke as he pulled back from her.
Each moment caused a new, stronger ache to shred her heart into smaller pieces. Her best friend was in love with her. Despite her confused feelings, Cassie knew with startling clarity that if she let him walk away now, everything would be wrong; she'd lose him.
"T.J.!" she cried out softly, stopping his retreat. She looked at him imploringly through eyes that were quickly filling.
"What Cassie?"
"Give me some time, please," she begged.
"Ten years is already long enough," he muttered, turning to walk away.
"T.J.! Come back!" she called out, watching him head inside, her heart breaking with every step that took him away from her.
"Cam!" Billy started as the group entered. Jason, Andros and Jen were followed by Wes, Tommy, Rocky, Eric, Carter, Cole, Leo, Kai and the mentors. Kendrix was already seated at one of the computers with Trip beside her, the two diligently working away at the systems.
"We have a huge problem," Cam started, pulling up the information he needed before projecting it onto the wall for them to see. "This was taken just before our last battle."
"Zedd," Jason muttered, crossing his arms over his chest.
"Broodwing," Anubis responded.
Cam nodded. "They broke into a government facility owned by, get this, NASADA."
"What did they take?" Daggeron asked.
Cam's face was bleak. "I'm not sure, that's why I asked you to be here. Tommy, you, Wes and Andros know what NASADA has, any ideas?"
All eyes shifted to the two reds and the white. "What building?" Tommy demanded.
The Green Ranger pulled up a screen displaying the information. "A warehouse in Angel Grove."
"Fuck," Tommy muttered while Andros and Wes grimaced.
"Tommy?" Udonna called out to him.
The White Morphin Ranger shook his head. "That warehouse contains everything we could salvage from the Turbo and Power Chambers, and everything from the original Command Center."
"And that means what exactly?" Jen wanted to know.
"It means our identities are compromised," Hayley spoke as she entered. All those gathered stared at her. "That warehouse contains all NASADA's files on the Rangers and who they are, have been, and all the powers they've held."
"We're screwed," Rocky muttered.
11:30 A.M.
The Rock Porium
"Are you sure this is the right place?"
"Kapri, stop being a side seat driver!" Marah grumbled. "I got the directions from Dustin."
"God help us," Kapri muttered.
Marah rolled her eyes at her sister. "And double checked with Tori. Besides, there's the Rock Porium right there."
Once the car was parked, they headed across the street into the Rock Porium. They stopped dead when they saw the various creatures alongside the humans. "Wow, Dustin wasn't lying when he called," Kapri uttered.
"Let's find someone who knows where the others are," Marah started, only to see her sister roll her eyes. "Smart ass."
"Can I help you ladies?"
The two turned to see a man of about thirty with a puff of curly hair. "Um, do you work here?" Kapri asked.
The man grinned. "I own this place. I'm Toby," he grinned, extending his hand to them.
Two sets of eyes widened as the girls reached out to shake his hand. "We're Marah and Kapri. Have you seen our cousin Cam or Uncle Kanoi?"
Toby grinned. "Sure have, they're out at Rootcore." He saw the looks on the girls' faces and laughed. "Let me call Nick and see if they can come get you."
Rootcore
"Daggeron?"
"Go ahead and head out, Justin. There's no point in you being cooped up here with us while the others are out having fun," Daggeron told the younger Ranger, who looked surprised and nodded.
"Thanks."
Turning, Daggeron moved over to start training with the other guys.
"Cassie, are you sure you're okay?" Alyssa asked for a third time as the girls trained. Daggeron and Lianbow had taken everyone left after the release of the younger teams, with the exception of Kendrix, Hayley, Billy, Cam, Kai, and Trip to train in one of the alternate dimensions. The Red Wolf was overseeing the girls' training while Daggeron sparred with the guys.
"I'm FINE!" the Pink Ranger practically screamed.
"Cassie!" Ashley snapped. "What the hell has gotten into you?"
The Pink Ranger sighed and sat down. "T.J. and I had a fight," Cassie started, her eyes seeking Ashley's. "He told me he loved me, that he was in love with me, but he was sick and tired of waiting for me."
The Yellow Ranger's expression softened. "Oh Cass."
"I never knew, now it's too late."
Ashley sunk down on the mat and wrapped her arm around Cassie's shoulders. "It's never too late."
"You didn't see him this morning, Ash."
While the other girls were attempting to comfort Cassie, Maya slipped away and headed for where the boys were. Her eyes narrowed in on the shirtless T.J. and Rocky, who were going back and forth against each other.
"T.J.?" she softly spoke, causing him and Rocky to stop sparring and turn toward her.
"Yes Maya?"
She was silent for a few seconds, her eyes conveying her anger and disappointment far better than words. "I've always thought you were a fair individual and a kind man," she spoke, causing him to frown with the tone of her voice and the implications of where this conversation was suddenly going. "To tell her that and not give her a chance wasn't fair, and it certainly wasn't kind. She never knew how you felt, and to just tell her the way you did was not only dishonorable, it was mean and insensitive. I believe you owe her an apology." That said, Maya turned away, striding back to the girls, leaving Rocky to stare at T.J., whose eyes were on Cassie, Maya's words echoing in his ears.
"How'd you manage to piss of Maya?" Rocky finally inquired.
"I'm not entirely sure," T.J. started, turning to face Rocky. "But my best guess is that it has to do with my conversation with Cassie this morning, and I believe ALL the girls know now."
The Red Ranger shook his head at his friend. "You are a dumb ass," Rocky finally muttered, not acknowledging the flinch T.J. gave at the words or the hurt look in the Blue Ranger's eyes. "First, you don't piss off the Pinks, let alone any of the girls. Trust me on that, since I've served with four of them, at various times. Second, you upset Maya, never a smart idea, just ask Mike and Leo. Three, you hurt the woman you supposedly love. Now is not the time to alienate anyone, particularly when they happen to be a teammate or you happen to be in love with them."
With each word, T.J.'s confusion at Rocky's sudden anger turned to embarrassment. Rocky was never one to get nasty or angry with anyone, usually instead opting to be the laid back one. The pure disappointment in his voice had T.J. reeling. "I'll be right back," T.J. murmured, turning to walk toward the girls, knowing he was taking his own life into his hands.
11:45 P.M.
"Cam, what's wrong?" Kendrix called out in question when she saw the flinch and heard the cuss words that were fast becoming a sign that the Green Ranger had spotted something nasty on the computer.
"Yet another major problem in the ongoing saga of the Power Rangers," Cam muttered crossly, waiting until the group, which now included Hannah, gathered around him at his computer.
Billy came up on Cam's left side and bent forward. "What now?"
"Looks like an order of slutty, scary and spacey," Cam uttered. "Divatox, Mesogog and Vexacus are roaming around the City."
"And?" Hayley prompted, anticipating there was more.
The Green Samurai turned in his chair to face them. "Looks like we've got a time portal opening up somewhere on the north side of town."
Same Time
The Future
New Tech City, CA
"You can't be serious," Dr. Manx demanded as she and Boom watched Alex prepare to leave.
"Dr. Manx, I'll be more help going to them. You'll be able to pinpoint the time you need to send their zords to a lot easier by tracking my energy signature instead of trying to track a half dozen," Alex argued. "This way, it'll be faster and more efficient."
Kat folded her arms over her chest while Boom remained quiet. "I don't think it's all that smart, given your history with Mrs. Collins," the feline doctor pointed out.
Alex spun around and glared at her. He almost smiled when she didn't back down, didn't flinch at the look he gave her. "You may be right, but I was a Ranger long before they were; I was made to fight, Kat. I've sat on the sidelines long enough. Once a Ranger…"
"Always a Ranger," Boom finished for him, causing Kat to glance at him with a sharp look.
"Be careful Alex," a new voice warned.
The three turned to see Isinia in the doorway. "Mrs. Cruger."
"Tell the others hello from all of us waiting here in the future," she asked of him.
Alex smiled. His brief weeks in this time had made him come to appreciate and enjoy Isinia's insight and her company. "I will."
Kat and Boom moved to join the Sirian native in the hallway until Alex stopped Kat. "What?" she asked, confused.
Quietly he extended his hand to shake hers. When Kat took it, she felt him slip her something. "Thank you for your cooperation, Dr. Manx, it's been a pleasure getting to know one of the scientists behind the creation of not only SPD, but of Time Force as well." She was numb as she nodded. In a softer voice, Alex spoke up again. "You'll know when and how to use this when the time comes."
Kat said nothing as he turned and entered the time hole behind him, watching his back until it was swallowed up and the hole disappeared.
"Kat?" Boom anxiously asked.
Opening her hand, Kat looked down at the device he'd given her. It looked exactly like her morpher, the one who'd only held one morph's worth of power. With a sigh, she squeezed her fingers around it and turned to Boom, a smile lighting her face.
Downtown Briarwood
Grinning, Justin exited the store and stared at the movie in his hand. It had been sheer luck that he'd found the campy horror flick Rocky had made him watch once upon a time. It brought back memories of his time as a Ranger when he'd been eleven – at the time, it had been a great adventure filled with wacky characters and unbelievable circumstances – now it was just like the memory of watching the movie; he could hardly believe it had happened to him.
"Well, if it isn't Power Boy all grown up and alone," a sickeningly sweet voice broke through the silence.
Justin tensed and snapped his gaze to the person speaking, his eyes narrowing as he stared at the leather clad figure. "Divatox."
"Miss me?" she grinned.
"Like a cold sore," he muttered. "What the hell do you want now? Did you not get your ass kicked enough times a few years ago that you felt compelled to come back and have us kick it again?"
"Oohhh, you've grown claws since you were a kid," she teased.
Justin took a deep breath, knowing the impulsiveness of his youth wasn't going to serve him well here. "Had to grow up sometime, right?"
"No more Tommy, Adam, T.J. or Carlos to save you? No more hiding behind Kat, Tanya, Cassie or Ashley?" she taunted him.
"Look, what the hell do you want?"
"Your dead body to present to the First," she purred. "I mean, seriously, you know no one ever respected or liked you to begin with. Whoever heard of an eleven year old being a Power Ranger? They only gave you Rocky's powers to shut you up."
Justin laughed. He'd been there already, had felt those feelings already. He was smart enough to know that while being eleven and being a Ranger shouldn't have gone together, it didn't mean he wasn't meant to be a Ranger – then or now.
"Gee, let me think about it," he said, bringing his hands up. Raising his left hand he said, "Go and be a trophy for you to the First, or," he lowered his left hand and raised his right. "Kick your ass. Such hard decisions...let me think...not happening."
"You have no choice, you're out numbered and out gunned," she hissed at him. Justin tensed when a group of piranhatrons suddenly appeared.
He thought about fighting on his own, but he knew better. "It's Morphin Time!" he shouted, shaking his morphers to life on his wrists. "ZEO RANGER III, BLUE!"
Divatox narrowed her eyes at him before ordering in a steely voice, "Kill him."
Rootcore
"Cassie?" T.J. started, watching as the girls ringed around the dark haired Pink Ranger. "Can we talk?" he asked.
She looked at him, her eyes haunted by memories of their last conversation. Carefully, she stood up and stepped forward, a wary expression seeping onto her face. "Why?"
T.J. looked downright ashamed. He knew he'd been a coward telling her the way he had, and an even bigger fool for not giving her the chance to absorb what he'd had ten long years to accept. "Because we need to."
The Pink Ranger shook her head. "You didn't want to talk this morning, so it seemed pretty final to me whatever is on your mind. I really don't want to talk, because I don't feel like hurting anymore."
The Blue Ranger bit his lip, his face showing the panic that was starting to rise at him not being able to fix this. In a strained, soft voice he uttered, "Maya and Rocky have pointed out, quite elegantly, how unfair I was to you. Will you give me a chance to explain myself?"
Cassie's lips curved up into a smile, not because of his words but because she could hear Taylor uttering something about making him suffer before Jen elbowed her in the ribs and told her to shut up. "I suppose."
12:10 P.M.
Rootcore
Wes wiped the sweat from his brow as he and Andros took a break from training. "Where'd Zhane disappear to?"
The Red Space Ranger looked worn out and not in the mood to talk, but Wes knew that Andros couldn't keep pushing the pain from losing his sister for a second time back away from the surface. "Out for a walk, he needed some fresh air, time to himself. He's losing it, for lack of a better word, without her. I've dealt with this before, I know we'll get her back, but this is really the first time he's had to deal with losing someone he loves."
"Is it weird knowing your best friend is in love and married to your sister?" Wes gently prodded.
Andros shook his head and smiled. "It was at first, I've learned to adjust since then. He's good for her, and she's good for him. They were happy, and I'm damn well going to make sure they are again."
"We all are," Wes vowed.
The Rock Porium
"Why'd Toby call us to come down?" Maddy inquired as Nick led the group toward the front of the Rock Porium.
"He just said we had visitors, nothing more," Nick grinned at her, shrugging his shoulders before he crooked his finger at her. She smiled back and skated close to him, leaning in to give him a quick kiss.
Tori happened to look across the street then and started grinning. "Dustin isn't that Marah's Ford Focus?" she asked, pointing to the brightly colored orange car.
The Yellow Ranger looked to where his teammate was pointing and started laughing ecstatically. "Looks like it."
"Who's Marah?" Chip asked, rolling to a stop not far from Dustin.
"DUSTIN!"
Shane laughed. "That's Marah," he gestured to the red haired young woman running toward Dustin at full speed. The whole group cracked up when Dustin swept the petite girl up in his arms.
"Marah's one of Cam's cousins," Blake explained then grinned and said, "She and Kapri are sisters, and she's Dustin's insane girlfriend."
Kapri sauntered up to the group and leaned her arm on Hunter's shoulder. "So, what's up? Been kicking evil's ass?"
Hunter gave her a look. "What are you doing here? I thought Sensei told you both to stay at the academy?"
"Marah wanted to see Dustin and Sensei's doctor keeps calling."
Her words had the five Ninja Storm Rangers snapping to attention. "What?" Shane barked.
Kapri sighed and held up her hands in surrender. "You heard me, I know I didn't stutter. Some mainstream doctor, not the academy doctor, keeps calling for Sensei, says it's extremely important."
"You don't think he's like sick or anything, do you?" Dustin rounded and questioned Shane.
The Red Wind Ranger looked a little lost and unsure. "I don't know, Dustin. Sensei has always been very healthy; I don't see him going to an outside doctor unless it was serious."
"We'll show you serious!"
The four teams spun around to see Vexacus and Mesogog and a few dozen Tyrannodrones and Kelzacks. "Wonderful," Kira snapped.
"Are you two going to help?" Hunter pointedly asked Marah and Kapri.
The two girls nodded and Hunter just grinned. While they were normally pretty flighty, they had gotten a lot better in their three years at the academy. They'd taken to their ninja training with a natural grace and a sureness they'd never before had.
"Attack!" Mesogog roared.
Blake, Hunter, Trent, Ethan, Nick and Jack jumped off their bikes while Bridge, Shane, Xander and Chip jumped off their skateboards. "Are you guys going to be able to fight in rollerblades?" Nick asked the last group of Rangers.
Before they could answer, magic swirled around them. All eyes followed the trail of magic back to Clare, who smirked. "Now we're ready."
"You're going to die, slowly and painfully," Mesogog growled.
Conner's face suddenly went deadly serious as he bit out, "We'll take Mesogog."
"Vexacus is mine," Shane's steely voice announced.
"Well get the T-drones and Kelzacks," Jack spoke, sharing a look with Nick who nodded.
"BREAK!" Nick ordered.
The Red Mystic Ranger moved off to join Jack and Hunter; Kapri and Marah joined Dustin while Blake, Tori, Syd and Sky grouped together, each couple moving in perfect harmony. Not far from that group, Z and Clare were together alongside Madison and Vida, while Chip, Bridge and Xander had their own groove going on.
12:30 P.M.
Rootcore
"Do they need our help?" Jen asked as everyone who wasn't fighting gathered in the computer room. The only exceptions were T.J. and Cassie, who were up on the balcony hashing things out.
"No, they've got it handled," Billy told her. "But Justin's going to need help."
Jason, Zack, Katherine and Tanya came forward then, the Morphin' team right behind them. "What the hell?" Jason demanded.
"He went back to the house, after Daggeron let him out of training," Zack responded.
"Looks like he went out for food and to shop for some movies from the looks of his location," Cam pointed out, gesturing to the screen that showed a movie store just behind where Justin was fighting.
"Divatox is going to kill him," Tanya started. "She's always had it out for Justin, just because of how young he was."
Rocky put his hand on the Yellow Ranger's shoulder. "He's got game, T. He'll hold off until we get there to help."
Tommy and Jason shared a look before the Red Ranger looked back to Andros and Jen. With nods from them both, Jason made the decision he knew wasn't going to be very popular. "Zeo, let's go. Morphin', stay put."
Billy and Tommy remained silent while Rocky started sputtering, causing Aisha and Adam to restrain him. "Excuse me? The hell you mean stay put?"
Jason turned to his friend and stared at him for a few seconds. "Rocky, let us handle Divatox. Didn't you just say he'll be okay? If you mean that, then let him prove it to himself."
Both Red Rangers stared at each other in silent battle. "Rocky, Jason's right," Aisha finally spoke up, rubbing her hand up and down her fiancé's back, hoping to sooth him. "Besides, if we go, it's more likely that Kim's going to pop out from nowhere and are we ready to go there after what's happened the last few days?"
Rocky shook his head. The last few days had been horrible for them all; everything had changed so much, too much. Rocky's eyes flew to Tommy's face, the White Ranger looking more haggard than ever before. "Point taken."
Jason nodded and grinned. "I expect your asses out there the second we need help, got it?" The Red Morphin Ranger nodded and grinned. "It's Morphin Time!" Jason commanded.
"Zeo Ranger I, Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V, Red!"
Standing on the balcony, Cassie's body was filled with tension as T.J. walked to the edge and looked out over the forest. He'd been incredibly silent the trip up the stairs and she almost would have sworn he'd lost his nerve if hadn't been for the fact that she could see the muscle in his jaw ticking as he tried to think of what to say to her. "You wanted to talk, so talk already," she pushed at him verbally, hoping to get him talking.
He turned toward her, his lips pressing into a thin line. The look on his face said he was in pain, but after earlier, she wasn't about to give him an inch of wiggle room. "First of all, I'm sorry I acted the way I did this morning."
She just shrugged and leaned back against the wall. "So, you're sorry. Good for you."
"Cassie…"
"T.J.," she imitated his tone, causing him to sigh and lean back against the railing of the balcony.
"Look, it was childish and spiteful of me this morning, I'm sorry. I should have given you a chance to absorb it instead of just walking away from you."
She stared at him. "Ya think?"
"You're not going to make this easy at all, are you?" he asked, sounding as if he already knew her answer.
Cassie smirked. "Hell no, you screwed up. You tell me you love me, in a non platonic way, and then you tell me it's too late for me to do anything about it!" she accused, watching him wince. "You've apparently been keeping it a secret for ten years, what the hell did you expect me to do? I love you dearly, but you've got to prove to me right now that what you said this morning wasn't a bunch of bullshit, but actually how you feel."
T.J. stared at her. "I've spent ten years hiding how I feel about you because I didn't think you'd feel the same way. Especially not after the whole fiasco with Phantom."
The Pink Ranger cringed at the mention of their former ally. T.J. had been great through all of that, but her heart had been so broken when nothing came of it. "I've never known you to be a coward T.J., why with this?"
He blinked at her and bowed his head. "Because it was better to be your friend then to tell you and lose you completely; I couldn't stand the thought of losing you, I still can't."
"This morning was just too much, wasn't it?" she prodded, understanding him perfectly without him having to spell it out for her. "Everything the last few weeks finally came to a head."
"Exactly," he passionately replied, his head coming up so that he could stare into her eyes. "I just...I couldn't take it anymore. When you started yelling at me about watching out for you, I just snapped."
She shook her head at him, her face blank. "Where do we go from here?" Her words were soft, filled with so much emotion that they caused him to ache with regret and with a hope for the future.
Downtown Briarwood
Justin dodged a swipe by Divatox and managed to leg sweep two of her goons before springing up and getting a tiny breather in the fight. He hadn't had the time to call for help, so he knew he could only hope the others knew he was morphed and fighting, and were on their way to help. The Blue Ranger wasn't sure how much longer he'd be able to go at this by himself. His abilities and his confidence in those abilities aside, he knew he was seriously outnumbered.
"Tired you little brat?" Divatox taunted. "I'm barely winded," she purred. Justin didn't spare her an answer; he kept trying to breathe evenly and plan his next attack. "Answer me when I'm speaking to you!" she shrieked in outrage.
"Don't mind if I do!" a now familiar voice to Justin's ears responded seconds before four bodies landed between where he was and where Divatox was throwing a hissy fit.
"YOU!"
When Jason stood from his crouch, he held the Zeo Sword toward her menacingly, the blade shinning in the sun. "What's say we even the fight out a little?" At his words, Kat sprang back to check on Justin while Tanya and Zack closed ranks around him.
"Look what we have here," Astronema grinned evilly, pointing to the Zeo Rangers battling Divatox.
"My lady, it's the little Pink Zeo Ranger," Necrolai announced.
Every being gathered in the pit watched Kimberly's eyes spark with green energy and her body give off stifling waves of heat. "Scorpina, let's go." In a flash of light, the pair disappeared from sight.
"Oh, this ought to get interesting," Master Vile muttered.
"Z! DUCK!" Clare issued the order as she saw the Tyrannodrone head for the Yellow Ranger. Z did as told and gasped as a blast of magic flew from Clare's hands to slam the drone into the nearest building.
"Thanks Clare!" The blonde sorceress grinned in response and moved to her next target while the Yellow Ranger shot across the battlefield.
Maddy and Vida smiled and felt better knowing Clare was defending herself admirably while they were fighting against a group of Kelzacks. Not far away, Blake and Tori, and Syd and Sky, were back to back. The Blue Wind and Pink SPD Rangers were using their civilian powers to attack while their boyfriends went at it hand to hand with their opponents. "SYDNEY!" Blake called out as the Pink Ranger was sent tumbling to the ground. Tori and Sky spun then, the SPD Blue Ranger throwing a shield out over his girlfriend while Tori unleashed an overwhelming jet of water that knocked the Kelzacks and Tyrannodrones away from her fallen friend.
Hunter grinned as the two younger Rangers with him held their own against minions they'd never faced during their tenures. Though their fighting styles were different, Jack and Nick had no problem watching each other's backs or holding their own. "HUNTER! WATCH OUT!" Nick's voice issued the warning. The Crimson Ranger turned just in time to see a Tyrannodrone sword come sweeping down at his head. He instinctively brought his arms up to block the blow; it never landed. At the last second, Hunter was lunging forward with open arms to catch Kapri as she crumpled to the ground.
"Kapri!" he gasped, cradling her in his arms. "Why?" he demanded to know. They'd never been particularly close, with him being too strict and straight forward and her being entirely too flighty, but it didn't mean he wanted to see her hurt, especially because of him.
The fallen ninja smiled through the pain she felt from where the sword had slammed into her back. "What are friends for, right?" she gasped out. "Besides, we're practically family."
Hunter's eyes flashed with anger when she winced again at the pain searing her nerves. His head snapped up even as he laid her gently on the ground. "You are going down," he muttered to no one in particular but his tone implying the Tyrannodrones, Kelzacks, Vexacus and Mesogog all in one.
Marah and Dustin moved in then, creating a wall between Kapri and the battle while Hunter moved away from her. "Hunter's pissed," Dustin gasped softly as the Thunder Ninja's power began building.
"POWER OF CRIMSON THUNDER!"
"I didn't know he could do that," Marah gaped at her boyfriend's teammate, watching the red energy spark off his body as if he were a piece of a power plant ready to explode.
"Neither did I," Dustin told her, blocking a blow that nearly knocked his head from his shoulders. "Only Tori, Shane and I have ever exhibited that kind of power, but it makes sense that if we can, so can they."
Thunder rumbled across the clear blue sky followed by clouds of the darkest red. The sound waves from the quickly brewing storm shot out, decimating half of the contingent of Tyrannodrones and Kelzacks while knocking Mesogog and Vexacus back a few steps, drawing their attention to him as well.
Chip and Blake shot the Crimson Ranger a look, the thunder he was summoning calling to each of them in their own way. "Go Hunter!" Chip grinned.
"Remind me not to upset him anytime soon," Xander panted, Bridge nodding his agreement to his fellow Green Ranger's comment.
"Conner!" Kira's terrified voice split the air, sending chills down all their spines. None of them had morphed when the battle began, hoping to hold off the bad guys with their own fighting skills so as to not escalate the battle. Unfortunately, Mesogog had taken advantage of that and sent the Red Dino Ranger spinning to the ground where he lay almost lifeless. If it hadn't been for the tiny rise and fall of Conner's chest, Ethan, Trent and Kira would have thought he was dead.
The demeanor of the White Dino Ranger at the sight of his fallen friend snapped. "Ethan, help Kira with Conner." Trent's voice went from worried to deadly in a second flat. Ethan didn't argue with his friend, knowing from experience the tone of Trent's voice more than explained his frame of mind at the moment; he was PISSED. Grabbing Kira's arm, Ethan dragged her toward Conner while Trent turned toward Mesogog.
"You think you're capable of beating me, Trent?" Mesogog hissed.
"Yeah, I do," the White Ranger shot back.
"I don't think so; you're weak, just like your father!"
"White Ranger, Dino Power!"
Mesogog flew forward striking out seconds after the White Ranger had completed his morph. Trent went cart-wheeling backwards through the air, having been unprepared for the preemptive strike. He was still skidding across the asphalt when he realized Mesogog was still coming for him. Using his powers, Trent sped away, leaving the monster that'd once been part of his father seething at missing him.
"You can run, but you can't hide," the dinosaur roared.
A wicked grin split Trent's lips under his helmet. "Who said I was hiding?" he growled, lashing out with his fist, slamming it into Mesogog's turned back.
"Are you okay?" Kat wanted to know as she helped Justin sit up.
"Got the wind knocked out of me," he informed her. His eyes widened when he got a good look over Kat's shoulders. "Holy shit, not again."
The blonde haired Pink Ranger's head turned sharply to see the figure in black leather come sauntering toward them. She winced beneath her helmet. "Wonderful," she murmured, dread filling her chest at the sight of Kimberly. She remembered the last encounter she had with Kimberly in this sort of situation; it had taken Tommy and Lerigot and his wife to release her. This time, she knew she was on her own. The Liarians were no where in sight and Tommy was stuck at Rootcore on Jason's command.
"Damn!" Zack's voice echoed out. Putties, Cogs and more Piranhatrons had appeared alongside Kimberly and Scorpina.
With a deep breath, Kat made a decision she hoped she'd live through. "Justin, go help the others."
"But…!" he argued.
"No buts, go," she ordered in her best authoritative voice.
Justin saw the set line of her shoulders and watched as tension seeped into her even more. She was bracing for her one on one fight with Kim. "Be careful."
The Pink Ranger didn't acknowledge him. She merely turned to face Kim's advancing figure while formulating an attack strategy. "Kim."
"You honestly think you can talk to me as if all is well?" Kimberly sarcastically laughed. "You've got to be kidding me, right?"
Swallowing, Kat stood up from her position. "You need to stop and remember, Kim. We're your friends, your family." Katherine watched through her visor, her eyes locked on her friend's face. This wasn't like with Maligore, Kimberly wasn't merely enchanted; this was far worse, and in the fraction of a moment the Pink Ranger realized that she understood that not even Tommy taking his helmet off or Lerigot's magic would free Kimberly. The Evil Tommy's hold was just too strong to beat with pleading.
"I believe I told you a long time ago, I have no friends, no family. And newsflash sweetie, Pink is seriously overrated still!"
If Kat had actually thought out what she was about to do for any longer, she'd have lost her nerve. Hoping to catch Kim off guard, the Pink Zeo Ranger did the unthinkable. "Power down!"
Kimberly eyed the blonde with mild interest. She never would have pegged the cutesy Pink Zeo Ranger as having the guts to let her powers go in a life or death fight. "Bravery? Now?"
"Trust. Friendship. Love," Katherine punctuated each word by raising her chin in defiance a little higher and finally staring into Kimberly's black eyes. "I trust you as my friend not to hurt me. You know I love you like a sister, the same way Jason loves you."
The mention of the Red Zeo Ranger's named had power sparking off Kimberly's body. "Enough talking, your time to die has come, pathetic Ranger."
"Kimberly, please don't do this. It isn't you, I know it isn't," blue eyes filled with the desire to free her friend. "We need to talk about what's happened. I know I still feel guilty for what I did under Rita and Zedd's spell; I don't think I've ever gotten over it. I can only imagine how you feel about what happened between you and Tommy, and the rest of us, and you weren't under a spell that made you write the letter and severe all contact with us."
It only took the blonde haired woman a few moments to realize she shouldn't have said what she did, at least not right at that particular moment. Kim's body began to float up from the ground, her hair snapping around her face. "You're the reason I gave up my life! If my powers had never been stolen, I'd have never had to leave!" Kimberly shrieked, drawing everyone's attention to her.
"Kim!" Jason shouted in surprise.
"You stole my life, now you'll forfeit yours!" Kim screamed. "DIE!"
"KAT!" the Zeo Rangers cried out as Kim's blast flew straight at their Pink Ranger.
1:30 P.M.
Rootcore
Billy leaned over the Green Samurai's shoulder, looking concerned. "Cam, you okay?"
The Green Ranger nodded and rubbed a hand over his face. "I think I'm seeing things."
The Blue Ranger quirked an eyebrow at him. "Cam?"
"We've got another energy signature near the other two fights."
"Where?"
"Just north of them, City Center...and I wasn't seeing things, its Astronema," Cam filled him in.
Billy nodded and turned to Andros, who was back near where Kendrix was sitting. "You probably..."
"We're going. Cam, contact Zhane. He headed out that way after we started training."
The Green Ranger was already a step ahead of the Red Ranger, having pulled up Zhane's location. "Base to Zhane, come in."
"Go ahead," came the static-filled reply.
"Head to City Center. Astronema's on the war path. Andros and the others are on their way to join you."
The line was deathly silent before Zhane replied. "Acknowledged."
Cam punched in a few commands and the computer suddenly split into three, showing each of the Ranger groups currently engaged in battle. Andros rushed from the room while Billy patted Cam's shoulder before moving over to help Kai and Kendrix with what they were doing.
The Rock Porium
Shane grunted as he was thrown back into a wall. The four teams were all trying their best to fight this battle unmorphed, but so far, they were all getting their asses kicked and Shane knew that eventually they were going to need to power up. 'Shane, fight bravely and with honor. You know you can beat Vexacus, the power is and always has been inside of you.'
The voice in his head startled him, before the sweetness of the sound caused his heart to ache and feel like it was breaking and being ripped to shreds all over again. "Skyla," he let out, the pain in his voice matching what he felt in his heart. The look on his face showed a determination that he hadn't had since before she'd died. "NINJA STORM, RANGER FORM!" he called to the power inside. Unexpectedly, instead of his Ranger suit, he powered up into his battlelizer.
"Whoa! Not normal!" Dustin's voice broke the silence that followed Shane's morph.
"Blake!" Tori cried out a second later.
Nick looked around then and saw most of the Rangers down on the ground. "Screw this! We're going to get killed!" he told Jack, who nodded.
"READY!" Jack's question issued forth.
"READY!" came the multi-voice reply.
"NINJA STORM RANGER FORM!"
"THUNDER STORM RANGER FORM!"
"DINO THUNDER POWER UP! HA!"
"SPD EMERGENCY!"
"LEGENDARY SOURCE, MYSTIC FORCE!"
Vexacus sneered at Shane while the others morphed. "Just as pathetic now as you were then; give me her powers, and I may let you live out what's left of your sorry life."
The mention of Skyla's power made Shane's body practically light up like a roman candle. "I would rather die and rot in the fiery depths of hell before I ever surrender what she entrusted to me."
"Then enjoy the warmth!" Vexacus howled. He struck out at Shane, only to be blocked by the Red Ranger's arm. "Out to prove yourself Shane?"
"I want you off my planet, and if it means killing you and condemning my soul, so be it. I refuse to let you hurt anyone else ever again," Shane told him, eyes glowing red beneath the visor of his helmet.
"You still think I killed her, that's rich," Vexacus laughed.
Shane just shook his head. "No, I think you sped up her death, but you weren't the reason she died," he spat at him, finally, truly, accepting Skyla's death for what it was; it had been her time.
"Forgiveness isn't becoming of you," the bounty hunter laughed.
Shane said nothing, instead choosing to throw Vexacus back away from him. Once they had distance between them, the Red Ranger silently activated his lasers and locked on to his target.
"Kill me Shane!" the bounty hunter screamed. "Kill me, you fool! You're too chicken to kill me, aren't you?"
"Shane!" Hunter shouted at his friend.
The Red Ranger gritted his teeth and pressed his finger a little tighter to the trigger of his lasers. "You won't hurt anyone else, I'll see to it."
"You Rangers all believe you're the image of the God so many humans pray to, but you're not!" Vexacus growled and taunted. "You won't kill me!"
"Power down!" The Red Wind Ranger's powers suddenly disappeared, until he was standing in front of the cursed bounty hunter in nothing but his ninja leathers. "I'll prove I can beat you without my Ranger powers."
"Shane!" Tori's slightly panicked voice echoed out. "NO!"
Rootcore
"Cassie?" T.J. asked, watching her like a hawk as she paced back and forth in front of him.
"T.J., you hurt me this morning by not trusting me. It's going to take time to heal, for me to stop hurting from that mistrust."
The Blue Ranger nodded, understanding. He knew he had to earn her trust back again. Without thinking, he blurted out, "I want you."
The dark haired woman smiled. It was a lovely feeling, being loved and wanted, but she still wasn't going to make it easy on him. He had a lot of making up to do. "When this saving the world business is all over with, and the bad guys are back in hell where they belong, we're going to discuss our relationship," she started, watching his head come up at that. "I expect serious sucking up and some kick ass dates, Mr. Baseball Man," she teased.
T.J.'s terror at having lost her turned to absolute joy when he realized she was giving him an elusive second chance. "You got it," he responded, vowing to take advantage of something he knew not many got.
"I hate to interrupt," Carlos announced, grinning like a fool after having overhead his friends. "But we've got a crazy Princess of Darkness stalking the city."
Cassie and T.J. nodded and rushed after him back into the tree.
2:15 P.M.
Downtown Briarwood
Kat's back screamed as Kim's powers seared the tank top right off her body, melting the fabric in different places right to her skin. "FUCK!" the Pink Zeo Ranger hissed in pain.
"I'm sorry, did that hurt?" Kim sympathetically asked, then laughed.
"No, not at all," Kat forced the words out of her mouth instead of screaming in pain like she wanted to.
"Let me try again then," Kim's sadistic grin made her friend shudder.
"I'll take a rain check," the blonde replied. "Kim, why don't you come back with me? Tommy and Jason are worried about you, and so are the rest of us."
"You have no right to speak their names, let alone be in their presences!" Kim seethed.
Katherine, finally agitated, pushed up and stood before her friend. "I have just as much right as you! They love me too!" As she dove out of the way of Kimberly's streaking blast, she eyed the field of battle. Jason and Tanya were fighting back to back while Zack wasn't far from Justin, shouting encouragement to the Blue Ranger, who happened to be fighting Divatox.
"Better pay attention to me, Kitty," the Pink Morphin Ranger purred. "I'm a handful all on my own."
It was then that Kat noticed that Scorpina had taken advantage of the others' distraction and was now going for Jason, who had his back turned to her. "JASON!" Kat screamed in warning.
The Red Ranger spun and met Scorpina's advancing attack with accuracy. "Not fair, Kitty."
"The name's Katherine," the Pink Zeo Ranger growled. "I'm done playing games, Kimberly. ZEO RANGER I, PINK POWER DISC!" she commanded even as her Ranger suit reappeared instantly.
Kimberly narrowly avoided the disc of energy. She rolled into a crouch and stared at Kat through barely open eyes. "You play with fire, Kitten, you're going to get burned."
Blue eyes flew open as a massive ball of glowing and swirling green and black energy began building around Kim's body. "Oh shit!"
Rootcore
"Dimitria?" Ninjor called out. Walking into the library, he saw his fellow mentor on the second level, a book in her ethereal hands. "Dimitria?" he asked again.
Again, she didn't acknowledge him. She continued to look at the book. "His legacy has touched many people of many races, from an uncountable number of planets, has it not?"
The Ninja Master merely nodded. He had no need to ask who she was talking about; he already knew. "As long as there are those in this world and others who strive to see peace achieved, then his death was not in vain and his legacy will live on."
Turning to him, Dimitria took in the sight of her friend. They had been through much in their years. Her eyes filled with pain and tears; she'd sat on the sidelines of this war for far too long, now was the time to act, to make the ultimate sacrifice. "Ninjor, will you promise me you'll see that the Rangers are taken care of?"
He gave her a funny look through his visor. "Dimitria, what is it?"
"Will you promise me?" Her voice wasn't its normally calm tone.
"Of course I will, but tell me what's wrong."
She tilted her head at him, in a gesture of what could only be described as sadness. Though the veil she wore concealed her face, her eyes told him all he needed to know. "Have I been a true friend?" she asked. At his nod, she sighed. "Then the next question would be, have I done everything within my power to ensure the success of those under my command?"
The Ninja Master was perplexed. He'd never gotten the complete hang of understanding Dimitria or anyone from Inquiris. The constant questions were slightly irritating, especially when they weren't making sense. "Dimitria, I'm afraid I don't understand. You aren't making sense."
She knew she wasn't, but she also knew there was no way to explain what she knew in her heart. In order for the Rangers to be rid of Divatox, they must also be rid of her. "We must all die sometime, don't you think?"
"All of our existences must end, some sooner than others. What does this have to do…" he started and then stopped. "I see."
She nodded. "If I knew another way for them to succeed, do you not think I would chose that course of action first?"
"What are you planning, old friend?"
"If I could tell you, I would, yes?"
Ninjor sighed. "You've been an outstanding friend, Dimitria, and a formidable colleague. I pray your soul finds peace."
She did not respond, merely choosing a low bow of her head before her body disappeared, leaving Ninjor to hang his head. Another dear friend gone because of war; he was starting to wonder if it was his destiny to be the last of them to survive.
"Something's coming through the portal," Kai announced suddenly.
Jen and Wes were right behind him. "Cam, can you guys pinpoint it?"
"City Center, not far from where Astronema is," Cam answered. "Kai, lock down the location."
"On it!" the Blue Ranger responded, then growled. "Trip, can you give me a hand?"
The Time Force Green Ranger slid into a chair across the room and started typing. "Hayley, boost the power!"
The Black Ranger cut power to several non critical systems and redirected it to Trip's console. "That's all I've got!" she told him.
"Briarwood Farmer's Market! Four blocks from where the Space Rangers are!" Kai called then.
"Trip, let's go!" Jen ordered as she and Wes turned to flee.
"Lucas, Katie, Eric, meet us at the entrance to Rootcore!" Wes ordered through their communicators, flying out of the room after his wife.
The Pit
"So, why exactly are we meeting?" Morganna grumbled.
"Silence!" Koragg ordered. "The First has a mission for us."
The woman looked like a petulant child as she sat down at the long table. "Leave Morganna alone," Zedd announced. "The First has asked Mondo and me to orchestrate this mission."
"What are we doing?" Vypra demanded.
Mondo stood before them, grinning. "The best way to hit the Rangers is to strike where they're most vulnerable – family and friends."
"Mondo, Broodwing and Divatox have been working on a satellite to help with the other part of this plan. As it is, we have a list of family and friends the First wants to strike at," Zedd gleefully informed them.
"Then let's get started," Trakeena finally spoke up.
Downtown Briarwood
"How'd I know they'd send you, of all people?"
Zhane stiffened but tightened his resolve to get his wife back. He refused to believe she was gone, refused to accept Astronema was her. "He's filled your head with lies all over again," Zhane whispered, watching the pink haired woman glare at him.
"You're the liar!" she screamed. Quickly, she recovered from her fit and took on a regal stance3. "Enough nonsense, you Rangers are going to die, and it might as well start with you!"
Zhane stood there staring at her. "Karone, I know you better than this. You can fight this. Come back to me."
"You don't know me at all," she hissed.
"I know all your hopes, all your dreams, everything that makes you tick," he reminded her. "You can't hide from me. His magic may have warped your mind, but your heart is still mine.
She narrowed her eyes at him. "You go too far."
"I haven't gone far enough," he shot back. "I want my wife back. I want the woman who makes me smile, who spars with me mentally and physically, I want the woman who tries tucking her cold toes up my pant legs, back. Astronema is merely a persona brought out by Dark Spector; deep down, she's not who you really are."
Zhane saw that he was starting to gain some headway with her. The expression on her face said some memories were filtering back. He opened his mouth only to promptly shut it when her eyes sparked with dark energy. "Nice try, Silver Ranger," she spat at him.
It was in that moment when he felt the others come up beside him. His heart was torn between his team and his wife, but he knew in order to get his beloved back, he was going to need his team. "Karone."
"She's dead."
"No, she's not." Andros' steady presence at his side along with the Red Ranger's words reminded Zhane that he wasn't the only one affected by her transformation. "I refuse to believe that she's gone. This front is Dark Spector's magic, not my sister's choice. We freed you once, we can and will do it again."
Astronema sneered at them and without a word, fired on the group. Andros and Ashley tackled Zhane while Carlos and T.J. covered Cassie. "I made a promise the day I put that ring on your finger," Zhane almost shouted. "I'll be damned if I break it; love, honor, cherish and protect until death takes me from you, remember?"
"Shut up!" she screamed. "Kill them!" she ordered the Quatrons.
The Rock Porium
In the two years since he'd last been a Ranger, Trent had dealt with all of the left over guilt and other intensified emotions his experience as a Ranger had left. Or so he thought. He had never realized the extent of the anger he held in regards to Mesogog. The mutant freak had nearly killed his father, him, his friends, and most of all, he'd nearly killed Kira. The fact that Conner was still on the ground, barely moving, and it could have easily been his girlfriend instead, made him angry, beyond angry.
"You honestly think you can take me on?" Mesogog hissed in his ear as he held Trent in a headlock.
"I'm not just going to take you on, Meso-freak," Trent grunted, maneuvering out of the hold just as Tommy had taught him. "I'm going to destroy you, make sure you can't hurt anyone else I love, ever again."
"Why Trent, it's not like I hurt your little girlfriend."
"No, you just hurt one of my best friends," he hissed. "And that's bad enough. You're finished, I hope you know that. My helmet covered face is going to be the last thing you see."
Mesogog just laughed and then roared; the energy released in the move throwing Trent back and off his feet. The White Ranger quickly pushed to his feet and moved in a blur, drawing on reserves of energy he wasn't sure he had. As a Ranger, a good Ranger, he'd fought to preserve life, to bring justice to those who sought to destroy or enslave the people of Earth; right now his sole purpose was to destroy Mesogog. Not exactly the lessons, or reasoning Tommy had taught them to use when being a Ranger, but they weren't playing by the same rules this time. Either the bad guys got gone, or the good guys got their asses kicked, and the good guys losing was NOT an option.
He ducked, faked, and punched his way through the fight with the dino-freak mutant. As if in slow motion, he found just the right opportunity to bring his left knee up and slam it right into Mesogog's stomach, sending his opponent to the asphalt below. His attention was diverted across the street to where Shane and Vexacus were going at it. He never saw Mesogog slink away and disappear in a flash until it was too late. "Fuck!" he bit out before turning to head for the others, knowing he'd have to finish his fight with the mutant freak another time.
Meanwhile, Shane was demorphed and fighting Vexacus as if a demon were after him. And maybe that was the case. They all knew the demon that Shane was really fighting was the guilt and pain of losing his beloved Skyla. Each and every Ranger who had a significant other wondered how the Red Wind Ninja had made it through the last few years without her, knowing that losing their other half would tear them in two.
"I will finish you, pathetic Ranger, then I will take your power, the power she foolishly gave you, and I will kill your friends and destroy your world."
"Over. My. Dead. BODY!" Shane argued back. As he fought, he found that not only was he tiring, he wasn't landing as many hits. His anger, he realized, along with the pain in his heart, were blocking out his concentration. Taking a deep breath, he drew back from Vexacus and began to even his breathing and let his conscious mind sink deeper and deeper into a meditative state.
Tori and Dustin shot him worried glances as they continued to fight. When Vexacus began to rush at him, both cried out in warning. "SHANE!"
The Red Wind Ranger's eyes snapped open, glowing an unearthly red color, and his right arm came up in front of him. With a flick of his wrist, he shot red colored power out of his body, slamming it into Vexacus, sending the bounty hunter cart-wheeling backwards before sprawling out on the ground, groaning. The move had all of the other Rangers turning to see what was happening.
"How?" Vexacus groaned, pushing to his feet. "How can you control such power?"
"Don't you know by now, no matter what, the good guys always win in the end?" Shane asked, though his voice was devoid of any emotion. It was as if he had literally clamped down on all the other thoughts in his head, except beating his opponent, and locked them away, along with every emotion he'd been feeling.
One by one the other Rangers finished off the Kelzacks and the Tyrannodrones, before stepping up to form a line on either side of Shane. With Mesogog gone, and the foot soldiers defeated, Vexacus was on his own. "You can't beat me; you don't have the stomach for it."
"This ends here," Shane quietly announced his voice barely above a whisper. "This ends just like it should have a long time ago. Your time here is over, Vexacus, and you will not hurt another person, ever again. You won't hunt anymore beings down for bounty or sport, and you won't try to take anyone else's power. You're finished."
"Try me!"
Shane stepped forward then, bringing his arms up in a complicated gesture that seemed to summon the Red Wind Ninja power to him. He gathered that power in his hands, letting it pulse and hiss in front of his chest. Closing his eyes, he let his other senses take over. When he could no longer safely contain the power he'd summoned, he let it go. "POWER OF AIR!" he called out, shoving his arms straight out in front of him as the power flew from his palms toward a screaming Vexacus. His aim was perfect and true, as the ball of hissing, screaming, pulsating power slammed dead center into Vexacus' chest, tearing a hole right through the bounty hunter.
The other Rangers watched on in shock as Shane stood absolutely still, his eyes not opening until Vexacus dropped to his knees, then collapsed completely against the asphalt before the lifeless body of the bounty hunter exploded in a burst of red.
When the wind began to shift, blowing the dust particles everywhere, Shane opened his eyes and let out a heavy sigh. He took Tori and Dustin's hands, the two having stepped up beside him, then looked up at the sky when Hunter, Kapri, Marah and Blake completed the link. "It's done, Skyla. He's gone, and I am finally at peace with what happened," he murmured to the clouds above, drawing strength and peace and hope from his friends, his family, in this most difficult task he'd had to face.
Downtown Briarwood
"Are you sure we're in the right place?" Eric grumbled as the six Time Force Rangers patrolled the streets near where they'd been told the time portal was opening up.
"You wanna call the others and tell them they were wrong?" Katie asked, looking over her shoulder while he rolled his eyes. "Besides, how often has Trip ever been wrong about something?"
Eric just glared at her before looking around some more. The streets were fairly calm in this section of Briarwood, but then, a battle was going on just about four blocks away, so everyone had probably run for their lives earlier. "Maybe the portal closed already?"
"Rethink that," Jen pointed out the time portal that was wide open in front of them. The six dropped into battle ready stances before watching a lone figure step through, his eyes shaded by sunglasses, his hair slicked back, and a Time Force officer's uniform gracing his figure.
Wes stepped up then, knowing he'd recognize the man anywhere, in any time. "Alex."
Alex took his glasses off and smirked at the group. "Rangers."
2:30 P.M.
Even through his suit, Justin felt the searing pain, like his back was on fire. He could hear Divatox laughing maniacally in the background, could hear Zack yelling at him to get up, Tanya calling out words of encouragement, Jason's grunts of pain and hisses of anger as he fought Scorpina, Katherine's cries from facing Kimberly, but he couldn't get his body to respond. Every nerve ending was screaming for him to just lay down and stay down, to let the others help him, and then he remembered something.
He wasn't an eleven year old rookie anymore.
Pushing his mind through the pain, he rolled to his side, only to see the blood left in his wake. His back really had been fried, to the point that it left his suit gashed open and blood everywhere. "Fuck, that's not good."
"Awww, did I hurt you, wittle boy?" Divatox taunted.
Shaking his head to clear it, Justin pushed to his hands and knees, then to his feet, all the way his body screaming and raging at having to move. "You answer me when I'm speaking to you!" Divatox screamed.
"FUCK OFF!" Justin cried out then, angry beyond words, as he spun, his booted foot connecting with her jaw, sending her flying backwards. He stared in shock at her body flying through the air before it hit the ground and skidded several feet away. "Holy shit."
"Nice job Justin!" Tanya called to him, sending him a thumbs up as well. He wasn't sure whether to be happy or worried that he'd been able to do that.
"You'll pay for that," Divatox spat blood from her mouth as she pushed herself to her feet.
His body moved on instinct, years of Martial Arts training kicking in at every turn; each strike, each block, each leg sweep he performed, he could hear Rocky, Tommy, and Adam's calm, quiet instruction in his head. Sparring sessions with them, and later with TJ and Carlos, seemed to overlap his battle with his toughest adversary. For an entire year of his life, he'd fought battle after battle with her, had been smarter, faster, stronger, more mature than she could ever hope to be, and he'd only been a fraction of her age, and now, he was facing her again.
And while the others faced demons from their pasts, she alone was his. How many nights in the years since he'd been a Ranger had he woken, screaming and terrified, that he hadn't been good enough, smart enough, strong enough to be a Ranger, that they'd failed to bring Divatox down? He knew why, after having spoken to Rocky and Tommy, he'd had those nightmares. He'd not had a hand in ultimately defeating Divatox; that had been up to the Space Rangers, and of course Zordon's sacrifice.
Tommy called it closure. Justin knew he needed it. Defeating her, here and now, that was his closure to his time as a Ranger, and he would only have peace of mind after he'd done what he needed to.
It was time to end it.
Too bad he was so lost in his thoughts that he never saw the big ball of energy coming at him until it was right upon him. He opened his mouth to cry out in agony, only no sound was uttered. He fell to the ground, withering in pain, and then it was suddenly gone. He seemed to float for a minute, and then he realized why. Dimitria knelt next to him, her soft hands on his suit, power radiating from her like a cooling balm on his injuries. He looked up into her eyes, and for the first time he felt a sickening fear he couldn't describe. "Dimitria?"
"There comes a time for us all to do as we were meant to, do you not agree?" she asked softly.
He could only nod, knowing almost exactly what she was talking about. "There has to be another way," he whispered.
"I see no other way for you to succeed in this most important mission, do you?"
"Dimitria…"
She said nothing, merely standing to her feet and all but floating to stand before Divatox. "Shall we end this?"
"I've always wanted the pleasure of killing you," Divatox spit out before rushing forward.
Zhane grunted and sunk to one knee the second his wife started swinging her staff down on his head. Correction, she wasn't his wife at the moment, merely a new personality inserted to control his wife. Karone hated fighting, even though she'd learned to do so after Kendrix's 'death' and with her taking on the Galaxy Pink powers. She loved the martial arts, loved learning them from Leo, Andros, Tommy, Adam and himself, but she hated using them. The woman before him had no qualms with using what was already instinct to Karone.
So he did what he had to, to stay alive. Blocking punches, kicks, and dodging leg sweeps while trying to come up with a way to get through to her. His arms stung from where her staff had slammed down on him as he'd blocked her strike. With a lightning fast move, he turned his hands up so that he grabbed her staff. Once it was firmly in his grip, he rolled to his back, sending her flying over him, her hands releasing her staff as she flew. He winced when he rolled to his feet and saw her hit the pavement and skid a few feet away. His eyes quickly darted to the others – Cassie and Ashley were back to back, fighting with their usual grace and flare, each feeding off the other's presence; Carlos and T.J. were together, but some feet apart, trading attacks and opponents back and forth till the Quatrons were falling down around them; then there was Andros, on his own like always, mowing down Quatrons while still keeping his eyes on Zhane and Ashley. Ever the leader, the Silver Ranger thought. Andros was always looking out for the rest of them.
"THIS ENDS NOW!" Astronema ordered, her voice raised in a tantrum. The staff Zhane held was suddenly wrenched from his hands by her power, leaving him unmorphed while she powered up.
"LET'S ROCKET!" Andros ordered, the six Rangers falling into line. They punched in their morphing codes and instantly were transformed into their suits. "Zhane, you've got Karone, the rest of us will take care of the Quatrons!"
Zhane merely saluted before rushing forth. He and Astronema met at the halfway point between them, her staff striking his Super Silverizer instead of meeting his chest like she'd planned. "Why do you fight so? Don't you know it's no use, you're going to lose?"
"I don't fight for this world, I fight for you," Zhane grunted, as she forced him down to one knee again with her staff. "I fight for my wife, for my love."
Astronema grinned at him. "Not such a great Ranger after all, are you Zhane? You'd fight for one woman when the fate of the world rests on your shoulders?"
The Silver Ranger looked up at her, wanted to make a comment about this not being his world, but in truth, he couldn't. Earth had become his home, as much if not more than his own planet was or had been. "That's why Ranger teams come in six," he quipped, watching her try to spin to block Andros' attack. Her screams of agony when Andros' Spiral Saber met her back broke his heart, but he understood it was for her own good. He let his weapon disappear as he opened his arms to catch her when she fell to the ground. "Zhane…" Andros started, but was waved off.
"You had to, we both know that, and I know you love her just as much as I do," the Silver Ranger whispered, his gaze locking on the woman laying in his arms.
"ASTRONEMA!"
Andros spun and Zhane's head snapped up at Darkonda's voice. "Well crap," Andros uttered. "You got her?"
"Go."
The Red Ranger sprinted forward, executing one very high velocity tumbling pass at Darkonda before he shot out with his left leg, the appendage slamming into Darkonda's chest, sending him flying backwards. "Geez, you'd almost think Kim had been giving him lessons," Zhane muttered sarcastically, but was happy to see Darkonda get his ass kicked.
"She'll give him lessons in more than tumbling," Astronema muttered, seconds before Zhane was screaming in pain. She'd put both palms to his chest and sent him flying backwards with a blast of power that tore right through his suit. "How dare you touch me?"
"ZHANE!" Cassie's terrified and frantic voice called out. Already, she and Ashley were streaking toward him while Carlos and T.J. went to help Andros.
"STAR SLINGER!"
"SATELLITE STUNNER!"
The two attacks knocked Astronema back a few feet, allowing the girls time to get between her and Zhane. "Take us on," Ashley dared her.
"Another time," Astronema grinned. "DARKONA! RETREAT!"
The five Rangers let out irritated curses before turning to Zhane's prone form. "We've got to get him back to Rootcore," T.J. announced. "Dana's gonna need to take a look at him."
Andros nodded and brought his arm up, pressing his communicator for Cam. "This is Andros, six to teleport back to Rootcore, and Cam, get Dana, Zhane's hurt."
"Acknowledged; teleporting now."
Justin stumbled back in shock as he watched Dimitria and Divatox trade blows. Dimitria had never held a corporal form when she'd been here on Earth, and even just a few seconds ago as she'd touched him, she hadn't been solid. But there she was, fighting Divatox with a skill that went beyond Justin's understanding. She wasn't just a mentor; she had the power to fight.
"Holy shit, is that Dimitria?" Zack quipped as he bent down to help Justin steady himself.
"Yeah, it is," the Blue Ranger announced. A cry went up, startling both of them into turning their heads. Scorpina lay, unconscious, at Jason's feet. The Red Ranger had his sword gripped in both hands while his chest heaved up and down, tell tale signs that he was trying to catch his breath. Tanya moved toward him, her hand coming to rest on his shoulder before it slowly pushed his arms to his sides. Neither Justin or Zack could hear what she said to their leader, but it seemed to work.
The two moved over to join Jason and Tanya, stuck in the middle of two battles. "So, um, game plan?" Zack asked Jason, who shook his head.
"Kat's got Kim," Jason forced out, though the others could tell he wanted nothing more than to help the Pink Ranger. "And Dimitria's got Divatox. The piranhatrons are gone, so I'm not sure…"
It was then that they heard Katherine's voice lift. "Oh shit!"
The four spun then, to see a large, pulsating mass of energy and power spinning around Kimberly's body before it began it's flight toward Katherine's kneeling form. "KAT!" Jason hollered at her.
They watched in sickening fascination as Katherine brought up her Zeo Power Disc, using it as a shield against Kim's power. Some of it managed to work around the weapon, tearing at Katherine's suit so that she was covered in bleeding cuts, but what amazed them even more was that somehow, the Pink Zeo Ranger had deflected the ball of energy.
"DOWN!" Tanya ordered, tackling Jason while Justin and Zack hit the ground near them, the ball of power flying crazily over their heads. It only took a few seconds before the realized where it was going.
"DIMITRIA!" Justin yelled in warning, but he was seconds too late.
Divatox managed to grip Dimitria's shoulders and turn the Rangers' mentor into the blast, letting her take the brunt of it. The Rangers watched Dimitria's head snap up, but never heard a scream echo from her throat as the power ripped through her body. Satisfied that she wasn't going to be hurt, Divatox tossed the white clad woman to the ground and stood laughing, until her own legs gave out and she collapsed to the ground.
Both Kimberly and Katherine's heads snapped up to see the devastation their fight had caused. The Pink Ranger's suit disappeared as she sat slumped on the ground, tears welling in her disbelieving eyes. Her head began to shake back and forth as Justin pushed up and ran to where the fallen Dimitria lay, unmoving. "Oh God, what have I done?" Kat uttered, her ears finally taking in Justin's pleas for Dimitria to get up, to move, to hang on.
Not far from her, Kimberly stood immobile, watching Justin cradle Dimitria's body while Divatox was helped up by the now conscious Scorpina. The Space Pirate began to laugh hysterically at Justin's pain, and at the seemingly deflated and defeated Rangers. She should have been happy, should have been smiling and smugly shoving Dimitria's death in the Rangers' faces, let alone destroying them while their guard was done, but something inside of her thawed from the ice cold she'd felt since she'd woken in the First's dungeon. A tiny sliver of regret; and a good helping of anger found their way to the surface.
"Well, Milady," Divatox sarcastically grinned at Kimberly. "What do you think? I'm the first of us to have killed one of those pathetic do-gooders!"
Everyone's eyes went to Kimberly's face, which showed nothing of what she was feeling. With little effort, she launched herself into the air and came down next to Divatox and Scorpina. "Return to base," she ordered Scorpina before turning to Divatox. Once the other woman was gone, Kimberly stared at Divatox blankly before letting her face twist into a snarl. With one swift thrust of her palm, she sent Divatox to the pavement below.
The Rangers gasped at her move, wondering what the hell had gotten into her. Eerie silence filled the area as Divatox looked up at Kimberly in astonishment and fear. "You're a coward, Divatox, and I don't like cowards."
While the Space Pirate struggled to her feet, already bleeding, Kimberly strode over to Justin, who looked up at her through his visor and prayed that she wasn't about to decide to end his existence; he'd always been rather fond of her, even with all the animosity that had once existed between her and the others, because she'd been very nice to him after the Murianthias incident.
Justin's throat went dry when Kimberly knelt next to him and Dimitria, her hand coming out to stroke Dimitria's cheek. When she looked up at Justin it wasn't with pitch black, bottomless pools; it was with the beloved doe-brown of her normal eye color. "She's going somewhere peaceful, Justin," she murmured, watching as Dimitria took her final breaths. Shaking her head, Kim looked back up at the young man and said the words that made his blood run cold, and yet, gave him hope. "Finish it, Justin."
Without another word, or looking at anyone, including the now spewing and pissed off Divatox, Kimberly stood back up, stepped away from Justin, and disappeared in a flash of light. Unsure of what was happening around him, Justin looked from where Kimberly had been to where Dimitria was laying in his lap. His friend, however evil she may have been at that moment, was right. It was time to end it. Closing Dimitria's eyes, Justin carefully laid her on the asphalt before moving toward the others. "Let's do this," he emotionlessly spoke to the others.
Jason came up then, laying his hand on the younger Ranger's shoulder. "Are you sure?"
"Dimitria was right when she told me we all must do what we're meant to, and we're meant to do this," he uttered.
The Red Ranger nodded and the four waited for Katherine to suit back up before calling on their weapons. "Zeo One Power Weapon!" Kat called out, her power disc forming in her hands.
"Zeo Two Power Weapons!" Tanya's voice carried next, her nanchaku materializing in her outstretched hands.
"Zeo Three Power Weapons!" Justin's call was steady even though he didn't feel so as the twin arm blades appeared in his grasp.
"Zeo Four Power Weapons!" Zack commanded, the two hand held hatchets that were his to control appearing.
"Zeo Five Power Weapon!" Jason's voice produced the Red Ranger sword again, which settled into his grasp as the five stood before Divatox.
She sneered at them, even though Kimberly's hit had taken more out of her than she'd ever admit. "I will not die, you can't kill me!" she taunted.
"Bring 'em together!" Jason ordered, the five moving their weapons to form the Zeo Blaster. "Zeo Blaster…"
"…POWER UP!" the others answered, the laser in their hands firing at the sound of their voices. Divatox shrieked, screamed, cried, and cursed the Rangers as she attempted to get out of the beam's way, only to not succeed.
The blaster hit her dead center of her chest, blowing her apart in seconds, leaving nothing left of her other than the echoing screams from her mouth. Jason took Kat's hand, while Tanya leaned against Zack's shoulder as the four watched Justin demorph and move over to Dimitria's body.
"Thank you, for everything," he whispered to her. It felt almost like it had when he'd lost his mother as a child. "Be at peace, we all know you, Zordon and Trini are watching over us."
With that, Dimitria's body seemed to shimmer and fade away, leaving nothing behind of the once powerful sorceress and mentor of the Turbo Rangers.