Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter 29 – Fond Farewells
The final week of the school year went by in a flash, even though the Rangers had final exams to contend with. When the final bell rang on the last day the entire school rejoiced and the Rangers headed to the Youth Centre to celebrate.
"We're free baby!" Zack cried doing a little dance. "Three years down and summer here we come!"
"Easy there Zack." Kim said as they claimed their favourite table.
"I can't help it! I'm just so psyched for the summer!" Zack's giddiness did not abate and so Kim did the only thing she could to get him to settle down, she plopped Kira down in her uncle Zack's lap.
"Unc Zack!" she cried with a big smile. At nearly two years old, Kira had mastered single syllables, though she was still having trouble putting them together. Though as this had been a trend from the time she began to talk, no one was worried. The kid was not even two years old and she was talking up a storm in words close enough to their actual words to be understood, even if those words were all monosyllables.
"Hey you!" Zack said back with his own smile, wrapping his arms around his niece. "Well played." He said to Kim for even though his happiness did not disappear, his movements were tampered.
"I'll go get us drinks." Tommy said standing up. Ernie had graciously not scheduled him any shifts this last week wanting him to focus on exams, though Tommy still helped out whenever he needed a break from studying, which worked out well as the Youth Centre was their favourite place to study so there was no commute involved. He started working again tomorrow, but with the end of school the Youth Centre was packed so the least he could do would be to make their own drinks.
"Don't bother, Tommy." Came Ernie's voice from behind him where he was bringing over a tray of drinks. "I told you you're off this week and I meant it. I managed for years without you before you started working here, I think I can manage for a week." Ernie placed their regular smoothies down in front of them, knowing their order by heart, as well as apple juice in a sippy cup, which was kept behind the bar, for Kira. "Relax, enjoy your time off. They're on the house." With that he left the teens alone to tend to other customers.
"Well, cheers guys!" Tommy said, raising his glass, both in celebration of the end of the year, as well as in thanks to Ernie.
"So what did you guys think of your first year at Angel Grove High?" Trini asked. "And your first couple months." She amended for Rocky, Adam and Aisha who had only moved here a couple months ago.
"It was great." Kat said. "Schools are so different here than in Australia, namely the holidays. We get two weeks off every two and a half months or so, and then a month at Christmas for our summer break, the new school year starting in February."
"Right, because Australia's on the southern hemisphere." Said Billy.
"Well we didn't have that much of a change." Aisha said. "Stone Canyon High And Angel Grove High are technically within the same school district. But I think the teacher's here are tougher."
"Especially Ms. Applebee." Rocky grumbled. "She's a great teacher, but her tests are killer."
"She just expects a lot from her students. You get used to it." Jason said.
"You know we've been hearing that a lot lately." Adam quipped, causing his friends to laugh.
"You'll get used to that too." Jason shot back. Adam hung his head in exasperation, but otherwise let it go. The Rangers spent the next couple hours talking about summer plans, the impending leave for the Peace Conference, and just about anything else they could think of. Their conversation was only interrupted by the six note chime of their communicators.
"I guess it's back to work." Rocky said, this being the fifth battle he and Aisha and Adam would fight since becoming Rangers a week ago. They all stood up, save for the three who had recently given up their powers.
"You guys coming?" Tommy asked. The three shook their heads.
"I think we'll sit this one out. If you need us though, call us." Trini said, referring to both the technical help they could give, as well as the Ranger help by way of their Ninjetti powers should things really get out of hand."
"We'll watch her." Zack said motioning Kira who had fallen asleep in his arms. Tommy and Kim nodded their thanks before they, along with Billy and Kat, went to teleport to the Power Chamber. The three staying behind waited a few minutes before going over to the bar and asking Ernie to turn the news on. Sure enough, it showed the Rangers engaging Mondo's latest monster in battle. Seeing all five Rangers in battle near the beach, and the three of them still here, had Ernie confused.
"Aren't you guys…" he let the question drop, not wanting anyone else who had come to watch the news understand his question.
"Oh man, sorry, guess we forgot to tell you with finals and everything. Aisha, Rocky and Adam have taken over. We're going to the Peace Conference." Jason explained.
"I see. Well, congratulations guys, it's a great opportunity."
"Thanks Ernie." They watched the battle enfold, seeing the monster go down then grow big, and ended up explaining things to Bulk and Skull who had arrived in time to see the Rangers call on the Zeo Zords, and were just as confused as Ernie. After the battle, the Rangers returned to the Youth Centre, earning silent congratulations from Ernie, Bulk and Skull. Dinner time came, and Kira's nap ended in a loud hungry cry. Kim and Tommy took their daughter back and brought out the peas, rice and tiny bits of chicken they had packed that morning. The others ordered their own food knowing their parents weren't expecting them home for dinner tonight. Some parents, however, apparently expected their children home after dinner, for Ernie received a call from Jason's mom asking he sent Jason, Trini and Zack home.
"Wonder what she wants?" Jason muttered as he and the others packed up. "We'll see you guys tomorrow." Hopping into their cars, Trini joining Jason, the three drove home. Jason drove to Trini's house first but was surprised to see his parents' car out front sitting in Trini's driveway.
"They must have known you'd drop me off first." Trini said. Parking by the curb, Jason got out with Trini and the two headed into the house, to see four very irate parents.
"Um…you wanted to see us?" Jason asked, still unsure as to what was going on.
"Jason Lee Scott, we understand that we long ago lifted the rules about contacting us the moment a battle was over, but you've now completely forgotten to call us altogether five times." Lucy scolded.
"You as well, Trini." Mai added. Jason and Trini groaned, understanding now what was going on, and seeing where they had gone wrong.
"We didn't forget to call you after a battle, we haven't fought in any battles all week." Jason said.
"We saw you today on the news." James said, unimpressed.
"That wasn't us. We gave up our powers a week ago, for the Peace Conference." Trini explained.
"But that's two months away." Chien said, confused.
"Yes, Ba, but we wanted to make sure our replacements could handle it before we go. If something happens, it's a lot easier for us to tell the Peace Conference officials we can't make it afterall then it is to come home on short notice."
"So you're no longer Power Rangers?" Her father clarified.
"Not active Rangers." Jason amended. "We'll never really stop being Rangers. But day-to-day battles are over."
"So who are the new Rangers?" Lucy asked.
"Aisha, Rocky, and Adam." They didn't feel the need to keep it from their parents, they'd figure it out pretty fast, and they've already kept the secret this long, they didn't think this would change that.
"Do their parents know?" Trini and Jason shook their heads.
"Not yet. They wanted things to settle down before they considered telling their parents."
"Consider telling them?" Mai asked, not liking the 'consider' part.
"Zordon has said that if they feel their parents can keep the secret, they could tell them, but it's up to them whether they want to or not." Although they didn't like this answer, they knew none of them would do anything about it; at least not yet. They felt their parents had a right to know, but they'd give them a chance before they intervened.
-T/K-
The first month of the summer holidays passed by with joyful ease. The Rangers were making the most of their time together before Trini, Jason and Zack left for the Peace Conference.
"I can't believe there's only three weeks left before you leave." Kim moaned, pulling the nearest of the three friends who were leaving into a hug, as she had been prone to do over the last month; this time it was Zack who was subject to her death grip.
"I won't be going anywhere if you hug me to death." Zack grumbled, prying Kim's arms from around his neck.
"I'm just gonna miss you guys so much!"
"We'll miss you too, Ptera." Jason assured her. "But we're not gone forever."
"And we'll write and call all the time, and we'll be home for Christmas." Trini added.
"Besides, we're not going anywhere until after Kira's birthday, which, by the way, is in sixteen days!" Jason said.
"No, really? My daughter's birthday is in sixteen days? I hadn't noticed." Quipped Tommy, who was pushing her stroller as they walked in the park.
"Ignoring Jason's exuberance, what are we going to do to celebrate her birthday?" Billy inquired.
"We were thinking a picnic at the park this year." Tommy said.
"Gives us more escape routes should the Machine Empire decide to crash it like Rita and Zedd did." Mumbled Kim.
"They wouldn't dare do that this year." Trini said confidently.
"Why not?" Kat asked.
"Because then they'd not only have the five Zeo Rangers to contend with but also three very pissed off Originals." Jason said, steel hardening his voice. "They are not ruining her birthday right before we leave." There was no doubt in anyone's mind that Jason was entirely serious. The Machine Empire had better watch out if they even thought of interrupted Kira's birthday. The next sixteen days consisted of planning intermingled with monster fights. As expected, all the parents, Kat's included, along with Bulk, Skull and Ernie, got involved; even Aisha and Adam's parents accepted an invitation, wanting to get to know their children's friends better, along with their family. Due to last year's fiasco, Kim and Tommy had completely forgotten to bring Kira to the Command Centre for Zordon and Alpha and had to belatedly accept their gift of yet another stuffed animal. So this year it was agreed that the Power Chamber would be their first stop.
"Happy birthday Kira!" Alpha cried upon their arrival.
"Alph!" she cried right back reaching out for him, her father dutifully handing her over.
"IT IS AMAZING HOW MUCH SHE HAS GROWN IN THE LAST YEAR." Zordon commented, looking down on them.
"I know. It's like time's flying. Soon she's not gonna be my baby anymore." Tears came to Kim's eyes and Tommy wrapped a comforting arm around her.
"We've talked about this, Kim." He said, a hint of condescension in his voice. "Growing up is a part of life, remember?" Kim elbowed him in the ribs but said nothing.
"I MUST ADMIT THAT WATCHING A BABY GROW FROM BIRTH IS NEW TO ME. AS YOU KNOW I HAVE NEVER HAD CHILDREN OF MY OWN, NOR DID I HAVE ANY SIBLINGS OR FRIENDS WITH CHILDREN. I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE WOMAN SHE WILL ONE DAY BECOME."
"And no doubt Grandpa Zordon will have tons of stories to tell and advice to give." Said Kim, shooting him a wink, and earning a smile at that title. It meant a lot to him that these humans, who he had practically forced into this fight against evil, viewed him as family. He had dedicated his life to fighting evil, and upon his father's death when he was little more than a child, he had ceased to have family, save for Alpha 5. Everyday since the Rangers were brought into his life, he learned something new from these remarkable humans and was given the opportunity to have a family, though he was relegated to observing and advising for he could not leave his time warp. Even still, he was eternally grateful for it.
"Just no embarrassing stories about mom and dad ok?" Tommy asked with a smirk. "Jason will no doubt be telling enough of those." The three remained at the Power Chamber for just over a half hour watching Kira play with the gift from Alpha and Zordon; a miniature jungle gym set up next to her playpen to keep the now two year old, who was no longer content to just sit in her playpen during battles, entertained. Tommy and Kim acknowledged the sub text that Alpha and Zordon would like to have her around more. Over the last few months the number of times Kira had been left in the care of Bulk and Skull had increased significantly, for they were able to give Kira their full attention and cart her around to keep her entertained, whereas those in the Power Chamber had to concentrate on the battle. Although Tommy and Kim had not consciously tried to do this, they still made it a point to bring Kira over more.
With a final farewell, the three teleported to the park, right behind a bush near the picnic so as not to startle the Hillards, Campbells and Parks. Their arrival was greeted with much cheering and Kira was quickly taken from her parents and passed around. Tommy and Kim smiled at the sight and went to take a seat at the picnic table, knowing they wouldn't be getting their daughter back anytime soon. The day went well, with many joyful squeals from Kira as she opened her presents, ran around and played with her new toys, and shoved cake in her face. Just as the sun was starting to set, everyone agreed it was time to head home, least of all because the birthday girl had fallen sleep about an hour ago. Everything was being packed up and the Rangers were thanking whatever deity was out there that this birthday had gone a lot better than the first one when suddenly the hairs on the back of their necks stood up, their finely tuned radar going off, though Rocky, Adam, and Aisha caught on after the others, not having three years of practice.
"Get your parents out of here." Tommy instructed them, wanting the Hillards, Parks and Campbells out of the way first, for at least they could morph in front of their own parents. "Now!"
"Little late for that." Adam said, nodding behind Tommy to where Sprocket himself led a group of Cogs. Screams rang throughout the group, coming predominantly from the Parks, Hillards and Campbells who were coming face to face with these monsters for the first time. The Rangers did not hesitate in grabbing their parents and shoving them backwards to stand in front of them, Kat helping to herd them together out of the way.
"Déja vu anyone?" Jason asked, his voice a mere growl as he eyed the objects of his anger.
"We can commiserate on that later." Billy said, joining the others and taking his fighting stance.
"Aisha, Rocky, Adam, Kat, it's your call." Kim said, giving them the option of taking their parents and running while they handled the Cogs, or revealing their identities. The three shared a look before coming to a consensus.
"Let's do it." Rocky said. "We were gonna tell them soon anyways."
"What he said." Kat called from behind them. Though as she was not a Ranger she would not have revealed her friends identities, though none of them thought for a minute that Zordon would begrudge the parents of one who had become so integral to behind the scenes operations from knowing.
"Right. You guys ready?" Jason asked.
"You're joining us?" Tommy asked.
"I seem to remember saying the Machine Empire would have three very pissed off Originals to deal with should they interrupt Kira's birthday."
"Four." Billy amended, falling into line behind Jason.
"Well, then I guess this will really be our last battle together." Tommy said with a smirk, enjoying the thought that the Machine Empire didn't stand a chance.
"What are they doing?!" Carissa, Aisha's mom, could be heard saying in the background, but the Rangers ignored it.
"It's Morphin' Time!" Jason and Tommy called together, each leading their team.
"Black Ranger Power!"
"Blue Ranger Power!"
"Yellow Ranger Power!"
"Red Ranger Power!"
"Zeo Ranger I-Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger II-Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger III-Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV-Green!"
"Zeo Ranger V-Red!"
Everyone watched in awe at seeing them transform before their eyes. Even for those who had seen it before, it sure was a sight to behold.
"What are you four supposed to me?" Sprocket asked the four Originals, who were in suits he'd never seen before.
"Your worst nightmare." Jason answered before immediately launching on the attack. True to his word, Jason was pissed and fought accordingly. Had it been him alone who was fighting, these Cogs would not have stood a chance. As it was, with nine pissed off Rangers, the battle was one of the shortest in Ranger history.
"I'm telling dad!" Sprocket whined. "He'll get you for this!"
"Bring it!" Jason had time to yell before the Machine Prince disappeared. The Rangers took a deep breath before de-morphing and turning to face their parents. Rocky, Aisha and Adam were met with incredulous stares, while Kat's mother Jessica was holding on to her daughter, thankful it wasn't her fighting.
"Why don't we all head over to my place?" Andrew offered. "We can explain things there." Incapable of anything else for the time being, the Parks, Campbells and Hillards nodded, allowing their children to lead them to the cars and drive them to the Hart residence.
"I-I don't understand…" Min, Adam's mother, stuttered. "How…when…"
"It's a long story." Adam told his mother. And it was. By the time they were finished telling it, the sun had fully set and Kira had been put to bed.
"So, you six were the Original Power Rangers." Derrell, Aisha's dad, said, trying to get this right through his shock. "Billy stepped down when you got new powers, and now that Jason, Trini, and Zack are leaving, you three are taking their place."
"That about sums it up." Aisha agreed.
"And you're not a Ranger, but you got pulled into this world because you got turned evil right after we moved here?" Albert, Kat's dad, clarified. Kat nodded.
"This…is a lot to take in…" Yu-jin, Adam's father, mumbled.
"No kidding." Michael mumbled right back.
"And there's no way we can convince you to give it up?" Carissa asked, Aisha shook her head. "How do you do it?" she then directed to the other parents.
"With lots of worry and utter terror." Caroline said. "But we realized that this is who they are, who they were meant to be." She looked to her daughter while saying this and the fact that she was saying this aloud, finally admitting after a year that this was who her child was, was a big step.
"We also make them check in after each battle." Vivian added. "And have a way of contacting Zordon should we not hear from them in awhile." Ernie nodded from his place off to the side, lifting his wrist to show them his communicator. Ernie had followed at the Rangers request and they had relented to Bulk and Skull coming as well, Ernie because he was involved and was a means to communicate with Zordon, and Bulk and Skull because they had never heard the full story.
"Do you want to meet him?" Rocky asked. "Zordon I mean." The Rangers had filled the newcomers in on how them telling their parents had gone and that Zordon had agreed to have the parents at the Command Centre; no doubt he'd agree to the other parents as well.
"No." Min said. "Not yet. Noble reasons or not I don't think I am calm enough to listen to him right now." The other parents nodded, agreeing with her assessment, though they did not dismiss meeting Zordon in the future.
"Rocky, you have to tell your mother." Yu-jin said to his charge. Rocky nodded having already known that.
"She has Tuesday afternoons off. I'll drive over while Emanuel and Nina are still at day camp." He said.
"We'll go with you." Min added.
"Thanks." For the moment nothing else was said. No one knew what else to say, and those who had just had one of the biggest shocks of their lives needed time to get accustomed to the idea. Thankfully, they were at least willing to get accustomed to it. This day, so like last year in many ways, could have gone very differently, and given the circumstances, everyone was thankful it hadn't.
-T/K-
The following Friday, August 25th, was the scheduled day of departure for the Peace Conference goers. Thursday night a big party had been held at the Youth Centre in their honour to say goodbye. With their flight set to leave at 10pm that evening, Friday morning and much of the afternoon was spent with their friends. As lunch neared, Kat, Aisha, Rocky, and Adam excused themselves citing they had work to do though everyone knew they were leaving the others alone to say their own goodbyes.
"I'm going to miss you guys so much!" Kim sobbed onto Jason's shoulder, while maintaining a death grip on both Trini and Zack. "We're family, we've known each other for forever! You guys are my best friends, and Rex you're my brother! We shared a crib!"
"We know all this, Ptera." Jason said soothingly. "And none of that is going to change. We'll still be family, we just won't see each other every day for awhile."
"And we'll be back for Christmas." Trini added, running a comforting hand over her best friends head.
"And we'll write every week, and call at least that often if not more often. And don't forget, we except lots of pictures of our niece." Zack finished with a look to the two year old in question who was happily rolling a ball back and forth with Billy.
"Don't worry, I'm sure Kim won't put down the camera. You'll be sick of seeing a minute-to-minute photo journal of her life." Tommy said teasingly.
"No, I don't think that's possible." Trini said, extracting herself from Kim to receive the little girl who had given up her game when Billy had left to retrieve the ball she had thrown instead of rolled.
"Tri, ma sad?" she asked, seeing the tears in her mother's eyes.
"No, mom's not sad." Trini assured her goddaughter as Kim immediately wiped her tears away and smiled at her daughter. With Kim's death grip gone, Zack and Jason crowded around Trini and lavished attention on the little girl, knowing they wouldn't be able to so for some time. After nearly a half hour of playing with Kira and talking, mostly reminiscing about good times, the gang stood up, Trini, Zack and Jason having one last stop to make before heading home to be fawned over by their parents. Six beams of light left the park and teleported into the Power Chamber. Three of the teleportees rushed over to their robotic friend and squished him in a group hug.
"Goodbye, Alpha. We'll miss you!" Trini mumbled.
"Aye yai yai! I shall miss you as well. But this is not goodbye forever."
"ALPHA IS RIGHT." Zordon said from his energy tube. "WE WILL SEE EACH OTHER AGAIN, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO SEEING THE POSITIVE CHANGES SUCH AN EXPERIENCE PROVIDES." All three nodded, unshed tears in their eyes, though Trini's fell rather quickly.
"We wanted to thank you, Zordon." Jason said, wrapping an arm around his girlfriend. "For everything you've done for us. We wouldn't be us if it weren't for you."
"So thank you. Thank you, for dumping the fate of the world on the shoulders of six teenagers." Zack said everything sincerely, though his last statement still worked to diffuse the tension and bring laughter back into the equation. When the laughter died down, having lasted longer than it normally would have due to the situation, Trini looked to her watch and announced it was time to go. One last round of hugs were given, as well as a fond farewell to the one person they couldn't hug, before the three teleported out, leaving behind five sad, yet happy, beings.
"Goodbye guys." Kim murmured, tears once again streaming down her face. Tommy wrapped an arm around her, closely followed by Billy, the three drawing comfort from each other.
"Like Zordon said, we'll see them again."
"And the sadness we are experiencing now shall pale in comparison to the happiness we shall feel knowing they are having a stupendous time, and then finally when we do see them again." Although they could not imagine that happiness quite yet, having just said goodbye, they knew that, as always, Billy was right.
A/N - They're gone! *sob* but they'll eventually be back. Yes, Kira's second birthday was interrupted, I wanted the new guys to tell their parents, but not make it as big a deal cause I've already done that, plus I wanted Jason, Trini and Zack to morph one more time and what better incentive then the machines interrupted their niece's birthday, especially after last year?
Review please!
