Back at the Command center, Zack was healed of his injuries and Billy examined the gunk from the Mega-Putties. Zordon, Jason and Trini grilled me on what happened when time had been frozen. Unlike before, the viewing globe and the censors were unable to record what had occurred. Tommy must have realized his powers were detectable by us and had found a way to stop this. I told them about most of the conversation, leaving the part out about meeting tonight. Trini stared at me like she could see right through me. It made me feel uneasy as I lied but I had already made my mind up about the matter.
Billy came back from the lab and told us the putties were made out of a mixture of clay, wax and magic. They were easy to melt down because of the heat from the sun. This meant we at least knew how to beat those things if they were to show up again. Jason, Zack and Rocky examined the footage of Strasser with Zordon, trying to find out more about him that we didn't know. Zordon explained to us that Strasser had been second in Command while Zedd was dealing with Earth. When word spread about Zedd being purified, he stepped up to take Rosita and raise her on Goldar's planet out of the watchful eye of any one associated with the Power Rangers. Rosita had also had a younger brother by the name of Thrax. He had been sealed in Rita's space dumpster at some point but managed to find his way back to earth. Thankfully, the Overdrive Power Rangers had managed to wipe him off the face of the Earth before he caused any real damage. Strasser was afraid of that happening with Rosita, making sure no one knew about her until she was ready to attack.
As night fell, we all found ourselves crammed into the kitchen area for dinner. Trini had made a special Korean dish that her parents had taught her as a kid. It was delicious, reminding me of the food in Florida. I had called yesterday to extend my absence again. My boss was now growing concerned about me being gone for so long. The school year was almost over and finals would begin to come into play. I also called Tommy's school to tell them he was currently suffering through a health scare. I didn't know what else to tell them besides he was currently under an evil spell. They seemed to have bought the sickness story however, saying they would get a sub for the rest of the year.
"This is great, Trini!" Rocky said, slurping noodles into his mouth. Aisha rolled her eyes at him, taking a bite of her chicken.
"Thanks." Trini replied, wiping her mouth with a napkin. The seven of us had squeezed in around the table to eat. Trini and Jason were at the head of the table. Billy was on Trini's right side, followed by Aisha and me. Rocky and Zack sat next to Jason, the three of them filling up the left side of the table. Food was scooped into platters on the table as we ate from the plates in front of us.
"So, are you guys hoping for a boy or girl?" Aisha asked, smiling at Trini. Jason grinned, swallowing the food in his mouth.
"Better be a boy!" He said. "I'll be one step closer to forming Scott's and Sons Dojo!" Trini rolled her eyes and shook her head.
"It doesn't matter to me as long as it's healthy and not living in a world ruled by Rosita." She said, finishing her food.
"Amen to that." Zack chirped, filling his plate with more food. "I'm just glad Kim was able to save my ass today. Thought for sure Tommy was going to have my hide."
"You're welcome." I said, shooting him a smirk. "I don't think he would have really done it anyway. He was just looking to scare you." Standing, I picked up my plate and set it in the small sink behind me.
"Hey, Kim?" Jason asked. I turned and looked at him quickly. It was the first he had spoken to me directly since his blow up.
"Yeah?"
"Can I talk to you for a second?" He stood from his chair, motioning his head towards the door. I nodded, walking towards it. He gave Trini a quick kiss before following me. In the hallway, he pointed towards the smaller training room where him and Trini were staying. He led me inside, closing the sliding door behind me as I entered.
"Surprised you're talking to me." I said, looking around the make shift bedroom. Two bunks had been shoved in here for them to sleep on as well as a few small tables. Their clothes were hanging in the lockers on the one wall.
"I wanted to say I was sorry for the way I spoke to you earlier. I was a bit out of line." I shrugged, looking up at him.
"No, you weren't. You had every reason to be angry. I put the team at risk because I'm selfish."
"You are the most not selfish person I know, Kimmie." He said, giving me a small smile. "I was just scared when you were missing. You're like my little sister. I thought for sure you were dead or something when we couldn't find you. I overacted."
"It's okay, Jase. I get it. I'm sure I would have done the same thing you did." Sighing, I sat on one of the bunks and glanced down at my knees. "To be honest with you, I kinda hoped that Tommy had led me to a trap. At least then I would be there and we would know more." He scoffed, sitting next to me.
"Yeah. We'd know you were trapped in whatever dimension they have set up at the Hotel from Hell. I'm just glad you're safe. If he ever tries to get you to meet him again, tell me, okay? That way, we will at least have some clue where you are and what to do if things go south." I bit my lip, nodding. Part of me wanted to tell him about Tommy asking me to meet him tonight. I didn't though, my chest weighing heavy with guilt. Jason reached out and wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "At least now we know how to save Tommy. Once we figure out how to beat Rosita, we'll have him back to you in no time."
"Right." I whispered as he hugged me.
Jason and I were interrupted by Trini as she stuck her head into the door way. "Sorry, guys Zordon wants us all in the control room." Standing, we followed her out the door and up the hallway.
"What is it, Zordon?" Zack asked as we all crowded into the circular area of the Command Center. Alpha stood at the computer, reading something that was printing next to him. Billy walked over to join him, looking at the paper as well. Zordon looked down at us, a look of something in his eyes.
"I believe we may have come up with a solution in defeating Rosita." He said, his voice vibrating the ground beneath us. "Like her parents, Rosita is consumed with evil energy and magic. It's all she's ever grown up with. By reversing this, we would be able to transform her from the person she is to a good version."
"That's easier said than done, Zordon." Aisha said, crossing her arms in front of her. "Sure, we know how to purify Tommy with our gems but we won't be able to do that on him and Rosita."
"That is true, Aisha. Alpha has been in contact with the Power Rangers that defeated Rosita's brother Thrax. They have provided us with the space dumpster that Rita was trapped in before. By placing Rosita in the container, she will purify over time. First, Goldar and Strasser will need to be destroyed. They are the ones instructing her in this mission to take over the world. Once they are defeated, Rosita will be easily taken over."
"But how can we defeat Goldar and Strasser? We don't even have our Zords." I asked, looking up at Zordon.
"But you do!" Alpha exclaimed, turning to face us. "Billy and I were able to fix the Tryanasourus zord just enough so that the Megazord could be formed. The T-Rex zord is useless on it's own but enough of it was saved so that the Megazord can be used."
"the Dragonzord is still locked?" Jason asked. Alpha nodded.
"It's been disabled. It can only be used if we bring it back on-line while Tommy is calling it with the Dragon dagger." He replied. Jason glanced around the group.
"We have to attack the hotel." He said, grimly. "I know there are civilians there but we don't have much choice. The longer we wait, the stronger she gets. If we contact the mayor now, he could get the hotel shut down for some other reason and hopefully get all the people out."
"That will only tip her off though." Rocky said, frowning. "We need to find another way to warn people to get out of the hotel."
"What about another earthquake?" I asked, stepping forward. "When the first one hit, everyone in the hotel was forced outside by management. It's their protocol. If we can make them think there's another Earthquake going on, we can drive everyone outside and somewhere safe."
"That's a great idea!" Trini said, smiling at me. She turned to Billy. "Do we have the power to do that?" He nodded.
"Affirmative. We possess the artillery to make a pseudo-earth anomaly." He replied.
"So, we send off something to make the city think it's an earthquake again. Once they are out, we have them escorted somewhere safe and we can take out the hotel." Zack said, nodding his head.
"This just might work." Jason said, leaning against the control panel. "Billy, do a bioscan sweep of the hotel. We can get a head count on how many civilians are in the hotel. Rocky and Aisha, you two are going to head to the hotel. We'll signal when we are about to start the quake. You get everyone out and to safety. Kim, Billy and Zack will head into the hotel and start sweeping all the floors for anyone else who might still be there. Once Rocky and Aisha are back, you'll head to the Seventh Floor and take out Goldar and Strasser. With them out of the picture, we can target Rosita and trap her in the space container. Then, we can save Tommy."
"Sounds like a plan to me. Let's go." Rocky said, sounding pumped.
"Rangers, it would be best to follow through with this plan in the morning. The Zords are still charging and the darkness of night time would only aid Rosita." Zordon said, stopping us all.
"Zordon's right." Trini said. "We get a full night's sleep and be ready first thing in the morning." The group nodded, glancing at each other. Trini turned to Billy. "Want to try calling your wife again?"
"Yes, please." He responded, giving her a small smile. Together, the two of them headed towards the back of the control room.
"I think I'm going to give Angela and my parents a call." Zack said, pulling his cell phone from his pocket. He headed out too, Jason following behind him. Rocky and Aisha also said they were going to call their families. Something hung in the air are they all left, me standing in the control room with Alpha. They were all calling their loved ones just in case. I had seen it before when we were younger. Before every great battle, we would be sure to give our parents a quick call to check in to say we were okay and that we loved them. Our parents never knew any better, thinking we were just being responsible kids. They had no idea we were risking our lives every time we left the house. Sighing, I reached into my pocket and pulled my cell out. Heading towards the women's quarters, I pulled up my mother's number and selected the call option. It rang as I brought it to my ear.
"Hello?" My mother's voice said after a minute or so.
"Hey, Mom! How are you?" I said, entering my makeshift bedroom.
"Kim! So glad to hear your voice. I'm fine, dear. How are you?" She replied as I sat on my bed.
"I'm fine, Mom. Just wanted to call and see how things were going." She went on about moving her things back to the states and how sick of France she was. Her marriage to Pierre had been short lived and she wasn't all that thrilled about the people there anymore. I barely listened as she talked, just enjoying the sound of her voice. Besides Tommy, she was the only person I really had in the world. My father and I were estranged, not speaking much since I broke my back. I knew he had blamed me for ruining my Olympic career, thinking it was my fault the accident happened because I had been suspended. At first, it hurt to know our relationship was fading but now I had accepted the fact.
"Honey, did you hear me?" Mom's voice asked, breaking me of my thoughts. "I said that I heard the Power Rangers were spotted in Angel Grove. Did you see them on the news?"
"Yeah. Actually, I'm in Angel Grove. I decided to come from my reunion after all." I replied.
"Oh! Did you get to see everyone?"
"Everyone came." I said, knowing her next question.
"Did you see Tommy?" She asked, not bothering to cover her curiosity.
"I did. We talked, and I think we are going to work on things."
"That's wonderful, honey! He was always such a great kid. The two of you were perfect for each other. So, when do you come home?"
"I'm not sure yet. I'm just staying with Jason and Trini right now and trying to enjoy a nice little vacation. I guess I'll see where that takes me." I heard her move stuff on the other line. Glancing at my watch, I saw it was nearing midnight. That meant it was about 9 am where she was.
"Well, you make sure to tell them I send them my love. Especially to their baby! He's so adorable. I love when Trini posted pictures of him on her page."
"I will, Mom. I should probably get going. It's getting late. I just wanted to call and check in with you. I love you, Mom."
"I love you too, sweetheart. Call me in a few days and let me know you got home safe, alright?"
"Okay. Talk to you soon." She hung up the phone and I set mine on the bed next to me. Standing, I walked over to the dresser drawers in the wall. I pulled them out until I found some paper and I pen. Sitting back on the bed, I began to scribble out a note.
Everyone,
I'm sorry for what I'm about to tell you. It's not something I've taken lightly and I've thought about it with everything I have in me. I didn't want to tell anyone of you because I know you would try to stop me and I can't risk any more lives than I already have.
The other night, Tommy offered me the chance to join Rosita's army to be with him. He explained to me that the part of him still trying to be good wanted to be with me, regardless of how hard he tried to fight it. Tommy told me that if I joined them, he would let the rest of you guys go. I thought long and hard about my decision and I've come to realize that there was no choice to really make. Keeping you guys safe and being with Tommy is the only thing I've ever wanted. That's why I've decided to go with him. Once I'm there, I can try to find a way to take Rosita down from the inside. Tommy may even help me with this once he knows I'm willing to go with him.
Please don't be upset with me and please don't try to save me.
Love always,
Kim
