Chapter 36: Changing of the Guard
(Boarding House)
Sleep wasn't one of the things Kimberly hasn't been achieving lately. She found herself once again heading to the bathroom throwing up what she ate for dinner earlier on in the evening. With everything that was going on the last thing she didn't want was to burden Tommy with worries of her own health. It was surprising not to hear any late night chatters coming from the rooms after Kimberly finished using the bathroom for twenty minutes. The funeral left many of the potential Rangers turning in early for the night trying to catch up on sleeping after the last few days. Heading to the kitchen and searching for an Advil to help with her nausea she was surprised to find Tanya widely awake reading in the kitchen.
"Usually from the stories Aidan's been filling me in on I'm under the impression that this was suppose to be Animal House," Tanya slightly teased.
"Well if you haven't noticed the troops are a bit partied out right now," Kimberly slightly chuckled, "Since when did you become a late night owl?"
"I think I've already gotten plenty of sleep after eight months lying in some cryogenic sleep in outer space," Tanya murmured, "Waking up eight months later after being left dead it does something to you. When you wake up then you figured out how and why it happened. Still...it was all for Aidan and it's good to know that my family is in safe hands thanks to my friends."
"We're happy to know that you're finally back...willing to fight alongside us again Tanya."
"Powers or not there isn't no chance in hell I'm abandoning Aidan or my friends in this fight. So...we're facing evil at it's prime?" Tanya asked.
"The Source of Evil itself, Lokar...well metaphorically speaking his underlings and agents who threaten the future line of the Power Rangers," Kim added, "With the intention of systematically wiping them out."
"Glad to be of service helping to preserve the future line of the Power Rangers," Tanya added as Kimberly sat down at the kitchen table. It was quiet for a moment before Tanya spoke up again. "I see you're not feeling well."
"It's probably stress, or a bad case heartburn or upset stomach. I don't want to worry Tommy or anyone else over it...besides it's just a minor case that's been recurring for a couple of weeks." she murmured hoping it wasn't the other possibility especially not at a time like this. Besides, I'm in the same vote as you not being able to get a decent goodnight sleep."
"You have a lot on your mind and also the fact that you're a newlywed," Tanya slightly smiled. "I got filled in on some of the gossip of your personal life. So you and Tommy have a daughter Rosaline right?"
"Yeah Rosaline is my daughter with Tommy, the one I put up for adoption sixteen years ago. I was maybe seventeen years old when I had her that I put her up for adoption and spent the last sixteen plus years never letting Tommy know about her paternity. The adoption was the reason why I wrote the letter all those years ago to him. Rosaline spent most of life living with this family called the Bennetts in Beaufort, North Carolina. Nine months ago Rosaline's adopted parents were murdered by the Dark Judges when they found out about her identity as a potential Ranger and she ran away from home and the rest well you know."
"But you must be happy that you two found your daughter after all these years?" Tanya asked.
"It's still a work in progress but hopefully once this is all over we could finally live a normal life as a family," Kimberly replied staring out the window, "Like how we wanted it to be..." Her thoughts were interrupted when she noticed something outside in the backyard leaving Tanya confused. Kimberly's instincts picked up as she walked out the backdoor to the backyard with Tanya reluctantly trailing behind. To their surprise and confusion, Kimberly found herself encountering another cryptic figure, the mysterious white hooded figure as he stared out at the late night view of the lake.
"There is something calming about the water at night," the mysterious figure replied, "For generations it's amazes me how peaceful humans find it staring out at the water and their thoughts washing away. Your mind is at ease and I see why this place is of such significance to you pink crane. The minds of the young and pure are at ease at this sanctuary and you my dear hold strong and fond memories whenever being around Angel Grove Lake. It holds a place in your heart for you and your white falcon."
"It's you again...and I'm guessing you're not here for some more cryptic missions besides making small talk about the lake," Kimberly said sternly. "You led me to that secret room in the Command Center that housed the secrets and chronicles of the Order of the Meridian. Thank you by the way of making us see the dark side of the origins of our humble beginnings. You know it was nice meeting those trusty Knights who offered us more power...at the cost of our souls and humanity. This is the second time you appeared to me and yet you just show up giving me nothing more but cryptic bullshit! I don't even know if you're a friend or foe or even who the hell you are!"
"I assure you that I am a friend to those who fight the good fight. If I was a foe then why would the powers that be didn't refuse your friend Justin to offer you words of advice and tell Billy how to make the seal inactive? Your friend is right to say that this battle against the Source of Evil is more than just life and death, its about redefining fate and destiny. You remember the message your friend has offered to you?"
"Either we all fight together or die alone, the choice is ours," she replied slowly, "So I'm thinking you're working for some sort of higher power watching over us or you've been watching all this time? If you're some sort of agent working for the forces of good on behalf of a higher power then tell me...how do you know so much about us? Why is it only me you're giving me these cryptic messages and not Tommy, if you say that him and me that the self-proclaimed Wings of Fate that The Order of Meridian that was told in their prophecies to redefine fate and destiny? Are you sure that we're the ones and our original line chosen by Zordon to save the future line and legacy of the Power Rangers?"
"This battle in turn is being traced back to the beginning, to the first line of this generation and through them will come to call the future legacy. You two along with Zordon's original have already answered the call to protect and take on the responsibility of protecting the future, the potentials who one day will join in your legacy you've established. You all haven't come to realize just how far you surpass yourselves and although you all still are chartering your own paths like your potentials, the answers you supposedly seek have already been sought. This war will soon come to a close and only one side could win...the question is how will you all succeed? Although you and the white falcon hold the key, it takes two halves to make a whole. Inside...you know what needs to be done."
"Kimberly? Kim where are you?" she heard Tanya call out. By the time she showed up, Kimberly turned around and the mysterious figure suddenly disappeared once again. Tanya was confused of what was going on as Kim ranted on about a mysterious figure she was talking to. However, since she hadn't been around in months she was still in the process of trying to catch up with what has been happening. She noticed Kim staring out to the lake for a moment before turning towards her. "Is something the matter Kimberly?"
"No...but I think there is somewhere I need to go," Kimberly solemnly answered, "If you don't mind Tanya I could use some backup on this one."
(The Basement)
"If my sensors are correct there is substantial evidence that your communicator is still in tie with the morphing grid so you'll be able to teleport," Billy said to Tanya. Tommy came downstairs early the next morning to the basement Command Center to find Kimberly and Tanya talking to Billy. He was aware that Kimberly was heading some place to investigate a possible lead that could help them against Lokar. It worried him a bit being concern about the wellbeing of his wife but as always she always found a way to assure him she'll be safe. "I'll put in the coordinates you two want to teleport to...are you sure about this?"
"I've been out of action for about eight months and Kimberly said she needs backup so I'm going to do my part to help my friend out," Tanya assured them. "Tommy...I'm guessing you're looking for her aren't you?"
"Beautiful, whatever lead you're following just promise me you'll be safe? I can't stand it if I'm not around and something bad happens to you," Tommy sighed as he gave his wife a hug, "I'm not a fan of this plan but I trust you completely."
"I'll be fine and I promise I'll be safe and don't worry about me. You have to trust me on this one and whatever happens or whatever you decide you'll always have my support. Remember what we said that we all have to do our part if we have a fighting chance against Lokar and his forces. What happened at the pavilion was something we were bound to anticipate. Besides, where Tanya and I are going to investigate I assure you is familiar territory." Kimberly smiled as she place a hand on his cheek.
"Why is it that you could always assure me everything will work out fine in the end?"
"Because it's my nature Handsome," she smiled kissing him back, "I love you and I promise I'll be back safe and sound hopefully with some good news."
"I love you too...just come home safe and sound it's all I'm asking for," Tommy replied back, "Good luck you two and if anything happens you know where to call us."
"Okay are you two ready to teleport?" Billy asked preparing them.
"We're ready as we are, shall we then girl?" Tanya replied as the two of them stood back. Moments later Billy activated the computer and entered the coordinates as Kimberly and Tanya teleported out of the Command Center.
Throughout the entire day, the seven veteran Rangers remained in the basement trying to convey and analyze the situation around Angel Grove. If it wasn't enough, the evidence of reports and attacks around the city that the media has been documenting started causing great concern for the citizens. Tommy and the others also were awaiting for the arrival of Jason and Kat later on from the Megaship when they got word from Andros and the Space Rangers that Jason's reattachment of his hand was a successful procedure. Unaware to him, the others thought the potential Rangers needed a break from all the chaos as of late so Billy arranged for the Dino Rangers to watch over the potentials which resulted in them heading out for a day around Angel Grove to act like normal teens. However, this day for Tommy was nothing but hectic, and also full of drama and conflict.
(The Desert)
Meanwhile, Kimberly and Tanya arrived at their destination, ruins of the old Command Center. The encounter with the mysterious figure prompted her to revisit the old Command Center once again, but this time she decided to take Tanya with her. In the past during her tenure as a Power Ranger, she used to wander around the place and initially stumble upon entrances to secret rooms and chambers. It was no coincidence even after its destruction years ago the secret chambers still remained in tact and her last discreet visit made her curious to know if there has been anything else that was kept hidden. The two of them ventured inside as Kimberly took point using the Compass of Clothos to navigate as Tanya followed while looking at the compass.
"So that compass you're holding it's evident that thing is enchanted or something?'' Tanya asked.
"According to lore it's part of the trio of Artifacts of the Moirae. This is how in the beginning Lokar and the Dark Judges tracked down the potential Rangers all over the world and systematically started killing them one by one. Kat's Wicca coven in England had in their possession one of the three Moirae and used that to try to locate any potentials that the Source's forces haven't intercepted yet. At the time we had to battle Lokar's forces to retrieve the other two artifacts in order to subside their chances of locating anymore potentials. Even now that we have all three, they still had means of finding the ones we haven't discovered," Kimberly explained.
"Kat mentioned something about being a witch of some sort and now she's become a full fledged witch," Tanya said as the two of them entered the secret library and annex passageway room. "Where are we?"
"Remember that weird guy I was talking to last night? This was where I first encountered him. Zordon and Alpha definitely did have a lot secret chambers and rooms here in the Command Center and they kept records and everything pertaining to the Order of the Meridian. They were the first travelers from the stars that came to Earth a long time ago and the ones who sealed Lokar's power within the Seal of Talel. When the Order left Earth after humanity came, they entrusted their Knights with the task of bestowing the Great Power on the first Power Rangers to defend the Earth against the forces of Evil. Long story short Tommy and I got a glimpse of the origin tale of the Power Rangers and it's something that made all of us quench on the inside learning how it happened." she continued. "My gut is telling me that someone was watching the Knights in the Order's stead while they returned to space."
"So you think that white hooded figure must have been around all this time?" Tanya asked.
"For the strangest and oddest reason...I believe so and it makes me feel like we should trust him and that it seems to know us," Kim answered reluctantly, "I just get this familiar sense from him."
Moments later, the compass began to glow once again as the compass bearings directed her towards a statue near the back wall that resembled the temple that they once visited on Phaedos to seek out the Great Power. The arrow in the compass kept on spinning as the two approached the statue as the arrow stopped and a faint golden light came out pointing right at the statue and right at Kimberly. They didn't know what to do as they tried to move the statue but wouldn't budge until she found a secret lever causing the statue to swing out of the way to reveal another secret compartment.
"Wow more secret tunnels and rooms it's literally like a maze down here," Tanya replied as they ventured inside. They walk into up to a tapestry on the wall as the two of them remove it to reveal a mysterious inscription on the wall. Tanya took out her camera phone to snap a picture of the inscription on the wall as she curiously examined the inscription was Latin words written with Greek letter. "I'm guessing these travelers were fans of Earth's ancient history."
"Oh yeah anybody that is from beyond the stars loves to use ancient Earth languages as references to their prophecies or scrolls and what not. I'm probably guessing it's something about fate and destiny of some sorts. Whatever was in this room or used to be here must have some significance to us. I think it looks like Latin, but the letters are Greek," Kim examined as she read the inscription, "Non tibi est. Ei solae tractare licet. What does it mean?"
"It is not for thee. It is for them alone to wield," Tanya translated the inscription, "I took a couple classes on ancient world history. My guess is...that little compass of yours wanted you to find this."
(The Boarding House)
Back in Angel Grove the situation reached crisis level. Throughout the day Tommy and the others witness panic citizens packing up their cars and fleeing the city as traffic on the road proved to be gridlock. They encountered members of the Lightspeed and Silver Guardians special task force that were sent to Angel Grove to try to quell the panic level in the city. There was that the mayor of Angel Grove declared an state of emergency in the city advising a citywide lockdown and curfew for the safety of the people. However, the mayor's first plan didn't work out too well and the Lightspeed and Silver Guardian special task force were now organizing a convoy for city evacuation. Things weren't looking great for Angel Grove and by the looks of it they were coming to a realization that the city was slowly turning into a ghost town due to the activity going on in the city.
Law enforcement already had enough on their plate to deal with the amount of crime and unexplained activity going on in the city and businesses started to close down fearing for their safety. Tommy and the others got in contact with the leaders of the Lightspeed and Silver Guardians task force: Carter, Wes, Eric and Taylor. It was their job to help the citizens of Angel Grove in evacuating the city and also organize to keep the families of the potential Rangers protected. Despite trying to offer to remain in Angel Grove to help out the potentials and the original team, Tommy made it clear that the safety of the civilians was their top priority. If control the crisis level of frighten civilians and being left to defend a city on the verge of being abandon wasn't enough for one day, Tommy found that the pressure of today continued to mount on. From a brief run in attack with Goldar at the art gallery, to keeping the potential Rangers out of trouble and conflict of interest things weren't looking up for today.
At the boarding house, Tommy apprehended the Dino Rangers for taking the potentials out partying at an all ages club with the majority of them underage and intoxicated. A little encounter with possessed cops for the Dino Rangers and the potentials managed to set Tommy off. His former team confronted their old mentor over the fact that his friends suggested that they let the potentials relax a bit became the argument as Billy justified their actions to Tommy. It seemed like everyone was laying into Tommy with Billy taking point that they were worried about the potentials until they brought up the incident at the pavilion. The intensity in the house subsided when Jason and Kat arrived home later on in the evening sporting his newly reattached hand heavily bandaged in an arm cast as the couple was welcomed home by the potentials.
"Andros explained about the advanced medical technology they use on KO35," Jason said sitting on the couch next to Kat, "Surprisingly medicine in human space colonies are way advanced by a couple of years while the medical and science industries continue to run test trials. They said I'll have full use of my hand in a couple of days...but the reattachment process will leave my entire left arm numb until full nerve and body function circulation returns. Right now I can't feel anything at all in my left arm nor move it. Thank goodness at least Goldar didn't chop off my right hand because that is the hand I use for everyday purposes."
The conversation was interrupted when Tommy and the others came upstairs in the living room as the mood changed once again. "You can't be serious that you're considering going to return there! That is crazy!" they heard Billy yell.
"Jason...you're back and it's good to hear you're doing well," Trini smiled at her friend giving him a hug.
"Hey bro...it's good to see you again," Tommy replied as he turned his attention to Billy. "Something tells me there is something important in that pavilion and I say we go back. All this time we been worrying about the seal. You have to ask yourself why isn't Lokar and its goon squad guarding it? Whatever is at that pavilion is what they're protecting. That is their source of power. I say we go back there and take it from them." However, hearing Tommy's request got the intention of the potential Rangers in the room and looks of uncertainty and concern from his friends.
"Or how about the other alternative of how about not," Adam argued, "I mean it's a nice theory but there is no way I'm going back without proof, neither should you Tommy."
"Look you saw what happened the last time. Goldar and Scorpina have gotten stronger the last time," Aisha also argued, "They got crafty and they were prepared."
"I'm saying it won't be easy but you guys understand," Tommy replied, trying to reason with them.
"We're saying that we shouldn't be making the same mistake twice. We should take the cautionary approach," Rocky added.
"Rocky is right bro and although we just got here I know what you're planning. We're all just saying we don't want another repeat and another body count to add." Jason said, trying to get through to his best friend.
"You guys have to listen to me it will work..." Tommy argued.
"I believe that Jason has the floor," Billy answered calmly as Tommy let Jason continue.
"Look bro you're my best friend and I've known you for a very long time. We fought alongside each other through thick and thin. I'm just saying maybe what you're planning works according to how you see it, maybe it might not work out how you organized it. Right now I don't want you to play all odds on this." He was in disbelief at the fact that one of his stronger supporters suddenly was questioning his motives.
"Of all people I know you'd back me up on any plan. Are you still willing to fight Jason?" he asked.
"Of course I'll fight alongside you," Jason assured, "But you need something real..."
"Instead of chasing ghosts," Zack finished off.
"What you're asking is a lot, maybe too much," Billy sighed knowing that they were feeling guilty of addressing their issues with Tommy.
"I don't understand this. We fought alongside each other years ago. You guys have been my best friends and you've seen what I can do. I've kept us safe by doing this...exactly this, making the hard decisions. Now suddenly I'm feeling that you don't trust me to keep us safe." He looked at his friends questioning him as he turned from them to the potentials in the room. "I expect this from the potentials but not my best friends. If you think I'm being reckless and I don't care about the safety and wellbeing of all of you guys that's not true unless you're all having second thoughts as well on that too. Since we're all here I know in my gut you all have issues with me so if anyone else wants the floor I'm not holding you back."
"We simply walked into a trap with over a dozen of our most experience potentials and look what happened," Rocky argued, "Don't you see Tommy? It resulted with Silas, Abigail, Grace and Kenji winding up dead at the hands of Goldar and Scorpina. We almost lost Jason because he got his hand cut off trying to get the potentials out. There is no telling even after reattachment if his arm will be the same. They didn't have a fighting chance against Goldar and Scorpina and it's evident their newfound power is from the Source. So how could we be convinced that it won't happen the second time around?"
"I hate to say this but there is no way we're risking you going back in there. Look we didn't want a repeat of before and the battle at the pavilion left those teens battered, bruised and greatly demoralized. Four good teens winded up dead because we made a fatal mistake sending them into a battle that they couldn't win." Billy justified.
"You know maybe...there's something there that should be address," Zack added.
"Was this your intention? To ambush me while Kimberly is away?" Tommy questioned in disbelief.
"At least she's one half of our so called co-leaders who does take into consideration our wellbeing!" Desmond answered angrily. "I've been here since the beginning and I don't really know you too well! But I can tell! But this isn't about her! This is about you and you're being reckless! You're so obsessed with beating Lokar and his forces that you're willing to jump into any plan without thinking! You say if there's anyone else who needs to address something well here we are! Telling you straight to your face how we're seeing things!"
"That's not what I'm doing and always you're the first one in line Desmond to address me," Tommy said gritting his teeth.
"But that's not how it feels to us," Penny added, "People are dying and Silas, Abigail, Grace and Kenji's deaths and everyone else around us proves it. How many more of us will be next in line to be buried next to them?"
"Guys alright settle down," Kat stood trying to calm down Penny and Desmond. "You should stop right now."
''Why are you always standing up for him?" Aidan snaps, "He needs to hear the truth."
"I'm not...its' just..." Kat said softly, but sadly as Tommy looks on but turns her attention to Jason, "I mean...I mean with everything that's happened. We're worried about your judgment."
"Look, I wish this could be a democracy. I really do. Democracies don't win battles. It's a hard truth, but there has to be a single voice. You need someone to issue orders and be reckless sometimes and not take your feelings into account. You need someone to lead you. Look, I'm willing to talk strategy, Okay I'll hear suggestions on how to break this down, but this is the plan. We have to be together on this or we will fail again." Tommy tried to reassure everyone as some of them started turning away from him.
"And it's automatically you?" Virgil answered.
"Look Dr. O we don't know if you're actually better. I mean you've had the longest tenure of being on duty than the rest of us we know," Connor calmly added, "I understand you had to work to become a leader and earn it. However, you can't really claim you're better than the rest of us and that you've deserved all these things. We're not saying you're at a slight advantage than the rest of us, it means you're just luckier than us."
"Yeah but you have to understand I've gotten us this far," Tommy suddenly snapped answering.
"But not without a price," Jason sighed trying to turn away guilty, "I'm trying to see your point here Tommy...but I guess it is clearly demonstrated that we're not on this together."
"Which is why you have to fall in line! I'm still in charge here," he added commandingly.
"And why is that exactly?" Bianca asked defiantly, "You're not the only Power Ranger here with power are you? Isn't the others like Billy or Jason or anyone of your friends Power Rangers too?"
"Bianca is right we should at least vote who should get a turn next to lead," Chan suggest as the other potentials looks sternly at Tommy and the others. However, he wasn't impressed as he stared with disbelief and betrayal at his best friends and particularly addressed Billy.
"Okay I get it everyday that those guys don't trust me in terms of my leadership Billy...but you showing in Reefside changed everything these last couple of months," Tommy said in an upsetting voice, "If you or Jason or anyone of you guys wanted to step in and be the leader you should have told me in the first place instead of lay it into me like this! I admit in the past I could be reckless but I've done things for the sake of the team and suddenly you don't think I'm capable of it! The worst thing about this is knowing that the people you love and care about, the ones you risk everything is had second thoughts about me all this time. They were just too afraid of telling me for the sake of sparing my feelings. Congratulations you must be satisfied Billy. If this is how you guys want things to be...then I can't watch all of you throw away everything-I know I'm right about this. I just need a little-"
"We're not trying to attack you or anything Tommy we're just trying to get you to see logic and reason," Billy argued back. "We're trying to deploy some diplomatic alternative. We do trust you it's just...you might want to take it slow."
"You know what I just made up my mind!'' he snapped angrily, "I can't stay here and watch you guys intend to self destruct and lead them into some disaster!"
"Then you can't stay here," Rosaline softly said, walking up to Tommy, "I love you, but you were right. We have to be together on this. You can't be a part of it. So I need you to leave. I'm sorry, dad." Tommy blinks his eyes in disbelief at what his daughter just said. He looks around the room as some of them try to turn away as he tried to contain his emotions as he turns around and walks out the front door. Seconds later, Jason follows Tommy outside.
"Tommy! Tommy look I swear I didn't want things to go down this way-" Jason replied looking concern.
"Don't-" he answers sternly, "If you must know-everything I learned about leadership was from my best friend."
"You know the others I could-I'm not-I-" Jason tried to answer but Tommy turned around as he noticed a bit of tears falling down his face.
"Don't...be afraid to lead them when you get the chance. Whether you want it or not, their lives are in your hands. It's gonna get harder. Protect them, but lead them," he said sternly with a bit of tears in his eyes. "Sometimes we're both hard headed and stubborn but I guess that's what makes a good leader and friend. I know they'll be safe and I know you'll keep Kim and Rosaline safe in my stead because I trust you. Just make sure you'll do right by them okay? Let...the power protect you bro." Tommy finished as he hit his communicator and teleported out of sight leaving Jason to head back inside.