Chapter 38: It Is What It Is (Part Two)
(The Boarding House)
Back at the house, the others found it a challenge to try to hold down the fort without Tommy and Kimberly around. The words his best friends said to him before suddenly taking off filled Jason's mind. "Protect them, but lead them." He remembered what Tommy told him privately before facing unannounced exile while Kimberly took off in an attempt to fix the mess they got themselves into. However, coming to terms with their situation someone needed to lead as Billy reluctantly tried to fill the leadership role alongside Jason and came up with a plan to extract information about Lokar and his forces from a Dark Judge. With the Dino Rangers' help they managed to capture one and bring it back to the Command Center for interrogation.
"What you got there Kat?" Billy asked as Kat held a book in her hand. "Since our little mute friend there only speaks what sounds like ancient Turkish how do we get it to talk?"
"Well the closet I can get is from this old Turkish book that contains a conjuration that the Turks used to communicate with the dying. According to the book, spell is used to communicate with people who can't talk. Um, like if a person was dying, this spell would let them say their good-byes or, you know, gripe about how nobody came to visit them. This could help us with Mr. No-Tongue or Mr. Non-English speaking cloak man. I translated most of the spell and the ingredients are simple to conjure up so it will be no problem getting it to talk." Kat replied quickly pulling out ingredients from a nearby cupboard as the others stared wide eyed and confused finding a now Wicca supply cupboard. "What? Come on don't look at me like you've never seen me do magic."
"No...we just didn't realize you suddenly had a cupboard in the basement devoted to your Wicca practices," Jason replied staring at the Dark Judge chained up in the containment field
"Always with your wife we get another Harry Potter light and magic show," Zack slightly joked.
"Hey be grateful that at least there's a full fledged witch fighting for the side of good," Tanya added, "Let Kat do her thing...though I like to see first hand how powerful of a Wicca she is."
"Oh you haven't seen nothing yet Tanya," Jason replied as Kat read from the book and performed the incantation. The others waited in anticipation of what will happen next but nothing did. Kat and Billy were busy reviewing the book hoping that they wasn't anything they missed while the others stared at the Dark Judge in the containment field.
"It looks like there is a whole lot of nothing going on," Rocky said a bit unfazed.
"Kat...maybe you didn't translate the spell right," Billy added looking at her, "Or you missed something."
"I don't know guys, it should have worked," Kat replied looking concern as the others were expecting another remark from Rocky. However, they noticed a change in the tone of Rocky's voice as the others stared at him confused.
"I am a drone in the mind that is evil," Rocky replied in a tone not sounding like himself, but soft and monotonous. "I'm only a fragment of the we. We work as one to serve The Source."
By that time Kat, Jason and Billy slowly approached Rocky the others backed away realizing that something wasn't right. "Obviously that thing is speaking through Rocky of all people so let's roll with it." Jason said, a bit on edge.
"Okay what do the we do for the Source of Evil?" Billy asked curiously.
"We work to prepare for the inevitable battle. We attend to the needs of the infinite evil. We exterminate teenagers and destroy the legacy and line of the Power Rangers. We build an arsenal beneath the dirt. We obey the commands of our teachers Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa. Our leaders in battle are the great Goldar and Scorpina after the fall of our Executioner. We lurk in the shadows to strike fear and eliminate the threat of the future line who defies the great Lokar, the prime source of evil." Rocky continued in his state of possession talking for the Dark Judge.
"Wait. Could we go back to the dirt thing?" Adam asked.
"We build weapons to prepare for the coming war... at the farthest edge of the city. We are everywhere. We are like the ocean's waves. We watch your efforts and are not scared. Beneath you, power devours and soon the Wings of Fate will devour in the depths from the ground below them. They cannot stop the enviable nor rewrite the face of fate and destiny. This world belongs to Lokar and it's legion who walk this Earth. We will laugh at you as you die...the line and legacy of the Power Rangers will soon be laid to a barren waste." Rocky continued speaking for the Dark Judge as Billy grabbed a knife and opened up the containment field. Adam, Trini and Zack held the Dark Judge at bay as Billy slit its throat with the knife as it goes limp breaking Rocky out of his state of possession and trance.
"What the hell was that? I feel so violated and used...what's going on?" Rocky replied looking confused and staring at his friends. "What happened to me?"
"It's great to have you back Rocky," Aisha said.
"Okay so we got what we needed out of that thing," Trini said looking at the dead Dark Judge, "We need to get rid of the body. So guys...what's the next plan of action?"
"We've got enough here. We need to get everyone in on this. Trini, used the computer to pull up some maps while Jason try to get in contact with the Space Rangers for some weapons detail." Billy said going to the computer, "Our best guess is their hosting industrial manufacturing production underground. We need to find a subterranean space large enough to house an armory and by dawn we're going to wipe out their arm's race. Does that sound like a plan?"
"Stopping their manufacturing production sounds like a plan according to Tommy and Kim," Jason said raising an eyebrow.
(Upstairs)
Meanwhile upstairs of the boarding house, Rosaline and Penny sat in silence listening to Abigail's Lifehouse CD the bedroom. Bianca and Shi-Ann decided to bunk in Aidan, Quincy and Chan's bedroom for the night. The girls were still bothered by the deaths of their friends, especially for Kenji and Silas. There was a strange feeling not seeing them anymore wake up in the middle of the night and sneak into the bedrooms to have late night talks with their group of friends who were known to be night owls during this time of night. Penny expressed her worries about Desmond in regards to Kenji's death feeling that it deeply troubled their friend.
I was only trying to bury the pain
But I made you cry, and I can't stop the crying
Was only trying to save me
But I lost you again
Now there's only lying
Wish I could say it's only me
The girls turned the music down a bit and heard Desmond and Virgil talking out in the hallway. Without disturbing their friends' conversations, the girls quietly opened the door trying to avoid making a squeaking sound to interrupt them. It was evident that something was on Desmond's mind as the girls heard their conversation.
"Dude you should really get some sleep...you can't keep beating yourself like this," Virgil said with some concern.
"You know what the last thing Kenji told me before we went into the pavilion? He told me that he wanted me to let Penny know about my feelings for her before he dies with honor," Desmond sighed, "One of my closet friends since I've been here since the beginning died for me. He wanted to make sure that I let the girl that I'm in love with know how I feel. Don't you get it Virgil, I can't face Penny hating me because I couldn't save our friend Kenji. It was like...he decided his fate but what honor is that? Kenji die so I could live out my existence in a hopeless pursuit to be with the girl I'm falling for at the cost of Kenji's life."
"You're...in love with me?" Penny suddenly answered opening the door widely as the guys stared surprisingly.
"Penny listen I know you want to blame me for what happened to Kenji at the pavilion I understand," Desmond continued looking nervous, "You...weren't meant to hear that."
"You think I hate you for what happened to Kenji? I could never hate you Desmond and what happened to Kenji wasn't your fault. We both lost a good friend but he wanted to make sure that we were safe regardless of his own safety." Penny continued staring at Desmond. "It scared me almost losing you too at that battle at the pavilion but Kenji stopped it. We both owe him our lives and it makes sense why. What you said earlier...is that how you really feel about me?"
"From the first day I met you in London and it kind of sucks that meeting the girl you like during a whole world in peril," Desmond added. "I mean one day I'm competing in a youth soccer tournament in London, the next day I'm being hunted down by a bunch of weird sinister forces who want me dead. I meet other teens like me who are suppose to be the next line of Power Rangers in the future and I'm drawn to this particular British girl. I had my fair share of trauma in my life and I spent my adolescence years trying to cope with the truth about my father and brother. There is something about this girl that causes her to break the barrier around my heart because I'm a guy who tends to bury stuff. She's unpredictable and yet intriguing that I can't imagine what life wouldn't have been like if she hadn't been in it. One of my good friends made me promise him for a death wish that I let this girl know I'm in love with her even if the timing is not the best in the world..."
"Shut up would you for a second Desmond?" Penny smiled through the tears she didn't know she shed, "If there is a chance we might not live between now and whenever...I want you to know that if you feel that way about me then I too feel the same for you. I'm not sure if we'll live to see the age of twenty one but right now I want you, Desmond Compton to know that I, Penelope Eloise Winslow...am in love with you."
Too long we've been denying
Now we're both tired of trying
We hit a wall and we can't get over it
Nothing to relive
It's water under the bridge
You said it, I get it
I guess it is what it is
It was no surprise for Virgil and Rosaline that what happened next was them witness Desmond and Penny's first kiss. Time was something that couldn't be predicted as Rosaline thought watching her two friends reveal their true feelings for each other at a time like this. Sometimes it was either a good thing or bad thing but it still proved that this was still a very long night. Virgil and Rosaline went back inside the room to give Desmond and Penny some privacy alone.
"You know I always believed there was a spark between Desmond and Penny," Rosaline said, "Timing wise you tell someone you're in love after a good friend dies isn't the best circumstances...what matters is that you let them know how you feel."
"I think they'll be okay will they?" Virgil asked sincerely.
"That we're not sure because no one knows if they'll be okay or not," Rosaline added, "What matters is at least they should have their moment of happiness together in the midst of all this havoc. Everyone needs to find some sort of comfort and happiness in a time of need...it's something we all desire and yet long for in our chaotic lives."
(Reefside, California)
Seeing that the couch was starting to feel uncomfortable, Tommy gently scooped Kimberly in his arms and carried her to his bedroom. The two of them spend some time lying together on the bed as Tommy and Kimberly stare into each other's eyes as he holds the woman he loves in his arms on the bed. They remain there while she's got one hand on Tommy's stomach and the other on his hand. Tommy is still holding Kimberly in his arms as the night rolls on. A little while later Kim is sleeping now, resting her head on his chest, holding his hand as he holds her close to him. Tommy couldn't deny the effect that the woman who captured his heart all those years ago had on him. Her words, her purity, beauty and everything about her was what he treasured in this world more than anything. Even if everyone who he cared about turned their backs against them and he walked away from them reluctantly, somehow Kimberly ended up being the only person who will stand by him through thick and thin regardless.
Here it comes ready or not
We both found out it's not how we thought
That it would be, how it would be
If the time could turn us around
What once was lost may be found
For you and me, for you and me
"Tommy Oliver doesn't turn his back against the world," He heard Kimberly's words echo in his head as he continued to hold her close to him stroking her hair gently. There were countless times where Tommy thought about throwing in the towel and walking away from his responsibilities. He wondered how many more dues he had to repay to repent for the harm he's doe years ago during his dark times. In all his years Tommy wondered of all people why was he chosen to lead when it was obvious that his friends and the future line of Power Rangers had questions about his capability and judgment. It felt like the world and those in it wanted to turn their backs against him but at the end of the day he knew he couldn't. No matter what they tell him it is in Tommy's nature not to abandon his friends. What weighed on him was the toll of this war: could he fight one more time putting the fate of the world first at the cost of a chance of what his heart long desired? A life of normalcy vanished a long time ago the day fate and destiny had different plans for all of them.
"You're right Beautiful...I could never turn my back against the world or our friends despite what they say," Tommy murmured stroking her hair while she slept. "The weight of the world falls on our shoulders, but ultimately in the end the final decision will end up coming down to me and that's what I fear. I'm suppose to be the leader and I am that because of my capability to make the hard choices and sacrifices. It makes me wary and tired that I don't know how much my heart and soul can take making choices that will ultimately cost me my own happiness. I sacrificed my heart's desires for the fate of the world and for the legacy and future line just so they could live. I want my chance to live my life...my life with you, the one thing my heart longs and yearns for but I can't do that until I finish this once and for all. The world could turn their backs on me but in the end I won't abandon them, even if I alone have to make choices that will ensure our survival. However, I can't do this without you Kim."
"You're never alone Tommy and ultimately in the end you alone will be the one who makes the final decision," Kim replied stirring from her sleep. "Sometimes the needs of the many outweigh the needs of the one, it's an ugly truth we fear. It's one that haunts me and scares me whenever I think about every time you're put in a position to make hard choices. However, you're a leader capable of doing that. Your heart knows where you have to go and what needs to be done and I can't stop you although I know how much I want to tell you to stay I can't do that."
"It seems like sometimes we're not destined to live normal lives are we? That vanished the day we became part of this legacy," Tommy replied looking at her, "I have to do it one more time...step up and be the leader and put the fate of the world before my own life. This isn't a battle or war for the weak heart and will, but someone who is willing to lay their life down for the sake of everything that is good. I want to promise you so many things for us in the future Kimberly, including spending a life together and that is something I longed for all this time. However, if I have to choose laying down my life I have to because it ensures that the person I love with all my heart, mind and soul lives to see another day. If I have to sacrifice my happiness for theirs I will do it because it is my gift to them...to ensure their future is still there."
"You know I still fear sometimes for you Handsome...wondering if I'll see you alive and smiling at me," she sighed leaning into his chest, "When that time does come it still makes me wonder if I could bare watching the loves I love die before my eyes."
"It does scare me too but that's why someone needs to make those decision."
"I could feel it...this is all going to end soon and time is almost up isn't it?" Kim asked, "We can't keep running from what we're suppose to do can we? You can't run Tommy and knowing you I feel you know what needs to be done. I know what I have to do as well to change things. Like they always say change is a constant and we can't stop it. Dawn is almost coming soon we have a mission on our hands don't we?"
"They need a leader whether they'll agree with me or not but I can't abandon my friends or the fate of the world," Tommy slightly smiled as the two of them got up, "I got somewhere I need to be...and so do you Beautiful."
"Tommy...you know I love you right?" she sincerely smiled, "Hey no matter what I'm always your girl."
"Right back at you Kim I love you too, always and forever," he said giving her a kiss, "Thank you for being my everything in life...I couldn't imagine surviving the night's turmoil without you with me."
"There's is nothing you need to thank me for...you're still always be the brooding lone warrior who needs me to bring light to your day," she smiled as Tommy stepped back before giving her another hug and kiss and then teleported away. "Good luck Tommy...and let the power protect you."
Too long we've been denying
Now we're both tired of trying
We hit a wall and we can't get over it
Nothing left to relive
It's water under the bridge
You said it, I get it
I guess it is what it is
Kimberly once again felt a bit nausea once again as she quickly headed to the bathroom throwing up once again. They knew someone this war was about to come to an end soon but time itself proved to be an unpredictable entity. The grim reality was coming that soon they will have to meet their fate and destiny for that last battle. Time was running out as Kimberly sighed deep in thought placing a hand on her stomach. The sacrifice of a life of normalcy always was the toll they paid and deep in her heart Kim had an idea of the truth. She had a job to do...to help Tommy realize his own fate and destiny and shape it. However, even with Tommy questioning the ultimate sacrifice of their own happiness for the sake of the world, she too wondered if she had the heart and strength to watch her entire life be laid down. It wasn't her future and Tommy that Kim had to lose, but the possibility of her true happiness forever being shattered as she continued to silently place a hand on her stomach.
(The Boarding House)
By early morning Billy and the others have come up with a plan to locate a possible subterranean armory according to the Dark Judge it made reference to. However, the alarm went off and they viewed the computer to see Scorpina and Goldar who have suddenly grown large wrecking havoc in Downtown Angel Grove. The safety of the remaining civilians left in the city became the team's main priority but the weight of making hard decision was about to be tested as the veterans along with the Dino Rangers continued to watch the carnage Goldar and Scorpina brought upon their city.
"Well obviously we need to make a choice," Jason said looking to his friends, "We're not going to let them trash the city! Guys, we're going into battle against Goldar and Scorpina so we got to power up the zords."
"Your left hand hasn't fully regained function yet how are you suppose to control your zord?" Kat asked looking concern. "There's eight of us how are we going to pull this off without one of them noticing we're sending a team underground?"
"I'll lead the underground team with Tanya and the Dino Rangers," Billy suddenly answered, "We're going to take the potentials to take out their armory supply. It's the only plan we got right now launch a two front attack and we could pull this off."
"Hopefully we could pull this off," Connor answered, "For all our sakes, especially for Dr. O and Kimberly."
"Praying for the same thing as well," Jason said as everyone prepared for another battle, "Send a distress call to the Space Rangers to meet us in Downtown Angel Grove. Billy...good luck out there."
"Same to the rest of you guys and let the power protect you," Billy answered.
(The Pavilion)
Meanwhile, Tommy teleports to the pavilion once again as he spots a few putties and Dark Judges are using welding torches and pick-axes heading towards a underground passageway downstairs in the old building. He quietly ventures below to the basement level of the pavilion and instantly hears the voices of Zedd and Rita overseeing some sort of production happening. A slight moment of happiness came upon his face realizing that his suicidal hunch about the pavilion was right all along and silently praised Kimberly for not doubting him. He could hear sounds of pick-axes being struck by rocks underneath the pavilion as he could feel a weird sensation rising inside of him. Tommy couldn't explain it but whatever the sensation was it was drawing him to whatever they were trying to dig up underneath.
"It shouldn't be long my pet," Zedd hissed looking at the putties and Dark Judges welding tools on the rocks underneath the pavilion, "Prophecies say one thing. Brute strength says another. We'll get it out soon."
"I heard you the first time Zeddy!" Rita screeched with a grin on her face, "Now, rouse our labor force. Get them back to work!"
Their conversation however soon is suddenly interrupted by a Dark Judge being thrown down the stairs. Rita and Zedd turn to look and see Tommy standing at the top of the stairs as their faces turn into fury and annoyance.
"Hey there! Sorry to drop by so suddenly but I heard you got something of ours," Tommy smirked in a cocky and confident manner, "So where's it at? You know I'm going to find it sooner or later!"
"Well, if it ain't the prodigal White Ranger?" Rita mocked in a sarcastic tone.
"You think you can defy us and the Source you wretched power parasite? No, you're not," Zedd glared glowing red with anger and frustration, "I lay one hand on you, and you're just a dead little Power pest eliminated!"
"Lay a hand on me...if you can!" He shrugs mockingly as he pulls out his morpher and charges forward, "IT'S MORPHING TIME! WHITE RANGER POWER!"
(Author's Notes: I don't own the rights to the song "It is What It Is" by Lifehouse. I used the lyrics for both part one and two of this chapter.)