Once again: the ligers are on alert. Flame at your own risk!
No, I don't own Power Rangers. Eight left!
First came a pale-skinned young man in red, alone in the sandy, rocky mountains outside of Angel Grove. His black hair stood out in the pale scenery even more than his red shirt and blue jeans.
Second came a cocoa-skinned man about the same age with clipped black hair in a long-sleeved black V-neck sweater and black slacks. He stood nearby, acknowledging the other's presence without word or gesture.
Third came a petite woman with loose brown hair in a pink sundress with a white sash. She hugged herself slightly to steady herself then stood rigid and unyielding in the desert light.
Fourth came a golden haired man with keen blue eyes. He stood farthest apart, his keen blue eyes matching his golf shirt and jeans.
Fifth came a slender young woman, her long black hair in a single braid. She wore cream slacks and a yellow blouse. Her head moved as she took in the others.
Sixth, and last, came a man with freshly cut short brown hair. He wore a green and white striped polo shirt with khaki pants. He closed his eyes against the vision on the horizon- that of fresh ruins, of fresh grief.
Silently they walked towards the sandstone ruins, each step as hard as a physical blow. Memories came unbidden, and refused to leave. And they lacked the resolve to banish them. It was too soon, too raw.
But they made it. And using their potent grief, using their now-and-forever bittersweet memories, using their fragile hope… they remade the Command Center using the full extent of their Power for the first time. They were the First Five.
52: Home
During the post-creation tour Kimberly went down into a very large spacious area with fluorescent lighting upon learning that the first and only Blue Power Ranger was down there. She whistled admiringly.
"I think we upgraded the Command Center."
"I'd say that's impossible but…" Billy emerged from the shadows and looked around. "Well, it's apparently not."
Kimberly found herself smiling… something she hadn't done for nearly a fortnight. The thought had her smile fading fast. Billy sighed and reminded her.
"Zordon wouldn't want us to be sad forever."
"I miss him."
"I do too."
Kimberly stayed where she was. She had to know, no matter if it hurt just as much as Zordon's death.
"When are you going back to Aquitar?"
Billy stayed silent. Closing her eyes, Kimberly tried to keep her breathing steady. She had just gotten Billy back but she was going to lose him again. She wasn't ready. After losing Zordon, she realized just how dependent on Billy she really was. Her heart needed him, because it belonged to him.
"I'm not."
Disbelieving her ears Kimberly slowly opened her eyes to stare at Billy.
"You're not?"
Billy shook his head. "Earth is home for me. Absence makes the heart grow fonder and all… but I've been absent long enough I think."
"Oh." Kimberly thought her heart would burst from joy. Timidly she added, "I've been thinking of moving back to California. Maybe opening a gymnastics studio…"
Billy looked away shyly. The real reason he was staying was that he couldn't stay being light-years away from Kimberly any more. Maybe…
"Well, I was thinking I could live here. If you want you can too."
"Really?"
"Sure. We were the ones who spent the most time with Zordon," Billy argued hopefully. "It makes sense for the two of us to take care of his legacy."
"Right, I'd like to live in the same house as you, Billy."
Billy's mouth twitched. Sometimes Kimberly was just too cute. "I wouldn't call the Command Center a house, Kimberly."
"Fine," Kim smiled. She would have to pinch herself later to make sure she wasn't dreaming. The chance to be near Billy almost 24/7? It truly was too good to be true. "How about this? I'd like to live in the same home as you, Billy."
"Me too," Billy concurred wishfully, making Kimberly blush.
