Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers. Only my OCs.
Chapter 10: Future Tasks
Previously….
Zoey looked around, frustrated, "Seriously? I thought we were done with this?" She frowned, not recognizing her surroundings, "What's with all of the snow?" She looked up to see an Snowy Owl staring at her from the branch of a tree, "Why do I feel uneasy?" The owl's eyes glowed right before it jumped off the branch and flew at her, "Oh, no."
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Running through the snowy forest, Zoey looked back to see the Owl closing in on her, "What the hell?" She ducked down in time to avoid the Owl's talons, "Oh, enough of this." She muttered, standing up. She held up her hands and sent an energy blast at the bird as it came back at her. It screeched as it flew backwards, trying to regain it's balance.
"I don't know who you are or why you're chasing me, but I am not your enemy!" She looked around as the Owl stopped in mid-air, hovered and landed on another branch, "What? What do you want?" The Owl looked to the right and hooted.
Zoey followed his gaze to a glowing light coming towards her, "Oh, what now?" An image finally appeared, forming an ethereal woman in all white, "Oh, my God. You."
"Surprised to see me little one?"
"Yes… um… no," She stuttered, "I mean, I don't know. You brought me here?"
"That's right."
"Why?" The woman looked at her carefully before smiling.
"To show you." She gestured around her, "Everything you and your friend Jenna have gone through, and will go through, all leads to the Final Battle."
"Final Battle? You mean with the Master?"
"Oh, no, my dear girl. It is inevitable, yes, that you will face the Master. But you won't do it alone. You'll never do anything alone. If there's anything I've learned from you Rangers, is that you're always at your best when you work together." The Lady sighed, "This world, this Magical Realm, is just that. A dimensional pocket hidden for their protection. Normal humans have proven, so far, to fear what they don't understand. And magic is a fear."
"Okay. I get that. I've been learning that for the past year. But what is this place that I had to see? What does it have to do with me?"
"Your final battle as a Ranger."
"Wait, what?" Zoey looked at her in shock, "What's that supposed to mean?"
"It means that your destiny is far from over. There is still so much you have to do."
"Can't you tell me what it is? Why does everything have to be a riddle?" She looked around, "And what's with the snow? That's more Jenna's element than mine."
"It's not about the connection to your element so much as your connection to someone here. In this realm."
"Who is it? Give me something, please."
"Look for the White Owl. There you will find the Lady of Snow. Learn her story and let her train you. Because, my little Fox, you must have full control of the Spark if you are ever going to win the Final Battle."
"I don't understand." The woman started to glow, "Wait? What battle? What Lady? How will I know who she is?"
"Follow the Owl…" Her voice trailed off as light completely engulfed her. When the light faded, the woman in white was gone.
"Great. Just great." She looked up and noticed that the Owl was gone. "Figured."
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Zoey woke up with a splitting headache. She looked around and saw that she was back in the cabin, "Hey, you're awake!" Raina said, popping her head in the door, "Tommy! Zoey's awake!" Footsteps thudded as Zoey's brother came running through the room to get to his sister's side.
"Are you okay. Thank the gods." He leaned down and hugged her, "Before you ask, it's only been a few hours." She nodded, grateful for the knowledge, "What did your mom want?"
"It wasn't my mom. It was…" as she trailed off in a fit of coughs, Tommy reached over for a glass of water on the nightstand and handed it to her. "Thanks."
"Sorry about that." She shook her head, "My mom didn't summon me, R…" she started coughing again, having trouble breathing.
"Zoey. Are you okay?"
"Don't tell him, girl." A voice sounded in her head, "It's not time for anybody to know the truth yet. Make something up. Fudge the truth."
Zoey rolled her eyes and cleared her throat before looking up at her brother, "Sorry. That happens sometimes. I'm not exactly sure who it was that took me. I know it wasn't my mom. Whoever it was, was some sort of Spirit."
"What did this Spirit want?"
"She's set me a task to do. Don't worry about it." She held up a hand to forestall him asking anymore questions, "It's not right now and it's not this year. Trust me. I'll be fine."
"You can't talk about it, can you?" Jenna asked, walking in, "That's what the coughing was about. Whoever pulled you in won't let you tell anyone what happened."
"Exactly."
"Alright, well, as long as you're okay." Tommy kissed her forehead, "We've got everything cleaned up here. Nobody wanted to leave until you woke up. So when you get moving around, we'll fix you something to eat. Okay?"
"Sounds good."
Jenna sat down next to her after Tommy left and hugged her side, "This sucks. I hate that you keep getting pull like this. When do you think it will stop?"
"I'm not sure. When it's over, I guess." She shrugged when Jenna sent her a confused, "I don't know. Maybe it's like we discussed. Remember that feeling we were having about things not being over? That night at Tommy's place?"
"After the gathering." Jenna nodded, "We were playing with Kit right before bed."
"Speaking of Kit, remind me, we've got to follow them back to Blue Bay and pick her up. Maybe pick up a gift basket or something as thank you for Sensei watching her."
"I can't believe he agreed to that."
"He didn't have a problem with it. He enjoys Kit's company and she knows how to stay out of the student's way. I thought about asking Kelly, but it would be harder to explain to normal people why she has a Fennec Fox running around Storm Chargers."
"I know that's right." Jenna leaned back, "How about we treat him to the Martial Arts movie festival this year?"
"I think he'd like that." They got to clean up her room, "Anyways, we were feeling like maybe it wasn't over for us. Like the Morphing Gods had something else planned."
"I remember."
"A part of me has felt like maybe we're going to break Tommy's record."
Jenna looked at her in horror, "Why would you say something like that? That's just mean." She straightened up from making the bed, "I enjoy joking about Tommy's past as much a the next guy. I don't want to be added to the joke myself."
"Running joke or not, what big brother went through was heroic. He chose to put his life on the line year after year, no matter the cost to his well being. If it comes down to it, I would be willing to do the same thing. No matter what."
Jenna sighed, "Agreed. Do you think these warnings and weird feeling you're getting has something to do with all of your training that you've been doing?" She grabbed a bag as they shut the room up and locked the door, "With all of your dreams?"
They walked into the kitchen where everyone was waiting, "Our training, actually." Zoey sat down to eat a muffin and drink a protein shake Hayley sat down for her.
"Our training? What do you mean by that?"
"What I said before, about the record, I wasn't joking. Look, I may not be able to explain what happened when I was pulled in again, but I can tell you that whatever journey I'm destined to be on, whatever this battle or war that's going to be waged on, you're right there with me." She looked at her friend as everyone else was trying to find out what they were talking about. "I honestly wouldn't have it an other way."
Jenna closed her eyes and sighed for a moment, gathering her thoughts, "No matter what happens, good or bad, you are my sister. Whatever doors open for you opens for me. And we go through those doors together. Always."
Jason looked over at Tommy in pride, as they shared a smile.
"Whatever happens, record not withstanding, we stick together. Until the end." She smiled as the fist bumped, "Always."
After a moment of silence, Tommy patted his sister on the shoulder, "I'm not sure what your destiny holds. But I do know that whatever it is, you two will face it head on, and conquer it. Because that's who you are. And we couldn't be more prouder."
"Absolutely." Jason stepped forward, "And we know Zordon would have been just as proud."
"Would have?" Trini shook her head, "I don't know about you, but it's my belief that he's watching us, even now. And he is proud. I know it."
Everyone took a moment of silence in remembrance of their mentor.
"When did the Space Rangers leave?" Zoey asked, breaking their reverie.
"When we left to bring you here." Tommy said, standing up to put up the remaining dishes, "They needed to get the kids settled down before they took off for KO-35. It was going to take an hour before they can clear the window for take off."
"And now, we've got to do the same thing." Kimberly said, holding a sleeping Kayla, "We need to get home and put her to bed. She's exhausted."
"Same here." Emily nodded to Jason before grabbing her bag, "Let's get the kids and load up. It'll take us all day to get them down from the sugar high they're currently riding."
Everybody got up to load vehicles and to leave.
"Alright guys!" Jason called out, "You teen be safe going home. We really enjoyed meeting you guys. Like we said, you're an amazing addition to the Ranger family. We had a lot of fun this week. And if we don't see you again before next years gathering, be safe and enjoy your semi-retirement."
"Semi-retirement?" Cam asked, looking confused, "We lost our powers. We're retired."
"No, you're not." Tommy said, "Every team, whether they lose their powers or not, stay partially active. They always end up helping in other places. No matter the situation. It's what we do. We have a saying, 'Once a Ranger."
"Always a Ranger!" The older Rangers chorused out together.
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Tommy pulled up to his house in the woods, glad to finally be home, turned off the engine and turned to Hayley, "Peace and quite."
"Oh, yeah." She smiled at him, "Are you still okay with not telling anyone?"
"Of course." He took her hand, linking their fingers, "You were right. It's still too new. We take our time, see where it goes. I think that's best." She nodded, "Plus, with these damn gems and wondering if Mesogog is going to find me and attack, it's best to wait. The bad guys have been known to mess with our friends, families and loved ones. I'd rather not take any chances. Deal?"
She leaned forward and gave him a kiss, "Deal."
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Zoey parked next to her brother's jeep and looked at the sleeping Fox in Jenna's lap, "I can't believe she let you hold her the entire ride back from Blue Bay. Unbelievable."
"Well, she nearly scratched up my arms in order to stay out of the carrier." She stroked the little fox across the top of her head, "When's Adam bringing Andy out?"
"Next week." Zoey sighed before getting out, "You can let her on the ground. Tommy installed a cat door for her to in and out of." She leaned on the back of her jeep and watch Kit run to the forest and shook her head, "And she's off to catch her a snack."
"What does she usually catch?"
"Depends on how hungry she is. eat meat, assorted fruits and vegetables, mice and insects. Didn't take long for Sensei to teach her not to chase him around Ops." She paused for a moment, "Before we go in, did you happen to notice anything different with my brother?"
"You know, he did seem a little off." Jenna smirked, "That was Jason's term for it. I don't think anyone else has figured it out."
"I knew you would, though." She started to grab their bags, "Let's not saything yet. I think they want to keep it a secret. For now."
"You must be thrilled."
"Exhilarated, actually." She walked around and joined her friend on the walk up to the house, "I love Hayley. Like a sister. I honestly can't imagine him with anyone else. I think they've been in love with each other for a long time. I'm glad they've finally at the point where they can see where their feelings could take them."
"Hopefully down the aisle where you can see your brother finally at a place like the rest of them." They stood on the porch, "Not that he needs it to be happy, though."
"No, he doesn't. That doesn't mean I haven't seen the look on his face when he looks at them. He wants that, so bad. He wants to be able to stop have to look over his shoulder, settle down in one town, start a family. You can see. This is the start. Right here."
They watched as Kit came bounding up the stairs through her little door, "Was that a vole?"
Zoey sighed, "Yep. Better get in there before Tommy hates it when she bring those things in. They're unsanitary."
As Zoey went to follow Jenna in the house, she heard a screech and looked up to find the source. There in a tree was a Snowy Owl.
"I'll find you. I promise."
Hey guys! That's the end of the first Power Ranger Week. Hope you liked it. Now I'm going to continue Dino Thunder. Please, don't forget to vote! I need to pin down Andy's spirit animal before too long. Thank you.