With the putties defeated and Angel Grove momentarily safe, the Rangers quickly hustled back to the community center just as the first few children to start arriving. It was only when they were readying to put the movie into the DVD player and get it set up to play once the rest of the kids got there, that they realized that Tommy must have lost the disk during the fight. Since no one wanted to chance going back into the park to look for it and risking another attack, Rocky offered to drive Aisha home to pick up her copy of the film, while the rest of the team kept the children occupied. Distracting the youths by helping them get their popcorn and drinks and then settled into their spots, kept the crowd from getting unruly. And soon the yellow ranger was returning with the movie before anyone even had the chance to notice the delay.
Once the DVD was playing and the kids were quietly watching content with their snacks, their young chaperones were finally able to relax as well. Still keyed up from their earlier run in with the putties, there was nothing like a fairy tale to take the edge off things. Where the good guys always won out and there was always a lesson to be learned. When you regularly put your life on the line to fight the forces of evil, sometimes you just need the certainty of a happy ending.
Tommy had found himself a nice empty spot on the floor, where he would be able to stretch out his long legs, and rest his back against the base of the wall. Once he was comfortable, Katherine appeared at his side, and he spit his legs for her to nettle between, reclining against his chest. Her weight against him was pleasant and warm and soon the pair was wrapped in the whimsy of the movie playing on the large white sheet suspended from the wall in front of them. Their friends scattered about the Juice Bar all doing the same.
Moments of peace were so rare in their young lives the Rangers did their best to never take them for granted, as they never lasted long. And this was one of those times, Snow White had only just arrived at the Dwarves' cottage when a familiar melody began to sound from the watches on the teen's wrists. Zordon was calling them through their communicators and that was never a good thing.
Quietly the teens made their way toward the hallway just off the gym floor, gingerly stepping around the children. Billy being extra careful not to disturb the table under the projector where he had been sitting, not wanting to make the disk skip and disturb the kids. When the six Superheroes had made it through the maze of youngsters, they gathered closely together in hushed tones to respond to their mentor's call.
"We read you Zordon," Tommy said into his wrist, his voice scarcely above a whisper.
There was only a second off pause before the strong but kind voice of the intergalactic being that took a half a dozen regular teenagers and created an elite fighting force, spoke back, "Rangers. Lord Zedd was unleashed yet another monster on the world. His Poisoned Apple creature is creating havoc at Angel Grove as we speak,"
Even though it was a bit past dinner time, the Fall breeze and changing of leaves often coaxed the citizens of Angel Grove out into the park, well into the evenings. Couples walking hand in hand, as they admired the multicolored trees and crisp air, was not uncommon for that time of year. Which meant the number of potential victims was larger than one would assume for that time of day. The situation couldn't be ignored.
Looking around at his teammates, Tommy knew as the leader it was his responsibility to be the first line of attack. Ever since he was promoted to the head of the team he had put so much pressure on himself. Wanting to prove he deserved it, that he could do as well as Jason and wouldn't let them all down, telling them in a firm but soft voice, "I'll go check it out. You guys stay here with the kids, we can't just leave them here alone,"
Despite knowing that they couldn't just abandon the children under their care, the other Rangers weren't necessarily pleased with the idea of letting their leader go off alone either. It wasn't until Tommy promised he would call for backup if things got too dangerous, that everyone seemed to support his choice to be a one man Army.
With a hum of permission from Zordon, followed by his usual, "Good luck, White Ranger but be careful and may the power protect you," The decision was made.
Swiftly reaching behind his back, and producing his morpher, Tommy declared it was morphing time, "White Ranger power," He said in an excited but whispering tone before teleporting to the park.
Watching from afar Lord Zedd was once again admiring his handiwork from his perch on this throne. Goldar, a loyal little monkey as always looking on obediently. From their seats they watched as the oversized apple crashed through Angel Grove park, chasing civilians, overturning benches, dumping trash and otherwise causing complete chaos. Large leaves of spark metal, shot from the top monster's head spinning like saw blades and slicing through anything in their path. The innocent people of the town as they scattered for cover, screaming for help, knowing the Power Rangers would come to their aid at any time.
"Ah, I must admit with just a few of my own touches, that Wicked Queen's apple turned out to be a perfect monster," Clucked Zedd, preening at his own brilliance. For years he had been depending on reusing old creatures that had served him in his world domination centuries ago, or allowed his wife's bumbling assistant Finster to create his monsters. But this time he'd chosen well, "It's too bad, I've already taken a Queen… We would have made quite a pair,"
Goldar had to agree. He had been trying to convince Lord Zedd to leave Rita from the second he had learned they were married. It was unfortunate that Snow White's stepmother was a fictional character however and could never take over Rita's place.
Deciding not to mention that, the golden clad gargoyle addressed another topic that he knew would likely annoy his master. From the corner of his flame red eyes the beast had spotted an uninvited guest. Tommy had just arrived on the scene, "But Master, that pesky White Ranger is there now," The putrid primate remarked, now looking quite glum.
His silver plated superior only chuckled maniacally, like any good story Goldar, there is more to come. This Fairy tale will not have a happily ever after,"
Back on Earth Tommy had arrived at the park fully morphed and ready for battle. Confronting the pesky produce almost instantly, "Hey seeds for brains, why don't you go back where you came from," He yelled, arms folded across his chest.
"Oh, a Power Ranger… I've been waiting for you. Come alone? That was foolish," Goaded the Golden Delicious, prancing toward Tommy, "I have something special for you,"
"The only fool here is you," The Ranger shot back angrily as he pulled Saba from his side, "Prepare to be turned into applesauce,"
As the young hero ran toward his target, weapon drawn, the evil apple unleashed his special attack. One he was saving especially for Tommy. Huge apple seeds the size of mellow burst from the villainous vegetation's chest, peppering the ground and exploding in curtains of purple smoke, as the White Ranger ran through them. Until the last seed hit home, striking the teen directly in the chest. The young man's knees buckled instantly causing him to crumble to the ground, in a deep sleep.
Watching on through the viewing globe, Alpha 5 quickly alerted the other Rangers, who arrived in force after bribing Bulk and Skull to keep an eye on the children at the Youth Center for them. But by the time they got there, they were too late to save their leader from the spell as Tommy was teleported out of danger. All they could do was call upon the megazord, and destroy the beast before anyone else got hurt.
With the battle over, the five teenagers teleported to the command center immediately. Surprised to find Tommy still deep in his spell induced coma. Alpha busily worked to revive the handsome hero in any way he could. Various rays and scanners were laid about, as the robot ran them over the sleeping savior, but getting no response. For all his work to help the boy, there was no movement in return, not even the flutter of an eye or the twitch of a finger.
"I don't understand Zordon, the spells always wear off after we kill Zedd or Rita's monsters," Said Rocky, staring up at the large head, suspended in the tube above them.
This didn't make sense. Why wasn't Tommy waking up? What if he never woke up? What would the team ever do without him? He was their leader… and their friend. They needed him… The feeling of panic began to grip the room, though no member of the team would speak their fears aloud.
Zordon however was wise and could sense their tension, without it being spoken. Luckily, he had a solution, "Remember Rocky, this was not one of Zedd's monsters. The poison apple was stolen from a children's story. Snow White did not awaken when the Queen was defeated and the apple destroyed,"
"You're right," Aisha expressed as the lights behind her pretty, dark eyes seemed to brighten. How could she have forgotten, this was her favorite fairy tale. The realization had her letting out the breath she hadn't even known she had been holding, "Tommy, just needs true love's kiss," She laughed feeling silly she hadn't thought of that sooner.
As eyes shifted then to Kat, the beautiful blonde's cheeks blushed as rosy as her brightly colored uniform, "Well, I guess this is on me then," She remarked shyly as she approached the platform that Alpha had her boyfriend laying out on. Gingerly she climbed up, careful not to trip and sat gently beside Tommy. His helmet had been removed, and though she had her own tucked under her arm, she placed down at her feet before leaning in to press her lips to the awaiting mouth of the young man.
And nothing happened…
The gaze of five high schoolers and one fully automated automaton lifted, then back to Zordon in confusion. That should have worked. Why hadn't it worked. But their mentor had no answers.
Ever quiet and romantic it was Adam that made the initial statement that, "Maybe Kat isn't his true love,"
Though it hurt the young man to say it knowing it was likely hurting Katherine even more to hear ,it needed to be acknowledged. Adam was a sensitive young man and very perceptive to people's feelings. He had known Tommy before he met Kat, had seen him with his previous girlfriend and could tell just by the way his friend had acted with each where his heart had truly belonged. It would be obvious to anyone who took the time to think about it.
Billy, who was more practical than romantic, knew as well. He had been there from the beginning, he watched Tommy turn from the Power Ranger's greatest foe, to their best friend in a few short weeks. He watched the young man who had come to Angel Grove as a bit of a lone wolf, make friends and come out of his shell, learning to be part of a team. And that had happened with the help of another original Ranger. Another Pink Ranger, "We need to find Kimberly,"