A/n: I quietly put this story on hold as I was committed to my other fanfic at the time. Expect another chapter or two in the weeks to come. In the meantime, as always, enjoy.
Ever since I was a little girl, gymnastics has been my favorite hobby when it comes to recreational sports. It requires strength, flexibility, balance, agility and coordination necessary to perform. Just the feeling of going out there and letting yourself go from reality helps ease the stress that I've endured throughout my childhood. I close my eyes to embrace the rush of pink electricity flowing through my veins. I'd spread out my wings like a pterodactyl dinosaur soaring through the air above the skyline. I didn't have to think about being in the moment. A matter of hope and positivity were the key ingredients in overcoming my insecurities.
For about two years, I've served my tenure as a Power Ranger through grace, dignity, and fortitude. For once, I wasn't the ditsy girl from down the street worrying about getting my clothes dirty. The impact of serving and protecting those around me has humbled me in ways that I couldn't have imagined. My team and I have come so far in our years of adolescence I realized how much of a difference I'm making in the world. I've encountered a handful of life threatening experiences as it is. You've heard the expression that 'all good things must come to an end'? As an aspiring gymnast, this opportunity of a lifetime couldn't be any farther from the truth.
When Tommy and I were at lunch, I came across a newspaper ad pertaining to this year's Pan Global Games. The instant I spotted the article, I was ecstatic. Every few years, the event would be held to showcase a talent pool filled with young athletes around the globe competing in a variety of sporting activities. We're talking rugby, cricket, swimming, wrestling, and gymnastics to name a few. I've dreamt of this opportunity for as long as I can remember. Summer is fast approaching. With my 18th birthday coming up, and to coincide with my transition into adulthood, these events couldn't have come at a better time.
I met up with Coach Schmidt one day as I spent practicing on the balance beam at the Youth Center. He was a respected veteran at his craft having won a gold medal at the inaugural Pan Global Games. When he offered me a chance to train with him, I was stoked. No other words could describe how absurd it would be if I rejected his offer. Eventually, I came around and agreed to participate in his practice course. Throughout the next several weeks, he provided me with efficient training necessary to prepare myself for the upcoming event. From running the mile to cart wheeling along the balance beam, it was a hard day's work. I pushed myself to my limit even exceeding it to a point that wound up doing harm to my body.
Shortly after my break, Zordon proceeded to reinstate me as a Power Ranger. Losing my power coin to the likes of Rita and Zedd put me in a critical position. For the first time in a long time, I was no longer on active duty. I spent the duration of this moment focusing on school work and spending quality time with my mother before leaving for Europe. It was a breath of fresh air from the life risking duties of saving the world from interplanetary harm. I get to do the things a normal teen would do without my wrist communicator beeping so often. It doesn't help that meant lying to my folks by coming up with an excuse. But it was for a good reason. There is no chance in hell I lure Zedd and Rita into harming them. However, it gave me a moment to reflect on how much being a ranger has an impact on me as a person.
The time I spent training realized just how committed I am to my art. Utilizing my skilled talent as a means of self defense has got me to understand how gifted we are to be part of this life. It wasn't a matter of money buying happiness to satisfy my ego. My friends and I have done our part giving back to the community both as civilians and as our duties as Power Rangers. I wasn't going to trade that for anything.
As grateful as I am with the tryouts, I stood between a rock and a hard place. With the amount of passion I have for gymnastics and as a ranger, these contributing factors came close to my demise. I couldn't resist a heartbeat. Tommy came up to me deeply concerned with the state of my well being. It's weird in retrospect about how worried I was when he struggled to maintain his Green Ranger powers. In recent times, it's the other way around. Not even Zedd and Rita are to blame for this madness. The only person responsible for my health is me.
While in the middle of practice, I passed out by the mat from the Youth Center. Katherine alerted the first responders as they had me stretchered into the ambulance. I found myself waking up in the hospital still exhausted from all the stress I've been having. She along with my friends came by to check to see how I was doing. Since I became a Power Ranger, the last thing that came to mind would be lying inside a hospital bed about to face death square in the eye. Thankfully that, on two occasions my fighting spirit managed to keep me alive and well.
When I saw Kat walk into the room, I could not help but owe her my gratitude for saving me. The warmth of her smile and a heart of gold uplifted my will to live. At the time, I didn't know as to why she stopped by the Youth Center just when it closed. The look of guilt illuminating from her face gave me the impression that she committed something she regretted. It was that instant that Kat made a confession in regards to her affiliation with Zedd and Rita.
I was intrigued but not surprised. The couple had a track record when it came to brainwashing our friends. To see Katherine blaming herself for her actions was a burden she had to endure. Despite the fact she had a hand in diminishing my powers, I did not condemn her one bit. Bottom line is I am fine and the doctors are expecting a full recovery in the coming days. The best we could do is to pay for our wrongdoings.
As my friends escorted Kat out of the hospital, I sat next to the window sightseeing the view of Angel Grove. Coach Schmidt walked in to check on my health status.
"Kimberly, how are you doing?" He asked me.
"Coach, I'm just so glad to see you. I know you're probably disappointed," I stammered the moment he interrupted.
"Kim, it's okay. All it matters is you're well," Schmidt said. "Listen I know I've been rough on you and I should've been more understanding. If anything, I am deeply sorry for putting you in this mess."
"It seems like everyone around here are blaming themselves for my health," I said taking into account of the events that have transpired the past twenty-four hours.
"I'm positive your boyfriend out there said something along those lines," he chuckled a bit.
"I can't imagine how difficult it must be to see you travel all the way here. Do you miss your family back home?" Having only met him for a short time, curiosity had me wondering about Gunther not just as a sporting coach, but as an individual human being.
"That's a good question you ask. Quite simply put, it does get pretty lonely on the job," Schmidt replied. He and I found some cushions to sit on while engaging what had the potential to be an interesting pep talk.
"It must be pretty stressful traveling around the globe. Why do you put yourself in that position to begin with?" I interrogated.
"Well," the coach took his time to process his response. "I never thought I would say this. Being a former amateur wrestler, there is a lot of expectations weighing upon me. When I was your age, my coach insisted if I were to succeed, I would have to push myself forward in maintaining my commitment. The pressure got too overwhelming that I passed out from dehydration. Next thing you know, I wound up in a similar predicament that you're currently in. This is why part of me believes it's my responsibility to ensure my students reach their full potential. I should have been more understanding. For that, I owe you an apology."
I reached out to Schmidt wrapping my hand around his.
"I appreciate everything you're doing. It may not have been the best way you handled it. But I admire your perseverance and your will to seek out the good in people. I always aspire to do my best even when the going gets tough," I spoke to him in a sincere sort of manner.
"Thank you Kimberly," he said with a smile. "I don't mean to barge into your personal life. How is your family coping with this?"
"Tommy spoke to my mother on the phone. It turns out she wasn't enthusiastic with the life choices I've made," I replied to him. Coach Schmidt turned away processing everything that's been said.
"I've pride myself so much to sports even I could use a breather," he confessed. He reached inside his jean pocket as I watched him pull up a photograph of his family.
"Wow," I said. Just a single word from my mouth could describe how astonished I was to dive a bit into the coach's personal life.
"These are my two kids and standing behind them is me and my wife. This was the last photo we shot from the previous Pan Global Games in Japan. I can remember it like yesterday when my previous student achieved first place during the triathlon," he told me.
"What happened," I asked.
"After the celebration was over, we were on our way back to Germany when we got into a plane crash during inclement weather. Somehow, I barely managed to survive. As they were rushed into the hospital, reports came in that my family received severe cases of head trauma. Despite all of the treatment they could give them, they weren't able to make it."
I covered my mouth in shock. "Coach, that's awful."
Schmidt continued his story while trying his best not to choke up. "I spent the rest of that summer mourning their loss, and I still can't get over what happened. The reason why I got so hung up on the Pan Global Games is to demonstrate how important it is to persevere when things get difficult in life. As a gymnast yourself, I believe you have great potential accomplishing at what you do. No matter what career you strive for, don't let your dreams go to waste. But take into account of the people that have supported you through thick and thin." A heartbreaking anecdote by the coach had our hearts sunk with sorrow. He choked up quite a bit while at the same time managing to keep his chin up.
"It's okay Coach," I reassured to him even offering him a warm embrace to which he accepted.
"I know," he said wiping away the teardrops humidifying from his eyes.
"Excuse me. I don't mean to interrupt but the attending physician will be here shortly to check with our patient," a doctor informed us while standing by the doorway.
"Absolutely, I'll be on my way out," Schmidt complied with their request.
"Thanks for stopping by today. It seems like we got to know each other well," I bestowed him with a compliment.
"Anytime Kim," When I noticed the coach's guilt subside, I began to learn a little more of Gunther Schmidt as a person. While our partnership got off to a rocky start, I couldn't help but wonder how determined the two of us could be capable of. I am just grateful we utilized this opportunity to make amends.