I spent the course of a few days recovering at the Angel Grove Hospital. Often I laid to rest hearing footsteps of the many doctors as they marched back and forth outside. Part of me couldn't resist the urge to leave the facility and help my friends thwart off any evil lurking in our city. However, I did realize the quality of my health came first. I said my prayers with the intent of healing at one hundred percent capacity, and I stood by my word.
The day came when the medical chief of staff announced my test results to ensure I was mobile enough to leave. We ran a CAT scan to observe potential damage that could have a long lasting effect from my brain. Thankfully, not a severe blow had been detected. The chief thanked me for my cooperation towards everyone that had helped me in this time of crisis.
I was escorted out into the halls making my way towards the reception desk. I clocked out of the hospital using the log sheet attached to the clipboard provided. As I was about to leave, it was a matter of time as Bulk and Skull startled me from behind.
"It's so great to see you back on your feet Kim," Bulk said.
"Guys, I didn't think you were still around," I responded in an awkward manner. For all the times they've been harassing us, I was amused to see them showcase a good sense of heart.
"We didn't mean to scare you Kim. We wouldn't be doing our jobs if we didn't have to monitor the top floor of this hospital," Skull chimed in on the response.
"Bulk and I want to express our condolences to our fellow friend who has saved our butts more times than we can count. We may be silly dorks bumbling around the area. All it matters is we're really glad you're better now," Bulk said, getting straight to the point.
"Thanks guys. Now I can finally go out and enjoy the warm breeze," I told them. "How are you two today?"
"We couldn't have been, well better," Bulk stammered for a bit but he managed to complete his sentence. It was that instant I noticed them carrying a bouquet of pink flowers at hand.
"You guys brought me flowers?" Curiosity sprung to mind as I saw Skull holding them in front of me.
"We were hoping to drop by to send you our way of a 'get well' present. Being the clumsy duo we are, it took a little awhile before we got around to lend them to you," Skull explained. As he prepared to hand them over, little did he realize he was about to lose grip. Luckily, it took Angel Grove's finest police lieutenant to channel his inner wide receiver as he intercepted the bouquet of flowers that landed in his grasp.
"Unless I'm mistaken, I'm sure you two have some patrolling to do by the reception area." Lt. Stone snuck up from behind startling them right then and there.
"Lieutenant, we weren't expecting you," Skull chuckled, much to Bulk's displeasure.
"Yeah right Skull," Bulk rolled his eyes with absurdity.
"It's great to see you're fine and well Kimberly," Lt. Stone offered me with his condolence.
"You guys are so kind. It hasn't been easy these past few days but it feels good to be up on my feet again," I thanked them with a compliment of my own.
"Now that's the spirit," he said. "When I got into the police force, it wasn't easy. I passed out during the first day of boot camp training. I had no water and I was completely dehydrated. But my aspiration to commit to my profession is what convinced me to continue pushing forward. With a young woman this determined, I'm sure you could make a fine candidate as one of Angel Grove's finest patrol officers." That comment alone sparked an interest I never thought Lt. Stone would factor in.
"Lieutenant, I don't know what to say. It's quite the offer to consider," I said.
"Oh you should see her sir. She defended us from a bunch of putties when they were terrorizing Angel Grove," Bulk reminded me of the time I spent hanging with Uncle Steve.
"Don't forget about that time she landed an airplane when we had no idea how to pilot one," Skull added to my alibi.
"It's amazing how we survived but that was an experience I don't want to relive," I admitted.
"Unless you decide to opt out of the Pan Global Games, the door is open anytime if you'd like to join," the lieutenant dropped with a suggestion.
"You guys," I wasn't sure how to express it. I'd feel bad not to show my support for them. But the choice was up to me.
"When it comes to the Junior Police Patrol, we have the brains and the brawn. We could definitely add beauty to the list," Bulk stated.
"Yeah, tell him Bulkie," Skull being Skull continued to advocate his friend or what I refer to their friendship as 'partners in crime.'
"Thank you but for your information, we're not casting directors for a television show," Stone complimented the boys patting them on the back.
"It may not be career day but I really appreciate your offer," Although I declined, I kept my part to make certain my options remained open. As mom told me, 'Never leave all of your eggs in one basket.'
"Have the doctors advised you to get back into practice?" Bulk wondered. As I prepared to respond, we overheard a familiar voice that startled us from the get go.
"That's the question I like to answer here." Coach Schmidt emerged from the hallway as he approached us.
"Coach," I was startled the instant I detected his familiar sounding voice.
"It just so happened we were lending our fellow friend a welcome home present," Bulk responded on his behalf.
"Let's give them a minute shall we?" Lt. Stone advised his patrol officers while escorting themselves from the reception area we were in.
"How have you been?" I started off with a question.
"It's definitely been quieter these past few days. Not that I'm complaining. It had me reflecting about how my job has impacted me both professionally and personally," the coach responded.
"I'll admit it got a little too emotional back there," I remarked.
"Listen, I didn't come all the way to tell you to resume your training. It was very traumatizing when I found out about what happened that fateful night," he said. "The truth of the matter is it was my responsibility to make sure you were one hundred percent committed to the job. I spoke with the council about the event. Upon further review, I came by to let you know that they have decided to keep you on board until you are fully mobile to participate."
"How long will it be until I'm back on the field?" I wondered.
"They've informed me you have until two weeks to resume training for the competition. I couldn't believe it myself either," he continued. Once again, this surprising news was my immunity shot to get back on the driver's seat. With my insecurity getting the better of me, I've been on the fence about my commitment.
"Hey Coach," I stumbled along my sentence unsure how to confess about my stance regarding my participation in the competition.
"Yes Kim," Schmidt took a moment of time to listen to my honest take on the subject matter.
"I admire your honesty and all of the training tips you've provided have helped me prepare for what's to come," I said. "After I passed out, I did a little thinking for the past few days or so. I began having second thoughts which is why I decided to opt out of the Pan Global Games."
"Kim please," he begged. "I went through all that convincing to ensure you deserve a safe working environment. We should have put your health first over the business side of things."
His heart sank the instant I shot his offer down. It's the worst kind of pain to experience even with the intention of righting the wrongs of their actions.
"I didn't mean to shoot down the offer like that. Gymnastics means a lot to me but I'm afraid of overdoing myself," I went in on the confession.
"Kim," he approached me, giving me eye to eye contact. "You're one of the best athletes I've had the privilege of working with. I hate to see you pass on this opportunity knowing we are thriving to ensure you folks are not only in tip top shape. We're also making sure you're mentally stable by the time we arrive at Florida. Kim, think about what you're passing up on."
"I know," My mind was puzzled with confusion and self doubt. "Gymnastics has been a passion of mine since I was little. Just the flow of letting myself go on the balance beam has kept me sane even with all the stuff going on in my personal life. Maybe it's best if I lay low for a while before I get back to you."
From the coach's reaction, I noticed the enormous amount of pressure hanging over his head. He did what he could to rectify the situation yet I couldn't for whatever reason. I wish saying yes would be the simple route to go.
"Well if you ever think of changing your mind, you know where to reach me. It's good to see you back on your feet again." Schmidt addressed his final words before I watched him leave the waiting room. From the fall out of this discussion, my heart was shrouded with guilt. But this may be for my own good.
From the reception desk, I grabbed the bouquet that Bulk and Skull presented me from earlier. It was there when I acknowledged the chiming sound byte coming from my communicator. I forced myself into seclusion as I entered the women's restroom. Luckily, no one here was present.
"This is Kimberly, come in," I said.
"It's good to hear that you are alright Kimberly. We were heartbroken to hear about your condition recently." The familiar voice of Zordon brought me with a sense of joy that I hadn't felt in quite awhile.
"Same here too Zordon," I replied. "How are the rangers doing?"
"Your friends are orchestrating a plot to retrieve your power coin from the Moon Palace. Katherine intends to make amends by volunteering to help in the process," Zordon informed.
"Oh my gosh," I closed my eyes, taking a moment to clear out the intensity at hand. "Are you sure this is going to work?"
"The rangers and I have sheer confidence this will pan out accordingly," he told me.
"I'll be on my way. I want to see Zedd and Rita get put into their place after the chaos they put me through," I assured him. Without hesitation, I used my communicator to teleport out from the hospital into the Command Center.
"Aye aye aye. Welcome back Kimberly." As I turned around, Alpha came up towards me to offer a feel good comeback hug.
"Oh Alpha," I said as I exchanged a hug back in response. Alpha and I were keying in controls on the dashboard when the rest of my friends made their arrival via teleportation.
"Kim," Tommy shouted my name as we embraced with a hug. After spending a period of time sidelined, I regrouped with my teammates to see how they were doing.
"I'm just glad to see the whole family back together," It didn't cease to amaze Alpha seeing all of us in the Command Center after an extended period of time.
"It's good to have you back with us Kimberly. We miss you," Zordon congratulated me on my recovery.
"Thank you Zordon. I just wish it was under better circumstances," I responded.
"Hey Alpha, any luck in locating Katherine? Tommy wondered, expressing concern over her well being.
"Aye aye aye, I'm trying Tommy. My censors can't find her. I don't know what to do," Alpha panicked. Tommy approached him by the circuit board to offer his support.
"I take it that Zordon told you about our game plan?" Adam assumed.
"Honestly, this is a risky move she's taking there." Along with my friends, I took a glance at the viewing globe to monitor activity inside the cavern of the moon palace.
"Funny because that's exactly how we felt when Kat discussed our game plan," Rocky empathized with me from that perspective.
"While we're currently experiencing technical issues with our navigating coordinates, I should note that while we failed to retrieve Ninjor, we can confirm that he is in stable condition," Zordon reiterated to me this time being in person.
"As if my abduction wasn't horrifying enough, they even had the gall to contain him like their guinea pig," I said.
"The more I think about it, everybody has been taking chances as of late," Aisha said with an awareness of exaggeration on her part.
"I remember Kat mentioned to me about wanting to overcome her fears. There has to be a big picture to all of this," I alluded back to the most recent conversation I had with her.
"Given her history with Rita and Zedd, my gut tells me she knows what she's getting into. We just have to be confident she will make it out alive with what we need," Tommy reassured. I stepped back saying my prayers from the action unfolding in front of my own two eyes.
"Tommy is right. Kat thinks she owes you for nearly destroying you, so she's willing to undo everything the spell had influenced her to do," Adam added to that explanation.
"Let's hope you're right. Please be okay Kat," I muttered. As much of an unprecedented occurrence as it was, the best we could do was hope for the best end result.
The situation seemed bleak at first. Seeing Katherine locked behind bars had been their way of punishing her for defying authority. The spell that Rita had casted her began showing signs of wearing off. All of this boils down to was simply a test of trust.
Rito served his duty on guard to ensure she didn't escape. In a hostage situation, this would require your brain to be flexible - strategy would be the number one method of solution. At some point, Rito started becoming a bit drowsy. This would be the opening that Kat needed; The timing couldn't be any more appropriate. Squeezing her arm out through the bars, she extended her hand in hopes of grabbing a hold of the keys lying beside Rito. With this opportunity at hand, she managed to retrieve my power coin. It wouldn't come without warning. In a game of cat chasing mouse, Kat did her best to ensure they were in safe hands. He wasn't alone. The Tengas barged in to confiscate the coin from her possession. Just when Kat was cornered, we tapped into our console board while initiating the teleportation sequence.
Katherine arrived inside the Command Center in one piece. Elated with joy, I thanked Kat for returning the power coin she had stolen from. The thought of a person returning an item they've stolen may come across quite bizarre. I realized that even a despicable person could right the wrongs of their actions.
"I'm alive," Kat spoke with relief.
"It worked, I can't believe it worked." By keying in a touch of a button, Billy managed to teleport Katherine into our main headquarters.
"What is this place? It's amazing." Kat observed her surroundings to find herself standing inside the Command Center for the first time.
"Katherine, I am Zordon. The Power Rangers and I wish to welcome you to our strategic Command Center," Zordon answered.
"Oh Kimberly I believe this belongs to you." As Kat handed the pink power coin back to me, I felt a rush of pink energy enveloped throughout my body. This sensation signifies the full restoration of my ranger powers.
"The power coin," Tommy replied as everyone including myself were as amazed to have it back on our side."
"How did you get it back?" Adam wondered.
"Let's say I was at the right place at the right time," Kat explained in a nutshell.
"Thank you," I complimented her.
"You did great Kat. Way to go," Tommy said. I stood there with my hands towards my nose just overwhelmed with emotion. Not just the fact the power is safe from evil's clutches. It took a matter of brains, confidence, and the familiar 't' word to turn the tide away from Rita and Zedd's favor.
"Time and again, we've dealt with their heinous efforts to engulf Earth in a never ending cycle of darkness. This was a risk taking measure on your part, and it was a risk that got us out of this slump," Zordon commented in that regard.
"Even though you're not a Power Ranger, heroes come from many different backgrounds. We've been there before. Right guys?" Rocky turned his focus on Adam and Aisha.
"Yeah absolutely," they replied, nodding their heads in agreement.
"I love to perform good deeds. But it was our compromise that helped make all of this possible," Kat took into account. Between her and the rangers, their teamwork could not go unnoticed after what they've done today.
"We can't stress this enough but it's good to have you with us," Billy said, rewarding her with gratitude. Rita and Zedd may have given us hell as of late. At the end of the day, it's safe to say that the power is back right where it belongs.