Chapter Four
Tommy
There was no moon the night Tommy snuck out of his parents' house and down to the park. He carried a flashlight and his Zeonizer, but that was it. This was going to be a quick stop before heading back home.
The park was (thankfully) empty. Tommy strode over to the exact spot where he had seen the old man in the black robes and then looked around. Without the moonlight, his flashlight was all he had to check out the area. He made sure to stay as quiet as possible so he could hear any cars or police going by. The last thing he wanted was to get caught out here by an adult. His parents would be furious.
The silence around Tommy was eerie, though he wasn't afraid. His mind was filled with too much worry about Kimberly.
This was the last stop before he left with his mother in the morning for Florida. This was where he had heard Kimberly's voice. Tommy couldn't be sure that what he heard meant anything, but it happened after she had already gone missing.
"Tommy?"
Tommy whirled around. Standing there in pink sweatpants and a white teeshirt was…
"Kat?" he asked, lifting his flashlight to shine on her face.
"Yeah, it's me." she said, putting up a hand to try and block the light from her eyes.
"What are you doing here?" Tommy asked, frowning. He hadn't told anyone that he was going to the park that night.
"I just...had a feeling that you would come back here. After you finally told us that you heard Kim's voice in your head that day."
Tommy sighed. "You shouldn't be here, Katherine. Your house is halfway across town."
"I know. I...I was worried about you." Kat said, looking down at her feet.
Tommy swallowed. Who knew if the black robed man would show up if Katherine was there.
"I really appreciate it, Kat, I do. But you should go. I'll call Rocky when I get to Florida tomorrow."
Katherine looked out into the night. "What if you need backup?"
Tommy smiled. "I'll contact you guys."
She sighed but then nodded. "Ok. Just...be careful, alright?"
"I will." Tommy told her. "And thanks."
Katherine turned and left to go back through the darkness towards the sidewalk lined street. Once Tommy could make out her silhouette under the streetlamps, he turned away. Hopefully the old man would show up once Tommy was truly alone.
The night was quiet after Katherine's steps faded away. Tommy aimed his flashlight at the ground and tried to center himself to calm his nerves. Closing his eyes, he slowed his breathing and imagined his goal: Kimberly...the old man in the black robes…
Minutes ticked by, but still Tommy stayed quiet. The ends of his long hair moved along his shoulders with the breeze. He ignored it. The flashlight felt heavy in his hand but he kept his grip loose.
He kept his breathing soft and deep. And he waited.
Tommy opened his eyes and nearly leapt out of his skin.
There standing several feet away, leaning against his wooden staff, was the man Tommy had been waiting for. He looked exactly as Tommy remembered him.
"If I'd known you'd be coming, I'd have baked a cake." the old man said with a toothy grin.
Tommy steadied himself once more and frowned at him. "I was hoping you'd show up."
"If you can recall, I told you that the next time we saw each other, we would have a nice fight."
"If that's what you want, then I'll give it to you. All I want is information. No more riddles." Tommy said.
"Riddles? Now, that's insulting. I'll make a deal with you." the man said. "If you can defeat my minions, I will give you the answers you seek. And no calling any friends to help you."
Tommy dropped the flashlight to the ground. "I'm ready when you are."
There was a bright flash from the man's carved wooden staff. Tommy had to throw up both hands to help shield his vision, but when he opened his eyes he was shocked to see that it was no longer nighttime. Glancing quickly at the sun now shining down on them, Tommy was in awe.
"I have quite a few tricks up my sleeve." the man said, still smiling broadly. "Yet, I felt it would be most fair if we could all see what was in front of our faces."
There was no pause before five armored enemies appeared out of no where in flashes of light. They had metallic face masks that revealed nothing of their expressions and they were dressed in similarly metallic armor that shone in the sunlight. They were taller than Tommy by at least six inches and they were broad, intimidating looking soldiers. Their armor didn't look impenetrable, but he knew that this wasn't going to be easy.
"For Kim." Tommy murmured quietly, then launched himself at his opponents.
He was used to dealing with multiple attackers at once: being a Power Ranger meant running into this problem again and again. These minions circled around Tommy but they were silent, which made them that much creepier.
Tommy roundhouse kicked one of the soldiers in the head, causing the assailant to drop to the ground. He then repositioned and kicked behind him, catching another in the chest. Tommy dodged a haymaker punch aimed at his face and returned the favor by crouching with a low kick that knocked another fighter to the ground. Upon standing from his crouch, Tommy struck one with an uppercut to the chin, which snapped the soldier's head back and caused him to collapse to the ground. This time, the attacker didn't get back up again, disappearing in a flash of light.
So they were beatable. And beatable without morphing.
Tommy combat rolled out from the circle of enemies and rose with his clenched fists raised. One of the metallic soldiers lunged for him with a flying superman punch ready to launch, but Tommy spun with lightning speed and landed a back fist on the side of the head. The soldier fell to the ground and disappeared.
There were now three fighters left. Tommy was feeling more confident by the second.
Then one of the warriors caught Tommy with a kick to his face and he was forced to retreat a few steps to recover. Another fighter had circled to stand behind Tommy and he slammed a kick to the back of his knees, causing Tommy to fall forward. On hands and knees, he stood as fast as he could and propelled himself backwards in a high backflip away from the trio.
"Look at you go, Ranger!" the old man said, a distance away from the fight. "You remind me of Kimberly and her last fight."
That caused Tommy to hesitate and let more worry pool in the pit of his stomach. His hesitation was costly as he felt a huge slam to the side of his head. Collapsing to the ground, Tommy was dazed as another one of the fighters struck his stomach with a well-aimed kick.
He had to get up. He had to win. Kimberly needed him.
"I'm not going to lose against these metal heads!" he swore to himself.
Tommy leapt up to a crouch and surged forward to balance on his hands with his legs straight up in the air. With a mighty twist of his arms and relocating where his hands rested on the ground, Tommy spun and threw his legs out and kicked all three soldiers in their stomachs, forcing them all to fall backwards to the ground.
Tommy was growing weary and his head was aching something fierce, but he fought on. All he could imagine was Kim in danger and it gave him strength to continue.
"My, my." the old man said, his smile now gone. "You seem exhausted, my friend. Why don't you surrender and admit your defeat?" The man didn't seem very sure of this alternative.
"First of all," Tommy said through gritted teeth, coming to his feet and throwing a palm strike to the nose of one attacker. "I am not your friend. Secondly, I will never give up. You'll give me all the information I need and then we'll go on our merry way."
The old man's eyes narrowed. "We shall see."
Five more metallic soldiers appeared out of no where. Tommy's heart sank.
"So much for fighting fair." he grumbled. "Guess I don't have much of a choice...Zeo Power!"
"Arrgh, no!" the old man shouted.
Tommy swung his arms to cross at his wrists and called out, "It's Morphin time! Zeo Ranger Five: Red!"
He felt power flow through him as his suit encapsulated his body. With his helmet now firmly in place, Tommy prepared his stance to fight these new enemies.
"Don't worry, Kim. I'm going to find you." Tommy said to himself before charging forward to destroy his foes.
Kimberly
It was the most beautiful gem that Kimberly had ever seen.
When the King opened the box, he then turned it to face Kim in order for her to see it.
The light from the candlelit chandelier above ignited the stone, casting colors of purple, pink, and blue. Kimberly had never seen anything like it.
And beyond the startling and gorgeous coloring of the jewel, there thrummed a pulsing power that made Kimberly shiver. This was a magical, immensely powerful object.
She needed to hold it, keep it close.
Kim knew beyond a doubt that this stone was hers.
"This," the King began, watching Kimberly with cruel delight. "is what is called the Blue Amethyst. It is a jewel that grants its chosen possessor incredible powers and strength. It has been passed down through my family for generations and now I bestow it onto you."
Kimberly's mouth had dropped open at some point and she clamped it shut when the King stepped forward towards her.
Without meaning to, Kimberly stepped closer, making the two guards step forward, as well. The King waved a hand back at them, dismissing their urge to protect him.
"Take the stone." the King murmured, holding the box out towards Kimberly.
She didn't need to be told twice. With quivering fingers she reached out and pressed a finger to the top of the stone.
A gust of wind blasted through the room and Kimberly felt it whirl around her. Electric currents passed from the stone through her finger, but it didn't hurt her.
Kim felt a voice in her head that had a sweet, happy tone. My Mistress, my partner, my friend…
Normally, this would have been something to freak Kimberly out. Jewels were not supposed to telepathically speak to a person. She had seen a lot of magic and mayhem as a Power Ranger but never before had she heard a rock in her head.
Kimberly hadn't noticed, but the people around her cried out and scattered away from her when she touched the stone. Even the King's eyes widened in surprise.
But the Queen had stood from her throne and strode calmly over to her husband. Her eyes were sharp but she did not seem upset in anyway. If anything a light seemed to shine in her eyes that hadn't been there before.
"Take the stone, Lady Hart." the King said over the din of the crowd's voices and the phantom wind that filled the room.
Kimberly swallowed and closed her hand over the stone. It was easily enveloped in her fist and it pulsed a warm greeting to her.
She belonged to it as much as it belonged to her. Whatever powers this gem had manifested were made so that she could possess it.
"The Blue Amethyst is one of the most powerful weapons in my Kingdom. Only the brave, just, and true are chosen to use it. It has been many years since it was last utilized by a Ranger." The King explained.
"Well," said the Queen wryly, "Not that many years."
Rory chuckled from behind the thrones.
Kimberly opened her hand to look down at the Blue Amethyst. The way it shimmered there was a wonder. She barely heard the conversation until one word tripped up her racing thoughts.
"Ranger?" Kim asked, finally tearing her eyes from the stone to look up at the King.
"Yes. We have had Rangers here in the past." he said.
"So...this stone could turn me back into a Power Ranger?" she asked, dubious.
"Yes. And now that power is yours. Speak the words clear and strong, Lady Hart. Fulfill your destiny." The King proclaimed, spreading his arms wide. Clearly it was all for dramatic effect, but Kimberly didn't mind.
Swallowing and holding out the jewel in her palm she cried, "It's Morphin time! Blue Amethyst Power!"
Blue, purple, and pink light exploded from the stone causing all the surrounding people to fall back to the ground. Even the King and Queen were thrown backwards. Rory rushed forward to catch his mother and hold out an arm to help his father.
Kimberly's feet left the ground and her body floated into the air. Her skin felt prickly and cold as she felt the strong fabric of her new suit cover her from neck to toe. Only when her helmet encased her head did she slowly sink back to the ground.
The jewel was gone, but Kimberly knew that it had merely transformed into her new Power Rangers suit.
She looked down at her hands, her body…
"W-Wow…" Kimberly whispered.
The suit was near identical to the first suit she ever wore as a Power Ranger. The one glaring difference was the color.
Kim turned her body to and fro, gazing on in astonishment. There were the normal white diamonds patterned on her long gloves and around her chest, but the coloring shifted between light blue, purple, and pink depending on the direction she looked at it. The colors shimmered much like the gem had.
Kimberly reached up and removed her helmet. Turning it around to view the face, she blinked in surprise. Long white teeth framed the top of the visor and there were some below, as well. Two long white stripes traced the sides of the helmet behind bright blue jeweled eyes. The whole helmet, besides the white stripes, was also the same color as her suit.
"A...Killer Whale?" she asked, looking up to the King and Queen where they now stood again.
"Yes," the Queen said softly. Her eyes looked a bit sad. "The Orca is the animal most revered in our Kingdom. We have many pods that live around our island."
First time I'm hearing about being on an island, Kim thought.
"Wear the suit of the Blue Amethyst Ranger well, Lady Hart. We are all counting on you." the King said, rather loudly.
There was a great cheer from the crowd around them and Kimberly looked back in surprise. They had just been frightened to pieces moments before.
"They know this suit well," the Queen said kindly. "They have faith in you now that the Blue Amethyst has claimed you."
Kimberly nodded in understanding. Then a thought came to mind.
"Can we talk about where I'm going to be sleeping from now on? Because I'm thinking that my room is now a death trap." she said.
The group, including the Royals, laughed as though this was the funniest joke in the world.