Disclaimer: I don't own any of the Power Rangers (*sob!*)
Summary: Some of the Rangers have to face one of their worst fears when tragedy strikes a former teammate.
*** *
To Hell and Back -
Chapter Seven: Love Will Not Pass Me By
* **
It was seven-thirty. Kimberly's funeral had ended at six-thirty, and now, all the Rangers were at Adam's huge penthouse, having dinner in an attempt to be normal again like was usually tradition after funerals, and like Kim would have wanted them to be.
Billy Cranston paced the room, a glass of Coke in one hand. "I'm worried about Jason," he confessed to Rocky and Aisha, who were sitting on the couch nearby. "We shouldn't have left him alone."
Aisha's eyes widened. "Billy, you don't think he would -?"
"No, no." Billy shook his head hastily. "Jason is much too intelligent and much too responsible to do something like that." He paused, as if unsure. "Isn't he?"
Rocky frowned at them. "Jase probably needs some time alone; it's a hard loss to take, especially for him. He hasn't done anything stupid yet, and he won't.
"I hope not." It was Adam Park's dry voice that spoke. The Ranger was standing by the window, looking out onto the street where a light rain was falling. "Because from the way he's racing over here, you'd think all the demons of hell were after him."
This statement had a profound effect on the rest of the group. Billy spilled his Coke in surprise, his glasses almost falling off. Tommy and Kat both hurried over from the kitchen counter. Rocky leaped up from the couch and ran to the window, and Aisha's eyes were in danger of popping out of her head.
Five minutes later, the ringing doorbell was proof positive that Jason Lee Scott had indeed rushed all the way to Adam's.
Tommy opened the door, and Jason burst in, his hair and clothes slightly damp from the drizzle outside. He didn't seem to notice, however, and the others observed with concern that he looked both flustered and almost - impatient?
"Kimberly!" he blurted.
They stared at him. "Jase?" Billy went hesitantly towards him. "Jason, what's wrong?"
"Something's happened to Kim." He said, his gaze hardening. "I don't know what it is, but there's more to her 'death' than we think, and there's something or someone named Crayan who's behind it."
There was dead silence. They didn't believe him, he could tell, their expressions were shocked and sympathetic. He glared at them, and then Billy spoke up.
"Crayan . . . I've heard that name before. Oh, yes, it was on Aquitar. I heard someone talk about Crayan, but I have no clue who or what he is."
"Gee, thanks, Billy." Jason muttered sarcastically. But he flashed his best friend a smile anyway. "Look, you guys have to listen to me. I heard her voice; she called out to be, begging for me to help her and save her. Something's happened to her, and we have to find her!"
"You - you heard her voice?" Tommy looked astounded.
Aisha shifted uneasily. "I don't want to say it, Jase, but - but in your current state - you might be hallucinating, grasping for straws."
The look her gave her clearly told them all he scorned that idea.
"Please stop, Jason," Kat suddenly sobbed. "Don't make us think of possibilities or hope, because we'll only end up crushed again. Let us grieve her and let her go. Don't do this."
"How did she die?" Jason demanded, ignoring her, his tone bordering on angry.
Adam and Billy glanced at each other. Adam spoke, his voice calm and soothing, "We told you, Jase - she was in a coma, and the doctor said it happened very suddenly. She was just gone."
Jason scowled. "Are you telling me not one of you went in there to see her or try to talk her into coming back?"
There was a silence, because it occurred to the Rangers that they hadn't gone in there. They had been too busy panicking and trying to contact everyone.
The silence was suddenly broken.
"I did."
Everyone, Jason included, turned to stare at Rocky, who was leaning against the wall sadly, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Rock, you - you saw her?" Aisha stammered. "But you didn't tell us. We thought only the doctor went in."
"I was there when she died."
Jason crossed the room in a second and looked Rocky in the eye. "Rock, what happened?"
Rocky sighed. "I was talking to her; telling her to hold on and that we needed her. I told her that Trini and Zack would be devastated if she gave up and didn't fight back to life. I told her you were on your way, Jase, that you were coming for her."
"And?" Jason's breath caught in his throat.
"Her life signals started increasing. Her heart rate sped up, and even the doctor was amazed, and said your name must have been a magic word. But then, just as it looked she was going to make it - she flatlined."
Jason stared. "Just like that? Without warning?" he felt a sudden surge of hope spring inside him.
Rocky nodded. "Just like that. The jumping heart beeps just stopped. They didn't even slow down; but went into that long constant flat beep. Like the doctor said, it was like the life was stolen from her."
"Oh, come on, that was a figure of speech." Tommy said hurriedly, seeing the way Jason's eyes lit up. "He didn't mean it like that. Jase - Jason, listen to me. It's over. It was the accident that killed her, and there's nothing you can do."
Jason glared at him. "I will not let love pass me by." He growled. "I won't lose Kimberly, not when she needs me. I won't lose a chance to save her - not again."
There was silence; no one seemed to know what to say.
"If none of you are going to help me, I'll do it alone." He snapped and made for the door.
"Wait, Jase." It was Billy. "I'm coming with you."
A moment later, both ex-Rangers had disappeared out of the apartment, and the Rangers left inside were stunned and stricken by what they had just heard.
"The poor guy." Kat wept. "He must miss her so much more terribly than we do."
Adam sighed. "Let's pray that he lets Billy drive Rocky's Jeep. God knows what he might do." He paused and then said: "You know, he may be - maybe - "
"Don't say it, Adam." Tommy sat down slowly, an arm sliding around Kat. "Don't."
Rocky shook his head. "Adam, is your car downstairs?"
***
Zordon and Alpha were surprised by the appearance of Jason and Billy into the Command Centre. Zordon instantly knew something had happened.
"Jason, what is it?" he asked as he peered down at them from his glass, concerned.
Jason looked up at him. "We may be able to save Kim, Zordon."
These words were so shocking that Alpha fell off his perch on the counter and launched into a series of 'Ayi ayi ayi ayi ayi'. It didn't take long for the whole story to pour out, and by the end of it, Zordon looked thoughtful.
"It's unlikely, Jason," he warned, "But possible. Alpha, teleport to the church and bring Kimberly's body back here. I'll deal with the chapel and the burial. Billy, I want you to run statistics on her body and do an electronic autopsy."
Billy nodded and began to prepare the computers and the lab. Jason turned back to Zordon as Alpha teleported out, and Zordon asked: "Where are the other Rangers?"
Jason sighed. "They won't help. They don't believe me."
"I see." Zordon said nothing more.
Alpha teleported back then, Kimberly's body draped across his robotic arms. He carried her straight to the bed, by which Billy stood. Jason could hear his mechanical sniffling, and knew Alpha felt as deeply for Kim as Zordon did.
Billy began to run the tests.
"Who is Crayan, Zordon?" Jason demanded.
"I do not know; he is not one that I have heard of," Zordon replied. "Of course, if Billy heard of him in Aquitar, he must be very real. This could very well be a trap, Jason, one that this demon or whatever he is, is using to lure you and the Rangers into his grasp."
Jason nodded. "I'll take any risk." He mumbled, glancing at Kimberly's limp body.
Billy turned around. "The electronic autopsy gives no cause of death." He said worriedly. "Her injuries from the accident were not serious enough to kill her, her heart rate was normal before her life was taken, and she was recovering from her concussion. By analysis, and I'm amazed the hospital did not do the tests, she shouldn't be dead at all."
"I told you!" Jason yelled triumphantly. "This psycho Crayan has something to do with all this! There might be a chance to save her."
"Ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi, don't get your hopes up, Jason," Alpha warned, sounding very flustered. "This is still a very long shot, and probably impossible."
Zordon seemed to be thinking things over. "I cannot help you with information about Crayan, Jason, but I think I know someone who might. Someone who feeds on information about evil."
"Zedd?" Jason demanded. "Zordon, do you think he'd ever help us? He'd try to kill me first."
The father of all Rangers seemed to be smiling. "Oh, Jason, Rita and Zedd would have known by now that Kimberly is dead and that the Rangers are mourning. Yet there has been no attack, no sign of threat from them. Why?" he said shrewdly. "If you ask me, I'd say Zedd has given orders for there to be no attacks. He had a certain partiality for Kim, as you well know, and so he understands the vulnerability of you all right now better than he normally would."
Billy stared, astounded. "You think Lord Zedd would help Jason if Jason was to ask about Crayan and Kimberly's death."
"I don't know." Zordon admitted. "But if there is new evil, there is a chance that he might want it crushed as much as we do. You remember his antagonism with Ivan Ooze, Billy? There is a chance."
"But we cannot contact Lord Zedd, Zordon," Alpha sounded disappointed. "The inter-planet communications are being repaired, as are the power chambers."
Zordon nodded. "That's true." He sighed.
"Can't you teleport me to Zedd's castle?" Jason asked.
"With the power chambers being repaired, Jason, the power in the Command Centre is relatively low." Billy explained. "Zordon and Alpha can't teleport anyone who isn't a Ranger or has a Power Coin; there isn't enough power."
Jason groaned. "Dammit." He swore. "This can't be it, Zordon!"
Alpha began to offer to try and search the databases for Crayan, when a low voice spoke from the shadows of the Command Centre.
"Maybe this isn't it, Jase."
Zordon seemed unsurprised. "I was wondering when you were planning on letting them know you were here."
Rocky shrugged as he walked into the light. "I'm the Blue Ranger," he said simply, looking at Jason with slight smile. "And Kimberly was one of the few people I can trust and love as a sister and a friend. If you're right, Jason, I'm not going to argue."
"Rock, what are you saying?" Jason asked, holding his breath.
"Borrow my Power Coin." Rocky smiled. "And teleport to Lord Zedd. That way, if you happen to be right about Crayan, you can get to him as well."
Jason was speechless. Luckily, Zordon seemed to back up this idea and the Power Coin transfer took place. Fifteen minutes later, Jason morphed into a blue-uniformed Ranger. Rocky and Alpha burst into loud cheers, and even Billy displayed some excitement.
Zordon looked at them indulgently, and then Jason removed his helmet. "Too stuffy." He complained. "It's been a long time."
"Good luck, bro." Rocky said, clasping Jason's arm. "Bring her back."
"Count on it." Jason winked, and hugged Billy and then Alpha too, before turning around to give Zordon a smile that needed no words to tell the father of the Rangers how his first leader felt.
Jason laid his helmet down on the table, and Alpha made a quick coordinate entry into the system of Zedd's castle. The next second, Jason beamed away.
Billy and Rocky smiled as the flash of blue disappeared.
"That's our Jase," Billy grinned. "He'll never let love pass him by."
** TBC.
**
A/N: Reviews, please! I hope this story is meeting people's expectations and hope you guys out there are liking this. The next chapter is called 'Unlikely Alliance' (I'm sure you can guess what that refers to!), and will be up soon. Don't forget to R&R!!!
Summary: Some of the Rangers have to face one of their worst fears when tragedy strikes a former teammate.
*** *
To Hell and Back -
Chapter Seven: Love Will Not Pass Me By
* **
It was seven-thirty. Kimberly's funeral had ended at six-thirty, and now, all the Rangers were at Adam's huge penthouse, having dinner in an attempt to be normal again like was usually tradition after funerals, and like Kim would have wanted them to be.
Billy Cranston paced the room, a glass of Coke in one hand. "I'm worried about Jason," he confessed to Rocky and Aisha, who were sitting on the couch nearby. "We shouldn't have left him alone."
Aisha's eyes widened. "Billy, you don't think he would -?"
"No, no." Billy shook his head hastily. "Jason is much too intelligent and much too responsible to do something like that." He paused, as if unsure. "Isn't he?"
Rocky frowned at them. "Jase probably needs some time alone; it's a hard loss to take, especially for him. He hasn't done anything stupid yet, and he won't.
"I hope not." It was Adam Park's dry voice that spoke. The Ranger was standing by the window, looking out onto the street where a light rain was falling. "Because from the way he's racing over here, you'd think all the demons of hell were after him."
This statement had a profound effect on the rest of the group. Billy spilled his Coke in surprise, his glasses almost falling off. Tommy and Kat both hurried over from the kitchen counter. Rocky leaped up from the couch and ran to the window, and Aisha's eyes were in danger of popping out of her head.
Five minutes later, the ringing doorbell was proof positive that Jason Lee Scott had indeed rushed all the way to Adam's.
Tommy opened the door, and Jason burst in, his hair and clothes slightly damp from the drizzle outside. He didn't seem to notice, however, and the others observed with concern that he looked both flustered and almost - impatient?
"Kimberly!" he blurted.
They stared at him. "Jase?" Billy went hesitantly towards him. "Jason, what's wrong?"
"Something's happened to Kim." He said, his gaze hardening. "I don't know what it is, but there's more to her 'death' than we think, and there's something or someone named Crayan who's behind it."
There was dead silence. They didn't believe him, he could tell, their expressions were shocked and sympathetic. He glared at them, and then Billy spoke up.
"Crayan . . . I've heard that name before. Oh, yes, it was on Aquitar. I heard someone talk about Crayan, but I have no clue who or what he is."
"Gee, thanks, Billy." Jason muttered sarcastically. But he flashed his best friend a smile anyway. "Look, you guys have to listen to me. I heard her voice; she called out to be, begging for me to help her and save her. Something's happened to her, and we have to find her!"
"You - you heard her voice?" Tommy looked astounded.
Aisha shifted uneasily. "I don't want to say it, Jase, but - but in your current state - you might be hallucinating, grasping for straws."
The look her gave her clearly told them all he scorned that idea.
"Please stop, Jason," Kat suddenly sobbed. "Don't make us think of possibilities or hope, because we'll only end up crushed again. Let us grieve her and let her go. Don't do this."
"How did she die?" Jason demanded, ignoring her, his tone bordering on angry.
Adam and Billy glanced at each other. Adam spoke, his voice calm and soothing, "We told you, Jase - she was in a coma, and the doctor said it happened very suddenly. She was just gone."
Jason scowled. "Are you telling me not one of you went in there to see her or try to talk her into coming back?"
There was a silence, because it occurred to the Rangers that they hadn't gone in there. They had been too busy panicking and trying to contact everyone.
The silence was suddenly broken.
"I did."
Everyone, Jason included, turned to stare at Rocky, who was leaning against the wall sadly, his arms crossed over his chest.
"Rock, you - you saw her?" Aisha stammered. "But you didn't tell us. We thought only the doctor went in."
"I was there when she died."
Jason crossed the room in a second and looked Rocky in the eye. "Rock, what happened?"
Rocky sighed. "I was talking to her; telling her to hold on and that we needed her. I told her that Trini and Zack would be devastated if she gave up and didn't fight back to life. I told her you were on your way, Jase, that you were coming for her."
"And?" Jason's breath caught in his throat.
"Her life signals started increasing. Her heart rate sped up, and even the doctor was amazed, and said your name must have been a magic word. But then, just as it looked she was going to make it - she flatlined."
Jason stared. "Just like that? Without warning?" he felt a sudden surge of hope spring inside him.
Rocky nodded. "Just like that. The jumping heart beeps just stopped. They didn't even slow down; but went into that long constant flat beep. Like the doctor said, it was like the life was stolen from her."
"Oh, come on, that was a figure of speech." Tommy said hurriedly, seeing the way Jason's eyes lit up. "He didn't mean it like that. Jase - Jason, listen to me. It's over. It was the accident that killed her, and there's nothing you can do."
Jason glared at him. "I will not let love pass me by." He growled. "I won't lose Kimberly, not when she needs me. I won't lose a chance to save her - not again."
There was silence; no one seemed to know what to say.
"If none of you are going to help me, I'll do it alone." He snapped and made for the door.
"Wait, Jase." It was Billy. "I'm coming with you."
A moment later, both ex-Rangers had disappeared out of the apartment, and the Rangers left inside were stunned and stricken by what they had just heard.
"The poor guy." Kat wept. "He must miss her so much more terribly than we do."
Adam sighed. "Let's pray that he lets Billy drive Rocky's Jeep. God knows what he might do." He paused and then said: "You know, he may be - maybe - "
"Don't say it, Adam." Tommy sat down slowly, an arm sliding around Kat. "Don't."
Rocky shook his head. "Adam, is your car downstairs?"
***
Zordon and Alpha were surprised by the appearance of Jason and Billy into the Command Centre. Zordon instantly knew something had happened.
"Jason, what is it?" he asked as he peered down at them from his glass, concerned.
Jason looked up at him. "We may be able to save Kim, Zordon."
These words were so shocking that Alpha fell off his perch on the counter and launched into a series of 'Ayi ayi ayi ayi ayi'. It didn't take long for the whole story to pour out, and by the end of it, Zordon looked thoughtful.
"It's unlikely, Jason," he warned, "But possible. Alpha, teleport to the church and bring Kimberly's body back here. I'll deal with the chapel and the burial. Billy, I want you to run statistics on her body and do an electronic autopsy."
Billy nodded and began to prepare the computers and the lab. Jason turned back to Zordon as Alpha teleported out, and Zordon asked: "Where are the other Rangers?"
Jason sighed. "They won't help. They don't believe me."
"I see." Zordon said nothing more.
Alpha teleported back then, Kimberly's body draped across his robotic arms. He carried her straight to the bed, by which Billy stood. Jason could hear his mechanical sniffling, and knew Alpha felt as deeply for Kim as Zordon did.
Billy began to run the tests.
"Who is Crayan, Zordon?" Jason demanded.
"I do not know; he is not one that I have heard of," Zordon replied. "Of course, if Billy heard of him in Aquitar, he must be very real. This could very well be a trap, Jason, one that this demon or whatever he is, is using to lure you and the Rangers into his grasp."
Jason nodded. "I'll take any risk." He mumbled, glancing at Kimberly's limp body.
Billy turned around. "The electronic autopsy gives no cause of death." He said worriedly. "Her injuries from the accident were not serious enough to kill her, her heart rate was normal before her life was taken, and she was recovering from her concussion. By analysis, and I'm amazed the hospital did not do the tests, she shouldn't be dead at all."
"I told you!" Jason yelled triumphantly. "This psycho Crayan has something to do with all this! There might be a chance to save her."
"Ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi, ayi, don't get your hopes up, Jason," Alpha warned, sounding very flustered. "This is still a very long shot, and probably impossible."
Zordon seemed to be thinking things over. "I cannot help you with information about Crayan, Jason, but I think I know someone who might. Someone who feeds on information about evil."
"Zedd?" Jason demanded. "Zordon, do you think he'd ever help us? He'd try to kill me first."
The father of all Rangers seemed to be smiling. "Oh, Jason, Rita and Zedd would have known by now that Kimberly is dead and that the Rangers are mourning. Yet there has been no attack, no sign of threat from them. Why?" he said shrewdly. "If you ask me, I'd say Zedd has given orders for there to be no attacks. He had a certain partiality for Kim, as you well know, and so he understands the vulnerability of you all right now better than he normally would."
Billy stared, astounded. "You think Lord Zedd would help Jason if Jason was to ask about Crayan and Kimberly's death."
"I don't know." Zordon admitted. "But if there is new evil, there is a chance that he might want it crushed as much as we do. You remember his antagonism with Ivan Ooze, Billy? There is a chance."
"But we cannot contact Lord Zedd, Zordon," Alpha sounded disappointed. "The inter-planet communications are being repaired, as are the power chambers."
Zordon nodded. "That's true." He sighed.
"Can't you teleport me to Zedd's castle?" Jason asked.
"With the power chambers being repaired, Jason, the power in the Command Centre is relatively low." Billy explained. "Zordon and Alpha can't teleport anyone who isn't a Ranger or has a Power Coin; there isn't enough power."
Jason groaned. "Dammit." He swore. "This can't be it, Zordon!"
Alpha began to offer to try and search the databases for Crayan, when a low voice spoke from the shadows of the Command Centre.
"Maybe this isn't it, Jase."
Zordon seemed unsurprised. "I was wondering when you were planning on letting them know you were here."
Rocky shrugged as he walked into the light. "I'm the Blue Ranger," he said simply, looking at Jason with slight smile. "And Kimberly was one of the few people I can trust and love as a sister and a friend. If you're right, Jason, I'm not going to argue."
"Rock, what are you saying?" Jason asked, holding his breath.
"Borrow my Power Coin." Rocky smiled. "And teleport to Lord Zedd. That way, if you happen to be right about Crayan, you can get to him as well."
Jason was speechless. Luckily, Zordon seemed to back up this idea and the Power Coin transfer took place. Fifteen minutes later, Jason morphed into a blue-uniformed Ranger. Rocky and Alpha burst into loud cheers, and even Billy displayed some excitement.
Zordon looked at them indulgently, and then Jason removed his helmet. "Too stuffy." He complained. "It's been a long time."
"Good luck, bro." Rocky said, clasping Jason's arm. "Bring her back."
"Count on it." Jason winked, and hugged Billy and then Alpha too, before turning around to give Zordon a smile that needed no words to tell the father of the Rangers how his first leader felt.
Jason laid his helmet down on the table, and Alpha made a quick coordinate entry into the system of Zedd's castle. The next second, Jason beamed away.
Billy and Rocky smiled as the flash of blue disappeared.
"That's our Jase," Billy grinned. "He'll never let love pass him by."
** TBC.
**
A/N: Reviews, please! I hope this story is meeting people's expectations and hope you guys out there are liking this. The next chapter is called 'Unlikely Alliance' (I'm sure you can guess what that refers to!), and will be up soon. Don't forget to R&R!!!
