Disclaimer: I don't own the Power Rangers, or the settings where they have
taken place. They are owned by Saban. I don't wish to get sued. The names
of the children and also Cristina are mine.
Setting: Between 1997-2060
F.Y.I: You are going to have to use your imagination a bit. In this story I have it so all the Rangers, new and old know each other for the most part. There are many flashbacks throughout this story also. ________________________________________________________________
Tommy and Kimberly's grave. Kimberly and I clicked from the very first time we met. We were best friends from the beginning, but Tommy and I, now that was a different story. I did not have a problem with him, but he seemed to have a big one with me. Everything I did was always wrong because of the fact that I wore the Red suit that his best friend once wore. Everything was fine, until I started taking charge of the team alongside of Tommy.
"Wait-a-go Rocky!" Tommy shouts at me after we are de-morphed. "You nearly got us killed!"
"We won Tommy, that's all that matters." I shout back at him.
"Tommy, Rocky quit it ok?" Adam says. "It's over and done with! Let it go."
"No I am not letting it go. You are supposed to be following MY orders Rocky, not going off on your own! You aren't experienced enough to do that dammit and because of that you almost killed us!" Tommy shouts, poking me in the chest.
"Don't touch me Tommy. It's not all my fault fearless leader!" I yell at him.
"Tommy and Rocky, that is ENOUGH! Grow the hell up!" Adam says.
I look at the girls, and Kimberly is absolutely beside herself. She has her arms crossed scowling at us.
"You have to learn to work as a team Rocky. You are NOT running this show!"
"He wasn't Tommy!" Kimberly finally exploded. "He made ONE bad call, just one! I know you haven't been perfect all those times, but none of us have every criticized YOU and told YOU that YOU almost got us killed!"
"You better shape up Rocky, otherwise the next time you may kill one of us."
"Like you have never made one bad call, oh wait you haven't right? You are absolutely perfect. I forgot. I am so sorry your Hines!"
"Shape up or ship out Rocky." HE says and walks away.
"Tommy!" Kimberly calls to him. "Dammit!"
"Maybe you should go talk to him Kim." Billy says.
"Duh I was just about too." She replies, but before leaving to go after him she looks at me and says, "Everyone makes mistakes Rocky. Don't take this too personally ok?" And with that she walks out after Tommy.
"I would have made the same call if it was any consolation Rocky." Billy replies to me.
"But you didn't. I did." I punch the wall lightly. "He's right. I almost did kill you guys."
"We put our lives in danger every day we fight, its our choice, and when one person makes a mistake everyone does, but we can't be perfect. None of us are." He tells me.
"You know this Rocky!"
"I know, but it was a stupid call."
"It isn't the first one and it won't be the last one." Billy says, putting his hand on my shoulder. I look back at him and then say, "I better get going. I have to practice." I say and walk out of the house. Right before I get to the driveway I hear Kimberly and Tommy talking, so I decide to hang back a bit.
"Can I ask you what the hell that was all about?" Kim asks her boyfriend.
"I can't stand the guy Kimberly!" I hear Tommy say. We have been arguing about everything recently, but this day was the icing on the cake. "He is so cocky! Hell it even works with his name! Cocky Rocky!"
"Tommy, just knock it off! He is a great guy!" She says to him. "He's a great aspect for the team also Tommy! You know he is. Just because he made one mistake you are jumping down his throat! I have made plenty of mistakes before and so has everyone else and all you have done was tell us that its ok and everything will be alright, but the second Rocky makes one you are jumping all over him! He is a great Ranger Tommy!"
"He isn't half the ranger Jason was." Tommy says.
"Oh, I see it now." Kimberly says.
"You see what?" He asks looking her dead in the eyes.
"You are pissed at him because Jason left. You don't like him because he isn't Jason!" Kimberly says.
"That is a load of bullshit Kimberly. I told you I don't like him because he is cocky and he is never serious!" Tommy shouts.
"He is serious when he has to be Tommy and that is all that matters! We are a team! We can't have these petty differences because you miss your old partners." She shouts just as loud. "I accept the fact that Jason, Trini and Zack decided to leave, sure I miss them, but I also know that Rocky, Adam and Aisha are all capable of being Rangers!"
"I have all the faith in the world with the other 2, but Rocky? Come on Kim." He says.
"Jason chose him Tommy, and for good reasons. Do you honestly think that he would choose someone not worthy?"
"That's not the point. He had to choose someone!"
"Tommy, stop and listen to yourself. You sound so dumb! Do you actually listen when you talk?"
"Why are you taking his side Kim? You're my girlfriend, not his." Tommy shouts.
"Because what you are doing is wrong. You are criticizing him for no reason other than he is not Jason. I miss them too Tommy, but like I said, I know they will do a great job if you give them a chance. Fighting is just hurting the team!" Kimberly yells at him. "You are hurting the team more than he was today by fighting. We have to work together and you know this Tommy! So just get over yourself, grow up, and get to know the new rangers before you judge them. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go back into Billy's house with my friends. You come back when you grow the hell up ok?" She says and walks up to the door, and smack into me. "Rocky, I'm sorry."
"Thanks Kim." I say to her.
"How much did you hear?" She asks me.
"Almost all of the conversation." I say.
"Rocky, I'm sorry he's acting this way."
"I know, he's just annoyed that I took over Jason's spot but you know what, I would probably be the exact same way if you guys had to be replaced." I tell her, but she just stays silent. "Listen, I think its best if I just leave. I'll talk to you soon ok?"
"Rocky, please don't go because of Tommy."
"I'm not leaving because of him Kimberly; I'm leaving because I have things to think about."
"Rocky, you did good today. Don't forget that. Everyone messes up and makes a bad decision sometimes." She tells me.
"Thanks Kimberly." I say sticking my hands in my pockets and walk down the pathway to my car. I drive around for about an hour thinking about what I did, and then decide to go home. No sooner did I walk in the door did the phone ring.
"Talk to me." I say over the receiver.
"Rocky, it's Tommy." His voice comes over the receiver.
"Oh, um hey Tommy." I say, not too enthusiastic.
"Listen, I've been thinking about what happened this afternoon, and well."He was silent for a half a second then came back in, "I think we need to talk."
"I think your right." I reply to him.
"Can you meet me in the park in about 20 minutes?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Where?" I ask.
"By the picnic tables." He tells me.
"Alright. I'll be there. Bye." I say.
"Bye." He says, and we hang up.
20 minutes later I am down at the park waiting for our fearless leader.
"Thanks for coming." He says as he takes a seat across from me on the picnic table.
"Yup." I reply in a short tone.
"Look, I want to apologize to you first of all for acting like such an asshole today." Tommy says to me.
"Don't mention it." I say. "Are we done?"
"No. Rocky listen, I know we got off to a rocky start. no pun intended. but I think it is in the team's best interest that we put or differences behind us and try and get along.." I cut him off.
"Tommy I have never had differences against you until you started criticizing my every move with the team! Ever since I even tried stepping up and taking charge of the team a bit, you are always putting me down! Everything I do is wrong in your eyes Tommy! That's when I started getting pissed off! I know that I am not Jason, Tommy, and I know that I will probably never be as good as a ranger as he was, but I am trying."
"I know you are Rocky."
"I know that I am not the most serious person, hell I even asked Jason why he picked me over all the other people in the world, but I care about the team just as much as you do."
"It's just going to take me a while to get use to the fact that I am not fighting with Jason anymore. We were a team the 6 of us, now we have to start all over again. It's scary because I don't know your fighting styles or how you guys think yet."
"And we don't know yours, but we have to learn Tommy. Us fighting all the time isn't good for the team! We can't keep doing this otherwise someone could most likely get killed, and it would be our faults!"
"I know Rocky. I know." Tommy says, running his hands through his hair. "It's just going to take time, and I am sorry for flipping out on you today. You really didn't do that bad of a job, and I honestly would have probably also made the exact same call you did when it came to the fight today, but you called it first and I was easially able to blame you for it."
"I know, but it isn't all your fault though. I should be backing your plans up more anyway. We are a team."
"That we are." Tommy pats my pack. "So we cool now?"
"For now." I say.
"Do you think we can start over again?"
"I think it's a good idea." I say, then add in, "I'm Rocky De Santos, and you are?"
Tommy rolls his eyes at me but smiles, "I'm Tommy Oliver."
"Nice to meet you."
"I told Kimberly I'd stop over before 6, and since its 5:30, I best be on my way." Tommy says.
"Alright Tommy. I'll see you around." I reply to him.
"Yeah. Later Rocky." He says standing up and starting to walk away. When he gets about 5 feet away from me he turns around and says, "I'm glad to have you on the team, and I am glad that you are my second in command."
"Thanks Tommy, that means a lot to me." I say.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He calls over his shoulder.
I also decide that its time to leave. I was relieved that we had our little chat because now, I truly felt like I was part of the team. From that moment on, Tommy and my friendship grew to a point where we became best friends, true, there were still some bumpy paths to get to that point, but it happened and it was one of the greatest feelings that I could ever have.
I look down at the other side of the headstone where I see Kimberly's. Ever since she died our lives have not been the same. She was the happiest and most outgoing girl I have ever met, and a lot of my memories of my lifetime have her in them. I stand up from the last grave, there is a chill in the air, and it is getting dark, so I figured I best be moseying on home. I have had so many memories of everyone's death, that I know the good ones have to come into play soon enough. and boy were there ever good memories. My entire life is now a memory. All my friends are gone except for my wife. If I didn't have any memories, I would be lost at this point of my life. The memories are what keeps me going. but for how much longer will they last me? I don't know. no one knows. the only think I can tell anyone is that one day, I will be gone like all my friends have gone, but right now, I am living every day I have to the fullest. My friends would have wanted me to do that. I get into my car and drive home. Once I pull into the driveway I see Cristina sitting outside waiting for me on our swing.
"Hi honey." I call to her. Walking up the driveway and sitting in the swing next to her.
"Hello Rocky. Did you have a nice drive?" She asks me.
"Yes I did."
"Where did you end up going?" She inquired of me.
"I went to the cemetery to pay my respects to everyone." I say quietly.
"You really miss them don't you?" She asks me.
"Yeah, I really do. I never expected to be the last one alive out of our group." I respond.
Cris looks at me and says, "But I am glad you are." She gives me a kiss and we watch the sun set together. Another day goes by, and tomorrow brings new excitement and memories to remember.
TBC...
Sorry gang I know the last few chapters have been shorter, but I promise that I will make them up to you in the next upcoming ones. I only have a few more to go! Thanks for everyone's reviews! I really appreciate them!
~Luna
Setting: Between 1997-2060
F.Y.I: You are going to have to use your imagination a bit. In this story I have it so all the Rangers, new and old know each other for the most part. There are many flashbacks throughout this story also. ________________________________________________________________
Tommy and Kimberly's grave. Kimberly and I clicked from the very first time we met. We were best friends from the beginning, but Tommy and I, now that was a different story. I did not have a problem with him, but he seemed to have a big one with me. Everything I did was always wrong because of the fact that I wore the Red suit that his best friend once wore. Everything was fine, until I started taking charge of the team alongside of Tommy.
"Wait-a-go Rocky!" Tommy shouts at me after we are de-morphed. "You nearly got us killed!"
"We won Tommy, that's all that matters." I shout back at him.
"Tommy, Rocky quit it ok?" Adam says. "It's over and done with! Let it go."
"No I am not letting it go. You are supposed to be following MY orders Rocky, not going off on your own! You aren't experienced enough to do that dammit and because of that you almost killed us!" Tommy shouts, poking me in the chest.
"Don't touch me Tommy. It's not all my fault fearless leader!" I yell at him.
"Tommy and Rocky, that is ENOUGH! Grow the hell up!" Adam says.
I look at the girls, and Kimberly is absolutely beside herself. She has her arms crossed scowling at us.
"You have to learn to work as a team Rocky. You are NOT running this show!"
"He wasn't Tommy!" Kimberly finally exploded. "He made ONE bad call, just one! I know you haven't been perfect all those times, but none of us have every criticized YOU and told YOU that YOU almost got us killed!"
"You better shape up Rocky, otherwise the next time you may kill one of us."
"Like you have never made one bad call, oh wait you haven't right? You are absolutely perfect. I forgot. I am so sorry your Hines!"
"Shape up or ship out Rocky." HE says and walks away.
"Tommy!" Kimberly calls to him. "Dammit!"
"Maybe you should go talk to him Kim." Billy says.
"Duh I was just about too." She replies, but before leaving to go after him she looks at me and says, "Everyone makes mistakes Rocky. Don't take this too personally ok?" And with that she walks out after Tommy.
"I would have made the same call if it was any consolation Rocky." Billy replies to me.
"But you didn't. I did." I punch the wall lightly. "He's right. I almost did kill you guys."
"We put our lives in danger every day we fight, its our choice, and when one person makes a mistake everyone does, but we can't be perfect. None of us are." He tells me.
"You know this Rocky!"
"I know, but it was a stupid call."
"It isn't the first one and it won't be the last one." Billy says, putting his hand on my shoulder. I look back at him and then say, "I better get going. I have to practice." I say and walk out of the house. Right before I get to the driveway I hear Kimberly and Tommy talking, so I decide to hang back a bit.
"Can I ask you what the hell that was all about?" Kim asks her boyfriend.
"I can't stand the guy Kimberly!" I hear Tommy say. We have been arguing about everything recently, but this day was the icing on the cake. "He is so cocky! Hell it even works with his name! Cocky Rocky!"
"Tommy, just knock it off! He is a great guy!" She says to him. "He's a great aspect for the team also Tommy! You know he is. Just because he made one mistake you are jumping down his throat! I have made plenty of mistakes before and so has everyone else and all you have done was tell us that its ok and everything will be alright, but the second Rocky makes one you are jumping all over him! He is a great Ranger Tommy!"
"He isn't half the ranger Jason was." Tommy says.
"Oh, I see it now." Kimberly says.
"You see what?" He asks looking her dead in the eyes.
"You are pissed at him because Jason left. You don't like him because he isn't Jason!" Kimberly says.
"That is a load of bullshit Kimberly. I told you I don't like him because he is cocky and he is never serious!" Tommy shouts.
"He is serious when he has to be Tommy and that is all that matters! We are a team! We can't have these petty differences because you miss your old partners." She shouts just as loud. "I accept the fact that Jason, Trini and Zack decided to leave, sure I miss them, but I also know that Rocky, Adam and Aisha are all capable of being Rangers!"
"I have all the faith in the world with the other 2, but Rocky? Come on Kim." He says.
"Jason chose him Tommy, and for good reasons. Do you honestly think that he would choose someone not worthy?"
"That's not the point. He had to choose someone!"
"Tommy, stop and listen to yourself. You sound so dumb! Do you actually listen when you talk?"
"Why are you taking his side Kim? You're my girlfriend, not his." Tommy shouts.
"Because what you are doing is wrong. You are criticizing him for no reason other than he is not Jason. I miss them too Tommy, but like I said, I know they will do a great job if you give them a chance. Fighting is just hurting the team!" Kimberly yells at him. "You are hurting the team more than he was today by fighting. We have to work together and you know this Tommy! So just get over yourself, grow up, and get to know the new rangers before you judge them. Now if you will excuse me, I am going to go back into Billy's house with my friends. You come back when you grow the hell up ok?" She says and walks up to the door, and smack into me. "Rocky, I'm sorry."
"Thanks Kim." I say to her.
"How much did you hear?" She asks me.
"Almost all of the conversation." I say.
"Rocky, I'm sorry he's acting this way."
"I know, he's just annoyed that I took over Jason's spot but you know what, I would probably be the exact same way if you guys had to be replaced." I tell her, but she just stays silent. "Listen, I think its best if I just leave. I'll talk to you soon ok?"
"Rocky, please don't go because of Tommy."
"I'm not leaving because of him Kimberly; I'm leaving because I have things to think about."
"Rocky, you did good today. Don't forget that. Everyone messes up and makes a bad decision sometimes." She tells me.
"Thanks Kimberly." I say sticking my hands in my pockets and walk down the pathway to my car. I drive around for about an hour thinking about what I did, and then decide to go home. No sooner did I walk in the door did the phone ring.
"Talk to me." I say over the receiver.
"Rocky, it's Tommy." His voice comes over the receiver.
"Oh, um hey Tommy." I say, not too enthusiastic.
"Listen, I've been thinking about what happened this afternoon, and well."He was silent for a half a second then came back in, "I think we need to talk."
"I think your right." I reply to him.
"Can you meet me in the park in about 20 minutes?"
"Yeah, that's fine. Where?" I ask.
"By the picnic tables." He tells me.
"Alright. I'll be there. Bye." I say.
"Bye." He says, and we hang up.
20 minutes later I am down at the park waiting for our fearless leader.
"Thanks for coming." He says as he takes a seat across from me on the picnic table.
"Yup." I reply in a short tone.
"Look, I want to apologize to you first of all for acting like such an asshole today." Tommy says to me.
"Don't mention it." I say. "Are we done?"
"No. Rocky listen, I know we got off to a rocky start. no pun intended. but I think it is in the team's best interest that we put or differences behind us and try and get along.." I cut him off.
"Tommy I have never had differences against you until you started criticizing my every move with the team! Ever since I even tried stepping up and taking charge of the team a bit, you are always putting me down! Everything I do is wrong in your eyes Tommy! That's when I started getting pissed off! I know that I am not Jason, Tommy, and I know that I will probably never be as good as a ranger as he was, but I am trying."
"I know you are Rocky."
"I know that I am not the most serious person, hell I even asked Jason why he picked me over all the other people in the world, but I care about the team just as much as you do."
"It's just going to take me a while to get use to the fact that I am not fighting with Jason anymore. We were a team the 6 of us, now we have to start all over again. It's scary because I don't know your fighting styles or how you guys think yet."
"And we don't know yours, but we have to learn Tommy. Us fighting all the time isn't good for the team! We can't keep doing this otherwise someone could most likely get killed, and it would be our faults!"
"I know Rocky. I know." Tommy says, running his hands through his hair. "It's just going to take time, and I am sorry for flipping out on you today. You really didn't do that bad of a job, and I honestly would have probably also made the exact same call you did when it came to the fight today, but you called it first and I was easially able to blame you for it."
"I know, but it isn't all your fault though. I should be backing your plans up more anyway. We are a team."
"That we are." Tommy pats my pack. "So we cool now?"
"For now." I say.
"Do you think we can start over again?"
"I think it's a good idea." I say, then add in, "I'm Rocky De Santos, and you are?"
Tommy rolls his eyes at me but smiles, "I'm Tommy Oliver."
"Nice to meet you."
"I told Kimberly I'd stop over before 6, and since its 5:30, I best be on my way." Tommy says.
"Alright Tommy. I'll see you around." I reply to him.
"Yeah. Later Rocky." He says standing up and starting to walk away. When he gets about 5 feet away from me he turns around and says, "I'm glad to have you on the team, and I am glad that you are my second in command."
"Thanks Tommy, that means a lot to me." I say.
"I'll see you tomorrow." He calls over his shoulder.
I also decide that its time to leave. I was relieved that we had our little chat because now, I truly felt like I was part of the team. From that moment on, Tommy and my friendship grew to a point where we became best friends, true, there were still some bumpy paths to get to that point, but it happened and it was one of the greatest feelings that I could ever have.
I look down at the other side of the headstone where I see Kimberly's. Ever since she died our lives have not been the same. She was the happiest and most outgoing girl I have ever met, and a lot of my memories of my lifetime have her in them. I stand up from the last grave, there is a chill in the air, and it is getting dark, so I figured I best be moseying on home. I have had so many memories of everyone's death, that I know the good ones have to come into play soon enough. and boy were there ever good memories. My entire life is now a memory. All my friends are gone except for my wife. If I didn't have any memories, I would be lost at this point of my life. The memories are what keeps me going. but for how much longer will they last me? I don't know. no one knows. the only think I can tell anyone is that one day, I will be gone like all my friends have gone, but right now, I am living every day I have to the fullest. My friends would have wanted me to do that. I get into my car and drive home. Once I pull into the driveway I see Cristina sitting outside waiting for me on our swing.
"Hi honey." I call to her. Walking up the driveway and sitting in the swing next to her.
"Hello Rocky. Did you have a nice drive?" She asks me.
"Yes I did."
"Where did you end up going?" She inquired of me.
"I went to the cemetery to pay my respects to everyone." I say quietly.
"You really miss them don't you?" She asks me.
"Yeah, I really do. I never expected to be the last one alive out of our group." I respond.
Cris looks at me and says, "But I am glad you are." She gives me a kiss and we watch the sun set together. Another day goes by, and tomorrow brings new excitement and memories to remember.
TBC...
Sorry gang I know the last few chapters have been shorter, but I promise that I will make them up to you in the next upcoming ones. I only have a few more to go! Thanks for everyone's reviews! I really appreciate them!
~Luna