Chapter 4
................
It was a double-fold that Friday. Tommy was to prove to himself he had reformed, but he hadn't a clue he was going to be tested in a way he never imagined. That night his fate was sealed...
.................
"Take it easy, Jase," Zack said, his arms barely able to hold the punching bag being so violently punished.
The muscular teen in the red tank and red shorts smashed the bag one final time before calling it quits. Sweat glistened from almost every visible part of his skin as he stood silent catching his breath.
"I didn't want to say anything, but I know you're still mad about you and Tommy sparring earlier this week," Zack said tossing over a towel.
"He totally humiliated me," Jason seethed quietly as possible not to draw attention to himself. "He proved nothing to me."
Zack remained suspeciously mum in response.
"Say it. I know you want to," Jason said picking up on Zack's reluctantacy to speak up.
"I didn't say anything."
"Zack..."
"Yo, it's all in your head, just like the humiliation you're feeling. Everyone thought you guys were sparring. That's it."
"Don't give me that, Zack," Jason shot back. "Kim knows it, Billy knows it, and you know it. We weren't sparring for fun. And you all know he's the better fighter."
"Whoa, hold on. Is that what it's about? Tommy being the better fighter?" Zack asked.
"See? Forget it, man. I'm gonna grab a shower and head home. Peace."
"Jase, hold it a sec. There is no better fighter here, only the better person."
"That's what I tell people when I want to make them feel better about themselves. Don't try it on me," Jason said packing up his gym bag.
"It's true, man. There was no winner that day and I'm not talking about the fight. You know what I'm saying."
"I guess," Jason belattedly admitted. "Still, he won."
"No he didn't. You're not getting it. It's your ego that's telling you he won. It was one fight, Jase. ONE. Everyone knows you're the best martial artist in town. So what if Tommy came up on top? There'll be other times when you guys will spar, but Wednesday meant nothing because there was no honor on either side," Zack said, his words pricking Jason. "Alright?"
Jason thought the words over in his head. There was no way around them he quickly concluded. Zack was correct in his assessment of the situation.
"You're right, man," admitted Jason. "I can't get over it though."
"You will," Zack said.
Jason looked around the youth center. "Where's Kimberly? She's not teaching?"
"Lucy recovered, so she gave Kim the day off," Zack answered. "Why?"
"I think I have some apologizing to do."
.................
The cool spring air breezed through the Friday Angel Grove sky. Like the day, the night tempterture was just near perfect. Street lights flickerd on and kids playing in the streets were heading inside for supper. At the end of a kaldesak stood a house, an older-looking home lit window to window. Music was pumping loudly as more teens arrived on the scene in packed cars. This was the typical weekend routine for Angel Grove high schoolers and whomever else decided to crash. Though the school and the city at large appears wholesome, the town's youth is the same as any others. It was party time.
"Go long!" said Justin Reid, the high school's star quarterback, launching an expensive and breakable object across the living room.
A team of guys in letterman jackets slammed into one another in a clumsy chaotic attempt to receive. Above the collective grunts and shouting came an identifiable shattering sound, tiny pieces of glass clinking messily onto the floor.
"You guys!" Veronica Saunders said springing up from the crowded leather couch. "Cool it, okay?"
The school's most popular girl was dressed to stand out above her peers. Her red mini and her low cut, skin-tight black shirt had all the boys' attention. However, the boys didn't take her scolding to heart and dismissed the warning with an outburst of laughter and a round of high fives. Veronica's pout over her mother's broken vase quickly diminished as her attention turned to the main hall were the boy she was expecting had walked in; Tommy Scott.
"Tommy, hey!"
Veronica greeted the young man with a casual kiss on the cheek and an extra close embrace. Tommy grinned in response to the warm reception.
"You had me thinking you weren't going to show up," Veronica said brushing back her hair. "After all that stuff before, you know."
"Um, yeah," Tommy said wanting to segway from the unwelcomed topic. "My parents don't know. It's okay."
"Does Jason?"
"Yeah, but I don't think he'll be saying anything this time."
"That's good," Veronica smiled. "He's can be such the ubersuck."
"No kidding," Tommy said. "Are Rocky and Adam out back?"
"Yeah I think. The cooler's out there, too."
"Sure. .. Thanks."
.................
"So he beat Jason, huh?" a skeptical Rita asked, her lens focused squarely on Tommy.
"It was close, but he sure walloped that Ranger!" Squatt happily exclaimed. "Right, Baboo?"
"Oh yes! Walloped him good!" Baboo agreed.
"Then we should test him, my queen. The shield has been linked to the coin and is ready to be assumed!" said Goldar, his sword held at arm's length emphasizing his zeal.
"Perfect idea!"
Around the corner stood Finster listening in. He shook his head and looked up at the ceiling hoping if any deity out there would hear his cry. All of his monsters in the past have failed Rita. He often wandered why the self-proclaimed empress of evil has not done away with him yet. Now she expects this to be her trump card, and the victory lies solely in the dragon shield needed to bring the Green Ranger powers to life.
Though Finster prides himself in the finished product of all his designs, the monster maker had his usual doubts, but more so with this one. The project was rushed. The magic and the craftsmanship of the protective chest piece was did not meet his standard of excellence. What if it felt apart again in battle? What if the Power Rangers discovered the secret to the Green Ranger powers? This was suppose to be it for Rita, her day of reckoning. Finster knew this was not a failure he could afford.
"FINSTER! How many times do I have to call that cursed name?!"
The meloncoly monster maker snapped out the trance and rushed in to meet his queen. "How may I be of service to you?"
"I need you to make me a group of Putties and disguise them as human teenagers!" Rita ordered.
"Oh how dreadful!"
"Yes. We shall see how our candidate Tommy does when he's forced to defend himself. Now get going!"
.................
1732 Rose Street. Kimberly Anne Hart has claimed residency there all her life and played neighbor to the Scotts for almost the same amount of time. The rest of the street lights flickered on as Jason walked up the stone block pathway leading to the front door. He zipped up the red fleece jacket a little more that his mother told him to put on. The wind had picked up a bit and sent a chill down the young man's body.
After ringing the door bell, Jason quickly went over in his head what he wanted to tell Kimberly. He was anxious, and unusually so. Having Kim angry with him was one of the worst things in Jason's mind. He couldn't figure it out. She's like a sister to him, but having an upset sister isn't a big deal he figured. Maybe there was more Jason thought. Periodically people would speculate about the closeless of their friendship. Their time spent together would be in the company of Zack, Billy, and Trini, but it would be just them once everyone was gone, mainly because of Tommy's absence. They'd be at eachothers' houses everyday or at the movies every weekend if the others were busy. But now with Tommy's return, would things go back to the way they were? Did he really want them to?
"Leave it alone, Scott," Jason muttered to himself as the door opened.
"Boy, it's freezing out there. Get in right this minute," Mrs. Hart said mocking Jason's mother.
"It's not that bad," Jason smiled as he came inside. "Is Kim around?"
"Yeah. She's in her room, but she's about to head out to a friend's."
"Oh..."
"And speak of the devil. I have some stew on the stove. Help yourself if you want," Mrs. Hart said leaving the foyer.
"Hello," Kimberly said stopping mid-way down the staircase, her face emotionless like before. "Can I help you with something?"
Jason's felt the sting of Kim's stare. Wanting to get it over with it, he spoke. "I came to apologize."
"For?"
"Fighting with Tommy."
"Why?"
"Kim, please," Jason said resting a foot on the bottom step. "You know why."
"I know, but I want to hear you say it," Kimberly said.
"Alright. I knew better. I should of walked away. I had no honor because I didn't turn the other cheek and I set a bad example. Happy?"
"Extremely. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going," Kim said walking past Jason.
Jason had been so consumed with their exchange he hadn't noticed how stunning Kimberly looked. Her chestnut colored hair was out the same ponytail she sports on a daily basis and was straightened to appear longer. Her carnation pink t-shirt was form-fitting and showed off her defined midriff. The jean skirt too was more north of the knee than Jason has ever seen Kimberly wear. Though he considered her the authority on the latest fashion trends, Jason knew Kimberly was never one to go without some degree of modesty. This is the girl that is known for wearing gym tights underneath her dresses and skirts after all.
"What? Is something wrong with my oufit?" Kim asked sprinting to the nearest mirror.
"Not at all," Jason said mentally kicking himself, having catching himself for staring. "I mean aren't you going to be a little cold? It's like 69 or 70 degrees out. Here, take my jacket."
"Ew, gross. One, too big. Two, clashes with my shirt."
"Oh. ... So do you forgive me or what?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. I really need to go now," Kim said checking her hair one last time. "Later days, hombre."
"Wait. Where are you going?" Jason asked following Kimberly outside.
"Out."
"Out? Kim, look at me when I'm talking to you. If you're still mad at me, just tell me."
"Jason, look. My activities don't always have to involve you. I'm sure you and Zack can find something to do without me. Now I really need to go. So please..."
Never have Kimberly's words effected Jason in the way they just did. Too stunned to talk, he watched in silence as Kim disappeared from his sight. The air outside had suddenly gotten colder.
.................
At night the Command Center stood out as an architechtual masterpiece. It was lit at the base yet remained guarded and hidden from civilian eyes in the quarry by Angel Grove's city limits. All was quiet on the outside as it was in the inside with the exception of the low hum of the morphing grid on standby. Zordon's plasma tube was unoccupied, that too on standby from the week's lull. Alpha continued working on the data search on Goldar's enhanced armor, but nothing more than a 'Search in Progress' prompt came of it. The Rangers' robotic assistant could not determine if the search function was busy combing through terrabytes of data, or was simply not functioning period. No response from the computer left the concern unanswered.
"Ay yi yi. ... I suppose leaving the search running wouldn't hurt while I go into sleep mode."
Though no one enters the Command Center without a power coin now, Alpha continued to make sure the extra security alarms had been activated before shut down. Entering in a sequence of commands, Alpha reached down with his small mechanical arms and pressed in the set of yellow buttons on his waist piece and powered down.
.................
The night went on as did Veronica's swarrae. In the lanai Tommy sat talking with his circle of friends, that including Rocky, Adam, and Aisha. The trio hailed from Stone Canyon where Tommy and Jason spend a couple of weeks every July visiting with relatives. On the same street where they stay is where they met one Rocky DeSantos, a Mexican-American boy who appeared and acted more American than anything. A love for the martial arts made them friends for life and eventually with Adam and Aisha. After keeping up with eachother through the years with martial arts competitions, expos, and sleepovers, they were at the age now where new interests have come in; specifically girls and partying. Thus, tonight being just another get together to further explore these lusts and push boundaries into their pending adulthood.
On the crowded wicker couch sat Adam Park saying not a word while Aisha Campbell sat on his knee chatting away inanley with Tommy and Rocky. Adam never liked coming to these things; not just because parties aren't his thing, but because he had to continually lie to his parents about "sleeping over" at Rocky's and the same with Rocky and Aisha with their parents. It's not totally unbearable thought Adam, for the alabi had developed a small crush on the pint-sized powerhouse that sat stradling his right knee. This was more than anything he could have hoped for and as far he would get with a girl ever period he surmised.
Outside the Saunders residence came Kimberly Hart. She was growing nervous by the second as she came closer to the front door. She wasn't obessing over the fact that she was going to a real high school party for the first time, but for the reason she was going; Tommy. Kimberly felt silly all of a sudden. It was just Tommy, but in the most private, well-guarded part of her heart she knew something else was there. She didn't have any expectations for tonight though except for a few hours of one on one time with the boy who had a thing for the color green.
One thing Kimberly didn't expect was to be spied on. Following just yards behind and inconspicuously was Jason. With the hood from his jacket covering his head, the detective gathered where his lady friend was off to for the evening. Kim was on fair enough terms with Veronica but not nearly enough to want to go to one of her parties Jason thought over. Then it came to him. Though there'd be no need to investigate any further, curiousty drew the cat.
.................
"What's he" doing there?" Rita gasped. "Jason will ruin everything!"
"Empress, one of Putties also reports the Pink Ranger on the premesis!" Goldar informed.
"Drats! Well if she gets in the way, you know what to do."
"Yes, my queen!"
"In the meantime, make sure Jason stays away. The spell must be cast by midnight!"
.................
"Hey. I didn't think you were going to come," Tommy said placing down his cup to greet Kimberly.
"Well it took me like forever to find something to wear. You know me!" Kim bubbled.
"Well you look great. Um, you remember Rocky, Adam, and Aisha."
"Of course. Hey, guys."
Before Aisha or Adam could say anything, Rocky sprung up from his seat and took Kimberly's hand to his lips and kissed it.
"A pleasure, my lady," Rocky said in a less-than-flattering English accent.
"Oh. Okay?" Kimberly said smiling wryly.
Tommy appeared more uncomfortable with the exchange than Kimberly. Adam chimed in.
"I think that's enough drinks for tonight, Rocko," said the Korean.
"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" Rocky proposed as he stood atop the wicker seat. "It is the east, and Kim is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon!"
"Oh come on, Adam," Aisha said slapping his knee. "Rocky just wants to have fun. Go, Rocky!"
"Drinks?" Kim asked looking to Tommy with a questioning look.
"It's Coke. I promise," Tommy said showing his cup to Kimberly. "Do you think it'll be alright if we go somewhere else to talk. Somewhere less -- Shakespearean?"
"Yes," Kimberly smiled. "That'd be nice."
Rocky watched the two depart from the group and raised his hands to the heavens. "Partying is such sweet sorrow!"
.................
Jason stood at the end of Veronica's driveway debating with himself whether or not to proceed. His heart has never been troubled so, not since the time when he had to go it alone against Goldar and the Sphnix monster. Why did Kimberly matter all of a sudden? She's always mattered -- hasn't she? The decision, now, would have to be postponed.
"Putties," Jason grunted.
A pack of the gray and black striped footmen materialized in their usual yellow luminesence and incoherant babbling. Goldar materalized not soon after.
"I don't think you were invited to the party, human," Goldar said, his red eyes casting a shadow of the same color down the rest of his face.
"I could say the same for you," Jason said surveying the area quickly for civilians. "It's morphin' time!"
"Not tonight, Ranger!" Goldar barked, his sword releasing a golden wave of energy.
Jason hit the pavement hard in order to dodge the deathly blast. His morpher had then slipped from his hands and rolled off somewhere into the grass. Giving the Ranger no chance to collect, the Putties attacked.
................
It was a double-fold that Friday. Tommy was to prove to himself he had reformed, but he hadn't a clue he was going to be tested in a way he never imagined. That night his fate was sealed...
.................
"Take it easy, Jase," Zack said, his arms barely able to hold the punching bag being so violently punished.
The muscular teen in the red tank and red shorts smashed the bag one final time before calling it quits. Sweat glistened from almost every visible part of his skin as he stood silent catching his breath.
"I didn't want to say anything, but I know you're still mad about you and Tommy sparring earlier this week," Zack said tossing over a towel.
"He totally humiliated me," Jason seethed quietly as possible not to draw attention to himself. "He proved nothing to me."
Zack remained suspeciously mum in response.
"Say it. I know you want to," Jason said picking up on Zack's reluctantacy to speak up.
"I didn't say anything."
"Zack..."
"Yo, it's all in your head, just like the humiliation you're feeling. Everyone thought you guys were sparring. That's it."
"Don't give me that, Zack," Jason shot back. "Kim knows it, Billy knows it, and you know it. We weren't sparring for fun. And you all know he's the better fighter."
"Whoa, hold on. Is that what it's about? Tommy being the better fighter?" Zack asked.
"See? Forget it, man. I'm gonna grab a shower and head home. Peace."
"Jase, hold it a sec. There is no better fighter here, only the better person."
"That's what I tell people when I want to make them feel better about themselves. Don't try it on me," Jason said packing up his gym bag.
"It's true, man. There was no winner that day and I'm not talking about the fight. You know what I'm saying."
"I guess," Jason belattedly admitted. "Still, he won."
"No he didn't. You're not getting it. It's your ego that's telling you he won. It was one fight, Jase. ONE. Everyone knows you're the best martial artist in town. So what if Tommy came up on top? There'll be other times when you guys will spar, but Wednesday meant nothing because there was no honor on either side," Zack said, his words pricking Jason. "Alright?"
Jason thought the words over in his head. There was no way around them he quickly concluded. Zack was correct in his assessment of the situation.
"You're right, man," admitted Jason. "I can't get over it though."
"You will," Zack said.
Jason looked around the youth center. "Where's Kimberly? She's not teaching?"
"Lucy recovered, so she gave Kim the day off," Zack answered. "Why?"
"I think I have some apologizing to do."
.................
The cool spring air breezed through the Friday Angel Grove sky. Like the day, the night tempterture was just near perfect. Street lights flickerd on and kids playing in the streets were heading inside for supper. At the end of a kaldesak stood a house, an older-looking home lit window to window. Music was pumping loudly as more teens arrived on the scene in packed cars. This was the typical weekend routine for Angel Grove high schoolers and whomever else decided to crash. Though the school and the city at large appears wholesome, the town's youth is the same as any others. It was party time.
"Go long!" said Justin Reid, the high school's star quarterback, launching an expensive and breakable object across the living room.
A team of guys in letterman jackets slammed into one another in a clumsy chaotic attempt to receive. Above the collective grunts and shouting came an identifiable shattering sound, tiny pieces of glass clinking messily onto the floor.
"You guys!" Veronica Saunders said springing up from the crowded leather couch. "Cool it, okay?"
The school's most popular girl was dressed to stand out above her peers. Her red mini and her low cut, skin-tight black shirt had all the boys' attention. However, the boys didn't take her scolding to heart and dismissed the warning with an outburst of laughter and a round of high fives. Veronica's pout over her mother's broken vase quickly diminished as her attention turned to the main hall were the boy she was expecting had walked in; Tommy Scott.
"Tommy, hey!"
Veronica greeted the young man with a casual kiss on the cheek and an extra close embrace. Tommy grinned in response to the warm reception.
"You had me thinking you weren't going to show up," Veronica said brushing back her hair. "After all that stuff before, you know."
"Um, yeah," Tommy said wanting to segway from the unwelcomed topic. "My parents don't know. It's okay."
"Does Jason?"
"Yeah, but I don't think he'll be saying anything this time."
"That's good," Veronica smiled. "He's can be such the ubersuck."
"No kidding," Tommy said. "Are Rocky and Adam out back?"
"Yeah I think. The cooler's out there, too."
"Sure. .. Thanks."
.................
"So he beat Jason, huh?" a skeptical Rita asked, her lens focused squarely on Tommy.
"It was close, but he sure walloped that Ranger!" Squatt happily exclaimed. "Right, Baboo?"
"Oh yes! Walloped him good!" Baboo agreed.
"Then we should test him, my queen. The shield has been linked to the coin and is ready to be assumed!" said Goldar, his sword held at arm's length emphasizing his zeal.
"Perfect idea!"
Around the corner stood Finster listening in. He shook his head and looked up at the ceiling hoping if any deity out there would hear his cry. All of his monsters in the past have failed Rita. He often wandered why the self-proclaimed empress of evil has not done away with him yet. Now she expects this to be her trump card, and the victory lies solely in the dragon shield needed to bring the Green Ranger powers to life.
Though Finster prides himself in the finished product of all his designs, the monster maker had his usual doubts, but more so with this one. The project was rushed. The magic and the craftsmanship of the protective chest piece was did not meet his standard of excellence. What if it felt apart again in battle? What if the Power Rangers discovered the secret to the Green Ranger powers? This was suppose to be it for Rita, her day of reckoning. Finster knew this was not a failure he could afford.
"FINSTER! How many times do I have to call that cursed name?!"
The meloncoly monster maker snapped out the trance and rushed in to meet his queen. "How may I be of service to you?"
"I need you to make me a group of Putties and disguise them as human teenagers!" Rita ordered.
"Oh how dreadful!"
"Yes. We shall see how our candidate Tommy does when he's forced to defend himself. Now get going!"
.................
1732 Rose Street. Kimberly Anne Hart has claimed residency there all her life and played neighbor to the Scotts for almost the same amount of time. The rest of the street lights flickered on as Jason walked up the stone block pathway leading to the front door. He zipped up the red fleece jacket a little more that his mother told him to put on. The wind had picked up a bit and sent a chill down the young man's body.
After ringing the door bell, Jason quickly went over in his head what he wanted to tell Kimberly. He was anxious, and unusually so. Having Kim angry with him was one of the worst things in Jason's mind. He couldn't figure it out. She's like a sister to him, but having an upset sister isn't a big deal he figured. Maybe there was more Jason thought. Periodically people would speculate about the closeless of their friendship. Their time spent together would be in the company of Zack, Billy, and Trini, but it would be just them once everyone was gone, mainly because of Tommy's absence. They'd be at eachothers' houses everyday or at the movies every weekend if the others were busy. But now with Tommy's return, would things go back to the way they were? Did he really want them to?
"Leave it alone, Scott," Jason muttered to himself as the door opened.
"Boy, it's freezing out there. Get in right this minute," Mrs. Hart said mocking Jason's mother.
"It's not that bad," Jason smiled as he came inside. "Is Kim around?"
"Yeah. She's in her room, but she's about to head out to a friend's."
"Oh..."
"And speak of the devil. I have some stew on the stove. Help yourself if you want," Mrs. Hart said leaving the foyer.
"Hello," Kimberly said stopping mid-way down the staircase, her face emotionless like before. "Can I help you with something?"
Jason's felt the sting of Kim's stare. Wanting to get it over with it, he spoke. "I came to apologize."
"For?"
"Fighting with Tommy."
"Why?"
"Kim, please," Jason said resting a foot on the bottom step. "You know why."
"I know, but I want to hear you say it," Kimberly said.
"Alright. I knew better. I should of walked away. I had no honor because I didn't turn the other cheek and I set a bad example. Happy?"
"Extremely. Now if you'll excuse me, I'm going," Kim said walking past Jason.
Jason had been so consumed with their exchange he hadn't noticed how stunning Kimberly looked. Her chestnut colored hair was out the same ponytail she sports on a daily basis and was straightened to appear longer. Her carnation pink t-shirt was form-fitting and showed off her defined midriff. The jean skirt too was more north of the knee than Jason has ever seen Kimberly wear. Though he considered her the authority on the latest fashion trends, Jason knew Kimberly was never one to go without some degree of modesty. This is the girl that is known for wearing gym tights underneath her dresses and skirts after all.
"What? Is something wrong with my oufit?" Kim asked sprinting to the nearest mirror.
"Not at all," Jason said mentally kicking himself, having catching himself for staring. "I mean aren't you going to be a little cold? It's like 69 or 70 degrees out. Here, take my jacket."
"Ew, gross. One, too big. Two, clashes with my shirt."
"Oh. ... So do you forgive me or what?"
"Huh? Oh, yeah. Sure. I really need to go now," Kim said checking her hair one last time. "Later days, hombre."
"Wait. Where are you going?" Jason asked following Kimberly outside.
"Out."
"Out? Kim, look at me when I'm talking to you. If you're still mad at me, just tell me."
"Jason, look. My activities don't always have to involve you. I'm sure you and Zack can find something to do without me. Now I really need to go. So please..."
Never have Kimberly's words effected Jason in the way they just did. Too stunned to talk, he watched in silence as Kim disappeared from his sight. The air outside had suddenly gotten colder.
.................
At night the Command Center stood out as an architechtual masterpiece. It was lit at the base yet remained guarded and hidden from civilian eyes in the quarry by Angel Grove's city limits. All was quiet on the outside as it was in the inside with the exception of the low hum of the morphing grid on standby. Zordon's plasma tube was unoccupied, that too on standby from the week's lull. Alpha continued working on the data search on Goldar's enhanced armor, but nothing more than a 'Search in Progress' prompt came of it. The Rangers' robotic assistant could not determine if the search function was busy combing through terrabytes of data, or was simply not functioning period. No response from the computer left the concern unanswered.
"Ay yi yi. ... I suppose leaving the search running wouldn't hurt while I go into sleep mode."
Though no one enters the Command Center without a power coin now, Alpha continued to make sure the extra security alarms had been activated before shut down. Entering in a sequence of commands, Alpha reached down with his small mechanical arms and pressed in the set of yellow buttons on his waist piece and powered down.
.................
The night went on as did Veronica's swarrae. In the lanai Tommy sat talking with his circle of friends, that including Rocky, Adam, and Aisha. The trio hailed from Stone Canyon where Tommy and Jason spend a couple of weeks every July visiting with relatives. On the same street where they stay is where they met one Rocky DeSantos, a Mexican-American boy who appeared and acted more American than anything. A love for the martial arts made them friends for life and eventually with Adam and Aisha. After keeping up with eachother through the years with martial arts competitions, expos, and sleepovers, they were at the age now where new interests have come in; specifically girls and partying. Thus, tonight being just another get together to further explore these lusts and push boundaries into their pending adulthood.
On the crowded wicker couch sat Adam Park saying not a word while Aisha Campbell sat on his knee chatting away inanley with Tommy and Rocky. Adam never liked coming to these things; not just because parties aren't his thing, but because he had to continually lie to his parents about "sleeping over" at Rocky's and the same with Rocky and Aisha with their parents. It's not totally unbearable thought Adam, for the alabi had developed a small crush on the pint-sized powerhouse that sat stradling his right knee. This was more than anything he could have hoped for and as far he would get with a girl ever period he surmised.
Outside the Saunders residence came Kimberly Hart. She was growing nervous by the second as she came closer to the front door. She wasn't obessing over the fact that she was going to a real high school party for the first time, but for the reason she was going; Tommy. Kimberly felt silly all of a sudden. It was just Tommy, but in the most private, well-guarded part of her heart she knew something else was there. She didn't have any expectations for tonight though except for a few hours of one on one time with the boy who had a thing for the color green.
One thing Kimberly didn't expect was to be spied on. Following just yards behind and inconspicuously was Jason. With the hood from his jacket covering his head, the detective gathered where his lady friend was off to for the evening. Kim was on fair enough terms with Veronica but not nearly enough to want to go to one of her parties Jason thought over. Then it came to him. Though there'd be no need to investigate any further, curiousty drew the cat.
.................
"What's he" doing there?" Rita gasped. "Jason will ruin everything!"
"Empress, one of Putties also reports the Pink Ranger on the premesis!" Goldar informed.
"Drats! Well if she gets in the way, you know what to do."
"Yes, my queen!"
"In the meantime, make sure Jason stays away. The spell must be cast by midnight!"
.................
"Hey. I didn't think you were going to come," Tommy said placing down his cup to greet Kimberly.
"Well it took me like forever to find something to wear. You know me!" Kim bubbled.
"Well you look great. Um, you remember Rocky, Adam, and Aisha."
"Of course. Hey, guys."
Before Aisha or Adam could say anything, Rocky sprung up from his seat and took Kimberly's hand to his lips and kissed it.
"A pleasure, my lady," Rocky said in a less-than-flattering English accent.
"Oh. Okay?" Kimberly said smiling wryly.
Tommy appeared more uncomfortable with the exchange than Kimberly. Adam chimed in.
"I think that's enough drinks for tonight, Rocko," said the Korean.
"But soft, what light through yonder window breaks?" Rocky proposed as he stood atop the wicker seat. "It is the east, and Kim is the sun! Arise, fair sun, and kill the envious moon!"
"Oh come on, Adam," Aisha said slapping his knee. "Rocky just wants to have fun. Go, Rocky!"
"Drinks?" Kim asked looking to Tommy with a questioning look.
"It's Coke. I promise," Tommy said showing his cup to Kimberly. "Do you think it'll be alright if we go somewhere else to talk. Somewhere less -- Shakespearean?"
"Yes," Kimberly smiled. "That'd be nice."
Rocky watched the two depart from the group and raised his hands to the heavens. "Partying is such sweet sorrow!"
.................
Jason stood at the end of Veronica's driveway debating with himself whether or not to proceed. His heart has never been troubled so, not since the time when he had to go it alone against Goldar and the Sphnix monster. Why did Kimberly matter all of a sudden? She's always mattered -- hasn't she? The decision, now, would have to be postponed.
"Putties," Jason grunted.
A pack of the gray and black striped footmen materialized in their usual yellow luminesence and incoherant babbling. Goldar materalized not soon after.
"I don't think you were invited to the party, human," Goldar said, his red eyes casting a shadow of the same color down the rest of his face.
"I could say the same for you," Jason said surveying the area quickly for civilians. "It's morphin' time!"
"Not tonight, Ranger!" Goldar barked, his sword releasing a golden wave of energy.
Jason hit the pavement hard in order to dodge the deathly blast. His morpher had then slipped from his hands and rolled off somewhere into the grass. Giving the Ranger no chance to collect, the Putties attacked.