Chapter 22- Return of an Old Friend?
The three adults rushed to the window of the private room and saw a gigantic Zeltrax destroying buildings in Downtown Reefside with careless abandon.
"Zeltrax?" Tommy turned to look at the three teens who still stood cowed by the doorway.
"He said unless you and Kimberly hand yourselves over to him, he'll continue destroying Reefside." Conner explained soberly.
"We tried to stop him but he was using Kim's energy and he was pretty much beating our butts. Then he disappeared before we could do anything else." Ethan sighed, scratching the side of his head.
"-There's more. While he was using Kimberly's energy, he said if we kept fighting him or came running back to you, either way she would die." Conner added with a deep frown.
"He's lying right Dr. O?" Kira asked quietly, glancing over to the peacefully slumbering Kimberly, small and frail against the stark white sheets of the hospital bed.
Tommy looked over at Hayley helplessly, he didn't know whether Kimberly would be able to survive without the spirit of the Crane, and if Zeltrax was telling the truth, to run away or to continue fighting and allowing Zeltrax to use the pink energy could very well have been signing Kimberly's death warrant.
The three teens took their teacher's silence as it was meant- it didn't look good.
"It's alright, we've got some people coming here who may be able to help. Some of our former team mates." Tommy said, hoping to sound more reassuring than he felt. "If anyone can help Kimberly, it's Billy." He said, half to his students and half to Jason, who nodded in agreement.
"But Dr. O, what are we gonna do about Zeltrax? He's not gonna stop destroying the city until he gets a response from you or Kim." Kira reminded him.
"Then he'll get it." Tommy said angrily. Jason put a hand on his arm to halt him.
"Bro, I don't think that's a good idea."
Tommy turned back to look at his former leader and best friend. "Jason, I am not about to let that bucket of bolts destroy Reefside or threaten Kimberly. Mesogog has crossed the line and I'm about to make sure he doesn't do it again."
"Tommy, you're tired and stressed, you've been through a lot today. Maybe Jason's right." Hayley added, standing from the sofa and crossing to the Black Ranger.
"Well who else is going to do it? Zeltrax wants an answer from me or Kim, and since she doesn't seem to be in a position to chat, it's up to me. Zeltrax has had this vendetta against me from the beginning and it's time to put a stop to it, before anyone else gets hurt." He argued, his eyes steely.
Jason knew there was no deterring Tommy when he was in one of these moods, he was as stubborn as he was protective and loyal, and it wasn't a good mix especially when Kim was involved.
"Just, be careful bro, alright?" The first Red Ranger said seriously.
Tommy was about to answer as flippantly as usual but upon seeing the five serious faces around him, his mouth set into a line of grim determination and he nodded sincerely. "I will."
He laid a tender kiss on Kim's forehead and then exited from the room briskly, eager to finish what Mesogog had started.
Jason had left Kira and Conner watching over Kimberly and Ethan had gone to grab some snacks from the cafeteria while the former Red Ranger went outside to catch some fresh air, he found hospitals far too suffocating at the best of times, worse when his oldest friend was between those itchy white sheets.
He came upon Hayley sitting on the bench outside with an unlit cigarette perched between her lips, head tilted back and her eyes closed. The redhead had slipped off earlier for a bathroom break but Jason hadn't seen her since. He cleared his throat to announce his presence and Hayley's eyes shot open as she drew herself back to a more upright position hastily.
"Is Kimberly alright?" She asked worriedly, thinking this was the reason for Jason's appearance.
"No change." Jason said simply, it was still too painful to make jokes or say anything more elaborate. He pointed to the seat next to her and asked for politeness' sakes, "Seat taken?"
Hayley shook her head and motioned to it. "Be my guest, I could use the company."
"I didn't know you smoked." Jason frowned, searching his memory for previous encounters with Tommy's partner in crime for any instances of her habit.
"It's my guilty pleasure. I only crack when it gets too stressful." Hayley smiled ruefully. "You want one?"
Jason wrinkled his nose distastefully. Part of the martial arts mentality that he had lived his life by dictated that his body was a temple and he had done his hardest to resist drugs, drink or cigarettes. He supposed it was a type of brainwashing from his instructors and mentors, but he was thankful for it, keeping his body in top condition was something he was borderline obsessive over, but it helped him defend the Earth when a Ranger, and keep up his impeccable karate training. He of course enjoyed a sociable beer like anyone else but certainly didn't taste the forbidden fruits out of necessity or curiosity.
Hayley smiled. "Yeah I know. Tommy gives me the exact same reaction. You karate-kids are all the same aren't you?" She joked good-naturedly.
"Oh I know plenty of guys who go out and get drunk every week, some who're hooked on painkillers, some who smoke. I'm not here to judge." Jason shrugged. "Go ahead, I'll stay downwind of you."
Hayley pursed her lips and shoved the cigarette back into its box. "You've appealed to my stronger self. What brings you down here anyway?"
"I needed some air. Hospitals don't do well with me."
"Do they with anyone?"
Jason sighed. "Guess not. I just hate seeing Kim like that, she's one of the most bright, lively, energetic women in the world and seeing her like that just…scares me I guess."
Hayley looked sympathetic but somewhat troubled. "I can't help feeling guilty, I went to Tommy and basically told him how to feel and how delusional he was being by not seeing that he and Kimberly were meant to be together, now he's got all these feelings and nowhere to put them and seeing Kimberly like that pushed him into catatonia. I can't help thinking if I'd kept my mouth shut it would've made things all a lot easier, and Tommy may have been a little more objective and a little less distressed."
Jason shook his head. "If you want my opinion I think you did him a favour. You gave him forewarning. Take my word for it, if events transpired the same and Tommy only realised his feelings for her after seeing her in pain and then d-… then we lost her, he would've been far worse. It was a shock enough, but he already knew, he had made up his mind that what you said was how he felt and would've done something about it. It was painful and horrific for him, but the stress of finally realising afterwards, coupled with what happened to her probably would've pushed him into certifiable let alone catatonia."
Hayley looked at him sceptically but at Jason's serious expression she nodded and smiled gratefully. "I wont feel so guilty then. In fact I'd say the bastard owes me one." Jason cracked a smile and both laughed at that. He felt a vibration on his hip and pulled the cell phone out of his pocket. After his own had been crunched to pieces in the battle with Zeltrax he had nabbed one of Tommy's old leftover ones and stuck his sim-card in it. He thought it important that everyone could get in touch with everyone else considering the events of the past couple days, so now he had the three new Rangers' numbers and vice-versa as well as Hayley's and Tommy's of course. There was a voicemail message from Billy on there, which he hadn't got as the phone had been switched off inside.
"Jason, it's Billy. Trini has arrived home earlier than anticipated so we have reserved seats on the next flight to Reefside. I have managed to initiate communications with Rocky- who will drive directly to Reefside from Stone Canyon and should be with you in approximately two hours. Adam needs to make certain arrangements before he departs, but will also drive over as soon as possible. Expect him in three or four hours. Aisha is still in Africa, Kenya to be precise. She's going to drive over to the nearest airport and try and get a flight, but she's in quite a remote area and I can't say what the state of the crafts will be, she hopes to get to Nairobi to get an immediate flight to America- even if she finds one it'll probably take about 24 hours or more . Sure makes you miss teleporting doesn't it? Zack is in Boston and is attempting to get a flight out ASAP. We're about to board the aeroplane at this moment so we will call you once we arrive. Give Tommy and Hayley my regards, and take care of Kim." The message then cut out.
Jason was relieved to hear that Kim's former team-mates took her condition seriously and wanted to be here, Kim had feared once she'd broken up with Tommy Adam, Rocky and Aisha wouldn't want anything to do with her out of loyalty to him, but Aisha had always considered Kim her best friend and had never stopped talking to her, and Adam and Rocky soon got back in contact, giving her space in the months following the break-up because they figured she needed it and wouldn't want to hear about Tommy. As guys they weren't exactly as in tune with their or Kimberly's feelings, so Aisha had recommended against them talking to her in case they put their foot in their mouths over Tommy, and their loyalties as friends were more with their Ranger leader while he was dealing with it anyway. Still, they- like Jason had always like to drop Kimberly into the conversation, trying to get Tommy to talk about the break-up or his feelings, and hoping that the two would at least settle their differences and talk it out. At least they'd all get a surprise in that department when they arrived.
"Billy sends his regards." Jason told Hayley who smiled, she found Billy Cranston fascinating, while he and Trini had visited to help Tommy get organised with the Dino Thunder base and powers, she had observed that there was seemingly nothing the man couldn't accomplish if he set his mind to it. The most convoluted problems or complicated tasks, he could always find a solution with a gadget or adjustment. And the graceful Trini Kwan was like an extended part of his body, they gelled together so quickly and efficiently it was no surprise that they were partners as well as lovers. Tommy had explained that in their high school days it had only ever been Trini that ever really understood Billy, his techno-speak had all the rest of the team scratching their heads until Trini explained what the genius meant in laments terms. It had always been Trini who went with Billy to his garage to work on solutions to Ranger problems that otherwise could have had them defeated a long time ago. Hayley was sure if he and Trini weren't so perfect for each other she would have been very interested in the scientist, as Tommy had always said, she was the only one he'd met who was at Billy's level in the intelligence stakes.
From the bench outside the hospital the two could no longer see the gigantic metal form of Mesogog's second in command, although the rumbles in the distance evidenced that he was still there. He didn't know how Tommy could defeat Zeltrax, from what he had heard, Tommy's own Zord was a carrier for the other three which formed the Megazord, and the Brachio-Zord alone would be no match because of it's low mobility. But Tommy wasn't the longest serving and most renowned of them all for nothing, Jason was sure he'd figure something out, for Kim's sake if not his own.
The newly morphed Black Dino Thunder Ranger leapt from the back of his Raptor Rider and sent the beast off as he stared up at the gigantic form of Zeltrax wreaking havoc in the city centre.
"Hey Zeltrax, why don't you pick on someone your own size?" Tommy yelled, his Brachio staff drawn and ready. He knew the immeasurable power he harnessed as the Black Ranger, and that his staff had enough power to fell one of Mesogog's monsters alone, whether big or small. Zeltrax however could prove to be a different story.
"Your pathetic students tried to fight me on my own level Dr. Oliver, but they were no match for me. You will be no different." The low metallic voice boomed tauntingly from above.
"Why don't you come down here and prove it metal-head, you've never beaten me before, that losing streak making you bitter? Now you're just a bigger fool!"
With a growl of hatred and rage Zeltrax disappeared for a moment in a flash of green and appeared in front of Tommy his regular size.
"I do not need the extra height to beat you Dr. Oliver, I will squash you and then the rest of this insignificant city will follow. And afterwards, the world!"
"Looks like you're getting too big for your boots. It's time for me to take you down!" Tommy shook his head and raised his weapon. "Let's end this."
"It will be my pleasure." Zeltrax returned, and with a raw battle cry he launched himself at the legendary Ranger. Tommy blocked his blows with ease, though it was hard to keep his anger in check, he couldn't vent his frustrations on Zeltrax in case it truly was putting Kim's life in danger.
Zeltrax, seeing he couldn't land a blow in this way stepped back and the two began circling each other, the cyborg keeping a safe enough distance to be unreachable from Tommy's swings if not energy blasts. He decided to try a different form of attack.
"How is Kimberly doing Dr. Oliver?" Zeltrax asked tauntingly, the smirk evident in his voice if not his metal features.
"Don't go there Zeltrax." Tommy said warningly, not about to be goaded over the edge. If the theory that Kimberly needed the Crane energy to survive was true, it would make perfect sense for Zeltrax to try and enrage him and get him to attack, therefore effectively killing Kimberly himself.
"Resting peacefully I trust? All that screaming in agony must surely have been exhausting." Zeltrax continued, barely containing the glee in his voice as seeing his opponent's obvious discomfort and anger.
"You can tell me in about three seconds when you've experienced it for yourself." Tommy replied tightly, raising his Brachio-staff in preparation.
"I don't think you will kill me Dr. Oliver." The henchman said airily, continuing his defensive circling but his body language belying his nonchalance.
"Really. Willing to stake your life on that?"
"Go ahead, destroy me, and destroy your precious Kimberly in the process." Zeltrax chuckled nastily.
"You're bluffing." The Black Ranger retorted, gripping the hilt of his weapon more tightly and trying to keep his emotions reigned in. Losing it was definitely not what was needed right now, it would be playing right into Zeltrax's hands.
"Willing to stake her life on that?" Zeltrax openly laughed at that, so pleased that he finally had the legendary Tommy Oliver right where he wanted him, backed into a corner, squirming and seething and powerless to do anything about it.
Tommy could no longer keep hold of his anger and leapt at the cyborg, his blows fast and furious, frustrated that he could not help Kimberly or get any answers from Zeltrax. His attacks were far too reckless and left him vulnerable, but he was beyond caring, he had to channel his emotion into something, anything, because feeling helpless and not acting were far worse.
"Why Zeltrax, why me? What injustice have I heaped on you?" Their weapons were locked but Tommy kicked his opponent in the stomach to send him reeling back and disentangle them both.
Zeltrax said nothing at this but only increased the fervour he put into his attacks, catching the palaeontologist across the chest and eliciting a shower of sparks and a few choice expletives to erupt from the Black Ranger as he stumbled back.
"Ready to give up Tommy?" That sentence caused the man to hesitate. The use of his name, calculated and personal, but certainly familiar. The way he said it called up old memories, but he couldn't recall where from.
At the Ranger's indecision, Zeltrax launched himself once more at his enemy, pushing Tommy to go on the defensive, dodging and blocking the swings as best as he could, some only missing him by millimetres. When the cyborg paused between swings Tommy stuck a foot out and caught Zeltrax in the chest, sending him reeling. The Black Ranger took this momentary lapse to lash out with his staff and a series of roundhouse kicks, before leaping up to deliver a vicious Power Kick sending sparks flying from Zeltrax's chest and crashing the henchman to the ground. As Tommy raised his staff to deliver the final blow, Zeltrax spoke,
"Terrance Smith."
Tommy paused, his mind racing to match the face with the familiar name. Then it came back to him, his colleague and eventual rival for a job at Anton Mercer Industries. Tommy had got the job, 'Smitty' hadn't. He had gone to work for another company, but had been tragically killed in a lab accident. Tommy paled beneath the protective helmet, but Zeltrax seemed to sense it anyway and chuckled lowly.
"Terrance Smith was killed years ago in a laboratory accident." Tommy said firmly trying not to sound as shaken as he felt.
"Evidently not. Lord Mesogog found me, saved me and rebuilt me, stronger than ever. He's a genius with cybernetic reconstruction."
"No, it's impossible. Smitty was a good guy, he had morals, decency, he'd never serve a monster like Mesogog!" The Black Ranger shook his head determinedly.
"Mesogog is no monster, he is a visionary! I owe him my life, a life you took from me, and now will repay with your own!" Zeltrax sprang back to action, kicking Tommy hard with both feet in the stomach and knocking the wind from the teacher. The cyborg lashed out with an armoured metal arm and caught Tommy in the head and neck, sending him crashing to the ground dazed and coughing. Zeltrax walked over to him and placed a heavy foot upon the prone Ranger's throat, crushing down on his windpipe as he put his entire weight upon it and looked down into the black visor that protected the face of his greatest adversary. Tommy clawed at the unyielding foot that was not so slowly choking the air from him, struggling to lift the weight but finding it even harder to do as his vision began to dim.
"I will make you suffer the way I have suffered, make you beg and long for death when all I desired was life. Kimberly Hart is the first casualty of your selfishness and calumny. Your precious students will be next."
And with that, the weight was suddenly gone as Zeltrax disappeared in a flash of green light. Tommy rolled over onto his front, lying on the ground wheezing and gasping for air as his mind tried to work though the disturbing and confusing revelations he had just been presented with.
Aww man, Smitty?