THE REASON - Part Three: The Years End

Summary: Tommy recaps the years gone by, and what each of the old crew has been doing. All except Kimberly. What seems to keep him from contacting her?

Disclaimer: Power Rangers isn't mine. I wish it was, but it never will be. Oh well. But give me a break. Taking a trip down memory lane my not be too exact to the show, so I must apologize. I don't have all my facts straight, but that' s why it's a fanfic. The main title of the story does tie in with Hoobastank's "The Reason". And this does pay a little tribute to a fallen ranger, and one ranger's long lost brother. Rest in peace, Thuy Trang (Trini Kwan) and Eric Frank (David Trueheart)

A/N: Again, this is just filling you guys in on what I feel needs to be said about my story. Enjoy, and hope you're not getting too bored. I'll get to the good stuff. Just give me some time, aiight? And, I guess I should start now. May the Powers Protect You Always. So, read and review.

"No one expects the most pain and memories come from the time spent apart from those you really care about." –Eclyptyk Neo

The contents of that dreadful letter played in my head like a broken record. "...This is really hard for me to say, Tommy, but I have to let you go. I mean, we shared something special. Really, we did. And I would never want to let that go to anyone else, but I'm really sorry. This long- distance thing cannot happen... Send my regard to the others...Love- Kim..."

For as long as I could remember, I had relayed those memories years ago. Let go of the pain of the heartbreak. It was hard. It burned. It melted my heart. Changed the way I got involved with someone. I never did. I never could. I only had two loves. Kimberly Hart. Katherine Hillard. Both were during my high school years. Now, there was nothing. I could never really find love in my heart. Not that I was cold-hearted about the whole situation. I just didn't know how it was like anymore. But I didn't go sleeping around with multiple girls. I guess, the loyalty was still there for the girl I could finally call mine forever. I would assume the way I was raised also influenced that as well.

The break-up with Katherine was easy. It was off to college, and we had other interests, other plans. There was a reasonable good-bye to our break- up. It was education before love. I know it sounds surprising, but it was. I cared for her deeply, but it never did match up to the feelings I had for Kimberly. We both saw that. Those were feelings I just couldn't let go. It didn't matter. Though, I still hold a special place in my heart for just Kat, alone. As much as I wanted to try and push Kimberly out of my life, I could never stop thinking about her the day we parted ways. The day I got that letter. The day I entered college. The day I started teaching at Reefside High School. In the back of my mind, in the depths of my heart, I still wanted to be with her. But the anger and pain was always there to stop me. Stop me from calling. Stop me from making any contact with her.

Then the Race Tracks. Not much could be said about it. The adrenaline rush could only bring more pain in missing her so much more. It was a haven for some time, but after the loss of feeling happiness in winning and growing tired of going around a track 25 million times, I called it quits. Went to college. I began to take things more seriously. Thought more about getting an education rather than saving the world. Ran into Hayley and became college buddies. It was nothing more than that. And if it wasn't for her help in keeping track of every generation of Power Rangers to present time, I don't know where I'd be in that video diary I made. She provided the clips. I had the information. Let alone, she was someone I could talk to about my problems, seeing that the guys were busy with their education and interests.

Three years ago. 2001.

I had graduated in the spring of that year. I was officially considered a doctor of paleontology. And for a few weeks, I spent time with my brother, David. When Anton called me up about a dig in New Mexico, I couldn't refuse. So, I went. Didn't find much those first few days, but about three days into the dig, I got a call from Adam in San Francisco. And I felt my world come crashing down on me. It was the worse news I had ever heard since my parents passed away all those years ago. My brother David passed away on April 16th, 2001 from an illness. An illness that the doctors could not determine. And Adam just so happened to be one of the doctors at the hospital who tried to save him. He did all he could. And I thank him for that. But it could never leave a bigger gaping hole in my heart after that loss. He was the only family–only biological family–I had left. And now, he was gone. Right when we were finally bonding as brothers.

And if things weren't worse that year, another tragic event took a dear friend. An event that brought the old crew together. Trini Kwan's life was taken by a terrible car accident with a drunk driver on September 3rd, 2001. She wasn't even wearing her seatbelt, which made the impact much worse. The old crew came to San Francisco, Trini's place of birth, and mourned with family and friends over the loss. It was hard to face. No one would have expected that to happen, especially to a former Ranger. But life had to go on. Move on slow. And from there, the team began to keep in touch more. Yet, I remembered I couldn't even look at Kimberly the moment she stepped onto the grave site. All I could see was pain in her eyes, and I wasn't there as a comforting shoulder to lean on. Some friend I was. Damn. I knew how the two were close friends – childhood friends.

But somehow, I guess my own personal feelings about some car accident that takes a life–or two--still lives strongly in my mind. It was the same way I had lost my own biological parents, and the best way for me to cope with it was to isolate myself. It was one reason I got involved in martial arts, to relay all the emptiness inside.

Two losses in one year. And both were rather close, but yet so far. I never got a chance to know both of them as I liked to. And even now, I hate myself for waiting all this time. I'm sorry, David. I'm sorry, Trini. Rest in peace. I'll never forget all you did.

That's when the guys had confronted me about Kim. I hate them sometimes. The times I caught up with the old crew–Jason, Adam, Rocky, and Zack, if he made the time– and always managed to have a good time. Just doing what guys would do. Relay all the pain. They were always there to relay my pain about love. I knew that Zack was kicking it with Aisha these days. And Rocky admitted he was getting rather close to Tanya. I swear, once a ranger, still and always will be a ranger. I just never expected some of the hook-ups. As one big huge ranger family. Man, I swear if there ever was some big huge ranger reunion in the end–I don't know what I'd do.

Two years ago. 2002.

It was a few months after Anton and I began our experiments on the uncharted island off of California. And the word on the street was my PhD in paleontology. Everyone looked at me and thought that Billy must have taken my brain by mistake when he left the planet. He didn't. But I still missed his smart ass remarks. I began my research with combining dinosaur DNA with technology alongside the famous scientist, Dr. Anton Mercer. And if anyone thought about it, they couldn't pass up a huge money-making deal with some billionaire scientist. But we were friends even before those experiments began due to the many digs we were involved with. We were a success–for some time. Not that it was my thesis–it was--but it wasn't delivering. Our research would revolution the way the world looked at dinosaurs and technology. But then it happened.

One year later. 2003.

The island was attacked by Tyrannodrones, an army of manipulated dinosaurs by our experiments. And Mercer had gone missing, and the genetically- manipulated bone head Mesogog destroyed the island. The loss of all the hard work. The lives lost. I barely made it out alive. And up to this point, I thought I was the only survivor. I guess I was wrong big time.

Now, here I am. A resident of Reefside, even before the experiments began, and a science teacher at the local high school. In my free time, I had kept in close contact with Hayley. She was there to help create the morphers needed for the new generation of Power Rangers. And well, it was time for another generation of superheroes to step into the world. She kept my notes straight about my work on the dino-technology and its connection to the new threat to the world. And here I am, kicking myself knowing I had contributed to the new threat.

Eight long years—no, I mean five. Or was it four? I just don't know. I groaned, rubbing my head in frustration. But I can say I've had a very productive life in the past few years. Definitely a bunch of memories I don't want to let go off. But so many I want to erase. Why is it so hard now? Why do I keep thinking about Kimberly so damn much?

There were so many more memories I had.

But of course, there were things one could never let go. The original team saw it the very moment I was free from Rita's spell. The way I looked at Kim. They knew, as much as anyone else who came in contact with us knew that I and Kim were meant to be together forever. Then the others followed suit. It was the call of nature. It was chemistry. It was set by the stars.

Jason had kept on the down-low for some time, but eventually opened up his new line of dojos along the West Coast. He had to do it some time. He works part-time as an officer of the LAPD. Mr. LAPD, who just loves to ticket teens speeding down the highway. He was also one of the officers on- scene to investigate the crash site of Trini's death.

Zack, the jokester, is making attempts as a comedy act, if not a humorous rapper. He has traveled the world, and left behind several inspiring seminars. In his free time, he helps kids reach their potential in hip-hop dancing.

Adam and Rocky joined forces to open up their own martial arts school in San Francisco, The Shadowed Dragon. And it has been quite a success. Adam managed to get a master's degree in medicine, Dr. Adam Park, MD. He's also my doctor. Don't ask. And has been helping Rocky recover from his accident at the martial arts competition years ago that forced him to give up his ranks as the Blue Turbo Ranger. And again, the fact for Mr. Shy-Guy- From-Korea to get a medical degree was quite a shock to us all. Though, he's leaning more towards a pediatrician since he likes to hang around kids. As of now, Rocky had recovered, slow, but still is cautious about doing some things to the extreme. In college, he managed to score a degree in psychology. I figured he needed to get involved with that considered the psychological strain he had to go through after his accident. But he's doing fine now, with Adam keeping a close eye on him. They've been friends forever, and nothing tends to break them apart. Brothers. Kinda like me and Jason.

Well, as for the original blue ranger. Billy. He is still on Aquitar or Earth. I'm not sure about him, he comes and goes when he pleases. But back to normal. The only thing that kept him from aging was the pure waters of Aquitar, but I guess I can't blame him for that. But it wouldn't hurt to have him as a technical advisor around the lab, sometimes. But he did his part, left his legacy behind, for those generations of Blue Rangers following him. And Ethan being the latest in the legacy trail, don't let us down.

Aisha lived outside of LA, with Zack, of course, and made her way with marine biology. She always loved being around animals.

Then there was Kat, who traveled the world. She managed to get some of us into the highly exclusive Hollywood parties after making small roles in a few movies. Nothing big. I hear, too, she's gotten back into diving. But than again, she was making a career as a choreographer for some small acts interested in making it big in music business. But I'm not so sure. I haven't talked to her much in the past few months. But then there were rumors about her seeing Jason, as told by Rocky and Adam, but knowing Mr. Denial-Red-Leader he doesn't want to tell me the whole truth. I'll deal with him later.

Then of course, Tanya, who became a lawyer, was making some big bucks dealing with the court cases involving some top-notch celebrities. And if that's not all, she's in the record studio producing a rather intimate and deep album. Well, Rocky, if things work out between the two of you, you'll have nothing to worry about with the money she'll be making.

But the only one I had no clue about was Kim. Not that the others would give me any heads up on what she's been up to, I just figured I'd rather not want to know. I mean, I should. I do, but I don't know, I just can't seem to find the strength to ask her what's up.

The original teams. The ones honing the prehistoric powers, ninjetti powers, and zeo powers as the first of many rangers on earth. Four generations worth of us. Stuck to each other like glue. Like one big, unique family. Jason, Zack, Trini (RIP), Kim, Billy, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Kat, Tanya and myself.

Though it was a short-lived "dare" and interest, I joined the armed forces. Yes, the armed forces. The Army. I started that year off from school, when the race track just wasn't delivering me the goods. Stayed in for about one year in college, traveled the world. Mostly in Asia. During that time, I perfected my martial art skills. After college, the army was no longer an issue, but the research was. After the research was nearly destroyed a year ago, I went to the army, but left when my vision began to go. I reached the ranks of staff sergeant, figuring it was a way to bring back that importance in leadership. I don't know, I guess I missed the position of taking the lead, and it was another way to avoid Kimberly all together.

The memories. The friends. The hardship. The challenges. I shook my head, as I remembered the accomplishments and struggles my friends had made. I never realized how different it was without having your friends at your side all the time. Maybe it is time to go and see her. Maybe it's time to catch up on old times like I had done with the guys.

I found the strength return to my legs as I rose to my feet. I had to find a way to execute my thoughts on the matter. I stepped out of the room, but not without leaving a mark on the wall by a punch from each hand.

tbc......