THE REASON - Part Twenty-Five: Twisted and Trapped
Summary: The Rangers take another brutal beating from the White Ranger. Aisha, Rocky and Adam pay a visit to Tommy, who tells them a secret regarding their powers. Later in the day, the rangers meet in the park, minus Tommy. What are their plans for the couple in need of getting over their differences? And to avoid anymore confrontations, Tommy goes to retrieve the fossil finder, only to run into a spot of trouble. Now, what will happen?
Disclaimer: Power Rangers not mine. Never will, and might as well give up on trying to win the battle to own it.
A/N: I decided to skip out on "White Thunder Pt. 2." But it's still mentioned in this chapter. This takes place during "White Thunder Pt.3", so enjoy! And thanks to all of the readers. Glad you're liking it so far. But be prepared, it'll get more twisted as chapters get going. Read and review!
"Keep running in circles and it will get you nowhere. Stop running from something that will never go away. Fight it." –Eclyptyk Neo
Days passed.
The Rangers had just gotten their own butts handed to them on a silver platter by the White Ranger yet again. And if it wasn't worse enough, he cracked open the dino egg holding the Drago Zord. And on top of that, he had managed to take the Stegozord and transformed his zord into a megazord, the Dino Stegozord.
The team was taken out hard and their dinozords were out of commission for awhile.
And if they couldn't find a way to keep the stegozord out of the White Ranger's hands, they may never be able to defeat him.
The three teens sat in their favorite spot of the lab, against one of the back walls where Dr. Oliver was mounting a dino skeleton on. A few of the blocks were removed, which were used as seats. Each teen was sitting on one, hanging their head low in sheer defeat. And Dr. Oliver knew that they couldn't go on losing like this, especially to one that was apart of the ranger family.
"Man, that's got to be one of the worse days ever." Conner sighed deeply, dropping his head lower. "This guy is tough."
"No doubt. Brutal." Ethan groaned sadly.
"There's gonna be a lot of days like this you guys." Tommy walked passed them, turning to look at them. "This is only the beginning."
"Whatever happened to the glass was half full?" Kira asked looking up at their teacher with a face wanting more answers.
Tommy could only shrug. "Well, sometimes, it's not. Sometimes, it's empty. But that's when you guys gotta dig deep. And the qualitites that made you guys rangers become the most important."
"I got that, Dr. O." Conner nodded, but still hoped to get more out of their teacher. "But what more can we do?"
Tommy forced out a sigh. "Try and go out and have some fun." He looked over at Ethan. "Ethan, isn't there a new video game you want to try out?"
Then he turned to Conner. "Or Conner, perhaps work on those soccer skills with some friends?"
Ethan shook his head. "Man, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have no real desire to go near a computer."
Kira looked over at him and nodded. "I know what you mean, Ethan. I haven't even picked up my guitar in days. I just don't have the inspiration to write anything new."
"Go. Teacher's orders." Tommy commanded with some reassurance.
His three students looked at him with puppy saddened eyes. They thought he was crazy to make his offer when the whole saving the world deal from their fellow evil ranger counterpart was fresh in their minds. They didn't want to go. They wanted to help. But what more could they do when they couldn't get anywhere near the White Ranger? Or get as far as win a little victory? Tommy had to be strong about the situation. But as much as his students wanted to stay and help him figure out who this guy was, he didn't want them to see how mentally unstable he was. The worse days and hours came when he would relive the moments the White Ranger had attacked him. It was deja vu. And it was a painful, scarring one.
"Go." Tommy stated more abruptly.
The three teens knew they couldn't argue with him, and slowly got to their feet. They headed for the forest entrance without saying another word.
Tommy turned to watch them go, a saddened look on his face. He crossed his arms, dropping his head. "You guys gotta be strong. Enjoy yourselves now. Have fun while you still can, 'cuz it's only gonna get worse."
The room fell silent as the door slid shut behind the teens.
Tommy forced out a breath, sensing the other presence in the room. He peered over his shoulder. "Ya know, guys, I don't appreciate all this eavesdropping you're doing on me."
He turned around and saw the red and black ninja uniforms of Adam and Rocky. They stood shoulder to shoulder in a V-shape, arms crossed. Then another figure pushed passed them dressed in yellow. The bear ninja ranger. Aisha.
"I tried to tell them, but would they listen? No." She shook her head at them. Then she turned back to Tommy, who opened his arms up in a welcoming hug. "Hey, Tommy. How ya doin'?"
"Hey, Aisha. I'm good." he pulled away to take a good look at her. Commenting mentally she still looked good in yellow. "So, you too?" "About the ninja powers? Yeah." she looked away blushing. "I have Adam and Rocky to thank for that."
Tommy let out a sigh, nodding. At least they didn't forget about her having those powers. It was Kim that worried him. She was the only one who had suffered greatly when they had those powers. She nearly lost her life as her powers were taken from her. She was weakened. Scarred. Just as he felt when the green ranger powers were leaving him. But he was stronger. He was a fighter. But Kim's small form almost couldn't handle the loss and she was on the verge of death. Whether Zordon wanted to admit it to the rangers, he knew. In the back of his mind, he knew exactly how it felt. And as much as he loved having the ninja powers, the dino gem had a stronger hold on him now. He could feel the blend of the powers bond inside him, making him that much stronger. But that much more vulnerable for having such a high range of powers. He was unique. And always would be.
He motioned them over to the computer and began to type in some codes to reveal an image of the three ninjas in front of him. Vitals began to pop up on the screen regarding their ninja skills and source of power.
Tommy looked back at his former ranger counterparts, seeing the confused look on their faces. "A few weeks ago, I had detected four different energy signatures matching the same ones you guys seem to be giving off right now. It's unlike anything I've seen. It can't even match up to the energy found in my dino morpher. But if it's stronger, I can't really say either. And it has been forged and evolving in each of you since the day we got those powers to become ninja rangers..."
Aisha held up a hand, stopping Tommy from going on about some long scientific explanation about his findings. "Simple terms, doctor."
"You guys still have your ranger powers of the ninja. The only problem is that you can't morph. You need another source like a gem, crystal or coin to do that." Tommy paused to see the confused look on each of their faces. "The ninja suits still act as a protective shield, unfortunately won't grant you as much as an actual ranger suit. The coins were destroyed. But your animal spirit never will unless of course, you're destroyed."
"Okay, slow down, professor." Rocky groaned, holding up his hands in panic of getting more information that he may not understand. "You mentioned four sources. There's only three of us here."
Tommy forced out a sigh, looking away. "Kim."
Aisha smiled, understanding some of statement. "Of course. There was six of us who maintained our ranger powers with our own animal spirits."
Tommy nodded. "I'd be number five. And well, Billy would be the last–but he's not on the planet as far as I could tell. But I will say this, that fourth energy source hasn't actually been traced to Kim. And those readings are more related to a dino gem than that I'm getting from you guys. And I think that Mesogog already knows about that last resource. But than again, I wouldn't be so surprised to have him know about you guys either."
"Well, he hasn't sent any of those dino-breath creatures after any of us as far as I could tell." Aisha concluded.
"It's because you guys hide your powers so well. I'm really not so sure about Kim. After we got attacked at the cove nearly a week ago, I thought they were after her. And as for Zeltrax, I don't know about him. He was looking for something. I don't know what. You guys are in just as much trouble and as big a threat to Mesogog as me and the other dino rangers."
"Great." Rocky huffed, shaking his head. "I was only kidding when I said I wanted to come live in a town being attacked by over-sized monsters."
Tommy shrugged. "But than again, you should be lucky that you don't have a wide range of powers like me, Rocko. Lucky for me, my dino gem is shielding away my ninja powers to the point where they can't easily be detected. If Mesogog got a hold of me again, it could spell doom for all of us."
"And we don't need that when I still can't believe all this." Rocky sighed.
Aisha and Adam nodded in turn with his statement.
Tommy sighed again. "I know that this is going over your head. It's going over mine, too. And I don't have any logical answer to it. I'm still trying to figure out what it all means. But I think it's best you guys stick around in order for me to run some test. You don't mind being claimed as rangers here to stop the world from becoming a new age for the dinosaurs, do you?"
"Is that Mesogog's plan?" Aisha asked.
"Take down the Power Rangers and bring forth the world into a land full of dinosaurs again?" he noded. "Yup, that's his plan."
"So, do we have to call you the fearless leader again?" Adam asked.
Tommy shrugged. "I'm not making it a chore. I'd prefer just being known as a mentor. Those guys do most of the work. I just fall in where I need to go. As far as I could tell, I can come and go as I please without anyone really noticing."
They nodded slowly. But still could not believe what he was telling them. Mesogog hadn't made any plans to move to attack the ninja rangers, but than again maybe he was having his own problems with the white ranger.
"So, Tommy, have you patched things up with Kim?" Aisha asked, crossing her arms.
Tommy dropped his head. He knew the two clicked the moment they met. They were the best of friends, especially since Trini had chosen her as the next yellow ranger. But than again, there was a unique bond between the girls on the team. And even if he tried to lie, Aisha had a way to pry the truth out of him whether he knew it or not. "No." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Aisha. But I have left a message...a few actually. Apologizes, mostly. Wanting to talk and all, but she hasn't returned any to me. And I've been really busy with this White Ranger thing to go and talk to her personally. Is she still even in town?"
Adam and Rocky nodded firmly. Aisha studied Tommy for a long time, seeing if what he was saying was true. Many times in the past, he would show signs of anxiety and fear. But now he felt cool and collected. Not minding the intrusion.
"She hasn't returned your calls?" Rocky seemed surprised. "I know this may sound dumb, but that doesn't sound like Kim."
"It's not." Aisha nodded as she looked at the red ninja ranger. "Something is wrong. Or bothering her greatly."
"Now, are you sure she still isn't mad about being the last to know about the ranger team, and that Tommy, here, is running the show?" Adam asked.
"Do you think something happened to her?" Tommy grew worried.
The three ninjas turned to look at him, noticing that he wanted to fix this in any way possible. He wanted to throw away the past and start over again. Or try and resolve all broken rings between him and Kim. And with the old crew. Love wasn't suppose to be painful. It was suppose to be happy. And Tommy was tired of feeling angry and miserable every time he saw her. He missed the warmth and comfort she brought. He missed the times they touched and held each other. He wanted to do anything to stop this distance and now.
Aisha shook her head. "No. But something is wrong. We went to go see her yesterday, and she wasn't exactly the wee-bit happy to see us with these confrontations about talking to you, Tommy. I don't know. I've never seen her act this way."
Tommy knew where this was going, but as he looked about the room, there was no time to deal with it. He had other work to attend to. Clear way for more visitors in the lab–the ninja rangers. Find out more on the White Ranger. Figure out the connection between the power sources in his ninja counterparts and the dino gems. And he wanted to talk to Kim, but another wall stood in his way. It was work before love. He dropped into the seat and turned his back on the three ninjas. "Sorry guys, I got other work to do."
And that was their cue for their dismissal. They could ask him no more, as he wanted to get back down to business with what had to be done. And he was serious about it. They turned and headed for the forest entrance without saying another word.
Then the black dino ranger was left alone to get to his own business. He liked being alone sometimes, but this wasn't really one of them. He reached around the neck of his collar and pulled out the locket Kim had returned to him a week ago. He wanted to give it back to her. It was with every right hers, and she had given it back as collateral to save their relationship. But it was the other things that was tearing them apart. An invisible force trapped him from ever making that step to talk to her since they last saw each other. "C'mon, Kim. I know you're upset, but you gotta understand that this little ranger reunion isn't making it easier on me." He told himself. "But ya know, I still love you, baby. I want to be with you until I die. Please, forgive me. Take me back. No more lies. I'll tell you everything you want to know, just come back to me."
-----
The old crew sat in the park under a big tree, minus Tommy and Zack. But not much could be said among them, considering they were getting some bad vibes from their pink pterodactyl counterpart. They all exchanged greetings, but fell silent as they settled for a spot under the shade in a circle. Jason and Kat sat beside each other, Kat resting a head on his shoulder. Their hands were intertwined with the other. Rocky had his arms wrapped around Tanya in a caring matter resting his head on her shoulder. Adam sat beside Kat and Aisha, looking to the ground to look at the grass. Kim sat the farthest from the group, but was still included as much as she felt was needed.
Each person was still dubbed in their ranger coordinated clothes, even after all the years of their departure. It still stuck. And though Tommy was currently wearing black, the team couldn't help but question how it would all turn out in the end. Even if Jason, Rocky and Adam had their share in two different colored suits, their primary power and suit was still strong–red and black.
"So, Jase, did you call this meeting up?" Adam decided to start conversation.
"Our first unofficial Ranger Reunion meeting?" Jason shrugged. "Sure, I suppose. But we're still not all here."
"Maybe it's best that it be that way." Kim grumbled.
But everyone heard her comment, eyes baring on her.
"Ya know, home girl. I don't get what you're so upset about. It's been almost a week since the two of you have talked. I don't know why you're giving him the cold shoulder after all those messages he's left you." Aisha stated with some determination.
"Yeah, Kim." Adam nodded. "It was never like this in high school."
"Times have changed." she said simply.
"Times have changed." Jason nodded. "But you wanted to get back with him. He wants to get back with you. What else is there to say?"
"The guy is falling apart." Rocky began. "And okay, lies were made. But like such a lie like that could tear you two apart."
"It was a difficult situation." Adam added with a little shrug.
"He called you. Apologized and you still can't accept it?" Aisha asked.
Kim could only shrug.
"He was crying in some of those messages. That first one was probably the hardest one he had to say." Jason commented sincerely.
"But could you live with that, you guys?! Not being told that the fearless leader for nearly four years was back in suit, and that he had contributed to the new threat to the world? Don't I reserve a right to know?" Kim cried.
The group grew quiet, surprised to see that much anger and fear come out of her. She never acted that way, at all. It wasn't in her nature to.
Jason forced out a sigh, getting to his feet. "C'mon, let's go, baby sis." he snapped his finger.
"I'm not talking to him, Jason." she shook her head, as he pulled her to her feet.
He pushed her out of the circle and over to a picnic table near by. "No. Just you and me, Kim." He directed. "Now, what is all this about? I thought this was suppose to be easy. Didn't you plan for this?"
"For him to not tell me something like that, and have me find out who the rangers are..."
He held up a hand. "Not that. This new relationship. I thought you wanted to embrace your new adult relationship, and not worry about the past. 'Cuz that's now in the past. This is a new opening. You know the truth. Just gotta work around it."
Under the tree.
The crew was all watching intently as the two original rangers talked. Yet, of course, none of them could make out what they were saying due to the constant breeze of the wind. But they knew if anyone had to convince her, it was Jason. He had known her the longest, and knew very much how she and a certain green/white ranger responded to each other in high school.
"What do you guys think?" Adam asked the group. "How long?"
"Five minutes tops," Rocky concluded.
"Always had that way with her," Kat shook her head in dismay.
"Any ideas on what they would say to each other?" Tanya spoke up for the first time considering Kim and Tommy.
"Absolutely nothing. Their body language usually explains everything that words can't seem to describe." Aisha concluded.
The crew exchanged a look, shrugged and knew that it was true.
Picnic table.
"...don't tell me that we have to lock you two in a room until you kiss and make-up?" Jason seemed a little frustrated. "It's getting down to that, Kim."
"What do I say to him?" she panicked.
"Well, first off, apologize." Jason stated with no hesitation. "But I highly doubt you need a script to explain the rest. Just follow your heart."
"What if..."
Jason held up a hand, silencing her. "No what if's, Kim. The guy already apologized in several messages and you can't find a way to look beyond such a mistake as this? Don't let it get to you. So, go talk to him. It wouldn't hurt to try when you've been trying so hard to fix this in the first place."
"I need some time." she looked away, whispering.
"You got your time, Kim." he huffed.
"Don't rush me, Jason." she glared at him.
He matched her alert eyes. "No. No more of this. If I have to do it myself, I will. But don't make us choose sides. We can't play the neutral party in this anymore than we need to. If love is about denial, than perhaps, you've forgotten what it's all about. And so has he. But when you two are with each other nothing else matters. When you're apart, you're lost. No more, Kim. You have to go talk to him."
In the back of Kim's mind, she knew that he was right, but didn't find anything else to say. She didn't like the confrontation from any of her friends. And she got to her feet and left. Jason let her go, not really regretting what he had said to her. It was the truth and everyone knew that. He headed back to the group under the tree.
"Well?" Adam was the first to ask.
"Don't worry. I got her." he smiled. "She just has to do it."
"Ya know, I don't get your psychological mishaps, Jase." Rocky shook his head.
"Sorry, Mr. PhD in Psychology, but it's effective."
"Yeah, but disrupt the emotional strain on them, too?" Tanya asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jason shrugged. "It works. That's all that matters."
-----
The crew filed into the underground lab, minus Kim, just as the dino rangers found their way out.
Kira and Ethan disappeared down the cave, just as Rocky stopped Tommy short of taking another step.
"Sorry, guys. Can't talk. Monster attacking city. BBL." Tommy pushed passed his old ranger team.
The group looked at each other with raised eyebrows, as the black dino ranger disappeared down the hall. The dino rangers had a job to do, and they couldn't deny that, so they let him go. But they couldn't help but make small comments to Tommy's ranger suit.
"Nice suit!" Jason called out.
"Thanks, bro." Tommy called out, muffled.
The group slowly scurried into the lab. The guys made a tour of the place, as the girls appeared to be impressed with the handiwork done to the place.
-----
An hour passed.
The group figured it best that the huge confrontation wouldn't be too smart at a time like this. Hayley had come by, explaining the situation as quickly as possible. Then the ninja rangers had spoke of their recent confrontation with the doctor finding out that Mesogog could be looking for them to, and Tommy made the request they stay until further notice. So, most of the team retired, hoping to catch Tommy at a later time. Those remaining: Aisha, Adam and Rocky. And Hayley.
Time passed.
The ninjas found a comfortable spot on the stairs leading up to the house. Hayley found her usual place at the computer.
The dino team finally returned to find a room full of concerned rangers and one technical advisor.
Tommy had briefly explained the situation to the three ninja rangers where Hayley failed to mention it. He told the dino rangers of the new addition to the team, with the three ninjas staying on until further notice of their newly discovered/re-established powers. Angor was re-created to attack the city having Tommy and Kira occupied with him. Their only access to win the battle came from the auxiliary zords. Ethan was off to help out Conner with the White Ranger, but got side-tracked with a few Tyrannodrones. Conner had to deal with the White Ranger alone, as well as the confrontation by Mesogog to have the White Ranger join his side. But he was cold-hearted about it, and went to terrorize the city when Angor decided to take on him. But with the brutal beating done by the Dino Stegozord, it was clear that the White Ranger didn't want to associate with anyone, which had the three teenage dino rangers worried.
"I don't get it." Kira shook her head. "It doesn't make sense. One minute the White Ranger is fighting us, the next he goes and blows up one of Mesogog's freaks."
Ethan circled around his dino ranger counterparts, before settling between them. "Well, one thing is clear. This guy is in some serious need of an anger management course. Possibly even a place in some ranger boot camp if that exists."
Conner scratched his head, taking a step forward. "No doubt. This guy is packing some serious heat." Then something else occurred to him, as he looked at his teacher. "Hey, Dr. O, what's the deal with this whole super dino power thing?"
Tommy turned from the computer console, approaching his students, sighing. "Look, you guys have only begun to access your ranger potential." he looked at his ninja counterparts on the stairs. 'You all are. And there are way more surprises in store."
"I like the sound of that." Ethan pushed open a smile.
The two dino rangers looked at him, nodding their agreement.
"Yeah. We could really use it against the White Ranger." Kira stated.
"No doubt. Hey, Dr. O, I was gonna head back to the warehouse and get the fossil finder I left behind." Conner insisted.
Tommy held up his hand, shaking his head. "No. It's cool, Conner. You guys should head home and get some rest. I'll get the fossil finder."
"Um...thanks." Conner smiled lightly.
The teens only concern was now with Trent and his condition. They said their good-byes and left the room.
Hayley handed Tommy a backpack. "Here you go, Tommy."
"Thanks." he took it.
"Be careful?"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." he headed for the forest entrance.
"Yo, T." Rocky called out, getting to his feet.
Tommy looked back at him, seeing the curious look on the ninjas faces. He groaned internally. "Sorry, Rocko. Gotta go get that fossil finder first.
Wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. But I'll be back."
Before the others had a chance to say anything, he left the room. Hayley exchanged another look with the ninja rangers.
They anonymously chose Adam to follow the doctor to the warehouse, just in case. -----
Warehouse.
Tommy was just thrown across the room by a strange energy source coming from one of his students, Trent. He appeared shaken and weak, as Tommy offered to get him out of there. But it was short-lived when the black dino ranger found himself on the floor, watching in horror as a white light engulfed his student. When it cleared, the White Ranger stood where Trent used to be.
And that made only one conclusion. Trent was the White Ranger.
"No." Tommy gasped. "It can't be. Never saw that coming."
The White Ranger clenched his fist. "Fight or perish, black ranger."
Tommy slowly got to his feet, shaking his head. "This is not going to be pretty." He forced up his left hand, his gem changing to his morpher. "Dino Thunder! Power up!" Then he was engulfed by a black light and re- appeared in his ranger suit.
The two rangers began to duke it out for some time. The unusual terrain had the black ranger struggling between winning the battle and making sure not to lose his stride against his aggressor.
The White Ranger kicked the Black Ranger into some barrels, turning to the fossil finder and console it was attached to it.
Tommy turned around quickly, pulling his morpher up to his helmet. "Hayley, listen."
"Yeah?" Hayley replied with some confusion.
"I got it. I know who the White Ranger is. It's..."
But it was too late.
Trent fired the fossil finder at Tommy. His form was becoming encased in a strange amber-like prison.
-----
Back in the lab.
Hayley, Rocky and Aisha watched in horror as Tommy was transfused into the stranger amber-like encasing.
"Tommy? Hey, Tommy, come in." Hayley called out into the communicator.
No answer.
"That's not a good thing." Rocky said slowly.
"No, it's not." Aisha nodded.
They exchanged a worried look.
But then Rocky remember something. "Hey, wait. What about Adam?"
Hayley and Aisha could only shrug.
Since it was so quick for their arrival in joining the team, Hayley failed to make anything for the ninja rangers to communicate with the team. There was no way of contacting Adam until further notice. They looked at each other again, with a saddened, worried look.
tbc.....
A/N: Uh-oh. Looks like Tommy got fossilized, and what about Adam? Where was he in all this? And with the recent news of their powers, it seems the ninja rangers are now back in the game. But is Mesogog really looking for them? And what about Kim? Has Jason convinced her enough to look beyond what has happened to go talk to her lover? Stay tuned in.
Summary: The Rangers take another brutal beating from the White Ranger. Aisha, Rocky and Adam pay a visit to Tommy, who tells them a secret regarding their powers. Later in the day, the rangers meet in the park, minus Tommy. What are their plans for the couple in need of getting over their differences? And to avoid anymore confrontations, Tommy goes to retrieve the fossil finder, only to run into a spot of trouble. Now, what will happen?
Disclaimer: Power Rangers not mine. Never will, and might as well give up on trying to win the battle to own it.
A/N: I decided to skip out on "White Thunder Pt. 2." But it's still mentioned in this chapter. This takes place during "White Thunder Pt.3", so enjoy! And thanks to all of the readers. Glad you're liking it so far. But be prepared, it'll get more twisted as chapters get going. Read and review!
"Keep running in circles and it will get you nowhere. Stop running from something that will never go away. Fight it." –Eclyptyk Neo
Days passed.
The Rangers had just gotten their own butts handed to them on a silver platter by the White Ranger yet again. And if it wasn't worse enough, he cracked open the dino egg holding the Drago Zord. And on top of that, he had managed to take the Stegozord and transformed his zord into a megazord, the Dino Stegozord.
The team was taken out hard and their dinozords were out of commission for awhile.
And if they couldn't find a way to keep the stegozord out of the White Ranger's hands, they may never be able to defeat him.
The three teens sat in their favorite spot of the lab, against one of the back walls where Dr. Oliver was mounting a dino skeleton on. A few of the blocks were removed, which were used as seats. Each teen was sitting on one, hanging their head low in sheer defeat. And Dr. Oliver knew that they couldn't go on losing like this, especially to one that was apart of the ranger family.
"Man, that's got to be one of the worse days ever." Conner sighed deeply, dropping his head lower. "This guy is tough."
"No doubt. Brutal." Ethan groaned sadly.
"There's gonna be a lot of days like this you guys." Tommy walked passed them, turning to look at them. "This is only the beginning."
"Whatever happened to the glass was half full?" Kira asked looking up at their teacher with a face wanting more answers.
Tommy could only shrug. "Well, sometimes, it's not. Sometimes, it's empty. But that's when you guys gotta dig deep. And the qualitites that made you guys rangers become the most important."
"I got that, Dr. O." Conner nodded, but still hoped to get more out of their teacher. "But what more can we do?"
Tommy forced out a sigh. "Try and go out and have some fun." He looked over at Ethan. "Ethan, isn't there a new video game you want to try out?"
Then he turned to Conner. "Or Conner, perhaps work on those soccer skills with some friends?"
Ethan shook his head. "Man, I can't believe I'm saying this, but I have no real desire to go near a computer."
Kira looked over at him and nodded. "I know what you mean, Ethan. I haven't even picked up my guitar in days. I just don't have the inspiration to write anything new."
"Go. Teacher's orders." Tommy commanded with some reassurance.
His three students looked at him with puppy saddened eyes. They thought he was crazy to make his offer when the whole saving the world deal from their fellow evil ranger counterpart was fresh in their minds. They didn't want to go. They wanted to help. But what more could they do when they couldn't get anywhere near the White Ranger? Or get as far as win a little victory? Tommy had to be strong about the situation. But as much as his students wanted to stay and help him figure out who this guy was, he didn't want them to see how mentally unstable he was. The worse days and hours came when he would relive the moments the White Ranger had attacked him. It was deja vu. And it was a painful, scarring one.
"Go." Tommy stated more abruptly.
The three teens knew they couldn't argue with him, and slowly got to their feet. They headed for the forest entrance without saying another word.
Tommy turned to watch them go, a saddened look on his face. He crossed his arms, dropping his head. "You guys gotta be strong. Enjoy yourselves now. Have fun while you still can, 'cuz it's only gonna get worse."
The room fell silent as the door slid shut behind the teens.
Tommy forced out a breath, sensing the other presence in the room. He peered over his shoulder. "Ya know, guys, I don't appreciate all this eavesdropping you're doing on me."
He turned around and saw the red and black ninja uniforms of Adam and Rocky. They stood shoulder to shoulder in a V-shape, arms crossed. Then another figure pushed passed them dressed in yellow. The bear ninja ranger. Aisha.
"I tried to tell them, but would they listen? No." She shook her head at them. Then she turned back to Tommy, who opened his arms up in a welcoming hug. "Hey, Tommy. How ya doin'?"
"Hey, Aisha. I'm good." he pulled away to take a good look at her. Commenting mentally she still looked good in yellow. "So, you too?" "About the ninja powers? Yeah." she looked away blushing. "I have Adam and Rocky to thank for that."
Tommy let out a sigh, nodding. At least they didn't forget about her having those powers. It was Kim that worried him. She was the only one who had suffered greatly when they had those powers. She nearly lost her life as her powers were taken from her. She was weakened. Scarred. Just as he felt when the green ranger powers were leaving him. But he was stronger. He was a fighter. But Kim's small form almost couldn't handle the loss and she was on the verge of death. Whether Zordon wanted to admit it to the rangers, he knew. In the back of his mind, he knew exactly how it felt. And as much as he loved having the ninja powers, the dino gem had a stronger hold on him now. He could feel the blend of the powers bond inside him, making him that much stronger. But that much more vulnerable for having such a high range of powers. He was unique. And always would be.
He motioned them over to the computer and began to type in some codes to reveal an image of the three ninjas in front of him. Vitals began to pop up on the screen regarding their ninja skills and source of power.
Tommy looked back at his former ranger counterparts, seeing the confused look on their faces. "A few weeks ago, I had detected four different energy signatures matching the same ones you guys seem to be giving off right now. It's unlike anything I've seen. It can't even match up to the energy found in my dino morpher. But if it's stronger, I can't really say either. And it has been forged and evolving in each of you since the day we got those powers to become ninja rangers..."
Aisha held up a hand, stopping Tommy from going on about some long scientific explanation about his findings. "Simple terms, doctor."
"You guys still have your ranger powers of the ninja. The only problem is that you can't morph. You need another source like a gem, crystal or coin to do that." Tommy paused to see the confused look on each of their faces. "The ninja suits still act as a protective shield, unfortunately won't grant you as much as an actual ranger suit. The coins were destroyed. But your animal spirit never will unless of course, you're destroyed."
"Okay, slow down, professor." Rocky groaned, holding up his hands in panic of getting more information that he may not understand. "You mentioned four sources. There's only three of us here."
Tommy forced out a sigh, looking away. "Kim."
Aisha smiled, understanding some of statement. "Of course. There was six of us who maintained our ranger powers with our own animal spirits."
Tommy nodded. "I'd be number five. And well, Billy would be the last–but he's not on the planet as far as I could tell. But I will say this, that fourth energy source hasn't actually been traced to Kim. And those readings are more related to a dino gem than that I'm getting from you guys. And I think that Mesogog already knows about that last resource. But than again, I wouldn't be so surprised to have him know about you guys either."
"Well, he hasn't sent any of those dino-breath creatures after any of us as far as I could tell." Aisha concluded.
"It's because you guys hide your powers so well. I'm really not so sure about Kim. After we got attacked at the cove nearly a week ago, I thought they were after her. And as for Zeltrax, I don't know about him. He was looking for something. I don't know what. You guys are in just as much trouble and as big a threat to Mesogog as me and the other dino rangers."
"Great." Rocky huffed, shaking his head. "I was only kidding when I said I wanted to come live in a town being attacked by over-sized monsters."
Tommy shrugged. "But than again, you should be lucky that you don't have a wide range of powers like me, Rocko. Lucky for me, my dino gem is shielding away my ninja powers to the point where they can't easily be detected. If Mesogog got a hold of me again, it could spell doom for all of us."
"And we don't need that when I still can't believe all this." Rocky sighed.
Aisha and Adam nodded in turn with his statement.
Tommy sighed again. "I know that this is going over your head. It's going over mine, too. And I don't have any logical answer to it. I'm still trying to figure out what it all means. But I think it's best you guys stick around in order for me to run some test. You don't mind being claimed as rangers here to stop the world from becoming a new age for the dinosaurs, do you?"
"Is that Mesogog's plan?" Aisha asked.
"Take down the Power Rangers and bring forth the world into a land full of dinosaurs again?" he noded. "Yup, that's his plan."
"So, do we have to call you the fearless leader again?" Adam asked.
Tommy shrugged. "I'm not making it a chore. I'd prefer just being known as a mentor. Those guys do most of the work. I just fall in where I need to go. As far as I could tell, I can come and go as I please without anyone really noticing."
They nodded slowly. But still could not believe what he was telling them. Mesogog hadn't made any plans to move to attack the ninja rangers, but than again maybe he was having his own problems with the white ranger.
"So, Tommy, have you patched things up with Kim?" Aisha asked, crossing her arms.
Tommy dropped his head. He knew the two clicked the moment they met. They were the best of friends, especially since Trini had chosen her as the next yellow ranger. But than again, there was a unique bond between the girls on the team. And even if he tried to lie, Aisha had a way to pry the truth out of him whether he knew it or not. "No." He shook his head. "I'm sorry, Aisha. But I have left a message...a few actually. Apologizes, mostly. Wanting to talk and all, but she hasn't returned any to me. And I've been really busy with this White Ranger thing to go and talk to her personally. Is she still even in town?"
Adam and Rocky nodded firmly. Aisha studied Tommy for a long time, seeing if what he was saying was true. Many times in the past, he would show signs of anxiety and fear. But now he felt cool and collected. Not minding the intrusion.
"She hasn't returned your calls?" Rocky seemed surprised. "I know this may sound dumb, but that doesn't sound like Kim."
"It's not." Aisha nodded as she looked at the red ninja ranger. "Something is wrong. Or bothering her greatly."
"Now, are you sure she still isn't mad about being the last to know about the ranger team, and that Tommy, here, is running the show?" Adam asked.
"Do you think something happened to her?" Tommy grew worried.
The three ninjas turned to look at him, noticing that he wanted to fix this in any way possible. He wanted to throw away the past and start over again. Or try and resolve all broken rings between him and Kim. And with the old crew. Love wasn't suppose to be painful. It was suppose to be happy. And Tommy was tired of feeling angry and miserable every time he saw her. He missed the warmth and comfort she brought. He missed the times they touched and held each other. He wanted to do anything to stop this distance and now.
Aisha shook her head. "No. But something is wrong. We went to go see her yesterday, and she wasn't exactly the wee-bit happy to see us with these confrontations about talking to you, Tommy. I don't know. I've never seen her act this way."
Tommy knew where this was going, but as he looked about the room, there was no time to deal with it. He had other work to attend to. Clear way for more visitors in the lab–the ninja rangers. Find out more on the White Ranger. Figure out the connection between the power sources in his ninja counterparts and the dino gems. And he wanted to talk to Kim, but another wall stood in his way. It was work before love. He dropped into the seat and turned his back on the three ninjas. "Sorry guys, I got other work to do."
And that was their cue for their dismissal. They could ask him no more, as he wanted to get back down to business with what had to be done. And he was serious about it. They turned and headed for the forest entrance without saying another word.
Then the black dino ranger was left alone to get to his own business. He liked being alone sometimes, but this wasn't really one of them. He reached around the neck of his collar and pulled out the locket Kim had returned to him a week ago. He wanted to give it back to her. It was with every right hers, and she had given it back as collateral to save their relationship. But it was the other things that was tearing them apart. An invisible force trapped him from ever making that step to talk to her since they last saw each other. "C'mon, Kim. I know you're upset, but you gotta understand that this little ranger reunion isn't making it easier on me." He told himself. "But ya know, I still love you, baby. I want to be with you until I die. Please, forgive me. Take me back. No more lies. I'll tell you everything you want to know, just come back to me."
-----
The old crew sat in the park under a big tree, minus Tommy and Zack. But not much could be said among them, considering they were getting some bad vibes from their pink pterodactyl counterpart. They all exchanged greetings, but fell silent as they settled for a spot under the shade in a circle. Jason and Kat sat beside each other, Kat resting a head on his shoulder. Their hands were intertwined with the other. Rocky had his arms wrapped around Tanya in a caring matter resting his head on her shoulder. Adam sat beside Kat and Aisha, looking to the ground to look at the grass. Kim sat the farthest from the group, but was still included as much as she felt was needed.
Each person was still dubbed in their ranger coordinated clothes, even after all the years of their departure. It still stuck. And though Tommy was currently wearing black, the team couldn't help but question how it would all turn out in the end. Even if Jason, Rocky and Adam had their share in two different colored suits, their primary power and suit was still strong–red and black.
"So, Jase, did you call this meeting up?" Adam decided to start conversation.
"Our first unofficial Ranger Reunion meeting?" Jason shrugged. "Sure, I suppose. But we're still not all here."
"Maybe it's best that it be that way." Kim grumbled.
But everyone heard her comment, eyes baring on her.
"Ya know, home girl. I don't get what you're so upset about. It's been almost a week since the two of you have talked. I don't know why you're giving him the cold shoulder after all those messages he's left you." Aisha stated with some determination.
"Yeah, Kim." Adam nodded. "It was never like this in high school."
"Times have changed." she said simply.
"Times have changed." Jason nodded. "But you wanted to get back with him. He wants to get back with you. What else is there to say?"
"The guy is falling apart." Rocky began. "And okay, lies were made. But like such a lie like that could tear you two apart."
"It was a difficult situation." Adam added with a little shrug.
"He called you. Apologized and you still can't accept it?" Aisha asked.
Kim could only shrug.
"He was crying in some of those messages. That first one was probably the hardest one he had to say." Jason commented sincerely.
"But could you live with that, you guys?! Not being told that the fearless leader for nearly four years was back in suit, and that he had contributed to the new threat to the world? Don't I reserve a right to know?" Kim cried.
The group grew quiet, surprised to see that much anger and fear come out of her. She never acted that way, at all. It wasn't in her nature to.
Jason forced out a sigh, getting to his feet. "C'mon, let's go, baby sis." he snapped his finger.
"I'm not talking to him, Jason." she shook her head, as he pulled her to her feet.
He pushed her out of the circle and over to a picnic table near by. "No. Just you and me, Kim." He directed. "Now, what is all this about? I thought this was suppose to be easy. Didn't you plan for this?"
"For him to not tell me something like that, and have me find out who the rangers are..."
He held up a hand. "Not that. This new relationship. I thought you wanted to embrace your new adult relationship, and not worry about the past. 'Cuz that's now in the past. This is a new opening. You know the truth. Just gotta work around it."
Under the tree.
The crew was all watching intently as the two original rangers talked. Yet, of course, none of them could make out what they were saying due to the constant breeze of the wind. But they knew if anyone had to convince her, it was Jason. He had known her the longest, and knew very much how she and a certain green/white ranger responded to each other in high school.
"What do you guys think?" Adam asked the group. "How long?"
"Five minutes tops," Rocky concluded.
"Always had that way with her," Kat shook her head in dismay.
"Any ideas on what they would say to each other?" Tanya spoke up for the first time considering Kim and Tommy.
"Absolutely nothing. Their body language usually explains everything that words can't seem to describe." Aisha concluded.
The crew exchanged a look, shrugged and knew that it was true.
Picnic table.
"...don't tell me that we have to lock you two in a room until you kiss and make-up?" Jason seemed a little frustrated. "It's getting down to that, Kim."
"What do I say to him?" she panicked.
"Well, first off, apologize." Jason stated with no hesitation. "But I highly doubt you need a script to explain the rest. Just follow your heart."
"What if..."
Jason held up a hand, silencing her. "No what if's, Kim. The guy already apologized in several messages and you can't find a way to look beyond such a mistake as this? Don't let it get to you. So, go talk to him. It wouldn't hurt to try when you've been trying so hard to fix this in the first place."
"I need some time." she looked away, whispering.
"You got your time, Kim." he huffed.
"Don't rush me, Jason." she glared at him.
He matched her alert eyes. "No. No more of this. If I have to do it myself, I will. But don't make us choose sides. We can't play the neutral party in this anymore than we need to. If love is about denial, than perhaps, you've forgotten what it's all about. And so has he. But when you two are with each other nothing else matters. When you're apart, you're lost. No more, Kim. You have to go talk to him."
In the back of Kim's mind, she knew that he was right, but didn't find anything else to say. She didn't like the confrontation from any of her friends. And she got to her feet and left. Jason let her go, not really regretting what he had said to her. It was the truth and everyone knew that. He headed back to the group under the tree.
"Well?" Adam was the first to ask.
"Don't worry. I got her." he smiled. "She just has to do it."
"Ya know, I don't get your psychological mishaps, Jase." Rocky shook his head.
"Sorry, Mr. PhD in Psychology, but it's effective."
"Yeah, but disrupt the emotional strain on them, too?" Tanya asked with a raised eyebrow.
Jason shrugged. "It works. That's all that matters."
-----
The crew filed into the underground lab, minus Kim, just as the dino rangers found their way out.
Kira and Ethan disappeared down the cave, just as Rocky stopped Tommy short of taking another step.
"Sorry, guys. Can't talk. Monster attacking city. BBL." Tommy pushed passed his old ranger team.
The group looked at each other with raised eyebrows, as the black dino ranger disappeared down the hall. The dino rangers had a job to do, and they couldn't deny that, so they let him go. But they couldn't help but make small comments to Tommy's ranger suit.
"Nice suit!" Jason called out.
"Thanks, bro." Tommy called out, muffled.
The group slowly scurried into the lab. The guys made a tour of the place, as the girls appeared to be impressed with the handiwork done to the place.
-----
An hour passed.
The group figured it best that the huge confrontation wouldn't be too smart at a time like this. Hayley had come by, explaining the situation as quickly as possible. Then the ninja rangers had spoke of their recent confrontation with the doctor finding out that Mesogog could be looking for them to, and Tommy made the request they stay until further notice. So, most of the team retired, hoping to catch Tommy at a later time. Those remaining: Aisha, Adam and Rocky. And Hayley.
Time passed.
The ninjas found a comfortable spot on the stairs leading up to the house. Hayley found her usual place at the computer.
The dino team finally returned to find a room full of concerned rangers and one technical advisor.
Tommy had briefly explained the situation to the three ninja rangers where Hayley failed to mention it. He told the dino rangers of the new addition to the team, with the three ninjas staying on until further notice of their newly discovered/re-established powers. Angor was re-created to attack the city having Tommy and Kira occupied with him. Their only access to win the battle came from the auxiliary zords. Ethan was off to help out Conner with the White Ranger, but got side-tracked with a few Tyrannodrones. Conner had to deal with the White Ranger alone, as well as the confrontation by Mesogog to have the White Ranger join his side. But he was cold-hearted about it, and went to terrorize the city when Angor decided to take on him. But with the brutal beating done by the Dino Stegozord, it was clear that the White Ranger didn't want to associate with anyone, which had the three teenage dino rangers worried.
"I don't get it." Kira shook her head. "It doesn't make sense. One minute the White Ranger is fighting us, the next he goes and blows up one of Mesogog's freaks."
Ethan circled around his dino ranger counterparts, before settling between them. "Well, one thing is clear. This guy is in some serious need of an anger management course. Possibly even a place in some ranger boot camp if that exists."
Conner scratched his head, taking a step forward. "No doubt. This guy is packing some serious heat." Then something else occurred to him, as he looked at his teacher. "Hey, Dr. O, what's the deal with this whole super dino power thing?"
Tommy turned from the computer console, approaching his students, sighing. "Look, you guys have only begun to access your ranger potential." he looked at his ninja counterparts on the stairs. 'You all are. And there are way more surprises in store."
"I like the sound of that." Ethan pushed open a smile.
The two dino rangers looked at him, nodding their agreement.
"Yeah. We could really use it against the White Ranger." Kira stated.
"No doubt. Hey, Dr. O, I was gonna head back to the warehouse and get the fossil finder I left behind." Conner insisted.
Tommy held up his hand, shaking his head. "No. It's cool, Conner. You guys should head home and get some rest. I'll get the fossil finder."
"Um...thanks." Conner smiled lightly.
The teens only concern was now with Trent and his condition. They said their good-byes and left the room.
Hayley handed Tommy a backpack. "Here you go, Tommy."
"Thanks." he took it.
"Be careful?"
"Don't worry. I'll be fine." he headed for the forest entrance.
"Yo, T." Rocky called out, getting to his feet.
Tommy looked back at him, seeing the curious look on the ninjas faces. He groaned internally. "Sorry, Rocko. Gotta go get that fossil finder first.
Wouldn't want it to fall into the wrong hands. But I'll be back."
Before the others had a chance to say anything, he left the room. Hayley exchanged another look with the ninja rangers.
They anonymously chose Adam to follow the doctor to the warehouse, just in case. -----
Warehouse.
Tommy was just thrown across the room by a strange energy source coming from one of his students, Trent. He appeared shaken and weak, as Tommy offered to get him out of there. But it was short-lived when the black dino ranger found himself on the floor, watching in horror as a white light engulfed his student. When it cleared, the White Ranger stood where Trent used to be.
And that made only one conclusion. Trent was the White Ranger.
"No." Tommy gasped. "It can't be. Never saw that coming."
The White Ranger clenched his fist. "Fight or perish, black ranger."
Tommy slowly got to his feet, shaking his head. "This is not going to be pretty." He forced up his left hand, his gem changing to his morpher. "Dino Thunder! Power up!" Then he was engulfed by a black light and re- appeared in his ranger suit.
The two rangers began to duke it out for some time. The unusual terrain had the black ranger struggling between winning the battle and making sure not to lose his stride against his aggressor.
The White Ranger kicked the Black Ranger into some barrels, turning to the fossil finder and console it was attached to it.
Tommy turned around quickly, pulling his morpher up to his helmet. "Hayley, listen."
"Yeah?" Hayley replied with some confusion.
"I got it. I know who the White Ranger is. It's..."
But it was too late.
Trent fired the fossil finder at Tommy. His form was becoming encased in a strange amber-like prison.
-----
Back in the lab.
Hayley, Rocky and Aisha watched in horror as Tommy was transfused into the stranger amber-like encasing.
"Tommy? Hey, Tommy, come in." Hayley called out into the communicator.
No answer.
"That's not a good thing." Rocky said slowly.
"No, it's not." Aisha nodded.
They exchanged a worried look.
But then Rocky remember something. "Hey, wait. What about Adam?"
Hayley and Aisha could only shrug.
Since it was so quick for their arrival in joining the team, Hayley failed to make anything for the ninja rangers to communicate with the team. There was no way of contacting Adam until further notice. They looked at each other again, with a saddened, worried look.
tbc.....
A/N: Uh-oh. Looks like Tommy got fossilized, and what about Adam? Where was he in all this? And with the recent news of their powers, it seems the ninja rangers are now back in the game. But is Mesogog really looking for them? And what about Kim? Has Jason convinced her enough to look beyond what has happened to go talk to her lover? Stay tuned in.