THE REASON - Part Forty: The Power Within
Summary: The ninja rangers return with Kim. Tommy is taking a hard beating both physically and mentally. And a telepathic call from the power source radiating off of Kim has called the dino rangers forth to obtain a higher level of power. But can they handle it?
Dedicated To: To commentrate getting to Chapter Forty–I was gonna wait until the end, but felt it needed now. So, to the cast of Dino Thunder, whom get the most credit, all y'all. Jason David Frank, Latham Gaines, James Napier, Kevin Duhaney, Emma Lahana, Jeff Parazzo–and the rest of the cast. Thanks for putting your heart and soul into creating these characters and who they are. To the originals: Austin St. John, Amy Jo Johnson, Thuy Trang (RIP), David Yost and Walter Jones (Billy and Zack have yet to make their debut in the story). To the ninja rangers: Johnny Yong Bosch, Steven Cardenas and Karan Ashley. To the Zeo Rangers: Catherine Sutherland and Nakia Burrise. To the other turbo rangers and ninja storm rangers for credit of their names in the story. And all other cast and crew from beginning to end. Thanks all! And to all those who are in the area of writing stories about the Power Rangers universe. Don't stop. Keep fighting the good fight.
Disclaimer: Power Rangers isn't mine, will never be mine. The only thing I own out of all this disclaimer, is that I'm using the characters created by those associated with Power Rangers.
A/N: Okay, sorry for the credit trailers, but I figured I might as well give credit to them now. And if you wanted a huge list, that would take forever, but you all know who plays who, or at least you should by now. It's starting to hit more of the AU than I'd like since the episodes aren't what I like. But, other than that, thanks to the readers of this story and always asking for more. Thanks for all your support. Without it, I might have just thrown this on the shelf and call it 'The End' right about now. But I haven't. Not yet. A lot more action. A lot more to keep your eyes out for. So, read and review. Welcome newbies! Welcome back to all others. May the Powers Always Protect You.
"The power is beyond anything I've seen. Or felt. And in the end, it will come back to haunt me if I don't take action now." –Eclyptyk Neo
The ninja rangers stumbled into the underground lab. Each was tired, worried and cranky. The technical advisor moved toward them, directing them towardthe medical table housing the machines needed to keep them up to date on Kim's conditions. The guys placed the petite woman on the table as Hayley moved to attach the devices to her body.
"Is she gonna be okay?" Aisha asked cautiously.
"I only hope so." Hayley sighed, looking around the room. "Where's Tommy?"
"Sacrificing himself like always." Rocky sighed.
"He'll be back. He made it out." Adam nodded firmly, having no doubts.
"So, what about Kim?" Aisha asked.
"Well, I just came up with something. It's sorta complicating to explain, but I'll try to keep it as simple as possible."
"Go ahead, Hayley." Rocky gestured, knowing another theory was coming up.
"These readings off of Kim don't match the powers of the ninja or a dino gem." She moved toward one monitor. "It's kinda like half the power from each side. The meteor had a lot to do with the neutrality of the gem's power and its inability to bond with her. So, now it cannot be maintained. Or she can't do it. And it must go to the next best thing."
"The other dino gems." Aisha concluded.
Hayley nodded. "But in order to do that, we need the primary source to neutralize what evil that was set into its encoding. The gem should than break into five pieces, finding a place within each dino thunder ranger. But in order to do that, I know that each dino ranger has to be present. And you three also play a key role in this. During the transfer, you will be helping and guiding the crane back to its rightful place inside Kim. If that is done successfully, she should no longer have any dino powers."
"And if not?" Rocky asked, not wanting to find out the next answer.
"We could lose both Kim and Tommy in the process. And leave the rest of you pretty weakened. Or even without your powers at all."
"Okay. What's with all these killing sell points? Being a ranger was never this hard." Aisha protested.
"Unfortunately with the advancements of technology these days, anything goes. And time being a ranger, I hear, that anything comes and goes."
"So, what's with Tommy's gem reacting?" Rocky asked.
"Not necessarily the gem, but the meteor that's fused inside of it. The meteor is trying to re-harness the powers of the gem, but it can't be done since it was destroyed. The residual readings aren't that strong. And since Tommy's body was forged with the power of the meteor, both as a way to free him from his amber and ranger imprisonment, his body is acting as a catalyst to enlighten the power of the gem. Or at least, trying to."
Adam rubbed his chin, understanding every bit of information coming their way. "And those who came in contact with the meteor showed signs of a recessive trait. And since the gem had no owner during the time, the recessive trait remains. And its powers became neutralized, and can't be broken."
"Unless a power of great size can match it, but it won't be good for Kim. We gotta break the bond with the gem, one way or another."
"I really don't like where this is going." Rocky sighed. "I thought the gem couldn't be broken or destroyed unless the person is."
"But with Kim, it is the exception. She can't handle the power because there is a mental instability. She still lives with the scars of losing her ninja powers which make her more vulnerable. So, she gave what power she could to the three of you when you awoke her with your ninja magic. And now, it's time for the dino rangers to do their part. And if I have it right, will guide this team into a new power. She's trying to hand it over, just so Mesogog can't do anymore damage to her."
"What kind of damage?" Aisha asked.
"Mostly mentally. But it's not permanent. If we break the bond of the dino gem, than she should go back to feeling like her normal self before the gem decided to find her as its newest owner."
"Talk about your deja vu." Rocky shook his head.
Then the forest entrance slowly opened as a lone dark figure stumbled through. The team turned toward the figure, seeing the familiar face of the legendary ranger. Tommy looked shaken and weak as his knees gave way underneath him, and he fell to the ground.
"Tommy!" Adam and Rocky rushed over to help their friend.
They caught him before his face met the hard surface beneath him. Tommy groaned, catching his breath.
"Yo, T. You okay?" Rocky grew worried.
"The power. I can feel it." Tommy moaned weakly.
Aisha and Hayley rushed over. Hayley ran a scan across the fallen ranger, the scanners going off the chart and beeping rapidly.
"That's not a good thing." Aisha looked over at Hayley.
"I can't control it." Tommy gagged, slumping over.
BEEP! BEEP! BEEP! BEEP!
The set of devices giving off Kim's status was going off the chart. The ninjas exchanged a look with the technical advisor. Adam and Rocky quickly pulled Tommy to his feet and retreated up the stairs to the house. Aisha and Hayley moved toward the medical table to see the petite woman go into shock.
Hayley looked at the yellow ninja, a look of fright on her face. "You gotta call her back. Only a ninja can guide her back."
Aisha hesitated, but nodded. She sent her hands into a fluid dance, as her animal spirit took form behind her. "Ninja power. The bear." She placed her hands at the side of Kim's face against the temples and closed her eyes. She used the powers of her inner animal spirit, the bear, to guide the crane back into the light. To guide her friend back into existence in the real world. But there was a lot of confusion and loss in her pink counterpart. "C'mon, Kim. Come back to us. There is no more darkness."
The room began to glow with a pink and yellow hint.
Adam and Rocky placed the weakened, unconscious black dino ranger on the couch. They exchanged a quick look, and launched a set of fluid, slow movements. Their animal spirits began to take form behind them like a guide.
"Ninja power. The frog." Adam proclaimed.
"Ninja power. The ape." Rocky announced.
The room began to glow with a red and black hint. The colors mixed, meeting in the center as a white light began to radiate off of Tommy. The falcon taking shape above the unconscious man, feeding into the energy being fixed to the center of the room. The power grew inside the ninjas, making them almost invincible.
Then it was silenced as the echoing cry of five animals rang through their ears. Frog. Ape. Bear. Crane. Falcon.
Rocky and Adam collapsed to the floor catching their breaths, groaning slightly. They exchanged a confused look, rushing over to the stiffened body across the room. He was still asleep, and they knew that was all they could give the black dino thunder ranger. But without other thoughts, they raced out of the room, into the study and back down the stairs leading into the lab. They saw the technical advisor support the shaken yellow ninja ranger.
"What's going on?" Rocky caught his breath.
"The power transfer." Hayley concluded. "The dino rangers should be feeling the changes inside them. The gems react with one another, just as each of you hold that unique bond as ninja rangers. It's not gonna be that easy for them at all."
Ethan was pulling another all-nighter in front of the computer. It was bothering him, too. He was on the same level for more than an hour, and it never took this long. Maybe thirty minutes, but never any longer. His eyes were affixed on the screen like a mindless zombie, but his frustration was getting the best of him.
And in his free time, he managed a message board revolving around the hype of the power rangers. The popularity and hype were getting to him, and he was also trying to create a computer game affixed around the dino thunder power rangers for his net gamers. He was providing better information for those interested like costume design, monsters fought and zords, but of course, without giving too much away. He figured if Dr. Oliver found out he was giving off names, he'd kill them all before raging fans came banging on their doors for an autograph.
He knew his parents were supportive of his computer skills, though the gaming was something they couldn't control. His brother and sister didn't like his disruptions either. And playing loud music or gaming sounds early in the morning would have banned him from using his laptop. His prized possession. But that never really stopped him. He'd just go over to the cyber café.
"C'mon, you stupid Cujo-infested cat! Die already and give me the code to the next level." Ethan huffed, pulling down his headphones. "This Medieval game sucks ass!"
He pushed the ESC key and rolled away from the desk. He figured he would just have to call it a night–or a morning.
It was 6:00am. Sunday.
"Might as well catch a few zzz's and hit it to the cyber café by noon." he told himself, shrugging.
He slowly got to his feet, but came crashing down on the floor when his knees weakened. He hit the ground hard, catching himself before his face met the hardwood floor beneath him. He felt the surge of energy become drained from inside him, but the call of his zord echo through his mind.
"Huh? What's going on?" he groaned, as he crawled over to his bed.
He climbed onto the comfort of the bed, rubbing the wrist that honed the bracelet with his blue dino gem. He watched the gem glow brightly with the blue haze of its power. His arms began to glow and take form as his special powers appeared, his armored epidermic. His vision blurred as the images of him in battle filled his thoughts, and the power he felt while he would be in Super Dino Mode was become stronger.
He groaned in pain, cowering over. He lowered his head to his lap as he felt weakened. And he hadn't felt like this in a long time. The last time he felt like this was when his powers were drained from him months ago, by Trent. But now, Trent was on their side. Was apart of the team. A good guy.
Then it stopped.
And Ethan was left in the quiet room, free of pain. Free of what had just went through his mind. But the sweat still remained, dampening his face. It felt like a dream. The sun slowly rolled through his window to welcome in the new day.
"Whoa! What the hell was that?!" he let out a breath.
He knew what had to be done, despite the lack of sleep. He'd have to get over to the lab and see what was going on.
Conner was laying in bed, dreaming away about his future. That being, his dreams of making it into pro soccer, having a swarm of fans–mostly girls–screaming all over him, and bringing the USA team into another World Cup victory.
"...and Conner McKnight leads the U.S. team to another World Cup victory!" The announcer proclaimed in the announcer's box.
People were swarming the field, congratulating the team on another victory.
"..and ladies and gentleman, he is one of the best young players we've seen since Freddy Adu joined the team. This is incredible!"
"McKnight! McKnight! McKnight!" people began to chat as he was lifted onto two teammates' shoulders, holding the cup in his hands. "McKnight!"
But it was short-lived when the arena began to blacken out. And Conner found himself crashing hard to the ground and he was now sitting there in his ranger suit, minus the helmet. He called out, only hearing his voice echo through the void. No one was around.
He got to his feet, looking around. "Hello?! Is anyone there?"
Again, his voice echoed through the void.
He groaned in pain, falling to his knees. He felt drained and weak. The images of himself in battle filled his mind. When he looked up, he saw a figure standing before him. The figure held a shield in his right hand, the helmet was modified with a gold design, and its shoulders were padded with a shield much like his mentor.
When he got to his feet again, he heard the call of his zord echo through his mind. And when he looked around again, he found himself alone. But the world around him was slowing down, and the powers of his dino gem, the glowing hint of red radiating off of it, awoke his super speed. And the new powers under his Super Dino Mode was increasing.
He cried out in pain, just as he heard it echo through his mind, finding himself in his darkened bedroom. Sweat ran down the side of his face. He slowly sat up, running a hand through his hair as he tried to recall what had just happened.
"What the hell...? Something's happening." he concluded.
But what? He scrambled out of the bed and got ready for the day. His primary goal at the early morning hour, to get to the lab to see what was up.
Kira sat in her basement, turned bedroom, strumming her guitar. No one was really using the place, and she had convinced her parents to take up the place as her room. They didn't mind, figuring as a teenager, she was only asking for more space. And privacy from her kid brother, Brian. She loved him for always making her laugh, but hated him invading her space when she lived just next door upstairs. Down here, she felt free. Independent. Free-willed. Could concentrate on her song writing.
Though it had only been a day ago, it felt like weeks in the making. Trent was now on their side. And though she knew that Ethan and Conner had their hate and differences about the newest member of the team, she was glad that Trent was finally on their side.
Every time she thought of him, it brought a smile to her face. Not that it was obvious about their little puppy love or whatever, she figured she could talk to him better. Not that it was weird having a computer genius and star soccer player as her friends, she liked Trent's company.
She hadn't slept at all in the past few hours since Trent's induction into the team, feeling the inspiration of writing a small hook there or a chord there.
But she still had to admit that she was worried for both her teacher, and her new friend, Kim's whereabouts. No one had any real idea where she was or what Mesogog was planning to do to her. But she wanted to be there for her teacher and encourage him that things were gonna be okay. That's what friends do.
Yet, perhaps, it was just a fling between her and Trent. But either way, she didn't want to rush it. It was hard to tell what Trent was feeling right now. It was all happening so fast. One minute, he wanted to destroy the rangers. Almost annihilated her. And the next, he had control of the gem and had no desire to destroy them. But she had to show him the light. Be there for him, just as Kim was there for Dr. Oliver in his days after his dark hour.
"He's one of us, now." she told herself.
The she felt the surge of lightheadedness. She fell back, falling off the bed, but caught herself before she met the floor in a loud crash. She could hear the echoing cry of her zord fill her mind, the images of herself in battle followed. Watch the mix of pink, white and yellow colors merge in her mind as the images of her in battle ran like a reel of home movies. Than she felt the surge of power, as she felt in Super Dino Mode was increased, but drained. She felt weak. And the echoing cry of her dino powers, her sonic boom cry, shake the room as her dino gem began to glow with its yellow hint.
Then it stopped.
And Kira was left in the room, a little shaken as she clung to the wall for support.
"Whoa! What a trip! What's going on?" she groaned.
She heard footsteps echo through the house above her as the basement door flew open and the concerned looks of her parents and kid brother came to a halt halfway down the stairs.
"Kira, what's going on?" her mom asked a frightened look on her face.
"Yeah! We heard a scream." her dad said with a nod.
Kira looked away, catching her breath. She wasn't surprised that her family had heard it, if not the entire neighborhood. She shook her head, grabbing her coat, and headed up the stairs. "Um...it's nothing. It was nothing, mom. Look, I need to go. I need to go and take care of something...at school."
"On a Sunday?" Brian furrowed his eyebrows.
"Um..." Kira caught her breath. "Dr. O needs help with some community service work. Gotta get there bright and early."
She left the room without saying another word.
Trent tossed and turned in his bed trying to sleep, but he didn't. He really couldn't. He opened his eyes and sat up, rubbing his eyes and running his hands through his hair as he let out a breath.
It was painful. So hard. These past few hours were like a blur to him. A new set of light and change that he could not really believe. He was free from the gem's evil encoding. He felt like his old self again. He knew nothing of wanting to seek revenge on his ranger counterparts. His science teacher, who he had permission to call his mentor and teammate, Dr. Oliver, had welcomed him with open arms. Trent learned of his teacher's past as a ranger, to some extent. But he knew he still had much to learn. He knew that he could go to Dr. Oliver if he ever felt uncomfortable about his place on the team. He knew exactly what it was like to have the powers of evil run through your veins than be destroyed, only to be permitted to join a team you were once fighting against. It was just weird.
He had the ninja rangers on his side. He had Kira on his side. It was Conner and Ethan that would take more time. Conner especially.
"I held a personal grudge against Conner. The leader of the team." Trent whispered. "I wanted that position and more. I wanted to be the only ranger in existence."
He wasn't convinced though, that he was really apart of the team. He still had much to learn. Many questions to ask. Time for things to heal. He could only hope that he'd learn quickly from his new mentor. From the other dino rangers. From the ninja rangers. From Hayley.
He turned to his night stand, turning on the light, and found two framed pictures on it. One of his biological parents, Ron and Gina Fernandez, taken a few days before they got lost in that cave-in, the other was of his current and adopted father, Anton Mercer.
And now, it was hard to believe that he had to fight against his own father. Against his own ranger kind was bad enough. But going up against the man that promised him a life and home after he lost his own parents was even harder. He had known Anton Mercer for nearly three years now, and the dino rangers for not even a year. It was hard. He made the promise to him that he wouldn't speak of the dark secret of who Mesogog really was, but it was a hard price to pay. He figured if he didn't tell them, they may not accept him as apart of the team. But he just couldn't risk it. Couldn't do it.
He wouldn't know how the team would react, especially Dr. Oliver.
He sighed deeply. "You can't tell them. Not now. Maybe not at all. Let them figure it out on their own. I made a promise to you, dad. I can't break it. Not after all that you've done for me."
He looked at the bracelet that harnessed his white dino gem, and saw it begin to glow. He furrowed his eyebrows in confusion, grabbing his head as an agonizing pain ran through his mind.
The call of his zord echoed through his mind, filling his head. The powers of his dino gem, the chameleon powers, began to take form as his body began to melt and morph into the color of his bed sheets. He saw the battles of himself going against the rangers and against Zeltrax. He could feel the surge of powers, of the Super Dino Powers, erupt inside him. Increase his control on them, but become drained. Weakened. He saw the merge of a pink, yellow and white array of colors fill his mind.
The enlightened powers of a green power source came from deep inside him to intertwine with the rage and anger he felt when he was under the influence of the evil encoding. But it was soon demolished by a blinding white light. An echoing call of his zord and of a falcon rang in his mind.
Then it stopped.
The room fell silent.
RING! RING! RING!
Trent cried out, frightened, but relaxed when he realized it was only the phone. He picked it up slowly and pushed it to his ear. "Hello?" he said.
"Yo, man. It's Ethan. Look, me, Conner and Kira just have this strange feeling about getting to the lab as quick as possible. Conner is on his way over to my place with Kira. Should we come get you, too?" he asked.
Trent caught his breath, nodding. "Um..yeah. Sure, Ethan. That'd be great. I got this strange feeling in my stomach, too. What do you think it is?"
"I wish I knew, man. But it feels like some new kinda power or something."
"Yeah. I hear you on that."
"So, we'll see you in a little bit. And head over to Dr. O's place and see what the deal is."
"All right. Thanks, Ethan. Later."
"Later, man." Ethan hung up the phone.
Trent got out of bed and quickly got ready for the day.
To be continued....
A/N: Hmm? Confused? So, am I. No, I'm kidding! It's my story. So, I'm not supposed to be confused. That would be bad. But like I said, just keep reading and you'll get answered. And the whole family thing--or whatever–my idea. Not the story plot of the show. Mine. So, I own credit to the rangers' family members. Anyways, answers will be revealed soon enough. Keep your eyes peeled open for more. Later dayz!