THE REASON - Part Sixty-Two: Missing You
Dedicated To: A fallen Power Ranger, the original yellow ranger, Thuy Trang. We will miss you. Rest in peace. You will never be forgotten.
Summary: It has been three years since the old crew has touched the grave site of their friend, Trini Kwan. To open up new beginnings and close off rough ends, Kim and Tommy take the teens to the site where they run into the old crew.
Disclaimer: Not mine. Damn it, I was hoping to get a hold of these power rangers, but all I got is a feeble mind that uses the characters at my own will. Ha-ha. In this world, I get the credit.
A/N: Okay, honestly, I was getting a little teary-eyed when I wrote this. This does pay tribute, and I must apologize for not getting it posted on the day of her death, but ya know. I got writer's block and hand cramps from sitting in front of a computer. I just hope you guys like it. A little set out of the way, but to note that she still lives strong in all those around her. Rest in peace. We'll see you at the crossroads, Trini.
"Every step I take, and every move I make, I hear you calling. You continue to guide us all. We will never forget you. Thanks, Trini."-Eclyptyk Neo
Friday afternoon.
The new school year had just began a few days ago, and already, the teens were feeling a little more exhausted than need be. Lucky for them, today was an early release for the administration to discuss a few security measures that needed to be taken care of for the following year. But straight away, they were told to go over to Dr. Oliver's house after school. They just hoped it was nothing too serious. When they arrived, Kim and Tommy were waiting for them outside. They greeted each in turn, but noticed something was bothering the ex-pink ranger.
"Kim, what's wrong?" Kira was the first to asked, saddened.
Kim tucked herself into Tommy's side as she tried to fight back her tears. But she couldn't as Tommy wrapped a protective arm around her as she looked away to drain his jacket with her tears. When the teens looked at their teacher, they saw the sadness in them, too. The tears forming, but none fell.
"Dr. Oliver?" Ethan asked cautiously.
Tommy cleared his throat. "How would you guys like to take a trip? Go visit someone?"
The teens exchanged a look, still unsure what to make of the older rangers' gestures, but when each turned to Kira the answer nearly hit home. She too, had tears built in her eyes, causing each of the boys to show some sympathy. It was the day--this day---three years ago when Trini Kwan's life was taken.
The teens simply nodded without saying a word, and like mindless zombies moved toward Conner's car. Tommy and Kim retreated to the jeep as the team made the trip up to San Francisco to pay their respects.
Hours passed.
When they arrived, the teens followed behind the older rangers, each holding a yellow rose in hand. They lead them on a path and to the resting spot of their dear friend.
And as the team got closer to the grave, Kim's knees weakened. Tommy held her closer as she clung to him for support as they walked over to the grave. And by the time they had made it to the grave, Kim collapsed to her knees and began to bawl. Tommy was there by her side as a pillow and comfort as she let the tears fall.
The teens looked at the two, and were lost in their own world of sorrow and grief. And though, none of them knew Trini personally, they were all feeling the loss was a tragic one.
"Why did you have to go, Trini? Why?" Kim cried as she clung to Tommy.
Tommy whispered into her ear, comforting her. "Shhh. It's okay, Kim. It was her time to go." He looked back at the teens who looked away and wiped their own set of tears away slightly embarrassed. "I know you guys never met Trini, but she was really a great friend. She probably knew best that Kim and I would be together forever. And we're all missing her."
The teens nodded slowly, but were unsure what to make of it. They didn't have much to say as each set a rose down on the grave. The boys turned to their yellow ranger counterpart, who couldn't help but let the tears fall. They encased her in a set of comforting hugs, knowing that she would be feeling this emotional gap the most.
Ethan moved from the group and walked over to the grave. He read the message aloud. "'Here lies Trini Jacequline Kwan. Born: December 14th, 1978. Died: September 3rd, 2001. Fierce as a tiger, but gentle, elegant and swiftful as a crane. You will never be forgotten. May the Powers Always Protect You.'"
"She definitely left her mark on all of us." a voice said from behind.
The team turned around to see Jason and Kat standing there. They too, came to pay their respects as they laid their roses on the site and greeted each of them in turn quietly.
Time passed slow.
"Thought we'd find you here," Adam said with a light smile.
Four more figures emerged from behind the tree as Aisha, Zack, Rocky and Tanya all walked over to the team. They, too, laid their roses among the others and exchanged greetings with all those present.
Aisha and Tanya moved to the other girls in the group, adding to the tears and comfort for them.
With greetings now memories, the team circled around the grave, each holding a heavy heart.
"So, what is this?" Rocky asked as he looked around.
"New beginnings." Adam concluded.
"Closing old ends." Aisha stated.
Jason stepped forward as he bowed his head. He addressed the person beyond the grave. "Trini, you were more than just a friend. You were like a sister. You left behind much and anything a ranger could ever live for especially for all here who has the power of the yellow ranger. It's funny though, how it took three years to bring us all back to this spot as a whole. I guess for the start of new beginnings. Well I just hope there is. I don't want anymore trouble or need anymore. You've missed a lot, but ya know, I bet you're up there laughing your head off about half the things that has gone on. Keep looking out, we'll see you when we do. We miss you. We miss you a lot."
Kat was the next to step forward, as she took Jason's hand in her own. "I can't really say much to you, Trini, but I know you changed the lives of many of the people here who stand before you. You didn't deserve this, nor do we wish to ever forget all that you did. Thank you."
Rocky and Tanya were next.
"It's almost hard to imagine," Rocky began. "I mean, you did a lot for this team. This legacy that continues to grow as the years go. I mean, it would have been nice to get to know you better and all, but you know, you'll never be forgotten. You're our guide. All of us. Thank you."
"I can't say much either, except that I'm glad I got to carry on in this legacy." Tanya said solemnly. "Being the yellow ranger has really changed me, made me something. Without you, or the original team, none of us would be standing here wishing you well. You'll never be forgotten. And we'll see you on the other side."
Aisha and Zack moved forward.
"Hey, there, Trini." Aisha greeted. "Though, we never got a real chance to hang out, I know we will always be bonded by our powers and color. It holds a lot of stories and a lot of memories. The legacy is still growing, and I just could never image a much better team to start it off. We miss you, but you're not forgotten. Keep smiling, girl."
"Hey, there, Trin." Zack greeted as he let out a breath. "Ya know, it's been really hard. Real hard these past three years without you. It isn't the same. Ya know, you and me were always a team to keep Kim in line. I mean, I know we still are, but it's harder now. You not truly being there and all. We're missing, but we're still dreaming. The legacy lives on, okay? We got a lot of good people here to let the traditions of us rangers live on. We'll never forget you. We'll see you at the crossroads."
Adam took to the stage, lowering his head. "You were definitely fierce. But you were also graceful and elegant. You took whatever you did and made something of it. Set it a goal and made sure it got done. You knew what you wanted in life and went out for it. You even brought these two together--Tommy and Kim--but ya know, what? You can never stop dreaming no matter where you are. You've done so much, and you still do if you've touched our lives in such a way. Be well. Thanks for all you've done."
Kim and Tommy were the last two up out of the old crew.
"Hey, there, girl." Kim said quietly as she pushed back the tears. "It's done, ya know. You were right about me and Tommy. We were gonna get married someday. I just wish you were here physically to see it happen. I mean, I want to thank you for always having my back . For being a good friend. For standing by me. No one could ask for a better friend. I would have swore we were sisters in another life, because there is just no way we could have gotten this close. But I miss you, Trini. I miss you so much. You didn't deserve this. You were supposed to be here with us. We shouldn't even have to do this for any of our friends unless it was from old age. It's really hard. But, I know you're up there looking at us now, probably crying as much as we are for saying all this. But you really did your part. You changed our lives. And without you, and the original team, no one else would be here. Stay safe, and I'll see you when I get to the other side."
Tommy squeezed Kim's hand tightly as he forced back his tears. He cleared his throat as he greeted her. "Hey, there, Trini. Yeah, it's true. Me and Kim are gonna get married. And you were right, you knew well enough about these feelings I had for her. She really is the world to me. She has done so much for me. But, so have you. Everyone here that's standing before you. Starting new beginnings and closing old ones. It's time to move on, even if it is slow. I mean, I've been through a lot in my past couple years of existence. But none more crazy than what I leave in our legacy. We began it, but truly I don't want to end it here. But, I want you to meet the new team, Trini. My team of power rangers. The Dino Thunder Rangers. No, you guys were the Prehistoric Rangers. I was the fiercy dragon, but this is Dino Thunder. Conner McKnight wearing the red suit, Ethan James the blue, Trent Fernandez the white, and Kira Ford the yellow. And I, Trini, I have the black suit. I just want to let you know, that none of this could ever be possible if I would have done what I did. But, you never gave up. None of you." he looked up, looking at each of his friends in turn. "Jason. Zack. Kim. Billy, where ever he is. And you Trini. To everyone else, Kat, Tanya, Aisha, Adam and Rocky you guys stuck by me. Gave me more to live for. I want to thank you guys. To my team, now. Conner. Ethan. Trent. Kira. You have done more for me and you still have more to discover about yourselves. There is a whole new world out there." he looked back down at the grave. "Trini, you know the legacy will live on in all it has touched. You knew very well what was right and what was wrong. Thank you, my friend. You've truly made a difference in the lives you touched. May the Powers Always Protect You."
"May the Powers Always Protect You." the rest of the team replied. "Rest in peace always."
A vow of silence fell over the team, and just as the old crew appeared, they said their good-byes and left, leaving the original six visitors alone.
For a long time, they all stood there without much to say, both Kira and Kim there to comfort the other as Tommy consoled his young proteges. With nothing left to say and all that could be done, the team turned and retreated back to their lives in Reefside. But none of them would forget what went on in this spot on the day of September 3rd, 2004, three years after Trini Kwan's death. There were new beginnings. There were closed and concluded endings. It was the start of something new.
To be continued....
A/N: Can I get a tissue? sniffles That's just so sad, but so beautiful. I know I didn't put the teens in to say a whole lot, but they're just a little overwhelmed by the whole concept. They, like the others though, feel the pain. The loss. Ya know, but don't forget the main basis of this entire series-which I can now say book with all these chapters-is centered around Tommy and Kim. And like I said before, I need more reviews. I'm running low on chapter ideas and I need some insight on what's posted right now. But til another time, I'm out. Peace.