Part Sixty-Three: The Passion of Conner
Summary: Conner is having some doubts about his place on the team. And Tommy reassures him that every red ranger goes through that time of sheer doubt. He finds some comfort in Kim and is glad to have another older ranger to turn to for help. But a surprise has the team shaking with fear.
Disclaimer: Power Rangers isn't mine and will never be mine.
A/N: Well, this does go to "The Passion of Conner" and the introduction into the Dino Thunder Battlizer. There isn't much change, but read anyways, cuz the end draws closer. Later daze.
"You gotta believe you deserve it, or nothing will ever be possible. There is always doubt, but if you look beyond it, you'll find truth."-Eclyptyk Neo
Days later.
School was well under way, and into the start of another interesting year at Reefside High. This year started out with a rally regarding a tree in needs of saving. And Randall not feeling any minute of it. Krista was an activist with a dedication to preserving the life of the 100 year old tree. However, Randall didn't want it around and wanted to build a parking lot in its place.
But there were more problems than that as the team met in the lab straight after school. The teens were standing about, Hayley and Tommy were sitting in the chairs stationed by the computer console and Kim was sitting beside Kira on one of the stone blocks scattered throughout the room.
The teens reported some startling news regarding a certain cyborg they were sure was dead. But now, was seeking revenge on everyone around him. They overheard the news from Devin, and couldn't believe it. And as much as they knew, in the frightened panic Devin was in, it was true.
"How can Zeltrax still be around?" Trent protested. "I thought he was dead."
Tommy forced out a breath dropping his head. "Unfortunately, that doesn't seem to surprise me much anymore. And if what you guys are saying about Zeltrax is true, he won't let anyone get in his way, let alone trust anyone to help him."
"So, what do we do?" Ethan asked.
"Find him before he does anymore damage than he's done." Tommy concluded.
"We also found something on that ancient tree. It appears as if there is a spring below it that has been keeping it intact for some time." Hayley brought up her theory.
"You mean like a fountain of youth? Those things are real?" Ethan's eyes widened.
"Well, apparently this one is. And if Zeltrax wants it, Mesogog wouldn't be that far behind." Tommy said.
"What would they want with that tree?" Kim asked cautiously.
"It's acting like a catalyst for power. If either of them got ahold of it, it could spill doom for the rest of us."
"But the tree is gone." Kira said.
"Let's just hope that we can stop Zeltrax before he uses it against us." Tommy concluded.
Time passed.
The team continued to monitor for any strange activity, but after Kira had pointed out Krista's appearance at the tree's sight, via satellite, Conner turned away slightly frustrated. Tommy exchanged a look with Hayley and Kim and retreated to the red ranger's aide.
Conner rounded around a corner and forced out a breath.
Tommy cleared the corner to meet him. "Hey, you okay?"
Conner nodded as he turned around to face his teacher. "Ya know, sometimes, I wonder if I'm really cut out for all this superhero stuff."
"Still having doubts?"
Conner nodded again. "I mean, you look at someone like Krista, who's really dedicated to a cause, has passion for it. And you can look at me and find I have nothing."
Tommy chuckled, shaking his head.
"What? What'd I say?" Conner grew confused pushing open a light smile.
"You remind so much of myself when I was your age. Having doubt. Feeling confident at the wrong time. But there is an entire new world out there you have left to see, Conner. A world that goes beyond Triassic Power or Super Dino Mode. And you can't just expect passion to just be there. It has to start somewhere, and it has to grow. And if you believe in yourself and what you can do, than you'll discover you can do a whole lot more. It's more than just confidence."
Conner chuckled sheepishly. "Well, I got confidence."
"Confidence and cockiness are two different things." Tommy instructed. "Don't let anyone tell you otherwise about what you can and can't do. You set your own boundaries and you run your own path. There will be obstacles, but there are also rewards. Just remember that there is so much more out there than what's laid out before you right now. No one can predict their future."
Conner nodded slowly, smiling. "Wow. Thanks, Dr. O."
"Anytime, Conner." Tommy smiled back. "I'm always here."
Then the alarms sounded, and the Rangers had to take care of another mess of problems.
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The four original dino thunder rangers sprang into action in the downtown area. Elsa was there with the evil White Ranger using the Triptoids as a trap for the rangers, but that didn't stop them. The teens moved to exterminate them, but Tommy concluded that using their dino gems made it that much quicker to destroy them. And as the team was about to do battle with the two of them, Zeltrax appeared, completely transformed and modified to fit for the strength he had received from the power of the tree. He didn't take kindly to any of them, and the battle raged on.
But it was enough to have Zeltrax flee for some time, giving him an advantage to snatch a civilian and be on his way.
Conner followed him and found his captor was none other than Krista. And it crushed Conner more as he did his best to keep the cyborg at bay. It didn't work, and Conner found himself in the rock quarry going after Zeltrax.
Conner had had enough from the cyborg, and though shaken, but not completely down the encouraging words from his teacher played through his head.
"...you can't just expect passion to just be there. It has to start somewhere, and it has to grow. And if you believe in yourself and what you can do, than you'll discover you can do a whole lot more.." Dr. Oliver had told him hours ago regarding his doubt.
Conner got to his feet, and looked up at Zeltrax who continued to climb up the wall of the rock quarry. "Okay. It's on, now." He used the powers of the dino gem, feeling the energy surge up inside him as he called out to his special power of super speed, Super Dino Mode and his Triassic Power. His body was engulfed in a gold light as he transformed into the Triassic Ranger. Then he cried out again, and felt a new surge of power run through him. It was then and there the new Dino Thunder Battlizer appeared.
And with that new power, it was enough to save Krista from harm and bring down Zeltrax, sending him back to a state of loss.
"I'll be back." Zeltrax grolwed upon his departure. "Beware, rangers."
And with that, he was gone into a red invisi-portal.
The next day opened up a new set of beginning between Conner and Krista. He had apologized for acting like a dumb jock, and hoped that she would give him another chance to prove that he was a different guy. And the team couldn't agree more. He was more than just a jock, he was the leader of their ranger team and their friend.
To be continued...
A/N: Not much of a change, but it had to be added. Until another time, later daze. And May the Powers Always Protect You.