Tommy invited the refugee-looking Bulk to his living room, and asked him to sit. He did, looking around the room calmly, but with professional efficiency. They stayed in awkward silence for a couple of minutes, before Dr. Oliver decided to speak.
"So, where have you been all these years?" he asked, not exactly comfortable with his presence.
"Straight to the point. I like that. And I've been . . . around."
Tommy sighed while his mind rewound to a point in time some several years ago.
--O--
They saw Skull's sacrifice, but the monster didn't give them a break long enough for someone to offer support. Bulk grabbed his friend's corpse from the ground and took it to a more secured location.
The rest of the battle was typical, even dangerous regarding the monster's electrical assaults, but the heavily insulated Megazord held bravely under the barrage, granting the powered teens the upper hand and the final victory. When it was destroyed, the Rangers send the Zords back to their resting places, while they went to see their dead friend. They approached still morphed, taking notice of a silently crying Bulk.
"Bulk?" the Pink Ranger asked. The teen's only action was to look momentarily from his friend's body to the helmeted hero. "I just want you to know that you aren't alone in it. We'll all be here, for you and for him."
Bulk looked back at her, angrily. "Why do you care? You didn't even knew him!" he said, under gritted teeth.
The Pink Ranger's hand moved to the clasps in her helmet, after a quick survey of the area. She opened them, and removed the helmet, showing to Bulk the saddened face of Kimberly Ann Hart. A few seconds later, all of her friends were without their helmets.
"Yes, we did," Tommy answered him, crying as well.
--O--
"I haven't heard from you for . . ." Tommy began.
"A long time. But don't worry, life has been . . . life, for me," Bulk answered, his face showing a hint of a smile. "So, how is the team going?"
"Team? What team?" Tommy asked, feigning ignorance.
"The Dino Thunder? Which you are mentor and active participant? Black, I believe it is this time?"
"H-How do you know?"
The smile grew a little bit. Problem was, it now looked more like a predator's baring of teeth than a smile.
"I have my ways."
Tommy was about to push for more information when his bracelet sounded the alert. He looked at Bulk, which still had the smile plastered in his face.
"I believe it is for you. That time of the week?" he asked, deadpan.
The paleontologist's only answer was a sad smile.
