A/N : hey guys, first thanks go to John Chubb for the idea about the title :-).

Thanks also to those who reviewed :-) Sorry John, probably won't have Kat the healer showing up, I missed the last season :-( and Ghostwriter, yup she is definetly up to something, Zeddie better watch out :-)

Part 6

(Back in the world of the living after Kim died, again)

McLeod carried Kim over to a spot behind Zedd's throne and set her katana beside her. Standing, he walked back to his four companions watching as Zedd threw a fit.

"No! No! No! She was suppose to live!"

"Umm Zedd," Trini began waving at him to make him stop pacing. "She came back to life once already…"

"But she can't come back from a sword wound." Zedd yelled as he turned towards her. "I'll kill you myself Black Ranger!" he growled as he started towards Tommy, only stopping when he found five swords at his throat once more.

"Her death is ours to revenge." Duncan said with steel in his voice.

"No." Zedd replied before one of the swords broke his skin as McLeod stepped closer to him.

"She was mine Zedd." McLeod growled as the two stared at each other.

"Fine, but don't fail me." Zedd replied before turning and stalking back to his throne.

The five stared at him before turning to the rangers. McLeod slowly walked to Tommy, stopping when they were toe to toe. Bending at the waist, he bowed slightly and waited for Tommy to do the same.

Tommy looked at the other rangers before following suit.

"Act as if I am not speaking Thomas Oliver." McLeod began in a whisper. "Fight us and we shall fight you. Do not harm us as we shall not harm you. We must give time to the one who can end this war."

Straightening McLeod looked at the rangers. "Rules of the battle must be decided. Discuss them among your own."

Tommy stood up and nodded before going to the group and they gathered in a huddle.

"What are you doing McLeod?" Zedd asked angrily.

"We are playing by my rules now Zedd." McLeod replied looking at him with a glare. Turning back he saw Tommy returning and nodded his head slightly.

"What are your terms?" Tommy asked.

"Swords only, no bows, guns, and such."

"Fine, but martial arts are allowed." Tommy countered.

"Fair enough." McLeod replied before walking back to his companions.

As the rangers and Karone brought forth their swords, the five raised their own swords. And, as if on cue, the two groups raced towards each other.

Zedd smiled as he watched them fight, knowing he would finally defeat the annoying rangers who had plagued him for far too many years.

"Don't get too cocky Zeddie boy." A voice whispered in his ear as he jumped in surprise, then felt the cool metal against his neck. "Tell them to stop."

"No."

"Tell them Zedd. I'm not bound to the rules of the good guys anymore. There is nothing to keep me from killing you. That's why you 'hired' us."

Choosing not to respond, Zedd remained silent until he felt the blade break his skin. "Alright." He muttered before raising his voice. "Enough! Stop fighting, all of you!" he yelled.

The two groups stopped fighting to look at Zedd, and once more the rangers' mouths dropped open in shock for the second time that day. The five companions of Kim just smiled.

"You're suppose to be dead." Zedd growled.

"I was. My thanks for helping me reach my twenty-fifth death."

"That's only because you've taken up so many dangerous sports." Pierson replied with a smirk.

"Oh shut up Methos." Kim snapped, but she was still smiling.

"But I live to drive you insane." He replied with a smile.

"Stop your incessant babbling." Zedd snapped.

"You are in no place to be giving orders Zedd." Kim said as she moved her wrist enough to remind him. "Now, call Goldar and tell him to release the prisoners."

"And if I don't?"

"Then you lose your head and we find them ourselves." Zedd's eyes flashed before he called for Goldar.

"You summoned me my lord?" the blue monkey began as he entered the room, drawing his sword at the sight that greeted him.

"I wouldn't Goldar." Kim said evenly. "You were going to say Zedd?" she prompted.

"Release the prisoners." Zedd said after a moment

"But my lord…"

"I said." Zedd began as the blade sunk half an inch deeper. "release them."

"As you wish." Goldar replied turning to leave.

"Oh and Goldar." Kim called after him. "Harm even a hair on their heads, and Zedd's fate will be the least of your worries." After she was through, Goldar left the room, never having turned back to look at her.

Frowning slightly Kim looked up at the gathered rangers. "What you have seen here today, can never leave this room." She said after a moment. "Lives depend upon this, and not just the lives of those in this room."

Tommy looked at the other rangers and saw their slight nods, even if some were a bit reluctant. "Alright." He replied looking back at her.

"What about Zedd? Are you actually going to kill him?" Ethan asked remembering how the six had fought and killed Mesogog and his lackeys.

"I do not know yet Blue Ranger." Kim replied softly. "Technically it is nothing more than he deserves, but at the same time, I do not like to kill unless I have to."

"Which we unfortunatly have to many many times." Danica sighed softly. "You know, sometimes it truly sucks being us." She continued as she leaned back against the wall.

"Quite so Dani." Amanda agreed before looking up as they heard voices coming closer.

Seconds later Goldar walked in the room with a young woman who was carrying a toddler.

"Michelle!" Amanda nearly shouted as she hurried across the room, hugging the younger woman. McLeod was just behind her, taking the toddler who was reaching to him.

"How is she Connor?" Kim called softly.

"She's fine Kim." McLeod replied with a smile.

"You have what you want, let me go." Zedd growled.

"In a moment love." Kim replied with a smirk. "Oh Goldar, would you be so kind as to hand your sword to the fine man next to you."

Goldar glared at her for a moment before handing his sword to Duncan. "That's a good boy. Now, hands behind your back." She continued with a smile.

Goldar's eyes narrowed as he glared at her before putting his hands behind his back. Pierson and Duncan quickly tied his arms behind his back, then looped another rope around his legs. Tying the two ropes together they plopped him on the ground and walked back over to join her. Leaving Goldar's sword far enough away that the monkey couldn't get it.

"Now what do you plan to do?" Zedd snapped.

"Why tie you up of course." Kim replied with a condescending smile.

"You will not tie me up." Zedd replied indignantly.

"Ahh but we shall." Duncan replied as he, Pierson, and Danica joined the two of them.

"Of all the…" Zedd began before finding a gag in his mouth.

"That is so much better." Danica said with a smile.

"Quite so." Kim agreed before looking over at the rangers, the older groups were laughing their heads off. Rocky nearly rolling on the floor, he was laughing so hard.

Duncan and Pierson quickly hauled Zedd to his feet, Kim keeping the blade at his throat, before Danica tied him up, having a ball hog-tying him.

"That is a sight I will gladly never forget." Danica said as she stepped back wiping her hands together.

"You and me both." Kim replied as she finally took the katana away from his throat, and the two men laid him on his stomach.

"That make three of us." Rocky called. "Oh what I would give for a camera right now." He continued with a grin.

"Now that is a picture worth having, but how do you explain it to the photo people." Aisha agreed.

"Halloween prank gone funky." Danica suggested.

"Family vacation to hell." Kim added as she walked over to McLeod and took the little girl from him. "Hi baby." She whispered as the black haired girl snuggled under her chin. "Gods I've missed you." Kim continued as she brushed the black curls out of her face.

"Kim, I hate to interrupt the moment, but what is going on?" Tommy asked after a moment.

Sighing softly Kim turned and looked at the rangers. Looking over at her group of companions she sighed once more as she handed the little girl back to McLeod. Taking his claymore from him, she walked towards Zedd, Danica, Michelle, and Amanda joining her along the way.

"Zedd learned of my particular ability. And he forced me and the rest of this group into helping him kill the lot of you, by kidnapping Michelle and my daughter." Kim explained softly. "He just didn't realize that blackmail was not the way to get his way. So, we're just going to make sure he doesn't do it to anyone else."

"How?" Tommy began before the four women raised their blades and swung them down at the same spot, all four swords almost lining up in a row as they hit the inch wide spot in the dead center of the staff.

"Don't you dare!" Zedd yelled as he saw what they were doing, before seeing his staff split into two. "NO!"

"Ooooh Poor Zeddie, did we break your precious staff?" Danica asked with a smirk. "Bout bloody time." She continued with a nod.

"We most definitely agree." Pierson responded. "Now give me back my sword." He continued stalking over to Michelle.

"Why? When I have the perfect chance to take your head…" Michelle replied with a smile.

"Don't even think about it, besides, you don't want my head anymore than any of us wants Connors' over there." Pierson replied dryly.

"Anyone thinks of taking his and I'll take yours." Kim warned as she took the sword back to McLeod.

"Connor, when did you start hiding behind a woman's skirt?" Pierson asked with a cheeky grin.

"I don't. But if you want to cross her, by all means have at it. I know better than to challenge her. Besides, when was the last time you had someone who would risk their own life for you." McLeod replied with a smirk.

"Seven years ago. Then he broke my heart and dropped me on Duncan's doorstep." Kim replied with a smile.

"Don't remind me about past mistakes." Pierson replied with a dramatic sigh. "Anyway, I don't know about you lot. But I'm about ready to get back to my nice little abode and have one of my bottles of …."

"You are too obsessed with your beer." Kim said with a smile before turning to Zedd. "Now, you are going to be a good evil villain and accept the loss of your staff, go back to wherever the hell it is you are from, and leave earth alone right? Right." Kim said nodding her head as she said both rights.

Zedd mearly growled under his breath as Kim rolled her eyes.

"Zedd darling, don't make me take your head to relieve the world of you." She continued as she twirled her katana in one hand.

"Oh just get out of my throne room." Zedd snapped.

"Fair enough." Kim replied with a shrug. "Mind if we get a lift back to earth with you?" Kim asked turning to the rangers.

"I don't see why not." Zach said with a smile.

"Of course you do realize you will be locked in a room until we get answers right?" Aisha, Trini, Kat, and Tanya said in unison.

"God save us from ex-female rangers finding one of their own after nearly eight years." Rocky said with a shudder before being smacked by seven hands over the back of his head.

"Hey! I was only talking about four people." Rocky exclaimed looking around.

"Well we ranger women stick together." Kira said crossing her arms.

"Exactly." Cassie, Ashley and Karone agreed.

"Kim! Save me." Rocky whined.

"Sorry, no can do Rocky. You got yourself into that." Kim replied with a smile.

"I have a really stupid question." Conner began a moment later.

"No question is stupid love." Kim replied with a soft smile.

"I like her." Kira whispered with a grin.

"You and me both." Ethan replied.

"I think she's taken." Kira smirked slightly.

"Damn."

"Ok, seeing as the side show has stopped." Conner began rolling his eyes. "I figured that out when she was threatening people's heads Ethan."

"Oh shut up."

"So, stupid question, perhaps not so stupid question. Who exactly are you?" Conner continued.

Kim laughed softly. "Most certainly not a stupid question. Once upon a time, I was Kimberly Ann Hart. A name those of you from Angel Grove may recognize. Those of you not from AG may even recognize the name if you ever watched the Pan Globals or followed Gymnastics."

"Wait a minute, I remember you. You won the gold in '96, you were the best hope America had for the '98 Olympics before you… well… died." Kira trailed off.

"Quite so." Kim replied with a smile.

"I hate to say this, but I don't know you from either of those places." Zhane said slowly.

"Well, the only other thing I have done that is of consequence was being the first pink ranger on earth, quite literally…" Kim trailed off with a smile.

"What does that mean?" Ethan asked confused.

"It means, you idiotic rangers, that she was the original pink ranger. Thanks to her, Zordon had his first set of power brats back in the late 1880's."

"Oh do learn to shut up Zedd." Kim snapped as she looked at him. "And I hate to say this, because it's such a horrible thing to admit, but it wasn't thanks to me. It was because of you that I got sent back in time in the first place. And because of your monster you created from my cactus and the stupid blue monkey over there attacked me IN the past that I had to go bother Zordon and nearly give Alpha a heart attack when I entered the Command Center in the first place. So, technically it's all your own fault."

"You know, I had forgotten what she was like when she was pissed." Rocky mused before ducking as a broken arrow's tail flew over his head. "I'm sorry, I'm sorry. I won't ever say anything against you again. You're an angel, a saint. Hell you're the equivalent of Joan of Arc and the church should make you an honest to God saint, just don't kill me." He pleaded.

"You know, I should throw arrows at ex rangers more often." Kim mused as she looked at her group.

"Quite right." Danica agreed with a smile.

"Quite so. But, let's get back to our nice normal atmosphere so we can go home and so can these lovely other people we forced to abandon their lives for a few hours and then live out quite the nightmare that by all accounts would be one hell of a blockbuster if made into a horror film." Kim said with a grin as she took her daughter back from McLeod.

"Who's going with who then?" Tommy asked looking around.

"I'm taking Kim!" two voices echoed around the room.

"Well both of you can't take her." Tommy laughed.

"Then I'm taking her." Both Trini and Aisha said in unison once more before looking at each other.

"I have a theory. You two head back, and I'll make Tommy take me and this munchkin here." Kim replied with a smile.

"Here's a thought, why don't we make the four of you still well officially active take well five of us since Lissy is going with Kim. And then we only need three other people to escort our ladies here." Duncan suggested.

"Zhane and I could take them." Andros offered.

"Sounds workable to me. So why don't the rest of you head to the designated point now, I'll explain the ins and outs of teleporting to my poor non-ranger members, and then we'll be on our way." Kim continued.

Admidst a good deal of grumbles, the majority of the group teleported from the room.

"Jason?" Kim asked raising her eyebrows before the man calmly strolled over to her. Seconds later she found herself enclosed in a set of almost forgotten arms.

"Be safe, and have a good life." Jason whispered in her ear before stepping back and smiling slightly. "Oh, and don't worry about the girls." He added with a smirk. "I'll suffer for you." He added under his breath so only she could hear.

Wrapping her free arm around him she pulled him back into a hug. "You're certainly the smartest of us all. Never let them tell you otherwise." Kim whispered in his ear before stepping back and watching him teleport from the room.

"What was that about?" Tommy asked walking over to her.

"Just a bit of old friends reminiscing." Kim replied with a smile as she handed Tommy Chalise.

"Fair enough." Tommy replied with a smile before turning to the others. "Ok, why don't we have Duncan with Ethan, McLeod with Conner…"

"Well that's interesting." Pierson mused.

"Mr. loves to interrupt with Kira." Tommy continued rolling his eyes. Andros takes two of the girls and Zhane the other.

"Sounds good to us." Amanda said as she walked over to Andros. "Hello, I'm Amanda, this is Michelle, and it's a pleasure to be flying Power Ranger airlines today with you as our pilot."

Andros smiled before giving in and laughing. "It's a pleasure to meet you too."

"Good, so everyone pair up and let's get the hell off this thing." Danica said as she joined Zhane, the rest of the group walking over to their ranger escort.

"So, we about ready then?" Tommy asked looking at the others.

"Not quite yet!" an entirely too familiar voice growled as Kim's reflexes kicked in and she ducked under what had once been the top half of an even more familiar staff. Acting on reflexes alone, she drew her sword and thrust upwards.

"Damn it!" Kim yelled as she realized what she had done. "How the hell did you get loose!" she continued as she stared at Zedd, with a sword through his stomach.

"Stupid ranger…" Zedd said as he stumbled back. "You know, I always knew you would make one hell of a queen." He continued with a smirk. "And you know, Rita could tell you this quite well, I never made a good loser."

"Holy mother of God." Tommy whispered pushing the girl's head into his chest so she couldn't see as Zedd ran towards Kim once more, Kim dropping to the floor as she tried to find her gun.

"Not going to work this time Kimmy." Zedd laughed before he saw more than felt the blade pass through him.

"Oh gods, giant muscle blood." Danica groaned as she was splattered, looking up they saw what had once been the evil villain falling forward right on top of Kim.

"Stupid idiot." McLeod murmured as he lowered his sword and looked up at the rangers. Tommy and the teenagers looking rather green as they stared at the head of one of the most known bad guys in the universe. From where it sat staring up at them a few feet from Tommy's left foot. Shaking his head he walked to the side of the body and pushed it off Kim.

"Does anyone have a barf bag?" Ethan asked after a moment.

"Sorry, fresh out…" Danica began.

"KIM!" McLeod's voice echoed throughout the room as everyone turned towards him.

"Kim!" five other voices yelled as the rangers looked at each other in confusion.

"I know that looks bad and all, but she's come back from a sword through her stomach and five arrows in her chest. Why is having Zedd's 'Z' on the staff pinning her neck to the ground cause for such alarm?" Kira asked looking at the other rangers while the group gathered around Kim.

"Kim, look at me." McLeod said softly as he got a good look at where the metal was sunk into her skin.

"Ow." Kim whispered with a slight smile as she looked at him, not moving her head.

"It doesn't look like it went through the bones Connor. She should be alright if we get it off without making things worse." Duncan whispered as he looked up at his kinsman.

"Aye, why don't you and I pull it up. Adam, you steady it. And Danica, hold her head still for her, it's may want to come up with the blade even if her brain is telling her body not to move." McLeod continued to whisper keeping the rangers out of the loop. "Alright, on three." He started once everyone was in place, Amanda and Michelle holding her body down as well, just in case.

"One… two…three."

"Ow that bloody hurt." Kim said as McLeod helped her to a sitting position as Danica wrapped Kim's shirt around her neck, for lack of a better bandage. "Oh this is lovely. I get to walk around in just my bra."

"She's fine." McLeod said with a smile.

"Ok, what did we miss?" Tommy asked completely confused.

"Nothing too major." Kim replied with a smile as Danica took Chalise and brought her over to Kim. "So, we better get on with the traveling, seeing as monkey boy over there is still tied up and the ex- Lord Zedd is, well occupied trying to find out where the Archangel is going to direct him. And just to be safe his lovely staff is also now destroyed, and I am so taking that top half back with me to remember this momentous event."

"And you're babbling love." Pierson smirked.

"It's the blood loss dingbat." Danica replied rolling her eyes.

"Ok, so now that we all know I'm babbling and all that fun. Let's just get on with it." Kim continued as she walked over to Tommy, the others joining their perspective travel partners. "Although, there is a bit of change in the travel plans loves." Kim started.

"What do you mean?" Tommy asked now completely lost from trying to keep up with everything that had happened that night.

"We aren't going back to join the rest of the rangers. You guys are going to take us to Angel Grove, drop us off there, then head on your little way back down to Reefside. And you will live your lives there and wherever else it is everyone is living. While we will go live our lives and there are no more chances of us being drawn together to fight like today." Kim explained with a smile.

"But Kim, why will we do that?" Tommy replied raising his eyebrows.

"Oh they have a good reason Dr. O." Kira said getting his attention. Turning he found all five rangers with a sword, or two, at their throats.

"No matter how much all of you may not like it, I'm not a part of your world anymore. I'm a part of their world, my world. And rather I live three days or three hundred years from today, it isn't going to make a difference." Kim said softly. "So, it's time to be the Ranger leader you are, and every one of the rangers knows the title is true. Let me go. Let us go."

"Kim, you wouldn't hurt them. Even to get your way." Tommy whispered.

"I've hurt a lot of people in the years since you've known me Tommy. I'm not the girl I was ten-years-ago when you met me. I'm not even the same girl I was at eighteen when I broke your heart. Just let us go Tommy. Please don't push me Tommy." Kim urged

"You can't ask this of me Kim. You can't make me go back and face them let alone live with myself with the knowledge that you are alive out there, and we will never see you again."

"Yes I can Tommy. Because that's the facts of life. You grow up. You have to make decisions you don't like. And you live with those decisions. But the real reason I can ask this? And know that you will do it..." Kim began with a sort of half smile.

"What's that?" Tommy replied.

"Zordon would let us go."

Closing his eyes Tommy sighed deeply. "All right, where do we drop you off in Angel Grove?"

"Dr. O!" the three teens exclaimed.

Tommy turned to look at them and shook his head. "Lower their swords, and we'll take you wherever you want to go." He continued sadly.

Kim nodded slightly and the group lowered their weapons. "We need to go to the high school."

"Okay." Tommy replied. "But the kids have never been to Angel Grove, we'll have to go in one big group."

"That works for us." Pierson said with a shrug.

"All right." Kira agreed before the group formed one big circle.

"Ok, so Andros, Zhane, looks like it's just us pulling this one off so. Here we go." Tommy said before the group disappeared in a light flash with black, red, and white floating through it.

Please review

and final update will 10/08/05 (aka Friday)