Summary: Endings; what happens to the Rangers and more.
A/N: This is it, the last chapter. Remember, sending me e-mails, or put it in reviews, but let me know what you thought of the story and if you'd like another. Until next time.
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The sounds of laughter and shouts echoed through the kitchen of the Oliver Residence. Tommy sat at one end of the table, greedily digging into the gravy covered mashed potato's while Conner and Trent fought over the bowl of Green Beans. Beside Tommy said Kimberly with their daughter sitting in her high chair, prodding at her food. Beside Kim sat Kira with her own child tucked her arms.
Ethan was at the other end of the table, food set in front him and a small tray at his side with a laptop sitting on it. He was playing Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic II and seemed to be enjoying it by the look on his face. The only one missing, however, was Hayden – though not many really noticed.
"No, give me the bowl!" Conner growled, pulling the beans towards him. Trent whacked him up the side head and took the beans back.
"No! Me first." He said and dug into the bowl, scooping out some beans. Conner growled angrily and then grinned at his son. The child cooed and giggled in Kira's arms as she feed him a small piece of ham.
"I hope Easter Dinner won't be like this all the time." Tommy said under his breath. He glanced at Kim and saw her smile. "Can you blame me?"
"Hey, it's your fault, Thomas." She said grinning and shook a finger at him. "You're the one who expanded the house for the rangers to move in."
He shrugged and shoved a piece of ham in his mouth, chewing greedily. "So? I don't regret it." He grinned and swallowed hard.
Kim's eyes wandered the table and saw one chair void of it's occupant. She frowned and glanced at Tommy. "Do you know where Hayden is?" The table went eerie quiet when she said it. Conner looked up at her and sighed.
"He's gone for a couple days, Coach." He said, frowning. "He went to Angel Grove."
Kim nodded and her eyes fell to the table. And just like that, the coo of the babies excited an awh from everyone and the room became noisy again.
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Hayden Christopher James moved through the rows of the cemetery with a dozen roses clutched in his hand. A soft, warm breeze weaved through his flowing brow hair and he stopped at a single grave. It's head stone was squared at the bottom with a large cross on the top. Written horizontally across the cross was Amanda Katherine Diego. The name brought tears to his eyes.
"I never thought I'd find myself coming here." He began, looking down at the grave. "I told myself that you were gone and the past is the past. But…there's not a day that goes by where I don't think about you, Amanda." He looked down at the roses. "I…brought these for you. They always were your favorite." He knelt down, laying the roses against the head stone and lowered his head. "It hurts not having you around anymore…"
"Hayden?" The trembling voice said.
Hayden turned, facing the slightly aged man and woman. He recognized them almost instantly. "Mr. and Mrs. Diego." He said and stood up. He smiled lightly and bowed. "It's good to see you again."
The woman rushed to him and gathered him up in her arms. He was shocked by her movement but returned the hug. "We had heard you were back in town, Hayden." She said, her voice trembling a bit more. "We knew the reason why…"
Both of them turned to face the grave Mr. Diego came up from behind. "It's been 3 years and it still hurts." Hayden whispered and shook his head. "I still can't shake it. Not a day goes by where I wonder if she's really dead."
The woman hugged him tight, smiling. Her lip quivered slightly. She took a took a deep breath and said, "I know, Hayden, I know. But…she is gone, son, and it is time to move on." He nodded lightly "It's so good to see you again."
He turned to face her, smiling. "As it is here, Mrs. Diego. You haven't changed one bit."
She blushed lightly. "Are you leaving any time soon?" Hayden shook his head. "Good, it's settled then. Tonight, you have Dinner with us."
Hayden smiled and nodded slightly. "What time?" He asked, raising a brow.
"6:30." She said and patted his shoulder lightly. "And…thank you for coming back. I think her soul can rest a little easier knowing that you are here. Goodbye, Hayden."
He watched them turn and walk away. Deep inside, he was crying, bawling. But on the outside, he could only smile. Glancing at Amanda's grave he bowed his head one last time and turned away as well…
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Later that Day…
When you accept the duties as a Power Ranger, you may never know what lies ahead. Your future, from that very moment onward, is completely unknown to you. Everything you wanted to be could vanish in the blink of an eye. Many of the those who became Rangers learned it in the hard way.
Many learn it still.
Conner fiddled with the gem in his hand, peering down at its core. It shimmered softly in his hands and he looked at Tommy. The others did the same, thinking about their futures. Kim stood at Tommy's side, leaning against his shoulder. In one hand, she had Tommy's and the other her Dino Gem.
"Well. The day is finally here." Tommy said, holding up his gem. "Now is the time to decide whether you give up the Gems or not." He squeezed his hand shut. "Kimberly and I have made up our minds. If you give up the gems, then so shall we. If you keep them…then we will remain to help you in the future."
Conner looked up at his friends. Their eyes looked and Ethan closed his hand.
"Always a Ranger." Ethan said and jammed it into his morpher.
Kira glanced at Ethan, then Conner. His eyes seemed lost but she nodded and closed her hand.
"Always a Ranger." She said and jammed it into her morpher.
Trent closed his hand, placing the stone back into it's proper place. "Always a Ranger."
"So be it." Conner said and held up his hand. He jammed the gem into the morpher. "Always a Ranger."
Silence. Kimberly glanced at Kimberly and then at the others. "Does…anyone know whether Hayden is coming back?"
Conner lowered his head slightly. "No…I don't think he is. Hayden…has his own agenda." He said, leaning forward, sighing. "But I am going to miss him. He definitely could have been a big help."
Kim glanced at Tommy, the worry in her eyes. "Someone out there with that kind of Power could be dangerous."
Tommy frowned and then shook his head. "I don't think so. Hayden…Hayden isn't evil. I think he fears the Power more then he enjoys it. He sees it more of a curse rather then a gift."
"I guess we all did at one point or another." Conner remarked, looking away. Two years ago he had thought the same thing.
"Tommy…" Kira began, looking down at her morpher. "Do you think any evil will show up?"
He shrugged and shook his head. "Only time will tell, Kira. I honestly don't know." He glanced at Kim and sighed. "In my heart, I hope not. But, always be prepared for the worst."
Suddenly, the phone rang and Kimberly moved away and picked up. She moved over towards the stairs, away from everyone one.
"Dr. O, do you think Vertox is really dead?" Ethan asked, fiddling with his morpher. "I mean…when we thought Mesogog was dead…he came back. It seems all the enemies just keep coming back."
"Yeah. I'm pretty sure he is. If…Vertox wasn't dead, then he would have made a move by now. It's been three month's since Hayden fought him." He shrugged and stood up. "He's dead Ethan. Dead and gone."
"What?"
Kimberly's shriek. Tommy bolted forward and rounded the corner, seeing the tears stream down her cheek. She was staring blankly at the phone. "Beautiful?" Tommy whispered and moved towards her, sitting down on the step. He gathered her up in his arms and she bear hugged him close. "Beautiful, what's wrong?"
"Oh T-Tommy…" She cried, clutching him close. The tears burned at her eyes and trickled down her cheeks. Tommy glanced at the Rangers, his face consumed with confusion. "Something terrible has happened…"
"Kimberly, what?" He asked, puling her back and peered into her eyes. "Who called?"
"T-Tommy…t-that was Kat…" She whispered and buried her head against his chest. He clutched him so very tightly, crying so very hard. "Jason's dead!"
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The woods outside the Oliver Residence had an eerie quietness to it. The darkness seemed alive, bearing down upon the house itself. A single, shadowy figure moved out of the trees, covered by a shadowed cloak. It's red eyes burned holes at the house and it's snake-like tongue flicked out.
"One down…" He whispered and sneered, turning away. "Soon, Power Rangers…very…soon."
His inane laugh fell on deaf ears and he vanished into the shadows…
To Be Continued…
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A/N: But…what…why…Jason…Huh? Heh…you all hate me don't you? Short ending, considering this will all be one big series. So there's no need to end this story with an all out bang. Jason's dead and who is their new foe? Also, where is Hayden and what is he doing?
May the Powers Protect You…
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