Chapter 16
As Tommy pulled out of the parking lot of the hospital, he had a small smile on his face. He knew where Jason wanted to go and
if he was honest to himself, he wanted to go there as well. Many times since the kids had become rangers, he wanted to take
them to Angel Grove and show them where it all started but he never got around to it. Sure, they had found the video that
showed them the history of the rangers, but watching it on tape and actually seeing the place where it started were two
different things. The only problem was that he would only get to show one of them on this night, not all three. As he glanced
to his clock radio in his jeep, he realized that it was now going on 3:30 in the morning and yet he was not tired. He guessed
that it was due to everything that had happened that night, with Conner being attacked by Trent, him talking to Kim, Conner
waking up, telling everyone that he never stopped loving Kim. All those events just kept him going. He looked to his right,
to see that Jason was still awake as well, he was looking out the side of the jeep as Tommy continued to drive. He looked in
the rear-view mirror expecting to see Ethan but when he looked, Ethan wasn't there. He looked behind the seat and saw that
Ethan had fallen asleep in the back of the jeep and took advantage of being the only one there. He was laid out along the back
seats. Tommy chuckled softly as he nudged Jason's arm. Jason looked over at Tommy as he pointed to the back, Jason looked and
chuckled as well when he saw Ethan out cold.
"I guess tonight was too much for him to handle." Jason stated.
"Yeah, I guess it was." Tommy answered. His tone slightly distracted.
"What's wrong Tommy?"
"Everything."
"Come on man, Kim was just surprised that you let it out like that."
"That's not it. Jason, I haven't been where we're going in a long time. I'm scared of what I'm going to see. Or maybe I'm scared of what I'm not going to see."
"That's not all you're scared of though is it?"
"No, I'm scared for these kids too. They didn't ask for this."
"Neither did we."
"I guess, maybe I'm just tired and not thinking straight."
"That's understandable bro, I'm going to bet that Kira doesn't sleep at all tonight."
After some more silence, Tommy pulled to the base of the mountain at about 5:00. He stopped the car and got out, he went to the back and woke Ethan up.
"Ethan, wake up. We're here."
"Huh? Oh we're here already?"
"Yeah, kid. So come on." Jason said with a laugh.
"Alright." Ethan said as he too got out of the jeep.
"We're going up there so I suggest you wake up." Tommy said.
"Up there?"
"Up there."
"But there's nothing up there."
"Yes there is. Now come on."
The three of them started the climb up the side of the mountain. When they got to the top, they were greeted by nothing but rubble and debris.
"What is this place? Or better yet, what was it?" Ethan asked
"This was the Command Center." Jason said.
"What happened to it?"
"You remember when Divatox showed up and destroyed the Turbo Rangers' base of operations, this was it. It was also ours. This is the first time that I've come up to see it since I turned over my powers to T.J."
"Why bring me here?"
"Because this is where it all started. The ranger legacy began right here on this mountain top. Right where you are standing."
"So, this is where everything began?"
"Yeah, I wish that it was still standing because then we could take you inside. You would be in heaven, we'd never get you to leave."
"How do you know that?"
"Because you are just like Billy."
"Who's Billy?"
"Original blue ranger and brains of the team."
"Hey Tommy, did you really mean what you said back at the hospital?" Jason asked.
"Jase, I said so many things at the hospital that it's all jumbled into one big saying."
"About still loving Kim?"
"Yeah, I did mean that but that was not the way I wanted it to come out."
"Your face still hurt Dr. O?"
"Just a little bit Ethan."
"She nailed you good. I'd hate to have made her mad when I had to fight with her."
"We did our fair share of that as well when we were a team." Jason said.
"I wonder if they're okay." Tommy said.
"I'm sure they're fine." Jason reassured.
(Back in Reefside 3:45 a.m.)
Hayley and Anna had finally caught up to Kim just outside of Starbucks. They had soon realized that Kim had been crying since her eyes were red and puffy. They went inside and got a couple of drinks and sat down at a table.
"Mom, are you okay?" Anna asked worried.
"Just a little shocked is all, Anna."
"I know, it was pretty shocking for all of us." Hayley said.
"Why did you call him a liar, mom?"
"Because there is no way, after all this time that he can still love me. There's no way."
"I have to disagree with you Kim."
"What are you talking about Hayley? You know the whole story, how can he still love me after what I did?"
"Because Tommy forgave you a long time ago for the letter. It showed in Muranthius when he took his helmet off to you and
pleaded that you come back. He was pleading for you to come back to him. You guys got everything out in the open tonight,
and that goes a long way to healing old wounds. You know how Tommy is, he wouldn't say it if it wasn't true. Don't dwell
on what has happened in the past. That's all it is, the past, now you have to look forward to the future. You know how he
feels, now you have to ask yourself, "Do I feel the same?" If you do, then there is nothing to be afraid of."
"I don't know what I'm feeling. A month ago, I never expected to see my high school sweetheart again and find out that he's a ranger again. And now, he tells me that after all these years, he still loves me, it's kind of a tough pill to swallow."
"Well when you do swallow it, let him know."
"I will Hayley, thanks."
"Come on, let's go back to the hospital and help Kira in any way that we can." Anna suggested.
"That's a good idea."
When they arrived at the hospital, they saw Kira in the waiting room and the guys were nowhere to be seen.
"Hey Kira, why aren't you in there with Conner?" Kim asked.
"They kicked me out. Said visiting hours were over."
"I'm sorry, Kira."
"It's okay."
"Kira have you seen the guys?" Hayley asked.
"They came in here about an hour ago and said that they were going to Angel Grove. Said they were going to talk things out."
"What's in Angel Grove?" Hayley asked.
"The Command Center." Kim said with a smile. "They are going to watch the sunrise, it's always the best time and place to talk about whatever is bothering you. I bet Jason was the one who told them to go. Him and Tommy have had many talks up there."
"But wasn't the Command Center destroyed?" Hayley asked.
"Yes, but it's remains are still there."
(Command Center 5:45 a.m.)
Jason, Ethan, and Tommy were looking around the remains of the command center and every now and again Jason or Tommy would tell Ethan a story about one of their adventures during the original teams run as rangers. Every so often, Jason would ask Ethan to tell a couple of stories about his adventures as a ranger. In the middle of telling Jason about Conner's choice to leave the rangers for his dream of being a soccer player, Tommy called out to the two of them. Tommy was on the other side of the mountain overlooking the city of Angel Grove. When they reached Tommy, he turned to Ethan with a smile.
"This was the real reason we brought you here. Look." He pointed out to the city below and to the sunrise that was just coming up over the hills of Stone Canyon.
"Wow."
"I told you it was like nothing you have ever seen." Jason said from behind.
"You were right."
"Do you feel anything, any different?"
"Yeah, kind of like the sun just washed all of the problems from yesterday away."
"Anytime you see the sunrise from up here, you feel that way, I think it has something to do with all the power that was here.
Ethan, it's a new day. Yesterday is behind us, and now you start a new day. Yes, Conner is still in the hospital but at least
he is another day closer to getting out. So far today, nothing has gone wrong."
"You're right. Come on, let's get back to the hospital. I have a really good feeling about today."
The three of them proceeded back down the mountain and into Tommy's Jeep for the ride back to the hospital. As they pulled away,
a voice with the morning wind could faintly be heard.
"I've taught you well rangers, now make me proud."
TBC.