Disclaimer: I own only Angela, Dr. Johnson, and Martha. Everything else belongs to Disney.
Note: Hey guys, I'm back : P Vacation was awesome, but I think it's time for me to get back to work on this story. As usual, if you have any thoughts, ideas, suggestions feel free to e-mail me. Hit the lilac button and review after reading this chapter. Thank you for the reviews, yall rock, keep them coming. Hope you like this chapter : P
Chapter 12
Reefside High, afterschool
After a seemingly uneventful day at school, Kim sighed as she looked at the stack of papers that awaited grading. "Why did I become a teacher if there is so much paper work" Kim said. "Because you're like me, you love kids" Tommy said entering the room. Eying the stack Tommy chuckled; pointing to the stack that was about two inches think Tommy said, "I have about half of the papers you have, but mine are multiple choice." Kim threw a stuffed apple at Tommy. "Don't joke, you wait until you assign a research paper, then we'll see who's laughing." Tommy rolled his eyes. He gave Kim a short massage on the shoulders. "We're still on for 7 tonight?" Tommy asked Kim. "Unless you wish to come over earlier and help me grade some papers, otherwise, 7 it is" she said. "I have a few things I need to take care of first" he said.
Hayley's Cyberspace
Ethan James, the computer geek of the new power rangers team sat at the counter of his favorite place to hang out, Hayley's Cyberspace Café. Conner and Kira entered the café as they looked around. Ethan set his juice down and headed over to greet them "Welcome guys. I figured if we are gonna be spending some time together, then I might as well show you guys what I'm all about." Ethan talked to them a bit about Hayley being an MIT grad and rocket scientist, and his love for games.
Hayley silently looked at the three. "So this is the dino ranger team" she thought to herself. Tommy had called her the night before to inform her that the gems had bonded with the three teens. From what Hayley knew about Ethan, and from what he had told her about Conner and Kira, she knew that the three had quite a challenge ahead of them. They all came from different worlds; would they be able to adapt to one another? Shaking her head, she headed over to the three. "…and this is Hayley", said Ethan introducing her to Kira and Conner. " You must be Conner and Kira…don't look so surprised, I'm all about information, it's business. Can I get you anything to drink?" she asked.
"Apple juice would be nice" Kira said. "I'll be right back". Hayley poped behind the counter and grabbed a small bottle of juice. "I've heard from Ethan you play in a band. How about tomorrow night at 5, consider this your audition." Kira looked shocked for a second before cracking a large smile. "Thanks" she said. "Conner, you play soccer right?" not waiting for a reply, Hayley continued "…I'm surprised you're not at the open Reefside Waves tryouts." It was Conner's turn to look stunned. "Dude, are you serious?" he asked. "Yes, they are at Reefside…Park" she trailed off as Conner made a mad run for the door. "Later" he called off to Ethan and Kira. Two seconds later, Kira handed Ethan her apple juice. "Here…I need to go practice and buy some new strings so I can restring my guitar." She headed out the door. "Thanks Hayley" Ethan said sipping the apple juice.
Hayley shrugged. "At least you won't be distracted and might actually start all tat homework you've been complaining about." Ethan sighed. "So much for afternoon fun" he said to himself as he reached into his backpack and pulled out a government book, Calculus book, a thick science book, and a copy of Shakespeare's Othello. Patting him on the shoulder, Hayley headed back for the counter to take care of two new customers who had just entered the café.
Reefside High, gym
The girl's gymnastics team stood sat in a giant circle on the floor stretching and warming up as Martha, the level ten who was helping out as assistant was going over the practice schedule with Kim. "I talked to Mrs. Hong, one of the PE teachers, and she said she would be more than happy to be a teacher supervisor for me. I could run practice with him a few times a week so you would have a lighter load." Kim felt as if a weight had been lifted off her shoulders. Just from the first week of school, Kim could tell her workload was not going to get much lighter . "That would be great. I'll talk to her tomorrow and get back to you as soon as possible. What would I do without you?" Kim said.
Martha smiled. "Maybe you could give me a homework pass…." She trailed off. Kim gave her a nice try look. "Hey, I was on a roll, why not try while I'm still hot" she said. Kim shook her head. "Alright, let's get the show on the road". Kim headed out to the center of the floor with Martha behind her as they started practice.
Gym, following practice
"Do you know of any good juice bars around here?" Kim asked Martha as they put away some of the mats and other equipment. "Have you been to Hayley's Cyberspace?" she asked. Kim shook her head. "It's where most of the young people in Reefside hang out, I highly recommend it. Tomorrow is Friday…Hayley usually has some entertainment on Friday to celebrate the end of the week, why not check it out then." Kim smiled. "I think I will" she said.
Tommy's Lab
Ethan was bored out of his mind after finishing all his homework except for English, as his communicator went off, BEEP BEEP BEEP; Ethan quickly made his way to a secluded area and answered. "Dr. O what's up?" he asked. "Are you busy Ethan, I could use your help. Kira and Conner both told me they were busy. If you can't come, I'll understand" Tommy said. Anything in Ethan's mind would be better than reading a dub 'ol Shakespeare play. "I'm your man" he replied before grabbing his backpack and heading for Tommy's lab. Ethan arrived in no time parking his car and proceeded into Tommy's house.
Reefside Park
Conner McKnight was the star of the Reefside Waves tryouts. He easily kicked the ball around some of the most experienced players and even pulled off an impressive back flipping corner kick into the goal. "Who is that?" asked the coach making notes on his roster. A nearby player answered, "Oh him, that's Conenr McKnight, he plays on the local club team and is still in high school".
Woods outside Tommy's House
"Aw, here they are." Tommy said looking down into a nest with three eggs in them. "Eggs? What are we gonna do with them?" Ethan asked. "We're gonna hatch them, then ride them…" Tommy trailed off as Elsa and an army of Tyrannodrones popped out of an invisiportal. "You never give up do you?" Tommy said sarcastically as he swiftly, but gently placed the eggs into a black backpack before taking a fighting stance. "No matter what, protect the eggs" he yelled over to Ethan who had already started fighting off the Tyrannodrones. With Tommy protecting the eggs and doing minimal fighting, Ethan was quickly outnumbered. "Why don't you just give up…" said Elsa. "And ruin your little fun…no way" Tommy called back. "Ethan, this might be a good time to call for some backup." "On it Dr. O" Ethan said.
Within a matter of minutes, Conner and Kira appeared. "Let's ake this quick so I can get back to tryouts" said Conner as her called out the usual morphing call. "READY" "READY" "DINO THUNDER, POWER UP! HA". With a flash of light, the three teens instantly transformed into the blue, red, and yellow rangers. Kira and Ethan each took on a few Tyrannodrones while Conner was left to deal with Elsa. The fight didn't last long as Elsa retreated back to Mesogog's lab.
Reefside Park
Conner sprinted back to the soccer pitch only to see the tryouts had ended, and the coaches were putting away the equipment. "McKnight, glad to see you showed up, I have you down as a DNF, did not finish." "I had something important I had to take care of though" he complained. "Look, soccer has to come first if you want to play for me. Anything else takes a second priority" the coach said.
Tommy's Lab
"Dr. O, you in there?" Conner asked as the door slid open to reveal a very messy room with lots of thrashing and crashing sounds. "I'm here, give me one second…." Tommy hustled to the doorway looking very dirty while covered in slime. "What's going on in there?" Ethan asked raising his eyebrow. "AWWW" Tommy yelped fling out of the room and landing on the ground. "Look, Dr. O, we need to talk" Conner said. Not waiting for a reply, Conner continued. "Dr. O, it's been fun, but I can't be a ranger any more. Since I was little I've always wanted to be a professional soccer player. I had that chance today, but couldn't even finish tryouts because of ranger duties." Kira and Ethan looked at Conner in shock. Tommy put his hand up before either of them could utter a word. "I understand Conner, more than you might think. This is something you have to choose. It's not an easy decision and will change your life." he said.
Conner nodded. "I want you to give this one more night to think about though" Tommy said. "After you sleep on it, come back to me tomorrow and tell me if you feel the same way" he said. Looking at his watch, Tommy ushered the teens out of his house before going upstairs to shower and get ready for his date with Kim.
Mesogog's Lair
Zeltrax and Elsa stood at the control panels arguing over what to create a monster out of as Mesogog entered. "Silence" he said slowly before turning his head and giving his two henchman an evil eye look. "You have both failed me in recent days, I trust you will both work together. Do not fail me again" he said before leaving the room. Ten seconds later, Elsa and Zeltrax continued their bickering before hitting a few keys on the panel by accident. "Your fault" they pointed and said to one another.
Kim's House
Kim had arrived home after running gym practice feeling up tight. She had a stack of papers to grade, and had only finished about a quarter of the pile. "I have to come up with a better system." she said to herself. Pulling her car up into the cottage's driveway, Kim unloaded her car. Carrying in her purse, her school bag, and a grocery bag, Kim unlocked her door and set everything down. She looked at her clock and saw se was half an hour ahead of schedule. Kim put away the frozen and refrigerated goods and headed outside to her garden where she could relax. Kim had originally planned to turn the garden into a mass project, but had come across problems with the soil and sand. Kim had settled for a small rock garden with potted plants. Digging in the sand to place some of the pots in, Kim came across a shiny pink rock.
Kim picked it up and immediately felt a strange yet familiar tingling sensation. "This is impossible" Kim said to herself as she put it down and shook her head and didn't think about it until she had stuck the potted plants in the ground, lined them with rocks and shook some sand off her gardening clothes. Picking the rock up, Kim took it inside with her and placed it away in a safe spot. About to investigate it further, Kim noticed the time and rushed upstairs to wash and change. She pulled out an outfit and ran down to start dinner. Luckily Kim was a quick cook. College had taught Kim how to cook. She pulled out some pots and pans and went crazy making wild rice, fruit salad, pot roast and a small pound cake. Adding the finishing touches to the dishes, Kim pulled out a pale pink table cloth and set two plates, glasses and candles and some of her prized flowers in a vase on the table.
"Not bad Kim" she said to herself. Tommy was running late, but not as bad as he had been in high school. He arrived at Kim's house only ten minutes late and rang her doorbell. "It's open Tommy" she said. "How did you know…." he trailed off. "Who else would it be?" Kim questioned. "You never know, it…" Tommy was silenced as Kim kissed him and ushered him inside.
"Smells delicious Kim" Tommy sat licking his lips as he took a seat. They talked for a while about school before the topic turned to a serious side. "Kim, we've only been back together about a week; you don't feel like we are moving too fast do you?" Tommy asked. Kim was silent for a moment. "No, I don't. In the ten years we were apart, I feel as if I wasn't myself. I felt as if I was missing a part of myself. Tommy, you are my other half." Kim said. Tommy smiled. "I feel the same way. That's why I want to give you this." Tommy handed her a small box. Kim opened it and was speechless….
Kim pulled out a silver heart shaped necklace with the inscription: to K, my one, my only, my Beautiful. Forever yours, T. The heart contained one small diamond and when Tommy put the necklace around her, it seemed to fit her perfectly.
"Tommy's it's beautiful" she said hugging him. "I guess you deserve this then" Kim said as she placed the pound cake she had baked in front of him. Tommy smiled. They ate dessert and relaxed by watching a few DVDs before taking a moonlit walk down the beach. "Tommy, this is the perfect way to end a perfect evening". Tommy walked Kim back to the cottage before kissing her good night. They agreed to meet again tomorrow night where they would spend the weekend together.
Mesogog's Fortress
"Master, the monster is ready" Zeltrax said to Mesogog. "Excellent, release him down to the city".
Next day, Reefside Park
Conner had been given a second chance to tryout for the soccer team. Wanting to make up for the other day, Conner played harder and more focused than his usual cocky self. Hearing the BEEP BEEP BEEP sound he dreaded, Conner knew it was time he made his decision. He ran over to the coach about to tell him he needed to be excused, but the coach spoke first. "Excellent job McKnight, you've played hard today, and have earned a rest, go home…" he trailed off. Conner nodded not even waiting to hear the coach say "welcome to the team". Conner headed for Dr. O's lab and saw Kira and Ethan were already there. "I've decided to fight one last time" he said reading the look on Tommy's face. Tommy briefed them on the situation before introducing the Raptor Riders. "Guys, this is what was in the eggs yesterday. These guys will help to get around quickly until I finish working on a little project of mine."
Not asking any questions, the three teens morphed and jumped up onto the raptors. While stopping Mesogog's new monster, Conner saw that a little girl was about to be crushed by falling building debris. He used his super speed and saved her. "I don't know if I can ever thank you enough red ranger, for saving my baby" the mother said as Conner picked her up and handed her over. "Just doing my job maim" he said. Conner at that moment realized for the first time what was really important. He knew that being a ranger was something he couldn't give up. "All right guys, lets combine weapons" he said. The three formed the Z-rex blaster and stopped the monster before Mesogog used his hydro regenerator to enlarge and revive the monster. The rangers called upon their zords and formed the Thundersaurus Megazord easily defeating the monster.
Hayley's Cyberspace
Kira was nervous about her first real performance, but knew that after practicing long and hard she was ready. Kira went up on stage and as Hayley introduced her and started singing. "This is a song I wrote myself, it's called patience". She started singing and her band picked up with the background music. Kim had finished practice with the team early and had headed down to Hayley's on Martha's recommendation. Reminding her of the old juice bar, Kim sat at the bar thinking to herself. "Hi, I'm Hayley" Hayley said introducing herself to Kim. "Kim Hart" she said. Hayley knew well who she was having known and worked with Tommy for well over eight years. She knew all about Tommy and Kim's past and about the heartless way Kim had broken up with Tommy many years ago. However; being the queen of information, Hayley also knew from talking to Tommy recently that they had gotten back together and the real motives behind the letter Kim had written.
Hayley didn't know what to think of Kim. "I should really get to know her first" Hayley said to herself angry for not thinking of that first. "I love your place, it reminds me of this place I used to go when I was a teen" she said. Hayley smiled. "Angel Grove Gym and Juice Bar" she replied. Kim was taken aback, "Yea, how'd you know?" she asked. "Let's just say, we both have a mutual friend who teaches science at Reefside High and went to college with". Kim chuckled. "Good 'ol Tommy" she said. "Tell me, did he have a Swiss cheese brain when…." The two instantly hit it off trading stories on Tommy and becoming immersed in conversation.
Tommy made his way to Hayley's Cyberspace to hear Kira sing, but s he was walking down the street, about to enter, was grabbed by Elsa and the Tyrannodrones. He tried to fight back, but was unsuccessful. "Tommy Oliver, it's been a while, my master is waiting for you…let's not keep him waiting." Elsa said with an evil grin on her face.
POLL Q & A: Should Kim have an ariel zord? If she does, it will be an Archaeopteryx, which according to my research is thought to have been the descendent for the pterodactyl. The alternative would be a ground zord, but which one?
BTW: Does anyone know anything about the Archaeopteryx or any other flying dinosaurs.