Chapter 24
Next day
Kira, Ethan and Connor arrive early the next day with Hayley was still examining Tommy.
"Hey, anything change?"
"As far as I can tell, he's been fossilized into amber."
"Amber?"
"A fossilized paleontologist, White ranger has a weird sense of humor."
"But is he okay in there?"
"As far as I can tell, he is."
"Can you break him out?"
"As far as I can see, he is fine in there. Breaking him out could prove to do more harm than good."
"Where's Kimberly?"
"Resting. I didn't want her up all night, especially when she's…"
"Pregnant?" Hayley nodded.
"Wow."
"Yeah, and she doesn't need the stress of this weighing on her, especially early in her pregnancy. We have to keep her calm guys, so don't go upsetting her."
"Maybe I can help with the kids until…Dr. O is freed."
"Good idea, Kira."
"Yeah me too," Connor said.
"Do you even like kids?"
"I like those kids. We had fun together at the party."
"Only because you acted like a big kid with them." Connor smirked at Ethan.
A few hours later, Conner, Ethan and Kira went to Hayley's Cyberspace where they can see Hayley being run off her feet with customers. With no help, and worrying over Tommy, she had fallen behind this morning opening the shop. All of a sudden, Trent shows up only to quit his job, leaving Hayley still in the mess. Kira wants to know what's going on with Trent, so stops him. Trent leaves though, wanting to tell Kira everything, but everyone gets distracted as Cassidy walks with news of the identity of the White ranger.
The power of the gem overtakes Trent again as he walks down the streets. He had flashes of everything he has done lately. Trent morphs into the White Ranger again. Mesagog sends Elsa and Zeltrax to capture him.They go down to retrieve the White ranger, only to have a tough time with the White Ranger. He kicks their butts.
Connor, Ethan and Kira arrive just as Elsa and Zeltrax are picking themselves from the ground. Elsa and Zeltrax leave and the Rangers battle the White Ranger. During the fight, Kira is able to tap into her dino morpher. She goes super dino mode and battles the White Ranger. White ranger is still too much for Kira and she ends up demorphing.Red and Blue rangers try to protect Kira as they battle the White Ranger. They are still no match for the White ranger. The White Ranger is ready to finish Kira off as the others are struggling to get up. When he sees that it is Kira, White Ranger is overcome with Trent's memories of Kira and he cannot harm her. He grabs his head and moved away from hitting her. Conner and Ethan take advantage of his hesitation, going into super dino mode as well and drive him away. Conner and Ethan race to Kira's side after demorphing and help her up.
"You okay?"
"Yeah, I'll be fine," Kira said holding her arm. "Weird, he knew my name."
"What did you say?" Connor asked. Kira looked back at him.
"Nothing. You two should maybe go help Hayley. I have to be somewhere."
"Where?"
"I'll catch up with you guys later!" Kira ran off.
"That babe is weird."
"Babe? How many times must she tell you not to call her that!" Ethan hit him.
Kira tracked down Trent by a small lake in the park by the woods.
"Trent! Hey, why did you leave so suddenly at the café?"
"Oh, that, I had to leave."
"Trent, I want to help you. I can see that you need it, but I can't help you, if you won't tell me what's wrong."
"I know. I'm sorry for leaving."
"Whatcha drawing?"
"Nn-nothing!" Trent goes to pull back his book.
"Please." Trent sighs. Kira notices that drawing Trent has done of the White Ranger. "The white ranger? But why Trent, he's not a superhero."
"I don't have a choice."
"What are you saying?" Kira asked. Trent shows the bracelet. Kira jumps up in fear, wanting to defend herself. "You!" Trent nodded. "You almost killed me!"
"But I didn't, once I saw it was you, I stopped…I couldn't…"
"And my friends, would you have stopped for them!"
"Kira!" Trent went to touch her.
"Don't touch me!"
"Kira, don't! I couldn't help it. The gem…it has changed me, made me do things I would never do. Like hurt you. I can't take it off or control it as I wear it. The gem is controlling me. Please, believe me." Trent touched her arms that were crossed over her chest. "Please, say you believe me." Kira looked him in the eyes.
"Why should I believe you?"
"Because I would never hurt anybody, Kira. Especially you."
"Okay. I believe you. And I think I know a few people that can help us. Connor and Ethan."
"Wait, are they… ?"
"Yeah. Just wait here, I'll go get them and we can figure this all out."
"Okay."
"Promise me you will be here."
"I won't move." Kira squeezed his hand and rushed away.
As soon as Kira leaves, Elsa figured out who the white ranger was in human form. Trent is captured by Tyranodrones and taken to see Mesagog. Mesagog is eager to see the White Ranger. Mesagog was pleased that it was Anton Mercer's son and he wants Trent to join their side. Trent, of course, refuses the job. Mesagog tells Trent that eventually he will become fully evil and hurt everyone in his path. Trent doesn't want to believe that. Trent is able to morph and escapes the island fortress.
Meanwhile, Kira runs to Tommy's home. She tells them all about Trent being the white ranger.
"Trent? Oh man!" Hayley and Kimberly were working on Tommy.
"I don't believe this!"
"All this time he has been pretending to be our friend while kicking our butts," Connor said.
"I know guys, but honestly it's not his fault. It's the gem."
"Stop defending him!"
"I'm with Connor on this," Ethan said.
"The gem is too powerful!"
"Look at what he did to Dr. O!"
"It is his fault!"
"Not exactly," Kimberly said. She wanted to break the tension and arguing amongst the trio. "If Mesagog had the gem first, he could have encrypted the bracelet with his own evil plan. The gem is just doing what it was programmed to do. Be evil."
"Hayley, Kimberly, he needs our help." Hayley turned from the computer on Tommy.
"I don't know what I can do, but I will try."
"Me too. Go get Trent and bring him here."
"What? You two can't honestly want to bring that guy here!"
"Connor, we have to help him! What if when Tommy was the evil Green ranger, my team decided tough luck and let him go? Where would we be now?" Connor's head went down. "We have to do everything in our power to help him, save him."
"Fine, I have some things I really want to lay on that guy." Kimberly and Hayley went to go with the rangers. "I think it's best you stay here with Dr. O, Mrs. Oliver."
"How many times do I have to tell you, Connor, call me Kimberly!"
"Sorry."
"That Mrs. Oliver shit makes me feel old. I get enough of that at work."
"I'm just saying since your condition…"
"I'm pregnant, it's not just a condition I am in, okay."
"Connor is right, you need to stay here, especially when the children come back."
"Oh, they shouldn't be home til dinner with their uncle Rocky and auntie Aisha for the day."
"Still, I would feel better and I know Tommy would want you to stay here."
"Don't go throwing Tommy's name in my face like I will do as you say, though you're right. I'll stay here and finish up the scan."
"Thank you."
They leave but once they reach the lake, Trent is not there. Kira finds Trent's sketchbook on the ground but no Trent.
"You see, he lied again." Kira picks it up after Ethan's comments.
"No, he promised me."
"Kira, I'm telling you. That guy is bad news. Trent can't be trusted." Kimberly looked up as the computer beeped. She brought up the rangers on the computer as she contacted them. Connor looked down as his bracelet beeped in.
"Yeah."
"Guys, we have trouble."
"What?"
"White ranger in megazord form."
"Where?"
"The city."
"Man, mega Megazord action right off the back."
"You guys better hurry. Hayley, I think it's time to break out the new dinosaur."
"I'll be right there."
"We're on it."
"Guys, be careful."
Connor turns to Kira and Ethan.
"We have to do everything in our power to stop Trent. You know that, right?"
"Of course." Kira agrees although privately she is torn by the dilemma. Connor held his hand out.
"Promise?"
"Okay." Kira put his hand on top. Ethan followed.
"Okay, ready?"
"Ready!" They morphed. The Rangers call for their Megazord. The White Ranger is in his waiting to fight. They begin to battle and Hayley sends a new zord, the Ankylozord. The White Ranger thinks he can take the zord into his collection. The two megazords have a tug of war with the Ankylozord. They almost lost it, but the Rangers eventually used the Ankylozord on the White Ranger and defeat him. Hayley and Kimberly are pleased with that. In just one day, the rangers have pushed back the White ranger in 2 separate battles.
Kira waits for Trent at the lake with his sketchpad. Trent comes up behind her.
"Hey, where did you go? Why didn't you wait for us?"
"I did, but…it's a long story." Trent chuckled. "I always thought being a superhero would be fun, but this…this is nothing like I ever would have drawn myself."
"Look, let us help you, let me help you."
"It's too late for me."
"Trent, we can…"
"No! The gem has taken over like he said. I have to go."
"Where?"
"I have to get away from everyone. It's not safe around me."
"Trent, you shouldn't…"
"No! I'm leaving!" Trent took his pad and tossed it into the lake as he walked away. Kira watches him go.
Kira came back to Tommy's house. Kimberly looked over at her.
"What's wrong?"
"Trent. He's gone."
"Come on, let's go upstairs."
"Where's Hayley, Connor and Ethan?"
"Hayley and Ethan went back to the café. Connor went to pick up some things Hayley needs for Tommy." They went upstairs. Kimberly went and made tea.
"Are you okay?" Kimberly asked.
"I just feel torn."
"I understand, I felt the same before."
"When Tommy was evil?"
"Yeah, though when I learned it, Tommy was good by the end of the day," Kimberly said with a smile.
"That's not going to happen here, huh?"
"No, but we have to believe eventually it will happen." Kimberly pulled down to mugs.
"How did you stay so confident as a ranger?"
"I was a mess back then, but I always had my best friends with me. They were my lifelines, as much as I was to them. That's what you have to do, depend on your teammates, your friends."
"We never ever talked until this year. I mean, I saw Ethan around, knew he was smart and Connor, I never liked that boy." Kimberly smiled. "Now, look at us, hanging out, talking…it all just seems so unreal."
"But it is." Kimberly pulled out some cookies. Kira took one. "And as hard as it is, trust me I know, you will be fine."
"How can you say that?" Kira asked.
"Because, when I look at you, I see a bit of myself, a bit of Trini and Aisha in you."
"You do?"
"You have Trini's quiet soul, and Aisha's attitude to kick some butt." Kira smiled.
"What do I get from you?"
"A keen sense of style and grace."
"Dr. Oliver says, you play the guitar." Kimberly poured some water into their cups.
"I do."
"I would kill for a record deal."
"Why? From what I hear, you're pretty damn good."
"Nah," Kira said.
"Yeah. Look, any time you just want to talk, need help with anything, I'm here. It's a scary world, but you have friends that care about you."
"I always wanted a big sister."
"Good. I would like that, too. I always wanted a little sister."
"Could you play for me sometime? I would love to see how an expert does it."
"Oh, I don't know about that," Kimberly said with a laugh. "But sure."
There was a half-day at school on Tuesday, October 9th, with it being a teacher workday. Trent left for the forest since he felt he was a danger to everyone. Cassidy and Devin are on the hunt for the White Ranger. They are in the forest as well to track the White Ranger down. Trent, Cassidy, and Devin all run into each other in the forest. A meteorite crashes in the forest and in the front of Trent, Cassidy, and Devin.Trent cautions them to be careful.
In the meantime, Hayley still cannot figure out how to free Tommy. Connor was playing with his soccer ball. Ethan was at his computer, playing a video game. Kira was stroking her guitar.
"Anything?"
"There just isn't enough power in these systems to free him."
"So, we need a stronger power source?"
"Looks like it," Hayley said to Kimberly. Kimberly rolled her eyes as Connor was talking aloud as he kicked around the ball. She groaned, she never allowing her boys to play ball in the house, and technically this was her house. Kimberly was able to block Connor's advance and kick up the ball into her hands.
"You could break something."
"How did you do that?"
"Do what?"
"Block me."
"I read your motions from your eyes. No soccer in the lair."
"Sorry." Kimberly tossed the ball back to Connor. He smiled.
"Oh man, I'm on the final stage of the game! Just one more level and I break my all-time record." Connor shot his ball onto Ethan's keypad, making him lose. "Connor! Oh man! How could you do that? Now, I have to start all over."
"You know, there is this thing called the 'outdoors, might want to check that out'."
"Whatever dude. I'll do that, when I see you in a library." Connor laughed.
"You have a better change of seeing Kira on a fashion runaway."
"Don't go there," Kira said. Connor and Ethan laughed.
"So, Hayley, any luck?"
"I need to find a strong enough source to free him safely." The computer beeped. Kimberly turned toward the computer screen.
"What in the world..." Kimberly brought up the image for all to see. "The satellite is picking up a strange source in the forest."
"We should go check it out." The rangers leave.
Kira, Conner, and Ethan arrived in the forest. Kira is surprise to see Trent, though Conner and Ethan aren't pleased. Trent's been missing a few days now. Devin and Cassidy are confused by the whole exchange. Tyranodrones and Rojobot arrive. Rojobot was supposed to be Zeltrax most vial creature created so far, but came out a dud, a wimpy creature. It was still sent to battle. Devin wants film the battle, but Cassidy feel that this is nothing new and they run away.
"So, who's side are you on, Trent?" Connor asked.
"Do you want my help or not?"
"Guys, come on!" Kira goes into battle with Ethan. Conner, Kira, Ethan, and Trent battle the tyrandrones and Rojobot. During this time the meteorite sends off purplish waves that hits Conner, Ethan, Kira, Trent, Devin, Cassidy and Rojobot since they are in the way.
"Hayley that rock is sending off strong waves."
"You guys better get away from that rock," Hayley said. "Those readings are off the chart."
"Kind of late for that," Kira said blocking a swing from a Tyrandrone. Rojobot is transferred into evil finally by the rock and attacks everyone. The rangers morph to fight him with better strength. Rojobot retreats and the Rangers demorph.
"Well, that was a challenging altercation."
"Yeah, and I was just getting started! I wanted to totally annihilate that guy."
"Ew….I broke a nail." Kira said looking at her hands.
"Where's Trent?" They all look around. Their bracelets beeped.
"Guys, head back. Hayley's got news on that space rock."
"Space rock?"
They return to Tommy's home and Hayley and Kimberly notices the differences in their personalities off the back.
"It's a meteorite."
"Fascinating." Kimberly looks up at Connor. "It must have broken off during some intergalactic voyage."
"Hmmm?"
"What?"
"I'm afraid that coming in such close proximities might have some strange side-effects on you guys. Do you guys feel okay?"
"I feel fine, except I must rush home and fix my nails. I got dirt under them and I know my cuticles are dying for some treatment."
"I need to hit the gym, work on my pecs."
"I want to get home and watch that documentary on the history channel."
"Uh…huh."
"Fascinating. Goodbye."
"See ya."
"Later," Kira said as she left with Connor and Ethan.
"Okay, Connor is smart, Ethan is interested in pumping iron, and Kira wants to do her nails. Did we miss something here?"
"No, I think that was it." Even Devin and Cassidy were affected by the rock. Devin turned into a dancing man and Cassidy follows him around.
Next day
After school, Hayley grows more concerned as the Ranger's new personalities become more pronounced. Ethan was pumping iron in the lair, as Connor came in with a stack of books and sporting new glasses. Kimberly snorted.
"Uh, Connor are you okay?"
"But of course. Good afternoon to all, the weather is delightful outside as I made my way back from the library."
"You were at the library?"
"Of course. Where's Kira?"
"I do not know." Connor went over to read. Kira came in with several shopping bags.
"Oh, Kimberly, dear! I just rushed here to tell you there is a wonderful sale at the mall. Would you be interested in joining me?"
"You want to go back to the mall?"
"But of course! There is still some light out, and much more shopping to do!"
"Okay, Hayley there is not doubt that there were side-effects to that meteorite."
"That is obvious. We need to destroy that rock and get you guys back to normal."
"And fast." The computer beeped. Rojobot was back attacking people in the city.
"You guys better go deal with that." Connor dropped his books, as Ethan put down the weights and Kira dropped her bags.
"Ready?" Connor held up his arm. Kira fixed her hair band, as Ethan checked his arms.
"Ready!" They held up their arms the same and morphed into action. Not in their right minds, the rangers are no match for Rojobot. The new personalities do not help the Rangers in their battle with Rojobot. Conner doesn't have the strength, Ethan is a hothead wanting to just kick butt and Kira is too concerned with her looks. Rojobot leaves, feeling they are not even worth a battle.
The rangers are irate when Hayley contacts them. Conner, Kira, and Ethan go to Tommy's home and start complaining about being interrupted.
"Oh, we're so sorry to have disrupted your busy days," Kimberly said as she was fed up with their attitudes. "But Hayley might have found a way to unfossilize Tommy."
"Oh, really?"
"Really?"
"No way."
"Yes, way. The meteorite rock might have enough energy to free Tommy." Kira, Ethan, and Conner changed their attitude upon hearing this news from Hayley."And I believe the meteorite has also affected you guys."
"Sort of liked freed a weird part of their inner selves." Hayley nodded with a smile.
"I don't appreciate being called weird."
"Sorry."
"We don't think you guys are weird, it's just…you guys are showing a part of yourselves you never have before."
"So of course, that's a bit weird."
"A recessive personality trait."
"Yeah, you could say that."
"So, that's why Trent helped us."
"Yes, he is still good inside."
"Great. Now, all we have to do is pull it together as a team and trust me, everything will work out fine."
"Okay."
"That sounds probable."
"Alright, here's what I need for you guys to…" Before the Rangers can get the meteorite, they have to have another battle with Rojobot."Well, first thing is first. Deal with Rojobot."
"Right."
"Ready?"
"Ready!" The Rangers work together better this time, even going into super dino mode to defeat the monster before it is super-grown to building height. They get additional help from Trent in his megazord. The Rangers able destroy Rojobot as a team, and then Trent leaves. The rangers rush with their cycles to the meteorite. Conner, Ethan, and Kira arrived at the forest and blast into several pieces the meteorite. With the shattering of the meteorite, Ethan, Kira, and Conner revert to their normal personalities.
Ethan, Conner, and Kira return to Tommy's home with a piece of the meteorite. Hayley and Kimberly extremely happy to see them back to normal.
"Hey, since the meteorite helped Trent be good, couldn't we use it to break the evil case of dino gem?"
"That might work, but first I want to free Tommy," Hayley said. Hayley loads the piece into a machine and aims it at Tommy.
"Come on, Hayley."
"Cross your fingers." Kira takes Kimberly's hand and they cross their fingers. The rock overloads the machine and the meteorite is destroyed.
"Oh no, the rock!"
"Dr. O!"
"Hey look!"
"Yeah! It worked!" The Rangers are happy to see that it did defossilized Tommy. Tommy comes out still in his ranger suit.
"Wow, great job guys. Power down." Tommy looks down. "I said, Power down!" The Rangers, Kimberly and Hayley's grins turned into concern when it becomes apparent that Tommy cannot demorph. "I think, we might have a problem."
