TOMMY
I lie awake for a long time, thinking about what Andros said and the brief conversation with Hayley and the other Rangers. It completely sucks that I lost the powers, but at least someone was able to use them. I know I shouldn't be too upset, it's not like I haven't been through all of this before. Besides I know that I'd be no real use to the Rangers right now anyways even if the power hadn't suddenly found me unfit to be a holder, but still I almost wish I was there. Almost. It occurs to me that I might be a little homesick. I banish that thought. I haven't been here all that long! Maybe it's just the realization that I've lost another set of powers and, again, not by my choice.
I sigh again as I remember what happened when they called, too. I'm sure that Zedd thinks that I missed it, but I was well aware of the possessive look he gave me when I said something about seeing them again. Not to mention his rather forceful display with his dinner knife. Good luck to Goldar removing that from the table it's now embedded in. I don't know what to do with him though. When I tried to talk to him before bed, he quickly brushed off any questions I raised about his behavior as just being tired and distracted with work, not to mention his slaying of a nonexistent spider.
Looking at his sleeping form, I shaking my head in annoyance. "Idiot." Rolling my eyes as he only mutters in his sleep at my statement and pulls his pillow over his head, I give up for the moment. Even if I am staying - and it looks like I am - there's still business I have to deal with back on Earth and he'll just have to deal with that like it or not. I'd have to deal with my house, my accounts, get some of my things, see the gang one last time.
My thoughts return to the current Rangers. I can remember them more clearly now that I've spoken to them. I haven't seen them in person since the last visit in the hospital, but even then I wasn't really sure who they were to me. Now that I do recall, I do miss them all - even when Conner calls me 'dude'.
I'm also fairly certain that I heard more than one adult voice call me by my name. Who was there helping them? Odds are, they called in Billy and Trini, but if that's so, then why are they having problems? Billy has intergalactic contacts too, so why aren't they using them? Did they not think of it or is it not helping?
Somehow, I doubt that Mesogog would ally himself with an off planet evil. He's just too determined to have it for himself and he's more than smart enough to realize that a bigger evil would certainly have the means to take it from him if he were successful. On the other hand, if Hayley and the kids have done a good enough job of beating him consistently, he might be desperate enough to consider it. Maybe Zedd can help find something out since he did work for the other side before. Maybe he can ask around or-
Suddenly distracted from my plans, I feel that pull again, like I'm being summoned. Quietly and carefully, I slip away from Zedd. I know that the bond is still open from my panic attack earlier, so if he wakes up while I'm gone, he'll know where I've gone and why. I'm sure he won't be thrilled that I'm venturing out at this hour of the night, but if anything I'm sure Pina can settle him down. Silently, I slip down the stairs, through the kitchen and out the back door. I can see the bird sitting on the low wall at the edge of the garden. I cross over to him. He studies me for a long time.
Abruptly, he takes a short flight to the corner of the wall. He looks back at me, almost as if he expects me to follow. I move closer and he takes off again. And again. And again. The pattern repeats itself until we are deep into the woods. I hope that I can find my way out again or he leads me back to the castle as wandering off is one thing, getting lost in miles upon miles of unfamiliar woods is a completely other.
When he finally stops, we are in a clearing that I don't recognize. Crossing into it, my skin tingles, almost as if I've somehow crossed onto sacred ground. Banishing the fanciful thought, I look at what the bird has landed on. It vaguely resembles a Native American totem pole. Slowly, I move closer and then reach out to touch it. I pause briefly an inch away from it and then set my hand on it. The tingling on my skin suddenly becomes an itch, but not quite in a bad way.
I try to pull my hand away, but I find that I'm unable to move. I can still hear and feel and see. The bird lands on my shoulder and tightens his grip until I can feel his nails sink into my skin. What the hell is going on here?
I realize that I still feel no panic, which is odd. Once more, I feel the stirring inside me. I'm not sure what's happening, but since I have no way to fight it, I try and relax. I'm startled when the bird on my shoulder speaks - and I can understand him.
"You are getting closer to being able to release the power inside you. When it is time, you will know and will return here." In my mind's eye, I can see a village with this pole as its center. "A very long time ago by your standards, this was a sacred place and linked to the planet you call Phaedos. It is here that you will once again find your spirit's freedom. There is a time coming, when the three moons align, that this place can still be used as a portal to reach the great temple. If you are ready by then, you may - for a short while - travel there once more."
"But how will I return?" I ask anxiously.
"It will be available for the span of three of your days, so you should have plenty of time. Do what you can to prepare."
With that, he launches off of me and I can finally withdraw my hand from the pole. I take a step back and a wave of dizziness comes over me. I drop to one knee as I try and wait it out. I try to stand, but the disorientation keeps me down. If I get out of the clearing, will it help? The world tilts as I crawl toward the edge and it becomes harder to focus and to move. Suddenly, I collapse, unable to move any more. I'll rest for just a minute and maybe I can get out and back.
