Chapter Eighteen
"Rangers..." a voice came from behind them. A voice that they recognized.
'It can't be,' thought Kim. 'Again?' She jumped up from Tommy's arms and twirled around to face the shattered remains of Zordon's tube. Except that she didn't see the remains of his tube anymore. Instead, there was just a bright light coming from that direction. So bright that she had to shield her eyes.
The other rangers turned to face the light. They all shielded their eyes. "No way," said Kim. A shadow began to emerge from the light. The shadow of a man. It began walking towards them.
"Rangers...I'm very glad to see you all."
Kim looked at the elderly man and fainted. Tommy caught her before she hit the floor. The other rangers stood there, with looks of incredulity written across their faces.
"Incredible," said Rocky.
The man walked over to Tommy and Kim and kneeled down in front of her. He looked at Tommy and smiled. Tommy returned the smile and looked down at the unconscious Kimberly in his arms. "Time to wake up, Beautiful."
In a second her eyes fluttered open and she saw Tommy. She looked around and saw the man kneeling over her. She grinned and put her arms around him. "How...what...I don't...Zordon!"
Zordon laughed and pulled her up. She gave him a big hug. Zordon smiled and looked at the other rangers around him. He went around to each of them individually, said a few quick words of hello, and gave them each a big hug.
Zordon stood before the Dino Rangers."I'm very pleased to meet you. All of you. It's good to know the power is in good hands."
Conner nodded toward Tommy. "We have a good teacher."
Zordon followed his gaze and walked over to Tommy. He nodded to Tommy and looked in another direction. Tommy followed him. Zordon stood and faced Tommy."There are no words that can express how proud I am of you. I can't say how surprised I was to hear that you had created and led a new team of rangers." Tommy smiled. "I'm very happy the power has been left in good hands." Zordon looked to the four teenagers. "Those four teenagers...not unlike the five teenagers that I chose so long ago." Tommy nodded as Zordon looked back at him. "And not unlike that sixth ranger who turned out to be one of the greatest." Tommy smiled again. "I am extremely proud of you, Tommy Oliver." He hugged Tommy, then walked back to the rest of the rangers.
Tommy stood with Kim, in the midst of all the rangers. They all stood before Zordon. "Rangers...I am very glad to see you all healthy and in good spirits. I must say, I am extremely proud to see you all answer the call of help from a fellow ranger, whether you are an active ranger or not." Zordon looked at them all as tears began to form in his eyes. "You are all...you..." He took a deep breath and looked down the line. "Jason, you were the first red ranger, the first leader. You have started a generation of rangers that have continued to lead the different teams to victory. Big-hearted and generous, you were always willing to help out a friend in need. Zack, the original black ranger. A smooth talker with dance moves to match. You have always been loyal and true to your friends. Always trying to keep a smile on everyone's face and always willing to help others, even if it means coming face to face with your deepest fears." Zack looked down as he remembered the trip to the Island of Illusion. He glanced back at Zordon. "Billy, longest Mighty Morphin power ranger. The blue ranger. So intelligent and eager to help. You willingly renounced the powers of the Zeo crystal, instead taking the role of an advisor to the team. You have been extremely helpful to myself and Alpha, as well as the ranger teams.
"Aisha, Rocky, and Adam. The second yellow, red, and black rangers. You did not look at yourselves as replacements, but you helped out as much as you could. Aisha, the fearless Bear, so spirited and full of energy. You kept your teammates in check and was always up to the challenge of having the power. Rocky, humorous and trustworthy. You were the only one who could hold the red ranger powers after Jason departed. Adam, the quiet-mannered one. You showed confidence in yourself and was always willing to help the newer rangers.
"Carlos, TJ, Ashley, and Cassie. You stayed until the end. Never willing to give up the Power Chamber without a fight. You all even journeyed into the unknown world of space and beyond. Zhane, a prankster who always put his friends first. You were always one of the most loyal and trustworthy. Andros, you have sacrificed so much in your life as a ranger." Zordon gestured towards Karone and himself. "You had to fight your own sister and you had to sacrifice my own life force to save the world. I'm pleased to see how you take your duties seriously. But you should go out and have fun. Once in a while." Zordon smiled and winked at Ashley. He looked at Karone. "Karone..." She looked up, surprised to hear him say her name. "You have faced many trials in your life. Being taken away from your family and your brother at such a young age. But I am happy to see that you have moved past that time and served the galaxy well as the pink ranger."
"And Tommy and Kimberly. I can't say how happy I am that the Crane and the Falcon have reunited. And hopefully forever this time." Tommy and Kim took each other's hands and nodded as they smiled. "Kimberly, young Kimberly. I remember when you were a young teenager. Wide-eyed and naive about the world. But you grew up. Into one of the finest people I know. And Tommy. The never-ending ranger." Everyone laughed, including Tommy this time. "You make me so proud."
Zordon looked at the Dino Rangers again. "Again, I must say that I am extremely happy to see that the power is in good hands." The teenagers smiled. "Your Dino Gems...you still retain those powers for they have not been destroyed. As long as they are in tact, they are at your disposal. As well as your Ninjetti spirits." He looked at the nineteen rangers standing before him. "Rangers, you..." Tears began to form in Zordon's eyes again as well as the rangers. "You have all been like children to me for the past ten or so years. You have all made me prouder than anything in this world. I wish you all a life full of happiness and laughter."
"Dude, are you about to cry?" whispered Ethan to Conner.
"Shh," replied Conner. "And no. This is just...so moving. He's like their father."
"Where are you going now, Zordon?" asked Kim.
"I will return to the Command Center to check on Alpha and then to my home planet of Eltar. Your powers released me from my time warp and gave me a body again. I thank you all."
"Will we see you again?"
"Of course, Kimberly. I will always be in your lives. And I will return in a short amount of time." He glanced toward the ring on her finger. He smiled. "Good luck rangers. In everything you do. You have brought forth a new beginning for yourselves and for the world. May the power protect you all." In a flash of light, he disappeared.
The ranger stood there, taking in everything that just happened. Then, Bulk and Skull started running out of the bushes.
"Whoa, the Power Rangers save the day. Again," said Bulk. Tommy looked at them with a bemused expression on his face. TJ looked at them and shook his head. Bulk turned to Jason. "I can't believe you guys were rangers too. And the original ones. How come you never told us?"
Jason looked at him with a surprised look on his face. "Uh...Bulk...uh...what gives you that idea?"
Tommy shook his head. "It's okay, Jase. They know about me and them." He gestured toward the space rangers.
"How..? Wha..? I mean, I know they know who the space rangers are, but you?"
"Long story. But trust me, they won't tell a soul." He turned to Bulk and Skull with a menacing look. "Will you?"
Bulk and Skull shook their heads vigorously. "Of course we won't tell. Nobody. Nobody at all," they said at once.
Aisha laughed at their reaction to Tommy's question. "I can't believe how far we've come," she said.
Tommy nodded. "Let's head back to my place." He looked at Bulk and Skull. "And I suppose you guys can come, too. Just don't touch anything." They nodded, eager to follow.
"You guys did it!" exclaimed Hayley as she saw the rangers come into the lab. "I knew you could!" Her eyes widened as she saw the three new people. "Everytime you guys come back, you always bring new people." She turned to Karone first and then Bulk and Skull. "Hi, I'm Hayley." They each took her hand and returned her greeting. "I saw it all. Everything's coming back to normal. Reefside, Angel Grove, Stone Canyon, everywhere. I've been watching the news, too." She gestured towards the computer screen that still showed the park where they had fought. "I'm so happy for you guys!" She turned to Tommy and gave him a big hug. "Finally," she whispered, nodding in Kim's direction who was deep in conversation with Ashley, Karone, Cassie, Kira and Aisha. Tommy grinned at her. "I can't believe that ugly guy was the one who did it."
Tommy nodded. "Believe me, me neither. But if there was anybody who would be evil enough to do it, it would be him." Tommy looked at Kim with a small smile on his face.
Hayley followed his gaze. She smiled. "I've never seen you look like that before. Not at anybody. Only when you're looking at old pictures of you two and remembering the better days. Which, hopefully, there will be more of in the future."
Tommy nodded again. "I hope so." He thought for a moment. "Zedd always did have some sort of fascination with Kim. He tried to make her his queen of darkness once." Hayley looked disgusted at the thought.
"Hey, sorry to interrupt, but Tommy, come here for a minute," said Rocky. Tommy nodded toward Rocky, Jason, Andros, TJ, and Conner. "We need to teach Conner the red ranger handshake." Tommy looked confused as he left Hayley to walk to the others.
Hayley smiled at him and walked over to Kim, Ashley, Cassie, Karone, Kira, and Aisha. "Sorry to interrupt, but can I steal her for a minute?" She gestured towards Kim. They all nodded.
Kim looked at the other girls and stood up. "I'll be back, guys." She and Hayley walked to another end of the lab. "What's up, Hayley?" Kim still didn't know what to make of Hayley. While she knew that Hayley and Tommy were good friends and nothing more, she couldn't help but feel a little jealous at the fact that Hayley has been such a big part of Tommy's life when she wasn't in it.
"I first want to apologize," began Hayley.
Kim furrowed her brow. "For what? You haven't done anything to me."
"For thinking all those horrible thoughts of you in college." Kim looked confused. "Tommy and I were lab partners and he always seemed to have something missing within him. We grew close and he finally got around to telling me about you. I have to admit, he painted you to be this picture-perfect person, but when he got to the letter..." Hayley shrugged.
Kim nodded. She raised her hand. "You don't have to continue. It's alright. You didn't need to apologize. I completely understand why you felt that way. I'm glad you were there for Tommy. He needs his friends around him. All the time."
Hayley smiled. "No, let me. I thought of you as this horrible person who left this man broken. Broken from high school and never in a complete relationship. He told me about Kat, also. He said that she never filled the void that you left."
Kim closed her eyes for a moment, not sure if she wanted to hear the rest.
"But the more that I thought about it, from what Tommy told me about you, I knew there must've been some sort of explanation for the letter. I could tell that he was still in love with you. He never stopped. And he never gave up even if he thought he did. I told him to call you. To find out what happened." Hayley stopped and smiled at her again. She gave Kim a hug. "But at least it all worked out in the end. Even if it is a little late."
Kim smiled at her also. She was beginning to really like Hayley. Hayley could've met her and hated her from only hearing Tommy's side of the whole story, but she was open to Kim. "Thanks--"
"I also wanted to offer my congratulations," interrupted Hayley. "If it were anybody else of my friends, I would've thought that you two were moving too fast, but...I believe it as well as the next person. You two belong together."
Kim gave her a sincere smile with some tears forming in her eyes. "Thank you, Hayley. That really means a lot. It really does."
"No problem. Let's get back to the rest of them, shall we?" They walked back towards the other rangers. "Hey, everyone! It's getting a little crowded here. How about we move the party to the cafe, instead? Everything's on the house for those who saved the world and are related to them or have gone to high school with them."
Conner and Rocky cheered and ran up out of the basement, with everyone following. "Thank God for that," said Rocky. "I was getting hungry."
Hayley's was closed to the public, but it was crowded with all the rangers and Bulk and Skull inside. Trent was sitting by himself, thinking, when Tommy saw him and sat with him.
"Hey, you alright, man?"
"Huh?" Trent looked up as he saw his teacher sit across from him. "Yeah, I'm fine. I'm just..."
"I'm sure your dad's fine, Trent."
"But what if he's not, Dr. Z? What if he was in Mesagog's lab when it was destroyed? If it was destroyed."
"I'm sure it was. And he's not evil, Trent. He couldn't have been destroyed by that blast that we sent." Trent looked down sadly. "Hey, why don't you give him a call? I bet he's somewhere, already working on his next project." Trent looked away. "Come on, there are payphones over there." Tommy pointed.
Trent looked at him with a hint of a smile in his eyes and took his cell phone out of his pocket. "Thanks, Dr. Z."
Tommy smiled. He was really beginning to love that nickname. "No, problem, man." He walked back to the rest of the rangers, who were crowded around a few tables stuck together.
"So, Kim, when's the wedding?" asked Aisha. Everyone turned and looked at her when they heard Aisha. They all stopped talking.
Kim blushed at the attention. "Guys, it just happened. And we just saved the world. Again. We haven't even had time to think about it, much less talk about it."
Tommy heard Aisha as he took a seat next to Kim. He put an arm around Kim. "As soon as possible," answered Tommy after Kim responded to Aisha. Kim turned to Tommy with a look of surprise on her face. "Why not? We've been apart long enough. I think we deserve to be together as soon as possible."
Andros and Zhane looked at each other and smirked. "How about in four weeks?" asked Andros.
"Four weeks?" said Kim. "That's so soon. I have so much to do. I need a dress, we need a place to hold the ceremony, we need--"
"Four weeks sounds great," answered Tommy. Kim stared at Tommy, who looked at her with a smile and shrugged.
"Cool," said Zhane. He and Andros glanced at each other once again and smirked. Ashley noticed this exchange and made a mental note to ask Andros about it later.
"I need help, I need to find a caterer, I need to find people to be in the ceremony, I need to call my parents, ughh, is my mom even gonna be able to come from Paris in four weeks.." rambled Kim.
Aisha put her hand on Kim, who stopped talking abruptly. She looked at Aisha. "Girl, don't worry about it. I'll help you."
"Yeah, me too," said Ashley.
Kim looked at both of them. "You guys don't have to go back?"
Aisha shrugged. "I could probably stay here for another couple of months. I've been thinking of moving back anyway and I guess this could be a start. The clinic over there is doing really well and there are a whole lot of other vets who could handle everything. I always wanted to open a veterinary clinic over here too."
"And I don't have to get back anytime soon," said Ashley.
"Thanks guys, you are the greatest!" said Kim. She, Ashley, and Aisha all looked at Cassie.
Cassie smiled at them, but sadly shook her head. "I'm not too sure, guys. I mean, I just got back from vacation and...I don't know. I don't think I could take another four weeks off...I'm really sorry. If it's in Angel Grove, I might be able to."
Kim looked at Tommy suddenly. "Oh my gosh, I still have so much to do," said Kim. "I don't even live in California anymore, I have to get everything settled in Florida. Figure out what I'm going to do--"
Zhane held up his hand. "Kim, you will be able to pull off a wedding in four weeks. Mark my words, I guarantee you that everything will go off without a hitch."
Kim looked at him with an unsure expression. "How can you be so sure?"
"Because," he looked at Andros and winked. "It's written in the stars." Kim gave him a look of confusion. "Just kidding, I just have a strong feeling that you will."
"Me too," added Andros. They smirked at each other again. Ashley was eyeing them, knowing that something was up.
"Anyways," said Rocky, "I'm getting more fries and another smoothie. Do you guys want anything?" Everyone started telling Rocky what they wanted. He held up two hands. "Sorry guys, I only have two hands. I was really just saying that to be polite!" Rocky started laughing as he walked toward the counter. Adam threw a rolled up napkin at him.
"You guys," started Karone. "I just want to apologize for anything and everything that I did when I was Astronema. I'm really sorry and--"
"You don't have anything to apologize for," said Carlos.
Everyone nodded. "We know it wasn't you," added TJ.
She smiled at all of them. "Thanks guys."
Trent returned, looking more happier than before. "Everything's cool. He's at his office. No Mesagog side effects or anything."
Tommy clapped him on the shoulder. "That's great, man." Trent sat down next to Kira. Tommy looked at the four teens. "So what do you guys think? Your first galaxy adventure."
Kira, Trent, Conner, and Ethan looked at each other. "And hopefully our last one under these circumstances," said Kira.
"Hopefully our last one like this, too," added Adam.
Kira smiled. "It has been...unbelievable."
"Definitely," added Ethan. "We're in the presence of the greatest rangers and we helped them!" He turned to Conner. "Can you believe it, we helped them!"
"Well, you guys are one of us now," said Jason. "Congratulations on joining the club."
"So, the red ranger handshake, what comes after the--" started Conner.
"Shh! It's the red ranger secret!" interrupted TJ. Everyone laughed while Tommy laughed and shook his head at the fictional handshake.
Conner got a look of surprise on his face and nodded as if wanting to keep the secret.
"So, Bulk, Skull, what are your current whereabouts aside from this facility?" asked Billy.
Bulk and Skull looked at Billy with wide eyes.
"Where have you guys been?" translated Zack. "What have you guys been up to?"
"Oh," said Skull. "We own a resort in Angel Grove. Tommy knows about it." He pointed to Tommy, who nodded.
"I still can't believe that you guys are the Power Rangers," said Bulk. "All this time." He shook his head.
"I heard you guys did a pretty noble thing a few years back," said Jason. "On behalf of the Power Rangers," Jason looked at everyone around the table, nodding towards the space rangers, "we'd like to thank you guys."
"It was nothing," said Skull.
"Yeah, after everything that you guys did," added Bulk. "I still can't believe that..." Everyone laughed.
"I still can't believe that we met the old rangers and traveled around the galaxy," said Kira.
"You guys did good," said Kim.
"So, our Ninjetti spirits are with us forever?"
Kim nodded. "They're your guardians."
Kira looked out the window. "Everything looks brand new. Like it hasn't been touched."
"And you're a part of the reason why it's like that," said Tommy.
Kira smiled to herself. She looked at Trent, Ethan, and Conner. They all smiled at each other while the other rangers smiled at each other also. They all sat in silence for a moment, thinking about everything that just happened.
Hayley stood up. Everyone looked at her expectantly. "Well, I think this calls for a toast. To the Power Rangers." She looked around the tables, at each person sitting down in their respective colors. "Thanks for saving the world. Again." Everyone clinked their glasses and took a sip of their drinks.
Bulk and Skull stood up. "We'd like to make a toast, also," said Skull.
Bulk nodded. "Jason, Zack, Billy, Kim, Tommy, Aisha, Rocky, and Adam. We never knew it was you. Thanks for always saving our butts in high school."
Skull nodded. "Yeah, thanks for saving our butts!"
Everyone laughed and took another sip of their drinks.
Jason stood up. "Andros, Zhane, Ashley, Cassie, Carlos, and TJ. Andros, you made the ultimate sacrifice with Zordon. And you guys have so much guts getting in front of Angel Grove and morphing. That will always go down as one of the greatest ranger battles of all time. Thanks for coming along for the ride when you really didn't have to." Everyone took another sip of their drinks.
Aisha stood up. "I don't mean to get all romantic and sappy, but what do you expect from me?" Everyone laughed. "I just wanted to make a toast to Tommy and Kim. For having the power to help us all defeat the evil dudes!" Everyone laughed again. "And for proving that true love does conquer all!"
A chorus of "aw's" echoed around the room as Tommy leaned over and kissed Kim on the cheek while everyone raised their glasses and drank again.
"Hey, I think you're supposed to save that for another four weeks," said Zack in a loud whisper. Everyone laughed and Aisha threw her rolled up straw wrapper at him.
"Well, I guess it's our turn," said Conner. He stood up, followed by Kira, Ethan, and Trent. "To Dr. Z, for helping us to become Power Rangers."
"And for teaching us how to use our powers," added Kira.
"And for letting us hang out at your house at all hours of the day and night," added Ethan.
"And for never giving up on us," ended Trent.
"To Dr. Z!" yelled Conner.
Everyone laughed and echoed him. "To Dr. Z!" Everyone once more took a sip of their drinks.
Tommy stood up. He looked around. "This is to all of you. Thank you for responding to my call when I said that I needed help with Mesagog. Thanks for sticking through it. And thanks for coming by. I'm glad that we all got reunited like this." He looked at Kim. "Who knows what would've happened. To all of you." Tommy raised his glass and everyone followed. He sat down and looked around. "So, what now?"
"I don't want to leave yet," said TJ.
"Yeah," said Carlos. "Who knows when we'll all be together again."
Zhane pointed to Kim and Tommy. "Four weeks. The wedding." Kim and Tommy smiled.
"Well, you guys don't have to leave so soon," said Hayley. "Why don't you tell me, Karone, Bulk and Skull over here what you guys have been up to since this whole 'destruction of the world' thing came into play."
"I don't mind," said Zack. Everyone else nodded.
"Perfect," said Hayley. "Then why don't we start with Dr. Z?" She looked at Tommy and then at the teenagers. Everyone laughed.
"I'd like to know that, too," said Andros. "You never gave me an answer."
Tommy shook his head and laughed. He looked at Conner. "You came up with it, why don't you tell them?"
Conner looked surprised and a little nervous at the thought of relaying a story in front of all the past rangers. He shook it off and said, " Well, when we went to Angel Grove..."
I couldn't bear to have Zordon be killed off again, so I had to bring him back. I thought it was one of the saddest moments in PR history when Andros had to shatter his energy tube. And the line that Rocky says, something about offering to get stuff only to be polite--all from Friends! I love that show and was watching that episode as I was typing this up. Hope you guys enjoyed the story, but don't worry, it's not over yet! It almost is, but not yet!