************************* Juice bar*****************************
24 hours...
It had been 24 hours since the attack. The bodies... the remains... had been cleaned up. The floors bleached and anything unable to be cleaned, had been thrown out. It was amazing to Ernie how with a little spit and polish it was almost as if this wasn't the site of a mass murder just last night.
There are been... complications. Those still alive, who had been in there homes or had been hiding, were angry at the power rangers. Almost violently so.
After all the rangers had done for them. Now the people of Angel grove were calling for heads... blaming the rangers for this new evil that had befallen them.
Ernie heard it all.
"We were better off on the moon!"
"Maybe they tried and failed..."
"How could they abandon us again?"
"The rangers should have stopped this."
"I was here! They never came!"
Ernie listened to it all with a calm face, that did not match the burning in his soul. The rangers didn't deserve this hate. He silently prayed that the teenagers would not show up in ranger gear.
It would be dangerous to do so.
Thankfully Ernie's prayers were answered a few hours later when Bulk and Skull arrived. It was clear to the juice bar owner that these two individuals were a 'secret' go between for the power rangers and the people of angel grove. The eyes and ears when the rangers were... wherever else they went.
"Hey guys. Can you give me a hand in the back room?" Ernie asked nonchalantly after they duo had been there for about 45 mins.
"Sure Ernie, we'd be happy to." Bulk replied. Skull nodded.
Ernie smiled slightly. These two had grown up so much. "Oh wait I need to get something in my office..." he said opening the door. Motioning for the duo to go in.
"You know you could have just said you wanted to talk to us." This time Bulk sat in the chair in front of the desk.
Ernie shook his head, shutting the door. "Didn't want anyone to get suspicious."
"Have they... been saying stuff like that all day?" Skull asked. "About the rangers?"
Ernie nodded yes.
Bulk sighed. "Can't really blame them. This new guy, Ivan Ooze, is really bad news...and the Nightmare..."
"Bulk should you be telling Ernie all this?" Skull worried. "What about what Zordon said?" Skull's eyes went wide and he clapped his hands over his mouth realizing what he had said.
Ernie merely waved off Skull's worry. "I know about Tommy being the white falcon ranger. About Kimberly and Billy being former rangers and well a few other things anyway... but..." Ernie sighed. "Please tell me they have a plan?"
Bulk shook his head. "All the big forces of good are working on it but as of right now. They got zip."
"But don't give up Ernie. I believe in them." Skull said, hope shining in his eyes. "If anyone case save us now. It will be the rangers."
"I just hope it will be enough..." Ernie sighed, "Be sure to tell the others that its not safe for the rangers right now. If they need to come down, best be dressed as normal teens."
Bulk nodded. "We will." he promised.
*********************** Ninjor's room***********************************
"Ninjor? Are you in here?" Justin's voice seemed to echo in the large room. Usually he didn't mind coming into Ninjor's room but without the blue ninja with him, it felt like... walking on sacred ground. Even though Ninjor still spent a lot of time in his vase. The room had been decorated with blue banners with the N of Ninjor on them as well as a few pillows, small table and a couple potted plants that looked like vines. Incense always seemed t be burning, sending up dancing waves of smoke that was always sweet and never made Justin cough.
"I am here young wolf." The voice spoke from behind Justin and the little human turned quickly. Ninjor said nothing but was happy when the fear in Justin's face vanished with a smile. The boy had been through so much. He could feel it in his ninja spirit when they practiced fighting.
"You didn't show up for kata practice." Justin said. "I was worried."
Ninjor sighed, "Forgive me. I forgot."
"It's okay. I know you and the others have a lot on your minds about everything." Justin tried not to let how distressed he was feeling bleed into his voice. But he was scared. They had been beaten badly, Billy had killed around a dozen people and... was this game over again?
"Oh young wolf. If only we had some ideas. Some plan. I regret now letting Zordon seal away the fire-bird coin. Even though she was damaged. It would have been easier to access the power and forge them into a new form. Something we could use as a weapon." Ninjor sighed again. "At this rate. I may have to return to Phadoes but even doing that would risk the world even more. I... never wished to endanger your home. For that I am sorry Justin."
Justin nodded, what else could he do? This was some heavy stuff and while he could understand it, he also couldn't. "So if you had the coin... it would help?"
"Perhaps it would or something like that yes. Why?"
"I'll be right back."
Ninjor watched the little blue ranger run off. Wondering what he could be up to.
******************** Medical************************
"Dulcea?" Kimberly called while still well away. The master warrior and Lerigot seemed to be talking. "I'm sorry to interrupt. "
She watched the woman. Now appearing to be in her fifties turn. "No apology needed. Please come..." Dulcea beckoned with her hand. "What is on your mind swan?"
"Swan..." Kimberly mulled the name over. "You called me that once before. When I was dreaming but... that was real, wasn't it?"
Dulcea smiled and glance for a moment at Lerigot before answering. "Yes, it was very real. You are a very special young lady Kimberly. Though I think perhaps you already know that?"
Kimberly blushed. "Well I'm not a ranger anymore." her voice was soft yet sad.
Lerigot cooed something and Dulcea laughed warmly. "He says that does not change anything Swan. You were born under a very special star."
Kimberly blushed even redder. Truly adorable and innocent. "I always liked swans. Is that my spirit animal?"
Dulcea came closer, leaning down slightly to the shorter girl. "Agile Kimberly, light as a feather and bright as a star. You are the swan. I'm sorry I have no powers to give you. Away from my plateau my magic is weak."
Kimberly smiled softly. "That's okay. It helps just knowing..." She trailed off, putting a hand over her heart.
"What was on your mind?" Dulcea asked after a few moment of quiet.
"Oh I thought," Kimberly pulled out the necklace of time sand from her pocket. "I know you are aging and I thought, if you put this on that it would stop you from growing old...um...older."
Dulcea took the necklace. "Oh Kimberly." She slipped the necklace on. How could she ever tell the human that this small act may have saved Dulcea's life? After all, they never would have been able to take the necklace of time sand from her even though she no longer had need to wear it. Such a power had to be given freely of the owners own volition. Not even hinted at or asked for. "Tommy was right. You have a wonderful heart."
Kimberly nodded before taking a few steps towards the wizard. "I also wanted to thank you Lerigot. You saved me and I owe you my life."
The wizard cooed and clicked. Dulcea translated. "He says you are quite welcome. He was happy to help." Dulcea chose not to translate the rest. While she knew it was a compliment, she doubted Kimberly would find the comparison of compassion to Lerigot's own infant child as the kindness it was intended to be.
"Hey Kim... oh sorry." Adam called from the doorway taking a few steps into the room. "I didn't realize you were busy. I can come back later."
"It is alright Adam. You are not interrupting. Lerigot and I need to go speak with Zordon anyway." Dulcea said with a small smirk. She had only been here for a day but, she saw the secret looks the frog gave the swan when he thought no one was not looking.
Still smirking the warrior and wizard left the two humans alone in the room. For a moment they just stood in silent before Kim asked. "Did you need something Adam?"
"No, I um..." He dropped his shoulders. "I just wanted to check on you. After what you went through last night. Not that you can't take care of yourself but I... I'm here if you need a friend or I can just go away if you want to be alone or whatever you want..." Adam rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly. This had sounded so much better in his head.
Kimberly reached out and touched his arm. "Thank you Adam. I haven't eaten yet today, haven't felt like it, but I really should. Do you want to walk with me to the kitchen?"
"Sure Kim."
Adam fell in step besides the shorter girl. It wasn't a long walk but they remained quiet. Once in the kitchen Adam turned to Kimberly and smiled. "How about some pancakes?"
She blinked but since she had no objections she nodded. "Pancakes sound really good."
"Coming right up."
Kimberly watched Adam mix up some batter and heat up the stove. The way he flipped pancakes in the air. It was almost like watching a dance. She had no idea she was staring at him until her focus was broken by the arrival of Tommy and Katherine.
Things suddenly felt...awkward. But Tommy tired hard to push that away. They were a team. "Can you make me some pancakes to Adam? I missed lunch."
"Me too? Please?" Katherine asked.
"Yeah sure, take a seat." The black ranger motioned to the table.
The only sound was the bubbling butter of the pan as each pancake was made. It was too much silence for the current pink ranger. "Here. I'll get plates." Katherine offered.
"I'll grab forks." Kimberly replied also getting up.
"Might as well get the napkins." Tommy added.
Kimberly snorted a short laugh. "Tommy, I've never seen you use a napkin. Not once."
Tommy turned to her with a mocked look of hurt. "How dare you Kimberly. You know I am a bastion of sophistication."
She wrinkled her nose at him. "You eat a dictionary or something?"
Katherine laughed. "He's been studying with Alpha."
Tommy's face turned beet red. "Well um... as leader I need to be smart as well as strong." Though Tommy would rather lose his back teeth than admit just how much he was enjoying study session with Alpha. The little bot had a way of teaching that made information stay in his mind. No teachers had ever been able to do that before.
Adam put a large plate down. Pancakes dripping in syrup. "Lets eat. Can't save the world on an empty stomach."
The four ate, chatted and teased and for just a moment everything felt right in the world.
*************************** Ninjor room**************
Justin returned but the usually so happy child seemed very shy. "Ninjor I... I took this from the moon and... I think its little bits of gold power coin." He held out the small glass tube with a cork at the top. The very vial Goldar had used to kidnap Kimberly from there room on the moon.
"You are correct." Ninjor moved his hand over the glass and the little grains sparkled and glowed. "Justin this may be of great help. Thank you."
The boy smiled as Ninjor continued. "Come, we should speak to Zordon."
"Really? I can sit in on the planning?" Justin's eyes sparkled.
"Yes young wolf. I have a feeling you will be very important."
************************Submarine***********************
Divatox frowned as she applied another layer of dead sea mud to her face. This wasn't going as planned. Ivan Ooze seemed to have no plans other then chaos and revenge.
And he wasn't falling for her charms as she expected. He had taken over her ship, her crew and pushed her to the side. It was embarrassing! She, Divatox, pirate queen, feared throughout space. Was completely useless on her own ship yet she did not dare speak a word of the injustice she felt.
Perhaps it was time to send Dark Spector a message. The ultimate lord of evil should be made aware of what was happening. It the stories were true, Ooze and Dark Spector were more enemies then anything else.
And maybe Dark Spector would do something for once. Something that actually benefited her.
************************* Outside the Command Chamber*******************
Rocky tried to calm his heart rate. When he had found the side door open in the command chamber he feared the worst. They were not suppose to leave the command chamber alone, and certainly not without telling someone. Zordon's power could only protect them inside those stone and metal walls. And Ivan Ooze had said he wanted the yellow one. "Aisha? You okay?"
Rocky voice drew her from her thoughts as she stared out into the desert. She didn't look at him as she replied. "'I'm fine." She felt him come up to stand partly beside her and partly behind her.
Rocky placed a gentle hand on her shoulder. "No, you're not. What's wrong?" He said it with such kindness and caring that Aisha couldn't stop the two tears that slid down her face nor the sob that slipped past her lips. "Hey hey hey It's okay." Rocky wrapped her in a hug.
Aisha pulled away. "Rocky I don't see how any of this is going to be okay! I know I'm suppose to be the bear. The strong one but..." She gestured to the command chamber. "I can barely breathe in there, the tension is so thick you could cut it with a knife and serve it on a plate." Aisha sighed. "I don't think I can take much more fear and losing all the time. So if you wake up one day and I'm gone... it's not personal." She turned away from him to hide her tears.
Suddenly Rocky grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her back to face him. Fire burning in his eyes. "No! If you want to call it quits, then I'll grab my stuff and let Zordon know. There must be a dozen or so people from the harem that could take our places. But I made you and Adam a promise when we first met on the moon and I intend to keep it. You are never going to be alone again, trying to survive. Not so long as I live. If you want to run, we will run together. I've got your back."
Aisha burst into tears and Rocky pulled her close letting her cry and sob against him. It took awhile but once Aisha finally stopped crying and wiped at her eyes did Rocky asked. "What do you want to do Aisha?"
She bit her lower lip in thought. "Let's go inside. Maybe the others have a plan by now."
Rocky nodded. "Sounds good."
They were almost to the door when Aisha spoke again. "And Rocky? Thanks."
He smiled at her. "Anytime."