Disclaimer: I own none of this. This is just a story I wrote for the enjoyment of others who also love the Power Rangers series, and a good Tommy/Kimberly fic.
Chapter Four: Kimberly
Kimberly was just finishing off another drone when Zeltrax cried out, "The Power Rangers!" Kim kicked away the foot soldier she was dealing with, and turned around. Her mouth dropped open when she saw the five Rangers facing her. They wore suits that were very different from hers. However, due to very strategically placed markings and the weapons they held indicated that they were Rangers who controlled the power of dinosaurs.
"Who are you?" She asked.
"We're the Dino Thunder Power Rangers. Don't worry Miss Pink Ranger, we're here to help!" The Red Ranger informed.
"You guys took your time and there is none for introductions. We have to stop Elsa and Zeltrax. They're trying to get fuel cells for some machine that would freeze you!" Kim explained quickly.
"How do you know that?" Dino Thunder Yellow asked.
"I was eavesdropping! Can we get on with this?" Kim demanded.
"Rangers! Attack!" Dino Thunder Red ordered.
Conner ran into the thick of the Tyrannodrones, knocking aside the first one that came into view with a punch. He didn't wait for another to attack, downing another one with a kick. Bringing forth his Tyranno Staff Conner began bashing his way through the drones. They fell like rocks as he charged through them.
Ethan was using his Thundermax Saber. He sliced his way through two Tyrannodrones, not stopping even as they fell. He charged forward into the thick of the battle where he spun around using the sword to knock out all the drones in his way.
Kira chose to forgo her usual weapons in exchange for some hand- to- hand combat. She blocked the punch of a Tryannodrone, and threw one into its abdomen. As the creature doubled over she grabbed its arm, and thrust it at two more who were coming in for an attack. She kicked away the next that came after her. Trent flipped through the air, slashing away at Tyrannodrones with his Drago Saber. He was on a roll, taking out every one that came his way. A group of drones tried to get the jump on him, but he was quick to spot the ambush. He rolled out of the way as they converged on him. Tommy meanwhile had been cutting through the Tyrannodrones without a problem. He lifted one off the ground, and threw it at a group of drones. They all fell to the ground in a heap while others trampled over them to get to Tommy. Out of the corner of his eye he happened to spot Elsa driving her sword into Kim's leg. Sparks flew as her suit was compromised, and blood began to pour from the new wound.
Kim grimaced in pain. Her power coin may have healed her arm, but she didn't think it would come back for a second round of healing. Kim lost her balance, and dropped to one knee, using her Blade Blaster as a brace to keep her up. She struggled back to her feet, not done by a long shot.
"Keep trying Pink Ranger." Elsa taunted.
"Power Bow!" Kim called. Her old weapon came when called, and it felt great in her hands again. Notching an arrow, she aimed and fired. When the arrow hit its target Kim punched her fist into the air. By now Elsa was filled with rage, feeling nothing but hatred for the Pink Ranger. Kim made a move to charge at the dark warrior, but something happened.
Dino Thunder Black flipped over her, landing in just two feet from her. He took on a fighting pose, gesturing for Elsa to attack.
"What are you doing?" Kim demanded.
"You're injured. I can bring you to our base where a friend of mine can treat your injury." Dino Thunder Black informed.
"It's nothing. I'm not giving up." Kim informed curtly. She stepped around the Black Ranger, taking up a stance beside him. The last thing she needed was a Ranger who treated her like some Damsel in Distress.
Those days were long gone. Kim was a changed woman, and now a changed Ranger as well.
"You don't know what you're up against here. Let me help you." Dino Thunder Black urged.
"Look Buddy, I know what I'm doing. I've been at this a lot longer than you, and I sure as heck don't need some kid helping me. Help your comrades." Kim informed curtly. Tommy had to suppress a chuckle. Kim thought he was a teenager like the other four. Boy, was she in for a wakeup call.
"If you two are quite through then I'd like to destroy you both." Elsa said disdainfully. She fired energy blasts at the both of them.
They both avoided her attacks as they ran in to deliver their own. Kim swung her leg up, aiming a kick at Elsa's head while Dino Thunder Black aimed a kick for her chest. Both Rangers managed to strike her, causing the villain to gasp for breath.
"Perhaps you need to fight your own challenge Black Ranger." Zeltrax growled.
"You want a challenge Zeltrax? Come at me!" Kim taunted.
"Are you out of your mind? You don't know Zeltrax like we do! He's dangerous!" Dino Thunder Black argued.
"I can fight Zeltrax just as well as you can, or is this a masculine thing? It's the year 2004, you twit! I can fight my own battles." Kim shot back.
"This has nothing to do with you being a woman. You don't know what they're capable of." Dino Thunder Black hissed.
"How many times do I have to tell you kid? I can handle this!" Kim said harshly.
"I've been battling these goons longer than you have. Ma'am." Dino Thunder Black retorted.
Kim glared at the Black Ranger, even though she knew that he couldn't see her face. The other four Rangers suddenly appeared on either side of them.
"All right Rangers, form the Z- Rex Blaster!" Dino Thunder Red commanded. The Dino Thunder Rangers mobilized, linking their weapons together. Zeltrax and Elsa dematerialized before the blast even hit them. The remaining Tyrannodrones and Electronix vanished as well.
"Another win for the Power Rangers." Kira said triumphantly.
"Great work everyone." Conner informed.
"Good thing we had a little help." Ethan agreed.
"Yeah, hey thanks… Where'd she go?" Trent asked. They all began to look around, but found no sign of the Pink Ranger.
"That fool!" Tommy hissed.
"What is it Dr. O?" Conner asked.
"She was injured." Tommy informed.
"How bad?" Kira asked.
"Her leg looked like it belonged on the Red Ranger. Does that answer your question?" Tommy asked hardly.
"Why would she leave? How's she going to get help?" Trent asked concerned.
"She's resourceful. Kimberly was a good Ranger, but she didn't seem to want help. I think she ran because she didn't want our help." Tommy explained calmly.
"But if she was as hurt as you say then where's she going to go?" Conner demanded.
"I don't know. We need to get back to base though." Tommy informed.
"What about the Pink Ranger?" Trent asked.
"Haley, start running a scan for any Pink Ranger energies in the city." Tommy ordered through his morpher.
"I'll set one up now. Any specific traits you want to scan for?" Haley asked.
"Any fluctuation of pink will do. I have a feeling that we only have one Pink Ranger running around Reefside at the moment, an active one anyway." Tommy replied.
"Hey guys, I think we better get out of here. I hear sirens." Kira pointed out. The others heard it too, and the five quickly made their escape.
Kim rode in the backseat of a cab. She'd snuck away from the Rangers when they began to talk after the battle. Now she was on her way to the hospital. She'd managed to find a secluded place after escaping, just long enough to use her blouse as a bandage to staunch the blood flow. It was wrapped tightly beneath her jeans, holding in that vital fluid. Her jacket was now zipped up to her throat. No sense in attracting unwanted attention. Of course it seems that she'd already done that. Her first day on the job, and she was the one who ran into the bad guys.
What was she going to say to her boss? There was no way that she could tell him the truth. Her identity as a Power Ranger would remain a secret. She wasn't even sure how long she'd be able to morph. She actually had no idea how she could still morph. The return of her powers still left her stunned. It had all happened so fast that she hadn't had time to analyze it. A wave of dizziness suddenly swept over Kim, and she forced herself to relax. The blood loss was starting to get to her. She'd have to hold on long enough to get to the hospital.
It might have been smarter to seek immediate help with the Dino Thunder Rangers, but Kim couldn't get acquainted with them. With no idea how long her powers would hold out she wasn't going to get involved. It had been hard enough when her Power Coin had been stolen years ago. She remembered the slow drain on her powers, leaving her weakened. When and if her powers did finally run out she knew that it would crush her. It would also hinder the Rangers if they worried about her. That Black Ranger seemed very intent on keeping her from fighting. Sheesh, it was almost as if he knew that she was much older than he. He was a good kid though, fighting for the sake of his planet. She'd give him that. When the cab pulled up in front of the hospital, Kim stumbled out after throwing some bills into the front seat. As she entered the ER entrance Kim called out weakly, "A little help here." It was the last thing she said as darkness closed in around her.