Kimberly awoke, a burst of air escaping from her mouth. "I'm alive!" She spat out dirt and heard the sound of pebbles skipping around her. I survived she thought in relief. But what she didn't know was whether or not if she had any injuries.
Very gently, Kimberly tested the joints in her arms and her legs. She felt her knees stiffen under her command, as well as her elbows. She used her elbows to sit up. She breathed deeply and her back and chest rose easily. She coughed a little and spat out the phlegm.
Her hand went to her belt next and she could feel a small vibration and hum of power emanate from it. Thanks to a portable force field generator on her belt, Kimberly had been saved from serious injury. She had just been able to turn it on as the ground gave way.
"It only has a limited charge, so use it when absolutely necessary." Alpha Five had told her. Another thank you she owed to her friends, if she got out of her current predicament and finished the quest to gain the Green Ranger powers. She rolled over onto her back and breathed. The surprise attack by Scorpina had almost made her forget. She didn't want to repeat the same mistake.
Kimberly sat up and looked around herself. The force field created enough light to see around her 360 degrees, just enough so that she could look up. The hole above her definitely ruled out a climb, it was about fifty meters high. She walked about her surroundings and touched a wall while looking up again. The ceiling was too high up and the walls were too smooth for climbing.
"Damn it." She whispered under her breath. Time was of the essence and it was running out. With the inclusion of Scorpina in this quest the stakes had become decidedly higher and it was more imperative than ever that she find the Green Ranger power. But I'm off the path! Kimberly cursed herself. Doubts started to creep into her mind.
"Kimberly." Her name came to her ears as though it was spoken like a soft whisper. The familiarity of the voice, deepness of it caused her eyes to open wide with shock and made Kimberly turn to her right when she heard it.
"Zordon?!" Kimberly turned every which way, trying to place where the voice had come from. "But it can't be!" Kimberly continued.
"Follow." Zordon's voice urged. It suddenly dawned on Kimberly to look at her surroundings more thoroughly. She opened her pack and removed from it a powerful flashlight. She clicked it on and looked around her. She felt the walls again. They weren't smooth from any natural formation; they were smooth because they had been hollowed out that way! They had been built!
With aide of the flashlight she saw that there was dust on her hand. She blew on it and dust particles danced into the air. There were markings on the wall, rather they were runes.
"The Sanctuary, I'm in the sanctuary!" Kimberly half whispered to herself.
Zordon's voice spoke again: "Follow." Kimberly turned in the direction of it and ran toward it.
Back on the Astro Mega Star Ship- two days before
Kimberly and the rest of the original Power Rangers listened to Dulcea and Alpha Five intently. They listened to how Alpha had been charged by Zordon, before the time of the Space Rangers, to return to Zordon's home world of Eltar. In his possession was Tommy's original Power Coin.
They listened to how Alpha had taken the power coin back to Zordon's original sanctuary so that the coin could be broken down and purified of Rita's corruption. To purify it had to be broken down to its basic common elements, a flame of pure green energy, once again.
Kimberly asked, "But if I have been stripped from the morphing grid, how can I take possession of the Green Ranger power? How do we know it won't revert back to Tommy?"
"Because the coin has been reduced to its baser elements, it also is not part of the morphing grid. The power needs a new receptacle, and your new Power Coin is exactly the receptacle it needs." Alpha Five explained.
"When the coin comes in contact with the green flame, the coin should draw it into itself, like a battery drawing electricity. It should be that instantaneous." Billy added.
"Okay, then that's the plan. We head over to Eltar, I get the power and then we come back. Simple as that," Kimberly said.
A look of weight and concern seemed to cross Dulcea's face, as she prepared to speak next, but then a tremendous light storm brightened up the windows, like the aurora borealis- lights of shocking white sparked like lightening across known space.
"What's going on?" Trini asked nervously.
"It's Kirai," Karone replied, "she's beginning her attack."
Events as they occurred outside the Astro Mega Ship; were broadcast all over the viewing screens of the spacecraft. All ranger teams saw the brilliant spectacle as it made its way toward the Earth's atmosphere. The energy wave was controlled and precise as it moved past the Moon, a long time stronghold of both Rita and Zedd.
"That doesn't look like anything natural! It's defying the laws of interplanetary physics!" Billy exclaimed.
"That is because it is magic and not science, Billy Cranston." Dulcea said. The wave of energy hit the Earth's atmosphere, becoming translucent, changing from waves to spirals.
"What's it doing?" Asked T. J. Johnson, the Red Turbo Ranger. Billy studied the waves carefully and the readings he was getting from the ship's computers.
"Incredible! It may very well be magic, but the wave is transforming into radio and TV waves."
"Radio and TV?" Aisha said.
Andros switched to a live television feed, a news program from Earth. "It's not just an attack," Andros said, "Kirai is announcing her existence to the Earth!"
Indeed, that's exactly what it was. Andros, Kimberly and the others watched the broadcaster on television disappear into static and be replaced by a horrifying image of a woman; her face filled with anger, determination and most of all: conquest.
"Humans of Earth, I am Kirai, your new empress and ruler. I have come to finish the conquest of your planet started by my parents: Rita and Lord Zedd! I shall make your plant my own and my crown jewel in my empire. Any who dare oppose me shall die! Prepare oh little puny planet of Earth to be conquered!"
The screens returned to the regular news and to the news anchor whose previous calm and cool expression, now looked visibly shaken and confused.
"That super crazed sorceress is an alien of few words." Cassie Chan, the Pink Space Ranger said.
"Andros, sensors are picking up at least ten incoming objects from deep space heading this way!" Alpha Six reported.
"Evasive maneuvers, Alpha!" The Astro Mega ship lurched as it altered its course to avoid collision with the fast approaching objects. Outside of the ship, the surrounding space lit up again as meteoroids flashed by on a path to Earth.
"Stabilize! Stabilize!" Kimberly heard Andros yell. Some of the Rangers were knocked to their feet, while others were almost hurled from their seats. Kimberly hung on tightly to the table in front of her as she heard retro rockets fire and the huge ship started to slow and find a safer path.
"Status, Alpha Six?" Andros asked.
"We've stabilized, yo! We are now in a new orbit with the moon. We should be out of the range of any more sudden meteorites, or whatever those were."
"I'm somewhat relieved," Andros replied, "Alpha Five, were you able to get a count of those objects?"
"Inconclusive, Andros," Alpha Five reported, "sensors tracked at least a dozen or more of those falling bodies."
"A dozen or more? That doesn't sound good," Tommy said to Jason.
"Guys, the news!" Aisha said. All turned to the multiple screens that we're broadcasting from Earth. News feeds from London, Paris, Moscow, Dublin, New York, Atlanta, San Francisco, Tokyo, and more, all showing huge craters from the massive impacts from the falling meteorites.
"I've got a bad feeling all of a sudden." Jason said. They watched in horror at multiple sites on multiple continents at the four corners of the Earth, as creatures of terrible and great length began to emerge from the craters.
"Good Lord!" Aisha said
"They're already humongous." Zack said in astonishment.
"Guys," Rocky called to the others, "check out this one feed from Angel Grove."
"Is that Goldar? Trini asked in disbelief.
"He looks very dead," joined Billy. They all saw it, their old enemy that they all thought was long gone now stood in the center of their old home. His armor looked ragged, worn and unkempt. Holes, jagged and rusty abounded from head to foot. His face looked dead, as if it were decaying; part of his face drooped and seemed to be hanging on.
"He looks like a zombie! Zack said.
Jason could not take his eyes from the screen, "It looks like this witch is settling some old scores for Rita and Zedd." Rita and Zedd had both tried to destroy Angel Grove numerous times in the past. It was the sight of too many battles. Whenever they believed the Power Rangers were on the ropes, they always sent their instrument of attack to establish a foothold on Earth, which always was Angel Grove. Everything always came back to Angel Grove.
"Kirai's invasion has begun, we have to mobilize the Zords immediately, and reinforce the Space Rangers fortifications on the Moon." Tommy said.
"Agreed," Jason said, "but let me take my Tyrannosaurus Zord down to Angel Grove. Something about Goldar's attack doesn't seem right to me."
"I don't know buddy, you may as well take Megazord down instead. All these monsters call for the killing blow." Tommy replied.
"You think it might be a trap, Jason?" Adam asked.
"It could be, all these major cities, but she sends Goldar to Angel Grove? We need to be sure what we are dealing with. Remember this is the first time we've faced Kirai, we don't know what she's truly capable of."
"A full scale attack is what we are seeing, Jason. We don't have a lot of time for a through threat assessment." Billy said.
"It is a full scale attack, Billy, but we can't be blind or ignore the danger. I say we keep the Ultra Zords in reserve. Let me take my Zord down and take Goldar's measure."
Tommy began, "Jason-"
But Kimberly interrupted him, "We don't have any more time to waste talking about this! We have to respond. The Ultrazord is useless without the Dragonzord. The Dragonzord can't work without the Green Ranger power. I need to go now and retrieve the powers."
"Kim?" Tommy said in surprise.
"You and Jason are doing the joint command thing, you're the leaders! Well now it's time to lead! We need to go into action. The more time we talk, the more time the monsters have to destroy the Earth. Not on our watch, Tommy."
A shocked silence filled the room, than Andros spoke, "I'll keep my Astro Megazord in reserve in orbit. I suggest sending down the Thunder, Ninja and Zeo Megazords. We keep the Shogun, Super Zeo Megazord on the moon."
"Alright," said Tommy, "T.J., you and your Turbo Rangers get the Turbo Megazord down to Earth too."
"We're ready, Tommy." T.J. Said.
As Tommy continued to give last minute orders, Jason walked forward to Kimberly and gave her a small smile.
Jason said softly, "That was quite a little speech."
"Someone had to get you guys into gear." Kimberly replied. Jason took hold of Kimberly's wrist very gently and brought her within ear shot.
"Be careful, come back to us." Jason said.
"I will." Kimberly assured him
"Take this too." Jason extended his left hand and there was a spark of red energy and the familiar power laser gun appeared in his hand. "You may need it," he added as he turned the weapon stock side to her.
"Jason, you may need that." Kimberly said, not wanting to take the weapon from Jason, knowing that each ranger would need every weapon they could get their hands on.
"Kim, I'm going down in my Zord. Plus I also have my sword. You will need this; you don't know what you could encounter. Please, take it, for my sake of mind."
Old feelings from when they used to date came to the front of her mind. Thoughts of danger also filled her with fear. Kimberly reached out and took the weapon.
"Good luck." Jason said.
"Right back at you." Kimberly replied.
Jason turned to Zack next, "You, Trini and Billy will keep your Zords on the outskirts of town just in case. If something happens to me, when Kim gets back you'll at least be able to form up into battle mode with the Dragonzord."
"Everything will go okay, Jason. We know what to do." Zack replied.
All eyes suddenly turned to Kimberly. She put her hands on her hips, "Will you guys morph already? I will be back in time to help all of you. I will get the Green Ranger power and be back in time to help you defeat Zombdar."
Jason smiled, "Alright everyone." He began.
"It's Morphin Time!"
"Shift into Turbo!"
"Let's Rocket!"
"Go Galatic!"
The Rangers were gone and off to battle. Kimberly, Dulcea and the two Alpha robots were all that remained on the bridge of the Astro Mega Ship. Kimberly looked on as she saw the flashes of light of her friends heading back to Earth to fight the new monsters sent by their new enemy.
"There isn't much time, Kimberly Hart." Dulcea said.
"I know," Kimberly said, "we have to get to Eltar soon."
"I should warn you, what you seek, will not be easy."
"What do you mean?" Kimberly asked.
"Zordon's sanctuary will not be an easy place for you to locate. Where you must go, you must also journey within."
"Are you saying that it could take longer for me to gain the power? What about what Billy said?"
Dulcea replied, "Zordon kept his secrets very close. And there will be others seeking the power so that they can upset the balance of the Power Ranger Power."
"Why are you telling me this now? Why didn't you say something about this before? We don't have much time-we're fighting right now! My friends need me!"
"Because you must understand the risks involved. There is more, Kimberly Hart. Much more, there always is. But there are things, things that you must confront for yourself. And you will only understand once you confront them."
"What?" Kimberly said confused. "Lady you are sounding way too new agey for me, or Yoda whatever."
Dulcea interrupted, "Come, you must prepare yourself. The journey ahead of you will be a difficult one." Dulcea walked past Kimberly who felt exasperated and fearful from what Dulcea said.
Kimberly felt stunned as she and Alpha Five put together a bag for her to use on Eltar. Water, rope, some food and some warm clothing. Kimberly thought she looked like she was going hiking in the Catskills.
"The weather on Eltar is far different than Earth's. Not to mention the landscape where you will be going." Alpha Five briefed. Kimberly tried to listen, but her mind was distracted. What she was doing didn't feel right, just up and leaving everyone while they went into battle. Alpha had assured her that not all of the fallen cocoons, as they had discovered, had not yet opened. Which suggested a wave attack was possible
Logistics, war plans, she was so un-used to it, especially to hear Alpha talk about it. She placed the final provisions into her bag and changed into her hiking and mountain clothes. Alpha explained how different the geology of Eltar was too, and that Zordon had hidden his sanctuary in the Great Cold Mountains. Most of the planet was dry and barren, except for a few oasis cities. The western half of the planet had an area that would be considered the planet's Antarctica. Through the haze of distraction, Kimberly tried to absorb as much as she could.
"Days are different on Eltar as well. You might have difficulty adjusting to that most of all."
"Like how?" Kimberly asked.
"Two days pass on Earth, for every one day that passes on Eltar."
"What? I could be gone for two or more days?" Kimberly exclaimed.
"Kimberly I know it might be hard."
"I may as well stay and try and help from up here! I can't leave them all for too long." Kimberly exclaimed again.
Alpha thought for a moment, "But you must do this, Kimberly. You know you must help them. To do that, you must find the Green Ranger Power. On this all depends."
"You don't have to remind me, Alpha."
"I know how frustrating this must be, I remember times when you had to make difficult decisions all on your own. I know I don't have to remind you. But now more than ever, you must make this decision and go on this mission. You know you must."
Kimberly stood for a moment and considered Alpha's plea. Then she pulled on the hat and the last glove. "Let's go." Kimberly said.
"One more thing." Alpha said, holding up an object that looked the size of her old power morpher. Kimberly took it.
"What is it?"
"It is a portable force field generator. It is a device that the Red Space Ranger, Andros, has been working on. He wanted you to have it for extra protection. It is very powerful, but it only has a limited charge, so use it when absolutely necessary."
"I will." Kimberly said, hooking the device on to her belt. Then she embraced Alpha.
"Yi, yi, yi, good luck Kimberly." Alpha said. Kimberly thanked him and left the small room where she changed her clothes. She walked all the way back to the bridge and found Dulcea waiting for her. Dulcea stood in front of the monitors, obscuring Kimberly's view.
"Are you ready, Kimberly Hart?" Dulcea asked.
"Yes." Kimberly replied. Dulcea nodded to Alpha Six who walked to Kimberly and handed her another device, but one that looked like her old communicator.
"This will allow for transport to and from Eltar. We would send you in a ship, but we need both for the battle. Plus, they are both Zords."
"I understand." Kimberly said. Alpha Six walked back over and entered information into the ship's computer.
"Coordinates for Eltar locked in, ready for transport." Alpha Six informed.
"Good luck and may the power protect you." Dulcea said. Kimberly smiled back. The room filled with a flash of light and then Kimberly was gone.