Chapter 8: Friends Forever

Aisha felt like a little fresh air in the park would do some good for the day. Only Billy and Adam were up to joining Aisha in the park for a fun day. Rocky claimed to have homework he needs to work on, Kimberly had gymnastic practice of course and since Tommy wanted to spar, he joined her at the Youth Center while she trained. Aisha was playing Frisbee with the boys, when an unidentified craft flew down around them.

"Wow! That thing just almost gave me a haircut!" Aisha yelled. They watch the ship float around a bit before it crash lands near them in the park.

"What is that thing?"

"It appears to be an extra-terrestrial spacecraft." Billy said.

"You mean, like an alien?" Adam asked.

"Yeah." They check it out.

"Ow! Still hot." Adam examined his hand. Aisha bent down closer to look into the window.

"Looks to me like a doll." Zedd has plans for that alien spacecraft. He had been chasing that ship from another galaxy before it arrived to Earth. From Serpentera, Zedd blasted down at the rangers to get them away from trying to claim his prize. He ends up hitting the ship

"Zedd must want to use the alien for evil," Adam said.

"We better take it back to the Command Center."

"But how, it's still too hot," Aisha said.

"The blanket!" Adam rushes over to their picinic and picks up their blanket. The Rangers were able to rush and teleport the unusual craft to the Command Center before Zedd could blast at them any more.

With Aisha, Billy and Adam off in the park doing their thing, Kimberly and Tommy were lounging at Kim's place on the couch. Kimberly had spent most the morning and afternoon training for her upcoming competition with Tommy as her spotter and coach. She had asked him to be a somewhat coach to her, which of course he agreed. Anything to spend more time with her. Kimberly's mother came into the living room after spending a while in the backyard working on her vegetable garden to get some vegetables for tonight's dinner. She found her daughter and Tommy asleep on the couch. Kimberly lying comfy on top of him. Mrs. Dumas smiled and grabbed the cover from the top of the loveseat. She covered them up quietly. Tommy slightly dazed from his dreams saw and felt the covers come around them.

"Thanks Mom," he whispered before falling back asleep. Kim's mother smiled and rubbed his head as she went to leave the tired couple to their nap. A moment later, Tommy woke to his communicator going off. Kim's mother stopped right out the kitchen door.

"Did I leave a timer on?" She shrugged and went into the kitchen. Kimberly moaned in her sleep. Tommy looked around and lifted his wrist up to his mouth.

"Go ahead Zordon," Tommy said.

"TOMMY, IT IS URGENT THAT YOU AND KIMBERLY COME TO THE COMMAND CENTER IMMEDIATELY."

"We're on the way. Come on, Beautiful." Kimberly pouted as she woke up. She groaned and stretched against Tommy.

"Oh, couldn't just wait 10 more minutes, I was having such a good dream." They both sat up, yawning, rubbing their eyes clear.

"Ready?" Kimberly nodded. Tommy looked around with Kimberly before they teleported out. Kim's mother came back into the living room just after the two disappeared.

"I thought I heard… Where did they go that fast?" She shrugged and went back into the kitchen to get started on dinner.

Billy pulled off the blanket as Kimberly and Tommy arrived to the Command Center.

"What's going on guys?"

"What is that?" Kimberly asked with a yawn.

"It's a spacecraft," Adam said.

"Wow, cool."

"We found it in the park," Billy said. The Rangers find out it was a Bookala from the planet of the same name. It was on a journey searching the galaxy when Zedd came upon it. It's great colorful and powerful crystal could prove to be a main power source for Zedd's Serpentera, and that's why he was after it. It would make his zord invincible.

"Oh man. We can't let Zedd get his hands on the crystal." Kimberly looked into the open hatched.

"Wow. It's so tiny in there. Looks like a doll." Billy put the crystal from the craft into the alien's hatch. The great Bookala was made life size, scaring Kimberly and Aisha slightly. Kimberly jumped back into Tommy, who held her in his arms. The Bookala was just as scared of the rangers. However, they found out, the Bookala is just a traveler and will pose no threat to the Rangers. He even takes a liking to Billy, as he learns English from listening to Billy talk to his friend. The Bookala imitaties Billy. Everyone laughs as it rpeats Billy. The Bookala touches his craft in sadness.

"Don't worry, we'll get you home,"Billy said.

"Home…worry…"

"Why don't we come up with a fake Bookala, like a doll, get Zedd to fall for it and then the real Bookala can get away?"

"GET IDEA AISHA."

"Hey, I think I might have a doll that we might able to work with," Kimberly said.

"I'll help," Aisha said.

"Thank you."

"And I can make the repairs on the Bookala's ship," Billy said.

"Thank you," The Bookala said to Billy and Kimberly.

"You're welcome," Billy said touching the Bookala's arm.

"I think Billy found a new friend," Kimberly said whispering to Aisha and the others. They smiled and nodded.

"KIMBERLY, AISHA, YOU TWO GO WORK ON CREATING A FAKE BOOKALA."

"Alright."

"We'll stay here and keep an eye on Zedd," Tommy said.

"Right. We're on it." The girls teleported out.

Kimberly went through her closet for her boxes of dolls.

"Okay, this one might work. We'll just have to add a few items, paint the face, stuff like that," Kimberly said.

"Okay." Kimberly handed the doll over as she found paint. She came across a clear crystal much like the one Bookala carried.

"Hey, why don't we also make a fake crystal too?"

"Good idea." The girls rushed to work quickly. Kim's mother walked by Kim's room and found the two working.

"Wow, what a pretty doll," Mrs. Dumas said.

"Thanks Mom."

"What are you making it for?"

"Uh, Art class," Aisha said quickly.

"Oh, very interesting. Kimberly, can you help me for a second."

"Uh, sure Mom." Kimberly waited a moment for her mother to leave. "Keep working on the doll and the crystal, then go to Billy's garage. I'll be there shortly."

"Okay." Aisha teleported out her room to Billy's place. Kimberly went to help her mother.

Aisha was putting the final touches on the doll's face, as Bookala watched and loved Billy fixing his spacecraft. Aisha and Billy find out that on Bookala's planet it snows, Billy was a bit envious since he never snows in Angel Grove. Tommy beeped in to tell them that Zedd has fully charged Serpentera and is on the way there.

"Okay, we are almost set here."

"Good, because Zedd might attack there," Tommy said.

"Okay. Come on guys, we better get to the park." They were attacked by one of Zedd's monster. The morphed and dealt with the monster.

Tommy, Rocky, Adam and Kimberly morph from the Command Center to help the others. They stopped the monster from attacking Billy and Aisha any more. After defeating the monster, Billy has the real Bookala teleported out while they plant the fake one. Zedd sends Goldar to retrieve the diamond and Bookala.

"Wow, Kimberly, Aisha, that almost looks like him. You did a great job."

"Thanks!" They placed the fake crystal and fake doll into the spacecraft. Putties attacked them. Goldar takes the diamond trap and brings it to Zedd. When Zedd loads the diamond into Serpentera and finds out it was a fake.

Before the real Bookala leaves, he gives the Rangers a nice treat. He allows it to snow in Angel Grove for a brief moment.

"Aha, snow!" Billy smiled and laughed first. Kimberly laughed as her hands came up to feel the snow. Everyone did the same. Each ranger enjoys the snow just before Bookala leaves. Tommy put his arm around Kimberly as they wave to Bookala. Zedd not happy about being tricked so takes the fake Bookala doll and turns it into yet another monster. The Rangers defeated the newest monster and return back to their normal lives.

Kimberly gets home to find a postcard from Zack, Jason and Trini. She rushes to show everyone. Kimberly ran into the Youth Center and almost gets a flying spin kick from Tommy. She gasps, but Tommy was able to miss her.

"Guys, guys, guys! Guess what I found!"

"What?" Tommy asked.

"A postcard from the guys in Switzerland!" Kimberly said very excited.

"Oh great, read it." Kimberly waited until everyone crowded around her.

"Okay, they said. 'Hi guys'…" Kimberly paused with a smile and looked back at everyone. "We have seen incredible things, too much to tell. The people are the best part. No matter where they come from, or who they are, we are all here fighting for the same dreams Wouldn't trade a minute of this for the world, but we do miss you all very much. There is still no place like home, and we know you guys are doing your best to keep it that way.' Oh, and look at the place." Kimberly showed everyone.

"Even if it is 10 thousand light years away," Billy said. Bulk and Skull came into the Youth Center, gloating about having photos of the true identities of the Power Rangers, but yet again, were far wrong.

Thursday

The District title for the county started this afternoon in Angel Grove. It was a 2-day event, ending with the final top 8 girls going for the title tomorrow. Kimberly stood at the sidelines warming up for her practice run on floor. She took deep breaths, as she lined up first followed by 3 other girls, to practice. All were allowed 5 minutes to warm up, but all together doing run throughs on the floor mat. Kimberly came up a bit short from her double back. She groaned and favored her ankle a bit as she walked to the sidelines off the mat.

"You okay?" Tommy asked. Kimberly nodded. She walked it off and went back to warming up. Kimberly stumbled on her double twist, stepping out of bounds and didn't do better on her second attempt to her doublt back.

Kimberly moved to train on beam and had an unfortunate worst warm up she could ever remember. She slipped off doing her 3 back layout sequences. Slipped off again on her double spin, and did something very un-Kimberly like to end her exercise. On her dismount, she didn't fight for the landing and fell on her butt, then back after her double back. She was more embarrassed than worried about the falls and miscues. Tommy squatted before her as she covered her mouth, shaking her head from a seat on the sidelines. She ended warm-ups early.

"Just shake it off, that was nothing." All the girls warming up around her looking at Kimberly, shocked that such a great gymnast was having her troubles this afternoon. Kimberly caught a lot of them even staring at her. Kimberly scratched the back of her head. "You're not nervous right?"

"No, I don't know." Tommy kissed her forehead.

"I'll get you something to drink."

"Thanks." Aisha came over to Kimberly.

"Hey, what's wrong?" Aisha asked.

"Nothing, I just missed."

"You sure?" Kim's mother came over after rushing down from the stands.

"What is wrong? You look lost out there!"

"I just missed okay!" Kimberly yelled. "It happens!" She got up and walked out. Aisha and Kimberly's mother looked at each other.

"Maybe I should…"

"No, give her a moment alone," Mrs. Dumas said. "I know my daughter, she just needs to get this out of her. She'll be fine for competition."

Kimberly stood down the halls of the gym away from the crowd. She felt dizzy and short of breath. Kimberly felt the wall as things around her got dim and fuzzy. She started breathing hard, as she leaned up against the wall trying to focus her sight. Tommy found her.

"Kimberly?" Kimberly held her chest as she fell forward finally. "Kimberly!" Tommy caught her. She was gasping for air in his arms.

"I can't…breathe…I can't breathe…I can't breathe…I can't..."

"It's okay, it's okay! I got you...I have you now." Tommy looked around. "Help! Someone help me!" Aisha found them in the halls, Tommy yelling for help. "I need a doctor! Aisha, a doctor now!"

"I'm on it!" Aisha ran back inside the gym to find the doctor paramedic on call. Kimberly was still struggling to breathe still as Tommy held her.

"Breathe, Kim, please baby, breathe with me. Kimberly!" Tommy held her tight against her. "What is this?" Tommy asked, as the doctor examined her quickly.

"I believe it's a panic attack," The doctor said opening an oxygen tank quickly. He covered Kim's mouth with the mask. "Take deep breaths Kimberly. Just breathe right, this will help. It's definately a panic attack."

"Kimberly never gets a panic attack!" The competition started up with Kimberly breathing through an oxygen mask.

"Will she be okay?" Aisha asked after a few minutes.

"The oxygen tank should help settle her breathing." The orders of gymnasts were listed out. The crowd, other gymnasts and media correspondents were surprised when Kimberly didn't show up for roll call. Kimberly looked up as her breathing was slowing down. All the rangers and Kim's parents were around her.

"I'm fine. I'm fine, guys," Kimberly said attempting to pull off the mask.

"I think it is wise to keep the mask on." The doctor put the mask back on.

"She shouldn't compete right?" Tommy asked.

"I said I'm fine!" Kimberly pulled off the mask. "I just…just couldn't breathe okay."

"You had a panic attack honey!"

"Mom, I'm fine!"

"The doctor said…"

"The doctor didn't say anything! I said I was fine!" Kimberly yelled. She pulled away from everyone as she stood up. She walked out. Everyone sighed, Kimberly's stubbornness can be a handle to deal with. Everyone knew her determination and high spirit to fight would weigh over any illness or panic attack.

Kimberly was to start on vault. Kimberly walked over to get ready. Tommy took her jacket from her as she eyed the vault from the sidelines.

"You sure you are okay?" Tommy asked.

"Stop asking me that, okay!" Kimberly yelled at him. Tommy stepped back. Kimberly walked to do her vault. She stood, staring ahead at the vault. Kimberly turned to the judges with a smile. She raised her arms up high before stepping to the line. Kimberly ran down the path toward the vault and did a double back. She stuck the landing and raised her arms up high. The crowd jumped out their seat with cheers. Kimberly walked passed Tommy with a smile.

"Still don't think I am okay?"

"Don't get cocky, Beautiful," Tommy whispered. The judges showed their marks. Kimberly scored a perfect 10. "Okay, maybe now you can." Kimberly hugged him after getting her perfect score. Kimberly ending up winning the first day with ease and grace after the shaky warm ups. Shawna, Aisha's friend from Stone Canyon, came in 3rd place.

Next day

Kimberly was practicing after school with Aisha watching. The boys had to finish their shop class assignments by Monday for credit. Finales for the District title starting that night around 7.

"Looking good girl," Aisha said as Kimberly was doing her 3 leaps right before ending the floor with her double back in a pike position. Aisha handed over her bottle of water.

"Thanks. The competition is gonna get tougher tonight with only the top 8 competing." Kimberly took a sip and wiped her face with her armbands.

"You might be right, but you sure took them all surprise after yesterday's performances. Even my friend Shawna seemed surprised how fast you turned it all around," Aisha said.

"Oh, right. I wish I could have talked to her yesterday."

"I know, but you had your reasons, all that media surrounding you."

"Still," Kimberly said drinking more water.

"Oh, I can't wait to see her." Shawna came into the gym. "Shawna!" Aisha went and hugged her.

"Hello Aisha," Shawna said.

"I am so glad to see you!"

"Yeah, I see, that's why you left."

"You know I couldn't help with that. But, things have changed since I moved here to Angel Grove."

"Right," Shawna said looking at Kimberly.

"Hi!" Kimberly held her hand out.

"Oh, Shawna, this is Kimberly…"

"The famous Kimberly Hart. Our great Olympic hope."

"Hi. Aisha has told me so much about you." Shawna just looked at Kim's hand. Kimberly brought her hand back. "So, it's look like we are both competing for the District title, huh?" Kimberly asked with a smile.

"I'd say we will be competing for a lot more than that." Shawna brushed past Kimberly and Aisha angrily.

"Okay."

"I'm sorry." Kimberly shrugged.

Kimberly moved to beam. Aisha stood at the sidelines watching her workout, as Shawna was practicing on the floor. Kimberly did a single front off to end her training. Shawna was waiting her turn on beam. She laughed as Kimberly landed with ease and Aisha clapped with cheer.

"Wow, you clap for a easily single Arabian, not impressive. I hope that is not all you have for tonight." Shawna smiled and went to work out. Aisha sighed.

"Okay," Kimberly whispered. Kimberly went to train on bars. Shawna watching, criticizing some form breaks and the step back on her double layout.

"You won't get a perfect 10 doing that." Kimberly sighed as she pulled off her grip. She moved back to end her training on floor. It is always best to leave a little something on the practice the day before and day of the tournament. Best to save the perfect exercises for the actual title. Kimberly ended her floor with a no-handed cartwheel into a single back. She smiled.

"Wow, good moves," Aisha said after a few claps.

"Thanks!" Kimberly hopped back over to Aisha's side. Shawna came over having finished her practice. "Oop!" Kimberly flipped some hair off her neck.

"Hi Shawna, are you done for the day?"

"Yeah. Well, it was good to see you again, Aisha." Shawna stopped and turned back to Aisha. She looked around Aisha for her hands. "I see you don't have a broke finger, why haven't you been calling me?"

"Come on, Shawna, I tried to call you. We just kept missing one another!" Aisha tried to explain.

"Well, whenever I tried calling you, you were always out!" Kimberly walked away from the arguing girls.

"Shawna, I'm sorry!"

"What have you been doing?" Shawna asked.

"I just… I've been really busy!"

"Busy forgetting about me."

"No, honestly, I have been busy since I got here," Aisha said.

"Look," Kimberly said coming back. "Umm, You guys probably need some time to catch up. I'm gonna go see how the boys are doing. It was nice meeting you, Shawna. Bye." Kimberly walked toward the door after picking up her gym bag. Aisha looked at Shawna and back at Kimberly.

"Kim, wait!" Kimberly turned around. "I would like her to get to know you. I want us all to get to know each other." Shawna looked at them. "Come on, let's go the park and chill out before the competition. We can talk more." Kimberly nodded and looked at Shawna. Shawna walked over. "Please…"

"Okay."

Zedd decided to turn that friction between Kimberly, Aisha and Aisha's friend. As the girls were in the park, Goldar was sent down and kidnapped Kimberly and Shawna. Aisha rushed to the shop to get the guys. They leave for the Command Center, where they find out that Kimberly and Shawna were held trapped in a cave. Zedd had also sent down a new monster created from a saw in the shop. He calls it the Jaws of Destruction. Tommy sends the other 4 rangers to deal with the monster, as he goes to save Kimberly and Shawna.
Kimberly examined the cave holding them. Shawna was scared, jumping back down from the putties as they surrounded them.

"I'm really scared."

"Don't be afraid, Shawna. Everything is going to be okay." Kimberly pushed on the rock behind them, but nothing moved. She went back to the shielded bars.

"How are we going to get out of here?!" Shawna asked.

"Don't worry, I'll figure out a way." Kimberly looked at the shields up and down for any holes or weaknesses.

"You're so calm Kim." Kimberly looked back at Shawna. "I hate to admit, but I am impressed. You really are as good as everyone says."

"You're doing great too, Shawna."

"Why are so nice to me, I mean, I was awful!"

"Because I think I understand and I know what you're going through. It's tough when you think you have lost someone." Kimberly went and sat down. "When my parents got divorce, I felt really abandoned for a time."

"Your parents are divorce?" Kimberly nodded. "So are mine. They just finished their divorce this fall. I guess….I feel that way too, maybe I always will. I feel like when someone close to me leaves, it just reminds me how my Mom left my Dad and me."

"Me too, about my Dad, at first. But you know what? I realized that my Dad loves me just the same, even though I don't see him as much. Just because my parents are divorce or someone leaves, doesn't mean they don't still love you, still care about you. Just because someone has moved away, doesn't mean you have lost them a bit." A putty passed by. Shawna gasped and took Kimberly's hand. Kimberly squeezed her hand and tried to keep Shawna calm.

The White ranger was able to get into the cave after defeating the surrounding putties.

"Wow, the White ranger!" Kimberly and Shawna jumped up with smiles.

"Yes!" Tommy broke the shield.

"Okay, Shawna, you go through first." Shawna took the White Ranger's hand. Kimberly went to go through, but was blasted back by the shield She hit the ground hard.

"Kimberly!"

"Alpha, teleport Shawna out of here."

"Wait! I can't leave Kimberly," Shawna said.

"Don't worry, Shawna. He'll get me out, I know so." Kimberly winked at Shawna.

"Kimberly…"

"I'll be fine." Shawna was teleported out.

"Come on, let's get going."

"It's morphing time!" Kimberly morphed into the Pink ranger and broke the shield. "Yes, I did!"

"Let's go!" Goldar was awaiting for them as they came out.

"Goldar!"

"Kimberly, go help the others."

"What about you?" Kimberly asked.

"Don't worry. I'll stay here and handle golden monkey head."

"Okay." Kimberly teleported out.

With their zords, the Rangers were able to defeat the Sawhead monster just in time for Kimberly's performance. Kimberly and Shawna didn't have any time to chat, as they had to jumped right into the competition. Because of their tie in the all-around competition, due to District rules, each girl had to perform one more floor routine to see who takes the title. Aisha went over to Kimberly who was warming up to go first on floor. Aisha had finished chatting with Shawna.

"Hi!" Aisha said.

"Oh hi!" They hugged.

"So, Shawna told me how nice you were. Thanks!" Aisha hugged Kimberly again.

"Oh, you don't have to think me. You know I kind of made a new friend as well." The announcer came on to announce the special treat tonight. Kimberly pulled off Tommy's shirt. It was her good luck charm. Aisha gave thumbs up to Shawna before rushing to stand with her friends in the crowd. Kimberly finished powdering her feet as her name was called. Tommy was cheering loudly from the sidelines as Kimberly walked to the floor mat. Kimberly performed her second floor routine; it was more of exhibition performance, with a bit more dances involved than her normal. It was even allowed music with singing words, not normal for competition.

(AN: And if anybody knows where I can find 'Kathy Fisher- To Be With You' song, I will be indebted to you forever, because I love that and since it is from 1995, no one has it anywhere!)

Kimberly ended with a very difficult double back into a split. The crowd cheered. Kimberly walked off and awaited her score. She carried a huge smile knowing she gave her best. From the 3 judged, one even gave her a 10, but the others with 9.8s. Kimberly was happy with her scores. She gave her thumbs up to Shawna, who smiled and went to do her floor. She did a more hip-hop, upbeat performance compared to Kimberly, earning 2 9.9 and a 9.8 from the judge that gave Kimberly a 10.

"Shawna and Kimberly have both scored a 29.6. Ladies and gentlemen we have another tie!" Aisha clapped. "Well, there you have! Congratulations to our two champions!" Kimberly and Shawn went over to Aisha. They high fived as Aisha was handled the trophy.

"You guys were amazing!"

"Thanks, Aisha. So are you, you are too Kim." Shawna put her hands on the trophy. Kimberly followed, pulling it towards her more. She laughed.

"Thanks."

"I am so happy to have friends like you two. You guys are best," Aisha said. She put her arm around Kimberly as Shawna did the same to her. All three of them hugged.

until next time...don't forget to review please, love to hear whatcha think, so please, please review:P