Author's notes – Here's the final chapter. Thanks everybody for reading! I really loved writing Billy's POV story, because I adore the character of Billy (and I love Billy and Trini as a couple), so I hope everybody else did too. At the moment I'm working on writing Trini's story (and I've got some great ideas for that one), with Zac's story hopefully sometime this year as well. Anyway, see you next time! :)


Chapter Seven

Trini, Scott, Peter and I spent the rest of the afternoon cleaning up in the city before reporting to Zordon and Alpha about everything that had happened, both underground and high above it. Teleporting back to the city, we collapsed the tunnel that led underground to prevent it from being used again, before doing the same thing to the passage under Mount Mitchell. After demorphing, Trini told us she needed to return to the university. Wishing her well, Peter, Scott and I returned to Caloundra.

We materialised in a quiet alley and ran back towards the jewellery boutique.

"I hope the ring is still there," Scott panted.

"What are the odds that two people with unlimited funds both wanted to buy that one particular ring on the same day?" Peter asked.

Reaching the shop, we pulled open the door and jogged inside. I ran my gaze hopefully over the display of engagement rings, but my face fell.

"Apparently better than even," I murmured.

The ring was gone. The only thing left was the little white price tag.

"No way," Peter said, resting a hand on my shoulder. "We were only gone for a few hours."

"Six," Scott corrected.

"We were only gone for six hours," Peter continued. "Let me check." Scott and I watched as he stepped over to one of the sales clerks. We didn't hear the conversation, but he soon made his way back towards us. He looked crestfallen.

"Sorry Bill," he said softly. "We missed it completely. Some guy bought it not ten minutes after we left this morning."

We stepped back outside, and I sagged against the window. "I'm sorry gents," I said. "I really do appreciate your help today. But it had to be perfect, you know? It had to be perfect for her. And that ring was perfect, at least, it was as close as I could find."

Scott smiled and lowered his voice. "Well maybe not," he said.

"What do you mean?" I asked.

"What did you learn from Trini today?" he asked.

I looked up, and laughed softly. "The same thing she teaches me every day, if only I was smart enough to listen," I said. "Some things aren't logical, rational or scientific. Sometimes, you listen to your heart and not your head."

"So what's your heart telling you?" Peter asked.

"That the only thing that matters is the answer, not the trappings of the question," I replied, and offered my two younger friends a warm embrace. "And my gratitude to both of you for helping me remember that. Let's get out of here."


That night, I was sitting at the kitchen counter putting the finishing touches on the juice machine when I heard the door open. I looked up as Dad walked into the room. Seeing me, he rested a hand on my shoulder, and dropped his coat and briefcase on the chair beside the door.

"Evening Will," he said, and nodded to the table. "How goes the juice machine?"

"Making the right amount of pulp at last," I replied.

Dad smiled. "I'd hoped to catch up to you tonight," he said. He stepped over to the fridge. "I see one of us had an eventful day today."

"That's a fair observation," I said.

"And you're okay?"

"No injuries to speak of, thankfully," I replied. "There were no casualties and little damage to the city. Believe me, we've had worse days. Trini and I make an excellent team, and the boys do as well. The Machine Empire's plot was thwarted, and the Troll King's invasion was successfully repelled. And debris from the satellite burned up on re-entry over the desert." I sat back in my chair as Dad poured himself a drink. "The Troll King represents a fascinating part of the world. It's such a pity. Why are the most interesting people always so hostile?"

Dad laughed. "Son, when you figure that out, you'll be a smarter man than I am," he replied.

"I'll put it on the list for tomorrow," I said.

"So I've been dying to ask," Dad continued. "How'd your other project go?"

"Not as successfully, I'm afraid," I replied. "I found the engagement ring I wanted, but while we were defending Brisbane from the Troll King, some fortunate customer decided to purchase the ring before I had the chance."

"I thought that might happen," Dad said, "so I had an idea." He reached into his pocket and placed a small case lined with navy velvet on the counter. "No pressure, but it's yours if you want it."

I opened the case to reveal a beautiful golden ring with a yellow jewel staring back at me. My eyes went wide. "Dad, this is…"

"An engagement ring, yes," Dad replied, and stepped closer. "The one I gave to your mother, as it turns out."

"It's beautiful," I said. "This is a lovely gesture, and I appreciate the sentiment, but I can't accept this."

"Why not?" Dad asked. "I never met anybody after your mother, and she would've wanted you to have it. I know she would've. And you know as well as I do that she would've adored Trini, and she would've been so proud of you Will. I know I am."

I closed the case. "Thank you," I said. "For everything, thank you. Actually, the ring's perfect. We'll need to get the size adjusted, but that jewel? I've never seen anything like it. And I've seen a few."

"It's a yellow sapphire," Dad replied. "Not quite as rare and beautiful as your mother, but it was close. Funny story about the jewel…"

Just then, my communicator beeped. I looked down to my wrist awkwardly.

"You better get that," Dad smiled.

I raised my wrist. "Billy here," I said.

"Billy?" came Trini's voice. "I'm glad to reach you. The other Rangers just got back from their trip. They touched down in the Command Centre a few minutes ago."

"I'll meet you there," I said, and the communicator fell silent.

I looked back to my father, but he was grinning. "Go save the world," he said.

"Thanks," I replied. Leaving the juice machine on the counter, I tapped my communicator and disappeared in a flash of blue. Once I was gone, Dad reached for the glass of orange juice I'd left on the bench and took a sip.

"Perfect," he said.


Honestly?

I'm still unsure about the future and everything that may or may not happen. But despite that, there's one truth I hold, with absolute certainty, in both my head and my heart. Whether it's tomorrow or whether it's six months from now, I am going to propose to the love of my life. I'm going to ask Trini Kwan to spend the rest of her life with me. And although I've never been able to predict the future, I'm more certain than ever of a favourable outcome.

My name is Billy Cranston.

I'm the Blue Ranger.

And although the future for the Rangers is always uncertain, very soon, I'm going to be the happiest man in the world.

The End.