Part 14

Kimberly and Katherine kept in touch over the next week and through the weekend. Katherine kept her up to date on her progress, and her delight at having been released from the hospital. The casts and braces had come off; though the former Pink Ranger had been cautioned to take it easy and not risk sever shocks or trauma to the areas. Ecstatic and willing to agree to almost anything for the freedom, Katherine had acquiesced to several checkups with the doctor a week and returned to school as well as hanging around with the gang.

In subsequent conversations, Kimberly learned that there were several topics the Rangers spoke of daily. A perverse sense of humor allowed her to find it entertaining when Katherine reported that Kimberly's return was one of the things they discussed the most. Tommy, surprisingly, stood up for her more than Jason or Katherine did. Not that Kimberly ever heard any of the discussions or saw i in his attitude towards her, but Katherine was adamant that Tommy appeared to finally be healing and moving through the pain that had crippled him for so long.

Katherine was cautiously optimistic for his recovery and cautioned Kimberly that his recovery would likely be tested once she was called to battle once again. Since the last encounter, things had been quiet again. So quiet in fact that the Rangers were starting to suspect that something momentous had happened - they just didn't know what yet.

Jason, according to Katherine, felt that the Machine Empire might be once again trying to usurp the Gold Rangers Powers. Katherine, for her part, felt they'd simply been caught off guard by the Pink Rangers disappearance. Hence, they were regrouping.

Between calling Angel Grove, practice and her studies, Kimberly found herself happier than she had been in a long time. She'd reconnected with friends and while none but Katherine seemed willing to talk for long, both Rocky and Adam had written her - had their letters go 'missing' once more, and finally believed her when she'd called to tell them she hadn't gotten their messages.

Tommy was still pushing for a confrontation with her coach, but Kimberly had adamantly vetoed that suggestion once more. The Rangers couldn't get involved; she would handle the man who'd lured her away from her friends and then forced a painful separation. Only she'd do it in her own way, in her own time.

Her last discussion with Katherine just the day before had been exciting. Katherine had told her that they were doing a whodunit party at the home of Detective Stone, one of the local law enforcement's detectives. Bulk and Skull were also participating, but each of the Rangers had been asked to come. Katherine had gushed about it, thrilled with the invite and the chance to play sleuth. Plus, they got to dress up and she was looking forward, she admitted in an aside to Kimberly, to seeing what Jason would wear.

With just eight days to the Pan Globals, barely over a week, and Kimberly was practicing her floor routine under the watchful eye of the trainers and her coach - and several other girls who wouldn't be competing this time around - when her communicator beeped. She was caught mid flip, the sound echoing through the gym as her hands came down on reflex and pushed off, sending her tumbling backwards.

Surprise quickly gave way to cold calculation. How to explain the noise, if she should, what excuse could she give that would be bought and how long could she leave without drawing more suspicion. She finished the run, dropping into the splits as her communicator beeped again, managing to keep her smile from faltering. She pushed herself to her feet, keeping her movements as natural as possible with the adrenaline beginning to race through her system.

"Kimberly, what is that noise?"

She managed a smile and held up her communicator; thankfully, it looked like a watch from the distance her coach would see it. "My alarm. I need to hit the showers early tonight. Is that alright?"

"Alarm?" He frowned. "What for?"

"I have a doctor's appointment to check my elbow; the trainer recommended it to ensure I wasn't hurting myself worse."

The trainer jerked as if she'd been slapped, looking guiltily towards them. Her coach glowered at th trainer. "Is this correct?"

Kimberly's communicator went off again, and she gritted her teeth against the insistent call. She had to get out of there - now.

"I suggested it but that was a couple of weeks back..."

"The Doctor had a busy schedule," Kimberly told him, grabbing her bag and swinging it over her shoulder. "I'm sure it'll be fine. I'll be back as soon as I'm able."

"Kimberly-"

"Gotta run coach; his schedule's really tight."

She didn't wait to see what effect that little lie would have as she darted out the nearest exit. Looking back to ensure she wasn't being followed, she ducked into one of the dark, narrow shadows that lined the street and pressed her back to the wall of the gymnasium. Checking both left and then right, she lifted the communicator to her lips. "I'm here Zordon."

"Kim?"

"Kat?" She stared at the communicator in surprise. Katherine sounded panicked "What's happened?"

"You have to come quickly."

Kimberly didn't wait to hear more. "Are you at the command center?"

"Yes."

"On my way."

Kimberly hit the appropriate button and teleported. She appeared moments later and was promptly engulfed in a tight hug.

"You're here!"

Kimberly returned the hug, purely on reflex, and then pulled away to look at Katherine. "What happened?"

"It's awful, just awful!" Katherine began to pace. "The others have been kidnapped by Archerina and she wants me to face off with her in a duel to see who's better."

"Wait a second, who's Archerina?"

"Archerina is Prince Gasket's consort." Zordon informed her succinctly. "She is a powerful foe, Kimberly, and one who has no love for the Rangers, the pink Ranger in particular."

"How come?"

"I think she's jealous." Kat turned back to Kimberly. "She wears pink too and has to be the supreme pink."

"What about the other Rangers?"

"They're in another dimension," Alpha's tone was worried. "We haven't been able to get a lock on them yet."

"What'd you tell this Archerina, Kat?"

"I told her I'd meet her on the condition she let the others go." Katherine wrung her hands together. "I couldn't tell her I wasn't the Pink Ranger anymore, Kim, if I did she might have killed them."

Kimberly enfolded Katherine's hands in her own. "You did the right thing, Kat. Are you alright?"

"I feel useless."

Kimberly smiled faintly. "You've been more help than you know. But, if you want to help, give Alpha a hand and get through to the guys so they can give me a hand." She turned to Zordon. "Alright, Zordon, where am I meeting this Archerina?"

"The Forrest of Eternal Light; behold the viewing globe."

Kimberly turned her attention to it, her lips flattening into a fine line as she observed the pristine location - and the monster who awaited her.

"Archerina is a powerful foe, Kimberly. She has several powers at her command; however her bow is the most lethal."

"I don't suppose my power bow was ever recovered?"

"Unfortunately, it has been lost for good."

Kimberly took a deep breath. "Anything else I need to know about, Zordon?"

"The longer you can keep Archerina and Gasket occupied in the Forrest of Eternal Light, the better the chance Alpha and Katherine will be able to locate the Rangers and sent them to assist you."

"No problem."

"Kim?"

She looked to Kat. Katherine offered her a smile. "Be careful; Archerina's one tough lady."

"Just send me help, ASAP, and I'll be fine." She flashed a thumbs up at her friend. "It's Morphin time - Zeo Ranger one; Pink!"

The lights engulfed Kimberly with the same surging force as before, but - expecting it - she reveled in the power racing through her system. It took barely moments before the transformation was complete. Her feet had barely touched the ground before she was being teleported to the Forrest of Eternal Light. She landed easily, as light on her feet as always, and turned to search for the robotic woman Zordon had shown her.

Archerina was waiting, only she looked less than pleased as she looked the Pink Ranger up and down. "You're not Katherine - you're far too short."

"Good of you to notice, metal head," Kimberly told her, grinning behind her helmet.

"I specifically told that no good Pink Ranger that I wanted her to meet me here, what kind of deception is this? Where is Katherine?"

"The original Pink Ranger at your service," Kimberly dropped into an elaborate bow. "Katherine's unable to attend your little party, Archerina, so she sent me instead."

"I never said anything about stand ins."

"You wanted to fight the Pink Ranger; you're looking at her. Your time's up, tin brain."

Archerina shrieked in protest, her bow coming up swiftly and an arrow seeming to appear out of nowhere.

Kimberly, ready for the attack, waited only a split second as the arrow was released before jumping straight up and out. She came down in a drop kick, straight at the robotic archer. Her foot connected solidly, landing in the middle of Archerina's chest and dropping her to the ground. Kimberly didn't wait, calling on the sword that was each Zeo Ranger's weapon, and brought it down towards her foe.

Sparks flew as bow met blade and Kimberly was thrown backwards. Archerina's laughter was maniacal. "Is that all you can do, silly little Ranger? You're not even half the fighter Katherine is."

"I'm a little rusty, it's been while." Kimberly's admission was obviously not what the villain was expecting. "Sue me."

Another blast came her way and Kimberly barely dodged aside in time, diving into a roll and regaining her feet in an athletic move. She tumbled again as Archerina began to fire blast after blast at her. Unfamiliar with the powers of the Zeo Ranger and uncomfortable with the sword in her hand, Kimberly banished it back from where it'd been summoned. She dove at Archerina, her hands together to form a large fist, and struck her in the chest. Using the momentary contact, Kimberly pushed herself out and upwards, taking Archerina's bow with her.

Archerina's scream was pure rage as she was sent to the ground once more.

Kimberly twisted the bow in her hand, feeling the balance and the craftsmanship; it rivaled her power bow of old. But she didn't have any ammunition and with the power bow destroyed, she was unable to call on that source. She threw the bow away, back flipping into a handspring that took her further away from Archerina as she regained her feet. The Zeo power rushed through her frame, but Kimberly almost felt the way it stretched her, seeming to want her to do things a certain way, but now knowing completely how to focus that power.

She took a blow to the chest as Archerina lunged in, foregoing her bow for a more direct attack. Kimberly rolled with it, coming around to lash out at the evil archer with foot and hand. They traded blows, neither gaining the upper hand, and Kimberly's frustration growing as she fought to comprehend the Zeo's power even as she struggled to keep Archerina at bay.

Inspiration struck.

Sending herself up and over Archerina's head, she dove and rolled, regaining her feet several yards away. She held her hand up and called the Ninjetti coin to it. "You're good, Archerina, but you've always faced the Zeo and never the Ninjetti." She closed her hand about the coin and willed the power of the Zeo to charge it. The rush was almost more than she could bear and she gasped as the powers seemed to merge for a single instant. Her hand tingled and Kimberly smiled grimly behind her helmet. She wouldn't give up; she had to save her friends.

"Pink Ninja Power!"

Pink light swirled and the Zeo armor slid away to be replaced with the Ninjetti robes she remembered so well. They fit intimately, closely, like a lover's embrace. It was the feeling of coming home, however, the confidence in knowing what she could do in it; that lent her the most power. She took up a defensive stance as Archerina stared at her in surprise.

"Ninja Power? What's this?"

"Your worst nightmare, Archerina!"

Archerina fell back under the sudden assault as Kimberly unleashed a flurry of blows against the unsuspecting villain. The grappled, Kimberly using several tricks from her arsenal that sent Archerina sprawling or reeling. She used the speed that was the trait of the Ninja powers and seemingly disappeared into thin air as Archerina attempted to recover her bow and use it once more.

The pink ruffles on Archerina's shoulders and body were in tatters, hanging by mere threads after Kimberly's concentrated assault. Archerina was sent sprawling, her bow flying from her fingers as Kimberly landed one last, devastating kick to the archer's torso. Something gave under the power, crushing inwards, and Archerina let out an inhuman shriek of pain.

Kimberly landed lightly on her feet, planting one of them on Archerina's best to prevent her from moving. "You're beaten, Archerina. The terms of your match are met. Release the Rangers."

"Archerina, my love!"

Kimberly didn't dare take her eyes off the fallen foe beneath her, but she hazarded a glance backwards. Prince Gasket; she remembered him from the area. But did he remember her? "Move, princeling, and your fair lady gets it."

"I don't have to move, Pink Ranger, Nuklifier will do that for me!"

Kimberly was struck in the lower back by a powerful bolt of energy. It blasted her off her feet and away from Archerina. Only her training prevented her from falling straight on her face. As it was, she was only just barely able to tuck and roll as she landed, jarring one shoulder in the process. She regained her feet shakily. "Release the Rangers; you've had your fun! I fought you as stipulated!"

Archerina was being helped to her feet by Prince Gasket as the Nuklifier closed in. Kimberly dodged, barely avoiding a second blast, her body landing with a jarring that set her teeth on edge. She hadn't broken anything, she knew that much, but the bruise on her lower back where the energy beam had struck was throbbing. "I won, fair and square, Archerina. Keep your word!"

A laugh that ended on a hiss of pain was Kimberly's only response.

Nuklifier came in once more and Kimberly knew she was in trouble even as she dodged away. "Come on Kat, I need some help here!"

Gasket chose to enter the fight at that moment, closing in from her blind side, and she didn't realize he was there until a brush of air and the pressure changed. Dropping to the ground, she just barely avoided a swipe of his sword. As it was, Nuklifier was right there and she was forced to roll before being stomped by his massive feet. Gasket drove the point of the sword down and she was forced into another roll.

The blast of energy that caught her mid-roll and sent her flying into the air was unexpected, so unexpected she didn't have the split second necessary to react as she landed in a heap on the ground. Her head struck a rock as she was sent sprawling ungracefully and the world seemed to spin as darkness closed in around the edges of her vision.

Then, the unreal happened.

Four familiar shapes appeared between her and Nuklifier and her heart leapt into her throat. Blue, Green, Yellow and Red. The Rangers had arrived.

Red detached itself from the group, yelling a command she didn't understand even as the blurred shape sped towards her. Her eyes closed as Blue, Green and Yellow engaged the monster. It seemed like no more than a heartbeat before hands grabbed her urgently by the shoulders. "Kim! Wake Up!"

She groaned as she was gently shaken, her brain seeming to rattle around in her skull.

"Kim? Come on Kim, you've got to wake up. We need you."

It was that voice, that familiar, worried tone she'd never expected to hear again, brought her out of her stupor. Her eyes fluttered and finally opened, resolving on the red helmeted visor in front of her. She managed a weak smile that he couldn't see, but was reflected in her eyes. "Need me, huh? I'm not one to let you down."

"Are you alright?"

She nodded groggily as Tommy helped her sit up, rubbing the goose egg on the back of her head. "Peachy."

The sounds surrounding them suddenly coalesced into sharp focus as the Zeo Rangers battled the Nuklifier. Her head came up sharply, taking in the battle behind him. Her eyes widened as the Green Ranger went flying, only to have Blue and Yellow capitalize on the opportunity and return the favor. She turned her gaze back to the visor's darkened portal.

"Let's show this creep what a little teamwork can do - what do you say?"

Tommy opened his hand, extending it to her in a silent agreement and she took it, wrapping her hand around his. He hauled her to her feet, steadying her before nodding. "You go left, I'll go right."

"Gotcha." She tested her legs, feeling the strength coming back and looked to him for the signal. Nuklifier was regaining its feet when Tommy suddenly burst into action. Kimberly took it as her cue, calling on the crane's speed and whipping around the other Rangers to land a solid blow at the same time as Tommy. Their combined kicks sent it sprawling, the damage it had suffered causing it to short out.

Kimberly grinned behind her mask, hi-fiving Tommy before turning to the other Rangers. They were all back on their feet and had regrouped behind them. Feeling slightly out of place in her Ninja costume, Kimberly was debating changing back to Zeo when the earth suddenly shook violently, sending her into Tommy. He caught her, his arms sliding about her waist as he steadied her against the motion. His attention was focused elsewhere as Nuklifier was suddenly growing, becoming a giant version of itself and Kimberly knew in that moment his reaction in catching her had been purely reflex.

"Now would be a good time to return to Zeo."

She couldn't have agreed more and reluctantly pulled herself free. Tommy's hands dropped the second he seemed to realize what he'd been doing. Kimberly morphed quickly back into her Zeo costume. Tommy looked around the group and then nodded. As one, they reached for the sky and called on their Zords.

"We need Super Zeo Zord Power now!"

The Zords, called from their hiding place, appeared in the sky and combined, the thrill of it making Kimberly's heart race as each piece interlocked and finally emerged a stronger, more powerful Zord. The controls were reminiscent of the old Megazord so Kimberly adapted quickly. The Zord fought the massive Nuklifier, calling on the powerful interlocked Zords for massive punches that would have left holes in mountain sides.

Yet, despite the power, it wasn't enough. The Super Zeo Zord was sent stumbling backwards by a blast of power that staggered the Zord and rattled the Rangers inside.

"It's too tough!"

Kimberly jerked at the sound of Tanya's voice, despairing above the noise of shorted circuits and wires.

"We can do this, Rangers," was Tommy's immediate response. "We can't let Gasket win."

"But what can we do? Jason's still trapped in the other dimension."

"We'll think of something, Tanya." Rocky's voice was slightly strained. "We always do."

Kimberly looked around the cockpit of the Super Zeo Zord and then made a split second decision. "Drive for me; I have an idea."

"Kim! Where are you going?"

"Trust me!" She called back, dropping from the Super Zeo Zord and landing on the ground. "I've got an idea."

"You're brave to leave your Zord, little Pink Ranger," came the sudden taunting voice from above. "But foolish when I can squash you like a bug!"

"The only one who'll be squashed today is you, Nuklifier! I call on the power of the Crane Zord!"

There was a laugh somewhere behind her and she forced herself to block it out, concentrating on the powers that warred inside her. Someone called for her to be careful, another voice demanding to know if she was crazy since their Ninjetti Zords had all been destroyed.

But Kimberly knew better. Her Ninja powers worked. For them to work, the Crane Zord had to be functional. If it was functional, it would come to her call.

The sound of something breaking the sound barrier suddenly boomed above them and she let out a whoop, jumping upwards and dodging a blast from a recovered Archerina's bow. "Let's do this!" She dropped into the cockpit of the Crane Zord, slapping her hands onto the controls with an exhilarated whoop. "Crane Zord online and ready to rumble. Time to recycle this tin can!"

She banked her Zord, flying away from the blast that came near and did a quick turn on the tail of the Zord, the nose dropping back to get Nuklifier in its sights. "Missiles away!"

Nuklifier didn't know what hit it. At the same moment Kimberly dropped the missiles, the Super Zeo Zord had unleashed a devastating attack with its sword, cleaving the monsters almost in twain. The missiles struck as it fought to reform, causing internal circuit damage and secondary explosions. Kimberly cry of victory was echoed by the other Rangers as the Nuklifier crashed to the ground and exploded, disintegrating into a cloud of spare parts and dust. She punched the air. "Take that you mess of spare parts!"

From her vantage point above, Kimberly could see Archerina and Gasket wave threateningly at the Crane Zord and then disappear back to wherever they'd come from. She grinned behind her helmet. Score another one for the good guys.

The Rangers sent their Zords back into hiding almost immediately and then teleported away, back to the command center. Katherine engulfed Kimberly in a tight hug the second the Pink Ranger appeared from teleport. The other Rangers de-morphed as Katherine let her friend go. "Kim, I can't thank you enough for facing Archerina."

Kimberly took the opportunity to demorph herself and grinned at her friend. "You don't need to thank me; they're part of my team. I'd have done it even if you hadn't asked." Kimberly was the recipient of another hug; the strength behind it making her wince. "Easy Kat, it's been a while since I was in battle."

Katherine drew back dismayed. "You're hurt?"

"Nothing a little R & R won't cure." Kimberly nodded to Alpha. "Thanks for getting the guys - but where's Jason?"

"We were unable to reach Jason's communicator during the emergency. With Archerina's defeat, he and the others have been returned to Detective Stone's home."

"Then we'd better get back there before we're missed." Tommy nodded to the other Rangers and Katherine. "Good job out there today Kim, you really saved our skins."

She smiled; Tommy was never one to give praise lightly. "Just doing my job; I'm glad I could help."

"Will you be up later?"

She arched her eyebrows, aware that every eye in the command center was on them, and forced herself to act casual; to not read too much into that question. "Probably. I've got to make up for the last hour of practice I missed today. Why?"

His smile was faint, not quite reaching his eyes. "I'd like to talk with you about the battle - if that's okay."

She shrugged even as her heart plummeted. It figured; he was all business. "Fine by me; you know where to find me."

"Good. Let's get back guys. Jason's going to be sorry he missed this one."

Katherine, still wearing her communicator, teleported away with the others and left Kimberly to her own devices. She checked her watch and winced. Two hours of practice, she mentally corrected. "I guess I'll be in touch, Zordon."

"Kimberly."

"Yes?"

"How did you call on the power of the Crane Zord?"

She cocked her head at the disembodied head. "How? The same way I always did. If my crane coin works, it stands to reason the Zord still has to work. I used the Zeo crystal as a power source."

"We attempted to do so when the Zeo crystals were fist discovered but found the Ninjetti coins did not maintain their levels of static energy."

Her smile was faint. "I didn't need a static level, just a boost."

"Kimberly, you do not understand. The Crane Zord should not have come to your call with the crane coin powered by the Zeo crystal. The power levels are too faint."

"However it worked, Zordon, I'm just glad it did. Otherwise, it would have been a bad scene."

"Alpha and I will investigate. I would not recommend attempting to use the Crane Zord again, Kimberly. With the power levels as unstable as they have been, it could fail in the middle of battle."

"I understand, Zordon. Thanks."

Zordon inclined his head as she waved to Alpha and then teleported back to her dorm room. She had an alibi to cement and little time to do it before the following morning's practice.