Part 16
Kimberly's performance the following day was next to flawless as she totally committed herself to spending the final days before the competition to rehearsing her routines and making last minute adjustments. She was taking no chances with fatigue and even her coach cut her practice time in half. As she wasn't practicing new moves, simply running through her routines and keeping herself in shape, it left her with more time to concentrate on making the final arrangements and checking her things to ensure nothing went missing for her move back to Angel Grove.
She forewent informing her mother since it would have tipped off her coach, but did explain that she was considering taking a season off to consider her options and her future to prevent a payment from being made to her coach. It was a small tip that was unavoidable as her coach pressed her for a commitment to the Olympic team if and when the scouts found her performance favorable. Promising nothing more than to think about it, she focused instead on finishing that semester of school work and checking in on Katherine.
Katherine, back at home after being released, was full of excitable comments, including an update on Tommy's meeting with the other Rangers over the battle footage as well as some tips on how to handle Tanya. Kimberly had also asked that Kat speak with the Yellow Ranger as it would go a long way to making peace within the group. Kat had promised to do what she could on that front, though she'd been suspiciously silent on the Gold Ranger front when Kimberly had asked. Kat would say nothing more than she was still spending a good deal of her time with Jason. In what capacity, Kimberly didn't know, but she suspected there had been a development of some kind between the two.
With so much to occupy her, it kept Kimberly from being nervous about the upcoming competition despite her coach's un-subtle promptings for answers and commitments. Fortunately she'd been in a lot of competitions in Angel Grove and while nervous, she knew how to handle it and found large competitions were no different. Medals aside, it was your skills against other skilled individuals and who happened to perform the best. She found thinking about it only made things worse and so, instead, focused on Tommy's shift in attitude and his determination to get the Rangers back together on even footing.
From Tommy himself she heard nothing despite his promise to be in touch.
The days passed swiftly, and Kimberly maintained her routine of late night practice, so much that her coach had stopped almost all morning practices for her schedule to avoid strains and overworking her before the competition. Fortunately he found little in her performances to criticize, though his pointers were always valid and constructive. It didn't stop her from resenting him as a human being, but it did reinforce the grudging respect she gave him as a gymnastics coach.
Kimberly was signing for the final load of her items from storage to be shipped to Angel Grove when her communicator went off one afternoon five days after the battle with Archerina. She smiled at the contractor she'd made the arrangements with and then excused herself with the barest of courtesies. Thankful she hadn't been in the gym once again, and wasn't obligated to make excuses, she ducked into one of the side storage rooms and closed the door.
"This is Kim."
Alpha's voice came through the other end. "Aie yi yi yi yi! Kimberly, the Rangers need your help!"
"What am I up against?"
"Tommy and Tanya are under a spell which is interfering with Tommy's link to his Zord. The machine empire is trying to make the Zords explode by making them dance, Aie yi yi yi yi!"
"I'm on my way; it's Morphin time!" Kimberly thrust her hands out to the sides, mindful of Zordon's warning about using the Crane powers, and called on the Zeo powers. "Zeo Ranger one; Pink!"
She morphed in seconds, the rush of power sliding through her frame with intimate familiarity and yet that foreign sensation she was unable to place.
Suited and prepared, she teleported into the fray – just in time to see the Zords topple, shorting out from whatever influence they'd been under. The Rangers were forcefully ejected and then Tommy, to her utter surprise, broke into song as he ensured everyone was alright. They dove as the giant caterpillar, the Mechatipillar monster, blasted them with energy.
The Rangers rolled to their feet as she watched, hauling their blaster from their holsters and fired on the monster ineffectively only to be fired upon in return. Her heart leapt into her throat as Tommy was thrown apart from the Rangers and she acted before she thought. Leaping the distance, she glanced at the other Rangers, seeing them on their feet and fighting Gasket, before focusing on where Tommy was going to land.
Archerina appeared in that moment and Kimberly, caught in mid-air, could do little but watch as Tommy was struck by one of the archer's bolts. He took two shots before her feet touched the ground and fury rose up within her. No one, but no one treated her Tommy like that. She acted, lunging at Archerina just as the bow in her hand began to shift between bow and sword, blind siding the archer in a full body tackle that sent them both careening to the ground and the sword-bow, caught in mid-transformation, skittered away.
"Kimberly, don't risk yourself for me!"
Surprised, she almost lost her grip on Archerina as Tommy's sung admonition registered. Was that the spell Alpha had been talking about? The mechanical archer twisted as they hit the ground and Kimberly's hands were suddenly full.
"She's mine, Tommy; help the others!"
"Kimberly." She wondered idly if he would ever say her name the way he sung it. It sent a certain thrill down her spine despite the circumstances. "Do not a hero be."
"Tommy!" she didn't even spare him a glance as Archerina launched a punch at her chest and she was forced to roll back and away, gaining her feet in a low crouch as she circled Archerina. "Just do it, don't argue, don't sing, just go!"
He didn't so much as hum in counterpoint as he did as she ordered, leaping into the fray with the other Rangers against Prince Gasket.
Kimberly had no time to see how everyone was faring as she circled with Archerina, trading kicks and punches like prize fighters located in a ring. Kimberly kept her back to where Archerina's bow-sword had skittered away, accepting a kick on the thigh and hooking the same leg around Archerina's extended appendage. With a quick twist and a jerk, the mechanical archer was one again flat on her back.
Following up on her advantage, she dropped onto the mechanical monster's chest and drew the pink zeo sword that still felt uncomfortable in her grasp. Archerina stopped squirming as Kimberly placed the sword flat against her neck in a silent threat.
"Kim, look out!"
She didn't have time to react to Adam's call as something struck her from the side, catching her on the side of the helmet. Only the hard substance protecting her skull prevented it from splattering like a melon. A ringing sound echoed in her ears, leaving her dazed even as a second, similarly lightning quick strike swiped the helmet from her head as she was sent sprawling from Archerina.
"You!"
Kimberly registered the accusation, but the ringing in her ears and the way the world spun prevented her from focusing, let alone answering. She lifted her hands to either side of her head, clapping them around her ears as she fought to orient herself.
"Kimberly!"
Tommy's tone was agonized and it took her a moment to register the fact that none of the Rangers were nearby – and the sounds of battle still continued. Cogs. The thought drifted through her mind and disappeared as quickly as it had come.
"You've interfered with my plans for the last time, Kimberly."
She rolled without thinking, some instinct forcing her to move from her prone position. The sound of Gasket's sword slamming down into the ground where she'd been was almost deafening.
"Kimberly!"
She hit the side of an abandoned car and stopped, pushing herself to her hands and knees as she shook her head, struggling to move through the cobwebs and nausea that were threatening to take her out of the fight for good.
Tommy was beside her a moment later; deflecting an attack by Gasket and throwing the Prince away with a move she didn't see as she focused on where her fingers curled in the dirt. Her vision threatened to darken further and she gritted her teeth against the wave of sickness that twisted her gut. She was not going to be sick in her second battle out.
Battle sounds continued around her as she placed one hand on the car and forced herself to straighten, unable to stand for fear of falling, she nonetheless clutched the car to keep her balance on her knees. Tommy was fighting the Prince with a ferocity she hadn't seen since just before she'd given up her powers. He took a hit that sent him spinning, but was up and back at Gasket before a breath had elapsed.
Gasket was pushed back to stand over Archerina as Kimberly shakily regained her feet, leaning against the car to prevent her fall. The wind whipped her hair into her face as she stared at Gasket as Tommy was struck one more and sent sprawling towards her.
"You can't win Gasket."
"You're no Ranger, girl. My Mechatipillar will make you regret your allegiance."
Kimberly laughed, her heart in her throat until Tommy regained his feet, taking up a defensive stance in front of her. The other Rangers appeared, forming a barrier between her and the mechanical Prince. "You've got a lot to learn about Rangers. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger."
"I know what I need to. You days are numbered, Kimberly." Gasket pointed his sword at them and energy discharged before they could move, sending them sprawling.
Kimberly was thrown backwards into the car, her neck snapping back with the blow, but her head, luckily, didn't strike anything behind her. She hit the ground with the other Rangers, blacking out as she did.
"Kimberly."
She came back to consciousness moments later with Rocky crouched over top her.
"I'm alright."
Rocky helped her sit up and she had a full view of the other Rangers, tattered and torn, facing Gasket as they pressed the advantage. The Mechanical Prince was protecting Archerina, who was still down, unable to get to her bow – but not for lack of trying.
"Are you sure?"
Kimberly nodded. "That was a harder hit than I thought it would be."
"You're lucky it didn't kill you, Kim."
She smile was shaky but cocky. "I have multi-colored energy buffers."
He laughed before straightening. "You're fine; back in a minute."
She watched him turn to the fight, heading for Gasket with intent and the other Rangers fell away. She closed her eyes, taking a deep breath as she fought to regain her equilibrium. Rocky was right – she was very lucky she hadn't taken a more direct hit.
Her eyes opened and a white glove connected to a yellow suit suddenly thrust Kimberly's helmet at her. She looked up, surprised, to find Tanya's helmet cocked as if in challenge. She nodded her thanks, a little surprised the girl didn't take the opportunity to make a snide comment, and examined the sides. The fasteners holding the helmet closed had broken - which explained how it had come off.
Tanya darted away, only to intercept an energy blow that was meant for Kimberly, the Rangers sprawling about the road in front of her as the struggled to give her time. Kimberly called on the willpower that had got her through battles before this. Battles that had left her more grievously injured and forced herself to her feet. "Zeo Ranger one; Pink!"
Her helmet reappeared, undamaged, and she lept to the forefront of the Rangers just as Gasket let loose another energy blast from his sword. She took it full on, turning into it as the other Rangers had been to protect her, and giving them time to regain their feet. The blow sent her sprawling, catching her mid-air and sending her back to cash into the other Ranges. Mechatipillar took that moment to fire on the rangers, energy slamming into them and drawing them off their feet with sudden force. They were stretched upwards, pulled by an incredibly powerful and invisible force before being slammed back into the ground, giving them no chance to recover.
Gasket's crow of triumph was interrupted with a shriek of rage as Pyramidas suddenly appeared and blasted the Mechatipillar into oblivion.
"You haven't seen the last of us Rangers!"
The silence that descended with the destruction of Mechatipillar and the disappearance of Gasket and Archerina was almost unnerving. Kimberly pushed herself to her feet as the other Rangers did the same, looking about the destruction with disbelieving eyes.
"Kim, are you alright?"
She turned, demorphing as she did, and cocked her head at Tommy. "What, no more song and dance?"
"She's right!"
Rocky and Adam demorphed, Rocky looking to Tanya. "Say something, Tanya."
"Why?" She sounded peevish.
"Yes!" Rocky grinned. "Spell's broken!"
"A good thing too," Tommy's voice was slightly hoarse.
Tommy and Tanya demorphed at the same time, joining the others just as Jason dropped in, still in Ranger gear. "Can't you guys do anything without me?"
"Easy for you to say, you're not the one who was under that spell." Tanya's tone was caustic if somewhat scratchy. Their singing stint had rubbed both throats raw. "I'm going to be sore for a week."
"I don't think so," Kimberly smiled at the other Ranger. "My grandmother used to make me this tea to sooth the throat whenever I'd do that as a kid – I'll give you the recipe."
Tanya blinked, as if caught completely off guard by the offer. "Uh, thanks."
"No problem." Kimberly's smile faded as she took another look around. "These guys mean business, don't they?"
"Fortunately they didn't hit the population center."
Jason reached out to squeeze her shoulder, his Ranger uniform melting away as they surveyed the destruction. The abandoned warehouse district was a mess – and the Zeo Zords still had to be retrieved and put back into their hiding bay.
Kimberly took a deep breath and turned back to the team, Jason's hand falling away as she did. "So, where do we start?"
"Start?" Tanya echoed the word with a cock of her head. "We're not on the cleanup crew, Kimberly. But we'd better get the Zords under cover before they get here."
The Rangers were in reluctant agreement as Jason filled them in to the damage at the Zord holding bay. There was little to do about it until their return and each took their Zord, Kimberly climbing into the Pink Zeo Zord with trepidation. The Zords were as responsive as she remembered and left the scene of destruction behind them.
Kimberly's first look of the Zord holding bay – a new enclosure she hadn't seen until now – almost made her cry. While impressive in size, it was obvious that massive damage had been done and it would be some time before it was fully operational once more. Maintenance bots and construction droids – Alpha's little helpers – were already on the job clearing away debris and ensuring they had space to land.
The Rangers regrouped in the Command Center, somber with their observations.
"How long will it take to rebuild, Zordon?"
"We do not yet have an estimate, Rocky." Zordon's tone was regretful but optimistic. "However, the damage is mostly superficial and can be easily repaired. It will simply take time."
"The good news, Rangers," Alpha told them excitedly. "Is that none of the Zords were damaged in the attack and we are still fully operational."
"That's some good news at least."
Everyone seemed to relax with Tommy's observation and Kimberly felt her spirits lift with his smile. "Well, if we don't have any damage to worry about, other than some vocal chords, did anyone think it odd the way Gasket protected Archerina?"
"She's his consort," Rocky told her with a slight smile. "I don't think he expected her to meet her match in you, Kim."
"I don't think anyone expected me," her smile faded. "But they know who I am now."
"Unfortunately, your anonymity could not last forever, Kimberly." Zordon took control of the meeting. "Fortunately, your obligations in Florida are almost at an end and you will be able to rejoin us as a full time Ranger."
"Three days is a long time, Zordon," Kimberly glanced around at the other Rangers, meeting each one's gaze until hers finally came to rest on Tommy's. He shook his head fractionally, as if understanding that she wanted to suggest the measure he'd suggested – to surrender her powers for a few days. She smiled faintly and put it forward anyway. "Tommy suggested I might retire the Powers of the Pink Ranger for a few days until the competition is over."
"That would be unwise with the Machine Empire aware of your identity, Kimberly. You are more vulnerable now that you have been exposed and to give up the Pink Powers would endanger you more than you realize."
"It doesn't help that I'm in Florida, huh?" she smiled wryly. "It can't be helped now, Zordon, they would have found out who I was eventually. I just wish it hadn't been today."
"Is there something special about today?"
She shrugged, smiling faintly at Adam. "Not really, but you guys remember what it was like once Rita found out I was focusing on my gymnastics. I just want to avoid another beam fall."
"We'd all like to avoid that," Jason put in loyally, his gaze drifting to Tommy. "There has to be a way we can work this while Kimberly's in Florida to avoid a repeat of what happened last time."
"I don't need a babysitter."
Tommy arched his eyebrows. "Nobody said you did."
Kimberly searched the faces of the other Rangers. "Providing the Machine Empire doesn't try a trick like Rita's I should be alright. The competition starts in less than three days; that's a full three days and then I'm back in Angel Grove. I think I can handle whatever they try in that time span."
"Just don't turn your communicator off."
"I concur, Kimberly." Zordon backed Tommy's wry comment with a solemn nod. "By keeping your communicator active we can monitor your well being and send the Rangers in the event you require their assistance."
"It's always on now anyway," her smile was faint. "Just don't drop them on me in the middle of practice, alright Zordon?"
"Agreed. No one must know of your connection to the Rangers."
Duh. "Alright then – I should be getting back."
"No recipe for Tanya?"
Kimberly grinned. "Hot water, honey and lemon or mint. Nothing special I'm sure."
Tanya smiled faintly – nothing more than a twist of her lips, but it was more of a thank you than Kimberly had expected. Kimberly nodded once. Jason caught her by the shoulder. "Hold up, Kim, I'll come with you."
"It's your funeral."
Jason grinned. "I'll be back later guys. Call if you need us."
Kimberly couldn't help but glance at Tommy as she and Jason set up for teleportation. Tommy, however, wasn't looking in her direction and seemed absorbed by something Alpha was showing him. Feeling more than a little foolish for hoping he'd be jealous of Jason spending time with her, she nodded to her best friend and teleported back to Florida and her packing job.