Part 18

Practice the following night was a disaster.

Kimberly was so unfocused from her ruminations that her performance was fundamentally flawed. She completely missed a section of her routine, flubbed not one, but three landings, fell off the beam and bruised her shoulder on a bad fall in her floor routine. It didn't help her back was bruised and she was sporting minor pains and aches from the last battle.

Her coach was furious and she knew he had every right to be.

It wasn't his fault her focus was elsewhere, and she could do little but grit her teeth and bear it while he soundly berated her in front of the team. It didn't help that she wanted to shout back at him and bring her accusations to the forefront with regards to his meddling. Instead she simply stood straight before him and bore it, looking at the wall over his shoulder and tuning him out. She knew what she was doing wrong - yelling at her wasn't going to make it better.

At some point in his tirade he dismissed the rest of the class before rounding on Kimberly. "Your strange disappearances make me question your dedication to this team, Kimberly. I've half a mind not to let you compete this weekend!"

She snapped out of her daze and stared at him aghast. "It's jitters, coach; that's all. I've never performed on this big of a scale. Once I'm through the first trial I'll settle down. You'll see."

"Never the less, if you do not increase your attention for tomorrow, I will have no choice but to cut you from the list, Kimberly." His tone was severe and uncompromising. "I will also have no choice but to tell the Olympic scouts that your lack of dedication is what has disqualified you from the competition!"

Her incredulous look must have gotten through to him, but she didn't hold her tongue this time; it had been one time too many. "Lack of dedication? I've done everything you've ever asked me to! I practice at night, every night, to make sure I'm ready for this and all you can tell me is that you're unhappy. Has it ever occurred to you that supporting me for this competition would get better results than berating me?" She pointed an accusing find at him. "No matter how many titles the gymnasts you've trained have won, you're too good of a coach to know you can't push someone beyond their limits. I've reached mine. The competition is in three days, I'm being watched by half the world and all you can do is criticize!"

"You must be ready-"

"I am ready!" She all but shrieked the words. "I couldn't be more ready for this but you want more. Always more; well I don't have any more to give. I'm walking on pins and needles already and all you're doing is psyching me out for this whole mess!"

He stared at her as if he'd never seen her before and Kimberly took a hasty breath, calming her racing heart beat and trying to get a grip on her temper before she came out and accused him of everything. She couldn't do that, not just yet, not until she'd reached the competition and given it her best shot. She took another deep breath and another, conscious of the fact that her breathing was the only sound in the gymnasium and echoed hollowly.

Her equilibrium restored, she dropped her voice to its normal level. "I prepare for competitions in a different way than you do, coach. Every athlete is different and running me through routines I could do in my sleep to nitpick things that are already close to perfect isn't helping anything."

"Then what do you suggest to keep yourself in readiness?"

Kimberly blinked. Had she heard him correctly? She examined his face, trying to discover if she was hallucinating but his expression was the impassive mask he normally wore and she had trouble reading it.

She took another deep breath, opening her mouth to answer honestly, when something suddenly slammed into her from behind and sent her careening into her coach. They hit the ground hard, her coach taking the brunt of the impact as debris from one side of the gymnasium littered the area. Maniacal laughter echoed through the room making her skin crawl.

One look at her coach's face told her everything she need to know. He was unconscious and there was blood leaking from somewhere on the back of his head from the impact against the ground. He needed medical attention and fast. Shaking her head to clear the ringing sound, she pushed to her feet and turned to meet the attack head on.

Archerina, her body repaired and showing no signs of the last battle dropped into the gym with an arrogant pose. "A gymnast Ranger? How pathetic. Athletes can't hope to control their surroundings if they can't control themselves you know."

Kimberly planted herself in front of her coach, hoping Zordon and Alpha were recording the scene even as she tilted her head up in defiance. "I'm surprised to see you again, Archerina. I'd have thought losing twice to me would have been enough."

"Minor setbacks, Pink Ranger; you will not be the ultimate pink!"

Kimberly grinned, but there was no pleasure in her smile. "I'm no Katherine, Archerina. I'm no rookie and I'm certainly not afraid of you. Unless you want another thrashing, you'd better leave."

"There's no Tommy to save you now, Pink Ranger." Archerina leapt into the air, straight at Kimberly. Anticipating the move, Kimberly executed a perfect back flip and backwards handspring, neatly moving herself out of harm's way. Archerina laughed as Kimberly regained her feet. "My Prince will enjoy torturing you for your knowledge on the weaknesses of the Rangers, Kimberly."

"You've got to catch me first, chip brain."

"Your capture will be easier than you think." Archerina made a motion and Cogs appeared around Kimberly.

Kimberly, remembering Tommy's cautions about the creatures, lept straight up and kicked out, knocking two quickly aside. She dove to the left, coming down on the floor practice mat and regained her feet with a roll. Taking up a defensive stance, she balanced herself to meet the next attack.

It came quickly, Archerina directing the Cogs with an expertise Kimberly hadn't expected. They swarmed her, overpowering her in mere moments as they worked in a coordinated attack to pin her legs and arms. She kicked out, trying to maneuver, but she'd never been as good at the close combat as Tommy or Jason and was quickly overwhelmed.

Archerina's laugh was suddenly cut off as a flurry of yellow, blue and green shirts jumped into the scene. Tanya collided with the Cog holding Kimberly's arms down to her sides, sending the whole group sprawling as Rocky and Adam launched devastating kick and knee attacks at those Cogs who were prone.

Tanya finished the Cog she'd collided with by elbow slamming it in quick, repeated attacks. Tanya helped Kimberly to her feet, pushing the Cogs arms away. "Need a hand?"

"You've got good timing."

"Rangers aim to please." Tanya put her back to Kimberly's. "Kat tells me you've got experience doing multi-fighter tactics."

"I think you're a little small for what I know." Kimberly ducked as a Cog swung at her and kicked it in the center of its chest. "No offence."

Tanya whirled, dropping a Cog with a vicious side kick even as she grabbed Kimberly's arm and hauled her away from the attack. "None taken."

They ducked under the grabbing motions made by the Cogs and slid into an unfulfilled semi-circle as Rocky and Adam fell back to regroup. More Cogs appeared as the Rangers slid in shoulder to shoulder as they were surrounded, their backs to one of the balance beams.

Archerina cackled. "You can't win, Rangers."

"Rangers always win, Archerina!"

Kimberly's head came up at the sound of that familiar and much missed voice.

Archerina spun in surprise as Jason and Tommy burst onto the scene, narrowly missing Archerina in their rush to help. The appearance of the other two Rangers disorganized the Cogs for a brief moment but it was all that was needed. Regrouped and ready, the four exploded outwards, Tanya staying beside Kimberly - much to her surprise. The spunky Yellow Ranger spun and dodged and kicked, striking wherever possible in a fashion that reminded Kimberly of a wild animal. Kimberly turned her back to the other Ranger and focused on the Cogs that seemed to be swarming her with more intent than any of the others.

Rocky and Adam, already well acquainted with each other's fighting styles, stood back to back, using the opportunity to whirl in circles of destruction. Jason and Tommy, always matched fighters, slid into the fray with abandon, their familiar battle cries ringing out over the sound of shorting Cog bodies.

Tanya was suddenly sent into Kimberly's back, offsetting her balance and sending her head first into the nearest Cog. It crowed as she struggled, fighting to free her arms as it latched on tightly. She kicked it and regretted it immediately as she stubbed her toes on its hard shins. "Let me go, you metal clown!"

"I have you now, Pink Ranger." Archerina appeared as she was occupied with the Cog, and pulled out her bow.

"No!" Tommy's scream reverberated through the gymnasium, echoed only a fraction of a second later by Jason.

Kimberly flipped herself in the Cog's grasp, trying to break its hold, but without the Zeo powers backing her up, its grip was too much. More so when another Cog, and then another, came in to help. She looked around frantically, catching sight of the other Rangers. Her gaze met Tommy's and the naked fear she saw in his gaze echoed the agony of being unable to free herself.

Archerina's plan was suddenly all too clear as the mechanical archer summoned the energy bolts to the bow. "Gasket might want you for questioning, my dear Pink Ranger, but I want you out of the way; you keep upsetting my plans!"

"Kimberly!"

She struggled. "Morph, Tommy!"

"Restrain them!"

The cogs moved to obey as the Rangers regrouped, unable to penetrate the ever growing circle of Cogs, and Kimberly's fear ignited as none of them seemed to hear her words. They weren't strong enough out of uniform to take the crew and Archerina was lining up her shot. She twisted, sending her body into a writhing motion that threw off the archer's aim, but she didn't have far to go with the Cogs holding her so tightly.

"Kim, NO!"

Archerina's first shot left the bow in seconds as Kimberly twisted again. A scream passed her lips as pain exploded in her side, the bolt shearing through fabric and skin. The Cog on that side took the brunt of the blow and for a single moment one of her legs was free. She registered the fact, reacting with barely a thought, and swept it out and wide. The move set Archerina's sights off once more and the second bolt drove into the Cog holding her other leg, grazing the top of her left thigh.

"Gold Ranger Power!"

Kimberly almost sobbed with relief as she heard Jason, then the rest of the Ranger Morph. She fought again the hold on her, desperate to be free as Archerina's voice penetrated the pain fogged haze that was settling over her mind.

"I said hold her you useless piles of junk!"

"Let her go, Archerina."

"You can't reach her in time, Red Ranger," Archerina's taunt was almost malicious. "No matter how strong you are, I'll be finished with the Prink Ranger before you can get here."

"Never!"

Kimberly gasped as one of the Cogs slammed its hand into her side, folding her double as she collapsed into their grip. Their grasp on her was the only thing that kept her from folding into a ball of pain on the floor. She lifted her head, somehow knowing that if she didn't keep her gaze on Archerina, she'd give the other an advantage and Kimberly couldn't give her any more free shots. In the depths of her mind, strength flowed and she found herself speaking.

"You underestimate the Falcon, Archerina." Her voice cracked, but the words practically echoed through the gym. Archerina's blank look reassured Kimberly, even as she heard Tommy take her cue and she prayed the Ninjetti powers would hold long enough for him to make a break through.

"White Ninja Power!"

"There is no White Ranger." Archerina's contempt was obvious. "Your little plot won't work, Kimberly. If there were a White Ranger, we'd have-"

"Zi-Yay!

She was suddenly sent sprawling, the arrow notched on her bow flying wildly and slamming into the back of one of the nearby Cogs. The White Ninja Ranger landed where she'd been moments before, spinning into the Cogs with devastating effect and sending them sprawling.

Archerina regained her feet just as Tommy's feet crashed into the last of the Cogs holding Kimberly. The mechanical archer let out a shriek of rage. "No! She's mine, you pitiful Ranger, mine!"

Tommy's arms were suddenly about her, lifting her and Kimberly felt the strain in her body, could see it in his face as he looked down into hers; the Ninjetti powers were slowly fading and he was doing his best to keep his grasp on them as long as necessary. She clung to him as his movements suddenly blurred, the speed of the Ninja sending him across the room and out of the Cog's reach.

Archerina's shriek of dismay was echoed by one of pain as the rest of the Rangers closed in and the Cogs lost all form of cohesion. Slowly, one by one, The Cogs were being destroyed and Archerina, her back to the wall, case a murderous glare towards where Tommy stood, Kimberly in his arms. "This isn't over yet, Pink Ranger!"

The Rangers were suddenly alone as Archerina and the Cogs disappeared.

Less than a half second later, Tommy staggered as the white Nina costume flickered, energy spikes running through it in random colors before it suddenly disappeared. Kimberly felt him take a knee, but when she lifted her gaze to his, the pain in his features wasn't echoed in his eyes. His gaze was for her and her alone, his relief an almost palatable thing. He slowly lowered her to the ground and the gentleness in his grip spoke louder than any words he could have used.

"Kim, are you okay?"

She blinked, taking a second to identify the concerned voice and did a double take when Tanya – already de-morphed - took a knee beside her, her eyes going to the ragged hole on her side and the damage across her legs. Bruises were already starting to appear where the cogs had held her so tightly. Kimberly felt like she'd been put through a meat grinder.

"We should have morphed sooner," Kimberly's wry reply was accompanied with a sharp intake and a wince as her hand went to her side. Sticky fluid coated her fingers and she lifted them incredulously. "Is... that what I think it is?"

"We've got to get her to the hospital."

"Rocky, go call an ambulance."

Rocky was off like a shot, disappearing towards the offices lining one wall of the gym.

Tommy shrugged out of his over-shirt and wadded it up, pressing it against her side to stem the blood flow. Jason pulled off his over-shirt and offered it. Together, the Rangers lifted Kimberly and passed the cloth underneath her back before wrapping it around her waist to get pressure on the wound. Jason, once that was finished, removed his bandana and wrapped it around the gouge on Kimberly's thigh. He squeezed her knee and then looked to the other Rangers.

"We shouldn't be here when the ambulance arrives. Tommy's presence will be hard enough to explain logically."

"I'm not going."

Kimberly winced. "Tommy, you should go with them."

He shook his head adamantly. "No way. I'm not leaving you."

Kimberly tried to sit up, but Tommy pressed his hands to her shoulders and held her down. "If you stay, I can't explain how you got here. Coach will never-" she stopped, her eyes widening. "Coach!"

"I'll deal with your coach."

"No, Tommy, he was hurt in the initial attack. He needs medical help too."

Adam and Tanya began searching the debris and surrounding area for her coach. Jason, taking a cue from Kimberly's gaze, quickly moved to help them leaving Tommy and Kimberly alone. She met his gaze and held it, pleading with her eyes. "Tommy…"

"No way, Kim."

"You can't stay. You have to know that."

"I'm not leaving. You can't make me leave. You need me."

"You're more use to me in Angel Grove."

"You're not thinking straight."

"No, you're not thinking straight. Listen to me, Tommy." She clutched his hand urgently, squeezing his fingers with far mother strength than she thought she had. "If you stay, there are going to be questions asked. It would be worse with all of you, but even just you, there's been no preparation work, no back story to track. You're a horrible liar, much as I appreciate the offer."

"You don't think I'm just going to leave you here, bleeding out on the ground for who knows how long…"

She lifted their joined fingers and covered his lips. "I'll be alright. I feel better already."

"Now who's lying?"

"Tommy, think about this rationally, please." She wasn't above begging. "If you stay, you're going to have to explain how things happened. I won't hear, then someone will question me and you'll be implicated in this mess. Don't do this; don't make it harder on me than it already is."

"Harder on you? Your perception's skewed if you think I'm leaving."

"Kimberly's right, Tommy." Jason dropped to one knee, Tanya and Adam helping place her unconscious coach next to them. "If you stay, you could be considered suspect to this. We can't risk having any Ranger involved in a criminal investigation as a suspect."

Tommy's gaze turned anguished and his indecision was plain on his face.

Kimberly squeezed his fingers before letting go and fumbling at the ache in her side for the knot they'd tied. "Go, Tommy. The ambulance is on the way, I'll last until then."

"What are you doing?" His hands covered hers. "Do you have a death wish?"

"Your clothing is obviously not mine and someone will ask where it came from." She fought off his grip with strength that was starting to ebb. "I can't keep it if none of you are staying. It will raise too many questions."

"If I'm not staying, you're keeping that Kim."

Jason, and surprisingly Tanya, stepped in to help her undo the knots, Jason hauling Tommy away and whispering fiercely to the leader of the Rangers. Tanya carefully unwound the cloth and pain shot into Kimberly's side. Rocky came running back at that point before Tanya could voice any of the thoughts in her gaze.

"They're on their way. If we're leaving it had best be now."

Tommy was shaking his head, but Jason place a hand on his shoulder and squeezed and Kimberly had no trouble interpreting the look that came her way. Despite the dangers and the possibility of being implicated in her injury, Tommy did not want to leave. Silently, desperately, she begged him to go. Tanya shifted, breaking their eye contact as she collected the shirts, breaking clots as she pulled Tommy's from her side. Kimberly felt her head swim and saw things going dark. Tanya's voice was very distant as she began to sing into unconsciousness.

"I can hear the sirens, we'd better go."

"But…"

"No Tommy," Jason's voice sounded far away, even as there was the sound of a scuffle. She thought she heard her name called and then silence. Gratefully, Kimberly realized that the Rangers had departed, taking Tommy with them, even as the sirens echoed hollowly, if faintly, in her head. Gratefully she gave herself up to darkness.