Part 21

They arrived in the command center minutes after the battle, the scene playing out on the viewing globe as the Rangers teleported in. Local news reports were pouring in and various screens around the command center showed the different angles on the disaster unfolding at the Pan Globals. Kimberly hauled off her helmet, her expression distraught as she realized that all of the teammates who'd come with her were on the list of names that was being read as confirmed dead.

"Zordon-?"

She couldn't voice the question. The catastrophe was beyond her scope of understanding, beyond her ability to comprehend. How could anyone, even an evil dictator, cast away the lives of those who were so innocent - of those who were chasing their dreams? How could theydeliberately set out to harm and kill those who had no bearing on their plans – those they were trying to subjugate as subjects?

"There was nothing more you could have done, Rangers."

"Nothing?" Tanya was aghast. "Surely we could have done something, Zordon?"

"I am afraid not, Tanya. That you were able to appear as soon as you did, saved the lives of countless many. It is not often that focus is placed on an event rather than an individual; as it is in this instance."

"What do you mean, Zordon?"

"Behold, the viewing globe."

The Rangers turned as one, and Kimberly covered her mouth in horror, her hands fisting as she watched. Tommy was defending her mother against the Cogs, having backed her into a corner while he placed himself in danger. There was no sound in the globe and it was all the more horrible to watch as one of the Cogs, then another, landed brutal hits on the leader of the Rangers. Kimberly felt each blow as if it were falling on her own skin rather than Tommy's. Gasket's appearance made her gasp and she was completely unaware of the supportive hands the other Rangers had placed on her shoulders as Tommy was suddenly overwhelmed, going down under four, then six and finally ten Cogs. Her mother, her protector gone, was scooped up by Gasket only to disappear moments later - Cogs and all - and Tommy with them.

"No..."

"Your mother and Tommy appear to have been the focus of this attack, Kimberly. I am sorry."

"Why didn't he morph?" Kimberly looked up at Zordon accusingly, tears thick in her voice. "If he'd morphed, he could have saved them both!"

"Tommy would not willingly reveal his identity to your mother, Kimberly."

"He had to have known he couldn't win..." She choked back a sob, stopped and took a deep, shuddering breath. Then another. She gradually became conscious of the firm support of the other Rangers, both in their stances and their grips on her shoulder despite the slightly ashen cast to their skin. "He knows my mom would never betray that trust."

"It was Tommy's decision."

"And now they're both gone to who knows where!" She fairly spat the words. "Even if you can track his communicator, they probably have something set up so we can't teleport him out."

"This is just like when they kidnapped him to brainwash him."

Tanya's caustic observation made Kimberly's blood run cold.

"Could they do that again?"

"I doubt they'd try knowing that you're a Ranger again," Rocky squeezed her shoulder encouragingly before letting go. "Where Kat couldn't reach him, you can. We'll find them Kim."

"Yeah," Tanya added encouragingly. "I'm sure it's just Archerina's way of getting back at you. You've ruined her plans too many times for her not to hold a grudge."

Kimberly froze, icy certainty invading her core. Her whole body hurt, both from previous injuries - which she was certain were going to need re-stitching - and the beating she'd taken at the hands of the Cogs. She'd simply been too furious at the time to notice. The mention of the pink obsessed archer let something click in her brain and she smiled bitterly. "That's where they are then."

She didn't see the other Rangers share concerned looks before finally Adam asked the question. "Where who are?"

"My mom and Tommy. Archerina's taken them to the Forest of Eternal Light. It's her comfort zone, her lair if you will - a place where Gasket doesn't hold sway. It's also chalked full of dangers Tommy will be hard pressed to fight if he doesn't morph."

"That sounds too easy."

"You mean it sounds like a trap," Kimberly corrected Adam grimly. "Archerina couldn't finish me off the last time - she must mean to this time."

"Not with Tommy to help you." Rocky's faith in their leader was unshaken. "Archerina and Gasket don't stand a chance against the two of you."

"Only if Tommy morphs." Kimberly secretly doubted he would unless she was placed in mortal danger. "He wouldn't want to jeopardize my mom."

"She's already in trouble." Tanya's observation was pointed. "How much more could they be in?"

"There are many more dangers they can possibly face, Tanya," Zordon took control of the conversation. "Kimberly's deductions are indeed correct. Tommy and her mother are being held in the Forest of Eternal Light. As with many of the machine Empire's creations, they are permitting teleportation into but not out of the zone. Alpha, begin working on a way through the interference."

The robot complied.

Zordon continued. "From the readings I have received, there are no current dangers facing Tommy and your mother, Kimberly, however, the grid is unstable and will permit only a single individual to teleport in at a time. It could fail at any moment."

"Then I go." Kimberly held up her hands at the verbal protests of the others. "It's my mother in there guys. I can't just stand here and do nothing while one of you takes a risk that could very well mean your life."

"You're already injured, Kim. Another battle is only going to make it worse."

She smiled at Adam to soften the blow. "Injured or not, Adam, I'm going. My crane coin is still powered enough for one last morph if things start going wrong."

"It could cut out on you mid-battle like Tommy's did."

"It could." Her smile was bittersweet. "If Tommy doesn't get over himself to help me, it probably will."

"I should go." Tanya jumped in, looking around. "Kimberly's mother has never met me; she wouldn't recognize me at all."

"No, Tanya. Kimberly is correct in this assumption. A deeper analysis of the teleportation grid into the Forest of Eternal Light has shown it tuned to her signal. Archerina wants only the Pink Ranger to enter the Forest."

"And never leave!" Tanya sounded indignant and outraged. "We can't just sit here and twiddle our thumbs, Zordon! Not while Kimberly, who's already hurting, goes off to face them on her own!"

"You do not have a choice."

"I think they might. Gather round, guys; I've got an idea."

Kimberly quickly outlined her plan to the other Rangers, drawing grudging approval and skeptical optimism from Zordon along with a "Billy would have been proud" that made her smile. They agreed to it. Before she lost her nerve, Kimberly slid her helmet back on and nodded to the others. "Wish me luck, guys."

They did, each grasping her hand for a brief moment before she nodded to Zordon. "I'm ready, Zordon. Let's do this."

"May the power protect you, Kimberly."

She smiled behind the face mask as the teleportation sensation spread through her body. There was a brief resistance, where she almost felt like she was being pushed through a strainer, and then nothing as her feet hit the ground and she crouched, taking in her surroundings. There was little doubt in her mind that Archerina and Gasket knew she was there - this was their trap after all.

But there was no welcoming wagon.

The background noises filtered into her helmet indicating that she had no visitors - yet - as the sounds continued unabated. Kimberly took in a deep breath, feeling the flutter of nerves in her stomach. Her mother couldn't fail to recognize her, not after keeping in touch solely over the phone, and it was going to be tough revealing her identity to her. Yet, there was no help for it and she was certain - despite her nervousness - her mother would understand.

A sound in the distance caught her attention and she turned in that direction. A plume of black smoke rose above the trees and her heart lurched in her chest. Her mother and Tommy were somewhere in this mess and she would bet money it was in that direction. She set out immediately, using the speed and agility she'd gained in her gymnastics to throw herself through the forest. Her abilities as the crane kept her sure footed and light, which was well enough as the forest floor left no margin for error. Stumps, vines and pitfalls threatened to trap her around every corner, behind each tree, and she used every ounce of her agility to avoid them.

She gained ground quickly, ignoring the stitch in her side and the burning fire that was spreading from where she'd been sewn together. The stitches had surely split by now, and only her determination that her mother and Tommy not suffer for the grudge Archerina held towards her kept her on her feet. Not only on her feet, but moving forward. Adrenaline spread through her system, dulling but not removing the pain and Kimberly knew her time was short. She had to end this quickly and get back to the hospital if she wanted to recover, if she-

"Pink Ranger."

She skidded to a halt, twisting around with the help of a nearby tree branch and coming to face the villain. Archerina stood on a stump several yards away, her bow cocked, arrow notched and ready to fire. Kimberly took it all in and dove aside a split second later as Archerina released the missile. The ground where she'd been standing exploded, showering her with dirt and splinters from the demolished tree before she hit the ground.

Kimberly cried out as she landed hard on her side and slid, feeling another stitch and then another tear painfully in her side. Her hand went to her side as she curled into a ball, gritting her teeth as she fought against the pain and the knowledge that if she didn't gain her feet immediately, Archerina would end her immediately and with her would die the chance to rescue her mother and Tommy.

"Say goodnight, Pink Ranger." Archerina's laughter was maniacal and too close.

Kimberly's head came up, and she speared the archer with a scathing look that was lost under the visor of her helmet. "The only one who's saying goodnight is you, Archerina." She lunged from her position, ignoring the tearing sensation that ripped through her side as she did.

Archerina was caught off guard and as Kimberly plowed into her, taking them both to the ground. They rolled, Kimberly throwing her weight as a counterpoint to Archerina's as they tumbled down a slight incline. Kimberly held on tight, pinning the pink archer as they landed, using both her knees and hands to gain the upper hand.

"Where are they, you pink menace?"

Archerina laughed. "You'll never find them, Pink Ranger. Your precious Tommy is ours now!"

Kimberly shook the archer by the shoulders and then, when it had no effect, lifted her hand and slammed it backwards across her face. "Tommy will never be yours! You should have learned your lesson when you tried to brain wash him, Archerina. At best, you'll have an unwilling captive and one that will do anything and everything to escape!"

"He can try, Pink Ranger."

Kimberly screamed as pain exploded through her side, something heavy impacting her wound and sending her flying off Archerina. She hit the ground without even trying to break her fall, landing limply to the side as her hands grasped her side. Her gloves came away blotted with red and Kimberly knew she was losing the battle. Agony rippled from her wound, wrapping her in blankets of pain that made conscious thought difficult if not impossible.

Focus returned in an almost tunnel-like fashion as her gaze narrowed on Archerina and Gasket where they stood several yards away. The Prince was helping his consort to her feet and Kimberly knew that she had to regain her own now or risk losing everything. She took a deep breath, gritting her teeth on the desire to faint and her body's insistence to remain stationary. She had to find her mother and Tommy and she had to find them soon.

"Where are they, Archerina?"

Archerina turned towards her as Kimberly pushed herself shakily to her feet. Gasket's laughter was joined with her own as they regarded the quaking Pink Ranger with something akin to triumph.

"You'll never find them – not in time."

Kimberly's lips were drawn in pain underneath her helmet, glad they couldn't see her face. She tried again, knowing time was short and growing shorter. "Wouldn't you like the opportunity to say goodbye to Gasket if you were in my position, Archerina?"

Archerina paused for a half of a second, looking at Gasket in surprise and it was what Kimberly needed. She forced herself to duck behind a nearby tree and then crouched low, scanning the surrounding area. She paused, hearing Archerina say something to Gasket she didn't make out and then, when she chanced a look she would have laughed if she hadn't been in so much pain. Gasket and Archerina were arguing - arguing! - about something. And Kimberly felt her heart leap into her throat as Tommy and her mother suddenly appeared to her left.

Tommy lay on the ground and appeared to be unconscious. Her mother sat beside him, looking around nervously, her eyes darting to the surroundings.

Kimberly stumbled from behind the tree, going down heavily on her knees beside her mother. "Are you and Tommy alright?"

Mrs. Hart's hard whipped around, her fear turning into disbelief. "Kimberly?"

Kimberly laughed weakly, struggling to keep her mind from wandering. Things were starting to fade again and she knew she had to hang on, she just didn't know how much longer consciousness would allow it. "Yeah." She reached up and removed her helmet, ignoring the presence of Gasket and Archerina behind her. "Surprise, mom."

Mrs. Hart leaned forward and wrapped Kimberly in a tight hug – only to have her cry out as her mother's arms dug into her injury.

"Kimberly! You're hurt!"

Kimberly dismissed it with a wave of her hand, trying to appear nonchalant despite the tremble she couldn't control. It was hard enough staying conscious and that was a battle she could feel herself losing. "I'm alright for now. We have to wake Tommy."

"I've tried."

Kimberly's gaze dropped to Tommy. "I haven't. Keep an eye on them, Mom."

"On… Oh my!"

"They won't hurt you." Kimberly prayed she wasn't lying through her teeth. "It's me they're after."

"Kimberly Ann Hart, you can't-"

"Mom." Kimberly turned back to her, feeling precious seconds slipping by as she cut her off. "I'm a Power Ranger. Power Rangers have a responsibility to the world and all of the people in it. If I can't wake Tommy, they might come after you and you'd stand no chance at all."

"But Tommy-"

"Tommy's the Red Ranger." Kimberly met her mother's gaze, pleading with her silently to try and understand. "I need his help."

"You need a doctor."

Kimberly laughed, but the sound was brittle. She needed a surgeon, but her mother didn't need to know that. "When this is all over, I intent to see one. Please, mom; trust me."

Mrs. Hart glanced back at the watching villains and nodded.

"Your time's almost up, Pink Ranger."

More than you know," Kimberly thought darkly. She could already feel herself slipping away once more. She bent over Tommy, feeling the world tilt and gritted her teeth against it. She couldn't go; not yet. Her gloved hands, matted with her blood, gently stroked his hair from his face. "Wake up, handsome."

He didn't stir, though she thought she saw his brown twitch. She didn't have time for this – she had to wake him now. She took a deep breath, casting a glance at her mother, and then bent completely, as she covered Tommy's lips with her own.

Her kiss wasn't gentle, but a call, a plea for his assistance. A silent communication of all the frustration and pain she was feeling – and not the physical kind. It was a call for help, a way to beg without being on her knees for him to return to her. And for a moment, it was a way of washing away the pain that enveloped her body with its dull throbbing.

He stirred under her, his hand coming up slowly and sliding into her hair at the nape of her neck. His lips changed from inactive to active, twisting slightly so they fit more solely to hers. She almost sobbed with relief, feeling her own strength ebbing even as his returned and consciousness reasserted itself. Her limbs trembled, and not just with pain induced weakness, and finally gave out as she collapsed against his chest.

Their lips parted as Kimberly felt the last of her determination slipping away, the darkness encroaching on her vision in a fashion she hadn't been expecting. Her gaze remained on his face even as she lay against his chest. He propped himself up on his elbows, their gazes locked together. "Hello, beautiful."

She sobbed then, feeling the last of the barriers between them shatter in that moment and regretting that she wouldn't have the chance to enjoy it. She could feel herself slipping away even as he stared at her. Concern and then alarm darkened his eyes as he took in her position and his gaze settled on the wound in her side – and the bright red stain that stood out clearly on her uniform.

"Kim!"

She was in his arms in an instant, cradled against his chest as he examined her wound. She managed a wan smile, knowing as she did it would likely be her last. "Give 'em hell, tiger."

"Kimberly, those creatures are headed this way."

Tommy's arms tightened around her. "Don't die on me, Kimberly."

"I'll try not to." She arched unconsciously against an intense stabbing sensation in her side. "Tommy; call the other Rangers."

"Where are they?"

Kimberly reached out a trembling hand and pressed it against his chest, feeling the last of her strength ebbing away like the evening tide. She flattened her palm against his heart. "They're with you."

Her mother dropped to her knees beside them, alarm written all over her features. Tommy met her gaze even as Kimberly watched, his features dimming, his words seeming to come from far away. "Don't let her go. I'll be back."

He then bent his head and his lips captured hers in an aching kiss that was bittersweet to her – of all the times, of all the locations, she was dying and he chose to kiss her now. Even the familiar thrill at his touch wasn't enough for her to reclaim her failing strength. Her mother's arms tightened around her as Tommy let her go. He pulled his sweater over his head, dropping it to the ground beside her and then morphed without a thought, regretfully revealing his identity to her mother.

But Mrs. Hart's eyes were all on Kimberly. She shrugged out of her shawl and, picking up the sweater Tommy had thoughtfully dropped, and twisted it into a pad. Using her shawl, she wrapped the injury tightly, causing Kimberly to cry out as the pressure bit into her skin. She heard Tommy challenge Gasket and Archerina, and twisted her head in time to see him raise his sword.

Her lips twitched as He brought it down, slamming it into the ground and called on the Zeo powers to aid him. Light flared from where the sword impacted the earth. She wanted to laugh at the look on Gasket and Archerina's faces as the other Rangers appeared behind Tommy, five against two.

Kimberly felt herself slipping again as the Rangers lept into the fray, going after Archerina and Gasket with a vengeance. Darkness crowded her vision and this time she didn't fight it. A lump lodged in her back of her throat as she looked up at her mother, seeing the tears sliding in rivulets down her cheeks. She tried to offer a smile, offer hope – anything, but couldn't find the strength to make her lips twitch. Instead she simply inhaled and then exhaled with a soft sigh as everything went black.

"I'm sorry."