Chapter 14: Unseen Complications
"My house is back!" Kim squealed as she ran through the rooms of the newly built house, looking things over. It had taken a lot of time and money to rebuild and refurnish the house, but it was finally done. Billy was down below helping Hayley finish installing the Lair before he left as the last bit that needed to be finished. Conner watched her race around and looked at his teammates who shrugged. He glanced over at Tommy.
"Doctor O, your girlfriend is nuts," Conner informed him. Tommy shot him a looked and turned back to her.
"Kim, Beautiful, it's my…" he started, but the teenagers quickly shook their heads and made ceasing signs to quiet him. He paused and looked at them as Ethan leaned in so that Tommy could hear him.
"Do you really want to ruin this for her? She'll be mad," the teen whispered and Tommy's eyes widened, though he managed to have a happy, smiling look when he looked up at her. She'd paused to see what he had to say.
"I'm glad you're happy," he told her and she smiled, racing off. He sighed and the smile faded. "When did I lose control of my house?"
"My dad says when the woman moves in," Ethan supplied helpfully. Conner just nodded and Kira rolled her eyes. Before she could say anything, however, they heard arguing coming up the stairs and Ethan groaned. "They're at it again!"
Tommy looked in blue Ranger's direction curiously. "Again? What are they fighting over?"
"Whether or not Billy should leave when they're finished. Hayley says he needs to stay until they're sure it's completely fixed. Billy says that she can handle it and he should get home, especially since even Jason and Trini left. Hayley says that it's not easy for us to contact him, so he needs to wait," Ethan said and threw up his hands. "It's enough to make a person go jock."
"Hey!"
"Sorry, Conner," Ethan said, honestly. Conner shrugged and gave him a sympathetic smile.
"That bad, huh?" He asked and Ethan just nodded. They turned their attention to the top of the stairs where the two older geniuses were entering.
"There is exponentially small chance that is will cease working, Hayley. You can fix if the need arrives," Billy insisted. "It is necessary that I return to Aquitar."
"Like hell! There is no reason why you need to!" Hayley argued. "They're an intelligent race. They can live without you for a while! Give me one good reason why you have to go back! One!"
"Hayley, I do not wish to argue about this. Again," Billy snapped and Tommy intervened.
"Guys! Hey! Look, I'm assuming Billy wants to get back to see Cestra, right?" He asked his friend, trying to help. Billy threw up his hands and walked out of the room. "Or not."
Hayley glared at him and stormed off back to the lab just as they heard the door slam as Billy left the house. Ethan looked at Tommy. "They've been like this for a while."
"What are we going to do about it?" Kira asked and Tommy sighed.
"Leave Billy alone for right now. I'll… I'll go talk to Hayley," he answered and headed down to the new lab. Ethan looked at the others.
"I'm voting we stay away from the Lair," he said.
"Oh yeah," Conner agreed.
"Definitely," added Kira. "So, how do you think you did on that science test?"
"Does 'Doctor O is going to kill me?' mean anything to you?" Conner asked and Kira laughed.
"Most people worry about their parents. You worry about your science teacher," she teased and Conner looked at her seriously.
"I respect my dad. I grew up with his rules and punishments. But Doctor O is a hell of a lot scarier."
"So, what are you pretending to work on?" Tommy asked, leaning against the new wall of the lair as Hayley typed quickly on the computer.
"I'm not 'pretending' to work on anything," she snapped. "I'm trying to find a way to get your sorry ass out of uniform."
"Careful," he teased. "You'll make Kim jealous."
Hayley slammed her hands down on the desk and whipped around to look at him. "You know, it's not wise to piss off the civilian who knows your secret and how your base works."
"Calm down, Hales," he said soothingly. "I think you scared the kids."
"Good. They'll won't ask stupid questions," she snapped and turned back to the computer. "Now, do you want to get out of the outfit or what?"
"I want you to calm down," he said. "Everything is going to be okay."
"Okay? Okay?! Tommy, look around! We just had to rebuild the lair, we almost lost Kim and Conner, you're stuck in your outfit, Trent is still evil, and I've had to be the sane one! I'm sick of being the rock! This wasn't my world! I didn't grow up in it! I didn't even grow up in Angel Grove!"
"So, what's really bothering you?" Tommy asked. "I know you better than that, Haley, and even if that is part of the problem, it isn't all of it."
"He is from your world! He did grow up in it! And it seems like all he cares about is running as far away from it as he can!" She yelled. He reached over and pulled her to him, knowing she was too proud to say what she was really thinking. He didn't say anything until the alarms went off. Both of them groaned.
Tommy let her go slowly and turned to the computer, looking at it and to what the problem was over. "What is that?"
"Goop," Hayley answered with a shrug. "Or slime."
"Very scientific, Hayley," he teased. "Let me guess. Tommy, fetch?"
"You've got it, Ranger Boy," she answered, picking up a tube. "I was going to use this for something else, but I don't think I have a spare. Try not to lose it."
"Your faith in me is amazing," he joked, but he took it and ran out the door, leaving Hayley to watch the screen.
"You know, I would like to practice with the band before we play again on Friday. How come I had to come with anyway?" Kira grumbled as she kept up with Tommy. He glanced in her direction and sighed.
"Because, Kira, Hayley suggested, once I'd reached the door, that it might be a good idea for me to take you with me so that I don't forget the tube," Tommy answered. "And apparently you're the more trustworthy since Conner forgot the eggfinder, which was understandable, and Ethan tends to pay more attention to gadgets than a tube. She really wants the tube back."
"Lucky me," she muttered. "Fine. Whatever. Let's just find it so we can go."
Tommy let it go considering that she was following him and heading toward where the slime was. Besides, he could understand her frustration. Kira made a face and glanced over at her teacher who held up his hands. "I've got it, Kira. Your job is to make sure I don't break the tube or lose it on the way back."
"So, when did Hayley lose any and all confidence in you?" Kira asked, folding her arms.
"When my lovely former teammates decided to tell her horror stories of my youth," Tommy answered. "And no, you're not hearing them."
"Wasn't going to ask," Kira answered and Tommy paused what he was doing and looked over at her.
"You're not? Why?" Tommy demanded. Kira shrugged.
"Simple. See, none of the other Rangers have been able to get away from being Rangers. Even though they've moved on, they still show up if they're need like the Red Mission or rescuing Kim and Conner. It's a fact of life. Plus, Kim and you are my mentors which means that I'll probably end up being a mentor one day. Hopefully with both Conner and Ethan. The last thing I want is for you to do the Grandpa thing and let them know how I was in my 'glory' days. So, by not asking, it's like a silent contract that at least someone won't embarrass me later on and I'm counting on Ethan and Conner deciding to embarrass each other instead," she said. Tommy paused for a minute and then just laughed, patting his student on the shoulder.
"You've given this a lot of thought," he told her and she nodded.
"Well, Conner and Ethan weren't going to think about it," she answered and held up a hand. "And before you get started on me, Doctor O, I just don't catch on to science that fast."
"Actually, you do. You're one of my better students," he told her. She blinked a couple of times at that and shook her head.
"You must have some bad students," she answered.
"Maybe, but that doesn't mean that you're not good. Especially since you haven't ditched my class unless you had to," he said and began to work again on the slime. "I'm assuming you're good at English too."
"How'd you know that?" Kira asked.
"The lyrics. Lyrics are like poetry and you have a skill for writing. It made sense," he said and put the top back on the tube. He checked it over to make nothing spilled on the side and handed it to Kira. "Here. Guard this."
Kira gave him a look, but grabbed it. "What is it?"
"Beats me. Hayley wanted it. I got it. Once we get back, my job is done," he said easily.
"Got it."
"Remind me again why we're doing this?" Ethan demanded and Conner shrugged.
"Uh… see the other person's point of view?" He suggested and winced at the look the other gave him.
"This is not cool. I'm afraid I'm going to break something, like my leg."
"Well, try not to. Besides, I'm worried I'm going to break this thing."
"Well, don't. I want that back when you're done," Ethan snapped and Conner just nodded.
"Yeah, yeah. That's why I'm trying not to break it. If it were mine, I'd have chucked it at a wall already."
Both boys were at the school's field, looking at their current activities with a certain amount of frustration. Conner had Ethan's laptop in his lap and was currently trying to figure out exactly how to play the game Ethan had been raving about for weeks, yet kept dying on it every two minutes from something or another. Ethan, on the other hand, was trying to keep Conner's soccer ball from flying everywhere and actually get a handle on it. Never mind scoring. That would come later. Conner glanced up to ask Ethan for a little help, but immediately yelled out "Ethan! Down!" instead.
Ethan quickly obeyed, falling to the ground as they'd been taught just before a ball rushed over him, right where his head would have been. Conner, on the other hand, and managed to move and take the computer with him, making sure he didn't drop it in order to dodge the ball as well. Ethan got back on his feet and looked over at Conner who held the laptop up in victory. Ethan gave him a quick nod as Conner closed it and joined his friend to see what had happened.
"Not him again," Ethan groaned and Conner nodded, folding his arms.
"Looks who's with him," Conner muttered and Ethan glanced over.
"Are you kidding me?! One plays soccer and the other draws! What the hell?" Ethan asked and Conner sighed.
"An overwhelming hatred of, say, us?" Conner asked and gave his partner a small smile. "Hatred brings people closer together."
"Yeah," Ethan answered. "Now what?"
Conner looked up at Derrick and smiled politely. "We were pretty much done here anyway. You can have it."
Derrick started toward him, but Trent put a hand on the boy's arm. "They said it's ours," he reminded him and Derrick opened his mouth to say something else. "We're better. At least they know it."
"Don't see why I can't enforce it," Derrick muttered and Trent sighed.
"Because you'll get detention… again," he answered. "And why bother when they're running away?"
Trent looked directly at Conner who nearly forgot everything as he headed toward the white Ranger. Ethan joined him and Conner caught sight of the blue Ranger's advance which gave him a quick reality check. Right now, he might be willing to get himself into trouble, but he wasn't going to drag Ethan down with him. He grabbed Ethan's arm, gently enough, and dragged him away. Ethan grumbled, but followed, picking up Conner's ball as Conner picked up Ethan's laptop. Once they were far enough away, Conner looked at Ethan. "Okay, seriously, hatred or not that was weird."
"Mind control?" Ethan suggested and Conner shook his head.
"I don't think so. I'm not sure if it was a power," Conner answered. "It was like Trent was just pressing the right buttons. The 'let Derrick feel superior' buttons."
"Great. As if we didn't have enough troubles, now we can't even touch Trent," Ethan groaned. Conner looked confused for a moment before he caught on. With Trent being near Derrick, they couldn't take the white Ranger on without a lot of questions and possibly outing themselves. Conner sighed and then grinned.
"At least Kim was able to. Did you see the ear?" He asked and Ethan grinned.
"Oh yeah," Ethan answered. "Hey! Now we have something we can taunt him about during battle!"
"Seriously, Dude, too much time on your hands," Conner said, shaking his head.
"No, really. All of the greats do it. Even Doctor O does it," Ethan added. "And Jason. I've seen videos."
"Ethan, man, just say it. I don't think we have to plan it out," Conner told him. "Seriously though, if it's bothering you that much, just go home tonight and work on various things to say."
Ethan made a face at him, but both were laughing after a minute. "Come on, Conner. Kira's probably back by now."
"Yeah. But with the mood that she might be in, do we want to catch up with her?" Conner asked and Ethan paused.
"We'll pick her up some guitar picks on the way back," he decided. "She threw out the stuff Trent got it her. We come bearing presents and she won't turn her yellow wrath on us."
"Ethan, you're a genius! To the music store!"
"So, it's important goop?" Kira asked as Hayley finished checking it over. Tommy leaned against the wall while the yellow Ranger asked the question from the spare table. Like how she felt, her voice sounded bored as she was asked to stay in case Hayley needed help, but hadn't been told what was going on.
"Yes, Kira, it's important," Hayley answered. Tommy winced a bit at the terse tone, but Kira didn't seem affected by it at all. "I think there is a possibility that…"
"Hey Kira!" Hayley closed her eyes and began to count to ten as Conner raced down the stairs followed by Ethan who was closely behind. Conner was holding something behind his back and was grinning like a fool, though Ethan didn't look any better.
"Kira!" Ethan joined the called. Hayley decided to count to twenty instead. She figured it might work better. Kira glanced over, though by the time she did they were right in front of her looking proud of themselves.
"Hi Conner. Hi Ethan," she said tiredly. "What do you guys want?"
"We thought you might be tired," Conner said. "So, we brought you these."
He held up the picks and handed them to her. She quickly took them and looked them over before turning back to her companions. "Thanks, guys," she said a lot more calmly and with a slight smile. Both boys grinned at each other over her head and took their seats next to her.
"You were, uh, saying something, Hayley?" Conner asked. The genius woman sighed, but continued.
"As I was saying, I think there is a possibility that this 'goop' can allow Tommy to power down," she said and was cut off from anything else she was going to say by screaming and cheering. Tommy put a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"I think you got the important part across," he offered. She shook her head and sighed.
"Should we wait for Kim?" She asked and Tommy shook his head.
"Last I checked, she was calming Billy down," Tommy answered. "So, let's just do this and surprise her."
Hayley nodded and turned to the three teenagers. "Hey! I'm going to need you three to be quiet, okay?"
They nodded and waited patiently as Hayley began. She took the slime and delved into her work, making sure that she didn't accidentally hit something or move something that could eventually hurt Tommy. The others were pretty quiet, though all three teens seemed to be bouncing on their toes, eager to see their mentor again and also eager for him to take back his class. She pressed the button and stood back, watching.
The goop fell down on top of him, drenching him with it. He closed his eyes and felt the suit disappear. He felt the dino gem reach out in protest and even with his eyes closed, he 'saw' the light from it as it finished protesting. He glanced over, happy to see his skin again, but the look on the others' faces proved that the gem had done something.
"Where did he go?" Asked Conner in a panic. Kira and Ethan weren't doing much better as they all looked at Hayley. The genius looked in the general direction.
"Tommy?" She asked tentatively.
"Yeah, I'm right here, Hayley. What's going on?" He asked and she sighed.
"The goop seems to have caused your gem to react. You're invisible," she answered. Tommy nodded, forgetting that they couldn't see him. It made sense as to why he could see himself but no one else could.
"We'll, uh, get this figured out, Doctor O. No worries," Kira said helpfully, though her tone clearly showed that she wasn't feeling it.
"Figure out what?" A voice came from the stairwell. Kim and Billy descended down to where the rest of the group was. Kim looked at the teens for an answer to her question. The three glanced at each other and Conner took the leadership position to answer.
"Sorry, Kim. I've got soccer practice," Conner said quickly as he bolted out the door.
"Band practice," Kira added as she raced after.
"New game," finished Ethan as he was on the heels of the others.
Kim looked at Hayley who looked a little sheepish. "Well, we got the uniform off…"
"When is slime ever good?!" Kim demanded. "Seriously. If it's goop, slime, ooze, gunk, or goo, we shouldn't touch it!"
"It got me out of the uniform," Tommy offered and Kim glared in his direction.
"And made you invisible!" She snapped.
"Well, we can have sex now," he tried. It didn't have the desired effect as she threw her hands up and walked out of the lab. Tommy looked in Billy's direction.
"You are looking in my direction," Billy informed him with the knowledge that only comes with years of knowing someone. "You probably should not have mentioned sex."
"Gee, thank," Tommy said, rolling his eyes. "Anything else?"
"No. I cannot contrive a more careful method of how the situation was handled. Hayley tested it and there was no reasonable test the hypothesis without involving you which would have had the same effect. It would be best if you let her calm down."
Tommy nodded and sighed. "Still, I've been cramped in rooms for too long. I'm going out."
Billy nodded and looked at his watch. "I would give her at least an hour. Then surprise her with flora and perhaps something sweet?"
"Probably a good plan. Maybe I can convince one of the kids to actually do the buying part of it…" he muttered to himself as he headed out the door. Billy turned back to the slime and looked it over without touching it.
"How much was used?" He asked.
"Enough to cover him," Hayley answered. "Do you think the amount was the problem?"
"I believe there was an agent involved with the slime that would be difficult to pick up due to other aspects," Billy answered.
"So, how come you know to look for it?" She asked a little bitterly.
"I have been dealing with extra-terrestrial items since my teenage years. Due to the work I put in with Alpha and Zordon, I was able to learn quite a bit more that someone without my history would miss," he answered. She nodded as they backed away from it. "We will not find the answer within this. Whatever the agent was, I doubt the gem will give it a better reaction if we attempt to use it again. Also, the gem could be reacting to both the rock and the slime."
"Right. So, we use it for study and see if we can't figure out a way to use it, perhaps we can find out what happened," she said. They were both quiet for a moment. "So, are you going to leave in the middle of this?"
Billy paused and glanced over at her. "I will stay until we have this figured out."
"Fair enough," she answered. Both were quiet once more.
"So, you switch places with the others to get a view of what they do? How is that going to work with three people?" Kira asked. Conner wrapped an arm around her shoulders while Ethan stood on his other side grinning. They headed back to the field which was empty again, fortunately, and therefore easy for them to continue their day with.
"We figured that out while we were, very much struggling, at the music store. Ethan and I debated it and he agreed to go first with continuing soccer, while I try music and you try his computer. Then, we'll switch so that I'm working with the computer, he's doing music, and you're trying soccer. That way, everyone tries everything," Conner answered.
"You come up with the weirdest activities, Conner, but, sure. Why not?" Kira said and looked at Ethan. "Why did he come up with this?"
Ethan snickered. "To help us understand each other. Besides, we both agreed to let him come up with a training exercise each month."
"Yeah, yeah," Kira answered, though she was smiling. "You're the one who said it would help with his self-confidence in being a leader."
"I didn't think he'd make me play soccer," Ethan answered. Conner folded his arms and looked at the two of them causing them to snicker even further. "Conner, don't do that! You're starting to look like Doctor O."
Conner just laughed and dropped the pose as he gently took the guitar from Kira, who showed him how to hold it and what to do so that he didn't break it. The time after that resulted in horridly off-key music, cursing, threats to break various objects, short arguments, and switching activities only to have it start all over again.
Kira practiced kicking the ball the way Conner had shown her how, though that was all he'd shown her. Each of them were trying to muddle through the activities without help. All Kira knew was that she was supposed to kick it with the inside of her foot and not to touch it with her hands. She kept her eye on the ball, trying not to let it get too far ahead of her when the ball stopped. A little surprised, she glanced up into the face of Derrick who was smirking. "Conner, I think it's for you!"
Conner glanced over and groaned, looking at Ethan who gently set the guitar to the side and they headed over to Kira. Conner swiped his ball back with his foot. "What do you want, Derrick?"
Ethan glared at Trent instead who smirked back. Just as Ethan knew, they couldn't touch him with this many witnesses around and Trent knew it. He'd planned it that way. Kira took to looking between her two boys, ready to stop them if they needed it. Derrick looked at Conner. "I want my field."
Conner snorted and shook his head. "We're using it."
"Then unuse it."
Conner smiled. "Okay, Derrick, tell you what. We'll play a game of scrimmage. First to ten. The three of us versus you and two others. If we win, you have to agree to knock this alpha male bullshit off and leave us alone since you've grouped me in the 'freaks and geeks' group. If you win, we'll give you the field anytime you want it from now until the end of the month. Besides, you'll get to tell everyone that you beat Conner McKnight. Deal?"
"Deal," Derrick agreed, picking out two of his friends and the others, including Trent, moved to the side. Derrick smiled a Conner, one of those smiles that caused you to feel like you just walked into a cage with a hungry wolf inside. "I'm going to enjoy this field."
Conner smirked back. "Sure you will. Five minutes to plan?" He asked and Derrick nodded, walking away.
"Conner," Ethan said once Derrick had left. "Not that I want to doubt you, but did you randomly forget that Kira and I can't play?"
"Sure you can," Conner said happily. "We'll just use your talents. Ethan, you're going to be the goalie. You can use your hands, so do it. I figure that you won't duck when the ball is coming because, you know, hard skin. Treat it like a video game. Every time you block the ball, you get 10 points. And don't worry, Derrick misses almost every time. Kira, you're with me. Don't touch it and use a rhythm, like tap, tap, kick. If you don't feel confident kicking a goal, pass it to me. We can do this, guys."
The other two felt less confident, but they took their places anyway. The ball was kicked out and the game began.
"That's it. I just need to learn how not to anger Kim. Maybe I should have her write a list," Tommy muttered to himself and he wandered around the city. As Billy had suggested, he had given her space and was currently on his way to convince one of the teens to buy gifts for him to give to her since he was invisible. He'd decided that they owed him that much for running out as quickly as possible when Kim had come in.
He headed toward the school where he was hoping they would be. He would have tried Hayley's but it wasn't open at the moment and they weren't in his house so he was running out of places to look for him. Fortunately, his instincts led him in the right direction as he watched Kira trying to keep up with Conner who was kicking his soccer ball toward the goal. Conner raced around the opposite team players, making sure he had a handle on it. He moved in to take the shot when he stopped and nearly fell backward. Kira caught up and kicked it for him, surprising the opposite goalie enough to miss it. She turned her attention to Conner who nodded and brushed it off as they headed back toward Ethan for a moment to talk before they started again.
He moved in closer to hear them, though he didn't want to distract them so he was keeping quiet. Ethan folded his arms as Kira just looked nervous. "That wasn't normal," Ethan said. "Are you sure you're okay?"
"I'm fine. Seriously. I just got a little dizzy and Kira saved it. Besides, if I back out now and Trent's watching, you know we'll end up dealing with something a lot worse," Conner argued. "I'll be okay. Let's just… finish the game."
Kira and Ethan looked at each other, but both only nodded and headed back out on the field. The game continued and Tommy watched his red Ranger carefully. He did seem to be having trouble with what seemed to be vertigo. He shook his head more than one and tripped a few more. Five minutes later, he was more getting Kira to get it done rather than him since he kept messing up. Unfortunately, the others noticed and used that to their advantage by ganging up on her.
Tommy finally tore his eyes away from the field to see how Trent was reacting, but he didn't see him at first. He felt his gem's power increase a bit and slowly, but surely, Trent began to appear. He was further away from the others, in chameleon mode, and completely concentrating on the game. The black Ranger crept up to him until Trent looked up from what he was doing and sneered. "Hello, Doctor Oliver."
"Hello, Trent," Tommy answered, not too surprised to see that Trent could see him as well. He glanced down at his gem and then Trent's to see that both were glowing.
"Oh, they're all connected," Trent said casually. Tommy nodded, keeping it as civil as Trent for now. He could move with his power. Trent couldn't. He had the advantage and he was curious as to what Trent was doing.
"Yours and mine especially. Makes sense. White and black," Tommy said. "Opposites, but with similar power. They're supposed to work together."
"Probably," Trent answered. "But, I don't feel like playing nice and you don't feel like being smart. So I guess we're that's not going to happen."
Tommy nodded. As always, he kept one eye on his enemy and the other on his 'kids'. Something he'd learned as a leader so many years before was to be able to have your attention split and not dampened by doing so. He wasn't surprised to see that Conner wasn't tripping around anymore since he started the chat with Trent. "So, what were you doing to Conner?"
"Finally bringing up the reason you're here, hmm? About time, Doctor," Trent said and shrugged. "Same thing you just did."
"Meaning?" Tommy asked and Trent held up his gem which glowed brightly. He kept one eye on Doctor Oliver and the other on Conner, similar to Tommy's own way of handling things. The only difference was that Tommy did it as a leader and Trent did because he constantly had to watch his back. As the gem glowed, Conner shook his head and seemed dizzy again. Trent stopped and looked back at Doctor Oliver.
"That is what I meant," he answered. "White and Black have similar powers that could be used to work together, or not. But… well, the gems work more artistically I've found. You'd be surprised what you can do when you use your natural talents. You used science, I used art. Guess who was right?"
"Right about what, Trent?" Tommy asked and Trent sighed before grinning.
"About the gems. Of course you're able to work with all of the others. You aid in their abilities. You're black, all of the colors mixed into one. They're primary colors, you're the result of all of them mixed," Trent answered. "But you wouldn't have looked at it that way, would you? Because in science…"
"White is all colors and black is the absence," Tommy answered. "Why are you telling me this?"
Trent was already sitting down, so he crossed his legs. He waited a minute and then motioned for Tommy to join him. The black Ranger sat far enough away, but he still did it. "When I was at the lab, I looked up the former Rangers. It was interesting reading, actually, but I was mostly interested in the former evil Rangers. What made them tick?"
"Because you're evil," Tommy said and Trent nodded.
"The best way to learn about one's self is to study the history of those like him. Now, we all reacted in a similar way. Sure, we were willing to wipe out an entire team, but often, we have a specific person in mind," Trent continued. "You had Jason. Kat had Kimberly. Kimberly and Jason turned the tables on your both later on when they were evil. You're not mine, Doctor Oliver. You never were. If I kill you and Kira and Ethan, it's just a bonus. Don't you get it? I'm not controlled by Mesagog like you were by Rita. I still have my own mind and ideas."
"Okay," Tommy said patiently.
"And I'd get bored if I beat him too easily. But you know how it is when you get close to that person you want dead. You don't want to spend time around them. You want to drive a sword into their stomach and watch them tremble as they die. So, I figured that I'd tell you. So you can prepare him."
"For?" Tommy asked. Trent's grin increased.
"Our final battle."
While he didn't want to admit he was ever hurting to begin with, Conner was definitely feeling better. Kira and he had finally gotten a rhythm down which he saw her mouthing. Besides for just kicking the ball, she'd also gotten down passing and kicking it toward the goal. It wasn't much, but it was keeping them in the game even when Conner was out of it. Now that he wasn't being affected as much, he was able to concentrate on getting as much done as possible. They only needed three more goals to win.
He did believe that it would have been easier to do if the three they were playing against weren't his teammates who knew his moves. The only thing he had going for him was being naturally better at the sport as well as the Ranger training Kim had told him about when he'd wanted to quit. She was right. He was better and he was a better team player. He passed the ball to Kira who managed not to trip over it and moved it toward the goal. She glanced back at him and seeing that he wasn't having another problem, waited for a moment until the two opposite players ran for her and passed it back to him. He scored. "Two more, Derrick."
Derrick didn't respond so much as he took his mark and motioned for the others to as well. He hated to admit it, but the freak and geek weren't doing too badly. One was managing to block quite a few goals and the other had managed to score a couple. Conner glanced over and read Derrick's face and nearly laughed. Kira and Ethan were doing great for complete beginners, but it helped that Derrick was horrid at the game. There was a reason why the coach constantly put him on full-back. He couldn't kick straight.
He glanced over at Ethan, who nodded back to him. The blue Ranger was definitely treating it like a video game and mixed in with the training he'd had, he was making for a pretty good goalie. His hand and eye coordination was probably better than Conner's. Kira also looked ready as they went in for their final two goals. They needed to get the ball back, twice, and score. Derrick's team wasn't that far behind. They only needed four more goals.
Conner felt a little dizzy again and cursed under his breath. He forced himself to get it under control and fortunately, it simply stopped. He breathed a sigh of relief and nodded to himself as they headed out for the final two goals. He rushed at Derrick who passed it to one of the other two, Kevin. Kevin kicked it down the field, keeping off Kira to make it to Ethan who was still standing ready. He got ready and looked at Ethan who was waiting. The blue Ranger gave a snort as he had done when he first got his powers. Kevin didn't know what it was, but something freaked him out about the look the goalie gave him and he missed the shot. Not caring, he raced over to Derrick who looked confused and shook it off. Derrick made sure to help Kevin calm down a bit so he'd be able to make the shot the next time. Conner looked at Ethan once the other two got over to him.
"What the hell happened?" Conner asked him. "What did you do? Kevin looks like he saw a ghost!"
Ethan shrugged. "I dunno. I was ready and then he stopped. I was like I am when we're ready for a battle. I mean, this is just another kind of battle, right?"
Conner and Kira shared a look and Conner grinned. "You psyched him out."
"Using powers," Kira hissed and Conner shook his head.
"Not technically because it didn't show anything. It's like when you glare at us. It's like being glared at by a pterodactyl, but if we didn't know…" Conner suggested and Kira caught on.
"Then you'd only know it was freaky. That's a relief," she said and looked at Ethan. "This secret thing is harder than it looks, huh?"
"Oh yeah," Ethan agreed. "Well, it looks like they're ready to play again. You guys ready to kick some ass?"
Kira grinned and got the very look in her eye that they'd brought up just a moment before. Their confidence had increased throughout the game and they finally felt as if Conner hadn't made a bad call. They could do this. "Oh yeah."
"So, this is about making sure you don't get bored trying to kill someone who matters to me," Tommy said in disgust. "And you thought I would handle this well?"
"I really don't care how you handle it. I gave you the information and I will use it. You might want to help him or he won't be able to move, let alone fight," Trent said as he stood up, ready to head back to the crowd. "Damn. It seems using Derrick to torture them is out. I'll have to find something else."
"Well you do seem to get easily distracted," Tommy told him, sounding causal again. Trent looked at him as Tommy reach up and touched his own ear. Trent's hand immediately covered his own and his expression finally changed from indifference to hatred.
"Notice how your girlfriend wasn't on my 'bonus' list. Think about it," Trent snapped and Tommy grinned, finally having the upper hand.
"She'll kick your ass every time, Trent. She always does," he said. They looked at each other for a moment and the gems glowed. "Thanks for the talk. Conner needed the distraction."
With that, the paleontology teacher stood to the side to think. He knew that whatever Trent had done probably wouldn't work in Ranger form, but he wasn't sure exactly how it worked. He needed to talk to Billy and Hayley.
"We won, guys. We're supposed to be celebrating," Conner complained as Derrick and his friends had backed off. Conner was glad that the bully kept his promises. He wouldn't be surprised if Trent and Derrick parted ways as well which was another victory for them. Yet, his companions didn't seem cheerful at all and they kept looking at him.
"How many times did you nearly fall over, Conner?" Kira asked. "You got dizzy and everything. What if something is seriously wrong?"
"Kira's right. It's great we won but… wait. Weren't all of them on the soccer team?" Ethan asked and Conner nodded.
"Yep," he answered.
"Conner, how did we win?" He asked and Conner grinned.
"I had to come up with some sort of plan. It worked. Who knew?" He answered cheerfully. Kira and Ethan looked at each other and she smacked the red Ranger's arm.
"You set us up!" She exclaimed.
"So that's why you had us doing each other's activities. So that we would have played soccer," Ethan said and Conner shook his head.
"Well, yes and no," he decided. "Yes, so that you guys would have at least kicked a ball, but so that I could understand you guys too."
"Not bad," Ethan said, grinning and clapped his shoulder. "But you're still going to have to tell Doctor O."
"He already knows," Tommy said from behind them. All three jumped into the air and tried to figure out exactly where he was. "And Conner will be fine for now. I'll explain a little later. I just need you to trust me… and do me a slight favor considering that all of you ran out of the room earlier…"
"Self-defense?" Conner suggested.
"Conner," his mentor gently chided, but left it at that. "I need you to buy me some flowers and chocolates for Kim. Kira, you know the type to get. Conner, you should know the chocolates to get. Please?"
"You got it, Doctor O," Conner said and held out his hand. Tommy reached into his pocket pulled out his wallet, which did appear and quickly handed the money over when they were sure no one was looking. "See you at the lab!"
"While I like the 'save Conner' plan and I'm sure everyone will agree with me and while I like the idea of you not being invisible any more, I am against this plan," Hayley snapped. Billy nodded once.
"I must concur. Hayley is correct to be worried." Tommy winced at Billy's assessment. Hayley's warns he could push past with a gentle reminder of her lack of experience, but Billy didn't have that. Billy had just as much if not more experience on and off the field.
"Maybe, but we all know Trent is dangerous. The only reason he made sure I knew any of this was for his own enjoyment," Tommy said. "It's been pulsing all day. It's the reason I'm invisible. You both said so. So, it's got to be the answer to making me not invisible. And if we figure it out, then maybe we can block Trent from Conner's. I don't know how yet, but I do know this is the first step. It's what we need to do."
"While I am against it, I understand your reasoning. Can we please inform Kim this time?" Billy suggested and Tommy nodded.
"We're waiting for everyone this time. And guys? Don't tell anyone what I told you about Conner. Just in case," he answered. "I'll be upstairs. I need a shower."
They both nodded as he headed upstairs and Hayley threw her hands up. "He doesn't listen!"
"He is Tommy," Billy answered. "He does what he thinks is right."
"And you all let him?" Hayley asked. Billy shrugged.
"Sometimes, he is right."
"We have flowers!" Conner said as he walked in the lab followed by Ethan and Kira.
"And chocolate!" Ethan added. "Which we didn't eat."
"Only because I smacked your guys' hands a million times," Kira grumbled, though even she was smiling. The chocolates were taken by the air from her and the flowers from Conner.
"Thanks, Guys," Tommy said. "Change?"
Conner snapped his fingers in disappointment, but handed it over anyway. "So, where is she?"
"Well, after we guessed you guys were on your way back, Billy called her so she should be here soon," Tommy answered. Right as he finished, Kim headed down the stairs to be mobbed by flowers and chocolates. "I'm sorry."
"I know," she sighed. "I just wish you'd tell me first."
"Here. I'm doing it this time. I think there is a way to reverse this. It's risky, but it's important to me," he said and took her hands. "I want to do this."
"Why? We can figure out an easier, safer way," Kim pleaded but Tommy sighed.
"Kim… I can't morph. What if they need my help? Please?" He asked and she sighed.
"Alright, fine," she said. "But only if everyone agrees to it. Stupid idea or not."
Ethan, Conner, and Kira looked at each other and nodded. Conner gave the official nod. "Good luck, Doctor O."
Tommy looked over at Billy and Hayley. "You guys ready?"
Billy nodded while Hayley looked worried. "You sure about this?"
"Yeah, Hales," he answered. "I'm sure."
They laid him down and prepared him, making the others stay back. They moved the gem to the container and looked at each other. Nodding, they finished their task and the machine began to work. Unfortunately, Tommy's breathing increased and he began to convulse.
"Hayley, neutralize the machine," Billy commanded and he made sure that Tommy wasn't starting to choke on his own tongue. They worked quickly, but Hayley heard the shatter.
"The gem," she whispered. "It's broken."
Tommy reappeared in front of them, but he wasn't moving. "Tommy, can you hear me? Tommy?" He reached and fortunately felt a pulse, but his friend didn't respond at all.
Hayley joined him. "Tommy?" She asked and glanced up at Kim who looked as horrified as she felt. Hayley felt a hand on her arm and she looked into Billy's calm, collected face. He only said two words.
"Call Jason."
Author's Note: So, it's out. I had so much trouble getting this written. The next chapter is easier, but this one wasn't. This was essentially a set-up chapter, so I had to make sure that it was written in a way that would set it up for the next few chapters while also making sure that it's a chapter of its own. Still, I already am enjoying writing the next chapter more.
I decided to add another layer onto the gems. I did some minor research on science colors because I am more of an artist and the primary colors for artists are: blue, yellow, and red. For science, it's blue, red, and green, so they're not the same as the Dino Thunder Rangers. Plus, it made more sense if Trent knew about it when it had to do with art than if it was with science since Tommy is a Paleontologist and a science teacher.
The Dino Thunder Rangers will probably not be in it very much for the next chapter just because there is little for them to do in it. Just giving you a heads up.
Thank you for the reviews. As always, I appreciate them so much.