Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Chapter 23 – A Ranger First
"Now I think we deserve some answers." Theo said, turning to look at Kira and Connor, the eyes of everyone else following close behind him. Kira and Connor sighed but did not deny that they deserved answers. They knew they would eventually have to tell them, they had as much a right to know as Ethan and Trent had, if not more due to Pai Zhuq's connection to the Ninjetti, but also had a need to know, also like Ethan and Trent, due to the close connection they had to Kira and Connor. So, the two mates did the only thing they could do, they sat down and began explaining.
"It all began over six million years ago…" They went on to explain about the Ninjetti, the purges, the prophecy. They explained about Dulcea and Phaedos, discovering they were mates and the ones of the prophecy, though Kira had known for longer, given her parents knowledge of the prophecy, and also about the power the prophecy spoke of and how that was the power they had seen Connor use against Dai Shi.
"Though Kira is a lot more powerful then I am." Connor said. "What you saw was nothing compared to her power." Eventually they reached Master Mao's visit and what they knew about how Pai Zhuq had been formed by a Ninjetti warrior. The three masters whom were on the High Council and knew the history of Pai Zhuq, and the basics of the prophecy, added information where needed, as well as their take on things. They spent a good two hours explaining everything, ending with the expected questions of why they hadn't said anything until now, to which Connor and Kira really didn't have an excuse, beyond not wanting Dai Shi to know, and not knowing them well enough to impart their biggest secret. They omitted the fact that Ethan had found out at the same time as Connor, for Ethan had been there when he and Kira had bonded and so an explanation was necessary, and also how they'd told Trent as soon as he was good again. After, in the interest of being completely truthful, Kira then went on to explain her history and her parents' involvement as Power Rangers. She explained about Alpha and Zordon and the Morphing Grid, her extended family and knowing almost every Ranger team in existence, and just got it all out into the open.
"So that's it." Said Kira nearly four hours, and two hastily made pizzas, later. "You know everything, you've asked a crap load of questions…I don't know what else I can tell you, or if there even is anything you haven't heard."
"That's certainly some history." Said Theo.
"No kidding." Connor muttered.
"You have our assistance whenever you should need it." Master Phant said. "I am certain our fellow High Council Masters in the Spirit World told you that Pai Zhuq is not only here to protect the planet, but also to offer assistance to The Child of Power when he, or as we now know, she, turns up."
"They did." Kira said with a nod of her head. "And we're very grateful for any help we can get."
-C/K-
Weeks passed after the revelation of Kira and Connor's place in the prophecy. Dai Shi had not made any big plays since, merely looking to keep the Rangers busy, which Connor was thankful for, as it meant he could return to Reefside and continue his soccer training for Dai Shi did not appear to be readying himself for revenge; though they had no doubt that eventually he would seek it. Shortly before Thanksgiving was when things changed. It began like any other Saturday at JKP, Kira procrastinating in her homework, a habit she'd not had as a child but developed as she became a teenager, by helping out in the pizza parlour along with Fran and Theo while Casey helped RJ make the pizzas. After the lunch rush, Kira brought an idea to RJ and the others while Fran took her break.
"So Thanksgiving, and Christmas, are coming up." She said as they all cleared the dishes.
"Well observed, my young Cheetah." Said RJ in that voice he used, which none of them could tell if it was sarcasm or not, that drove them all nuts.
"Anyways," She said ignoring him completely. "What are your plans for the holidays? You guys going home to your family?"
"Nope." All three answered.
"Why not?"
"Well, my dad and I haven't had a Thanksgiving or Christmas together in years, and I don't think we're up to that point in our bonding yet." Said RJ.
"When we enter Pai Zhuq we basically cut all ties with our family." Said Theo.
"What?! But that's-"
"Ok let me re-phrase that." Theo interrupted. "We don't cut all ties with our family, but rather keep in contact through letters and the occasional phone call. Because Pai Zhuq needs to remain secret we can't really see them while we're training or it could jeopardize the Academy's safety."
"Ok, I kinda get that but it still sucks." Said Kira. "So, since you don't have plans for Christmas, I've got plans for you."
"Oh? And what would that be? Christmas with your family?" Casey asked.
"Christmas with our family." Kira corrected. "With the Power Ranger Family."
"The Power Ranger Family?" Asked RJ. "Never heard of it."
"Not surprising since you're the newest Rangers. It's something mom started years ago. The Original Rangers were like family, but they knew each other since they were kids, except dad, but he's mom's mate so got included pretty fast. They also found that the other Rangers who joined later became like family too, and since having The Power is a lot to take in and deal with, mom started in on all Power Rangers being part of a family. There's a couple teams we haven't met yet, but only because a gathering of all teams has never been held, and could never be held at a time everyone could come. Anyways, those in my extended family, that is to say all Rangers, mentors, tech advisors and those who are in on the Ranger secret, from all the way back to the Originals through the Space Rangers, followed by the Dino Thunder Rangers, and now hopefully you guys as well, gather at Christmas and celebrate the holiday together. So will you come?"
"That's a lot of people…" Muttered Theo. "And it's your family, we'd be intruding…"
"Not at all." Kira assured them. "It's a Ranger get together, you're all more then welcome. Connor, Trent and Ethan came the first Christmas when they were Rangers, and they were dad's students meeting their teacher's family. Though granted our bond didn't really give Connor a choice and Trent and Ethan came with him so he had some back up, but they learned fast that they were totally welcome! Not to mention that whether you come to Christmas or not you don't have a choice in being a part of the Power Ranger Family; mom eventually gets to everyone, and you will be apart of the family like it or not." She added, hoping to convince them that way, though she had one more plan of attack. "And just think RJ, we'll invite Masters Phant, Swoop, and Finn as well and this way you and your dad can spend Christmas together without it being some intimate father/son bonding thing." She knew she had them then for if RJ went, the others would go, and she knew RJ wanted to spend Christmas with his father, even if he wasn't exactly ready for any intimate bonding time.
"Ok, we'll come." RJ said for all of them. Kira smiled and began to do a little happy dance, feeling far more happy about this then she should, only for the alarms to interrupt her.
"Looks like Dai Shi's back." Said Casey.
"And he's brought a friend." Theo added
"That's Grizzaka." RJ explained. "The Earth Overlord, and the most powerful of them all."
"More powerful then the other two combined?" Kira asked, not exactly sure if she wanted to know the answer.
"I don't know. None of the Overlords have been seen in thousands of years. All we know is that they're extremely powerful, and the Grizzaka is the most powerful."
"Well…nothing to it but to do it." Kira muttered as she led the way out of the loft. They arrived downtown were Grizzaka was leading a group of Rin Shi, which they took out fast enough. But like RJ had said, Grizzaka himself, who possessed the Spirit of the Bear, was the most powerful monster they'd fought yet. His Zocato power was fierce and had them on the run faster then they cared to think. Their Jungle Master Mode evened the odds somewhat, but not enough to win the fight. Grizzaka was quite a bit more powerful then the other Overlords. While one Ranger with their Jungle Master Mode had been able to defeat the other two Overlords, three together could barely scratch the Earth Overlord, let alone beat his Zocato power. When he'd caused sufficient damage, Grizzaka taunted them a bit and promised to return before he strategically retreated, leaving three bruised and battered Rangers to pick their way back to the loft. RJ awaited them with the extensive first aid kid mandatory for every Ranger team, but thankfully it wasn't really needed; they were bruised and battered, but not really cut up or severely injured.
"RJ how can we fight Grizzaka?" Casey asked. "He's too powerful."
"Yeah we definitely had our butts kicked." Theo mumbled. RJ sat back in his chair and gained a contemplative look on his face. After a few tense minutes in which the Rangers stared at their mentor waiting as patiently as possible for him to speak, as they knew from experience that rushing him never worked, RJ sat forward, a smile now on his face; you could practically see the light bulb going off above his head.
"I have just the thing." He said.
"Great, what is it?" Casey asked. RJ didn't respond but got up and headed to the back.
"RJ?" Kira called. "Where are you going? What's the plan?"
"Um, you guys just sit tight, I'll be back."
"Really? We're just supposed to sit here waiting on you to return?" Theo asked, unhappily.
"Now that you mention it that would be pretty cruel of me." The Rangers breathed a sigh of relief, thinking he'd now tell them what his plan was.
"So as you wait I want you to practice your stances." RJ said with a smile before heading towards the back room again. "Hop to it my students!" This time when the Rangers sighed it was far from relief, but more annoyance, at themselves rather then RJ, for they'd lived with him long enough to know what he was like and should have seen something like this coming. So the Rangers got down to their stances even though RJ wasn't there, for they knew that he'd know if they didn't do as he said, RJ just had a way of knowing things. None of them knew how long they practiced but they were interrupted not by RJ's return, but by the alarms blaring, signalling the return of Grizzaka.
"We'll have to go without RJ." Said Kira.
"But what chance do we have?" Asked Casey. "We're just gonna get our butts kicked again."
"Better we get our butts kicked and he gloatingly retreats then the city getting destroyed."
"And what if we get destroyed?" Theo countered. Kira shot him a sad but determined look and shrugged.
"We're Power Rangers, it's a chance we're gonna have to take." Although they didn't like it, they knew Kira was right and so they followed her out the door, unaware, though Kira was, that there was no way they were going to be destroyed for Connor knew every time his mate's life was in more danger then it usually was and he was standing by in case things got out of hand. The Rangers did not fare any better against Grizzaka this time then they had earlier, and they could only hope that RJ showed up soon. Their wish was granted some minutes later, after they'd been forced out of their morph, when the Wolf Spirit came bounding onto the battlefield and attacked Grizzaka, taking him by surprise.
"RJ!" The Rangers cried, spotting their Master.
"Sorry to take so long." He said in greeting.
"So what's this brilliant plan RJ?" Theo asked.
"This." He held up his wrist, revealing a weird device in the shape of a wolf's head.
"Is that…?" Kira asked with a smile, Theo and Casey catching on pretty quick, having seen Connor and Kira's Dino Morphers, which were on their wrist, and so knowing that not all Morphers were sunglasses.
"Yes, it is." RJ then turned his attention to Grizzaka.
"So the Master wants to play." The Overlord taunted condescendingly, believing RJ could do no more then his students. RJ did not respond but merely activated his Morpher.
"Jungle Beast, Spirit Unleashed!" He cried, waving his arms in a similar pattern to the other Rangers. A purple light engulfed him dissipating to reveal the newest Ranger.
"With the Courage of a Wolf, Jungle Fury Wolf Ranger!" After striking his pose for the first time, RJ launched on the attack giving the others time to re-morph before they too joined in the battle against Grizzaka. Even with a fourth Ranger it was not an easy battle and Jungle Master Mode was quickly called on, giving enough power to push Grizzaka back enough to give the Rangers hope that he could be beat.
"Claw Cannon!" The Rangers called on their trusty weapon, while RJ called on his new powers, hoping with Grizzaka weakened it would be enough to defeat him.
"Wolf Beam!"
"Powered by Animal Spirits!" The four cried together. "Fire!" The two blasts hit Grizzaka dead on causing him to finally fall, their hope and determination fuelling the power of their Spirits and subsequently the power of their weapons giving them the extra power needed.
"Alright!" They cried though their victory was premature, for like all the others, Grizzaka grew big. They called on their Zords and formed the Jungle Master Megazord, closely followed by RJ who called on his Wolf Spirit and willed it to grow and solidify into a Zord for the first time.
"Theo, Casey." RJ called from his place on the ground as he watched the Megazord and his Wolf Zord attack a giant Overlord. "If you lend me your Animal Spirits I can combine them with my Wolf to form another Megazord."
"Go for it!" They cried together without any hesitation, calling on their Animal Spirits and willing them to do what RJ wanted.
"Wolf Pride Megazord!" Looking very similar to the Jungle Pride Megazord, though with the Wolf in what usually was the Cheetah's position, RJ joined the battle and the two Megazords, and the combined power of six Animal Spirits, saw the end of Grizzaka. The Rangers celebrated all the way home, entering the loft with exclamations of joy at RJ becoming a Ranger and few mutterings of annoyance that he didn't just tell them straight up.
"RJ, that was awesome!" Said Theo.
"Yeah, we're so glad to-" Casey cut off as they'd entered the loft proper only to came face to face with someone sitting in RJ's chair. This time it wasn't Jefferson, although the cat was sitting in the person's lap enjoying being petted.
"Hello Rangers." Said Fran. "Power Rangers."
"Fran…w-what are you doing here?" Kira asked.
"I came upstairs cause you left the TV on really loud and there was screaming and explosions sounding and it was annoying some of the customers, so I came up to turn it off only see you guys on the TV, and then RJ came and you all morphed into Power Rangers! I was in so much shock I forgot about all the customers until the battle was over and when I went back they were all gone, a couple left money, but not many, and I'm sorry but I was just-"
"Breathe Fran!" They cried together. Theo, Casey and Lily had learned just how much of a common occurrence this was, and it was considered an off day, or a good day, none of them were quite sure which, if they didn't have to say it at least twice.
"So you know we're Rangers…" Theo muttered. "What are you going to do with that knowledge?"
"Oh I would never tell anyone!" Fran insisted, standing from RJ's chair, who had forgotten to freak out as he himself had been surprised by someone being in the loft, let alone knowing they were Rangers. Jefferson hissed at being displaced but trotted the three feet to his bed and promptly fell asleep, completely unconcerned by what was going on. "Really, I promise, I'd never tell anyone! And please don't fire me, I swear I'd never tell anyone! It's just a really big shock…" They could all tell Fran was both still in shock but also worried that she might lose her job, though more importantly, their friendship. Fran didn't have many friends, or really any friends beyond them. People thought she was weird, or unapproachable, always having her nose in a book, and so none stuck around long enough to really get to know her.
"Yeah, we get that." Kira came over and wrapped her arm around Fran. "You know I gotta say, it's kinda nice having another girl in on the secret, especially one who's not that much older then me." Fran was around Theo's age, in her early twenties. After high school she'd gotten her undergrad then gone to teacher's college, graduating last spring, but had had no luck getting a teaching job, or any job, until RJ offered one up. "You're kinda my first girlfriend, and now I don't have to hide anything from you." This was not particularly true, as for the time being she wouldn't be mentioning the prophecy, but she'd see about getting around to that later. While Kira's words were clearly said to cheer Fran up and assure her they weren't going to cast her out, they were also clearly sincere and that second fact had the effect of making the purpose of the words come true, bringing a smile to Fran's face. The Rangers spent the remainder of the day explaining things to Fran, returning downstairs to the restaurant only for the dinner rush before closing early to continue bringing her into the loop. By nightfall Fran had had a rundown of Ranger history, Pai Zhuq, their powers, Dai Shi and the monsters they fought, as well as having gained an invite to Christmas, much to her delight.
"You know," Kira said to RJ with a smirk as their evening was winding down. "You're the first Purple Ranger."
"I'm the Wolf Ranger, not the Purple Ranger." He chided from his chair, which he'd taken back from Fran, allowing her to sit in it that once, and only that once.
"Keep telling yourself that." Kira laughed. "Your suit's purple and I have no doubt you'll be wearing purple from now on; call yourself what you want, but you're Earth's, nay not just Earth's, but the first Purple Power Ranger. You're making history here RJ. Fifteen years in and there are still Ranger firsts to be had. I can't wait for Christmas when the family learns there's a Purple Ranger!"
-C/K-
Thanksgiving came and went with no more big trouble from Dai Shi, though he did make a point to letting them know that Grizzaka had taught him to use the Zocato power before he'd been destroyed, though Dai Shi had yet to really do anything with it. Finally Kira's classes ended for the winter break and she could not have been happier to get away from Reefside High for awhile. Having her father and Elsa in the building meant she could get away with nothing, which annoyed her for the reason that while she'd become a bit of a procrastinator, she was by no means a trouble student, and yet both Tommy and Elsa still kept an annoyingly close eye on her. Why she wasn't exactly sure, and she tried to make allowances for the fact that she was living away from home, was a Ranger again, and she knew they both cared about her, but it still really got to her and she'd be having a talk with her dad over the holidays. Well maybe her mother instead of her dad. She'd decide after testing the waters and seeing if her mother had put her father up to it and if there was one of them that was calmer about this whole thing. And she'd have the perfect opportunity over the next week for she'd be going home over the holidays, reversing their standard arrangement and teleporting to Ocean Bluff should there be an attack. Her parents were coming to pick her up, taking the opportunity to finally meet Kira's teammates, though they'd see them at Christmas, along with Fran and the Masters who they wouldn't meet until then. Kira was just finishing up her packing, knowing her parents would be teleporting in any minute, when that minute arrived, announced by a loud, recognizable cry of "Kira!" With a smile Kira ran out of her room, appearing in the main part of the loft in time to catch Eric as he'd begun the trek down the hall, obviously having been directed to her room.
"Hey buddy!" She said, holding her three year old brother close. Although she knew this was where she needed to be right now, she'd certainly missed her little brother and her parents.
"Missed you." He said, holding her around the neck.
"I missed you too, Eric." She murmured. Suddenly, the little boy's head snapped up and he wiggled out of his sister's grasp, having seen someone else he'd missed.
"Jeffy!" He cried, running over to the cat. He'd learned at a really early age to be nice to and gentle with the cat, allowing for Jefferson to not run at the sight of him like many other cats did with toddlers who'd pull their tails or think they were big enough to ride on.
"Hey mom, dad." Kira greeted with a laugh at Eric's antics, for while he'd yelled at the sight of the cat and run over to Jefferson's side, he'd them promptly sat down and begun petting the cat calmly for all his previous exuberance.
"Hi sweetie." Tommy greeted his daughter with a hug, closely followed by Kim.
"Mom, dad, this is RJ, our Pai Zhuq Master and the Wolf Ranger." Although she was dying to call him the Purple Ranger, Kira had learned the hard way, via extra training drills, not to do that. For some reason RJ didn't like being called the Purple Ranger; they all assumed it was similar to his pet peeve of being called by his full name, Robert James, but no one had had the guts to ask. "And that's Casey and Theo, the Red and Blue Jungle Fury Rangers. Guys, this is my mom and dad, Kimberly and Tommy, two of the Original Power Rangers, and other Rangers thereafter." She decided to forego the full introduction to all their Ranger incarnations, for like it annoyed RJ to be called the Purple Ranger, her parents got annoyed at the long introduction.
"Nice to meet you." Kim said, shaking each of their hands.
"And that's my baby brother, Eric." Kira finished, pointing to the child who was still contentedly petting the cat.
"You guys are two of the Original Power Rangers?" Theo asked surprised. He knew Kira's parents were Original Power Rangers, but as he'd never seen them he hadn't known how young they were. "You can't be any older then RJ."
"I'm thirty-one." Tommy said readily.
"And I'm younger then him." Kim was not eager to share her age, turning thirty had been a bit of a shock to her, making her truly feel old for the first time.
"And you have a fourteen year old daughter?" Casey asked, earning a smack from Kira.
"Really? Was that question really necessary?" While Kira and Connor had shared a lot with the Jungle Fury team, they'd left out some bits about their personal lives, such as Kira's near death four years ago, though they'd said they'd gone to Pheados, and also Kim and Tommy's past. There were some things that were personal no matter what.
"It's ok Kira." Kim said. "We were fifteen when we had Kira."
"Fifteen? That's not even a year older then Kira is now." Casey said, once again putting his foot in his mouth and once again earning a smack from his female teammate.
"Yeah we know." Tommy muttered. "Speaking of which," He turned to his daughter and shot her his best parent face, interjected with a little Original Power Ranger, and Red Ranger for good measure. "That had better not happen to you, or Connor and I are gonna have serious problems."
"Ok, dad, really-"
"And you, your mom and I are gonna have a long talk about birth control over the holidays." He added, interrupting her.
"Dad!" She cried, her face turning red in embarrassment. "Really? Did you have to say that? Why would even say something like that?"
"It's a father's prerogative to embarrass his children."
"Then embarrass Eric, not me! That's just…ack! I'm going to get my stuff." Kira stomped off, both embarrassed and fuming at her father, muttering as she went about where her father could stick his talk and how she'd never, in a million years, talk to him about birth control or sex, saying she'd rather talk to her Uncle Jason; though they all knew that wasn't true, for Jason was just as bad, if not worse, then Tommy when it came to his goddaughter.
-C/K-
Kira spent a great week at home with her family, having to only teleport to Ocean Bluff for battles twice. On Christmas Day, the Olivers headed to Angel Grove as they did every year. After arriving at Andrew Hart's house the family of four headed to the Command Centre both to see Alpha, and to teleport the Jungle Fury team in. They gave them the grand tour, both of the Original Command Centre, where the Jungle Fury Rangers' picture had appeared alongside the other teams, and also of Angel Grove, though mostly only what they could show them on the way from Kim's father's place to the Youth Centre. Everyone was very welcoming to the newest members of the Power Team, though like with Connor, Ethan and Trent, the parents started in on Casey and Theo to tell their parents that they were Rangers. There was also much joking about there now being a Purple Ranger, though they kept the actual teasing to a minimum for RJ was only just meeting them, but did end up turning the tables onto Tommy, who still had no idea how he'd been dragged into it, by saying that they would have placed money on The Technicolour Ranger being the one to bring on a whole new Ranger colour. Tommy attempted to turn it back on to Jason, who'd spearheaded the teasing, by saying that until he'd become the Black Dino Ranger, Jason had been just as much of a technicolour Ranger as he was. This tactic didn't work, however, not that Tommy truly expected it to, for his family just loved to tease him about having the most colours, didn't matter that for a long time he wasn't the only one holding the record. All in all the night went well, as did New Years, held this year at Jungle Karma at RJ's insistence, who along with Casey, Theo and Kira played host to the Olivers, Hayley, the other Dino Rangers and their families, as well as Fran and the Masters.
-C/K-
It was about a week into the 2009 that Kira and Connor began to notice something was off with them. They'd had two weeks of seeing each other everyday, far more often then anytime in the last six months, and yet three days after Kira had returned to Ocean Bluff, both were just about ready to collapse, which they ultimately did, though Connor had the bad luck to collapse at practice.
"You alright?" His coach asked as he helped him up.
"Yeah…yeah I'm fine." Connor muttered, still feeling completely disoriented and having to grab his coach's shoulder to keep himself upright.
"No you're not." His coach insisted. "Come on, let's go sit down and I'll go call the team doctor." Connor was led to the bench, his coach then went to get him a bottle of water and call the doctor and Connor took the opportunity to call his mate on the communicator, not trusting their bond at the moment for it was obviously the reason they'd both collapsed.
"Kira…"
"Connor what's happening?" She replied immediately. "It's only been three days!"
"I know. And I have no idea what's wrong."
"Ok, but whatever it is either you need to teleport here, or I'm coming to you. Now."
"We can't. I'm at the stadium. Coach has gone to get the doctor. They'll ask too many questions if you suddenly appear or I disappear."
"Well then what-" Kira was cut off as the alarms sounded throughout the loft of JKP.
"Alright, you got some time. I gotta go, Dai Shi's attacking."
"You are in no position to fight!" Connor said forcefully. "We can barely stand and you think you're gonna be able to take on Dai Shi?!"
"I don't have much choice, Connor. I'm a Power Ranger and the city needs me."
"Yeah I know all about a Ranger's duty, or have you forgotten that I'm a Ranger too?" He snapped. "But you're gonna be no help if you can't even stand. You go now and chances are you'll be killed. And I'm not letting that happen!"
"Guys go!" Kira called after a moment, clearly talking to her teammates. "Alright fine, I'll stay here. But you get out of there as soon as possible and get your ass down to Ocean Bluff cause I want to find out what the hell is going on!"
"Alright." Connor agreed. "I'll see you soon." He signed off and hung his head in his hands, trying to calm his nerves. When he raised his head and looked over to see where his coach was at, he was surprised to see that he was already there, and not only that, but the coach himself seemed to be in a state of shock, and Connor got a sinking feeling.
"H-how long have you been standing there." He asked hesitantly.
"Long enough to know that watch you always wear isn't really a watch."
"Is that it?" He asked for clarification. If he'd only caught the tail end of the conversation he could explain it away as some kind of new walkie talkie.
"And also to hear…that you're a Power Ranger." Connor sighed and hung his head, but didn't deny it.
"And what are you going to do with that information?" He asked finally. His coach merely stared at him and in Connor's current state, he didn't take that as a good sign. "Look, just tell me now if I have to call Lightspeed Rescue to have your memories wiped." He said.
"My memories wiped?" His coach asked, snapping out of his shock a bit at Connor's words.
"Yeah. Our identities as Rangers are secret for a reason, it can cause all kinds of complications, so if we even suspect that someone's going to blab Lightspeed will come and remove their memories." Connor explained. "Look, coach, I don't want to have to have your memories wiped. And I know this is sudden and I'm being kinda abrupt, but something's wrong and I have to figure out what it is before it's too late, so I need to know now if you'll go running off to tell people I'm a Ranger the moment I leave."
"I wouldn't." His coach said. "You Rangers have saved our asses more times then any of us care to count. Anyone with half a conscience wouldn't give up Earth's saviours for fame or money or whatever they might gain by not keeping quiet. Besides, you're a good guy McKnight, and one of the best soccer players I've seen. I don't want to lose my best player." Connor snorted in amusement but nodded.
"Thanks coach." He said. "But I think you're gonna be losing me for awhile anyways."
"This have anything to do with why you collapsed?"
"Yeah. Something's wrong, I don't know what, but I do know that it's just gonna get worse until I figure out. It just might take awhile."
"Go." His coach said without hesitating. "Do what you gotta do, you're spot on the team will be here when you get back."
"It could be months coach. You can't hold my spot that long."
"Sure I can. Like I said, you're my best player. And now that other teams have seen what you can do they'll be lining up to sign you once you're ready to come back and I'm not gonna lose you to the competition. Even if it takes a year, you've got a spot on this team once you've got things sorted out."
"Thanks coach." Connor said sincerely, forcing himself to stand as he shook his coach's hand. With a final nod, Connor hit the teleportation button on his communicator and left to meet his mate, hoping that whatever this was it wasn't as bad as his gut was telling him.
A/N - The first Purple Ranger! Of course the colour of his suit had to be mentioned. As did it have to be turned onto Tommy somehow of course. Fran now knows and will appear more often from now on, and next chapter Dom is introduced!
Also, I mentioned a few chapters ago the the Jungle Fury arc is the arc with the changes to Kira and Connor's relationship, and their bond, now that she's growing up. Those changes begin as of the last scene of this chapter, but also as previously said it's gonna happen over several chapters, its not all gonna happen at once.
Review please!