The Forgotten 17

A:N Don't Own Power Rangers.

Kimberly stood over looking the training grounds for the Lightspeed Rangers. She adjusted the guards on her wrists. Dana was leaning against the wall watching her. She understood her concern but at the same time when it came to him she'd throw caution to the wind.

"I don't think this is a good idea Kimberly. That White Ranger almost killed you with that hit."

"I've ignored the Call Dana three times being here, and it's getting more insistent. I can't ignore it anymore, not this time. I've fought so hard to get here to fight beside him again."

"I know I had to clean up the vast amount of blood you bled. Look, I know he's important to you Kimberly I do, but you almost died again."

She looked over her shoulder at the other woman. Then she looked back over the training ground and remembered the first time Carter met her. She was training not long after her fight with the monster that killed Tommy's family. Her upper torso was wrapped in bandages. Carter tried to get her to stop her training since the stitches were ripping dying the bandages red, but she gave him a fight. It took Kelsey pulling her away to stop the fight and have Dana take a look at her wounds. Carter learned that day that she was just as much a Power Ranger as he was.

"I would die for him if I have to, and I will die soon and it maybe for him."

"You have no regrets?"

Kimberly turned her gaze away and felt sadness wash over her at the question. Sure, she had regrets. The biggest one was being the fact that she and Tommy never got to completely explore the bond between them and see where it took them. That and the fact she hadn't been able to save his family even though she and Rayce did what they could.

"I regret that we couldn't have more time together as we used to be back then, but I cannot turn back time to do so. He is going to suffer again when I die. Regardless if he feels anything for me now."

Dana looked at the Wolf Org. He was watching Kimberly mentally preparing herself for a fight.

"Can't you do something?" she pleaded with him.

"Her heart is set on being there with him till her end whenever that maybe. Kimberly…"

She looked at him over her shoulder. "It's Trent. He is the White Ranger."

Kimberly's eyes closed at the revelation that Zen-Aku brought her. That just made things more complicated. Considering how insanely powerful Trent was even against someone like Tommy it would be tougher to bring him back to their side.

"It's Déjà vu all over again."

"What do you mean?" Dana asked in confusion.

"It's like with Tommy when he was evil. Come on Zen-Aku we have to help."

The hand print on her chest was still dark and ached as a reminder that time was running out. They had to get Trent on the right side of the team again.

"He's not going to apricate your death Kimberly."

She stopped at Dana's words.

"Maybe not but I need to help in any way I can."

Dana looked away knowing she'd lost and Carter and Kelsey came forward to watch them. "I know this is hard for you guys to watch, and I didn't want to bring this sadness down on your heads."

"But you'd never be able to walk away from him," Kelsey said softly.

"No I wouldn't. It was so hard having to walk away from him in the beginning, but I knew I had to."

Before she could say more both women wrapped their arms around her. Kelsey pressed to hard making her yelp. A soft laugh escaped all four of them.

"I kind of wish I had a chance to say goodbye to everyone, but I don't think I'll have the time."

"We called them here," Carter murmured softly.

Kimberly cocked her head to the side. The others joined them.

"You didn't have to come guys."

Ryan gave her a cocky smirk that she recognized. "But it is good to see you."

Each took turns giving her a hug. She knew they all knew what was coming. The occasion was somber but she didn't want them to be sad forever at the Curse's ending.

"It was an honor to walk beside all of you. You've taught me again what it means to be a teammate, a friend and a Ranger. I wish you all well for the rest of your lives."

"Stop with the sappy stuff," Ryan huffed softly. "You're one of us. You need us well come."

She smiled at them. These teams she fought beside made her smile and helped her more than she helped them.

"I don't know what I did to earn your guys friendship and a place on your team."

Before she could say anything else she was wrapped up in a group hug. Kimberly's chest protested but she enjoyed the closeness. "Alright guys I have to get back."

They all backed away. She looked at each one of them and smiled.

"Carter, Analyse, Rayce and soon Tommy will have my will in hand there are books that belong to the team."

"Understood."

She gave a nod and turned to walk towards the waiting Duke Org.

"Take care of her Zen-Aku!" Kelsey yelled.

The Duke Org looked over his shoulder and nodded as he followed her.

Kimberly landed gracefully in her apartment with Zen-Aku beside her.

"That's the second person that has wrangled that favor from you Zen-Aku."

"There are more. You will not accept their help so they leave it to me to help you. Your Core Four were the first because they know there will come a day where they cannot get to you in time."

"It's not that I don't want their help Zen-Aku, it's just this Curse is my burden."

"Others will help you."

"I've dragged too many of them into this Zen-Aku and I didn't want to."

She sighed softly and powered down. The Call was quiet for the time being.

"Come on I want to go back to my roots for a little bit."

"Your roots?"

Going to her closet she pulled out a gym bag.

"Come on."

They arrived at a small homey looking gym. Kimberly unlocked the door and went in followed by her Wolf Shadow. There was a woman sitting a desk. She looked up at the movement and froze seeing Zen-Aku. Then the Wolf Org saw Kimberly moving her hands and the woman seemed to calm down a bit and nodded. She also moved her hands and Kimberly nodded and smiled. The woman went to the door relocked it and turned the sign over to closed and went towards the stairs.

"What was that?" Zen-Aku asked softly.

"What's what?" she asked in confusion.

"What you were just doing."

Realization dawned on her and she smiled.

"Sign language. She can't speak with her voice so she speaks with her hands."

"Does she know your secrets?"

"In a way she does. She knows I'm different and I stick to myself."

"So what is it that you want to be doing?"

She sat her bag down by the desk and went towards a large mat. Taking a deep breath she readied herself by doing basic stretches and then carefully began to go through old gymnastic exercises. It had been so long since she allowed herself this. She went to do a succession of backflips but in mid land pain screamed through her arm. A soft cuss escaped her lips as she fell. Kimberly groaned as she laid flat on her back on the training mats. Her arm was aching. Zen-Aku moved forward and she was sure he was laughing at her.

"That was dumb Kimberly."

"Yeah figured that out. Make a mental note to kick Trent's rear end when he's on the right side of the group."

"You think they can achieve that?"

She looked at him for a moment.

"I know they can because as friends they shouldn't give up on him. We didn't for Tommy when he was evil and we managed to break Rita's hold over him."

"I will remember this note, but I might get to him first."

She laughed softly at his words. Now that her clock was almost spent he was getting more protective of her. The Call echoed through her like a tidal wave. Scrambling to her feet she morphed and vanished. The wood sported a battle between Tommy, Zeltrax and Trent. To her amazement she watched him battle to help Tommy against the Cyborg. Leaning against the tree she smiled softly. She slid to the ground feeling everything catching up with her. Reaching up she pulled down her mask feeling blood sliding down her face. Running feet made her look up to see both White and Black Rangers running towards her. Before either could get to her Zen-Aku was between them.

"Zen-Aku don't," she murmured. "It's done."

Zen-Aku looked at her over his shoulder and growled lowly and shouldered his blade.

"It's done?" Trent asked in confusion.

Kimberly smiled weakly. Tommy moved forward but Zen-Aku blocked him too.

"Just like him the darkness around you has lifted. The anger and hatred are gone."

Trent moved towards her but Zen-Aku moved enough to be in a threatening pose.

"How did you know?"

"Because friends shouldn't give up on each other and I had the faith that you could do it yourself or have help from the others."

"How could you possible know that?"

"Because I've done it before and have seen it before."

Tommy's head dipped down remembering his past but the one he could remember and not the past that actually happened.

"Though, later you and I are going to have a heart to heart Trent about the almost killing blow."

"Killing?"

Kimberly powered down and pulled down her shirt enough to see the dark bruising on her shoulder that dipped below what she was showing.

"I was lucky."

Zen-Aku turned and scooped the exhausted Pink Ninjetti Ranger up. Kimberly's head thumped against Zen-Aku's neck as she passed out. Tommy went to go for her but a warning growl escaped Zen-Aku.

"You trusted me to take care of her and I will as have her Core Four. That is why Trent hasn't faced a more unforgiving audience for what he did."

"Unforgiving?" Trent gulped.

"Zen-Aku," Tommy growled.

"He will have a heart to heart with her once she deems herself ready."

"Dr O?"

"Kimberly is a forgiving sort because of a past that he doesn't remember, but I know what this Curse has done to her. I will not stand by. I'm one of those Unforgiving audiences, and I assure you there are others that haven't presented themselves yet and hope you don't meet them."

"That sounded like a threat."

"It's a promise I assure you."

"There's no need to scare the kid, Zen-Aku."

"If she'd been unmorphed and he'd hit her like that you would've…"

"That's enough," Tommy growled.

Zen-Aku snorted and blurred away.

"Dr O I don't understand."

"You'll have to have her explain it because of a Curse I do not remember that she was even a part of my team none of us do from my past."

Trent looked from where they vanished in confusion not understanding what just went down.

"Come on Trent we need to get back."

He nodded his head and followed the Black Ranger back to the Command Center.