New Friends, Old Friends, and Connor
Author's Note: Thank you for the positive feedback. I'm really excited that the first chapter was so well received, and hope to continue to entertain you as we go further along this story. I plan to have more or less 10 chapters. I am now getting into some more Ranger facts, so again forgive me if all is not accurate but I will do my best to stay true to the series. I will also try my best to post new chapters at a consistent rate. Again, thank you for reading and for all the support. I truly appreciate it!
Disclaimer: I do not own anything affiliated with Power Rangers, Saban, or Disney.
Tommy Oliver was sitting in the drivers seat as the Jeep passed a sign he hadn't seen in quite some time: "Welcome to Angel Grove."
"Is this Angel Grove?" asked Connor.
" Well there goes the question of whether or not you can read," quipped Kira who sat between Connor and Trent with Ethan in the front passenger seat. Tommy had no idea how he was convinced to bring them along with him but in the time it took to get from Reefside to Angel Grove, he regretted it. But he had to admit, it was easier concentrating his regrets on Connor and Ethan (Kira and Trent were tolerable at least) than on the way he left things with Kim. He told himself he really needed to think through things and maybe talk to Kimberly again. It just didn't feel right the way they left things. But he wasn't in too much of a hurry apparently because he let himself get distracted with preparations for the Ranger Summit in Angel Grove. He immersed himself in packing and going through his computer for what useful information he could bring. It was there that his friend and confidant found him saving some of his data to a disc.
" Are you sure that's a good idea Tommy?" asked Haley.
" Andros called. I'm going to be out of town for a little bit meeting with other Rangers. They plan on making a data base kind of like the one we have, only bigger and more in depth. I've got to bring some of these reports with me."
" Going to the moon again?"
" A little closer. Angel Grove."
"Wow...high school reunion as well?" She knew about the whole thing with Kim and Kat, but not about his most recent visit. While she was the closest companion he currently had, she stopped diving into his personal life a while ago. The most she'd do is ask indirect questions like that.
" Talked to Jason. He and Trini already live down there so they'll be going. No one else that I know of." That's all he said. But Tommy had talked to Jason alright. Jason called not too long after Andros did to see if Tommy was going to make it to the Summit. After some brief plans were made Tommy told Jason, "and Jas. We definitely need to talk. About a lot of stuff man."
By the tone of his voice Jason could tell he meant business. " I had a feeling. We'll talk, I promise."
" I see," said Haley after a moment of silence. Obviously that was as much as Tommy was going to give her. "Hey I have an idea. Why don't you take the kids?"
Tommy snorted, " What kids?"
"You know what kids Tommy. Come on Kira, Trent, Connor, and Ethan should meet some of the other rangers. Look they're on break, there's no more looming threat over here. All of the other rangers have met various teams and generations. They shouldn't be left out."
"They've met rangers from other teams. They take pop quizzes every week from the green, white, red zeo, and turbo ranger," Tommy joked.
" Very funny, don't change the subject. They really miss being rangers. They were part of something special and now its gone. Don't you think they've earned something like this?" She hit a soft spot there she could tell.
" Well... I can't argue with that," started Tommy.
" Great, oh they'll be so excited!"
" I didn't say yes!"
" But you didn't so no. You know you're going to back down so why don't you just save yourself the fight this once, and just trust me. It'll be great."
Yeah great for her cause she got to stay in Reefside and run the Cyber Cafe, thought Tommy. She can take them on the next vacation. Ethan and Connor had been fighting over shot gun the entire way, even though Ethan was already in the front seat. Kira kept complaining that Connor smelled and Trent, thank goodness, tried to stay out of it all.
It was early evening, and Jason had arranged for Tommy and the kids to stay at his house. Tommy called the couch while the guys brought sleeping bags for the floors and Kira got the extra bedroom. They'd planned to spend most of their time at the Summit and around Angel Grove anyways, so he wasn't too worried about the teens wrecking his friend's house. When they pulled up to Jason's house, he recognized a yellow Bug, sure to be Trini's, in the driveway. Then she and Jason came out of his one story house to greet them. Tommy and Jason met up every once in a while, although it was usually Jason coming down to meet Tommy or them hanging somewhere between Angel Grove and Reefside. Tommy hadn't seen Trini since she moved back to Angel Grove years ago, a while after he and the others chose their successors. But she kept in touch via email and phone calls.
"Tommy!" she ran over and gave him a huge hug. " I can't believe how long it's been!"
" Hey Trini, I know. Too long, definitely."
Jason came up and gave him a bro hug. " Tommy, glad you could make it. And that you brought your new team with you," he said slyly.
The kids had gotten out of the jeep and waited patiently. They watched in awe as their teacher greeted two of the original power rangers. Even Connor was left speechless in admiration.
" Oh yeah. Jason, Trini. This is Kira, Trent, Ethan and Connor. Guys this is Jason, the original red, and Trini the original yellow," Tommy explained in their short hand code. No one was around to listen but old habits seemed to die hard. They shook their hands and said their hellos. Trini took in Kira's yellow outfit and said " Ah, a fellow yellow. You're a trooper sticking it out with the boys."
Kira laughed, " Yeah thanks. I've told Dr. O he could use a pink but he never listens."
Tommy felt himself choke. Little did Kira know that she hit a little too close to home. Jason and Trini just laughed and Jason helped with some of the sleeping bags. "Come on, we made a welcome to Angel Grove dinner for you guys."
They spent dinner trading stories and catching up. Mostly the kids wanted to hear about the original rangers in their day, particularly keen on embarrassing stories on their professor. Trini explained, "Tommy actually got us out of a lot tough situations. There were times where we almost lost, and Tommy would show up and change the game."
Jason chuckled, " That's usually cause Tommy would be the last to show up." He looked to the younger rangers and said. "Don't ever let your teacher give you slack for being late to class or forgetting things. It would be hypocritical of him." The kids smiled with delight at having new dirt on their professor.
Tommy warned, " Don't even think about it guys. I'll have you know Jason that I am always on time for class nowadays."
Jason and Trini laughed at Tommy's insistence, and the teens followed suit. After ragging on Tommy for a while they talked some more and Tommy learned that Zack became a dance choreographer and was famous for his karate-dance fusion style for music videos. Billy was still on Aquitar but was going to make an appearance at the Summit via some kind of intergalactic satellite thing.
"Billy has kept an in depth surveillance of all the Ranger teams, working with one of the other rangers here on earth. Though I'm not sure who," said Trini." Tommy looked at Jason, sending him a look saying he knew who and they were definitely going to talk about that soon. And that person was suddenly mentioned.
" What about the original pink ranger?" Ethan asked. How in the world does he know? Tommy thought. His paranoia was on its way to overdrive when Ethan continue, "What is she doing these days?" Tommy realized he misunderstood and told himself to stop being so jumpy.
Trini and Jason looked at each other. Tommy didn't know how much Trini knew but he figured she knew something. She replied " Kimberly owns a Gymnastics training center. She's had good business. I mean who wouldn't want to train at a center owned by a Pan Global Gold Medalist?" Luckily the teens were satisfied with that and went on to ask Trini and Jason what they did. Jason explained that he studied physical therapy and worked closely with the local gymnasium and dojo. Trini worked in pharmaceuticals and did her own independent research to introduce ancient Chinese remedies to professional medical practice. While they tended to give their teacher grief, the teens remembered their manners and helped clean up the kitchen before they got ready for bed. Trini said goodbye and promised to help with the carpool early the next morning.
" Call me if the testosterone levels become too much for you," joked Trini to Kara.
" Finally someone who understands," laughed Kara.
" See you tomorrow guys."
After some fighting over who would have sleep next to Ethan's incessant snoring, Kara went to her room and the guys got in their sleeping bags and watched some TV.
" Hey wanna go out back, have a beer?" asked Jason. He knew there was a lot Tommy had on his mind and figured he wouldn't want his kids listening in on this. Plus he didn't know know if they'd have any chance to talk in private during the summit. Better just get it over with.
" Yeah sounds good," said Tommy. Jason got a couple of bottles out of the fridge and they went outside. Jason's backyard looked out into a forest and he had an enclosed fire pit with firewood already stacked in there. Jason lit the fire and they sat for a moment. After a minute, Jason broke the ice.
"So what's up. How have you been?"
" Confused...to say the least. Kimberly came to Reefside."
" I figured that much. She didn't tell me she was going. Guess she wanted to do it on her own... So...crazy stuff huh."
" That's an understatement. You'd think with all the things we've faced this all wouldn't sound so weird. But sometimes its hard to believe."
" Well let me tell you man, I was there when she found this out. If you'd seen her that week you'd believe it in a heartbeat."
" But I didn't. I was on the opposite side thinking I'd been dumped."
" I'm sorry bro. I wasn't trying to take sides. And I'm sorry for keeping a secret from you, especially about Kim. But I couldn't not try to help, she's like my little sister. She was all alone in this."
" It's just a lot to take in. Even with a couple of weeks to process it."
" So what did she tell you exactly?" asked Jason. He knew what had happened. But he didn't know how much Kimberly had told Tommy.
" She said that Space Force Rangers had come and told Zordon about a future where Maligore overtook Kat, and she was the one who became evil and dangerous because Kim and I stayed together and Kim took her place back as a ranger. Kimberly said I couldn't save you or her, and that this would have a ripple effect on all the other teams and generations of Rangers. So she broke up with me and made me think she stopped caring so that I could eventually be with Kat and prevent her from being taking over by Maligore. Kim said she essentially knew she was taking Kat's place in that situation but knew it would turn out okay. She's been tracking all the Ranger's events with Billy up to this point where supposedly this future is set in stone with our last battle with Mesagog. Is that all of it?"
" Pretty much, to sum it all up." answered Jason. But Tommy felt that Jason was holding back.
" Is there anything she didn't tell me about?"
" Not really."
" But there's more."
" Not really. It's just details. You wouldn't want to know about it," answered Jason.
" I wouldn't."
" Nope."
" Try me."
Jason hesitated. But when he saw that Tommy wouldn't back down, he sighed.
" Really its nothing. It's just that's all the facts. There was a lot more going on for Kimberly. I don't expect things to magically patch up and you guys go back to where you were eight years ago. I get that. And you have every right to not be interested in this. But that week, she was a wreck. I had never seen her like that. And she hasn't been completely the same since."
" What do you want me to say man?"
" Nothing. I just want to put it out there that she was as deeply affected by this as you were. I know that may not be what you want to hear. But it's the truth. She acts cheerful and charming but a lot of times, it seems forced. The girl can't even wear pink anymore."
" I was wondering about that. I've never really given a second thought about this crazy preference we have for our colors. When she showed up I noticed she wasn't wearing any pink. It was weird. But she hasn't been a ranger for years, I figured maybe it just came with not being in suit for that long. But we all still do, the kids, even Trini. " Tommy and Jason looked at their own ensembles and smirked in acknowledgement. Tommy was wearing a black button down and Jason a red Muscle-T.
" Yeah she stopped wearing pink not too long after everything went down at Muranthias. Won't talk about it, but I talked to Zordon once. She doesn't feel like a ranger anymore. In her eyes, she's lied to her team, her friends, and the person she cares most for. Zordon said subconsciously she feels like she's not worthy of wearing her color anymore. He tried to communicate with her and help her but she assured him she was fine with her decision. But I see it. When she gives me the few updates on the other teams, she sounds detached. Like she's not part of the group anymore. And no one will know how she saved so all of us, has been watching over us. How she deserves to wear her color as much, if not more, than any of us. I mean how many of us had to make that kind of personal sacrifice? In my eyes bro, she's up there with you."
Tommy thought for a moment of everything Jason had said. Maybe he's right. Maybe just like I had to forfeit what my dreams for the future were, she had to give up hers. And maybe she even had it rougher than me. At least I had the luxury of ignorance, thinking that maybe I was never meant for that future. She had to carry the burden with her that she knew we could stay together, but what that would cost. Tommy's heart thudded as he felt another piece of his glass armor crack. But only ever so slightly. He could sympathize for her but his head told him that didn't mean they were meant to be together now. Instead Tommy focused on something else.
" She said that the future battles and teams would also have been affected. Do you know anything about that?"
" Yeah. The Time Force actually brought her to the "other" version of Muranthias. But they also gave her a disc showing what the other possible futures could hold for the other rangers. It's amazing how one single event could effect so many things. It's hard to go through it all. Tell you what, tomorrow as we start listening to the other accounts, I'll recap what could've happened."
Tommy felt weary but thought the better of it. Probably would be easier for me to hear it in bits and pieces than all at once. " Speaking of which, wouldn't Kim want to come to this? Give out all the information she has as she has been tracking the rangers just as thoroughly since she worked with Billy. Plus she could tell them about this alternate universe."
" No she didn't want to go. First off, it kind of goes hand in hand with her insecurities about being a ranger. Second, she's worried about the repercussions telling so many people the truth will be. I've asked her about that and she went a little nuts making sure no one will ever know. Seriously bro, she was really close to not telling you. Like I said, I didn't even know she went up there. And third, she's confident Billy could provide their data much better than she could now that he'll be able to communicate via 'conference call'." Jason left out that he was pretty sure Kimberly would not be able to be in the same room as Tommy. It was pretty obvious their conversation didn't lead to a direct makeup. And seeing as it was probably the only reason Kim broke down and told Tommy in the first place, it was probably Tommy who turned her away. Just give me a week, Jason told himself. If by then Tommy can't see Kimberly for the brave and incredible woman she is, then maybe he doesn't deserve her.
"Well," said Jason getting up and putting out the fire, " we have an early day tomorrow. Better get to bed OG."
Tommy gave a tired laugh and shook his head. " Very true. We have all the rest of this week to hash this out."
Jason smiled. " Yeah, we do."
The next morning, as promised Trini was at Jason's house bright and early. Tommy had a slow start to the morning. He spent half the night tossing and turning, partly because he couldn't stop thinking about Kimberly and thoughts Jason had implanted the night before, and partly because Ethan really did snore loud. The youngens, however, were energized with excitement over meeting a whole community of Rangers.
"Trini," asked Tommy, " could you please take Connor and Ethan in your car? It's not even nine and I'm already up to my ears with them."
Trini laughed, "Wow Tommy spoken like a true teacher. I was hoping to rescue Kira from you guys but I'll take her out later. Sure I can take Connor and Ethan. Jason can ride with you, Trent, and Kira. Come on boys!" she waved Connor and Ethan over.
Tommy smiled gratefully, " Thanks Trini, you're the best."
They all got into the cars. Kira and Trent sat in the back hand in hand and talked amongst themselves about who they might meet. Tommy took this chance to ask Jason subtly. "Hey I was wondering, how much does Trini know?"
" Not much, she got the story everyone else got. But you know Trini. She caught on right away that there was something else Kim wasn't telling. She asked after her about it for a while but sensed to drop it. So she plays along."
" Just wondering... By the way, how's Emily doing?"
" She's good. It worked out that this week that she was visiting family out of state. It beats explaining to her going out to the desert every day this week."
It took a while to get to the rock formation where the old command center stood. Tommy forgot that they rarely had to drive here and it was much farther away when you were driving rather than teleporting. But with only Kira and Trent in back, the ride was pretty smooth. Poor Trini, thought Tommy. He had warned the boys not to get on her nerves but was pretty sure that wouldn't last long. When they parked their car in the deserted area next to the rocks, he quickly got out and and asked her, " Did they cause you any trouble?"
Trini smiled and shook her head, "Relax Tommy, these two were perfect gentleman." Tommy looked over to the guys and saw them smirking at him. " Of course you guys would be at your best for a girl."
" Not just any girl, Tommy, an original ranger," replied Ethan.
" And what am I?" asked Tommy.
" You are Dr. O, our grouchy science teacher," said Connor, " and no offense, but you are not ridiculously hot."
Tommy rolled his eyes, "Watch it Connor. Let's go." They walked to the base of the rock formation. Out of nowhere Tommy saw Andros in his uniform.
" Hello Tommy, Hello Jason" said Andros. Tommy and Jason greeted him and introduced him to Trini, Ethan, Kira, Trent, and Connor.
"So where exactly is this going to take place?" asked Tommy. " The Command Center was basically destroyed."
" Almost, but not completely," Andros explained as they walked towards one of the rocks. He place his hand over a piece of the rock and and a key pad appeared. Andros punched in a code and the huge rock made way for an entranceway. "We've reconfigured the Command Center into a much larger facility. It is our hope that it will become the center for the new data base and will serve as a means of communication between all current and future teams."
Tommy felt a wave a grief stepping into what use to be his second home. He hadn't been here since his last day as a Turbo Ranger. No longer was there Zordon's Time Warped Chamber, the glass case featuring all the old ranger suits, no longer would they be greeted by Alpha 5 or Alpha 6. He looked over at Trini and Jason and saw the same sadness in their faces. He looked over at Andros, whose jaw was hard. He could only begin to imagine how it must have been for him, as he personally was the reason Zordon was no longer here, or anywhere. But he did it under Zordon's order, and it in turned saved Earth. Tommy felt for Andros, how even though it was certainly what had to be done that it would be part of him forever. Then he realized that he's not the only one to carry that type of burden. Again another part of the armor cracked as Tommy saw how Kimberly must have been holding the same weight on her shoulders these past eight years. They walked in silence until they found a large room that resembled a lecture hall. The farthest end held a raised panel and the rest of the room were filled with tables and chairs. The room was half filled, and Tommy recognized some faces from previous encounters.
" In order to keep this as organized as possible," Andros explained," we've assigned you to tables, usually one to two teams to a table depending on how many representatives are present. We put you in order of generation as much as we can. So obviously, your team being the first generation of rangers, you are at the first table. And we arranged for your Dino thunder rangers to sit with you as they are under your supervision. We'll begin in about half an hour. Tommy, Trini, Jason. You guys will be up first." Andros excused himself to bring in more arrivees.
The first to greet Tommy was T.J. whom Tommy had passed down his Turbo powers to. Accompanying him were Carlos and Ashley. Tommy had met them briefly when they first joined the team, but were re-introduced. He introduced them to Jason and Trini. After the usual greetings Jason and Trini excused themselves to meet some of the others. The Dino Rangers continued to chat with the space rangers when someone tapped Tommy on the shoulder and said, " So I heard your the black ranger now, going for every ranger color out there?" Tommy turned around and saw Adam Park in front of him. " Just remember who was the best black ranger." Adam joked.
Tommy laughed and gave Adam a hug. " Haha hey Man. I concede. But I think Zack will want to challenge you to that title. I didn't know you were coming down here."
" Yeah it was kind of a last minute decision. But when I found out you, Jason, and Carlos were coming, I thought it'd be a good time to look into Angel Grove for a new investment. I've heard the Angel Grove Dojo is in danger of shutting down, so I'm thinking of opening my second Dojo there."
" That'd be great man."
" Yeah it seems everyone's moving back these days."
" Home sweet home, I guess."
" Yeah accept you. Look at you, how many years later a few towns over and you still find your way into a ranger suit."
Tommy laughed and ran his hand through his head and down his neck, " Yeah, I guess despite time and place, once a ranger always a ranger right Adam?"
" Yup. Hey So where's your new team?"
" Over there talking to T.J., Carlos, and Ashley."
Adam walked over to meet the teens and say hi to the other rangers." And for another twenty minutes it basically went the same. Tommy met Leo, Kai, and Karone from the Lost Galaxy Rangers, Carter, Joel, and Kelsey from the Lightspeed Rescue. Cole, Taylor, Danny, and Alyssa from Wild Force, and Shane, Tori, Cameron, and Hunter from Ninja Storm. The last to arrive were the Time Force Rangers. Tommy was a little relieved that by the time they arrived everyone was getting seated to start. He didn't think he could deal talking to them one on one knowing they had a huge part in the jigsaw puzzle that had become the last eight years. The Dino Rangers, along with Tommy, Adam, Trini, and Jason sat at the first table. Adam hadn't seen Trini since she left for the peace conference and at the time they barely got to know each other. So they were getting re-aquainted. Tommy looked over at Jason, " Hey man, you should start our group off. You were there before me."
" Whatever you say Tommy. You alright?"
" Yeah. I just have a feeling this is all going to make things even more confusing for me than it already is."
" Don't worry bro, I'll help you through it," Jason said with a little ring of teasing to it.
" Yeah you better." Tommy half joked back.
Andros went up to the raised panel and into a microphone. "Hello Rangers. Thank you all for coming down here for the next couple of days. As some of you already know, where we stand today is where the original Command Center, under the leadership of Zordon of Eltar, once stood. It was here that Zordon recruited the first group of power rangers to fight the forces of Evil. Zordon would be proud to see that the tradition continues and many teams of rangers have helped protect the planet earth. It is with great pleasure that we gather here in a time of peace, as our enemies have retreated. It was decided to use this time to compile a complete data base of all the Ranger Teams. We plan to analyze and document not only the makeup of each team, including their power source, arsenal, and team members, but also a profile on all enemies we have fought, the powers sources they hold, and what monsters they have bestowed. With this collective of information, we feel we can help future generations of Rangers prepare if and when earth comes under attack again."
Connor, who was sitting between Jason and Tommy muttered. " Great. How come there wasn't a user's manual when we got our powers?"
Jason smiled at the younger red ranger. "Hey at least you had a veteran giving you some tips. We were the guinea pigs." Connor smiled and they listened on to the rest of the introduction. A few minutes later Andros motioned for Tommy and his group to come up. " Our first speakers of course will be the the original Power Rangers whom Zordon chose when Rita Ripulsa first escaped and launched an attack here at Angel Grove. It goes without saying that had it not been for this team, we wouldn't be where we are today." Tommy suddenly thought to himself, actually the real person who ensured everyone that was here today is not in this room. Crack, crack. Stop Tommy, head in the game. No Kimberly mind talks right now. He snapped out of it and headed to to the front with Jason, Trini, and Adam. As they took a seat Andros continued, " We are also joined today via a lightyear distance viewing communication by Billy Cranston who not only was part of the original team but has done extensive research on many Ranger teams over the years. To the side of the panel, a huge screen came to life and Billy appeared in an aqua background. He literally looked like he hadn't aged a day since high school. He looked youthful and healthy as ever and Tommy couldn't believe how long he'd gone without seeing him.
" Hello everyone, Tommy, Trini, Jason, Adam. You all look great."
" The room greeted hello, and Trini spoke into the microphone. Billy it's been almost ten years. You look exactly the same as you did in high school!"
Billy chuckled, " Yes the minerals in the atmosphere here have a huge impact on the molecular structure and cell reproduction. It was a vital component in reversing the age acceleration that threatened my existence many years ago."
Andros spoke up, "It is great to have your company. Right now we will let you guys give an overview on your time serving as Rangers. Billy will be able to provide some previously unknown details about various events and creatures but essentially this is just you guys telling your story. We will go through a few teams every day. After that we will take a small break and split up to various computer laboratories to begin going through, in finer detail, specific monsters or battles that need to be analyzed. So, the floor is yours."
"So Tommy insisted I start off since I was there in the beginning and the first leader of our group," started Jason. They introduced the members that were there, those that were not, and their weapons and zords. They skimmed through their journey as power rangers referencing on some monsters and elaborating on major events. They covered Tommy's turn to the Evil Green Ranger, and how he was freed from Rita's spell and joined Zordon's team. They talked about Lord Zedd, and the eventual destruction of the green candle and Zordon's success in making a white ranger. Tommy took over the conversation there and Adam talked a little bit about him, Aisha, and Rocky joining the group. They went over their battle with Ivan Ooze and the trip to Phados. Thankfully they were brief over Kimberly's transfer of her pink power to Kat. Then they covered their quest for the Zeo Crystals and introduced Tanya into the conversation. This eventually lead to the Machine Empire.
Then they got to Divatox and their transformation to Turbo Rangers. Tommy knew their time on Muranthias was a major event and that he wouldn't be so lucky as so skim over that. They ended up talking in great depth about it including Jason and Kimberly's capture their transformation from Maligore's power. Tommy didn't know how he got through that. Every moment he recounted he couldn't help but wonder what actually would have happened had Kimberly not changed their future. How he would have worried for Jason's and Kat's safety and do everything he could to save them. But he knew it wouldn't have been the same drop of his stomach, ready to hurl feeling that he remembered when he saw Kim on the viewing globe. He always felt invincible with Kim by his side, more confident, stronger. She was often his second in command, his other set of eyes, ears, and intuition. Until that letter came, he trusted her with his life and imagined he would have been extremely confident with her by him. When she had turned evil and he looked into her eyes not through his helmet but face to face and saw nothing of the Kimberly he knew there, it was the first time he really doubted his ability to fight.
With the help of his friends and allies, they pulled through and got Kim and Jason back. It was weird to him knowing that if Kat's and Kim's role had switched, Kimberly would have made him feel stronger if she were fighting with him like she said they would have, yet it would be the time he really lost. He thought all this as he robotically explained the events. Jason felt for Tommy, having to talk about it so much when there was so much going on beyond the fight. He tried to take some of the load off Tommy and began to describe what he had gone through and Tommy allowed himself for once to really imagine if Kimberly had died in that battle. It sucked the breath right out of him. For a second he thought he would have a panic attack in front of everyone. He had to remind himself that Kimberly was alive and fine, and for the first time ever, he was genuinely and completely grateful that Kimberly wrote that letter. Crack, crack.
Tommy's group ended up talking a long time due to the fact that they were the longest serving members and basically covered three teams of rangers. By the time they were finished, it was well past 1:00 and everyone was ready for lunch. Because they were so far from any establishments the space rangers, who were in charge of the of the summit, arranged for lunch to be served inside the compound. Tommy and his group went back to their table. He was still recuperating from his daydream/nightmare but as he approached his table, his focus became the expressions from his young team. His Dino Rangers looked at him with a new revere.
"Dr. O," said Connor, " I never thought I'd say this. But you are so cool. I can't believe you did all of that amazing stuff!"
" Yeah Dr. O," agreed Trent, " I mean I always knew you were a legend, but wow. You are on a whole different level."
" Come on guys, you've heard this story before."
" Yeah," said Kira, " But we got the short version that time. You never told us some of the crazy things you had to do. I can't wait to hear some of the individual fights you guys did."
" Kira's right. That comes after lunch right?" asked Ethan.
" Yup I think so."
They ate and as everyone slowly finished their lunch, they started wandering off. Trini and Adam took Ethan to talk to Billy who was back online after a break while Jason and Tommy told some lighter stories to the rest of the group.
" Man and remember Bulk and Skull?," said Jason. " They've gone through as many phases as you have colors Tommy," he joked. Remember that quest they went on to find our identity?"
" Yeah had it been a more...intimidating partnership, I might have been worried," laughed Tommy. He didn't notice that the Time Force Rangers had approached his table. "Hi Tommy, Jason I am Jen Scotts from Time Force, this is my team. I'm sorry we couldn't meet before everything began. But it's an honor to meet you."
Tommy felt a lump in his throat. " Hi, thanks it's good to meet you." Him and Jason shook hands with Jen and the rest of her team. Tommy then introduced him to his Dino Rangers that were at the table."
" It was very interesting hearing your account of your adventures. We take great interest in learning about our past as it is what happens in your time, that effects what happens in our time." Tommy felt that Jen was communicating some sort of hidden meaning. He gave them a nod that said, got the message. " Well I really look forward to hearing about the future. If you'll excuse me, I have a few questions to ask Billy over there. But it was nice to meet you."
" Of course. I hope we can talk more before the week is over," Jen gave a polite smile and headed off. Tommy started towards the giant screen when Jason caught up with him.
" You alright man? You couldn't get out of there faster."
" I'm not ready. I already got you and Kim telling me it was all for the best. I get it. I don't need to go there with them just yet. And I do have an important question to ask Billy."
" Remember he doesn't know everything."
" I know. But I need some advice." They found Ethan asking Billy about some devices he'd never heard of and Trini and Adam patiently listening and smiling at each other, apparently finding some humor in Ethan's enthusiasm. The monitor had been turned down so that Billy's voice was only heard within standing distance rather than the whole room as it was earlier.
" Hey you guys, do you mind if I have a second with Billy?"
Trini looked at Jason who seemed to be communicating to her as well. "Sure, come on Ethan." She, Adam, and Ethan said their goodbyes to Billy and headed back towards the table.
" Hey Billy, how you doing? You look good."
" Thanks Tommy. You as well. How are you."
" Doin' alright. I actually have a question." Tommy looked around. "I talked to Kimberly recently, and she told me that she was the one that was working with you to gather data on the other rangers." Billy looked surprised.
" Well yes, although she stressed while she needed assistance she couldn't give a direct explanation as to what she was collecting this data for. I had to admit it was a little out of her character. I was under the impression she had assumed a more... normal life."
" Well, she did give me some information on what her project was." Ok how do I do this without giving it all away? " And I'm not sure she wants a whole lot of people to know. I can tell you it was under Zordon's guidance. And that it kind of has something to do with the future. My question is, with all of the information she gave me, do you think I should bring this up to the people collecting the data here?"
" Hmmm," Billy thought aloud, " While I do think this is a trusted source and they would benefit from knowing all the facts, I would be inclined to advise you not to mention whatever this is. Kimberly did not tell much and I trust her reasons. She did however stress that it was important that no one know that I was working with her. I admit I'm surprised she told you so much, cause she was emphatic that especially our closest allies were not to know. But if it has anything to do with the future as you suggest, I believe the less people know the less chance there is of us accidentally re routing the future."
This made sense. It was nice that Tommy could rely of Billy to be the voice of reason. " Thanks Billy I appreciate it."
" Tommy," Jason interrupted. "They're asking we go to the lab to start the computer analysis."
Tommy looked over. "Gotta go, thanks again Billy."
" Anytime. And Tommy? I'm really glad to hear you and Kimberly are communicating again."
Tommy looked down and back at Billy with a tired smile. "Yeah," was all he could say, " We'll see you Billy."