A/N: Sorry it's been a while. And updating will be sporadic, sorry about that too! But here you go for now!
The rangers were still amazed with their new friend's past. They never would have expected this from their doctor's past. It is a little unnerving, especially with everything else they have going on.
"Was Dr. O really like that?" Conner asks Trini. She smiles sadly at him and tucks a piece of black hair behind one ear. Even many years later, she still remembers everything about being a ranger. It's bittersweet.
"It's not always a bad thing," she answers truthfully. "He was doing it so everyone could live in a better world-especially for his sister."
"I see." Ethan looks like he wants to say more but looks down at his shoes instead. Conner sighs loudly, running a hand through his hair. He always knew Dr. O was a little distant but to his own sister?
Speaking of Kasey Oliver, she is currently out on her brother's back porch. There's a small pond right behind his house that is shining in the bright moonlight. It reflects down on the dark water. She likes it out here, with the wind blowing slightly through the trees and the air fresh and sweet. It's peaceful here. Bow is back in dog form, lying by her feet that are dangling off the small wooden porch.
She hears footsteps behind her and turns, seeing Jason standing there in the doorway, silhouetted by the light inside.
"So are you okay?" he asks her, coming to sit down next to her. Kasey just nods. She just needed to get out of their lair, it had felt suffocating after the others had learned of her past.
"Look Jase, none of this should have happened. I never should have come here, I should've stayed in Angel Grove," she blurts out, it all coming out in a rush. Before the former red ranger can say anything, there's a creak behind them and they whirl. Tommy comes and sits on Kasey's other side wordlessly. She notices he's holding something in his hand and he holds his fist out to her.
Her dog barks and suddenly transforms into a leopard, growling at the object. "Bow?" Kasey says in puzzlement. She leans closer and sees that it's a gem. It begins to glow brighter as she takes it from her brother's palm.
"Kasey, that's a dino gem," Tommy explains slowly, keeping his eyes on her face even as she is looking down. "It's what makes us rangers. And you're chosen now." Kasey gasps slightly and throws it back at him, letting it land on the soft grass beneath them.
"No! No way, I will have nothing to do with this!" Kasey yells as she stands up abruptly, taking steps away from the two older guys. Jason recoils in surprise while Tommy looks on sadly.
The others come to the doorway, having heard the yell from the lair. They look at the three, curious, with only the light in the house behind them and the moonlight in front of them to see the other's expressions.
"Kasey, please, hear them out," Jason says as he gets up as well and wraps an arm around the younger Oliver's shoulder. He points at the other rangers. "I know you can help them." He looks to Trini for support but she jut shakes her head and smiles. Her eyes say it all-you're doing great so far.
Kira steps forward. "Look, we doubted ourselves too but having these three dorks around keeps me stable and I know they have my back."
"Wait…dorks?" Ethan raises an eyebrow. "I see only two here."
"So you're admitting that you and Conner are dorks then?" teases Trent. Ethan frowns at him and crosses his arms.
"Hey, I'm not a dork," Conner protests. Ignoring them, Kira turns back to Kasey.
"Anyway, I know you haven't had a good past but we are here to help you." Kasey starts to smile a little bit. "Plus, I'd like to have another girl around." Her smile grows wider at Kira's words.
"Kasey." The so addressed girl looks at her brother. "I know we are so distant and so much has happened but maybe we can bond from all this. You know, I believe in you. We all do." He gestures to all the people standing on his back porch in the bright light shining down from the moon and cutting through the night. Kasey hangs her head, a little ashamed at her outburst from earlier. Bow, still in leopard form, had picked up the orange gem in her mouth and brings it over to Kasey, dropping it at her feet.
"Kasey, what would Zordon say if he were her right now?" Jason asks, sitting back down and patting the spot next to him. Kasey sits down with a small sigh.
"Are you seriously playing that card with her?" Trini raises her eyebrows. Jason shrugs, a smile twisting the corners of his mouth.
"Maybe?" he offers. But then everyone's attention is turned back to Kasey.
"He would say…he believed in me too…he always had wise words and he would be honored to have me fighting," Kasey whispers, the truth leaking out of her. She knows inside that they're right-she has to join. She's already too deep in to pull herself out. Jason smiles and pats her head.
"Okay, I will do it," she announces. "But only to save Kira from the three dorks." Everyone laughs although Ethan frowns.
"I still take offense to that," he grumbles, shoving his hands in his pockets. Tommy reaches for his sister's hand and when his fingers close around hers, she doesn't pull away.
"I'm proud of you," he tells her and she smiles. She puts her other hand out and for the first time in a long, long, while, she gives her older brother a real hug.