Here's the next chapter! Hope you all enjoy!
A week had passed since the rangers last fought against Rita's mother. They had experienced more heartbreak and were looking forward to what the future may bring. They had not returned to their own lives, nor their homes, in Florida, Reefside, or even in the future, preferring to keep to Angel Grove, watching over their injured comrades. Angel Grove was far from returning back to normal, but every day brought more hope. Clean-up was going much better than expected, with what seemed like everybody in Angel Grove and the surrounding cities pitching in to help out.
It was a bright and sunny day, it looked like the most perfect weather. The sun was shining, the sky was blue and it wasn't too hot, but it wasn't too cold.
Kim groaned as she looked in the mirror. She was looking forward to this day, but she was also dreading it. She ran a brush through her hair and tried to clip it back and groaned again when it didn't work.
"Here, let me help you," Trini said with a laugh. She took the clip from Kim's hair, brushed through it a few times more and clipped it back to hold Kim's hair.
The two of them, along with Kira, Amy, and Hayley stayed at Trini's parents house, who were visiting Trini's grandparents in San Francisco. Trini was grateful that they weren't around for the attack on Angel Grove, but wished that they were home, all the same.
Rocky and Aisha stayed at her parents house, with Lucas, Wes, and Taylor. Billy was at his father's house with Mack, his father and Spencer, denying their insistence at staying at a nearby hotel. Sky, Syd, Z, and Bridge stayed at Adam's parents' house, and Ethan and Trent were at Tommy's parents' house with him and Jason.
"What time are we meeting everyone?" asked Kim.
"Well, the funeral starts at 11, but I know everyone's meeting up there at 10-10:15," answered Hayley. She stood behind Kim and Trini in the mirror, applying mascara to her eyes.
"I don't even know how you could put any make-up on. One second up there and I know I'm gonna be a mess."
"Well, good thing I'm bringing extra tissues then."
Trini glanced at her watch. "Come on, you guys, it's about time to go. Kira!" she called. "Amy! We're about to leave. We'll meet you guys downstairs!"
Kim stepped out of Trini's mom's SUV with tears in her eyes. She looked around at the familiar sights and felt another wave of tears overcome her. She didn't look twice when she felt a strong pair of arms envelope her in a hug as she buried her face into Tommy's chest and cried her tears out.
"I never got to say goodbye to him either," she choked out, "and this just seems like...he's really gone now."
Tommy nodded. "I know what you mean. But come on, let's go find somewhere to sit."
Kim looked around at the familiar hills and smiled in spite of herself. If anyone were to see them conducting a funeral here, they'd think these people were crazy. But Kim knew that this was one of the most special places to her and to the other rangers. It was the place where they first became Power Rangers. And she knew that regardless of what team they were a part of, regardless of when they served, this will always be a place held most sacred in the hearts of all rangers, whether they knew it or not. It was a part of their legacy.
She looked off into the distance and saw the place where she first fought the putties. She looked back at the sight in front of her and sighed. Kim was used to seeing the Command Center before her, from the spot she stood at with Tommy. But now, there was nothing. She knew that there was a Power Chamber below, but she just wanted to see the old Command Center one more time.
Kim followed Tommy to a row of seats and sat down next to Jason and Trini. Adam and Amy sat down next to her with Rocky and Aisha, following behind them. Hayley and Billy finished up the row, taking a seat next to Aisha. Behind them, sat Trent, with Kira and Ethan, TJ, Andros, Ashley, Karone, Zhane, and Cassie. Mack, Andrew, Spencer, Lucas, Wes, Wes' father, Sky, Syd, Z, and Bridge rounded up the last row.
In a flash of light, four coffins stood brilliantly before them.
The one on the far left was made of black marble, trimmed with green. In front of it, stood a large portrait of Carlos, dressed in black. Next to it was made of white marble, trimmed in pink, with the emblem of a tiger on it. A large portrait of Alyssa appeared before it. Next to that one was an all pink one, with a picture of Rose before it. And next to that was an all yellow one. A large portrait of Tanya Sloan, smiling for the camera, stood before it.
Kim looked at each of the coffins, staring at each of them for a long time. When her eyes settled on the yellow one, the tears that have been building up behind her eyes began to spill out. She thought back to that day in the hospital.
She was in Kat's room at the hospital, while Aisha was next door, sitting in with Tanya. Kat and Tanya were still in critical care, staying in the intensive care unit of the hospital while Skull, Ernie and Ms. Appleby were moved to regular rooms. Conner, Tori, Zack, and Eric were still in the hospital, all in regular rooms. Zhane had already been released. She remembered the doctor saying that Tanya had trauma to the head as a result of multiple blows to the head, most likely by Baruk. Kat had lost a lot of blood from the wound she received after Baruk had thrown the knife at her. Kim was talking to Kat, telling her about when Kat first moved to Angel Grove, skipping over the parts of her working for Rita, and heading straight to the part when Kat helped Kim after she fell off the balance beam. Kim was in the middle of telling Kat how she chose her to take her place as the pink ranger on the team when she heard Aisha start screaming next door. Kim jumped up and ran out of the room, heading towards Tanya's room, but was stopped by the ICU doctors and nurses. One of them ushered Aisha out of the room. She looked at Kim with a worried look in her eyes and told her that Tanya started having seizures. A nurse recommended for the two of them to head to the waiting room.
Four and a half hours later, after Tanya received her fifth surgery in four days, the doctor came out to the waiting room and informed Kim and Aisha off her condition. She lost too much blood on the surgery table and passed away in the middle of it.
Kim stared at the yellow coffin. She never really knew Tanya. Sure, she's known of her, but only as the person who Aisha had chosen to replace her as the yellow ranger. She knew that Adam had a bit of a crush on her when they were still in high school, but she never knew her. Kim thought back to the Murianthas incident and tried to remember her there. She couldn't. She was in such a rush to forget about Tommy and to leave Angel Grove that Kim never had the chance to talk to Tanya. She doesn't even remember if she said anything to the newest ranger at the time, Justin.
Jason stood up, readying himself for a speech that he did not want to give. He stood up in front of the four coffins, between the white and the pink one.
"Wait!"
Immediately everyone's eyes turned to the back of their gathering.
"Wait for us!"
Kira stood up. "Tori? Conner? What..." She walked out of her row, and walked over to Tori and Conner, who were wheeling themselves in wheelchairs. She helped push Tori down the aisle as Trent pushed Conner.
Tommy looked back and saw Zack being helped into his wheelchair by Ryan Mitchell, Dana's brother. Next to them was Dana, helping Ms. Appleby into a wheelchair and Eric, helping himself into a wheelchair. Taylor stood behind him, ready to help whenever he needed it. Bulk was also walking towards them, pushing Skull along. Ernie stood alongside them, pushing himself in his own wheelchair.
Another SUV pulled up, kicking up an air of dust. Will, the black overdrive ranger, jumped out of the driver's seat. He looked at Mack and nodded. Dax, the blue ranger, and Ronny, the yellow ranger both jumped out of the car and joined Mack, Andrew, and Spencer, all of them crying over their fallen teammate.
Another car pulled up and Danny and Max, the black and the blue wild force rangers jumped out of the front. Cole jumped out of the back seat. Taylor left Eric to himself and she ran to her teammates and embraced each of them for a long time.
A couple more cars arrived. Shane and Dustin, the red and yellow ninja storm rangers, hopped out. They were followed by Blake, the navy thunder ranger, Hunter, the crimson thunder ranger, Cam, the green samurai ranger, and Cam's father.
Two more cars arrived and Carter, the red lightspeed ranger jumped out of one of the cars, followed by Chad, the blue ranger. Out of the other car, came Joel, the green lightspeed ranger, Kelsey, the yellow ranger, and Angela Fairweather.
Adam looked back and was surprised to see Xander, the green mystic ranger. Behind him were Nick, the red ranger, Madison, the blue ranger, Chip, the yellow ranger, Vida the pink ranger.
A quiet Porsche appeared and Justin Stewart jumped out of it. He looked around and walked up to Tommy and gave him a big hug.
Two portals appeared on either side of them. Out of one appeared a Time Ship. It opened and Jen, the pink time force ranger, Katie, the yellow ranger, and Trip, the green ranger appeared. Wes and Lucas ran to them and greeted each of them with a hug. Out of the other portal, another ship arrived. It opened and Jack, the former SPD red ranger, came running out, followed by Boom, Kat Manx, and Commander Cruger. Boom gave Bridge a hug while Kat and the Commander nodded to the other rangers and took a seat at the back.
Another couple of cars arrived. An older-looking Hispanic man slowly went out of the driver's side and walked around the car to help his wife out. A teenage boy jumped out of the backseat, helping his younger sister out of the car. All of them shared the same expressions of grief and sadness. TJ stood up and led the Vallertes to the front.
An older Asian man walked out of the other car. His wife walked out of the passenger's seat. The two of them wore white, with tears running down their faces. The man also held a sword at his side. Taylor recognized the two as Alyssa's parents and stood up to help them to their seats.
Another car arrived and another Asian man walked out, helping his wife out of her seat. Two younger boys hopped out of the backseat. Mack stood to help Rose's parents find their own seats in the front.
Jason's eyes misted as he looked over at the new arrivals who found seats, even though there were not many to go around. He smiled and looked at each of the people who sat before him. He cleared his throat and took a deep breath.
"I don't really know how to start this," he said, looking around. He coughed into his hand and took another deep breath. "These four people...these four rangers have demonstrated the greatest of bravery and courage. They have given their lives to protecting the world and the entire universe from evil taking over. Being a Power Ranger is something that was and always will be a part of us. It's not something that we could change, not something that we could take back." Jason looked down. He took another deep breath. "Carlos Vallerte, black space ranger and green turbo ranger. Alyssa Enrile, the white wild force ranger. Rose Ortiz, the pink overdrive ranger. Tanya Sloan, the yellow zeo and turbo ranger. We, that is to say myself and a number of the other rangers, have chosen this place as their final resting place. For those of you who don't know, it is the site of the first Command Center, the place where Zordon, the protector of the Earth, gathered five teenagers and gave them the powers to protect the Earth. Kimberly Hart, the first pink ranger, Billy Cranston, blue ranger, Trini Kwan, yellow ranger, Zack Taylor, black ranger, and myself." He looked at each of his friends as he said his name. "This place was chosen because it is the start of our legacy. Of our legacy as Power Rangers, as the protectors of the Earth. It is the place where we, as teenagers, have always found a place to rest after a long battle. And we wish for Carlos, Alyssa, Rose, and Tanya to feel the same." Jason nodded to his audience and resumed his seat next to Trini, who buried her face into his shoulder.
Andros stood up slowly and walked to the front. He exhaled and looked at the gathering in front of him. He took a deep breath and proceeded to speak. "I'm Andros...the red space ranger. Carlos...he was a great friend. A very loyal person and very compassionate. He would always be the first one to protect his friends and teammates, even considering giving up the power to protect his friends. He will always be remembered as that person who we could all turn to, the person who we could depend on, and the person who would give his all to protect us." Andros exhaled and wiped a few tears from his eyes as he sat back down.
Sniffling echoed throughout the rows of chairs as people pulled out tissues to wipe their eyes and their noses.
Taylor stood up, walking very slowly to the front. She took a long look at Alyssa's coffin before turning around. "Alyssa is my best friend. She was always the one who kept the peace among us all and always took care of us whenever we were hurt. She was the person who I would run and tell everything to and I know she would usually do the same. She was the person who would always stand firm in what she believed in." Taylor looked at Alyssa's parents. "She loved her family very much and never wanted to disappoint them." Taylor's voice began to break as she looked at Alyssa's father with tears running down his face. "She taught a kindergarten class and they love her and she would always tell them stories about us as rangers. She loved being a ranger and she would always drop everything to help us or any of the other rangers." Taylor blew her nose into a tissue and wiped her face, taking her seat next to Eric, who rubbed her back.
Andrew clapped a hand on Mack's shoulder as he prepared to walk up to the front. Mack exhaled and began his walk to the front. "Um...I know I'm kind of new here and I'm still trying to figure out if I belong here or not...but, one thing I do know is...well, Rose...she's the smartest person I have ever known. And she's not only smart, but she was always so caring, so loving, and always willing to help others. She would never let one of us do anything by ourselves. She always wanted to be there to help, alwas trusted her instincts, and always, always defended all of us to the end." He took a deep breath and looked around before he sat back down, wiping his face.
Tommy looked down his row and Adam nodded to him. Tommy nodded in response and stood up before the crowd. He cleared his throat and looked around. "I feel bad," he said. Everyone looked up at him in surprise. "I haven't spoken to Tanya in years. Not since we both left Angel Grove years ago. But, I remember her singing all the time, she was so happy and so willing to learn new things. She moved to Angel Grove, an orphaned child, willing to take on the powers to protect the world. But she never looked back. She always moved forward and she was always willing to help. She was a great ranger and a great friend. And I regret not knowing her after high school finished, but...I will always remember her as that person who was always willing to give her all to help her friends." He sat down next to Kim.
Everyone was silent for a bit, wiping their tears and blowing their noses. In another flash of light, the four coffins disappeared and four gravestones appeared. Everyone stood up and gathered around the four gravestones. Carlos' family and the space rangers gathered around his gravestone. Andros pulled out the black power coin that Mayari had given to him and knelt down to place it gently on the face of the gravestone. In a swift movement, the coin disappeared and appeared within the face of the gravestone, showing clearly underneath Carlos' name.
Alyssa's parents gathered around her gravestone and her father embraced Taylor as she walked up. The other wild force rangers stood around the gravestone, crying and leaning against each other. Alyssa's father pulled out his sword and placed it on her gravestone. In a flash of light, it disappeared, showing an imprint of it within Alyssa's gravestone. Taylor pulled out the white tiger coin, lined in pink and gave it to Alyssa's father. "I'm sure she would've wanted you to keep it," she said. Alyssa's father tightened his fist around it and nodded, tears streaming down his face. He gave Taylor another hug.
Mack led Rose's parents to her gravestone. The three of them, along with the other overdrive rangers gathered around the gravestone. Tanya's parents were not able to attend, but her former teammates gathered around her gravestone, each of them crying and holding each other.
Everyone was gathered at the Youth Center, following the funeral. Ernie arranged for it to be closed to public, to give the rangers and their families this one time to themselves. When they arrived, everyone introduced themselves to each other, since not all of the ranger teams have met, and most especially since the families of the fallen rangers have never known that their children were rangers, aside from Alyssa's father. After the initial introductions, everyone slowly divided themselves into little groups, talking amongst themselves, catching up on lost time and reminiscing about the past.
Andros and TJ spent a long time talking to Carlos' parents, explaining how Carlos became a Power Ranger and why his sudden disappearance from Earth happened. Likewise, Mack and Will were explaining the same things to Rose's parents.
Ernie and Ms. Appleby spent a long time talking to Tommy, Rocky, Aisha, Trini, and Jason about their Power Ranger past. Ernie revealed to them that he always suspected, but was never a hundred percent sure.
Kira, Adam, and Kim were talking to each other in the corner. Kim told Kira about her decision and as much as Kira disliked it, she respected Kim for doing what she wanted to do. Kira pointed to a piano that was a part of the Youth Center so many years before.
"Come on, Kim. Besides, it's just us," Kira said.
Kim gave Kira a look as Adam looked on and smiled. "I don't know..."
Adam nodded. "Come on, Kim. You know you want to."
She looked unwary as she slowly approached the piano. Adam followed her and sat next to her on the bench. She began to play a few notes. She looked at Kira. "This is actually something that I've been working on since..." Kira nodded in response and moved her chair closer as Kim began to sing.
It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope
Which then turned into a quiet thought
Which then turned into a quiet word
The other people in the room stopped their conversations abruptly and looked at Kim at the piano.
And then that word grew louder and louder
Until it was a battle cry
I'll come back when you call me
No need to say goodbye
Tommy watched Kim, tears threatening to fall from his eyes. The past week had been some of the hardest for all of them. He didn't spend as much time with Kim as he wanted since all of them were trying to help out at the hospital, to sit with their friends in the hospital, and to get in touch with all of the other rangers for the funeral. He, Hayley, and Andros, the only ones who really kept up with most of the ranger teams, were in charge of letting the others know. They, obviously, could feel that something was wrong in the universe, but once it was explained, they all wanted to be there.
Just because everything's changing
Doesn't mean it's never
Been this way before
All you can do is try to know
Who your friends are
As you head off to the war
Jason looked around the room. He saw all of the different generations of rangers and was still amazed that the power had lasted this long. He couldn't believe that the majority of the people in this room had served at least once. The majority of the people in this room would have given up their lives in fighting evil. He saw how close every team seemed to be and was glad that everyone had formed a close bond. He knew that a part of being a ranger was to get along with the team and the friendships were an added bonus. He also knew that some of the teams were put together and was happy to be a part of a team that were already friends before they were rangers.
Pick a star on the dark horizon
And follow the light
You'll come back when it's over
No need to say goodbye
Trini felt tears stinging her eyes. Kim's song made her think about everything that has happened, although she figured the same for everyone in the room. She thought back to a couple of weeks ago, when they were all in Florida, without a care in the world. She remembered feeling a bit annoyed and irritated at Kim and Adam when they disappeared, especially when they couldn't find them for a bit when they went over to her house. She didn't say goodbye then, but Trini understood now that Kim always wanted to come back. She would always come back. And so would everyone else.
Kim played a bit more on the piano before she continued to sing.
Now we're back to the beginning
It's just a feeling that no one knows yet
But just because they can't feel it too
Doesn't mean that you have to forget
Adam listened to Kim sing the words that the two of them had spent the better part of the last week writing. He wasn't sure what to feel. He knew he was sad and grieved over the rangers that they had lost. But he was also glad that they had won, once more. He was unsure of how to feel about everything else though. Especially when Kim told him that she wanted to quit. But he knew that he would always stand by her with whatever she wanted to do. They were best friends and one thing that he knew for sure, was that it would never change.
Let your memories grow stronger and stronger
Till they're before your eyes
You'll come back
When it's over
No need to say goodbye
Kim finished her song and she heard more sniffling and people blowing their noses around the room. She was surprised that they all stopped to listen to her sing. She smiled at everyone as they resumed their previous conversations.
"That was great," Kira said, tears glistening in her eyes. She gave Adam a knowing look.
"What?" he asked.
"I heard that Kim wrote a song for you to sing."
Adam gave Kim a look. She shrugged in response and smiled. "Can you blame me for telling her? Besides, I wanted to get her opinion on it." She stood up. "Come on, Adam. You know you want to," she teased. She sat down next to Kira.
Adam rolled his eyes and cracked his knuckles before playing the piano. He looked at Kim and Kira. "Just for you two." He winked before he started to sing.
What is time?
Is it the autumn leaves that change?
Or the snow that floats from the sky?
Everyone again stopped their conversations and listened to Adam at the piano. Amy watched him with tears in her eyes, sitting next to Hayley and Billy. The three of them had been talking about how Amy knew all about the rangers know. She was glad that she was included in this, but...she couldn't help but think of how blissfully ignorant she was about everything. But she knew that if she did have a choice between that and where she is now, there is no doubt that she would be here, among a large group of former rangers, remembering those that have passed.
What is time?
Is it the air we breathe?
Or the wings that teach
The newborn bird to fly
Who can tell?
I don't know
Will we change?
Will we grow?
Aisha watched Adam at the piano. She was glad that he and Kim shared a special bond over music. She listened to the song that the two of them had been writing over the past week and thought back to the week that they have shared. She spent the majority of the week at the hospital, helping out wherever she could and sat with Tanya and Kat.
What is time?
Is it eternity in heaven?
Or just a hope for peace on earth?
Where's the time?
Gone in a blink of an eye
But with every blink
A birth
Billy thought about how true Adam and Kim's song was. He knew how much time had passed since he was last a ranger, but it seemed like it was just yesterday that he was in the Power Chamber, helping Alpha and Zordon with everything for the Zeo Powers. He felt his eyes mist a bit when he thought of how long it has been since he had last spoken with Tanya and again, felt a twinge of regret for not trying to keep in better contact with her.
We live
We learn
We love
In time
We give
We yearn
We grow
In time
Kim listened to Adam as he sang. She had spent the better part of the week persuading Adam to be the singer for this song, even though he had already agreed to. The two of them had an idea to make a benefit CD for those who have been affected by the attacks. They had not brought the idea to her record label yet, but she had a feeling that they would go for it. At least, she hoped they would.
Time for change
It's time to care
It's not too late
Don't despair
Reach inside your heart
To find the joy and love
To share with all mankind
For all we know
All we have is time
There's the end of that chapter!
Songs are: "The Call" by Regina Spektor off of the Prince Caspian soundtrack. I love that song! And the other one is "Time" by Billy Porter. I love that song, too! Everytime I hear it, I always think about when Lacey and Neil danced it during the third(?) season on So You Think You Can Dance.
Hope you all enjoyed this chapter! Please review!
