A/N: The aftermath of this battle now begins. In this chapter, the healing continues and Kim thinks about the possibility she never thought she'd even consider. Plus, Adrianna discovers a new weapon she can use against the Rangers and Conner.

A/N 2: I own nothing. Power Rangers once belonged to Saban, then they went to Disney, now they belong to Saban again.

Chapter 29: Healing

Saturday, November 13, 2004

11:45 a.m local time

1492 Valencia Drive

Reefside, CA

Zordon had said the Rangers would be OK, but what they needed was time to heal from everything they'd been through.

And time was exactly what they got.

In fact, since that last battle where they'd finally got Conner back where he belonged, they'd had a month off. That month was more than enough time for the Rangers to regroup, heal mentally and physically, and return to their lives.

Oh, there was no doubt, they knew how dangerous this extended period without a single fight was. The longer this thing went, the more sinister the plot against them might become.

The fact that they had gone over a month without a fight, especially against two ladies as ruthless as Adrianna Repulsa and Mama D, suggested that not only were the two "bitches" not dead, the next time the Rangers went to battle wasn't going to be pretty. There were probably going to be some things that rocked their world.

But they weren't complaining, because they needed the time.

Conner had gone back to his soccer and his schooling, amazingly enough without much of an issue. Apparently, Zordon's magic had done its job in keeping Cooner's schooling status alive while he was away. He still had Kira too, which helped him slowly but surely recover from his problems up on the M-51 galaxy.

That said, his Ranger senses were tingling which made him worry sometimes. He had the suspicion Adrianna was not through with him. However, for the moment his life had settled down again.

Divina took Jason'a advice as well and had gone about trying to patch things up with Trey, her first, and in her mind, her only true love. Trey wasn't married (she had mixed emotions about that), and had agreed to try again. That said, they were taking it very slow. Both agreed to not go serious with anything unless Mama D was destroyed.

They knew that if Mama D ever found out the two were in love again, they would both pay a tremendous price.

The person that needed time most of all though was Kimberly's mother. Well, her and Kimberly herself.

The extended time off had done them both a world of good. Kimberly hadn't been lying to her mother (and Pierre) when she said she needed them both if she was going to survive. Both had gone back to France to continue to live their lives, but at times, when they were able, Zordon would teleport Pierre and Caroline back to California.

Zordon had also worked with them both to help them regain a positive attitude, which he and Kim knew Caroline and Pierre needed. The healing process was coming along, but it was still ongoing.

Today was one of those Saturdays where Zordon had decided to bring Kim's parents back to California for a few hours or so. A lot of former Rangers had that Saturday off, so they were spending time around midday lounging on Tommy's back porch.

"Are you guys at all concerned that it's been, what, a month since the last attack?" Pierre asked Kimberly and Tommy in earnest. "I am not in tune that much at all with how much of this operation thinks but it seems to me that our enemies are hiding in the weeds, waiting for the right opportunity."

"They wouldn't just go away that easily I don't think," Caroline added. "Not after the crap Pierre and I went through."

"Believe me, we're thinking about that," Kimberly said. "In fact we've given it more than a lot of thought."

"Sometimes we like it better when the bad guys attack every day," Tommy added. "When they attack swiftly and suddenly then their plans generally aren't as good."

"We can attest to that," Zedd added, along with Rita. "Right before I was wed to her, and before I went to my sleeping chamber my plans just got worse and worse every day."

"Yeah, he was literally throwing things against the wall hoping they'd stick," Rita said. "Master Vile, and by extension, Mama D and Adrianna are a lot smarter than that. I am quite sure they went to lick their wounds, but they'll be back and when they are it's going to be bad."

Kim took a deep breath before she said what she was about to say. This was something she never thought she'd say.

"I can't believe I'm about to say this to you guys," Kim said which got everyone's attention, "but I am seriously considering to want to move to France when this whole thing is over."

Everyone's face formed a look of surprise. Even Pierre and Caroline looked stricken by this revelation.

"You can't, Kim!" Aisha cried. "What about everything you've built here?"

"That would make life impossible for Tommy too," Jason added. "He can't just up and leave his students!"

"I appreciate the thought, Cherie, but I must agree with them," Caroline said. "You were in such a tough situation and have come out of it very well. I don't think it would be fair for you to leave everything you've built."

"Perhaps I'm overreacting, but I just want to get away from this whole Ranger thing if I can when this is over," Kim said. "It's one thing if alien invaders are fighting us just because it's business and they want to conquer, but I can't take when someone is angry because a family member couldn't beat us. It just sticks in my craw and always will."

"You've reached your breaking point," Divina suggested.

"Yep," Kimberly said. "It's one thing if alien invaders come and want the Earth, I can accept that. I can even accept that they would want to get rid of Tommy and I because we're arguably the two best ever. I can even understand capturing our friends and trying to lure us to our doom by holding them hostage."

"But to put my family in such a pitiful state and make my mother a pawn in such a sick game, not to mention what Conner went through, I'm not sure how much more I can handle," Kim said.

Tommy looked at her with sympathy and love all at once. A pall was suddenly cast over the Oliver residence.

"It's sad to say but they've completely changed the rules," Ninjor said. "Taking civilians and making them evil is something villains always do. But not even villains like Dark Specter would take someone's parents and do what they did to them and to you, my Crane."

"As much as Caroline and I would love that, Cherie, neither she nor I can ask you to move to Paris full time," Pierre said. "I realize that nothing you've ever faced has been as bad as this, but you can't just up and quit."

"I agree with him, however I think a compromise can be reached," Caroline said. "Perhaps once or twice a year, when you have an opportunity to get away from your jobs, you can always come to our place for sanctuary."

Kimberly mulled it over for a few minutes. As much as she wanted to get away from this once and for all, she knew her parents and friends were right.

This good vs evil business was very cutthroat, and it had caused her a lot of pain when it didn't need to happen, but there was no way she could just leave. Besides, her gymnastics business was booming too.

However, the offer put forth was still a good one, in her estimation.

"I like that idea," Kimberly said. "We can put that into effect if...when...this is all over."

However, what was to come next was a series of events that would have made Kimberly want to move to Paris on the spot.

Sunday, November 14, 2004

M-51 Galaxy, unknown location

"It can't be, Doctor," Adrianna Repulsa breathed, unbelieving to what she'd just heard.

"You may be in disbelief, Your Majesty but it is true. There is no doubt," the doctor who was looking over Adrianna's condition told her. "You are pregnant. Not far, but about four weeks along."

A few days ago, Adrianna had started feeling nauseous, even light headed at times. She hadn't felt that way in a very long time, if ever. Mama D had noticed it, obviously, and being her close friend had decided to accompany her to see Adrianna's registered doctor.

Adrianna looked over at Mama D who had made the trip with her. Mama D was smiling, for what reason Adrianna knew not. To her, there was nothing to celebrate about this.

They were just getting their army back in good shape after the devastating defeat about a month earlier, and now this came up. She had sworn after the last defeat that when her army was ready, she was going to tear the Rangers apart personally. Now, that wasn't going to happen in her mind, for a while if ever.

The doctor hurried away to get some papers, and Adrianna glared at Mama D.

"The hell are you smiling about?" Adrianna snapped harshly. "Do you realize what this means? Now I can't go into battle for many weeks against those punks if ever!"

"I should be asking you the same question," Mama D responded, smirk crossing her evil features. "Do YOU know what this means?"

"I guess I don't, so enlighten me," Adrianna snapped. Mama D sighed; Adrianna was normally pretty smart but this time she didn't see the forest from the trees.

"Let me spell it out for you," Mama D said. "You won't have to go attack them. We now have the one weapon that can not only get you the Red Dino Thunder Ranger back but bring the Rangers to their knees."

"Do you remember who you last had sex with?" Mama D continued.

Adrianna's face suddenly turned from confusion to smiles. Mama D nodded, she finally got her point across.

"You're telling me Conner is the father of this child," Adrianna said, more of a statement than a question.

"Is there any doubt?" Mama D shot back.

Adrianna suddenly relaxed. Her attitude had suddenly changed just like that.

"You know, I'd love to go attack them now, but come to think of it, I have better things to do," she said. "Like, taking care of my child and making plans to get my man back."

"I agree, although Dischordia and Croonia won't be happy about the delay," Mama D said.

"Eh, I really couldn't give a rat's behind what they think," Adrianna shot back. "When I'm a little further along in my pregnancy and it's completely visible, then I'll put my plan into action."

"They'll either destroy the Rangers and get me Conner back, or they'll get destroyed and I show my face to Conner and drop this little bombshell," she said, clutching her stomach. "Either way, I win."

Monday, December 13, 2004

2:45 p.m local time

1492 Valencia Drive

Reefside, CA

Tommy groaned inwardly as the alarm sounded in his lab, where he was currently working. He was by himself today, literally, well, except for Zordon who was standing nearby.

Today, he didn't even have classes to teach because it was finals week at Reefside High for this semester. His finals classes wouldn't take place for another two days; he had finals classes Wednesday through Friday then he was done till 2005.

"It looks like some old friends are back," Zordon said; Tommy knew Zordon's voice dripped with sarcasm when he said "friends."

Zordon wasn't kidding either.

Dischordia and Croonia, who had recently had the Rangers number, were back looking for more trouble apparently.

"They're going down today, finally," Tommy said. "They whipped our butts a couple times, now they want more. We'll give them more than they can handle. I'll get Kim, you get the other Rangers. Have them meet me downtown," Tommy said.

Zordon nodded, while Tommy moved into position, ready to morph for what he hoped was the last showdown between the Rangeres and these two dangerous, off key ladies.

He also probably knew something even more sinister was lurking behind this attack but he couldn't worry about that for now. There was a city he and the others had to protect.

"It's Morphin Time! White Ranger Power!"

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