Solution
Bored. Z was bored. She was sitting in the Common Room sipping juice from a cup. A few minutes ago, Kat had informed Z that the scientists from KO-35 would arrive to Earth and send Z back to her own world. But because KO-35 was in another galaxy, it would take time for the scientists to arrive. For the time being, Z would wait. As Z sat there and stared out the window, her thoughts wandered back to the little discovery she had found in this world.
I can't believe this world's Sky and Bridge are together, Z thought. I wonder if Sky and Bridge feel the same back home. Z sighed, shaking her head at the thought of her two closest friends secretly in love with each other. While it seemed a little absurd to Z, she couldn't help but think that it also felt right. Z recalled the times where she would notice Sky and Bridge together, laughing and messing around with each other. One time, Z caught the two hugging each other after a particular bad day with an alien attack. Maybe, just maybe.
Z broke out of her thoughts when the doors to the Common Room opened and Sky walked in. He walked over to Z's table and sat down across from her.
"Hey, how's it going?" Z asked.
"It's alright," Sky replied. "How are you feeling?"
"Okay. Although, I am feeling homesick for my world, and I'm bored out of my mind waiting for help," Z answered and gave a little chuckle.
"That's understandable," Sky said.
"Hey, do you mind if I ask you something?" Z put her cup of juice aside.
"Sure."
"Why did you fall in love with Bridge?"
Sky tensed. He was not expecting that kind of question. "What do you mean?"
"What I mean, is, what was it about Bridge that made you develop feelings for him?" Z clarified.
Sky sat there and thought about his answer before replying. "Well, when I first met Bridge, I thought he was the most irritating, scatter-brained, rambling, eccentric person I have ever met."
"Wow, you've got a way with words," Z joked.
"Yeah," Sky replied. "Anyways, after a few months of getting to know Bridge, I began to realize that the things I hated about him are what make him the most incredible, smart, fun loving, and down-to-earth guy. Bridge might sound like he's making no sense, but with his kind of intuition and intelligence, he's got one of the most unique minds out there."
"He sure does," Z agreed with a smile.
"He's also one of the strongest people I know. His powers might be a burden to him from time to time, but he pushes through that and always has a smile on his face. He'd always figure out a way to get control of himself. Well, that is until…"Sky grew tense again. He looked out the window and took a deep breath.
"It's okay. I know now. We don't have to talk about that," Z said trying to comfort Sky.
Sky turned back to Z and smiled at her. "Thanks. As I was saying, Bridge became one of the most unique people I have grown to admire. Soon, that admiration for Bridge turned to love. Everything about Bridge, his smile, his intellect, his good heart, and his overall quirkiness, are what made me fall in love with him. That's why I fell in love with Bridge."
Z let a small tear slide down from her eye. It was a tear of both happiness, and sadness. Happiness at the fact that Sky and Bridge had found love in each other, and sadness at the couple's current situation. "I hope the two of you are reunited someday."
"Thank you," Sky said softly.
"You're welcome," Z replied.
The two sat there in a comfortable silence when the speakers in the Common Room came to life, and Kat's voice spoke through. "Rangers, report to the Command Center. There is an attack on the city."
"Looks like you're needed. Go, I'll be fine here," Z said.
Sky nodded, got up from the table, and ran out of the room leaving Z behind.
"Thank you. I'll inform the Commander." Kat sighed and shut off the communicator she was using.
The doors to Kat's lab opened and Cruger walked in. "Any news, Kat?"
"Yes, actually," Kat replied and turned to face Cruger. "But I'm not sure if it could be counted as good or bad news."
"What is it?" Cruger asked.
"Well, Professor Galatea, the head scientist on KO-35, and the one who began the creation of interdimensional traveling, informed me that her team may be able to reopen the vortex Z was sucked into," Kat began.
"Mhm, go on." Cruger slowly nodded his head.
"Well, we have the device that created the vortex. All I have to do is send it back to Professor Galatea and she and her team will repair it. In addition, after they repair it, they might have to recalibrate the device," Kat finished.
"Which means, more waiting," Cruger said.
"Yes."
Cruger shook his head. "The Rangers won't like this. But at least it will be something to ease their concerns."
"I'm going to send the device back to KO-35," Kat informed Cruger.
"Very well. I'm going to inform the Rangers of the news." With that said, Cruger walked out of Kat's lab and was off to find the Rangers.
It didn't take much effort for Cruger to find the Rangers, because he decided to check if the Rangers were in there, and lo and behold, they were. Darian and Syd were sitting at a table talking, while Sky and Bridge were playing a video game.
"Rangers," Cruger said. All four Rangers stopped what they were doing and approached Cruger, saluting him. "At ease."
"Is there something you need, Commander?" Darian asked.
"No. Actually, I'm here to inform you all on the status of Z's retrieval," Cruger revealed.
"What is it?" Syd asked clasping her hands together.
"Kat informed me that she will have to send the orb that created the vortex back to the scientists on KO-35. There, they will repair the device and see if they can recreate the vortex that sucked in Z," Cruger answered.
"So...that means we have to wait? Even more so than we have already been doing?" Bridge inquired.
"Unfortunately, yes. The technology we are dealing with is rather complicated. I know you all want Z home. I myself want her back here, now. But we must remain patient. As you were." Cruger turned on his feet and exited the room.
"Great, more waiting." Darian plopped himself down on one of the couches and leaned his head back.
"I know. We can't keep affording to wait. I'm really worried about Z. What if something has already happened to her?" Syd took a seat next to Darian.
Sky and Bridge took seats on a couch right across from Darian and Syd.
"Guys, we just have to think positive. Remember, Z is a Ranger, she can handle herself," Bridge assured his friends.
"I don't know anymore, Bridge. I want to believe that Z is alright, but the more we have to wait to help her, the more I keep thinking that her life is in danger," Sky countered.
"Come on. Don't think like that, any of you. Don't give up on Z like this. I bet she wouldn't be acting like this if one of us was in her position," Bridge said.
The others were quiet, thinking about what Bridge had said. The impatience and worry was indeed getting to them to the point where they already assumed the worst of their friend. Bridge looked to each of his friends' faces, noting the guilty expressions that had now been plastered on them. Bridge didn't meant to make them feel guilty, but he knew he was right to point out that the team's worried feelings were getting to them.
"Just have faith in Z."
"Ugh, how long have I been here now?" Z groaned out loud. She was currently sitting upside down on one of the couches in the room and staring into random spots. "Maybe I should've gone out to help the others in battle. At least I would have something to keep me entertained."
The doors to the Common Room opened and Sky, Darian, Adrian, Ashlee, and Samantha walked in.
"Hey, welcome back," Z greeted and positioned herself to an upright seated position on the couch. Sky and Darian sat next to her while Adrian, Ashlee, and Samantha took seats on another couch.
"Hey. Were you bored waiting for us?" Adrian teased.
"You have no idea," Z replied.
"Well, now that we're all here, we can keep you entertained. So tell us, what's your world like?" Samantha asked.
"A lot like yours, except for a few things here and there," Z answered.
"You mean the whole dead thing?" Darian suggested.
Z nodded. "Yeah, that one is still a shocker to me."
"I bet. So, what's the Sky and Darian in your world like? Are they the same as these two?" Adrian pointed to his world's Sky and Darian.
"Actually, yes. Of course, Darian is the Green Ranger in my world and Sky is pretty much the same as yours," Z responded. "Well, except for one thing."
"Oh, what's that?" Samantha inquired.
"Your Sky being in a relationship with Bridge."
"WHAT?!" Adrian, Ashlee, and Samantha said simultaneously.
"Oh man, I'm sorry." Z turned to Sky. "I thought they knew."
"It's okay. They never asked." Sky shrugged.
"Wait. You're in a relationship with Bridge? The same Bridge who accidentally killed Z and Syd?" Ashlee asked.
Sky nodded, his lips pursed.
Z saw his expression and turned to the other three. "Yeah, let's not talk about that. The important thing here, is that your world's Sky and Bridge are together and my Sky and Bridge are not."
"Darian, you knew about this?" Adrian asked.
"Yeah. I found out some time after I was put into B-Squad. Don't really care. I've got nothing against homosexuals," Darian informed. "That's not a problem for you three, is it?"
The other three Rangers were quiet when the a voice suddenly spoke through the speakers inside the room. "Rangers and Z, report to the Command Center. I repeat, Rangers and Z, report to Command," Kat's voice boomed through the speakers.
"We'll talk later about this, let's go." Sky got up followed by the others. "Maybe it's time for you to head home," he said to Z.
"I hope."
The Rangers and Z entered the Command Center to find Cruger, Kat, and three strangers inside, two women and one male. One of the woman had navy blue hair and wore round glasses.
"Ah, Rangers, Z. I'd like you all to meet Professor Galatea and her assistants from KO-35." Cruger gestured to the three people.
"Hello, Rangers. It is an honor to meet you. I am Professor Galatea," the woman with navy blue hair said. "These are my assistants, Maleorna." She gestured to the other woman with light orange hair. "And this is Creteon." She gestured to the man with a shaved head.
"Hello. It's a pleasure to have you here," Sky greeted.
"Z, Professor Galatea is the one who developed the interdimensional technology of our world. She and her team are here to send you home," Kat said with a smile.
"Finally." Z was relieved. "But that doesn't mean I didn't enjoy the time I spent here waiting," she quickly added looking to the others.
"It's fine, Z, we understand," Darian assured her.
"So, you can really send me home?" Z asked.
"Yes, we can," Professor Galatea assured.
Z smiled. I'm finally heading home.
Well, I hope you enjoyed the chapter. I didn't mention this before, but this story is meant to be a short one. But like I said, there is more to come. What I mean by that is that there will be a sequel! Actually, this story is the first part of a trilogy! That is all I will say. So stay tuned!