A/N: I know in the last chapter it wasn't mentioned whether Kim did or did not tell the other rangers about Cole. It was will be addressed in this chapter.

Episode: 'The Strange Case of the Munchies'

Chapter 24- The Relocation

Xxxxx

One Month Later
Hart the Boutique
Panorama City, CA

"We should stop here, before we head home."

Although Mia and Emily had been shopping for the past two hours, they still wanted to stop at Kim's store. Unlike their first time here, they were in street clothes and ready to spend the rest of their monthly allowance on some more outfits. They stepped inside and took a look around. Expectantly, a few pieces got their attention. Both picked out dresses, skinny jeans, graphic tees and blouses and headed straight for the dressing rooms. Once again, they engaged in a fashion show and had fun grooving to the music that was softly playing.

Emily stood in front of the floor length mirror. She grunted, performing a karate chop and swore she did look tough.

Earlier, the Yellow ranger was sparring with Mike. For a good twenty minutes, they grappled. As sweat formed on their bodies, Mike continued with offensive techniques, and she attacked furiously. She did have a soft moment when she thought she hurt her crush intensively, but that wasn't the case. He used her fluffiness as a tactic and grabbed her arms to pull her over his body. She landed on her back with a thump. Kevin confessed that she was just 'too nice'. That kind of hurt her feelings because she knew she could handle herself.

She's been handling herself.

This was her sister's position, yet her sister was sick, so she became the Yellow ranger in her place. When Negatron, a Nighlock from awhile back, hurled hurtful insults, she was able to ignore them. She's kept up with the rest of them and hasn't asked for much assistance in battle. Mia's comment, at another store, further added a little bit of uncertainty though. She wondered, if Jayden, Mike, and Antonio had similar thoughts like Kevin and Mia. She shrugged it off, and she separated three pieces she wanted to buy.

Mia exited her dressing room. She placed the clothes she didn't want to purchase on the racks and met up with Emily. She excitedly held up a graphic tee she adored along with a pair of skinny jeans. She headed to the registers, stopped to check on the jewelry pieces and finally walked up to the counter. She smiled when she saw a fellow lover of pink. "Hello, Mrs. Oliver," she happily greeted.

The owner shook her head playfully. "You can call me Kim," she insisted, as she rang her up. She peered over to see, each, had already four bags already in their hands. "Retail therapy?" She continued working.

The Pink ranger nodded. "Yeah. This month has been particularly hard, if you know what I mean," she answered secretly. "Not too long ago we fought until three in the morning," she told her about the Samurai rangers' encounter with Duplicator.

Emily second the answer. "It was a pretty harsh fight. We weren't sure which one was the real Nighlock, but she," her right finger went to Mia's direction, "reminded us to never give up, no matter how hard it is," she patted her best friend on the back. She admired Mia for everything she's done thus far.

Jayden's girlfriend converged her brows upon looking at the total. "Mrs. Oliver," the Crane gave her a stern look. "I mean, Kim, that can't be right." The amount was literally ten percent the actual retail value.

The older woman didn't think anything of it. It was like payback to the girls for saving the world. Once Mia cheerfully paid, she rang up Emily. "So, how's everything back at home," she curiously queried.

"Like, our home, where we came from, or the Shiba House," Emily needed specification.

Kim smiled. "The Shiba House," she replied. Honestly, Kim was engaging in small talk, as she wanted to delve into more questions concerning the Nighlock that was battling her son. He was called Deker, but she knew him as Cole.

For a month, she hasn't said anything about her encounter with him. She's been swept up in the fury of opening a store, being a mom, wife, and trying to keep her head afloat through stressful times. On the other hand, she felt guilty with not mentioning anything to Cole's wife, Alyssa. She needed more evidence, as if seeing him face to face wasn't enough. One that particular day, she had been tired, under much duress, and possibly someone who looked like Cole was Deker. That was plausible. She had an inkling she was making excuses, avoiding the inevitable, because she didn't want to believe he was evil. She partly blamed herself for doing this to him.

If Cole and Alyssa hadn't moved to Atlanta, on her behalf, then, maybe, he wouldn't be this rampaging monster; when his wife was at home taking care of three kids!

After Cole's second disappearance, Alyssa spiraled into a deep depression. She just didn't understand what was going on with her husband. She actually believed she was at fault, but the ever supporting, past rangers disagreed. There were a hand few that regularly checked on her and the kids. They often had home cooked meals cooked for her, would take the kids, so Alyssa got a break, or were there to give her company.

Taylor Myers, best friend to Alyssa, former Yellow Wild Force ranger, and wife to Red Quantum ranger, Eric, stepped in and helped with the family matters the most. Alyssa was thankful that she wasn't alone, but she still wished her husband was with her.

Kim would that make that happen.

"Your store is great," Emily beamed, as she handed over money. She got the same discount as Mia.

"Thank you," the Crane acknowledged, and she looked at the time. "Why don't we go out to lunch?"

The current, female rangers eagerly jumped on the chance. Kim told her highest ranked employee to watch after the store, while she was out. The trio headed over to the closest outdoor cafe, ordered their lunch and sat at a circular table. They discussed various topics like: Mia and Emily's life before the power, Kim's tenure as a ranger, and what the future had in store for each of them. They were getting to know each other on a more personal level.

Kim took a liking to both young ladies, and she gave Mia the 'stamp of approval' for her son. "Were you and Jayden able to work things out," Jayden's mom asked, after swallowing a french fry.

Jayden's girlfriend nodded. "Yes, we were able to work through our differences, and I'm so happy," she gushed with a smile. After they walked away from the Oliver family, they apologized for their actions and admitted they missed each other. Mia did admit to Jayden that she would love for him to be her first. "We've been dating for about seven months now," she happily relayed. She looked at Emily, who appeared to be sad. "What's wrong?"

"Mike. I really like him, but he doesn't seem to notice me," Jayden's other female teammate answered, hurt clearly displayed in her hazel eyes. "He gave me such a cute birthday present, but he hasn't me on a date." Though Mentor clearly stated there was to be no dating in the Shiba House, she hoped Mentor would lighten up on the rest of them, since her leader and best friend were openly dating. She thought Mentor was being biased, in that sense, and would like to further her stand with Mike. The Green ranger and her were such a great team, genuinely enjoyed each one another's company, and her knees have buckled once or twice over his handsome grin. She really did like him.

"He has noticed you," Mia vouched sincerely. She held some guilt. It wasn't fair that her and Jayden could easily flaunt their boyfriend-girlfriend status, but Emily and Mike couldn't act on their clear affection for one another. She wanted to speak to Mentor about that. "I don't agree with the rules either."

"What rules," Kim asked, as she looked between the two. "There are house rules?" She was thankful, since Mentor Ji appeared to be a stern man, yet her son and Mia were in a relationship. With Mentor around, she was positive her son and the Pink ranger wouldn't take it a step too far. As a mother, that was a great thing to know. She held the same opinion as her husband; she didn't want them to engage in sexual relations so soon. If they encountered the same roadblock, as she and Tommy did, she wouldn't know what to do or how to react. "What are they?"

"The standard, up by 6, train, eat, train, battle, and pretty much no fraternization," the Yellow ranger responded. She casted a sideways look towards Mia.

"But, the last rule had to change, right? If you and Jayden are openly dating, then that means the others should be able to, as well," Kim speculated with interest. She prayed that Mentor Ji wasn't playing favorites.

Mia shrugged. "I'm not too positive, but I do believe Mike and Emily be able to date," she answered Kim's query. "You and Mike make such a cute a couple, and I want to see you happy."

As Emily thanked Mia, Kim gave her two cents. "Trust me, when I say, it's better to date a teammate. You can talk to them about stuff you can't with a regular guy. I've also heard, from other female rangers, that dating a regular guy is boring." She wondered if they caught her drift. Seeing that they didn't, she explained. "We have residual powers, so when it comes to, you know, doing the deed, the extra powers come in handy." Emily and Mia's eyes widened in surprise, and they began to giggle like little school girls. Kim laughed with them too. After the excited laughter died down, she asked them about Deker. "Hey, that monster, or what do you guys call them?"

"Nighlocks," Mia and Emily supplied in unison.

"Right, Nighlocks. One, in particular, caught my eye. You guys call him Deker," Kim stated cautiously.

"The Half Human, Half Nighlock," the current Pink ranger knowingly elaborated. "He can travel from the Netherworld to this world with no problem; he doesn't get dried out like other Nighlocks."

"I see," the first Pink ranger of Earth let the information register for a bit. "What's his purpose? Does he have one," she asked some more questions, and they appeared confused. "Oh, I was able to see a battle, and he seemed pretty fierce. Especially against the Red ranger.

The current Pink ranger bobbed her head. "He wants the ultimate duel, and Jayden has fought him on his own." She picked at her food, searching for the crispiest fry, and missed Kim's mortified face.

Emily nodded, providing additional information about Deker. "Jayden did fight him, and he won. We thought Deker was gone, but that's not the case. We fought him recently, and he's more ruthless than ever. It seems like the time away has made him more evil."

"When did the fight between Jayden and Deker happen," the older woman asked them.

"About four months ago," the current Yellow ranger replied.

"I saw something before," Mia spoke about Dayu's past. "It's the sword, Urumasa. He was the one controlling Deker. Now, that we know Uruamasa's broken, someone else must be causing him to act more eviler than before."

Kim absorbed the back story of Deker like a sponge. It was beginning to make sense. The time Deker 'died' must've been the time Cole unexpectedly returned back home. She needed to give this pertinent evidence to her husband, gather up rangers and go from there.

"Was there a reason you wanted to know," Mia queried, observing that her predecessor appeared to be in deep thought.

Suddenly, the Yellow and Pink's Samuraizers rang simultaneously. They quickly answered and were informed there was a Nighlock on the loose. Grinataur, a monster that would cause people to overeat, was actually in their vicinity. The male rangers were en route to their location. After they ended their phone call, Mia and Emily quickly grabbed their shopping bags, alerted Kim to get out of there, and said their goodbyes to her.

Kim wished them luck. She hastily ran back to her store, hoping to catch a slight glimpse of her son. Once she saw him, running with the rest of his team, she brightly smiled and moved faster than before.

Xxxxx

Later that Night
Shiba House—Kitchen

"I think I'm going to throw up," Mia ran ahead of the others and immediately entered the house.

Just an hour ago, they defeated Grinataur. Minus Emily, his black sand hit the rangers. The occupant of the Sanzu River dried out, before he tried to shoot at Emily. The rangers began to suffer the side effects, once they were out of their power suits. As soon as they arrived back to the Shiba House, they involuntarily and desperately ravaged the kitchen. Whatever food Jayden, Kevin, Mike, Antonio and Mia saw, they grabbed for. The five of them stuffed their faces, accumulating enough calories for three days, even enough to cause someone to vomit due to the excess, but they couldn't help themselves.

Emily's, somewhat free afternoon, was occupied with helping Bulk and Spike train in the ways of the Samurai. The two traveled to the Shiba House, since they found Mia's wallet on a street in downtown. They were amazed to see how the actual Samurai rangers trained and wanted a session. She proved herself to be a force alright, as the two civilians quivered in her presence. Furthermore, they exclaimed she was a tough cookie much to her excitement. Once the gap sensor went off, she left for the battle, aiding the Red ranger, who was being stubborn and fighting through the spell. For the first time, she morphed into Super Samurai Mode and broke the black magic that held onto her team. While in Super Megamode, she took control and formed the Samurai Gigazord. Under her command, the rangers defeated the Nighlock. She definitely felt vindication when they won. Her friends did underestimate her, and they apologized for doing so.

"I'm pooped," Emily drearily commented, as she across from Mentor, who was in the kitchen.

He warmly smiled at her. "We had quite the adventure, here, didn't we," he questioned. He watched, as the occupants of the house filed into the kitchen.

Mike scrounged around the kitchen but realized their food supply was depleted. Jayden and Antonio were ready to play chess. Kevin quizzically looked at everyone and everything. Mia was the last to enter. She appeared alright, and her wallet was returned to her. She gave a thankful smile to Mentor and Emily.

"Mentor, I need to speak with you about something, later," the Pink ranger informed. Mentor nodded they could speak when she was ready. "Great," she turned and walked out of the kitchen. As Mia headed back to her room, to safely place her wallet in her purse, she was pulled to the side by Jayden. "Jay, I thought you were in the kitchen," she pondered, intently looking at him; he was frazzled about something."What is it?"

The Red ranger took a deep breath. "Are you okay," he questioned earnestly.

The Pink ranger nodded she was. "We must've been hit by the monster. I ate beforehand, and with all that extra food, in my system, I just threw it up. Why," she answered with an inquiry.

"I was just concerned. That's all," he replied with a smile. He grabbed Mia's arm and pulled her intimately against him. A tendril of ebony hair cascaded in front of his girlfriend's doe brown eyes. He moved it away. "I'm sorry, if I'm being overprotective," he apologized.

"You're not," she was, now, worried about him. She was dumbfounded. He's never acted like this before. "Jayden..."

The words of the previous Reds stuck with him. Clearly, he took it to heart. Yet, they didn't discuss how love could affect battles. He didn't want to say he was obsessed with Mia's security, but it was blatantly on his mind. How did they deal with that? He shook his head of the thought. He would always be there to protect her, even if she could handle herself. He loved her a lot, and he didn't want to see her hurt. When she admitted she would lose her virginity to him, then, he supposed that's when their relationship changed. "Nothing," he quickly changed the subject. "How about we eat something healthy tonight," he offered.

Mia agreed. "Thanks, I'd like that," she kissed his cheek and left to her room.

As Jayden watched her escape, he sighed and retreated back to the kitchen to play a game of chess, patiently waiting for her to come.

Xxxxx

Lightspeed Aquabase II
Main Room
Mariner Bay, CA

After the successful, final battle of the Lightspeed Rangers, the rangers got to work in rebuilding their base of operations. With extra help and funding, they spent the next two years making this fully functional once more. The base protectively housed all of the Lightspeed Morphers, along with Battilizers, arsenal and ranger cycles. Currently, it was a private training ground for a specialized team in the Navy.

Just last month, Captain Mitchell officially retired. He wanted to use his free time to spend with his grandchildren and loving wife. He relinquished his title and all command of the base to his son, Ryan, former Titanium Lightspeed ranger. It was an honor for Ryan to take over for his father, but he still needed assistance. He appointed Carter to be his second in command. Just like their ranger days, they worked wonderfully together.

Currently, there were several past rangers present for a meeting that Tommy and Kim were conducting. Ryan, his wife, Kelsey, past Yellow Lightspeed ranger, Carter, and Dana were there. In addition, Taylor and Eric showed up.

"There is a reason for this meeting," Kim updated, and she looked at her husband for support. He gently squeezed her hand. "I've found Cole."

The previous rangers quizzically stared at her. Their jaws invisibly dropped to the ground. That's how shocked they looked. They whispered privately that 'this couldn't be', 'how is this possible', and 'where was he'. There were plenty of questions with no answers. They kept speaking on the matter though.

"Ahem," Tommy noticeably cleared his throat. He was given their undivided attention, not too long later. "I was just told of this recently," he confessed, and the others inquisitively stared at him. He was in the dark, just like the rest of them. Yesterday, his wife came home, admitted she saw Cole, and she wanted to gather some, as she wanted to keep this low key, rangers together for a meeting. He called Carter, and the Red Lightspeed ranger said to meet him at the Aquabase, where Ryan and Kelsey were. After they arrived, Kim advised her husband to call Taylor and Eric. He gathered the rangers, but his wife was presiding. "Kim, where did you see him?"

"In Panorama City," she truthfully replied, and she informed them of the story the female Samurai rangers spoke to her about. "Something else has taken over him. He didn't even recognize me, and he was on the verge of attacking me."

"What," Tommy interjected with malice. He slowly twisted his head to see his wife, his hands gravely gripping the table they were at, and he took a deep breath. He didn't care if Cole, the not so Rookie, was one of his confidants and closest friends. When his wife was concerned, and she was about to get hurt, that was a line no one should cross.

"Tommy, it was awhile back," Kim shook her head. "When it happened, Jayden stepped in somehow. I never did get hurt."

"Shouldn't Alyssa be here," Eric questioned them. He believed, since she was Cole's wife, she should know her husband is alive. Just because he's under a spell, that doesn't mean Alyssa woulnd't want to see him. As Taylor's husband, he's seen the White Wild Force ranger almost every day, if not, every other day. Tommy and Kim haven't, and he could personally vouch that she needed some peace of mind.

"Yeah, why didn't you ask us to bring Alyssa," Taylor lividly asked, abrasiveness clearly laced in her voice. As Alyssa's best friend, she was looking out for her. "She deserves to know."

Kelsey rose her hand, trying to diffuse the possible tension at hand. "Well, think about it. If Cole didn't recognize Kim, what if that happens with Alyssa," she queried seriously. "If their magic was like anything Vypra's, Loki, Impus/Prince Olympius or Diabolico's, then it's some pretty heavy stuff. He seems to be way gone." She was concerned about Alyssa. She's visited her, and she didn't look to well.

Her husband agreed. "Tommy should know that. I know that," he spoke about how he felt about being evil. "They have the power to brainwash, make you think things that aren't true are true, and it's hard to break free from. It's going to hurt Alyssa even more, if her husband looks at her like a stranger," Ryan pointed out.

"We have to think of a way to break this spell. Then, bring him home safely," was Carter's opinion about the matter.

"Right, she doesn't need to know this. She's already stressing with taking care of three kids and trying to put on a brave face for them too. The last thing she needs to know is that her husband is fighting on the side of evil," Dana argued. "Can you imagine what would happen if she finds out!?"

A verbal fight ensued between the people that wanted to tell Alyssa the truth, and the people that didn't want to say a single thing to Alyssa. 'I'm Alyssa's best friend', 'Think about how Alyssa would feel', 'We know what's best', 'No, you think you do', was forcefully shouted. Then, came, what they thought, was the true reason for Cole's disappearance. 'If they hadn't moved, then none of this would've happened'. Six pairs of eyes whipped towards Tommy and Kim's direction.

"If Cole, Alyssa, and their kids stayed in Turtle Cove, then he wouldn't be under this spell," Eric voiced, his anger growing by the second. "All because you two were searching for your son. You sent people away and look what happened."

"They could've come home at any time," Kim defended angrily, as she dangerously glared at Eric. "Don't you start with me, Myers!"

Tommy remained mum on the situation. He was thinking on how to clean up the mess they were in.

"Excuse me," Taylor intervened, and she pushed her way through a couple of men to confront Kim. "What did you just say?"

Even though Taylor had a few inches over Kim, the Crane would never cower. "You heard me," she informed with a pitch reminiscent to her time on Muranthias. "I did want them home, but if they chose to stay, then that's not my problem!" Her eyes flickered pink irately.

Eric huffed under his breath. "They did so because of your husband," he retorted. "They wanted to please the, oh so, 'Greatest Power Ranger ever," he taunted.

Guilt was on Kim's face and riddled throughout her body. She readily held herself accountable for her actions. She knew asking several ranger families to relocate was wrong, but they did so on their own volition. It wasn't like she held a gun to their head and demanded they do so. They just did it. She couldn't do this anymore and thought about escaping. She'd figure a way to bring Cole back, on her own. "Tommy, let's go," she huskily whispered with tears threatening to fall.

"Look, Kim's right," Ryan hoped to deflect the attention from her and Tommy to him. "We were one of the families that did leave our comfortable home," he signaled him and his wife. "We wanted to help Tommy and Kim in our own way. We went to our predetermined city and investigated."

"And we moved back, even before we found out he was nearby," Kelsey added. "What happened to Cole was by chance. We don't know what exactly was in the forest he was camping in, or how he was found and singled out. They were in Atlanta, for goodness sake, after several months, he mysteriously returned to Turtle Cove. Then, leaves again, and, now, he's in Panorama City! It's obvious was being followed."

"They must want Cole, for a reason," Dana figured, while she thought about the situation some more. "Kim and Tommy aren't to blame for this."

Kim mouthed her thanks to Ryan, Kelsey and Dana. She sat back in her seat. "He was with another Nighlock. That's what the are called. If he was working with that Nighlock, who happens to think Deker is her lover from the past," the others eyes bugged in recognition of what she was saying, "...who is to say Alyssa wouldn't get hurt?"

Taylor considerably softened over hearing the reasons. They all genuinely cared for Alyssa, and they didn't want to see her in pain anymore. "Alright, so what's the plan," she asked them, while she went to sit with her husband. He consoled her, making sure she did calm down. "Are the rangers going to handle this, or are we going to help Cole?"

Tommy easily read his wife's eyes, overheard how the others felt about him sending families to different locations, which intruded on their personal lives. He made a choice. "We're moving to Panorama City," he volunteered. He heard the shocking gasps of his friend and wife. He nodded this was best. "We'll keep watch on the city, along with the rangers, and look out for Cole."

"Are you sure," Carter asked, bewildered by the sudden move. "What about your job, your daughter's gym, and the house that you guys live in?"

"Are you doing this for Alyssa's sake, or for your guys'," Eric pondered about an ulterior motive.

"I guess a little bit of both," Tommy answered, while wiping down the back of his neck. After the night of Kim's opening party, he's been thinking quite a bit. His wife was obviously upset; she wasn't able to admit the truth. His daughter had this hurtful look in her eye, and he was felt responsible for putting it there. He enjoyed giving advice to Jayden and wished to be in the same city as him now. It was obvious his son needed a father, and he wanted to be that father. With those factors, along with Cole being a half human-half whatever, he did feel an obligation to fix the situation. Therefore, it was time he moved his family to Panorama City. "Cole has always been on my mind. I've been worrying about him, even when he came back home. Now, to know, he's there and under a spell, I want to break it."

Kim was appalled. When she first thought about moving to Panorama City, her husband denied her the chance to do so. Even, discreetly calling the move 'frivolous'. She wondered what changed his mind. "Tommy, are sure," she asked.

The Falcon openly discussed his decision more. "We'll keep the house in Reefside. We'll find a house to rent, transfer the kids to schools out there, and I'll find part time work in the city," he concluded.

"Take Tristan out of his daycare," Kim pondered, not liking the idea. "You know how he gets around new people."

"And how do you know you'll be around Cole," Carter threw out there. "Tommy, don't do this on impulse." As rangers, it was necessary to be quick thinking while on duty, but, as a parent, and when children are involved, that was a hard task. There was more that needed to be done, even more planning.

"However, because it's such short notice, I think it's best to have a teleportation module built. It will be easier for Sophia, Tristan, and I to go back and forth between Reefside and Panorama City," he elaborated, while looking to the others. "You know Cole's out there, and Kim's been in contact with him. He's somewhere, trapped in that body, and I feel guilty for putting him there." The 'Oliver Guilt Complex' made itself known.

Taylor denied that. "Tommy, you didn't put him that body," she can say her overzealous nature got the best of her. "I'm sorry," she sincerely apologized. "It wasn't any of your faults. I think it's easier to play the blame game than to think, somehow, we're still living a life of a ranger." Maybe, the Evans family were just in right place, but at the wrong time. She felt horrible for making an assumption. "It just happened."

Kelsey thought about the teleportation module. "Babe, do you think we can make one, here," she asked.

"We might need Billy and Hayley's help, but I definitely think it can be done," Ryan answered.

"Thank you," Kim graciously thanked her friends, accepted the apology from Taylor, and she looked at Tommy with love in her eyes. "You really want to move to Panorama City?"

"Yes, so we can get Cole back... and also, so we can be near Jayden. It's time," her husband responded, as he held her closer to him. As an automatic response, Kim's arms rose and wrapped them around her husband's neck. He descended down to her lips, kissing her passionately.

Dana moved her head. She watched Mr. and Mrs. Oliver playing tonsil hockey. She giggled and walked up to them. She tapped Kim on her shoulder, causing them to break apart. She smiled. "Come on, we should look for your new house," she departed with Kim, right beside her.

Tommy left to work with the men on drawing up a plan for the technical item. Billy and Hayley, who were on speed dial, were eagerly phoned. They knew about this than they did.