Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. Saban and Nickelodeon own them. I also don't own any song lyrics used.
AN: Here's chapter 28! Enjoy and let me know what you think! Thanks to all the great reviews too and here's notes to those individuals:
Harry2: Yep, Vile is back, albeit in human form, which may make him more dangerous. Glad you're enjoying the story.
TommyOliverMMPRFan: You're right and stay tuned to find out exactly how it's possible. Glad you're enjoying the story.
RHatch89: Thanks, glad you enjoyed it.
PRfansince93: Thanks, glad you enjoyed. Rita explains how it might be possible in this chapter, so read on. :)
fallingstar22: Glad you enjoyed the romance. Male bonding ahead in this chapter. Much more excitement to come.
Pinkrangerfan: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story.
WideOpenSpacesGirl045: LOL, thanks, glad you liked the story. Enjoy this chapter and I hope to get to your new chapter soon.
Black Phoenix Ranger: Thanks, glad you like the story.
Alex B. Goode: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. However, in reference to your earlier comments, I did not forget Tyzonn, he just went back to his home planet. This story is completely AU after "Once A Ranger." As for Zack, Angela knows everything and just wants no part of it. He loves her and made a choice to put the rangering behind him for good. As for Justin, he was okay, but I never really was a huge fan. The part where he "grew" when he morphed always annoyed me to the point I didn't watch much of Turbo. So sorry, no offense to Justin, but it's the choice I made. I also will not be revising the story to keep Joel, Angela, Chad and Captain Mitchell alive. I didn't want to kill them, but there are casualties in war and I had to do it to stress the gravity of the situation. Hope you still continue to enjoy the story. Thanks for reading.
Spidey2: Wow, thanks. I'm glad you think so. Enjoy the update. :)
garnetred: Thanks, glad you're enjoying the story. As for M51, it was actually ruled by Master Vile for a very long time if that gives you a hint. ;)
Crimson Rising
Chapter 28: We Are Young
Now I know that I'm not
All that you got
I guess that I, I just thought
Maybe we could find new ways to fall apart
But our friends are back
So let's raise a toast
'Cause I found someone to carry me home
Tonight
We are young
So let's set the world on fire
We can burn brighter than the sun
Song: We Are Young
Artist: Fun.
The Legacy Compound
Ranger Ops
"M51?" Tommy asked. Rita nodded.
"M51…as in the galaxy your father pretty much ruled," Tommy continued.
"M51 as in that was one of my father's signature sayings," Rita announced.
"But that's impossible…isn't it?" Rocky asked.
"I saw my father turn to dust before my very eyes," Rita replied.
"But I'm afraid it might not be completely impossible," she added.
"I'm lost again," Conner admitted.
"I think we all are. How can Vile still be alive?" Jason asked.
"My father was a powerful sorcerer. There are spells that he could have cast before the wave hit that would have contained his essence," Rita explained.
"Contained his essence?" Cam asked, raising an eyebrow. Rita nodded.
"There are many, but if I know my father, he may have cast a spell to trap himself in demon form," Rita explained.
"Demon form?" Trent asked in disbelief. She nodded.
"Then he would have only needed to find host bodies to sustain himself," Rita said.
"Wait, so what you're saying is that he's never truly been gone and that he's been on Earth all these years, parading around as whoever he wants, and planning his revenge?" Tommy asked. Rita nodded.
"It is possible and would explain the drastic change in the President and his allowance to let people like Gorbin carry out their own agenda," Rita stated.
"Dammit…like we didn't have enough problems," Jason said, as he crossed his arms over his chest.
"I've got the system working on decrypting all the information on the flash drive, but it's massive so it will probably be close to morning before we know much of anything else," Cam said. Tommy nodded.
"All right, let's just try to relax this evening and take this all in then for now," Tommy suggested.
"We will need to tell Zedd that we suspect that my father is alive when he gets back," Rita said. Jason nodded.
"He's not going to take it well. From the story that he told, Vile is the reason Dulcea was cursed and Zander had to sacrifice himself in the first place," Jason said.
"That would explain his comment about handling the Phoenix ranger too. Hunter's going to have Ooze and Vile gunning for him," Tommy replied.
"Sounds like we're all in for the fight of our lives," Blake added, as they all shared meaningful glances.
Phaedos
"Your Mom is an amazing woman," Tori mentioned.
"She is, but so are you and I think she really likes you," Hunter replied.
"I hope so, because you mean everything to me," she said, as the waves crashed on the rocks below and the breeze blew her tousled her blonde locks. Hunter remembered the ring his mother had given him and he cupped her face in his hands.
"Trust me…you make me happy, which makes you her new favorite person," he assured her, as he kissed her passionately. They gazed deeply into each other's eyes and he knew in that instant that he wanted to ask her to marry him. But the sound of laser fire destroyed their bliss, as they saw a large blue ship, coming in very hot, with several smaller enemy ships firing on it. Tori gasped and Hunter pulled her down, as the blaster fire disrupted the ground beneath them.
"That's the Astro Megaship!" he heard his Uncle call.
"The Space rangers…they're going to crash," Tori said.
"Not if we can help it," he replied, as she nodded.
"Ninja Storm!"
"Phoenix Storm!"
"Ranger Form!" they called, as a flash of blue and crimson revealed their morphed forms. His Phoenix wings spread on his back and he grabbed her around the waist, as they soared after the ship in peril.
"I'm going to attach my grappling cables and try to slow them down. Can you take care of the fish creeps?" he called, referring to the ships that were manned by Sharkanian bounty hunters under Ivan Ooze's command.
"Yeah, just give me a boost," she replied, as he catapulted her into the air. She flipped and landed solidly on the hull of the moving Astro Megaship, her Dolphin blaster appearing in her hand. Bracing herself by getting down on one knee, she began shooting aqua laser blasts at the firing ships.
Meanwhile, Hunter attached two cables to the descending ship and pulled back on them with all his might. He felt the fire alive in his veins, as he summoned every ounce of his enhanced strength. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw an aqua blast hit the ship on his right and watched it explode in brilliant fire. She never failed to have his back and he wouldn't fail her. The ship slowed significantly, as Tori destroyed the second pursuing craft and exchanged fire with the third. They saw three of the crafts land and three Sharkanians exit their ships. Tengu birds appeared and flew toward the two rangers. Hunter's feet hit the ground, as the ship now slowly hovered above the ground. He pulled it to a halt and it lurched to a stop. Tori jumped off and he detached the cables, as the occupants of the ship filed out of the damaged ship. Andros, Zhane, and Karone wasted no time and activated their Astro morphers, quickly joining the fight, while Zedd helped a still injured Ashley and Dex off to the side.
"So it's true…the Phoenix ranger is alive…" Dex said in amazement. Zedd nodded.
"He slowed the ship down too so these fools have no chance," Zedd assured.
Hunter drew his saber and the blade lit on fire. He swung the weapon and sent the beam of fire at an approaching Sharkanian, who abruptly stopped in the face of the attack. He attempted to evade it, but the flames engulfed him, turning him to ash. Andros and Zhane double teamed another Sharkanian, while Tori and Karone dispatched the Tengu warriors.
The third Sharkanian used his land shark attack and barreled toward the girls, but Hunter ran directly at the oncoming fin.
"Are you sure about this attack mom?" he called telepathically.
"I know it is hard to wrap your mind around sweetheart, but you are more than capable of this. Let go of your doubt," Dulcea instructed. Hunter felt the Phoenix fire consume him and he dematerialized into a flaming beam, going straight through the creature, before rematerializing behind him. The Sharkanian general exploded in an array of crimson fire and thunder, as even his ashes were incinerated. Seeing this, the Tengu warriors abandoned the fight and flew off in fear. The Astro rangers cancelled their morphing sequence, while Hunter and Tori followed suit.
"Thank you…if we had crashed, we might not have survived," Andros said, extending his hand. Hunter shook it and then Zhane's hand.
"I'm just glad we were here. I'm Hunter Bradley," he introduced himself, before gesturing to Tori.
"Tori Hanson," she introduced herself.
"I'm Andros and this is my wife Ashley, my sister Karone, and her husband Zhane," Andros said.
"Tommy's told us stories so it's great to finally meet all of you," Hunter said.
"Is he going to be okay?" Tori asked, indicating Dex. The prince smiled.
"I'll be fine," he said softly.
"I'm Prince Dex of Edenoi," he introduced.
"KO-35 and Edenoi have fallen so we came here in hopes you had a way of getting us to Earth to join the resistance against Ivan Ooze," Andros said. Hunter nodded.
"I'm sorry about your planets, but I promise that he will pay for everything he's done and everyone he's killed. We would be honored if you joined the fight," Hunter replied.
"Tommy and Rocky have told us stories about your team. Hunter's right, it would be an honor to fight alongside all of you," Tori added with a gentle smile.
"Thank you, I am glad to find out that I was wrong about putting any faith in the ancient prophecy. The elders on KO-35 were right it seems," Andros said, as he looked to Dulcea, who smiled from her Temple, as they helped Dex along and arrived on the Temple grounds.
"It's good to see that you are all safe," Dulcea greeted them.
"We should probably get back to Earth. I'd like Trini and Dana to look all of you over for injuries, especially Dex," Zedd suggested. Dulcea nodded and hugged her son and Tori.
"Cam, do you read?" Hunter asked through his communicator.
"I'm assuming the three of you are ready to come back?" Cam asked.
"Yeah, except that we're bringing the Astro rangers and Prince Dex of Edenoi with us," Hunter replied.
"How many Hunter…I'm kind of busy decoding some pretty important stuff," Cam said.
"Geez…you don't have to be mean, dude," Hunter retorted. Tori smiled.
"There's eight of us Cam," she said.
"Okay, I've got a lock and sorry for snapping, it's just been a stressful day. Some pretty big stuff went down in D.C. today. I'll explain when you guys get here," Cam replied, as they eight of them were swept up by a beam of teleportation.
Ivan Ooze's Spaceship
"Give my regards to Rita and Zedd…sholak en a lish derry frix,"
Ivan Ooze smirked, as he listened to the recording of the conversation he had picked up from the ranger's little escapade in Washington D.C. earlier.
"Well, well, it looks like things have gotten more interesting," Ivan sneered.
"That is a language only spoken in the M51 galaxy…you don't think…" Xin started to say when he was cut off by his master.
"Of course I do…it makes sense. Only that three headed snake would resort to using the bodies of humans to enact his revenge," Ivan snapped.
"My Lord…Master Vile cannot be allowed to interfere with our plans," Xin stated.
"No…but thus far he has managed to set them up for emotional turmoil that I suspect will be surprisingly effective when they learn of all that this General Gorbin, under Vile's orders no doubt, has managed to do," Ivan stated, as he observed the scene below in Washington where protestors swarmed the streets outside the White House.
"We will let Vile continue with his little game and when I am tired of his nonsense, I'll take care of him myself if I have to," Ivan responded.
The Legacy Compound
Ranger Ops
"Dex…is that really you?" Tommy asked, as he returned from the infirmary with Dana following him.
"Hello Tommy, it's good to see you…all of you, even under these circumstances," Dex greeted, as he returned to Ranger Ops.
"Like I said before, I promise that we're going to make him pay," Hunter said, as he sheathed the Phoenix saber in the scabbard on his back.
"Did you find anything in Washington?" Tori asked.
"Oh did they…" Conner quipped.
"What's going on?" Zedd asked, as Rita looked at him sadly.
"Rita…what is it?" he asked more anxiously.
"It's probably better you hear the conversation Tommy had with the President," Rita said, as she nodded to Cam, who rolled the recording.
"General…I trust that your boys will have a better showing during the next battle?" the President asked, pausing as the person on the other end spoke. Tommy was positive that it was Gorbin.
"The rangers made them look like complete fools. I don't have to tell you how disappointed I am. The more people that rally around the rangers, the less control I have," the President argued, listening to the adamant voice on the other end.
"For your sake, I hope the zords that we've spent billions constructing had better do the job," the President stated.
"You let me worry about the Phoenix Ranger. I know exactly how to handle him," Miller said, as he hung up the phone and smirked. Tommy watched in pure confusion and horror, as the President's eyes flashed yellow briefly. He had seen that before more than once. He himself had been controlled by evil and he knew now that their worst fears were confirmed, though it only created more questions now.
"I know you're here, White Ranger. I can feel your power," Miller spoke. Tommy's eyes widened, as his uncloaked his presence and stood before the man that was parading as the President.
"Who the hell are you and where is the real President?" Tommy demanded. The man sat back in his chair and chuckled.
"I have no idea what you're talking about. I am the real president…in the flesh," he responded.
"And you have about three seconds until the secret service comes in here, guns trained on your head. You might want to go out the window. That will make for spectacular news exclusive for all the reporters camped outside," the President said with a chuckle.
"White ranger attempts to assassinate President of the United States…I can see the scandal now," he hissed, as the secret service burst into the Oval Office, training their weapons on Tommy.
"Don't move ranger," the lead officer warned. In a flash of white, Tommy activated his morpher and leapt toward the window, bullets bouncing harmlessly off his armor. He turned his helmeted head toward the President with one last look.
"Give my regards to Rita and Zedd…sholak en a lish derry frix,"
"Master Vile…" Zedd growled.
"Wait…Master Vile, as in the Master Vile that cursed my mother?" Hunter asked.
"Yes and the Master Vile that is responsible for your father's death," Zedd growled.
"But I thought he was turned to dust during the battle in 1998? Tori asked.
"His physical form was, but my father was a powerful sorcerer. Preserving his essence in demon or spirit form with a spell was well within his powers," Rita explained.
"And if you think Ivan Ooze holds a grudge against your father, then Vile's hatred of him runs twice as deep and it will translate to you," Zedd stated. Hunter shook his head.
"I'll be fine Uncle," Hunter assured him.
"Hunter…this is the same being that stopped at nothing to destroy your father by hurting everyone close to him, including you and your mother," Zedd reminded, as they shared a meaningful look and glanced across the room at both Tori, Blake, and his closest friends.
"He touches her…I'll kill him," Hunter said dangerously.
"I just want you to be prepared, because they will both go after the people you love most to get to you," Zedd warned. Hunter nodded.
"We won't know anything more until the computer is done decoding that flash drive, so I suggest we all take the opportunity and relax," Cam spoke.
"Guess guys' night is still on and from the sounds of things, we better blow off steam while we can," Jason said, as they started gathering by the stairs.
"That means you too, fire boy. You can kiss on Tori later, let's go!" Jason called. Hunter rolled his eyes and Tori kissed his cheek.
"We'll have time to pick up where we left off later, handsome," she promised. He nodded and kissed her tenderly. He wanted more than anything to take her somewhere and propose to her, but he recognized that the moment had passed for now and decided that he would surprise her later by taking her somewhere special.
"I'll hold you to that, babe," he said, as he hurried to catch up with the guys, while Tori joined the girls.
The Rec Room
"Oh Aye yi yi!" Alpha exclaimed, as he was nearly tackled by hungry males while bringing in a large tray of food to the rec room.
"Thanks Alpha," Rocky said, while taking a huge bite of a sandwich.
"No problem Rocky…oh, this brings back memories. I'll go make more food," the quirky little robot said, as he trotted off to the kitchen again after setting the tray down. Zedd was at the bar mixing drinks and Jason sipped at one of his concoctions.
"Mmm…that's really good. I barely taste any alcohol," he mentioned. Zedd smirked.
"That's why these will knock you on your ass if you're not careful, because they taste like ordinary fruit punch," Zedd mused.
"Here kid, try this," Jason said, as he handed the drink to his predecessor. Conner tasted it and then made their eyes widen, as he gulped down half of it.
"Mmm…this is good," Conner said, as he kept drinking. Jason chuckled and Tommy shook his head in amusement.
"How'd you get so good at making drinks?" Conner asked, as he finished it, all the while having no idea that he would soon be wasted.
"Seven thousand some years to practice," Zedd quipped.
"But…didn't you have like metal over your mouth when you were evil?" Conner asked in confusion. Zedd raised an eyebrow.
"Your point?" Zedd asked.
"How did you drink anything?" the red dino ranger asked. Tommy and Jason snickered in amusement at the mental picture of Zedd in his former form, trying to enjoy a drink.
"A straw," Zedd joked, causing Tommy and Jason to nearly spit out the liquid they had in their mouths. Conner nodded and accepted another drink, as he went to watch Shane's virtual skateboarding.
"If he's like that sober, then he'll be a hoot drunk," Zedd quipped, as he lined up shot glasses and poured pure whiskey into them. Eric rubbed his hands together and motioned to the younger male rangers.
"All right kiddies, time to do shots," he called, as they started gathering.
"That means you too, flame boy!" Wes called.
"Or maybe we should call him thunder boy," Eric said in a girly voice. Hunter shot him a look.
"Only Tori and I mean only Tori gets to call me that," Hunter insisted, as he approached the bar and his uncle slid a shot glass toward him.
"Why I am drinking this again?" he asked.
"Red initiation," Jason answered.
"Ranger male initiation in general. The rest of us don't get too creative with our rookie initiations. We pretty much just all drink and make fun of the ones that get drunk first," Billy added.
"Well, I used to know what my tolerance was. I guess it's time to find out what it is now," Hunter replied, as he did the first shot.
"Ugh…that stuff tastes horrible," Hunter complained, as Jason and Tommy did a shot.
"Yep," Billy agreed, as he did his, as Zedd poured another for his nephew.
"The first one is still burning in my throat. Why would I want another?" Hunter asked.
"Doing shots isn't about liking the taste. Now man up and drink it. You have your father's reputation to uphold," Zedd responded. Hunter rolled his eyes and downed the second shot.
"All right, as nasty as this stuff tastes, I have a toast to make," Shane said, as he held up a glass and handed one to Dustin.
"My best friend is now an engaged man," Shane announced. Dustin received several pats on the back.
"To Dustin and Marah," Conner said, as he raised the shot glass. The others followed suit and each downed their drink.
"Tyranno boy is going to be three sheets to the wind soon," Jason joked quietly. Tommy chuckled.
"Knowing Conner, he'll be a hoot when plastered," Tommy agreed.
"All right, I hear some complaints the taste of the shots, so let Bulkie here behind the counter and I'll mix up some drinks so smooth that, it'll go down your gullet like chocolate milk," Bulk boasted, as he started mixing up drinks.
"Oh that's right, Tommy told me you owned a pool side restaurant and bar of sorts," Jason said.
"Still do…or did rather," Bulk said.
"Yeah, we used to take Olivia there to swim all the time in the summer and chow down on some of Bulkmeier's specialties," Rocky said with a grin.
"We'll get our lives back eventually. Now that we know that Vile is behind turning people against us, we can find a way to fix the mess sector nine has made," Adam mentioned.
"Yeah and some of us already are getting our lives back, isn't that right rainbow ranger? You and Kimmie are canoodling again I hear," Rocky teased. Tommy rolled his eyes.
"Yes Kim and I are back together and please never say canoodling again," Tommy replied, earning laughs around the room.
"They aren't the only couple that's back together, right Frog boy?" Rocky asked. Adam dipped his head down shyly.
"Yeah Tanya and I are back together too," he announced.
"Seems like everyone has someone except a few of us like me," Trent said miserably.
"Hey…you just haven't found her yet and you will," Shane assured him.
"If I'm going to find her just to lose her, then I'm not sure I want to," Trent replied.
"Hey…I had just a few hours with Skyla and I'm still torn up about losing her, but I wouldn't trade that time, even to make the pain go away," Shane told him.
"He's right, the time you do have is worth the pain if you lose her. It's just a little more bitter when you lost her, because you're an idiot," Eric said, referring to Taylor.
"It's not too late, you know. You could try to win her back," Wes mentioned.
"Taylor's not a very forgiving person," Eric replied.
"Then grovel. That's what I'd be doing if I ever screwed up and lost Tor. She's the best thing that's ever happened to me," Hunter stated.
"Yeah and no other girl is going to put up with you, so make sure you never screw it up," Shane reminded. Hunter glared at him.
"Gee thanks," Hunter replied. Shane laughed and patted him on the shoulder.
"No offense dude, but you can be a little hard to deal with sometimes, though you're way better than you used to be," Shane said with an eye roll. Hunter smirked.
"Okay, I'll give you that and she's amazing. I'm better because of her," he replied.
"Okay, now try these Bulkmeier Suprises and see if they're a little easier to swallow," Bulk said, as he had a few try them.
"Mmm…that's really good. Tastes as good as the other one Zedd made, but it's pineappley," Conner said, as he took a big gulp.
"Pineappley?" Trent asked embarrassed by his fearless leader at the moment.
"Geez jock boy, slow down or you're going to be puking your guts out in no time," Ethan chided.
"Oh lighten up Eth, I'm fine," Conner said. His speech was starting to slur a little.
"Wow, if it's all the same to you Bulk, I think the rest of us will switch to beer. Looks like Conner is going to put on a show," Tommy mused.
"Fridge is full of beer so help yourselves," Skull said.
"Except for you, fire boy. I want to see how many of these you can," Jason said, pointing at Bulk's signature drink," Jason stated.
"And why would I do that?" Hunter asked. Jason smirked.
"Because you're a red and reds just can't turn down a challenge," Jason replied. Hunter agreed with a nod and downed the glass.
"At least these taste good," Hunter said.
"I think reds also have brain damage," Ethan mumbled.
"Agreed," Trent seconded.
"Oh look, it's a karoke machine," Conner said.
"Oh God no," Eric protested, as Conner poked around with the machine and picked a song. Cole put his hand over his eyes in embarrassment.
"It's my red initiation all over again," Cole remembered or rather was told how he drunk serenaded his fellow reds.
"Quick…someone find a camera," Wes called.
"Got it," Billy called," as he set it up on a tripod and hit record, as Conner started a very bad rendition of one of his girlfriend's hit songs.
"Kira is going to murder him," Ethan laughed, as Conner rattled off key repeating "freak you out". Jason and Tommy were trying not to laugh, but failing miserably.
"What a light weight. He only had a couple drinks," Zhane said, shaking his head in amusement.
"And I thought you were a bad singer," Andros ribbed his best friend.
"Hey…I am a great singer. Karone said so," Zhane protested. Andros snorted.
"My sister is a really good liar," he replied.
"He sounds like a dying Tengu bird," Dex piped in, causing the rest of them to collapse into laughs. Conner, oblivious to the scrutiny, continued to slaughter one of his girlfriend's biggest hits.
"Okay jock boy, I think you're done now," Ethan said, as he took the microphone from Conner.
"But I'm singin'," Conner slurred.
"And now you're done singing," Ethan said, as he sat him down on the couch.
"Are you feeling anything yet?" Tommy asked, looking to Hunter and Shane.
"I think I am…whatever is in those Bulkmeier surprise's is probably going to kick my ass soon," Shane said. Hunter shrugged.
"I'm feeling a little buzz, but it's fading fast," Hunter replied. Jason shook his head.
"Amazing…I'd be passed out after all the crap we've given you so far," Jason replied.
The Living Room
"Here you go ladies, but I didn't have any room on the tray for any bowls," Alpha said, as he set down a large tray with several cartons of ice cream in various flavors and a pile of spoon.
"That's okay Alpha, we don't need bowls," Kimberly said, as she took a spoon and dipped it in the mint chocolate chip flavored carton.
"This was such a good idea," Tori said, as she ate a spoonful of chocolate. They were all in their pajamas and they currently had a romantic comedy playing on the big screen TV.
"I love Hunter and the rest of the guys, but I could really get used to girls night once in a while," Tori added.
"We need this, because too much testastrone, especially the ranger male variety, will make you go bat crap crazy," Tanya joked.
"Yeah and girls nights are perfect for getting to know each other better, especially our newest editions," Aisha said, referring to Rose and Ronny, as well as Carly.
"I know we've already said it, but we're so sorry for the choices we made," Rose said.
"And ashamed," Ronnie added.
"No more of that girls, all is forgiven. You were in a very tough place and it took immense courage to separate yourselves from two of your teammates," Trini said encouragingly.
"Trini's right. Now, what's your poison?" Kim asked, pointing at the ice cream. Rose smiled.
"Chocolate chip please," she requested.
"Vanilla and pass the chocolate syrup as well," Ronnie said.
"Good choice," Aisha said, as she munched on some rocky road.
"Rocky road?" Kim asked with a giggle. Aisha rolled her eyes.
"Yes, I'm eating an ice cream that just happens to have my husband's name in it. It's always been my favorite and he always teases me about it," Aisha replied.
"That sounds like Rocko," Tanya said.
"Speaking of the guys…is it safe to say that you and the amazing Technicolor ranger are an item again?" Trini asked. Kim rolled her eyes.
"Yes Tommy and I are back together," Kim replied.
"They're not the only ones back together," Aisha said, as she nudged Tanya, who smiled.
"Yeah, I got my Froggie back," she replied.
"I'm so glad for you both," Kat said, as she hugged them both.
"Thanks girl, but don't you give up hope yet. The right guy is out there for you too," Tanya assured her.
"I don't know about that anymore," Kat replied. They were about to reassure her when they heard tiny footfalls on the stairs. Trina was coming down the stairs, rubbing her eyes like she had been crying, and clutching a stuffed wolf that her father had given to her even before she could remember.
"Trina…what's the matter, sweetheart?" Kat asked. The others watched, as Katherine instantly went into mother mode. Aisha herself knew exactly what scene this was as she and Rocky had experienced the occasional nightmare with Olivia.
"I had a bad dream," Trina sniffled. Kat immediately picked her up and cuddled her close.
"It's all right baby," she cooed, as she stroked her hair.
"Let's go find your daddy, okay?" Kat asked. Trina nodded and laid her head down on Kat's shoulder.
"I'll be back girls," Kat said simply, as she headed downstairs to find Billy.
"I wish we could get her to see what a wonderful person she is again," Kimberly said wistfully. Aisha smiled knowingly.
"Somehow I think a certain wolfman might do that for us," Aisha suspected…
In the next chapter, Billy and Kat have a moment, the other continue to relax, and the flash drive reveals the zords the government has built using the old Thunder zord technology, which also leads Tori to a painful discovery.