The week preceding the funeral felt like a month to Logan and from the times, that he saw Kimberly it seemed like it was a year for her as she drudged through each day. Each night Logan sat outside Kimberly's window in his altered form listening to her tears trying to figure out what to say to her to take away her pain like she had for him so many times. On the third night, Logan was just retaking his position on the wall of the house when Kimberly and her mother came home.
Listening to Kim's mom's car pulling into the driveway and Miss Harts words to Kimberly's silence. He listened as Kimberly's footstep as she walked like a zombie upstairs toward her room her mother following her.
"Kimberly I…," her mother started but was interrupted as Kim shut the door in her face. Sighing Logan watched her sit on her bed holding her legs close her face berried in her knees.
Before Logan could make up his mind her mother slowly opened the door looking at her daughter before saying, "Kimberly I know that you blame me for the divorce…and for what happened because I encouraged him to go…but I want you to know that I never stopped loving your father."
"But that wasn't enough? Was it?" Kimberly said not looking at her.
For a few seconds Miss Hart stood were she was before turning and closing the door behind her. Looking from the door to Kimberly, Logan remained silent where he was before drawing his head back. For a short while Logan remained where he was then making up his mind he crawled up the side of the house back onto the roof and onto his Dragon Rider Cycle.
Not long after landing on his roof Logan phased through the roof of Tommy's house and into his room. Turning he saw Tommy laying on his bed staring up at the ceiling so deep in thought he was oblivious to Logan's presence. Rolling his eyes, he sighed before reaching over and snapped his fingers in his face.
At once, Tommy sat bolt up right and before he could utter an alarm, Logan had a hand over his mouth silencing him. "This is getting pathetic man, you've got to learn to always be aware," he said under his breath before releasing Tommy who glowed at him.
"Well I'm sorry man but I don't expect monsters to attack me in my bedroom!" he snapped quietly before locking his door. "What are you doing here?" he demanded facing him again.
"I need your help," and Tommy blinked at that taken aback. "Or more accurately Kimberly does," and again he blinked.
"How can I help Kimberly?" he asked going to sit at his desk chair.
"Because out of all of us you know how she feels right now, I don't," Logan insisted pointing from Tommy to himself.
"I still don't…"
"Don't play me Tommy! I remember what you said about your parents dying in that Tomcat!" Logan interrupted jabbing a finger at him.
For a few seconds Tommy was silent before he let out a puff of air and pushed himself out of the chair walked over to look out his window. "I don't like to talk about it Red Dragon? The pain of losing them…even after all this time…it's like a knife to my heart…,"
"And yet from the look on your face before I interrupted your chain of thought it's been on your mind a lot lately," Logan persisted.
Slowly Tommy faced him. "What do you want from me?"
"You made it through what Kimberly is going through Tommy, you're living proof that Kim can to…I need…no she needs you to be her guide. I can do so many things but I can't help her through this like you can…," Logan said walking forward placing his hands on his shoulders.
After holding his gaze for a second, Tommy lowered his. "Would it help if I said I would talk to her after the funeral," and he faced him again and flinched when he saw Logan was gone. "I do need to be more aware of what's around me. God I hate it when he's right!" he snapped throwing his arms up.
The next day in the park Logan ice cream cones in his hands was walking back to Kimberly as she sat with Aisha and the others. "Kimberly come on girl talk to me," Aisha was saying to her as he paused to listen. Not saying anything Kimberly just looked at her before looking away and Aisha continued, "Come on Kim your father died a hero saving those refugees, it's been all over the news since we've been back, even that he was nominated for the Presidential Medal of Freedom…"
"Is that the only reason you give a dame?" Kimberly demanded still not looking at her.
Sighing Logan walked closer before Aisha could say more. "We give a dame because we're your friends we love we you and he was your father…,"
"Now that's where you're right Logan he was my father not yours! And he's not coming back because he's dead! And he's never coming back!" and with that she whipped her face around to glare at him snapping, "and Logan don't you dare tell me that you know how I feel!"
For a few seconds Logan looked at her then sat down. "You're right, I don't, and I don't know if my biological father is alive or dead. But what I do know is that if he is I hope he's a lot like yours," he said returning her gaze then held out her ice cream. "They didn't have strawberry you like chocolate right?" and she looked from it to him.
The next day in school Logan kept glancing from Tommy to Kimberly as she just stared out the window as Miss Applebee wrote down the assignment. "'Which Period of History would You Liked to have Lived?' now this assignment is due by the end of the weekend remember have fun and be creative with it. Everyone enjoy your three-day weekend. Kimberly I'd like to talk to you," she said and class got up to leave as the bell rang.
"Hey guys I'll meet you outside okay, I forgot something," he said and they nodded as they left with Ashley looking over her shoulder at him.
Putting on a smile he sank back closer to the door of the classroom as everyone was talking loudly as they walked down the hall for the exits and he focused. "Kimberly I want to say how sorry I am about your dad," and Kimberly was silent as Miss Applebee waited for her to answer. "Well as the assignment if you need it you can have an extension on it."
"Whatever," she said bitterly and Logan left before she would have seen him.
Outside the school Logan was sitting with the others doing their homework on a picnic table when Kimberly finally joined them as Rocky said, "So Billy what period of time would you liked to have lived in?"
"Oh that's easy back in the thirties with Albert Einstein, of course I'd be his assistant," Billy answered with a shrug as Tommy and Logan eyed Kim.
"Of course, man this is a tough one for me," Adam said.
At that, Aisha gave him a playful shove saying, "Come on Adam, there's got to be some period of time you'd be interested in."
"Well maybe the Renaissance times everything seemed so…well…romantic," he admitted with a blush as everyone but Kim cooed at him.
'Remind me to get Ever After for him when it comes out,' Logan thought.
'No problem,' Red Dragon replied.
"Well personally I think I'd like to be in Viking times," Rocky said looking at everyone around. "I always liked those books."
"Well I'd like to live in the days of King Arthur!" Tommy declared before waving one hand as if he would a sword.
"Well I think I found the court jesters," Logan muttered looking around at Bulk and Skull who were having a thumb war. "Or more than likely he'd banish them for not being funny," and a few of them snorted.
"What about you Logan what area would you want to be in?" Tommy asked.
Looking back at him, he shrugged. "A time of heroes," he answered and a they blinked.
"Could you be a little more specific about that…? Like either Robin Hood…? Or Elliot Ness…? Or I don't know Zorro…? Or maybe one of the Native American heroes like Geronimo?" Tommy persisted.
Logan shrugged before turning. "Now what about you Kim…no wait let me guess…the roaring twenties…? Or…the Romans…? On the other hand, sometime in France before the Revolution…? Or just anytime with high fashion?"
Slowly she looked at him. "Anytime that my father was still alive," and with that she got up and left them with out saying another word.
Watching her go Logan sighed shaking his head before glancing at Tommy who got up and followed. "She's really taking it hard," Ashley muttered.
"What if it was your father?" Logan asked looking at her and she blinked. "I'm sorry I gotta be alone for a while," and with that he got up and walked away.
'That could have gone better.'
'Come on man until a few months ago to me her father was Kanoi Watanabe not Dr. Gary Hart.'
'I know that to be true, but still you don't have to start acting like Kimberly,' Red Dragon retorted.
Before Logan could respond he froze as he felt like a shadow had passed over him. 'Did you feel that?' Logan asked looking around.
'Yeah someone around here used magic…powerful magic…dark magic…very dark...,' Red Dragon said.
'But why…oh no,' and turning he ran in the direction of Tommy and Kimberly rummaging in his pocket for the rod.
After leaving a still bitter Kimberly, Tommy walked alone through the park trying to clear his head. His mind kept drifting back to the conversation between him and Kimberly. How he kept trying to come out to her, her anger, her bitterness.
The new weird antics from Bulk and Skull…why had they kept coming at him with those scissors?
As he passed by a clump of closely grouped trees and bushes there was a flash of flames and man in a black robe with a hideous golden face carrying a wand and long black hair that flowed in the wind. Whipping around the face him, Tommy's fists shot up as he dropped into a stance, as he looked the wizard over. But what really caught Tommy's attention was the flame like light that came from where his eyes should be and appeared in his mouth as he talked.
"Hello Tommy! I can't tell you what a pleasure what it is to meet you!" he declared laughing before thrusting his wand at Tommy and shot forward at him.
"Well it's going to have to be a short visit!" and Logan flip over the bushes behind him in his altered form to land in front of him throwing one arm up and the spell split across his shield spell. "Because I'm here to take out the trash Deception!"
"Well, well, the mighty Red Dragon Ranger! Both of your reputations precede you!" Wizard of Deception said ending the spell and both Logan and Tommy dropped into a stance.
"Old friend of yours?" Tommy asked.
"Only his reputation," Logan answered.
"I may have something very special planned for you Tommy but you Red Dragon you are just an added bonus!" Wizard of Deception laughed out. "So for now you can play with my friends!" and with that putty after putty appeared.
"Time to call for help Tommy!" Logan snapped and they both charged forward while Tommy contacted by barking into his communicator Zordon before the pair leapt into the air.
Spinning through the air, they landed in the midst of the putties. Immediately after landing Tommy leapt up throwing a spin kick then dropped low to sweep the legs out from under a second. Beside him, Logan nailed one with a hard roundhouse and following through with a tornado kick sent another spinning to the ground.
After he nailed another with a spin kick, they both stood back to back facing the other putties. "Where do you think the others are?" Logan asked.
"Zordon said he'd send them!' Tommy retorted just then the putties charged them.
In a few rapid movements, Tommy blocked or dodged their strikes before nailing him with a hard punch to the Z. Turning he nailed one behind him with a sidekick as it fell back he blocked a punch from another before leaping up and nailing it in the head with a spin kick. Back on his feet he dropped down, swept the legs out from under another, and after blocking a kick swept the legs out from under it as well before leaping up to finish it with a punch.
Meanwhile not too far away Logan blocked a blow from a putty before driving his fist up into the putty's Z before running up it and leapt off its shoulder. Landing on his knees with another putty's head between them with a twist of his hips he tore its head off and landing with a roll onto his side. He nailed one with a sidekick before turning and sweeping the legs out from under another before regaining his feet with a spin kick sending the putty flipping to the ground.
Going with the punch of another as he grabbed its arm, he turned and kicked another putty behind him before turning, and flipping the one, he was holding onto its back. Just as he finished it off with a punch to the Z something ion the sky caught his eye. A broad smile on his face he leapt forward nailing one with a flying spin kick.
"Our back up is here!" he barked as the others teleported in and joined the fight.
On her own Kimberly faced a small groups side kicked one before kicking another in front of her and kicking another to her other side. As they fell, she ducked under a swing from another putty and nailing it in the back of the neck with a shuto. Before it could recover, she grabbed it and threw it ten feet against a chain link fence to the ground below.
She turned going into a handstand grabbed another putty by her ankles. With a snarl on her face she curled up to punch the putty in the face before flipping back throwing the putty to the ground still gripping the it with her ankles. The snarl still on her face broke its neck with a jerk of her ankles.
Close to, her Billy flipped through the air landing on his feet and turning kicked a putty then another with his foot still raised. After nailing another with a front kick, he turned to kick another. Turning back around he ducked under a swing and flipped the putty onto its back before grabbing it and throwing it through the air.
Just then, Logan turned and leapt into the air and over Tommy as he was sent spinning through the air before coming to a hard landing on the air. "You okay man?" Logan asked offering his hand.
"Yeah let's get back to it!" Tommy said as Logan pulled him up and they faced the putties coming at them.
Not far from them Rocky's front kick was caught by a putty and in response he leapt up swinging his leg and the putty ducked under the blow. Back on his feet, spinning back Rocky kicked the leg out from under another putty before nailing the first with a hard sidekick. Darting forward he then leapt up and nailed another with a hard flying sidekick.
Next to him, Aisha leapt back onto a stump then split kicked two putties in front of her. Back on her feet, she nailed one with a sidekick before turning to nail a second with a crescent kick and a third with a spin kick. After blocking a blow with both hands, she drove her knee into its gut then as it dropped, leapt up to stomp it into the ground.
In a group of his own, Adam nailed a putty with a hard roundhouse to the head before following up with a tornado kick. Turning he nailed another with a kick before cartwheeling through the air nailing two with his feet. Back on the ground, he turned after blocking a blow form a putty grabbed it and rolling back flipped it over him and came down straddling it and finished it off with a punch.
Fighting his way through several putties Logan made his way before the Wizard of Deception. "What you want an old fashioned Wizards Duel?" he asked as they circled each other.
"If that's what you want!" Logan barked stepping forward raising his arms and a section of earth rose up and spinning around threw his fists forward and rocketed forward.
He watched as it shot toward then his eyes went wide as Wizard of Deception easily phased right through it. "Was that supposed to scare me?" he asked then thrust his wand forward throwing a spell.
Spinning through the air Logan dodged the spell thrown at him. As he landed, giant roots suddenly shot out of the ground and seized him by the ankles. Before he could do anything about it more roots shot out of the ground seizing him by the wrists and he was slammed against the ground.
Laughing lightly Wizard of Deception walked forward before squatting down to look at him. "And they warned me that you would be difficult. And yet all I've seen so far is cheap parlor tricks," he said amused.
"Parlor trick this!" Logan snapped and flicked the hand closest to him and Wizard of Deception was launched off his feet and came down hard fifty feet away. Fisting his hands the roots binding him burst into flame and he leapt to his feet. "Maybe you should have listened to them!" and he brought his palms together at his side.
Bringing them slowly apart a ball of fire appeared then thrust his hands forward and the ball of fire at the Wizard of Deception who was climbing to his feet. Without even looking at him, the Wizard raised his hand and the ball of fire froze less than an inch from the man's hand.
"You were saying?" he snapped before the ball shot back at Logan who threw up another shield spell.
On impact, the ball exploded and the force knocked Logan off his feet to come down hard to roll across the ground. Moaning he pushed himself up and shook his head to clear it. "Okay that hurt, I've never been so out classed."
'I never seen you so out classed, but don't take it so hard remember this guy was a challenge for Zordon back in his Wizard day,' Red Dragon muttered.
'Your confidence is overwhelming,' Logan retorted and looking up leapt into the air spinning over the boulder that had been hurled at him.
Back on his feet, Logan charged Wizard of Deception and tackled him full to the ground. Glaring at each other as they wrestling with the wand between them as it started to glow Wizard of Deception forced the head toward him and the spell fired barely missing Logan's face as he turned his head. Turning back to face him Logan blocked a blow that Wizard of Deception threw at him forcing him back.
Throwing a punch of his own Logan knocked the wand down before Wizard of Deception could cast another spell. Blocking another blow Logan nailed him with a punch then a knee before Wizard of Deception hit him across the back with the back of his wand. Turning again, they faced each other the wand held up right between them and as the head started to glow and a spell began to form in Logan's hand.
As the spells met, a small explosion erupted sending them both into the air. Coming down hard he knocked over a lidded trash can turning onto his back Logan looked back Wizard of Deception who had landed on his feet. "You maybe powerful but poorly trained," he muttered summoning a sword in midair with a wave of his wand.
Logan watched as the pointed end turned and with a thrusting motion Wizard of Deception send it flying toward him. Grabbing the lid of the trashcan in both hands Logan held it out in front of him and the sword pierced it coming to a stop less than an inch from his face. Exhaling deeply Logan threw it away and saw that Wizard of Deception was gone.
Looking around he saw the putties were gone to and Tommy was now laying on the ground holding his head. Darting over with the others Logan helped him up.
"You okay man?" he asked.
"Yeah I think so," he said.
"What happened to him?" Aisha asked running up.
"I don't know but I think we should contact Zordon," Billy said.
"Yeah maybe he can tell us what going on," Rocky put in.
"Hey…where's Kimberly?" Logan said looking around for her.
They found her on the ground pounding away at the only putty still there a mad glint in her eye. "Kimberly stop!" Logan barked as he and Tommy charged forward and dragged her off. "I think you got him!" and the putty exploded as she glared at them.
"Let me go!" she snapped just before they let her go and she glared at them. "What is your problem?"
"What's our problem? What's yours? You are out of control Kimberly!" Tommy snapped.
"What do you mean out of control? I did what we came here to do! If you don't like it step off!" she barked.
Looking at her Tommy shook his head. "Kimberly I know…," Tommy started.
"NO YOU DON'T!" she screeched interrupting him as she shoved him back. "NONE OF YOU DO! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT'S IT LIKE FOR A REBAL GROUP TO MISS THIS VILLAGE AND MISS THAT VILLAGE AND COME AFTER THE PEOPLE YOU LOVE!"
For a few seconds the group stared at her. "Christ Kimberly is that what you think happened?" Tommy demanded.
Throwing her arms up she turned and walked away. "Just leave me alone guys I don't want to talk about it! And if one more person says they're sorry or they know how I feel I'm slapping them!"
For a few seconds the group watched her go before Tommy walked off on his own. "Now what's up with him?" Rocky asked walking after him.
"That's for him to tell Rocky," Logan said before turning to leave himself.
"Hey was it me or did some of Tommy's hair seem shorter?"
At once Logan whipped around. "What was that?" he demanded.
Aisha shrugged. "It's nothing but it's seemed like some of his hair had been cut that's…" she started time to continue and froze when Logan streaked away.
'Logan you know what this means!' Red Dragon barked after a few minutes as they searched for Tommy.
'Yeah using that hair that wizard can make a copy of Tommy! Only he's not going to be white he's going to be green!' Logan snapped then stopped as his morpher vibrated.
Pressing the sides, he saw an image of the others heading for the edge of the city. "Oh great! Now what do we do?" he snapped looking from the direction where he could feel Tommy to the image.
'Logan whatever you do you had better do it fast!' Red Dragon snapped.
BY REVIEW OR PM THE CHOICE IS YOURS HE CAN EITHER GO HELP THE OTHERS OR HELP TOMMY
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