Author's notes – the "week of torrential rain" that Tommy mentions in the first scene is a direct reference to Teresa's point-of-view story "Here to Help", which happened a couple of weeks prior to the events of this story. There's also a couple of mentions of the Troll King in this story, a villain the Rangers encountered recently, and who pops up again in Billy's point-of-view story (set during Zeo) "Heart and Mind".

Part Nine

Chapter One

3 months ago

The whole temple shook as Tommy crashed to the ground and rolled to a stop. Every part of him was hurting. He reached for Saba and staggered to his feet as his ancient adversary closed in.

"Great work Thomas," he wheezed to himself. "You just picked a fight with a demigod. Can this day get any better?"

Footsteps on the floor echoed out from behind a stone column, and he looked up to see the evil Green Ranger step into view.

Earlier that day…

The clock on the nightstand beside Tommy's bed ticked over to six o'clock and switched on the radio. Tommy's eyes drifted open, and he yawned and stretched. From the sunlight streaming in through the window, it was a beautiful Wednesday morning, and he didn't have any classes until late in the afternoon. He let himself lay there for a few minutes, listening to the morning news and wondering what the day held in store.

"And in local news," the newsreader was saying, "the White Ranger was in solo mode again last night, charging into a burning building on Battery Hill to rescue the home's occupants. Firefighting crews managed to get the blaze under control, while the homeowners are recovering in hospital this morning with minor injuries. Now to sports…"

Tommy climbed out of bed and smiled to himself. He'd been leaving his karate class last night when he'd noticed the fire. He still smelled like smoke when he'd finally made it home, so he was glad his parents were out of town this week. Getting dressed, he headed into the kitchen, filling the empty house with noise. Following a strict routine, he measured out his breakfast then made some eggs. After breakfast, he spent half an hour in the family gym in the garage, before showering and grabbing his workout bag. From there, it was a short drive to the park. Finding his usual corner deserted, he began practicing some katas.

March meant that it was officially autumn, but summer was lingering and it felt like it was going to be a warm day. The ground was still wet from the week of torrential rain we'd experienced earlier in the month, but at least the trees looked healthy and the grass was green. He had some reading to do for one of his classes later, but it could wait. His first year of university had been a stressful learning curve, but he'd gotten into a good rhythm for the second year. With so many people, there was always something new and exciting happening at college. He enjoyed the adrenaline of it all. His days were always interesting, and honestly? That's the way Tommy preferred them.

Done for the morning, he reached for his workout bag, gulped down some water and headed for the Youth Centre. Around him, the city was getting ready for the day, and the Youth Centre was buzzing with the before-school crowd. Glancing around the building, he saw Kimberly talking to Ernie up by the Juice Bar, while Sarah and Ian were at the gang's usual table in the corner. He waved a greeting and headed over.

"Morning," Tommy said. "Finishing some homework?"

Ian nodded. "History assignment," he said. "Massively overdue."

"Same here," Sarah said. "You coming tonight?"

Tommy blinked. "To what?" he asked.

"They didn't tell you?" Sarah asked. "We haven't really done anything in a while. The twelve of us, I mean. Not unless you count stopping the Troll King last week. Kim and I wanted to get everyone to go see a movie tonight."

Tommy dropped into the chair. "Guess my invite was lost in the mail," he said.

"Morning Tommy," came a voice, and Kimberly pulled out the chair beside him. "What are you guys talking about?" the cheerful Pink Ranger asked.

"The movie night tonight, apparently," Tommy replied before he could stop himself. "Thanks for inviting me." He heard the tone in his own voice and cringed.

But Kim grinned. "Don't give me that," she said. "I tried to call your place yesterday but couldn't reach you. Your parents are down in Brisbane this week, aren't they?" Tommy nodded sheepishly, and Kim continued. "And then I tried your communicator this morning…"

Tommy glanced to his bare wrist, suddenly remembering. "And my communicator is in my bag where I threw it after my shower," he said, then glanced around the table. "I'm sorry."

"It's okay," said Ian. "You weren't over-reacting," and he offered Tommy a slight smile. "Much."

"Yeah, c'mon," Kim said. "Did you really think we'd snub you like that?"

"No," said Tommy. "It's just, you guys do stuff like this all the time, and I always just assume that…"

But even as he was fishing his communicator out of his workout bag, the devices chimed. The Rangers packed up their belongings and made their way into the shadowy locker hallway.

Kim raised her wrist. "We're here," she said.

"Rangers," crackled Zordon's voice. "I apologise for the early summons, but there's a situation. We need you in the Command Centre, as soon as possible."

Ian turned to his friends. "You heard the man," he said. Reaching for the wrist devices, the Rangers vanished from the scene in a blaze of coloured light.

To be continued.