Author's notes - Son of Whitebeard, like I said, I wanted to use this chapter to give Tommy a bit of an epilogue on his own personal journey. Here, he's dealt with the Green Ranger in a healthy, responsible way ... so the spectre of his past doesn't hurt him anymore. The villains badly underestimated Tommy's mental strength, and he was uniquely-suited to fighting this villain, which is why he kept the other Rangers out of harms' way. The Rangers were utterly in the dark about the Shadow King until part eight, but this is the part of the story where things start turning in their favour. Because they're the heroes, after all :).

Enjoy the final chapter of part nine. Part ten will be Billy's chapter, and there's gonna be some good stuff in there :).

Part Nine

Chapter Seven

The coast's major shopping centre was busy that night as the twelve of us picked up our tickets for the movie. There was a chill in the air, but it was still warm enough to enjoy the evening without needing a coat. We were joined at the cinema by plenty of families enjoying an early start to the school holidays. While Scott and I headed over to see if the nearby toy store was open, everyone joined the line for popcorn and drinks, and Tommy stepped outside for some fresh air. The Riverwalk was right outside the cinema. Making his way onto the deck, he rested his arms on the railing. He heard footsteps behind him and turned to see that Jason had followed him outside, the Red Ranger soon joining him staring out over the water.

"You okay?" Jason asked.

"Long day," Tommy replied, and let out a gulping yawn. "I'm pretty sure I'm failing one of my classes, but it feels good to get a victory over the Shadow King."

Jason smiled in the cool night air. "Don't sell yourself short," he said. "Antofagasta is still standing because of you."

"Because of all of us," Tommy said quickly. "That was a group effort."

"I'm sorry about before," Jason continued. "For yelling when we were in the temple. I should've known you were just trying to keep the rest of us safe."

"Human beings all over the world do crazy things to protect the people they care about," Tommy replied. "Every monster I fight is a monster you don't have to."

"I get that," Jason said. "But just remember you don't have to, okay?"

"He was right though," Tommy said, turning to meet Jason's gaze. "The Shadow King's bastard son, what he said to me. I was adopted, I moved around a lot, I have the evil Green Ranger on my resume. I'm never going to feel like I fit. That's my entire life, right there."

Jason lowered his voice. "I said this to you four years ago, and I'm saying it to you again," he said. "This is where you belong."

"You think I'll believe it one day?"

"I hope so," Jason said. "It's true."

"Hey, movie's about to start," came a voice, and the boys turned to see Kim, Ian and Teresa approaching. "We better go grab our seats," Kim continued.

"And keep Brendan awake long enough to enjoy the film," Ian added.

"Oh hey," Teresa began, holding up a bucket of popcorn for Tommy. "We got some popcorn for you! No butter, and we told them to go easy on the salt. I know you prefer to eat healthy, so…"

Tommy was lost for words as he took the popcorn from Teresa's hands, while Jason looked away to hide his smile. Tommy stared down at the food for a few seconds more, before he threw his arms wide and pulled Ian and the two girls into a hug. Kim laughed while Teresa glanced at Ian, who shrugged.

Finally, Tommy stepped back. "Thanks for thinking of me," he said. "We all here?"

Jason glanced around, and could see almost everyone in the queue. He laughed to himself. "Pete's still in the toy shop," he said. "Save us two seats," and he dashed away.

A thousand kilometres away in the middle of the Australian desert, Alpha stepped into the central chamber of the Command Centre and looked up to Zordon as the door shut behind him.

"Is it safe?" Zordon asked.

Alpha made his way to the nearest console. "Affirmative Zordon," he replied. "The torch is locked in a magically-insulated, vacuum-sealed chamber deep under the mountain," and he tapped a button on the keyboard. "We're just evacuating all the oxygen from the chamber now. In a few seconds, there'll be no chance of the torch reigniting."

"Excellent," the sage replied. "And the Rangers?"

Alpha hit a second button on the keyboard. "Safe and sound," Alpha replied.

"Good, let them enjoy their movie," Zordon said. "We should only call if we need them. They deserve the break. Now, the torch."

The viewing screen flashed to life, showing a room with six white walls and little else. The torch rested on a raised platform in the centre of the room.

"Begin the digital scan immediately," Zordon continued. "I want every single pictogram and every single symbol scanned into the system from every possible angle. We cannot miss a millimetre. Use every scan that we have. I want to know if a single molecule is out-of-place."

"You got it Zordon!"

"Once that's done, begin the search."

"What are the parameters?"

"Everything," Zordon replied. "Scan every entry in the database and every other databank we can access. Use off-world ones if we can reach them."

Alpha looked up. "Zordon, that kind of search could take weeks?"

"Then we'd best get started," Zordon replied, before fixing his gaze on the torch. "All right Shadow King," he said softly. "You've spent months trying to hurt my Rangers. Whoever you are? I will not let that stand a second longer. From this moment onwards? We are coming to get you."

To be continued.

Author's notes – Zordon of Eltar. Also fiercely protective of his kids.