***************************** Author Note***********************************
I know its been awhile but with life and then the passing of JDF it has been difficult to carry on. I haven't even had a chance to talk about my being a power ranger on a podcast using the renegades system.
But I think, this story will have an ending, it may not be what is expected but I think for the sake of carrying on, it should be completed.
Don't give up and may the power protect you.
************************* Command Chamber*****************************
"Tommy? Are you okay?"
The voice was so soft, so gentle that at first Tommy was not even sure he had heard anything. But his tired mind registared the voice. "Kat." he replied, without looking at her. His eyes on the computer infront of him but not really looking at it.
Kat took that as permission to come closer. "Did you talk to Zordon?"
Tommy still had not looked at her, she would have seen the lie in his eyes, but gave the slightest of head nods in the affirmative. Very slowly Kat interlaced her fingers with his, holding his hand. "Did he agree to Goldar's plan?"
Tommy pulled his hand away. "Yeah, it's all set." he turned to the pink ranger and seeing the hurt in her eyes added, "Sorry Kat, I just can't be distracted right now."
Kat wanted to argue but she knew better. All of this, her, Kim everything. This love triangle was a distraction. One that none of them needed right now.
"I know, so what is the plan?"
"Well," Tommy touched the computer screen. "This is where Goldar says Ivan Ooze is attacking tomorrow night. I've been mapping out the area and I think this here..." he zoomed in. "Is the best spot to trap Billy."
Katherine studyed the images before her. "We might beable to get there during the day. Scope the place out. Set something up. I don't think anyone will notice a few of us about."
Tommy marveled and the blue eyed girl for a moment. Why hadn't he thought of that? "Yeah, but I'll just be taking Rocky and Adam with me."
Now Katherine was ready to argue, he could see the spark of defiance in her eyes but he cut her off before she could speak. "Its not personal, but the less of us in the area the better. I have no idea of ooze will have eyes on the place before the intended attack and I'll need the guys strength for the trap I have in mind."
Katherine nodded, eyes drifting to the floor. "Okay Tommy. If that's what is best."
Warm arms pulled her to his chest. "It is, don't worry. Everything is going to be okay." He was lying again. Tommy was no fool. There was a very good chance Billy would kill him, or vice versa. "Get some sleep Kat." He said after a moment letting her go.
"What about you? Alpha can watch for trouble."
Tommy smiled slightly. "I'll go to bed soon. Just want to finish going over a few more things."
Katherine nodded and turned. Leaving the leader of the power rangers alone with his thoughts.
And that could be a very dark place... after all they were up against evil... maybe he needed to use a little evil in order to win. The line between good and evil was often blurred. His vision had been going fuzzy with it. He never would have thought of making a deal with Goldar before but, desperate times and all that. Tommy turned his eyes back to the chart infront of him on the computer. There was also a good chance he was making another mistake. The lives of his team, of Billy, of everyone on earth were in his teenaged hands. He waited awhile before he made up his mind.
Kimberly... he needed to see her. Talk to her. She could always put things into perspective. She had been his whole reason for being good in the first place. He wanted to be worthy of her. Had she known the kind of guy he was before moving to Angel Grove she would have stayed far away.
Rita's choice of him had been perfect. Tommy Oliver, who got into fights just to feel pain. Who punched out teeth and broke noses for the thrill...
As Tommy made his way down to the bed rooms he was aware of just how late or early it was. 4am. Kimberly would likely still be sleeping.
"Falcon? Are you alright?" her voice cut through the stillness and Tommy swallowed a yelp of supride.
"Dulcea, yeah I'm fine."
The great warriors eyes flashed for a moment before she spoke. "I believe that is the first lie you have told me Tommy."
The way she said it left no room for denial and Tommy felt his head drop. "I'm losing it... I'm losing everything. I am a failure."
A hand squeezed his shoulder. "You are no failure Tommy. Come walk with me. Let us talk."
And without meaning to Tommy told her everything, once the words started to flow he just couldn't stop them. "I don't want to disappoint Zordon again but I know he wouldn't like what I am doing. How I'm making a deal with the dark side of things."
Dulcea pulsed her lips together in thought. "No, he would not but I think you are doing the right thing."
The moment she said that Tommy felt a weight lift from his heart and mind. 'Really?"
"Yes falcon, you may not believe me, but I know the feelings you are struggling with now very well." She turned her eyes towards him, once more seeking deep into his soul. "So tell me your plan, and I will improve the odds of it as much as I can."
"Thanks Dulcea. I could use the help. I have so many ideas but too many to pick one to do."
"Then let us get started."
************************* Morning Command Chamber****************************
"That smells amazing Adam." Aisha praised entering the kitchen while carrying a basket of diffrent fresh fruits. "Gift from Ernie." She said placing it on the table.
"Whoa cool." Justin grabbed an apple biting into it. "Yum!"
Rocky grabbed a banana. " I'm surprised after what's been happening that Ernie would still be so willing to help us."
"Ernie is good people." Kimberly replied grabbing an orange before asking, "Need help over there Adam?" She watched him flip another pancake on top of the already dangerous stacked plate.
"Nope, just about done." Adam shot Kim that smile of his that seemed to always make her smile in response. Every since she had changed back, no before that, even before she was sick with weakness, even back on the moon, Adam seemed to make time for her. She hadn't given it much thought, after all she was Tommy's girlfriend and Adam was just a dear friend but now with everything shifting in her head and heart, Kimberly found herself confused more often then she liked.
"Yo earth to Kim?" A hand waved in front of her face and Kimberly blinked back. "Bulk? When did you guys get here?" It was still so odd seeing the honorary rangers just coming and going as they wanted. Skull was chatting brightly with Justin and Adam, while eating pancakes. Kim looked down. Someone, probably Adam, had put some pancakes on her plate without her even noticing."
"A few mintues ago." Bulk answered giving her a once over. "You okay? You were totally spacing out."
Kimberly gave a slight nod. "Yeah, guess I'm still a bit tired."
That caught Skull's attention. "Too tired to hep at the juice bar? Cuz we can go without ya, if you need to rest."
"I could also go in your place. I don't mind." Katherine offered ernestly. "After all, Tommy said he would only need Rocky and Adam's help today."
"Help for what?" Bulk asked, slightly annoyed to again seemingly left out of things.
"Oh right, you guys weren't here, see Tommy met with Goldar and got this plan to save Billy." Justin blurted out quickly. "Oh wait... I was allowed to tell them, right?" The small blue ranger asked looking to Rocky, the defacto second in command.
Rocky glanced from Skull to Bulk before nodded. "Yeah that's fine." The previous rangers might have had some negative interactions with this duo but Bulk and Skull had shown they were not bad people and more importantly, poweras or no powers, they had the teams back.
"Wait, so everyone is okay with Tommy and Goldar meeting up?" Bulk asked, bite in his voice. "Kim are you okay with this? Guy basically kidnapped you." He asked, and while not spoken she knew he was refering to what the four of them, then six of them, had experianced on the moon.
The former pink ranger shurgged her shoulders. "Not really but... if there is even a chance we can save Billy, we have to try."
"So where is Tommy anyway?"
"Right here." Tommy answered walking into the room with a confidence the other rangers had not seen in awhile. He was carrying some rolled up papers. Dishes were quickly moved so the maps could be spread on the table. "And I've got a plan."
*************************** Angel grove *******************************
"Kim, are you sure you are feeling okay to be out?" Skull asked, worry in his voice, as he, Kimberly and Bulk walked towards the community center. Skull might not be the brightest when it comes to some things but even he could tell Kimberly was well, not her usual self.
Her bright smile banished his clouds of worry even as Bulk answered for her. "Numbskull, she's all better."
"Better than I have felt in a long time." Kimberly agreed, stretching her hands up to the blue sky. "Though not really looking forward to going to the juice bar. After what everyone has been saying about the rangers." Bulk and Skull had filled the team in on how quickly the opinion of the public had turned on them. It made Bulk so angry but he did his best to keep those feelings to himself because he could understand all too well. People were scared, after that bloodly mess at the community center... no... Bulk pushed that thought away falling behind slightly as Skull and Kimberly began pulled a few steps ahead chatting again like old friends.
If someone had told Bulk a year ago, he would be close friends with Kimberly Hart, that he would have respected Tommy Oliver, that he was worthy of being an honorary power ranger, he would have laughed in there face.
It was suprising how fast life could change.
"Hey watch it!" Skull suddenly shouted at the driver of a car who ran the red light. Skull had pulled Kimberly back from the edge of the street. "Sheesh and I thought I was a bad driver."
Bulk frowned catching up to the others. "Something's happening." Indeed a steady stream of cars seemed to be leaving Angel Grove, most of the cars were barely functioning and seemingly filled with people and things. People began to appear on foot carrying bags and back packs. All moving away from the center of town.
"I don't like this." Kimberly said.
Bulk ushered them to the side of the walkway and stopped a random couple going by. "Hey, what going on?"
The man shot him a cold look. "What do you think idiot? We're fleeing Ooze."
A woman Kimberly recognized from the haram spoke, "The loser rangers aren't coming."
The man snorted, "If they were real heros, they would have stopped that damn monster before it killed all those people at the community center."
"I hate the rangers." The woman agreed. "I'd turn them over to Ooze in an instant."
Kimberly felt hot tears burning in her eyes as she unconsiously balled her hands into fists taking a few steps forward. "You ungrateful bitch! Both of you! You have no idea what the power rangers did for you! How much they sacrificed! For all of us!"
Recognision flashed in the woman's eyes. "...Zedd's favorite."
Those words deflated Kimberly faster than any physical attack could have, even as the man and woman scrambled to get away from the trio.
"Well that's annoying." Kim said with a sigh, her anger abating. "I'd rather no one remember that little fact."
Bulk nodded, "Come on, let's check in on Ernie."
**************************** Ninjors' vase**************************
"Dulcea, are you sure? Powers cannot just come from nothing." Ninjor shook his head.
"We have the remains of the firebird coin from before it was corrupted. That should be enough to get us started. Plus the time sand in this pendant." She replied, touching the gold orb around her neck.
Ninjor paced closer. "You do know what you are saying correct? What you are asking me to do it will be the death of you." Sadness echoed in his voice.
Duclea sighed softly and shook her head. "Nothing is forever Ninjor. Not the stars, not the sky, not the temple of power. Not even us."
"But Lerigot could have helped. Why wait till now? Till after the wizard has left us?"
"You know he cannot survive the rays of light from Earth's sun for long. Besides unlike you or I, Lerigot has a wife and a young son. I would not risk that, though if he had known of my plan, I am sure he would have given all the aid he could."
"Dulcea... I can't..."
"We must try Ninjor, for the great good. We must try. I resign meyself to this fate."
"Then so be it. We shall try." Ninjor's voice was strong with determination and hope.
