The Forgotten 27

Kimberly was kneeling on a blanket waiting for Merrick. Footsteps alerted her to his presence. He moved forward and knelt in front of her. She opened her eyes and stared at him and gave him a halfhearted smile.

"I wanted to apologize for the other day for bailing on you."

"You were clearly upset and Zen-Aku wasn't with you."

"Did you know he was going to do that?"

"You know him, Kimberly. He doesn't do anything without thinking it through first."

"Yeah, I know."

"I wouldn't have talked him out of it even if I could've. He was dead set on saving you and that's what he wanted."

"He called me his redemption."

"You know when Princess Shayla took our powers back and he appeared to me and talked of seeking redemption I never thought in a million years it would be you."

"Gee thanks."

"That's not what I meant. I didn't think he'd gravitate towards you so easily, but I guess he felt you needed him."

"I think we needed each other. I needed someone to lean on and he needed someone to protect."

"Probably."

"There was something else I wanted to talk to you about…"

Merrick saw her tense. He looked around trying to figure out what had set her off this time.

"Kimberly?"

She rose and pulled out her phone and tossed it to Merrick. He looked at it in confusion before looking up at her wondering what was going on.

"Call Tommy if this gets out of hand and if he asks tell him I'm not going to be held responsible for my actions. I am not an enemy to stalk nor am I a boogie man."

"Kimberly, don't."

She morphed bearing the colors of Zen-Aku. The crescent blade was laying on her shoulder. Merrick couldn't believe what he was seeing in front of him. In a flash of purple and black she vanished. Explosions rocked the area and trees were felled as she fought against the Dino Thunders. Even the four on one they were having trouble subduing the Ninjetti Ranger. Shaking his head, he looked at her phone and was about to call Tommy when the phone started ringing with the Dragonzord Summoning Song. Merrick sighed knowing this wasn't going to end well.

"Tommy."

"Merrick?" he asked in confusion. "What are you…"

"She's currently in the middle of a battle with your teammates. She told me to tell you that she will not be held responsible for her actions because they're treating her like an enemy."

"What?"

A loud explosion rocked his footing. Merrick cringed knowing how fierce Kimberly could be and with the power that Zen-Aku gave her there might not be a whole lot of control right at the moment.

"You better come settle this before she hurts one of them more seriously that they can handle."

"I'm on my way."

Merrick shook his head. He wondered if Tommy had any idea what he was getting himself into coming into this battle.

Kimberly snorted as she stood there waiting for these idiots to make a move. Closing her eyes she listened to them move and breathe. She'd tried and tried to help them out but no matter what she did they assumed the worst of her.

"What is it going to take for you idiots to leave me alone?"

"When you stop playing Dr O."

She turned her head and her golden eyes glittered dangerously. Leaping skyward, she charged the crescent blade and did a wide arc swing and felled a tree causing the four teens to scatter. She was starting to see where this was headed and it almost made her laugh. This was their stupid way of protecting him. Her telling them to leave it alone wasn't getting through. She drove the blade into the ground and morphed into the Dragonzord Ninjetti uniform. Drawing her blade and the Dragon Dagger she readied herself for the fight to come. They were making this easy. They underestimated what she could do and everything she'd learned all these years. Thrashing the boys wasn't easy but plying on the power that she'd been given by Zen-Aku she had the three down on the ground. Her eyes turned to Kira and she was ready for a beat down. In a couple moves she had the yellow ranger down. She had Kira pinned to the ground with her blade underneath her chin and her foot on her chest. The other three were laying on the ground writhing in pain.

"Kimberly don't…"

She heard his hammering heartbeat before she saw him. Tommy was standing there. She turned her green eyes on him and stood there. Then she looked down at the Yellow Ranger.

"I am not an enemy so stop treating me like one."

Then she felt someone's hand on her shoulder that wasn't there. Knowing who was trying to guide her Kimberly stepped backwards and sheathed her sword on her back. Putting away the Dragon Dagger she pulled out Zen-Aku's Summoning flute and moved towards Merrick.

"Maybe another day we can talk about Zen-Aku, but I figured you'd want something to remind you of him."

She handed him the flute. The look on Merrick's face said it all to her and she was grateful that she had thought of this.

"Thank you."

"For now I'm going to keep the Crescent Blade since I can use it still."

"That's a good idea."

"Thank you for seeing me today Merrick."

Turning she went where she'd had the blanket and picked it up and vanished. She landed gracefully on Terra Venture. People scattered seeing her. Running feet made her turn her head seeing Leo. She'd not had a destination in mind when she teleported, but considering how far away Terra Venture was it made sense to her in the long run.

"Hey," she said softly.

"Kimberly?"

She powered down and stood there even though she'd won against the Dino Thunder Rangers she felt like crap. Going against other Ranger teams had always made her feel uneasy and like an enemy. Leo reached out and touched her shoulder jerking her attention to him.

"You want to talk about it?"

"Yeah I do."

"Come on."

He led her back to his apartments. Kai was standing in the kitchen and was surprised to see the Pink Ninjetti Ranger.

"Kimberly it's good to see you again."

"Thanks Kai."

"I'll get the others they'll want to say hello. We were worried about you."

"I can't stay long."

Leo moved forward and gestured to a chair. Kai moved to sit down beside Leo so he could listen in too.

"Tell me."

She started telling him what had been going on since she last saw him. By the time the others came in and were listening intently.

"How dare they," Karone growled.

"Easy," she murmured softly. "I understand their position and thoughts on this but at the same time it's been taken to far."

"You love him," Karone said softly. "So why…"

"I've been fighting so long and I thought that this would be so easy."

"Nothing worth wile ever is easy," Mike told her.

"I know it wasn't going to be easy, but I honestly thought when I fell, I'd fall and not get back up."

"Do you resent Zen-Aku for what he did?"

"Sometimes I do, but other times I don't. He gave me a chance to be happy again."

"Can't fault him for that," Leo said with a smile. "He did have a soft spot for you."

A smile crossed her features and she reached up and brushed the tears away.

"Thank you."

"That's what friends are for," Damon said with a smile.

"So tell us about these books and comics," Leo started.

She laughed softly and started talking about her work with Analyse on her comic books and new novels.

"I'll have to bring you them so you guys can read them."

"Don't be a stranger Kimberly, we're your friends."

"I'll do that."

"I'm sure you need to get back."

She nodded her head and hugged the entire Lost Galaxy Rangers. Karone smiled softly at her as she let her go.

"We were worried about you after Andros called us and told us you'd fallen."

"I'm sorry I just had a lot going on and wasn't able to process it right away. I was given a whole lot of power and no time to completely adjust to it. The Crane and Falcon were always intertwined and when the Dragonzord was added it didn't put much strain on me, but the power Zen-Aku gave me was something else."

"I can imagine. We're here for you if you ever need us."

"Thank you again."

Then she felt it rip through her like a tidal wave and her eyes flashed gold. A couple of them tensed seeing the transformation wash over her eyes.

"Kimberly?"

"It's okay. It's the power Zen-Aku gave me. My eyes turn gold."

She morphed into the Black Wolf Ninjetti uniform. The others stared in awe seeing her like this. She hefted the Crescent Blade over her shoulder.

"Is everything okay?" Karone asked softly.

"If I'm feeling the Call probably not."

"Be careful Kimberly."

She gave them a curt nod. Vanishing in a rush she landed softly on the roof of the steel plant. Watching on she had this sinking feeling something was going on beneath the surface. Following them back to the command center she listened in on their plans. Turning her attention away she left them to their planning. Going back to her apartment she powered down and started packing a small bag. She called and talked to Analyse as she packed her bag. Sitting it by the door she readied herself. Then she felt it. Her eyes flashed green. Cursing softly, she morphed and vanished. Watching Mesagog transform made her cringe. Tommy was right bad guys never did know when to quit. Shaking her head, she stood ready to jump in. She hoped that she wouldn't have to step in anymore. There was a fight inside of her trying to keep herself from going in. Once the day was won she smiled sadly. Kissing her hand she blew him a kiss that he would never feel.

Kimberly stepped back once Mesagog fell. Sheathing the sword at her back she turned and moved away from the team. This was their victory. She powered down and moved towards her apartment. Getting out her keys she entered her apartment and closed the door behind her. This battle had seemed like something final had happened. With every battle's end for every other team she felt this finality and it made her ache. Going to her book case she took out a blank book and started drawing the final battle as she sat down against the wall. Her eyes burned as the sun went down. Leaning her head back she closed her eyes and felt tears sliding down her cheek. She never let the others see her tears. The pounding of music made her sit up and wipe her eyes. Putting her books away and locking the case she moved up to the roof and smiled as she watched the students going to their prom.

"Not going to join them?"

She looked over her shoulder at Zen-Aku and smiled softly.

"No this is their victory not mine."

"I think you should go."

"It's done isn't it?" she asked turning towards him avoiding his suggestion.

"Yes, you're strong enough on your own now, but you are also stronger beside him."

Before she could say something, the Duke Org engulfed her in a hug. She wrapped her arms around him allowing her tears to fall softly.

"Don't be sad forever."

"Thank you for everything Zen-Aku."

"Thank you for allowing me to find what I'd been searching for in being your companion."

"Your redemption."

"That and my friend."

The music got louder and she turned her attention back that way. Zen-Aku dropped his hand on her shoulder and vanished in a flurry of light. It enveloped her for a moment before fading into her skin. Her heart felt strangely lighter at his acceptance and moving on. Maybe it was time for her to move forward too.