Author's Notes: Hi, readers. Here's chapter twelve of "Running From Here." This chapter shows another dinosaur. There is some Tommy/Kim and Jason/Trini as well. Ranger action is coming very soon. Stay tuned for chapter thirteen.

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Chapter 12: Feeling Peachy

Tommy, Kim, Jason, Trini, Zack, Billy, and Mia reached a much less dense part of the rainforest fifteen minutes later. They looked around at a steady pace. They spotted a Stegosaurus feeding on a bush. They decided to stop to watch it. It grabbed a mouthful of leaves and gobbled them down. It glanced at a leaf-filled branch and took hold of it. It moved its head from side to side until its meal broke off. Kim couldn't help but smile.

"I do not think I have seen a more beautiful prehistoric herbivore," Kim whispered in a gentle manner.

"It might be, Kim, but that Stegosaurus could kill someone if it swung its tail at them," Tommy warned.

"Earth contains millions of animal species, but only a handful of them have natural armor," Zack added.

"The armadillo is one of them," Jason said and rubbed his chin in thought. "It can roll into a ball."

"Imagine trying to eat that animal," Trini commented while curling her hand into a fist. "It would be hard to get it in your mouth, let alone break its armor."

"You got that right, Trini," Billy said with a soft chuckle.

"Oh, yes, Billy," Mia responded and nudged his shoulder lightly. "Oh, yes."

The Stegosaurus gobbled down the branch. It looked toward the group and grunted with much curiosity. It made its way toward the Rangers and the Triceratops. All the Rangers started to become nervous with the exception of Billy and Mia.

"Guys, we better prepare to draw our weapons," Tommy commanded sternly and placed his hand on Saba.

"We are right behind you, Tommy," Jason added as he, Zack, Trini, and Kim grabbed their Blade Blasters.

"That's right," Zack added.

Billy held up his hand. "Wait, guys. I do not think that will be necessary."

"You are right, Billy. The Stegosaurus does not look ready to attack," Mia agreed.

"We still must be cautious, Mia," Billy pointed out as he looked at her.

Mia bobbed her head. "Of course.

The Stegosaurus stopped close to the group. It tilted its head somewhat while putting its front feet together. It grunted as it bobbed its head and blinked three times. Tommy removed his hand from his weapon. So did his teammates with theirs. They straightened their postures. The Stegosaurus emitted a soft grunt as it lifted its foot. It seemed to gesture toward its face.

"I think that creature wants us to scratch it behind its eye," Kim suggested.

"You might be right, Kim," Tommy said, looking at her. "Why don't you come with me?"

She smiled. "Sure."

He waved his hand toward himself. "Come on."

Tommy and Kim went over to the Stegosaurus's side as it returned its foot to the ground. They reached out, jerking their hands back twice. They touched the area behind its eye and proceeded to scratch it. It bellowed in much pleasure. Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack couldn't help but smile.

"That Stegosaurus just needed an itch to be scratched," Jason whispered as he clasped his hands together.

"Who would've thought we'd see a human helping a dinosaur?" Trini said, cupping her chin in her hand.

"I can only imagine how many times John scratched dinosaurs to rid them of their itches. The not-so-dangerous ones, that is," Zack added and cleared his throat.

"Many people have tried to pet wild animals and got hurt badly as a result," Jason said, shuddering.

"They think the animals are cute and cuddly like the ones in a zoo. They are shocked to find out that is not the case," Trini mumbled, rolling her eyes and scoffing angrily. "It is so stupid to risk your life to get a picture with a dangerous critter."

"Those people should be given Darwin Awards for doing such a thing," Zack said while shaking his head in disbelief.

"You just cannot fix stupid at all," Trini commented and mumbled inaudible words.

"That is right, Trini," Jason said, putting his arm around her shoulder. "As Forrest Gump said, stupid is as stupid does."

Tommy and Kim finished scratching the Stegosaurus. It turned and nudged each of them in their stomachs. It bellowed in much affection. They petted it in between its eyes. They glanced at the others and waved their hands toward themselves.

"Come on, guys," Tommy said eagerly.

"Come pet this Stegosaurus," Kim added.

Jason swallowed hard. "Okay."

Trini blew softly. "If you say so."

Jason, Trini, Billy, and Zack approached the Stegosaurus's side. The Red and Yellow Rangers petted its neck. The Blue and Black Rangers followed suit with its back just under its plates. It purred in great pleasure. They couldn't help but laugh.

"This is morphinominal," Jason said in much delight.

"Who would've thought we would be petting a dinosaur?" Trini asked and gave the Stegosaurus a gentle pat.

"Billy was the first to do so with Mia after he gained her trust," Zack said, jerking his thumb in Mia's direction.

Tommy glanced toward Mia. "That is true."

Kim nodded in agreement. "Oh, yes."

Jason, Trini, Billy, and Trini gave the Stegosaurus gentle pats. They resumed petting it. Mia emitted a bellow, causing the Rangers to look at her. She straightened her posture before shaking her head. Billy headed over to her and touched her nasal horn.

"We need to get going. We must rescue John, his family, and his friends," Mia said seriously.

"You are right, Mia," Billy agreed. "We can't continue to hang around this Stegosaurus."

Billy made his way back to his friends. He cleared his throat, causing them to look at him. He touched the top of the device while letting out a disappointing sigh. The Stegosaurus tilted its head somewhat. It tapped its foot three times before bellowing very quietly.

"I hate to say this, guys, but we really need to go. Time is of the essence," Billy said, sadness lining his voice.

"Okay, Billy," Jason said and looked at the Stegosaurus. "I guess this is goodbye."

"Thanks for letting us pet you," Trini added warmly.

The Stegosaurus appeared to nod at the Rangers. They resumed walking in the direction they had been going. Mia followed them close behind. She caught up to Billy, who looked at her. She narrowed her eyes at his device. He titled it upward a tiny bit.

"Is that device going to lead us to the survivors?" Mia wondered.

"Yes, it will. It can detect energy signatures from any direction. We follow where arrow points us. Sometimes, we have to go in several directions in a short time," Billy explained.

Mia snorted. "That is rather interesting."

The Rangers and Mia came to a halt when a spider monkey ran out in front of them. It went to a nearby tree and climbed up. It reached a branch near the top and went out close to the edge. It emitted a soft squeak before curling its tail against its backside.

"Talk about a quick monkey," Jason said in much awe.

"Tell me about it. Spider monkeys are well known for stretching their arms out while hanging from their tails to grab fruit. That's how they got their name," Trini explained. "I remember the Stretch Armstrong doll I once owned. You, Zack, Billy, and I would stretch him really far out. No matter how much we stretched or tied him up, he always returned to his original shape."

"Pulling and trying that doll in all directions was a lot of fun, though," Jason said honestly.

"It sure was," Zack agreed with a chuckle. "Imagine if we could stretch out like spider monkeys can. We would be able to reach things we could not get to before."

"That would be totally cool," Kim said while clapping three times. She, her boyfriend, and her friends picked up their pace a little bit.