MMPR Revisited

Homecoming Part 5

In the command center, a heavy silence hung in the air, burdened by the weight of the recent events. The tension in the room was palpable, stifling any attempt at conversation. Upon their arrival, Alpha had accompanied Trini to the medical bay to attend to her injuries, while the rest of the Rangers observed the aftermath of the battle on the viewing globe. The grim scene on display included the authorities somberly carrying Daniel's lifeless body away in a body bag. The Rangers were relieved that Trini was spared witnessing this heart-wrenching sight.

Alpha returned to the command center without Trini and stood before Zordon. "Her wounds are fully taken care of," he reported. "She's taking a moment for herself right now." No one faulted her for needing that respite. In fact, Jason and the others couldn't bring themselves to criticize any of Trini's decisions in light of Daniel's tragic demise. Jason had initially expressed his disapproval of her revealing her identity, but with Daniel's untimely passing, that concern seemed trivial now.

But the question remained: would Zordon share the same perspective?

"Rangers, given the gravity of today's battle, congratulations seem somewhat inappropriate. I am genuinely sorry for the loss of one of your comrades," Zordon conveyed, causing all the Rangers to turn their attention to him. "Nonetheless, this remains a hard-won victory. The combined efforts of all of you saved countless lives."

"Thank you, Zordon," Jason responded. "If it's acceptable, I'd like to address what's on everyone's minds. We understand the importance of keeping our identities a secret. I hold no resentment toward Trini for her actions today, and as the leader of our group, I want you to know that." Zordon took a moment before responding, prompting surprised glances exchanged among the other Rangers.

"Do you all share this sentiment?" Zordon inquired.

"Absolutely," Kimberly affirmed. "Considering the circumstances – honestly, I don't know if I would've had Trini's courage."

"I bear no ill will," Zack added.

"Nor do I," Billy chimed in.

"The reason I insist on your identities remaining hidden is not only for your own safety but also for the safety of your loved ones. If a civilian had witnessed Trini's unmasking and could identify her, it would lead to chaos," Zordon explained with a stern tone. "Earth's authorities would apprehend Trini, interrogate her family and friends – her life would be destroyed. I chose all of you because of the light and goodness within you; the selflessness you demonstrated when accepting the offer to become Power Rangers. Unfortunately, it appears that you are still discovering the extent of the sacrifices you make day in and day out, and for that, I apologize."

"It doesn't change my commitment, Zordon," Jason affirmed, and the other Rangers nodded in agreement. "I'm more than willing to be a Power Ranger. We make a difference, and that's what matters."

"That's why I do not blame Trini either," Zordon continued. "Trini is wise and honorable – qualities that make her an ideal Yellow Ranger. I know her decision was not made lightly; she weighed the consequences." A collective sigh of relief emanated from the Rangers upon hearing Zordon's pardon.

"I'm sorry, Zordon," Trini emerged from the hallway and positioned herself in front of the others, directly facing Zordon. Her arm was bandaged, and her once-beautiful dress bore stains of dirt. Her voice wavered as her throat tightened, and tears welled up in her eyes. She took a deep breath to regain her composure before speaking again. "I didn't mean to endanger anyone else. I love being a Power Ranger, and I thought I understood the burden of sacrifice you spoke of," her voice trembled. After a moment, she continued, "I just wish it were enough, you know? We're the good guys. We possess all this power. But it wasn't enough. I just wish I had known from the beginning that our power might not be enough."

"Oh, Trini…" Kimberly wept, feeling her friend's heartache deeply.

"Daniel was a good person. And now he's gone," Trini struggled to speak, her voice breaking as she continued, "I don't regret my decision because it allowed Daniel to die as a human, not one of Rita's soulless minions. I know there's no honor in revenge. In his final moments, that's all I could think about – destroying Rita for what she did. But then I'd be no better than her, and Daniel wouldn't have wanted that for me."

"No, he wouldn't have," Jason agreed.

"I extend my deepest condolences, Trini," Zordon offered.

"Zordon, do we know why Rita did this? You mentioned that transforming a human into one of her creatures required dark magic. What was her purpose in this?" Billy inquired.

"Yeah, when I was fighting Daniel, he seemed to know his time was limited. He believed he would die anyway," Jason added.

"That's peculiar," Alpha remarked.

"Alpha and I will need to investigate further. While we understand what she did to Daniel, it doesn't clarify the specific spell she used. Without that crucial detail, we cannot narrow down the suspects. However, one thing is certain – she has access to Scorpina. And she cast this spell for a reason; Rita is on the offensive," Zordon declared.

"Great," Zack muttered dryly.

"I sense that Rita won't make her move immediately, giving us time to unravel this mystery and providing each of you with some respite," Zordon concluded.

"I can't believe he's gone," Trini whispered. Kimberly moved to comfort her, but Trini shook her head. "No. I'll be fine." She raised her communicator and teleported away.

"I can't even imagine what she's going through," Kimberly admitted.

"We'll need to be there for her in any way we can," Jason responded.


Shortly after Trini left the command center, the rest of the Rangers decided to follow her lead. Alpha had managed to trace Trini's location back to Billy's house, so they all headed there. Arriving in Billy's parents' bedroom, where they had gathered earlier, they noticed no sign of Trini, and the bedroom door was partially open.

"I believe she's still here," Billy remarked. "Let's go find her." Billy took the lead, with everyone but Kimberly following him.

"I'll catch up in a moment," she said, her gaze fixed on her Homecoming dress. She picked it up and held it against herself with a pensive expression.

They didn't take long to locate Trini; her anguished sobs echoed from another room – Billy's room. Jason, Billy, and Zack stood in the doorway, finding Trini lying on Billy's bed, her back turned to them as she cried into one of his pillows.

"Trini?" Jason spoke gently, startling her slightly. She didn't sit up, only lifted her head to acknowledge their presence out of the corner of her eye.

"Not now. I just need to be alone for a little while, okay? I'll be fine. I promise." Trini's voice was muffled as she buried her face in the pillow, but her message was clear, and they left her to her solitude.

"Man, I still can't believe Daniel's gone," Zack muttered, disbelief etched on his face.

"Yeah, it's heartbreaking, especially on a day that was meant for celebration," Jason added. "I'm sure the city is overwhelmed with the aftermath and repairs. It's hard to predict when things will return to normal."

Billy's telephone rang, but none of them felt like answering it. They let the answering machine pick up, and Felicia's voice, Zack's date, caught them off guard.

"Zack! Where are you? I've been trying to reach you guys for the past hour and a half. Did you ditch me? Today is a nightmare. I'm all alone, and I think Homecoming is canceled. I don't know what to do. Zack, please call me back!" Felicia sounded desperate, and Jason and Billy exchanged sympathetic looks.

"Wow, Felicia," Zack sighed. "I think I should go check on her. Homecoming is probably canceled. Our school couldn't possibly hold such an event after today. I just hope no one from our school got hurt."

"Yeah, I feel bad for Kim too," Jason said. "This event means a lot to her. Planning it was her escape from reality. She put in a lot of effort for us."

Zack placed a comforting hand on Jason's shoulder. "You should go see how Felicia is doing. I'll check on Kim."

"Sounds good. I'll catch you guys later," Zack said before leaving Billy's house and closing the door behind him.

"I really wish there was something more I could do for Kim," Jason admitted, a tinge of guilt on his face. He knew it wasn't his fault that the dance was canceled, but he still felt responsible for ensuring Kimberly had a good night.

"Well, we do still have the limo," Billy pointed out, gazing out of the window. Jason's eyes widened in surprise.

"I guess they didn't cancel the limo service," Jason noted.

"Apparently not," Billy agreed.

"I know there's sparkling cider in there. Maybe taking a ride around Angel Grove, just the two of us, could be a good idea?" Jason suggested hesitantly.

"Jason, I have no idea what a good time with a girl looks like," Billy admitted, eliciting a chuckle from Jason.

In Billy's parents' bedroom, Kimberly changed into her baby-pink Homecoming dress, put on her shoes, and let her hair down. She twirled around in front of the full-length mirror on the wall with a sense of wonder, as if envisioning herself arriving at Homecoming in it. Her reverie was interrupted when she spotted Jason, dressed in his tuxedo, standing behind her.

"Jason, I – I was just..." Kimberly began, stumbling over her words as her cheeks flushed with embarrassment.

"You look beautiful, Kimberly," Jason complimented her.

"Thank you," she smiled. "I know Homecoming is canceled. It's a shame. I saved up for months for this dress. I didn't want it to go to waste. A few minutes in it is better than nothing, right?"

"I think you deserve to wear it all night," Jason replied, surprising Kimberly with a white rose corsage he had concealed behind his back. Her eyes lit up, and she extended her wrist happily.

"Jason, it's beautiful," Kimberly exclaimed as he fastened it.

"You're beautiful," he repeated. Kimberly blushed again and smiled, her cheeks tinged with red once more. "Who says we can't still have a fun night out?" Kimberly narrowed her eyes and turned to him with suspicion.

"What do you mean?" she inquired. Jason held out his hand, inviting her to join him, and she complied. He led her out into the living room, opened Billy's front door, and revealed the stretch limousine they had booked, with the driver holding the door open.

"Oh my goodness!" Kimberly exclaimed, taken aback.

"It may not be Homecoming, but I still want to make this an amazing night for you," Jason declared, locking eyes with Kimberly, who found herself momentarily speechless.

"Jason, I – but what about Trini?" she asked, guilt washing over her as she wondered whether it was right to enjoy herself when one of her closest friends was suffering.

"Billy has it covered," Jason reassured her. Satisfied with his answer, Kimberly beamed from ear to ear and let Jason lead her into the limousine. Once inside, they marveled at the spacious interior and the well-appointed bar they had all to themselves. Moments later, the limousine began to move. Jason opened a bottle of grape cider, and Kimberly grabbed two flutes as he poured a small amount into each.

"Cheers," Jason toasted.

"Cheers to what?" Kimberly questioned.

"To us," Jason replied with a smile, and after a brief hesitation, Kimberly clinked her flute against his, and they both took a sip of their drinks.

Meanwhile, Billy quietly closed his front door as he watched the limo drive away. He headed back to his bedroom to find Trini in the same spot. At this point, words seemed futile. Nothing could ever make what had happened okay. Billy knew he wasn't the best person to deal with emotions, but he couldn't leave Trini alone in her grief.

Sitting on the edge of the bed, he scooted closer to Trini and put his arm around her from behind. She took his hand into her own and held it tightly, her tears continuing to flow.

"It's okay, Trini," Billy offered comfort, though he knew it wasn't. Nothing about their situation was okay.

"I can't believe he's gone. He's gone, and he's never coming back," she sobbed. "My heart is shattered. And his parents... I can't even imagine what they're going through right now. What will I say to them? I'll have to pretend I don't know what happened. And his funeral... and I..."

"Stop," Billy said softly. "Don't torture yourself right now. You don't deserve this. Daniel was an incredible person who loved you. Hold on to that tonight. Everything else can wait until tomorrow."

"You're right," Trini cleared her throat. "I wish it were that easy," she admitted. They sat together in silence for another fifteen minutes or so before the doorbell rang. "Who could that be?" Trini asked curiously. Billy knew, and his stomach twisted into knots.

"Damn," Billy muttered, sitting up. "I forgot Brent was coming over. He wanted to watch Star Wars. I figured after everything that happened today, he'd cancel." Billy lowered his face into his hands, feeling guilty.

"Billy, I think you should answer the door," Trini suggested.

"No," Billy shook his head in protest. "Trini, I need to stay here with you. I can't just leave you alone like this."

"I'll be fine," Trini reassured him. "I know you're not ready to talk about what's going on with you and Brent, or if anything is going on, but you owe it to yourself to figure it out. Besides, I'm really tired, and I might just fall asleep here tonight if that's okay." Trini's unexpected understanding stunned Billy.

"Are you sure?" Billy asked, his guilt showing on his face.

"Absolutely. I think some alone time and sleep would do me good. Thank you for staying with me as long as you did. And I hope you don't mind me hijacking your bed."

"Not at all," Billy replied.

"Okay, go have fun. Figure things out. We'll talk in the morning, okay?" This was typical Trini, and Billy didn't know what he did to deserve such a selfless friend. He smiled at her, gave her a big hug, and then left the room, slowly closing the door behind him. Trini smiled for a moment, but the pain returned, overwhelming her. She wiped away a tear, pulled one of Billy's blankets over her, closed her eyes, and tried to sleep, hoping to meet Daniel in her dreams and see his smile one last time.

The doorbell rang for the third time as Billy finally answered it. Brent stood there, holding a pizza and a bag of microwave popcorn, but his smile slowly faded upon seeing Billy.

"Whoa, are you okay, Billy?" Brent asked with concern.

"Yeah, why?" Billy didn't notice how exhausted he looked and how pale his skin was.

"What happened?" Brent probed, not satisfied with Billy's vague response. He walked into Billy's house and set the food on the couch before moving closer to inspect Billy. "Were you in the city today? Did you get hurt?"

"No, no," Billy lied. "I did see what was on the news. That was devastating to watch. Maybe it just got to me." Billy tried to sound convincing, hoping Brent would drop it, but Brent didn't look entirely convinced.

"You wouldn't lie to me, right?" Brent asked, an odd question that left Billy perplexed.

"No," Billy lied once more, deeming it necessary.

"Yeah, the news was just awful. Homecoming was canceled, I'm sure you heard," Brent said.

"I kind of figured," Billy replied.

"Where are your friends?" Brent inquired.

"Oh, yeah. Kimberly and Jason went out, still. Zack went to check on Felicia. Trini came down with something, and she's sleeping it off in my room," Billy answered.

"Trini's sleeping over?"

"Yeah, just for the night," Billy confirmed. Billy went to turn on the television and put in Star Wars Episode IV. Brent efficiently prepared the popcorn and placed it in a bowl. Brent made himself comfortable on the couch, and Billy sat down on the floor, leaning against the couch. "This is the best one, in my opinion," Billy commented.

"Billy," about halfway through the movie, Brent cleared his throat, attempting to start a conversation. "Billy," he said again, diverting Billy's attention from the movie. "I have something I want to say." The way he said it indicated it was something important, causing Billy's stomach to tighten once more.

"Okay..." Billy responded hesitantly.

"I didn't want to say this earlier because you said Trini had come down with something, but I think you should know what she might be going through when she wakes up tomorrow morning. The late-night news reported that they found Daniel's body. Daniel is dead, Billy." Brent wore a look of utter devastation, and Billy didn't know how to react. This wasn't news to Billy, and acting wasn't his strong suit.

"Oh no," Billy feigned shock. "No, none of us saw that. None of us knew. Trini is going to be distraught."

"I know. I'm sorry, I just couldn't keep it in. I was worried something happened to you earlier, but then something inside me told me you were fine." Brent's confession took Billy by surprise, and he couldn't hide his astonishment. "Yeah, I don't know. When I saw that Daniel was deceased, I thought of you, and I got extremely worried, but then something inside me told me you were alright. And then when you answered the door and you looked, well..."

"Like myself," Billy said flatly.

"Right. I thought maybe I was wrong and I should have checked up on you sooner," Brent admitted. Billy's expression still didn't change.

"Why were you worried?" Billy asked cautiously. He knew that by asking this question, he could get an answer that might change the nature of their friendship. Now Brent was the one who seemed speechless, opening his mouth several times but not saying a word.

"I mean, I feel like you have to know, right?" Brent finally said, and the entire dynamic between them shifted. Anxiety washed over both of them. "I care about you, Billy." Emotions and feelings weren't Billy's strong points, but he couldn't help but feel something when Brent said this to him. A warmth washed over him, something he'd never felt before. Brent moved from the couch and sat down next to Billy, looking directly into his eyes.

"I – I..." Billy began, stumbling over his words, and Brent leaned forward, kissing him. When he pulled away, Billy's face still bore an expression of shock. "Brent, I – I..." From the look on Billy's face, Brent feared he might have gone too far and began to pull away, but Billy grabbed his arm to stop him. "I care about you too," he finally admitted.

"I know this is weird," Brent acknowledged. "I've never felt this way about another guy before."

"I've never felt this way, ever," Billy stated flatly, reminded of his nonexistent love life. "I've never been good at feelings. They don't make sense to me. I don't know if this is something you want."

"You don't get to decide that for me. In chemistry, yes, you get to decide things for me. But not this. I'm still figuring this out too. We can take things slow."

"Yes. Slow," Billy agreed. A wave of indifference began to wash over him. Trini's boyfriend had just died, and he couldn't fathom starting a relationship now. On the other hand, life couldn't come to a halt either. What would Jason and Zack think? What would Brent's friends think? Brent was incredibly popular, and Billy couldn't help but feel that this might ruin his social life.

"Slow," Brent repeated. "But I'm looking forward to it." Brent placed his arm around Billy, and they continued watching the Star Wars saga into the early hours of the morning.


Jason and Kimberly's Homecoming night turned out nothing like they had imagined. Many places were closed due to the recent chaos, but they managed to salvage their evening by ordering a large batch of French fries from a fast-food restaurant that remained open. The Angel Grove botanical gardens were illuminated, and their limo driver pulled over, cranking up the radio so they could dance to a couple of songs.

As they cruised through town, Jason and Kimberly decided to open the sunroof, allowing themselves to hang halfway out of it and unleash howls and screams of exhilaration to celebrate their night together.

"One final lap around the city?" the driver inquired. Jason glanced at Kimberly to see if she was on board, and she nodded in agreement.

"Yes, please," Jason replied.

"And would it be acceptable if we give you some privacy?" Kimberly asked. The driver nodded and activated a button, raising the window to separate them from the front. "This has been an amazing night, Jason." Her words made him break into a wide smile, and he reached for their flutes, uncorking another bottle of cider and filling their glasses.

"I'm glad you're having a good time, Kim. Mission accomplished," he remarked, still grinning. Kimberly took a sip of her cider and set her glass down. She moved closer to Jason, resting her head on his shoulder.

"I couldn't have asked for a better night. It was magical in its own way, especially after what we've been through today. Thank you," she said, leaning up and surprising Jason with a kiss. Their eyes locked, and an overwhelming wave of passion coursed through Kimberly. She kissed him again and again, slowly beginning to unbutton his collared shirt and loosen his tie.

Sensing that things might be moving too quickly, Jason pulled back to look at her. "Kimberly, are you sure?" he asked. She didn't reply immediately, instead tilting her head slightly. Kimberly had had many boyfriends, but none had been as considerate as Jason, catching her off guard.

"Yes, I'm sure," she affirmed, sliding one strap of her dress down her arm. Jason leaned in to kiss her once more, feeling happier and somehow more complete than he had in a long time.


Days passed before the Rangers saw each other again. The city's damage had led to the closure of the school and the Youth Center, and their parents were keeping a tight rein on them, allowing them to leave only when absolutely necessary. Classes resumed on Thursday morning, the day after Daniel's funeral. The Rangers still tried to be supportive of Trini, but she kept insisting that she was fine.

For Kimberly, first period math class was always a struggle. Thankfully, Trini was in the same class, and she had been meaning to share the details of her night with Jason but was unsure how to broach the subject given Trini's current circumstances. When Kimberly entered the classroom, she was relieved to see Trini already seated at her desk.

"Trini," she greeted her friend with a hug before taking the seat next to her. "How are you holding up?"

"I'm hanging in there," Trini replied with a smile. "It's been tough, but I'm getting through it the best way I can. Life doesn't stop for me, so I'm looking forward to moving on. Daniel's service was beautiful, though."

"Yeah, I heard it was amazing. I'm sorry I couldn't attend. My parents had me on lockdown..." Kimberly explained.

"I understand. How about you? Billy told me you and Jason still went out on Friday. Did you have fun?" Trini inquired.

Kimberly smiled awkwardly and let out a nervous sound. "Yeah... No, it was an amazing night. Jason was—Jason is—Jason was perfect," she stammered with a smile. "But I really need to talk to you about something. Seriously, I need some Cone of Silence level confidentiality." Kimberly's desperation caught Trini's attention, and she nodded her agreement.

"Of course, my lips are sealed," Trini assured her.

"Jason and I, I mean, we kinda—okay, we definitely..." Kimberly tried to convey her message with hand gestures until Trini understood, her eyes widening with realization. "In the limousine," Kimberly finally admitted.

"Are you serious?" Trini asked, a mix of shock and excitement. "Are you two okay? Have you talked about it? Defined the relationship?" Trini bombarded her with questions.

"No, no, and no. I don't know. He's been really sweet and considerate, and we had a lot of fun, don't get me wrong. But Jason has always been there for me. He's always been this amazing friend, and I feel like lines got blurred in the heat of the moment. It can't be taken back," Kimberly rambled, her uncertainty apparent.

"Do you have feelings for Jason?" Trini questioned.

"Yes, no, I don't know. Of course I do, but I don't know if they're like that. It was an amazing moment, and I wouldn't change any of it, I think," Kimberly admitted, her uncertainty leaving Trini unconvinced.

"You guys have to talk," Trini insisted.

"I know, I know. We will," Kimberly said resolutely. The final bell rang, and Principal Kaplan made a surprise visit to their classroom.

"Good morning," he greeted the students.

"Good morning," they replied in unison.

"As you all know, due to some of the damage in northern Angel Grove and the schools in that area, we have allowed some of their students to enroll in our school for the rest of the year. I have one student who will be joining our class, and I hope you give him a warm welcome. Please say hello to Thomas Oliver," Principal Kaplan announced, prompting a round of hesitant applause that quickly died down.

"You can just call me Tommy," the new student said as he entered the classroom. He wore a wide smile as he looked around the room, making direct eye contact with Kimberly.

"Welcome, Tommy," Mr. Mason, the math instructor, greeted him. "You can have a seat next to Ms. Hart." Mr. Mason pointed to the empty seat next to Kimberly, and Tommy walked over, still smiling at her throughout the process.

"I'm Kimberly," she introduced herself, extending her hand.

"I'm Tommy. Nice to meet you. I hope I get the opportunity to get to know you better," Tommy replied, causing Kimberly's cheeks to turn crimson.

"Me too," she agreed. As Tommy released her hand and settled into his seat, Mr. Mason began their math lesson. Kimberly took out a piece of paper, attempting to pay attention, but she couldn't help stealing glances at Tommy out of the corner of her eye. There was something intriguing about him, something she couldn't wait to discover.

To be continued in Green with Evil: Origins Part I

Hi Everyone!

So, the Homecoming Arc has come to a close. Thank you all for reading. I appreciate all the feedback and the messages. It really makes me excited to keep writing. I'm really proud of where this arc ended and I hope you like it to. If not, I appreciate all critique. Moving forward, I would like to know if you have any character ideas or plots you would like to see explored. In Homecoming Part 4 I left a little tease that there are other power coins out there, therefore there will be other rangers in this series. Remember, I love all suggestions. You can either leave them in the reviews, but private messaging has been more popular. Thanks again for sticking with me this long, I'm very happy with how far this story has come. And more is coming, I'm really excited for you all to read what I have in store for the next few arcs.