(Author's Notes: Hey guys, so chapter 4 takes place between the events of Countdown to Destruction and will further set up the progress of the story by introducing the main plot of the story going forward.)

Chapter 4: As One War Ends, Another Lurks

December 20, 1998

Power Chamber Ruins

Angel Grove, CA

It has been forty days to be exact. Forty days since the Space Rangers prevented Astronema's invasion of Angel Grove and the Power Rangers were once again victorious in their efforts of eliminating the universe of the major key villains throughout the galaxy. However, no victory came without sacrifice and that statement ran deep in the core of the original twelve Rangers who served under Zordon of Eltar.

Tommy may have been in another state reaping in his second chance of a future with Kimberly and pursuing to follow his crane in her life in Phoenix by going to ASU with her, but Angel Grove will always be a place they called home. The truth behind the letter was water under the bridge and his decision to attend ASU was one he didn't regret.

The living situation while attending college wasn't an issue since it saved them money from moving into the dorms and living off campus at the dojo. The reunion with Quinn at first was one with unresolved tension due to the fact that Tommy had some abandonment issues over a guy he considered a mentor as a child despite the six years age difference. It was true what Kimberly said about their old camp counsellor that he was a man of mystery, one they were determine to discover more about.

Despite life after being Power Rangers, the memories and the time spent was something that they couldn't forget. It was the reason they made the pilgrimage out in the middle of the desert on the fortieth day to pay tribute and honor the man who help them become the people they are today.

The news of the events that transpired forty days prior spread like wildfire and it was fitting that the holidays brought together the original twelve out to the place they called their second home once upon a time, the remains of the old Power Chamber. This was the only place they felt close to the man who became like a second father to them and it was his sacrifice that ensured peace and to close the chapter of their lives that redefined their fates and destinies.

"You know seeing this place, it brings back memories." Tommy was the first to speak up. "Part of me wishes I can close my eyes and this is all nothing but a dream."

"Most of us wish that bro, but the hardest thing about the world is living in it." Jason replied looking at the group. "It was one of the hardest lessons we faced before and after our time as Power Rangers. How do we live without that part of our lives?"

"He meant everything to us and Zordon was the best thing that came into our lives." Kimberly teared up but let out a small smile. "We wouldn't be the people we are today if it wasn't for him. It is because of him our bond and our friendships with one another are everlasting. We're all a family because of him and whatever lies ahead, we make a promise with each other that we'll face the unknown future together."

"But what does the future hold for us now even after Zordon is gone and we haven't been Rangers for a long time?" Adam asked.

"That's the beauty of it despite no longer having the guidance of the person who meant a lot to us." Tommy said. "The reason why we all came out here is because we want a sense of closure, and at the same time give ourselves a moment to properly grieve for what we loss. It's been over a year since we passed the torch to a new generation and closed one chapter of our lives. Although we're no longer actively serving on duty, we still have a duty to serve: honoring Zordon's memory by continuing to live."

"Since we all made the trek here out in the middle of nowhere, I say one last time we all stay the night." Kat suggested noticing that the night was soon settling in. After all, the original twelve Rangers picked up one lesson from their old mentor, always come prepare for an overnight stay. "For old time sakes?"

"Yeah our Kitty-Kat does have a point. We made the trek through the desert, why not have one last campout before we officially put this chapter behind us?" Rocky smiled.

"Okay, so all in favor raise your hands?" They happily replied in agreement deciding to hold one last night underneath the stars and on the sacred grounds of the place they felt close to Zordon. "So it's settled then. Well, let's this show on the road." It was as if for one night time stood still as the twelve original Power Rangers camped out underneath the desert night sky.

Channeling the grief they were experiencing mourning the loss of Zordon, they found comfort in the friendships and bonds they formed with each other. As the campfire burned throughout the night, each of them shared stories of their time as Rangers, memories with one another and catching up with the latest gossips in each other's personal lives. Tommy and the others knew that eventually their grief will fade, but it was through his sacrifice he repaid them for their tenure with hope of officially never be called up again to the frontlines of battle.

January 30, 1999

Somewhere outside of Monument Valley

"As one war beyond the stars has come to a close and another battle currently transpires beyond the far depths in the galaxy, the pillars of shadow are beginning to build their foundation." Quinn said addressing his newly revived old ally and comrade. It was a trek to make it to one of The Garrison's strongholds as the energy from their once bestowed ancient Power Coins ignited after many years of dormancy.

The once known Prince of Treyforia resided to his fealty after witnessing first hand the extent of Zordon's sacrifice to end the intergalactic war between the forces of good and the United Alliance of Evil. It was a victory that came with a great sacrifice for the sake of the universe and still that loss was felt to this day. However, those who had honorable respect and knew the Eltarian wanted to honor and continue the fight to defend the innocent in the galaxy by carrying his legacy and work.

It was the mystery after all these ages that the fight between the forces of good and evil takes many shapes and forms. Some wars are fought in plain sight, some are fought beyond the stars and far reaches of space, and some are fought behind the scenes and away from prying eyes. Unbeknownst to those on Earth, there was a war brewing beneath the frontlines and out of sight from the Power Rangers, one that is making its way out from the shadows and in full view.

"So it's true then? The prelude and the stage is beginning to set." A voice gasped trying to come to terms to the new surroundings. "I may have been reawakened back my former vessel, but I still hold memories of the previous lives and fealties I have dedicated myself to for many years."

"It's good to see you rejoin The Garrison once again my old friend," Quinn nodded helping his comrade up. "Although you see that many years have passed since then."

"And still our faction and society's mandate and purpose remains the same: to battle The Emissary." the comrade, whose voice is female. "Ever since the beginning when the heretics defiled the essence of the Great Power on Phaedos for their own personal gain, somehow these defilers manage to survive throughout the ages."

"We were all there and we saw their faces, Aria." Quinn solemnly addressed his comrade by her Garrison identity. "Yet you remained on Phaedos serving as Dulcea, the Master Warrior of the Ninjetti. The power still remains prominent on Earth thanks to Zordon's original Power Rangers."

"At least there is still hope but I do pray that those who served under Zordon should not be call forth once again on the battlefield." Aria said. "His sacrifice was to ensure a reward for their years of fealty against the forces of evil and the peace they fought to defend on their planet."

"But what shall we do should the truth emerge? We entrusted him to keep The Scarlet Sovereign contained and we vowed should our war resurface we protect his legacy in his stead. The Emissary still hold an advantage over us." Quinn warned. "Until the others reawaken it is our duty to keep the shadows at bay. The lurk behind the scenes."

"I maybe Aria of The Garrison but I am still Dulcea, Master Warrior of the Ninjetti just as you are Quinn of The Garrison, but also Prince Trey of Treyforia." Aria said. "We are still heralds in the name of the Great Power and loyal allies once to Zordon of Eltar. We must bring The Emissary to justice should we prevent history from repeating itself."

"We should prepare ourselves for "she" will once again lead The Emissary to the frontlines. They are already massing their armies on Earth and I have been doing the same with our Garrison over the years." Quinn stated. "We can't keep this deception under wraps for the truth will unravel on both sides. They are masterless but should they activate their weapon, we'll be left at the mercy of The Emissary and then their sovereign will silence the defenders of peace.

"Let's hope the rest of our faction will reawaken because now the time has come to fulfill our mission." Aria replied. "Although the spirit of the Ninjetti remains dormant at the present time, they lay in stasis right now just as like our garrison. We...must keep our contingency protected for it is our last line of defence to foil The Emissary's endgame."

February 14, 2001

Arizona State University

Phoenix, AZ

Tommy wanted to make Valentine's Day one that Kimberly would remember heading down the final stretch of their final year at ASU. Today he wanted to celebrate his pink princess' birthday which is why he wanted to make it memorable. It is why he decided that today he was going to take the great leap of faith and he had it all planned out.

It was a surreal and marvellous night for Kimberly when she received the ultimate birthday and Valentine's Day present from Tommy. He surprised her with a beautiful diamond ring and going down on one knee at the restaurant they were having dinner and in front of the patrons and staff he proposed to his beloved pink crane. She was speechless and knowing that this was the cumulation of their history and relationship, this one event became the next chapter of their adventure together that she happily accepted her white falcon's proposal.

This Valentine's Day was more than just celebrating the newly engagement and Kimberly's birthday. It was also a celebration of the next step in their respective future plans and careers. Each of them got their respective letters of acceptance a few days prior, but there was the possibility that the pursuit of their future careers may take them in different directions for the time being.

Graduation was a few months away, and although their engagement sealed their imminent future together, could they face time apart from each other? Tommy and Kimberly were inseparable for the last four years together and both made sacrifices for one another along the way. On the contrary, it was for the sake of love and devotion to each other.

Exhausting themselves from a Valentine's Day night of celebration, they decided to take a late night stroll on the ASU campus grounds before heading home for the evening reflecting on the events of tonight and what to expect for their final semester of college. While Tommy was excited about his acceptance letter to Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Kimberly found herself presented with a multiple letters of acceptance but her heart was torn of making the right choice.

"You know we don't have to talk about our plans after we graduate," Tommy informed. "This is Valentine's Day and we're celebrating not only our engagement but your birthday."

"I'm surprised you manage to keep this from me for the last few weeks," Kimberly smiled looking at her ring. "So this definitely confirms we're in it for the long run?"

"Baby you know I wouldn't have it any other way." He replied sharing a quick kiss as they continued holding hands and strolling the campus. "Our story will have a new chapter in it soon."

"Four years we survived life in Phoenix and now in a few months another chapter ends and a new one begins. So Handsome, are you prepared to handle winters on the east coast on the other side of the country in Boston?" Kimberly asked.

"Spending most of my life in warm climates, this will definitely be a change of scenery." Tommy replied. "How about my future history teacher in the making?"

"There are so many choices in deciding where to do my post graduate and also completing the final requirements for my teacher's licence." Kimberly pondered. "You had your heart set on MIT since the beginning to complete your doctorate. I'm just worried of the possibility of making the wrong choice again and then it's deja vu all over."

"You still have time before the deadline and replying back. Come on, the whole letter incident has been water under the bridge for a long time. Even if there is a chance that our post graduate plans will keep us apart for a time being, that ring on your finger says otherwise about where we stand. We waited for each other during that time apart during the letter fiasco and we will definitely survive what lies ahead in the future."

"Since when did Tommy Oliver suddenly become the optimistic and spontaneous one?" Kimberly replied smiling.

"You can say I learned from the very best," he smiled back giving her a passionate kiss. "Whatever we decide in the next few months once graduation come it's you and me in the long run. Do you want to know why I decided that tonight was the night to propose? It was because I had a clear vision of what I see in my future and all I see is you, Kimberly Hart. We're not sure what to expect between now and the next few months but know that whatever happens, I'll wait for you because my heart belongs with you."

"You've been supportive of my dreams and you stood by me for whatever was going on in my life." Kimberly looked at her engagement ring and stared at it. Everything he was feeling, she felt it too and it was what she wanted. Whatever decided in the next few months after graduation, she was going to be supportive of Tommy's dreams. "You're what I see in my future as well and through thick and thin...we're in this together. Whatever choices we make never doubt my love for you."

"That I will never do...doubt what I feel for you," Tommy smiled taking a hold of her hand as they continued their late night stroll on campus.

August 6, 2001

South Station Train Terminal

Boston, MA

"In due time I guarantee that you'll be an expert in navigating the MBTA transportation system," Hayley Ziktor replied giving Kimberly a map and schedule of the train and bus systems. It was a welcome present she gladly accepted from her first new mutual friend she and Tommy became acquainted with in Boston.

"Thanks Hayley and Bridgewater is just a train ride away." Kimberly said looking at the map. "At least Tommy here can have someone ride the train with him."

"Are you going this against me, Beautiful?" Tommy jokingly teased his fiancée. "Bridgewater is not as bustling and lively as Boston, despite it being in the same state."

"Yeah and how exactly did you manage to end up in Providence, or more importantly in another the last time?" Kimberly laughed.

"Don't worry about your fiancée there Kim. I'll guarantee you next time he ends up in Bridgewater, he won't get lost on route. Besides, being a newbie as well in a new state does have it's benefits and I got a network of connections." Hayley said smiling. "While I steered myself away from a career as a professional educator, you're lucky I know a few alumni from Stanford who opted to go on the other side of the country in order to obtain their teaching license. Just like I promised you I'll keep a good eye on your fiancee, I got to promise him that someone has his future wife's back while she's away. That's what us newbies must do...stick together."

"She's definitely a keeper in our expanding circle of friends." Tommy said.

The engaged couple compromised on a 25 miles distance between them instead of a 2,559 miles plane ride on two different sides of the country. The couple took in the sights of the city of Boston and helped Tommy settle into his apartment the past week. However, a week soon passed and both Hayley and Tommy found themselves once again at South Station waiting alongside Kimberly until the final boarding for Kim's train was announced.

Sure, they made the transition to Massachusetts together, but the 25 miles distance was the only thing that temporarily separated them. While Tommy was already settled and awaiting for the start of school two weeks away at MIT, Kimberly still needed to get settled at her place in Bridgewater where she too awaited the start of school at Bridgewater State University.

For Hayley Ziktor, she had never met a couple as much devoted and undeniably in love with one another like Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart. They were the definition of the typical romantic couples she used to stories about being there for one another. The two met Hayley earlier in the week during the MIT orientation and they had a strong sense that a new friendship will be forged with the native redhead from New Zealand and Stanford University alumni.

Throughout the week, the three talked about their dreams and Hayley was filled in about the romantic history between Tommy and Kimberly. To the couple, she was the female version of their old friend and former teammate, Billy as the couple talked about embarking on a "special project" and looking to get all the help they can to pursue their plan, especially with the events that prompted their need to get this project going.

The two found a confidant in Hayley as the couple shared one aspect of their history and it was about their time in Phoenix and the last four years living with Quinn. This is the only part of Tommy and Kimberly's relationship that they kept amongst themselves and it was something that was kept discreet from their closet friends. To say that their former camp counselor turned mentor figure who provided a roof over their heads was not precisely approving of the couple's plans to move on the other side of the country was an understatement.

There was a difference between Hayley and Quinn and the two sense that their friendship with Hayley would last in the long run. If they can only say the same thing for mentor figure who became a prominent importance in their life. Kimberly got a sense of the hesitation on Tommy's part to get reacquainted with Quinn four years ago after he followed her to Phoenix and the resentment about Quinn's abandonment. An empty dojo and no indication of his current whereabouts didn't suit well for the couple finding themselves letdown by another mentor/parental figure.

"Well...I guess my train is getting ready to board," Kimberly said reluctantly looking at passengers boarding. "I promise I'll call you once I get in."

"Twenty-five miles isn't that bad and it's only for a year. Remember, our plan right that once we finish our tour of the east coast, we're heading back home." Tommy reassured her. "Besides, there is one thing we don't have to worry about. At least we're both off the market."

"Thank you for the reminder, Handsome." She smiled and then turned to Hayley. "Make sure this guy stays on top of his studies and he's not showing up late for classes. I already had to deal with his tardiness and forgetfulness back in high school. For a future PhD, the last thing MIT needs is one who forgets to show up to class."

"Don't worry about your fly boy Kim, I'll make sure his ass gets to class everyday and he has his alarm clock set," Hayley said. "Give my regards to my Stanford alumni pals up at Bridgewater. Tell them Hayley sends her regards."

"Always getting on my case about my Swiss Cheese brain huh Beautiful? Nothing like the two important women in my life trying to keep me in line for the next year? I can see that Hayley has my fiancée's number on speed dial should her falcon somehow screw up?" Tommy replied getting a look by Kim. "Okay, come on I'm returning the favor by coming down next weekend to visit you down in Bridgewater."

"I'm holding you to your word and yes I do have Hayley's number on speed dial." Kimberly said giving Tommy one final kiss before the last boarding call. "Promise me you'll stay safe while I'm in Bridgewater okay? I love you very much just remember that?"

"Never doubting it and I love you too my pink princess," Tommy smiled back. "You stay safe as well and try not to get yourself into trouble." It still bummed Tommy out that he had to see his fiancee off on a train back to Bridgewater and for Hayley she made her newfound friend a promise to keep an eye on her future husband. As Tommy and Hayley watched the train depart from the station, the two counted down the days until it will be their turn to head on a train and visit their favourite friend and fiancee.

October 31, 2001

Somewhere Near the Kita Alps

Kamikochi, Japan

Deep in the covers of the night somewhere near the remote regions of the Kita Alps, hundreds of miles away from the bustling civilized metropolis of Kamikochi, Japan, mystery and mystical supernatural activity brewed in the air. In an isolated and abandoned old monastery, a secretive and unknown group of warriors convened for a mystical and traditional ritual according to their faction.

The preparations were being made as their attention was focused on a stone chamber in the centre of the room with many candles providing light to the room. The stone chamber was actually a sarcophagus with strange symbols etched in stone all over it. The lid was opened as the warriors carried inside the monastery a female body wrapped in a green uniform. The female body was carefully placed in the sarcophagus as mystical chanting commence as the lid was closed.

As the ritual continued on, the leaders of the mysterious group were overseeing the process as the final steps of the ceremony began watching the the group's high mystics pour into the sarcophagus the group's prized possession: a resurrection elixir. The group has been known by many names in their distant past, along in their previous lifetimes throughout the ages. For many years they existed for the sole purpose of serving as heralds and agents to the most malicious villains that have ever existed.

It was their need to serve a master of great power and dominance that motivated their group. They have manage to defy the rules of life and death on multiple occasions to understand the mysteries of obtaining true power in the universe. However, one valuable lesson their masters have taught them was the importance of gathering allies and an army who believe in their fanatical and zealous ideologies. Hence, a group was born called The Emissary to honour the masters they served.

Unfortunately, an unseen event three years prior saw The Emissary masterless for the first time in ages thanks to the systematic purification of all the major faces of evil throughout the galaxy. Each of the pillars of The Emissary served a different master in one lifetime or another and were task to combine their resources and traits for the group should they reconvene. For thousands of years, The Emissary's fanatical ideologies were spurned on by seeking the one deity who inspired them, the weapon that can silence their opposition and cement their dominance in the universe: The Scarlet Sovereign.

With the fall of their masters, each pillar of The Emissary found themselves regenerating and reawakening back on Earth to continue their mission. Without direction, purpose or masters to swear fealty to, it became the group's sole purpose to carry their former masters' legacies by seeking their ultimate weapon to carry the Emissary's will.

At the helm of The Emissary, the leader who was a woman dressed in gold battle attire with raven black hair smiled as she heard a faint heartbeat inside the sarcophagus. The other pillars of the group, one dressed in red and another dressed in blue watched as the lid open. The female body leapt out of the out of the container, heavily covered in the substance that restored the life back into the vessel. Unfamiliar to her surroundings, the leaders of The Emissary and their warriors found themselves being attacked, but the woman in gold subdued and crated the newly resurrected individual.

"Do not fear, we are not here to hurt you." the woman reassured the screeching and dazed individual ordering their fighters to stand down. "It has been too long, my old friend and you are safe back amongst your fellow pillars. Our masters are gone, but here we are, still standing in their place to continue their legacy."

"Dalia...she is obviously out of her mind." another member of the Emissary warned. "She is not familiar with her surroundings."

"We have all been through this process before so it is not anything new." The Emissary leader known as Dalia stated calming down the hysterical woman. "We must work to rebuild the pillars of The Emissary. Without them, we cannot seek our ultimate weapon, The Scarlet Sovereign. Our masters maybe gone, but as long as our sovereign breathes, our group's mission still carries. We must work to make preparations for the next phase of our plans.

"You are right Dalia, but first we must tend to getting our latest pillar familiarize with our fold. They cannot hide the Scarlet Sovereign from us for very long and yet...she grows strong as each day passes when she is not in our possession." Dalia warned looking at the group. "Soon...our destinies will be fulfilled."