(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here's chapter 7 which will include Tommy and Kimberly revealing about their past with Quinn, the introduction of the Dino Thunder Team, Tommy and Kimberly's return to duty, and an unforeseen foe's suspicious activity raises eyebrows.)
Chapter 7: Back on Duty
August 23, 2003
The Oliver Residence
Reefside, CA
The weekend dinners at Tommy and Kimberly's place was becoming a customary event and the gang took turns every weekend to cook. Rocky and Adam did the honors by cooking some barbecue steaks while Aisha and Tanya worked on getting the salads and sides prepared. Jason and Kat brought their son, Henry Thomas Scott with them and the toddler was roughly close to the same age as Tommy and Kim's daughter Amelia. Unfortunately, Henry was the complete opposite of Amelia according to his parents as he was going through the shy phase, not willing to participate in play groups with other toddlers his age unlike Amelia who was a socially active little one year old in daycare.
"There goes my little boy again following daddy around. Henry is like a little duckling always playing shadow with Jason," Kat sighed smiling looking at Henry trotting away from Amelia to follow Jason.
"Don't think much about it Kat." Kimberly reassured her. "I've known my big brother since we were in diapers. Jason used to be the same way too back in daycare, not wanting to play with the other kids. Henry's going to grow out of it and I bet you he and Amelia will be the best of friends."
"Oh come on buddy, go play with Amy now will you?" Jason attempted to gently push his son towards his niece playing in her sandbox. However, Henry wasn't having any of it and stood his ground. "Buddy, you got to learn how to play with other kids...you can start with Amelia. I'll give you some candy."
"Really bro you're going to bribe your own son to play with my little girl?" Tommy said jokingly. "Your boy is almost a year old and just started learning how to walk. Plus bribing Henry with candy won't get you any points when your son is teething right now."
"Hey mommies and daddies over there." Trini called to the two couples. "If you guys are done comparing parenting notes, I believe our black frog and red ape are done cooking dinner for us and the table is set."
As the entire group settled in and began to dig in trading stories about their summer, Zack decide to speak up. "So Tommy, Kim...you said that there were some things you wanted to share with us. Things about your pasts you never told anyone about and how it somehow tied with other events that occurred years ago."
Tommy looked at his wife and took the lead to begin, "To begin, the only person who knows this besides me and Kim is Jason, and in some sense Kat. My history with Kim goes back further than the first time I moved to Angel Grove. We actually first met when we were eleven years old at a summer camp in Phoenix."
"Yeah it was during the summer I stayed in Arizona with my Uncle Steve and his family when my parents' marriage fell apart." Kimberly added.
"You're meaning to tell us that you two have known each other before Tommy moved to Angel Grove?" Justin asked. "That's pretty interesting."
"That's only half the story." Tommy addressed Justin and then turned back to the others. "Both of us signed up for the same karate class at the camp that was being run by one of our camp counsellors named Quinn. For some reason, our sparring sessions in class felt more like combat training and it was the same kids everyday showing up. Kim and I were the youngest kids in the class, but the toughest and fiercest students trained by Quinn."
"Okay this guy sounds like he was trying to run like an underground fighting club inside the summer camp." Rocky said sounding concern.
"Because usually our sparring matches ended up being free for all combat training." Kimberly said sighing deeply. "I should know because I used to have a knack for being brutal and violent during sparring matches. Yeah, it's hard for you guys to imagine me, sweet and innocent Kimberly who had it in me to take down a guy nearly twice her size. I almost...nearly choked one guy out to death one day during a match that I scared the shit out of the sensei and the other campers. Quinn had to pry me off to stop."
"It wasn't the first time Kim had this untamed fire inside of her. I saw it first hand when I was a kid and then Kat saw it that night in Florida which is where the next part of our story resumes." Tommy continued taking a hold of Kim's hand. "I learned the truth about the letter and believe me, it was something you guys wouldn't imagine ever thinking would happen."
"And trust me guys, once you know the truth about the letter you'll understand why I did what I did back then." Kim said. "I just want you all to know that the last thing I ever wanted was to hurt you all back in the day."
The two then proceed to tell the others about the truth about what happened in Florida including the night Kimberly first took the life of the guys who attacked her and Kat outside the nightclub. Then they hear about Kim's resignation from the Pan Global Games and her disownment by her family because they couldn't live with the truth of what Kimberly did. Then she talks about the eight months she spent in Phoenix living at Quinn's dojo and Tommy and the others learn first hand what brought upon the sudden change in her when she briefly returned during the Maligore crisis.
Tommy and the others find out why Kimberly fled from Phoenix once she started hearing from Quinn about tales of a secret group of fighters called The Garrison and their recruitment and preparation to fight an "upcoming war." It was enough to scare her off and think these people were out of their minds that she chose a life with Tommy over a life of violence and war.
The two continue to proceed to talk about their time at ASU, then going to MIT and Bridgewater State University including how they survived a twenty five mile relationship during graduate school along with their subsequent marriage and Amelia's birth, meeting Hayley and graduating from both Bridgewater State and MIT. They then talk about Tommy being selected to go on the dig with Anton, leading up to the explosion almost two months ago and the subsequent rescue by Quinn and his friends.
"And you're okay on accepting all the stuff that has happened to us?" Billy asked Hayley. "Especially hearing accounts about these two's relationship we never knew about."
"I couldn't say no if I tried," Hayley said. "Your mentor Zordon saw something special in all of you, especially with these two. I was transfixed by all of this and I wanted to be able to fight for the side of good, but they wanted to do it their way. I got filled in about their time in Phoenix and hearing tales about this Quinn guy."
"No offense Tommy, Kim but this Quinn guy you mentioned sounds like a douchebag," Justin commented as the others couldn't help but slightly chuckled. "I mean this guy practically was a constant presence in your lives since you were kids. Then he does the whole disappearing gig after you two graduated from ASU."
"Believe me when I decided to follow Kim to ASU I was reluctant to get close to Quinn after he suddenly left the first time before I came to Angel Grove." Tommy said as he took some more salad. "However, over time we grew close to him although he had that tendency to keep secrets from us. One of them being this Garrison."
"I knew of Tommy's reluctance to accept Quinn's presence in our lives due to those abandonment issues." Kimberly added. "For him, he was like a parental figure despite him being a couple years older than us. When he left that day after our graduation from ASU, part of us felt letdown again that he do that, but then maybe..."
"You think it was his way of giving you two your independence?" Aisha questioned finishing their thought.
"We never thought much about it but then when I saw Quinn again almost two months ago." Tommy said. "He said he was glad Kim failed on recruiting me to join The Garrison and that Kim made the right choice to walk away. He still believes that there is a war coming and that this war he's fighting will somehow involve us."
"And what do you believe?" Jason asked the couple. "Do you think there is some truth to anything Quinn says?"
"We're talking about a guy we've known since our childhood who strongly believes a war is coming." Kimberly said. "If there is some truth to what he says, then we're going to fight it, but we fight it on our terms, not Quinn's. I spent months trying to tame this feeling inside of me and I rather fight on my terms than risk those I love."
October 13, 2003
Mesogog's Island Fortress
This is one of those rare times where Kimberly found herself being the one to save her white knight, even if it meant going straight into the lion's den. However, this is Tommy Oliver, her husband and the man who is also the father of her daughter Amelia. He was always the one coming to rescue her and save the day, and it was her turn to repay the favor to the man she loves with all her heart and soul.
It didn't take long shortly after the school year started, the attacks began as Tommy predicted and with that another adventure began. Their new brigade of Power Rangers that consisted of their three high school students: Connor McKnight, Ethan James and Kira Ford found their lives turned upside down once the Dino Gems bonded with them and chose them for the mantle.
For the new team of Rangers, there was a lot to process about what it meant taking the mantle. First, they dealt with finding out their science teacher and his wife were once Power Rangers and two of the most powerful Rangers in history. Second, Hayley and Kimberly gave the young team a quick Ranger History 101 from the video diary Tommy recorded and third went on the daring mission to get Dr. Tommy Oliver back from Mesogog's island fortress.
Meanwhile, it wasn't the first time Dr. Tommy Oliver found himself in the clutches of the enemy. For him, they were all the same with the same objectives for world domination and to defeat the Power Rangers. In in some cases like Mesogog, they wanted Tommy for information about the Dino Gem they found. He looked at the incased Dino Gem and notice there was a fragment locked inside that was glowing. He listened as Elsa reported to Mesogog about the Rangers' invasion as if they expected it.
"Like obedient dogs. I speak and they come." Mesogog hissed.
"I can save you some trouble. The good guys always win." Tommy replied snarling.
"I suppose that all depends on who you believe the good guys to be." Mesogog snapped and gave the orders to Elsa, Zeltrax and his minions to attack. It didn't take too long before chaos ensued when The Dino Rangers showed up, but to his shock realized Kimberly came. This was a huge risk for her to take despite no longer being a Power Ranger as she rushed over to unstrap Tommy from the chair in the room he was being held.
"You shouldn't be here Kim." He insisted as he embraced her. "I couldn't risk if anything happened to you."
"And I wasn't going to lose you again." she whispered. "Besides, it is my turn this time to repay the favor." Just then they were soon joined by the rest of their students.
"You got one hardcore wife there Dr. O," Connor said.
"And we saw the video diary by the way. Mrs. Oliver filled us in." Kira replied.
"We know that you and Mrs. Oliver were Power Rangers." Ethan added.
"We were Ethan, but not anymore." Tommy corrected looking at stone on the table. It also got Kimberly's attention as the stones started glowing both black and pink. Another round with Mesogog and soon broke out as the couple and the team contacted Hayley to find them an exit.
Tommy watched as Kimberly fought Elsa while he was battling Mesogog. He witness Elsa being caught offguard by Kimberly's offensive strikes and startled by the fighting skills of a mere human. Tommy noticed that untamed fire rising in Kimberly, the one with intensity and ferociousness blended as one as the glow of the stones increased, in particular the pink one. The urge of violence and brutality was building inside his wife as if she was looking to end Elsa right there and now.
However, Kimberly manage to restrain herself once she ran to the stone only to discover it was only half a gem, but it was glowing. Tommy came over and saw the half pink gem in Kimberly's hand as he ran to the black stone and grabbed it. The next stunt Tommy was about to pull ended up changing the tide of the battle and setting the stage for things to come.
Later that Night
The Oliver Residence
Reefside, CA
To say it was never too old for them to be called back to line of duty was an understand, well not in Tommy's case. It was a relief he managed to get the gem away from Mesogog, but now the Black Dino Gem bonded to him now. Tommy Oliver can now call himself the multicolored Power Ranger as he took the mantle of the Black Dino Ranger, much to the amusement and shock of his team, Kimberly and Hayley.
"Wait till Zack and Adam have a field day with you," Kimberly shook her head, processing the fact that her husband once again is back on duty. "A fourth color? All you need is one more color to add to your collection and then you got yourself a hand."
"She has a point there Tommy. Your friends back in Angel are definitely going to have a field day." Hayley said.
"Yeah I can just imagine all their faces," Tommy replied, with a heartedly laugh. "Zack is going to laugh his ass off hearing this. Adam, well he doesn't have any excuses since I held the Green power first before he became the Green Zeo and then the Green Turbo Ranger. I'm not going to imagine Jason's reaction to the news I'm once again in the suit and yes, I'm going to let the others know what is going on."
"With Mesogog causing trouble in Reefside, our friends deserve to know what we're getting ourselves into." Kimberly said. "Right now he's an immediate threat that we can't take lightly. Knowing him, he's probably regrouping and with Tommy back on the team, at least it doubles our chances."
"Speaking of which, anyone want to explain about the other souvenir we brought back with us?" Ethan asked, referring to the half pink stone Kimberly retrieved earlier. For reasons she couldn't explain, it reacted to her and during her fight with Elsa, she felt that unhinge feeling inside of her. "It does resemble a Dino Gem."
"But it's only half a gem but why would it still react to Mrs. Oliver?" Kira questioned. "Why was this one split and where's the other half?"
"Based on the initial analysis of the gem fragment it's highly active." Hayley explained addressing the group. "I tested it's properties along with the power signatures of the rest of your gems to confirm that it is an official Dino Gem. However, with only half of it, the power signature is equally matched to the rest of your Dino Gems. However, this fragment contains other power signatures, some that are not detected in the other gems."
"Are you saying even with half of a Dino Gem, the power signature is equally matched with ours?" Tommy asked, drawing curious looks from Kimberly, Hayley and the rest of the team. Thinking back to the incident leading up to the island explosion, Tommy explained to the group he went venturing with the excavation team and stumbled upon an undisclosed site they didn't explore. Going to his safe, he inputted the code and opened it to pull out a container to reveal the contents. "I think this should explain things."
"Okay if the syncing glow doesn't make it obvious," Connor replied as the group discovered the contents of the container which is other half of the Pink Dino Gem. "As Kira pointed out why was this gem split in half?"
"I don't know but apparently there was a lot I didn't disclose to you guys about the day of the island explosion." Tommy explained. "I found this on the island and I didn't know it was a Dino Gem but something told me to hold onto it. I think there was something else buried on the island along with the gems but the site where I found the Pink Dino Gem fragment was disturbed. Whoever was observing us on the island at the time knew our routines and schedules and probably set up the explosion to cover their tracks. They...must have thought we would stumble upon their plot."
"Do you think something was dug up the day of the explosion?" Kimberly replied watching as the two fragments of the Pink Dino Gem forged together restoring it whole. It continued to glow and there was some hesitation on Kim's part to take it, knowing that the gem chose who to bond with. "Something tells me there is more to that gem."
"The power signature on the Pink Dino Gem just doubled now it's whole again." Hayley reported. "And it's no surprise who it chose...all you have to do Kim is seal the deal."
"It's your choice and your choice alone, Beautiful." Tommy assured sensing Kim's hesitation. She saw the power morpher on the table and a decision to make. "I know Amelia is on your mind and you want to be a good mother to our daughter. I also want to be a good father to our little girl and I know the risk of being a Ranger again now that we have a child. Knowing that if you let that gem bond with your DNA, then you know what to expect next. The Pink Dino Gem is a mystery but if Mesogog is hellbent on getting our gems, he'll do everything in his power to take them from us, including the Pink Dino Gem. We're not going to pressure you Kim and you have our support."
"Yeah there are a lot of factors to weigh in and I know who the pink gem is choosing. There are still a lot of things we still need to analyze about the Pink Dino Gem but the fact remains it's still a Dino Gem and Mesogog and his goons are coming for it." Kimberly said nodding her head making her choice. Taking the fully whole Pink Dino Gem in her hand, the gem bonded with her DNA as she placed it in her morpher and attached it on her wrist. She felt the power transfer course through her body familiarizing herself after eight years since she was last on duty. "Which is why I made my choice and I'm not letting you guys and especially my husband head to the frontlines alone."
"So I guess I'm not the only one being called back to duty then?" Tommy said, slightly smiling. "Are you sure about this, Kim?"
"You bet your ass, Handsome I'm with you guys on this." Kimberly assured him and the team. "Besides, it's better that I already bonded with the Pink Dino Gem and with our team getting stronger, we'll be ready for what Mesogog has in store or whatever comes our way."
December 12, 2003
The Oliver Residence
Reefside, CA
"Look on the bright side Beautiful. At least we averted one crisis." Tommy said. "I'm not stuck in amber anymore, Trent is on our side now and now I can't demorph."
"That's one good thing that came out of this mess, Handsome." Kimberly replied playing with Amelia. "We averted the crisis with Trent but still we got to give the team time."
The last couple of weeks since the two of them became Rangers again, things have gotten colorfully interesting to say the least. Tommy was reliving a sense of deja vu when the evil White Dino Ranger came onto the scene. For Kimberly, it was like living a flashback recalling her first encounters when Tommy was once Rita's evil Green Ranger and this newest evil Ranger was taking the Dino Rangers to the limit. The fiasco only intensified when the evil White Ranger trapped Tommy in amber for about a week.
Further complicating things, the Rangers discovered the identity of the White Dino Ranger who was making their lives hell during these last few battles: Trent Fernandez-Mercer. It only made matters awkward when they discovered that Trent is Anton Mercer's son and that Tommy's former colleague and protégé survived the explosion. It was a struggle for Kimberly to hold things together during Tommy's encasement in amber for the teens' sake and Amelia and part of her wanted revenge on Trent.
The encounters with the White Ranger only intensified the impulsive urges inside of Kimberly and during one battle almost came to a head. If it wasn't for the intervention of the rest of the Dino Rangers, Kimberly would have ended the White Ranger's life without any hesitation. Once Trent's identity became public knowledge to the team, they saw the internal struggle the young man was facing trying to gain control of the power of the White Dino Gem. Between dealing with Trent and trying to understand their history teacher's sudden killer gung ho fighting style, the last few weeks took their toll on the group.
Luckily, the team was thankful Trent manage to gain control of the White Dino Gem, but was still worried about the possibilities of the gem's capacity to become corrupted again with evil. Now, the White Dino Ranger was fighting alongside the rest of the Rangers while attempting to make amends for all of his wrongdoings. Although the Trent situation was solved, the aftermath saw Tommy and Kimberly's holiday plans restricting them to Reefside due to Tommy's situation, thus missing out on travelling to Angel Grove to see the other guys during Christmas.
"At least I can take this helmet off," Tommy replied taking off his helmet, which was at least one upside. He saw Amelia coming up to him smiling, poking her little fingers at her dad's Ranger suit. "And our princess isn't bothered by the fact daddy is wearing his superhero costume."
"Hey we can still have at least a good Christmas for Amelia's sake." Kimberly said, placing some presents under the tree. "Look, the teens got Amy some presents for Christmas, including Trent. It sucks to inform the guys we can't come to visit this year for Christmas, but they'll understand."
"Especially Jason and Kat now that Henry and Amelia are finally getting along." Tommy replied sitting down on the couch with Amelia in his lap. "But you're right. At least we can salvage a not so pleasant situation and have Christmas for our little princess' sake. She deserves it and I better hope the kids got some age appropriate toys for our girl."
"If I can guess Kira probably got her a new wardrobe of clothes citing that she'll shop for dresses for anyone except herself. Ethan I'm assuming will get her some brainy toy that will have some educational value and Trent will get her something that comes with an instruction manual of how to use it." Kimberly slightly smiled. "Connor...definitely probably got her soccer ball if you notice the packaging."
Suddenly, Kimberly's cellphone rang and the couple recognized the number. They gave Hayley the task to inform their friends back in Angel Grove about their sudden change of plans for the holidays and to keep them posted about the latest news in Reefside. The last few weeks since the White Ranger incident and Tommy's imprisonment in amber, Kimberly was being bombarded with calls from her friends asking how she and Amelia are doing and the rest of the Rangers. She put it on speaker so the two can talk to Jason and Kat.
"Hello?" they both said.
"Well you're latest Hayley telegram told us about your situation on your side there you two." Jason said. "I swear, you two, this definitely redefines the term of the holiday blues. So this is takes the whole stuck in neutral term in literal sense?"
"I know and you understand the perks and quirks that come with being on active duty again?" Tommy replied. "Even dealing with the some of the worst pickles."
"You're lucky you got my lil sis to keep Tommy Oliver grounded in line." Jason added.
"That you can count on," Kimberly said. "How's our godson doing?"
"Oh man Kim you should see him," Kat interjected. "Henry is now the most sociable toddler in daycare and I swear our little boy is becoming a mini heartthrob. We took him to get his first picture of Santa Claus which went well at first until his photoshoot ended up being a picture of him yanking Santa's beard."
"I'm guessing it didn't suit alright with the other kids waiting in line?" Tommy slightly laughed.
"That wasn't until Jason yelled at Santa for cursing at our son and making him cry over the incident." Kat said. "Thanks to Henry, we inadvertently cost some guy his job."
"And I'm betting there was a riot at the Angel Grove Mall over Santa's behavior?" Kimberly replied smiling. "Way to go to bring the holiday spirit Jase."
"That guy was out of line and it's the holiday season. No one makes my boy cry." Jason added. "Anyways don't worry about missing out this year. Stay safe out there and give our best to Amelia and the rest of your crew in Reefside."
"We'll do bro and good night. Again, sorry for messing up everyone's holiday plans. Give our regards to the others and to our godson." Tommy said as the phone clicked dead.
December 13, 2003
Mercer Industries
Reefside, CA
Meanwhile, Anton Mercer watched as his adoptive son Trent walked out of his office alongside his friends to head out for some holiday shopping. He knew of his son's secret extra curricular "activities" with Connor McKnight, Kira Ford and Ethan James. Despite the other guy's disdain for the four teenagers, Anton was determine to keep Trent far away as possible from the influence of Mesogog, even if it meant siding with the adversaries his other half battled against.
However, still Anton was a business man and he was expecting a meeting with a representative from a financial company called Rideau Circle Corporation. He has done business with Rideau Circle in the past and his company has invested some financial funds. A few weeks ago, he was contacted by one of the chief officers of the board to engage in a business deal involving research from his failed internship this past summer on the island.
"Excuse me Mr. Anton, I have Dalia Tate from Rideau Circle here to see you." his personal assistant announced.
"Yes, Laurel please send Ms. Tate in. I been expecting her." Anton said as his assistant left his office. His assistant returned a few moments later with a woman with black hair and brown eyes, dressed in business attire accompanied by two of her associates. She formally greeted Anton with a handshake and introduced her associates to him as Anton advised his personal assistant to be present to document his meeting with Dalia Tate from Rideau Circle.
"I thank you for taking the time to schedule a meeting with us, Mr. Mercer." Dalia said as they sat at the table in his office. "We hope you know how valuable your business is with Rideau Circle. It was a miracle you survived that explosion months ago on that island."
"Thank you Ms. Tate and we do apologize for our company not being able to generate the last quarter return of funds." Anton said.
"Well as we are professional business individuals, we can surely recuperate our losses and diverse funds to other alternative business proposals." Dalia said as they went through some business files and documents. "I noticed that Mercer Industries have a few construction investment projects here in Reefside, Stone Canyon and Angel Grove."
"Yes, I have the blueprints for projects in question and copies of the tenant leases on the sites." Anton replied. "I even drew up the blueprints for the project plan for the new Rideau Circle and is working on getting the tenant site in Angel Grove. Oh, your proposal is suggesting your company hires Mercer Industries to oversee the construction investment projects for Rideau Circle."
"That is correct Mr. Mercer and in addition, your company will retain forty percent commission and shares for each investment project upon completion." Dalia stated catching Anton's attention. "Should any of our projects falter, you will be compensated and we'll diversify any investments Mercer Industries has in our company to other subsidiary funds and projects for a return in investment. Also, my company can assist you on your latest project within your company's science and technology department."
Unknown to Dalia Tate, Anton had an internal struggle ranging between himself and Mesogog and his alter ego found himself explicitly drawn to the lore of Dalia Tate and Rideau Circle. However, he was not aware of Dalia Tate's true motives and she herself knew exactly Anton's secret. On the contrary, she was trying to work a business deal with Mercer Industries. The only thing was she was trying to negotiate the deal with Anton's alter ego knowing he was an asset to carry out The Emissary's plan.
She feigned obliviousness seeing Anton and Mesogog battle for control as the alter ego managed to get Anton to comply and sign the negotiated business deal. With another layer used as camouflage to mask their plan, Dalia had succeeded in procuring a commodity essential to their mission. She knew that Mesogog had the last pillar of The Emissary within his ranks waiting to awaken and second he knew where to pinpoint the power source for the Scarlet Sovereign. It worked perfect to their plan to gain a puppet to manipulate and reveal only partial truth of their existence, but under discretion.