(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here is the next chapter and it's a bit long. Be warned that this one will be a tearjerker & a character death so you been warned. Things get real and Tommy faces one final confrontation with the fate of Reefside in the balance.)
Chapter 13: A Cold Day in Reefside- Part II
June 23rd, 2004
Somewhere in Reefside
Things started slowly coming back to Jason remembering how he, Kat and Adam found themselves in their current predicament. All they recount was following a lead from Hayley saying that she detected Kimberly's bio signature near the warehouse district of the city. They knew they were in Reefside noticing the discarded boxes in the room citing packaging location. He remembered stepping out of the car and after that, everything was blurry afterwards.
As the rest of his friends were slowly regaining consciousness, he wondered how did they all end up in Reefside and for what purpose? If the situation couldn't get any worse, Jason saw that there was a group of youths around Justin's age bracket among the captive group. Despite now being civilians and no longer Power Rangers, there was no way Jason nor the original veterans were going down without a fight.
"Okay...anyone want to tell me how one minute I was leaving a dinner at a five star restaurant in LA and woke up in some warehouse?" Zack was the first to speak up.
"Yeah and how did me and my youth group from the shelter end up here?" Trini asked bewildered. "The last thing I remember was Justin and I heading to the shelter to give a presentation to a group of teenagers who want to start prep for their PSAT for next year. Everything else...is still fuzzy."
"That's the theme of the night," Jason replied in dismay. He then noticed that the group of teens Trini and Justin mentioned started to regain consciousness. The two were tasked to try to calm the confused and frightened group while Jason and the others talked amongst themselves.
"What the hell is happening? The last thing I recall was hearing a voicemail from Adam saying to head to Reefside." Rocky added.
"Congratulations, it seems like everyone got the memo." Jason muttered with sarcasm. "Unfortunately, not in the way it was suppose to work out. Now, we're basically on the receiving end of the spectrum and are in need of the rescuing. Plus, since we're civilians we also have the task of keeping those kids in the corner there safe. We're in a bind here guys, but it's not as bad as Tommy and Kim's situation."
"Yeah Adam's voicemail mentioned something about Kimberly being in danger from a resurrected Mesogog," Billy said. "What's going on guys?"
"Do you guys recall ever hearing Tommy and Kimberly mention that they suspected Mesogog was in league with a mysterious ancient group of fighters?" Kat addressed the group. "Anyone remember the guy Quinn, the mysterious figure from Tommy and Kimberly's past?"
"They mentioned him and the last time he came to town he convinced them and the Rangers to help him on a mission," Aisha replied. "One that involved killing a kid because it was suppose to be some sort of mythical weapon."
"And the two mentioned that this Quinn guy was part of a group that fought Mesogog's allies." Tanya added.
"Well cliff notes version of the story...Quinn came back, got captured because he has info on why Mesogog is after Kimberly." Jason confirmed. "And now Tommy is heading off the deep end to save a guy who maybe the key to making sure my best friend doesn't lose the woman he loves in life." He took a deep breath and then resume. "I have this sinking feeling that this is only the prelude to a more sinister plan they got cooking. And I think...we're bait to lure the heart and soul of our group into the open."
He started surveying the room, leaving the others wondering what the former Red and Gold Ranger was up to. They might have suspected, especially Katherine that Jason's military experience was kicking in after four years of military service. Combine the prior experience as a Power Ranger, Jason is known not to lay down and submit.
"How are we suppose to get out of this one?" Kat questioned warily. "We promised Hayley we be there for our friends, powers or no powers."
"I know which why there is no way I'm not letting anyone of us be used as bait to lure our friends into a trap." Jason said looking around the room. "Trust me guys, we've been through a lot tougher situations than this, both in our tenure and our personal lives. There is one thing the military taught me: endurance and never yielding to submission as a prisoner of war. We're getting out of here, and I pray...this will come in handy." Jason smiled revealing to his friends his old communicator in his pocket. He figured if something happened to them, he knew Tommy and Kimberly wouldn't give up looking for them. He just hoped they'll track the signal and find them.
2:00 a.m
Oliver Residence
The teens regrouped at Tommy's house after escaping the steel factory and rescuing Quinn. Hayley had the unfortunate task of telling Tommy and Kimberly about their missing friends who attempted to aid them in Reefside. Hayley managed to hack into the CCTV city footage and saw that Jason, Kat and Adam were abducted by members of the Emissary while they attempted to save Quinn.
The four teenagers figured that their teachers had a lot on their plate to deal with and now with their friends missing, Mesogog was pushing the couple to the limit. Tommy and Kimberly brought Quinn back to the lab, but Hayley and the Rangers were surprise when the two put their old mentor in the storage closet and tied him up in a chair. It was best neither of them asked the couple why or inquire about Quinn informed them about. There was tension late in the night and Kimberly quietly went upstairs to check up on Amelia. As Hayley worked alongside the Rangers to find the original veterans, Tommy had a private talk with a tied up Quinn in the storage closet.
"We need to lay low. They're gonna come for us." Tommy muttered securing Quinn in the chair. "I'm sorry Quinn, but I can't take my chances with you anymore. You have this tendency of throwing us in a loop and I only saved your ass because you're the only person here who knows what the Emissary and Mesogog are up to."
"You're naïve to believe the bullshit coming out of your mouth." Quinn said in disdained. "I expected better from you, but got to compliment you on your tenacity of going to the extreme. So you tie the guy you believe has the answers to saving your beloved's life when you know the inevitable is coming. I failed in my mission, so what makes you think there is a chance out of this predicament? Mesogog is coming for her."
"She is not the problem." Tommy argued, keeping his voice down. "If what you're saying is true about Kim's destiny then I'm going to see to it where you failed, I'm going to succeed. The problem we got on our hands is Mesogog and the Emissary."
"They're gonna turn this city upside down looking for her, Tommy. They'll watch it burn." Quinn sighed in frustration. "Your brigade only knows half the truth, not the whole truth? It's why you and me are here inside this little storage closet because you don't want your team to learn the truth about the fate that awaits her. You rather carry that burden with you, then divide it. The Scarlet Sovereign cannot be controlled, manipulated or transported. I'm sorry to play devil's advocate but the only way out for her is to either run and be forever hunted or it being extinguished at all costs. Either option you choose, it's the only ones on the table. Do you even have a plan?"
"You wanna talk about being naive? 'Cause right now you're tied to a chair spouting rhetoric about an ancient war." Tommy snapped back. "As for coming up with a game plan, I'm working on it. You underestimate me Quinn when it comes to my pink crane and the lengths I'll go to in order to keep her safe. Failure is not an option for me, and neither are the two options on the table. Don't forget...there is always an option three and it's better than one and two."
"Well, while you're working on it, son and picking your options, do me a favor and pull your head out of your ass. As a consolation, I'll keep your little secret knowing how much you love to put the weight of the world on your shoulders." Quinn replied. "Right now the only thing standing between her and them is you, Tommy. You are a huge threat to them and they'll do whatever it takes to eliminate you. The Scarlet Sovereign..."
"The Scarlet Sovereign is bullshit, Quinn. It's a myth and nothing but a campfire story. No one believes it but you." Tommy argued. "There is no way you're going to make me believe that Kimberly is the living weapon of your enemies."
"Every assassin in the Emissary believes it. Mesogog will do everything in his power to fulfill the Emissary's mission." Quinn replied back. "What do you think they're gonna do about it?"
"What about what I believe, Quinn? What about what I'm gonna do about it? I'm going to make sure there is a tomorrow for my family and a future for Kim and me." Tommy put a gag on Quinn's mouth and his former mentor didn't bother fighting back. He walked out of the storage closet in the lab and avoided Hayley and the Rangers before one of them attempted to ask him questions.
All Tommy wanted was to make sure Kimberly was alright as he headed upstairs. Ironically, he found her in the nursery staring at their sleeping daughter. Kimberly was deep in thought as she gently stroked Amelia's head as she slept. She pulled the blanket up as she kissed Amelia's head while the two year old still slept and quietly slipped out of the nursery to meet her husband in the hallway.
"Leave me alone, Tommy." Kimberly sighed leaning against the wall. "This is one of those times I need time for myself trying to collect my thoughts. Just watching our baby girl asleep reminds me of some sense of normalcy left in our not normal life. What do you know about what I'm feeling right now, Handsome?"
"Quinn's downstairs in the storage closet, he's restrained and the others are keeping an eye on him." Tommy said leaning back on the wall beside her. "You know, whatever you're feeling, it's gonna pass I promise you that. Just consider the possibility that there's no such thing as a Scarlet Sovereign. That it's mysticism, you know? It's nonsense and maybe everything Quinn told us was a lie."
"We heard that campfire story when we were kids never realizing I was the monster of the story." Kimberly sighed. "Quinn says I have a gift. The special kind, the kind very few people have."
"...The kind very few people have or deserve. I know because I got the same speech when he first got me to sign up for the class back at camp. Quinn likes his fortune-cookie wisdom, but that's all he needed, 'cause he was training children to fight a war. He was looking for soldiers and unknowingly...we been doing the same thing he did to us with Connor, Ethan, Trent and Kira. Where do we draw the line between being a soldier of war or a defender of justice?" Tommy explained. "Just because I don't understand something doesn't mean I'm ready to chalk it up as some fairy tale."
"Neither of us can't deny it. Some of what the Emissary does defies explanation. True or not the legend says that once they have the Scarlet Sovereign they'll be capable of anything." Kimberly argued. "It's not about what I'm willing to in a cage, I'll be their false idol. They'll do terrible things in my name because they think the Scarlet Sovereign will make them invincible. Mesogog wants to make sure he delivers me to the Emissary."
"Well, they can't have you. You don't belong to anyone. And you may be smarter and stronger and more powerful than anyone they've ever met but like I keep saying, they don't get to tell you who you are." Tommy said taking a hold of her hand. "They'll have to kill me before they can get to you. I'll risk everything for you and for our daughter, in the name of our family. Whatever stories or legends I hear about them...it's nothing but tall tales, made to scare and instill fear."
"Their organization is older than most countries. They're powerful and they're everywhere. And they survived just like the Garrison." Kim explained. "As much as we want to deny the truth, they're a threat. Their survival was based on them staying in the shadows by getting people to believe wholeheartedly in their legend."
"But if we shine a light on them, they'll scatter all right? We can take them down. Not Quinn's way or the Garrison. We can do it our way." Tommy proposed.
"You would risk everything after all we been through over the years?" Kimberly questioned. "We never finished our training with Quinn and these guys are beyond our level when it comes to fighting. The Emissary's ninjas can mask their heartbeats. Yours is always loud and clear. The Garrison been fighting this war their whole life. They've heard every story. Some people say the pillars of the Emissary can lived three lifetimes. A criminal record that goes back decades."
"True or not, all we need to do is cut the head of one of the snakes." Tommy replied. "But he's our best chance of taking down the Emissary. Then our job is simple. We find Mesogog. We extract him. We remove him from the Emissary without alerting his troops. We destroyed him once, we can do it again and there is no way we're giving up this fight, not by a long shot."
"Yeah, we destroyed him before with the help of the Rangers." Kimberly replied. "But now he has the backing of the Emissary. This time, it can't be that easy. However, if we're planning to cut off the head off of a snake, we need to find him first. Even if we kill him, what happens then?"
Tommy took Kimberly's hand as they made their way to their bedroom. He went to his closet and pulled out a black case revealing a katana sword along with an array of weapons. She knew about the weapons after seeing them years ago back in their high school days. Kimberly never prodded Tommy for the information about his secret weapon case, but she knew it had some sentimental value.
"I never imagine why Quinn would give me a real katana sword for my twelfth birthday? A pair of sais for my thirteenth or literally a small cache of weapons like I'm arming myself for battle?" Tommy slightly smirked. "It's hard to believe fact and fiction or any of this mythical stuff. Never imagine using this to take out a false martyr for a delusional cause. It's more than just about taking out Mesogog. It's about sending a message of dethroning them, defrock their fundamentals and show this cult that these supposed holy idols isn't anything but mortals. I say we head straight into the lion's den. The last thing they're expecting is that we hit back at them now."
"You would risk everything for me?" Kimberly asked sincerely. "Knowing...what might lie ahead for us? How can we be sure it we'll succeed? How are we going to do this?"
"There is nothing I wouldn't do for you in this world because you mean everything to me. You're my world, my heart, my soul and my entire being for living. So yeah, in a heartbeat I'll risk it...either you go big or go home." Tommy replied picking up the sheathed katana sword. "We're going to do this, together."
3:00 p.m
Somewhere in Reefside
It was like this the whole night when their first escape attempt failed miserably that resulted in the death of a patrol officer the teenagers tried to flag down for help. Seeing an innocent cop shot in front of them traumatized the group of hostage teens causing them to scream. Unfortunately their captors quiet the group with a gunshot up in the air threatening to kill the next person who makes a sound or made another escape attempt.
However, it was enough for Jason to take a stand when their captors threatened the life of one of the hostages resulted in another beatdown. Trini reassured the hostage teens that they'll all be saved and authorities are searching for them. The original veterans took it upon themselves to make sure Trini's youth group were spared from any hostility from their captors.
"Seriously Jase how long are you going to keep this up?" Kat asked worried tending to Jason's injuries. "This is the second time already. I'm worried you'll sustain internal injuries like broken ribs or something. This has to stop babe."
"Believe me I've been through worst situations than this. I've seen a lot of things go down." Jason muttered looking at his friends. "You seen me at my best...and at my lowest, but it doesn't mean I won't quit."
"Yeah but it doesn't mean you have to offer yourself up as a human punching bag on behalf of the rest of us." Billy argued.
"It's better me than anyone of you. Hold up, something is happening." Jason replied as they heard commotion outside of the room. They heard the sound of a bus outside the warehouse and they heard their captors talking about relocating the hostages to another location. Suddenly, they barge into the room rounding the original Rangers and Trini's youth group bounding their hands as the teens panic again. However, the fear escalated as the original veterans finally encountered Mesogog as he entered the room.
"Get those pathetic little parasites under control and shut them up!" Mesogog hissed ordering the Emissary soldiers. Trini's youth group teens started protesting and crying as the Emissary ninjas manhandled the teens, dragging them out of the room. The original veterans protested and tried to ensure the teens' safety only for their words to fall on deaf ears as the Emissary restrained the veterans.
"Oh my gracious, I humbly find myself in the presence of royalty." Mesogog mocked smirking evilly. "Look at me, look at my face. Do you know who I am?"
"We know who you are you son of a bitch," Adam snapped spitting in Mesogog's face. "You're Mesogog, the bastard who is threatening our friends' lives."
"Ah, it seems my reputation have reached your ears, my guests." Mesogog sneered wickedly. "Well you do understand why you are all here. I intend to fulfill my mission and Dr. Tommy Oliver will bring what he stole from the Emissary. Your divide leader stands in the Emissary's way of reclaiming our weapon and I know much he values his close ties...and friendships." Soon, he ordered the Emissary soldiers to put the Original Rangers on the bus as they struggled against their captors while they were being restrained and their hands tied up.
"If we get out of here, we're going to make sure Tommy and the Rangers send your ass straight to hell!" Jason angrily yelled. "Do you hear me? I swear as to god you're going to get yours Mesogog! Mark our words you're get yours you son of a bitch!"
June 24th, 2004
Oliver Residence
5:00 p.m
It only took almost 72 hours for things to intensify and with little or barely no sleep at all, Tommy was running on pure adrenaline, including Kim, Hayley and the Dino Thunder Rangers. Hayley spent the day before in the lab running a diagnosis on the status of the Dino Gems wondering if they had enough power to settle one last score with Mesogog once and for all. After all, they did use the power of their Dino Gems the last time to defeat Mesogog.
Tommy looked at his weapon cache and thought long and hard while he was in the storage closet. Quinn saw a look of intensity and deep reflection on his former student's face. If luck struck out with the Dino Gems, then he had one final option, one he was reluctant on. His eyes focused on the four teenagers by the computer with Hayley as Kimberly came downstairs carrying Amelia.
She passed her daughter over to Kira and the Yellow Dino Ranger took the two year old in her arms as Kimberly made her way into the storage closet. These teens are willing to follow him into the line of fire, although he chose not to fully disclose the secret he was willing to burden himself with should they make it to tomorrow. Kimberly's eyes were focused on Quinn and addressed him ever since they returned.
"You know I was happy about the life I built here: a family and a good career and not to mention carrying on the good fight." Kimberly addressed Quinn. "Consequences be damned for walking away from the frontline eh? Yeah, I'm paying for it aren't I and probably the biggest mistake I'll make, but this is my life, my future. So tell me, how does it feel? How does it feel Quinn knowing the kids you trained are going to fight your war for you while you're sitting here?"
"It's a big gamble...you're both taking," Quinn simply said. "I can't apologize for regretting never telling you two the truth, but I wish the outcome will be one in your favor."
"Well it's either go big or go home as you once told us." Tommy replied. "We're in this position because of you. We're fighting a war we didn't ask for nor didn't want to be on the frontlines for. It showed up on our doorsteps and now we're going to clean up the carnage that is about to be unleashed in our city. Did we ask to be trained? To be unwilling soldiers of war? No, but we're going to fight it and fight it our way. That's...all I'm going to tell you, Quinn."
The two exit the storage closet carrying with them the weapon cache. Hayley and the Dino Thunder Rangers are confused as Tommy opens the weapon cache to reveal real life weaponry from katana to sais, to crossbows, blowguns, spears, Bo Staffs, ninja stars, maces. Literally, it was a trunk of weaponry for anyone who studied ninjutsu.
"Wow Dr. O, did you raid the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles?" Connor joked as the group let out a small chuckle for the first time in days since the fiasco.
"I'm guessing this is part of Plan B?" Ethan asked.
"Unfortunately, this is Plan B if in case Plan A doesn't work." Tommy slightly chuckled. "And no, I didn't raid the Ninja Turtles. No, these little trinkets were ironically birthday gifts a long time ago from the guy who is currently tied up in the storage closet."
"Honestly Dr. O, did this guy believe in maybe getting a new football or video games for kids back in the day?" Kira asked.
"Well try hiding all of this since he was thirteen years old," Kimberly commented. "Using this stuff is pretty simple and it's not any sort of high tech weaponry with electric components in it. It's like riding a bike and not pressing any high tech buttons."
"So we're going to attack these guys head on? Using ninja weapons?" Trent asked picking up a ninja star. "What are the chances of us surviving an onslaught against a bunch of ninja cult dudes?"
"I'm not sure but you guys are more than welcome to walkaway from this. You guys have seen your fare share of craziness this past year and I don't want to put your lives at risk at the expense of ours." Tommy said. "You four just graduated and are beginning a new chapter in your lives. So I'm offering you guys an out because there maybe a possibility things will go sour, but you know me. I'm not going to leave my friends at the mercy of that lunatic even if he's baiting me for one last fight."
Unfortunately, the four teenagers each grabbed a weapon from the cache telling the couple their answer. Hayley then looked to address Tommy and Kimberly as the computer manage to pick up a signal from Jason's old communicator. They finally got a location on where to find Mesogog and the Emissary.
"Look Tommy, Kimberly if I can speak on behalf of everyone in this room." Hayley replied. "We know how much you'll go through hell and back for each other, what you're willing to give up for the sake of this city, and the greater good. There is a chance we might all make out alive...or someone will fall. We're more than just a team this past year, we've become a family as well. So if Mesogog is doing this just to get to Kimberly and using your friends as bait...then we got a problem and that doesn't suit well with us."
"You guys are risking your futures, your lives...just for me? To save my future?" Kimberly asked as she held Amelia in her arms. She figured the teens found about the truth of the Dino Gems, but they weren't aware of the risk of this one last battle. It was the battle for Kimberly's destiny. "I don't...know what to say."
"There's nothing to say Kim except that you'll be able to get us through babysitting Amelia during her terrible two phase" Hayley said continuing. "Okay so it looks like we found out where Mesogog and his recluse ninja buddies are hiding out. They're in downtown Reefside in the old Trader Joe's food distribution plant. It's a perfect hideaway and a lot of roof access. Jason's signal from his communicator was tracked at this precise location."
"Okay that's a start...at least we know him and the others are alright." Tommy added. "I know the guys can hold their own and it's not the first time anyone of us experienced being held captive. However, our priority is rescuing them and getting Trini's youth group of teenagers out of there. Hayley, what about our Dino Gems? Do we have enough power to morph one more time?"
"There is still some traces of energy left in the gems, enough for one last fight. I already put the call in and they'll be with the law enforcement once I forward the coordinates to them. It's the least I can do to lessen the mayhem of the situation." Hayley confirmed. "However, how much energy is left varies because you guys can demorph at any point tonight. The bond remains, don't get me wrong and it can only sever the power itself if the holder is dead. So...are you guys willing to take your chances one last time to morph into action?"
"It's either go big or go home," They simply replied confirming their choice as a team. As the Dino Thunder Rangers gathered everything they were bringing, Tommy and Kimberly had a moment alone with their two year daughter. Amelia wasn't aware of what was happening as she happily cling to Kimberly's shirt and giggled. She held her daughter smiling, but a single tear ran down her cheek and Tommy noticed.
"Dada, ma sad?" Amelia asked as her hand caress her mother's cheek. "Mama sad?"
"No baby, mama's not sad." She reassured Amelia. "Mommy just loves our little princess very much. You know what Amelia...you're our little defender and you are the best thing that ever happened to mommy and daddy. I want you to know baby girl that you mean everything to us and that this is for the future of our family, our legacy. So we need you to be brave, bold and strong Amelia? Can you do that for mommy and daddy? Maybe after all this is over, maybe there's a chance we can add another chapter to our family? If you...know what I mean?"
"Yeah I think I know what you mean, Beautiful," Tommy muttered smiling wishing part of him hoped they survived tonight. "More than ever, I do hope to add a new chapter to our family and our future." Amelia reached out for her father as Kimberly passed her daughter over. "Hey, she may have been a surprise two years ago, but I don't regret her because she's our little miracle girl, just like her mother. We got to survive whatever lies ahead tonight for Amelia's sake because she can't face this world alone without our guidance. It's our pact and promise that whatever happens we find our way back to our daughter...and to each other."
"I'll hold you to your word promise," Kimberly replied as Tommy handed Amelia over to Hayley as they prepared to leave. "Okay, let's do this."
9:30 p.m
Downtown Reefside
Using the coordinates Hayley provided, Tommy, Kimberly and the Dino Thunder Rangers finally arrives at the Emissary's hideout. They are about to enter, but Kimberly thought it was best to stay behind, thinking it a trap and stating that it would be best that the Emissary did not use her to revive the Scarlet Sovereign. Although the Dino Rangers agreed, only Tommy and Kimberly knew the truth and part of her didn't want to be responsible for the complete destruction of thousands, compared to a few.
With that, Tommy took the guys with him while Kira and Kimberly remained on the other rooftop to keep a lookout as they descend to the hideout. They hear the sounds of panicking teens after one of them attempted to attack the Emissary. Chaos ensues as the veterans fend off the Emissary, but before any damage is done, Tommy crashes inside and knocks them. He orders the Dino Thunder Rangers to free all the hostages and asks Jason if he is all right.
"Good timing bro," Jason smiled as Tommy frees him. The two then proceed to free the rest of their friends. "Did what we could on our front to stay alive."
"Always a leader in a time of need," Tommy commented. "I need you to make sure you get everyone to safety because it's going to get nasty in a minute." Jason tells Kat and the rest of their friends to get to safety and make sure Trini's youth group is out of harm's way.
"Just exactly who are you dealing with?" Jason asked as more Emissary ninjas appeared and began to fight the group. As one was about to attack Jason, Kira and Kimberly intervene as Kira shoots an arrow. Kimberly stabs the ninja in the back, claiming she got bored waiting for the rest of the Rangers. "Glad to see you in one piece lil sis."
"What?! These guys take too long and besides it's no good making a woman wait," Kimberly smirked as Kira chuckled. "Wouldn't you say Kira?"
"Pretty much sums it up," Kira replied as the six Rangers are still in their uniforms. However, she tells the others that they need to escape since more of the Emissary is making their way to the hideout. In the distance they can hear the sound of police and swat vehicles descending upon the hideout. "Hate to ruin the moment but this place is about to get stormed in a matter of minutes."
"Hayley pulled through," Tommy informed the group. "It's the local law enforcements along with the Silver Guardians." He looked at the exits out of the hideout and realized the situation, but he sensed that Mesogog was waiting for him and Kimberly. They needed to finish this once and for all. "We're going to get swarmed knowing they'll come from all sides. Which is why we're giving you guys a head start to get as faraway from the area as possible. Kim and I...are going to hold them off and contain them in the building."
"Dr. O, that's an army coming this way." Connor objected. "They're going to exterminate all of us and anyone who stands in their way."
"Which is why we're going to shift the target to the thing they want," Kimberly said looking at the group. "We need you guys to be the second front if in case anything happens to us. These guys...they want my Dino Gem for their sick plan. All that matters right now is getting those hostages and our friends out of harm's way." She gave them a reassuring smile, but part of her felt this will be the last time she was fighting alongside her teammates and friends. "Besides, Tommy and I can hold these guys off and unknowingly been trained to fight this war since we were kids."
"I can't stand if anything happens to the two most important people in my life," Jason said looking at the couple. "We've been a lot together and I can't imagine my life without neither one of you in it. Kim's my little sister and I love her and Tommy is my best friend and brother in arms. You better...promise me you guys make it out of this alive?" The two nodded their heads reassuring their best friend and brother in arms of their promise. However, deep down, there was uncertainty upholding it.
"Keep the perimeter outside secure and we'll handle the rest," Tommy reassured. "We're going to end Mesogog once and for all."
"Mrs. Oliver, here you go." Trent turned over the pair of sais he had and handed them to Kimberly. "It's not much but I think you can manage."
"Thanks and guys, good luck out and don't die out there." Kimberly said. "Besides, you just all graduated so you all got your futures ahead of you."
"Same with you," Ethan said. "Dr. O, Mrs. Oliver...give these guys hell." The two smiled as Jason and the Dino Thunder Rangers made their way out and the blockaded the exit their friends left. In a matter of minutes a horde of Emissary soldiers stormed the hideout as Tommy and Kimberly went to work battling the army.
As Jason and the Dino Thunder Rangers head out in the building, they see a swarm of cops, swat vans, EMTs and Silver Guardian officers tending to the hostages. They spot Wes, Eric and Taylor with their Silver Guardian squad and talking to the Reefside police sergeant about the situation. The veterans are in the corner, concerned about what is happening as they provided cover for the Dino Thunder Rangers to demorph away from prying eyes.
"Silver Guardians, secure the perimeter and get everyone back!" Wes order as they heard the sound of smashing windows, equipment and fixtures being broken and thrown aside. The local law enforcements were occupied taking statements from the hostages for information to contact the families. "We need to keep this area under control!"
"Somebody call for the big spotlights!" Eric replied. "We need to light up the rooftops for movement!"
"Wes! Taylor! Eric, over here!" the others called to their Ranger comrades.
"Guys, what's happening in there?! Where are Tommy and Kimberly?!" Taylor asked. "What are we dealing with?"
"It's Mesogog, he's back and settling one last score with Dr. O and Mrs. Oliver," Connor said wary. "Mesogog found some friends and now they're after them because of Mrs. Oliver's Dino Gem. I'm...afraid this maybe the end of our tenure as Power Rangers in Reefside." There was a look of disdain and a sense of dread on the faces of the current team of Power Rangers. The three commanders of the Silver Guardians also saw the looks of worry on the faces of the original Rangers.
"What...do you need us to do?" Wes was the first to ask. "We'll help in anyway possible." Jason's eyes diverted to the nearby rooftop across the building that was currently being used as a battleground. He looked at the Dino Thunder Rangers as they saw that Dino Gems was reaching the expired time.
"Well we might not know what's happening inside, but I know we need eyes on the rooftops." Jason said addressing the group and looking at the Dino Rangers. He noticed that they had some long ranged projectile weapons in their possession and then turned to Wes, Taylor and Eric. "Hey...do you guys have anything with long range available?"
Meanwhile on the rooftop...
After Tommy and Kimberly made quick work of the Emissary ninjas, reinforcements soon arrived as the two made their escape through a stairwell. Tommy blocked the door of the stairwell with a metal pipe as they climbed up. However, as they reached the final access door and blocked off another doorway, they found out that the only way out was on the roof.
They stopped near a door leading out to the roof, where Tommy claimed that he could sense an army of Emissary ninjas; they both took a moment, acknowledging that this might be their last fight. Hearing the sounds of the reinforcements below attempting to break through the doors below, the two took off their helmets knowing that there was no way out and they were trapped as the couple listened to the arrange of weaponry they're contending with.
"Oh sweet Jesus. Too many to count. Armed, packing katanas, couple of longbows. More coming from below. Same weapons." Kimberly reported. "It looks like we're ending things on the rooftop. I'd...always liked the fresh air wouldn't you say, Handsome? Okay, let's do this."
"I'd say we got a couple of minutes before they break through that door, let's make them count, Beautiful." As Kimberly was about to grab the handle to open the rooftop access door, Tommy stopped for a moment surprising Kim. "Wait, wait. Wait for one second, one second Kim. So, what if... What if... from now on, if... if we make it...we finally walkaway, I...I...we finally leave this life behind?"
"You're not serious are you Tommy?" Kimberly asked surprised. "This has been apart of us for over a decade, there's no way especially you would suddenly pack it all up."
"I've never been more serious. This has been part of my life for over a decade you're right. You were relieved from it at one point while I remained because I thought by being a Power Ranger this gave me purpose in my life. You followed me back into this life again willingly without any question, but it made realize something." He then gestured pointing to him and his wife. "This...Beautiful, this is a part of me that I need and you're the only one who gets it. I dealt with the loss of my powers and the end of my tenure, but without you and me, I'm not alive, not really. And I know that now, thanks to you. I know what we are together, and if we have any chance in the future...I do know that I'm free with you like with no one else."
"Once upon a time you used to hide from yourself and from everyone else." Kimberly said. "You felt unworthy of being a Power Ranger because of your deeds as Rita's evil Green Ranger. We saw you struggle with the darkness and the light inside of you, just like you saw me deal with it. You've meant a lot to us as our friend, teammate and leader. More importantly, you didn't realize there was a light inside of you that drew me to you from the first moment we met. You thought that by staying involved in this life, it defined your character and who you are. I made my choice to follow you and fight alongside you because I love you with all my heart. You felt that by staying in this life you weren't able to let anyone in..."
"I let you in the moment I laid eyes on you and I don't regret every moment of my life with you. Think about it Kimberly. What if this isn't the end? What if it's just the beginning of a brand new chapter for us and our little girl? Don't you think we deserve it after our years of service? We been called to the frontlines many times to answer the call of duty and dodge death at every corner. Our relationship has been tested to the limits because our enemies know that we are each other's strengths and weakness. We are married and raising Amelia in a warzone. I know our lives haven't been normal since day one, but don't you think we owe it to our family and Amelia? What do you say?"
"Well I do admit we never really had much of a honeymoon and or a family vacation." she slightly chuckled. "It was because we were so "busy with work" to actually plan one out. Actually, I can't recall the last time we ever went on vacation, but we're going to exclude the whole Mercer Island fiasco. Uh, I say... let's go to London. Yeah? I could probably borrow Kat and Jason's Frommer's Guide to London. Madrid. Tunisia. I always wanted to go to Paris, probably drop in on my mom after eight years. There are many places to get a little rest and relaxation and I think Amelia will probably love her first time riding on an airplane."
"Hey, any destination you pick Beautiful as long as I'm seeing the world with my two favorite girls. Heck, I've think the last time we rode on a plane was when we moved from Boston to Reefside after finishing grad school. Plus, we have to work on getting Amelia a passport so she can travel with mommy and daddy. Also, while we're on vacation perhaps...we can work on expanding our little family of three if you're up for it. Maybe we could possibly give Amelia a little brother or sister to play, so..."
"It was one of those things I wanted to do for a long time but we kept putting off, Handsome. It was because of our duty to this city and the Rangers. You're right, we put our not so normal lives on hold for a long time and I believe it's time for us to seize our moment, our future. We owe it to finally raising our daughter without looking over our shoulders. Amelia deserves to have her parents there for her picking her up from daycare, school, attending PTA meetings, going to her special events. Also, I think...I think it's time we write the next adventure of the Oliver family and I'll take you up on that offer to expand our family. Are you willing to walkaway from this...with us?"
"I'm willing to walkaway from all of this when it's all said and done. We sacrificed a lot over the years for the greater good because it's who we are. I'd give my life and happiness all in the name of the call of duty. They say that sometimes the hardest thing about the world is living in it, but for me it's something else. There's one thing in this world that makes me feel more alive that's you and Amelia...and the hardest thing for me is to live in the world without the other half of my heart, body and soul."
"I'm the Scarlet Sovereign, Tommy." Kimberly said sighing. "The Emissary exists to live and die for me...but we are more than what we're expected to be."
"Yeah, and I'm the Black Dino Thunder Ranger." Tommy confirmed. "However, you are right we are more than what we're suppose to be. You and me...we are the falcon and crane, The Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies. We are eternal soulmates who are unbowed, unbent and unbroken who do not yield to anyone. Our love is unbound as we are one in heart, body, mind and soul...always and forever, my graceful and agile pink princess."
"Eternally as one...always and forever, my noble and truest white knight." She smiled as they put their helmets back on. "All we gotta do is survive whatever's waiting for us behind that door...and hope for the best."
"Remember they're trying to kill me, not you." Tommy declared staring down at their adversaries.
"Over my dead body." Kimberly stated clutching the sais in her hands.
"No one escapes destiny, Rangers." Mesogog stated as Tommy and Kimberly finally make it to the top and battle Emissary ninjas led by Mesogog. "She belongs to the Emissary while you, Dr. Oliver belong in the ground."
Both of them held their ground gripping their weapons tightly and soon they started fighting against their enemies. A lot of the ninjas were easily defeated and attempted to isolate Kimberly away from Tommy. However, they underestimated Mesogog who was much more a superior fighter, possessing a chained kyoketsu-shoge as his weapon of choice.
While Mesogog fought Tommy single-handedly, his soldiers battled Kimberly in an attempt to subdue and capture her. Tommy eventually disarmed Mesogog during the battle and Kimberly rushed in to assist in the fight as the pair slowly beat their enemy in combat. "It's over Mesogog! The Emissary will crumble and you will leave our city alone once and for all!" Tommy declared angrily.
"Your city belongs to no one and you Pink Ranger...will belong to the Emissary!" Mesogog rushed to his feet and attacked the pair once again, managing to subdue them both and punch their helmets off. Mesogog then took Kimberly's Twin Sai and prepared to stab Tommy ferociously. However, Kimberly got to her feet and ran in front of the blade only for Tommy to see Mesogog run the sai through Kimberly's gut. Kimberly began to cough off blood startled by the impact. Kimberly punched Mesogog as the sai went through her gut and out of her back, withdrawing it.
"No, no! No Kimberly!" Tommy quickly rushed to Kimberly's side as she fell back, bleeding. Kimberly held her stomach where Mesogog's stab wound skewered her as she was becoming exhausted from the lack of blood and her eyes glazing over. Mesogog stared in disbelief at the bloody sai in his hand realizing he inadvertently made one crucial error. "Hey, hey come on Beautiful, stay with me. Stay with me!" He pleaded with a sob, praying somehow she survive.
"Tommy, my white knight...finish this." Kimberly said, with a cough of blood coming out of her mouth. "They...have nothing now. I took...it all away. End them."
Mesogog dropped the sai and ordered his soldiers to kill Tommy, however while Tommy was still able to fight, the Emissary soldiers try advancing towards him only for them to suddenly fall to the ground. Tommy heard blaster shots from another rooftop as he received assistance from Jason the Dino Thunder Rangers who began shooting at the Emissary soldiers with his sniper blaster rifle, allowing the furious Tommy to rush towards Mesogog.
Fueled by rage, Tommy beat Mesogog back with ease before using his katana and used the hilt of the sword to beat Mesogog's head and launch him off the rooftop as he fell several floors to the hard ground and died upon impact. At the other rooftop, Jason and the Dino Rangers saw a surreal and heartbreaking scene unfolding. With Mesogog gone, Tommy walked over to his wife, and knelt by her side, crying and cradling his beloved pink in his arms.
"Beautiful..." She turned to look at him, blood trailing from her mouth and from her wounds. Tommy tried to stop the bleeding but to no avail and his heart was beginning to shatter in a millions pieces. However, in her last moments, she weakly manage to give her husband a smile on her face full of love. "Hey it's okay, it's okay...look at me."
"It's okay, Tommy. Look...they have nothing now." She said as she looked at him. "I...no we took it all away from them. They are gone now."
"Kim please, try not to talk, just relax. Save your strength, Beautiful." He pleaded with her carefully lifting her in his arms. "Please, love don't do this...try not to talk. Save your strength. I promise...I promise it will be alright." The pain in his heart magnified as he realized it and despite his reassurance, the grim reality of their future and fate was settling in.
"My white knight, always a good person like I've always know he is." Kimberly struggled to talk and her breathing was becoming choppy and more shallow. "I see the light in you, my falcon. You are the most strongest man I know and I love you. Tommy, you're pure of heart and that the light shines in you. It's so bright and pure. Does it always hurt that much...The light?"
"Yeah, it, uh it always hurts that much, the light." He cried. "I love you Kim, please hold on...I need you to hold on for me, for Amelia. I'm nothing without you."
"I love you, too." Kim said as her breaths became shorter as she struggled to breath. With her remaining strength, she gently caressed Tommy's face and weakly traced her fingers on his head and to his chest. "Stay alive in here...and up here. The hardest thing about the world is living in it." She smiled as Tommy couldn't hold back the tears any longer. "Promise me...you'll live for me? For Amelia, our little defender? You're...her white knight now just like you were mine."
"I promise for our little girl. You'll always be alive with us in here and in here." He smiled crying pointing to his heart and his head. "...I'm so sorry for everything..."
"Don't be sorry I'll follow you through hell and back and I'll always fight alongside you. Keep up the good fight and don't stray. Sometimes fate has other plans and must accept it. However, do not...think this is the end. It is...never the end...for us, Handsome."
"Kimberly, please..."
"I love you for all eternity my beloved white knight...always and forever." Kimberly smiled one last time before her eyes slipped close and she breathed her last. Her body stopped moving and Tommy knew instinctively, it was over. He watched her lifeless body in despair as he wiped the blood from her lips as tears fell on her face. It was too much to bear as Tommy held her body closer to him crying the pain that was in his heart and soul.
"No, no, it's not the end for us please." Tommy cried as he cradle Kimberly gently in his arms. He threw his head back and screamed out all the pain, grief and heartbreak, everything that shattered inside of him the moment the light in his life was forever extinguished. There was nothing he could except mourn the loss for his world. "Please don't do this; please don't leave me Beautiful. Don't die on me Kim...please I'm nothing without you. Please...you can't leave alone like this...I need you Kim. Beautiful, please...come back to me...please...I love you so much. Please...come back to me, my beloved pink crane...please..."