(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here is chapter 19 of the story & I am about to wrap the Boston arc of this story. While Tommy is forced to confront his friends, Andrew Hartford and the Ninja Storm Rangers share some vital information that puts the original Rangers front and center.)
Chapter 19: The Prodigal Falcon
August 6th, 2008
7:00 pm PST
The Scott Residence
"Are you serious?! You guys found Tommy and Amelia? They been in Boston this whole time?" Kat said on the phone. "Amelia, how is our goddaughter? How does she look?"
It was a blessing for Kat that her children were preoccupied not to hear profanity coming out from their mother's mouth. She got the call from her husband, Jason who informed her and Trini that they found their long absent falcon. However, the circumstances of the reunion was not what Jason had in mind after Kat and Trini found out their friends' reunion with Tommy involved them finding Tommy prevent an assassination attempt on Andrew Hartford's life at the Boston Plaza Hotel.
They listened on the details about how Tommy tailed Shane and Hunter the entire day without knowing Jason and the others were in Boston also looking for the missing Ninja Storm Rangers. Right now, Jason and the others informed Kat and Trini about what was transpiring right now as Kat ended the phone call. Kat feeding her youngest daughter, Hazel while her and Jason's other three children Henry and their twins, Olivia and Matthew were in the living room.
"Looks like the Scott household is up and running." Trini teased the blonde Australian as she brewed another pot of coffee to drink. "Do you know the guys dubbed Jason as the Ranger breeder?"
"Yeah because all of our kids are six and under." Kat said. "Try raising a six year old, a pair of three year old twins and one year old toddler which by the way you are the godmother to."
"Thank you for reminding me of my significant role as godmother to little Hazel." Trini replied playing with the toddler. "So...Jason has finally our prodigal leader along with little Amelia in Boston?"
"Yeah, according to Jason and the others Tommy has been living in Boston for the last two years." Kat said. "He spent two years living like a nomad traveling with Amelia until she was four and then decided to put some roots in Boston. Besides, it holds a significant place for him since it was where Tommy and Kimberly got married and the city where Amelia was born. Tommy figured that Hayley gave the guys the idea to check out Boston after they traced his bank account to a Wells Fargo bank branch there."
"So what happens now? What are the chances of Tommy coming back to California?" Trini asked.
"We don't know because literally we're not whether or not Tommy is going to run off or not." Kat replied. "We all have our theories and reasons as to why Tommy left, one of them being Kimberly's death. I can only imagine what was going through Jason's mind when he saw Tommy after four years."
"Me too because next to Kimberly, Tommy's friendship with Jason was also significant to both of them." Trini added. "Those two have been through a lot over the years and they're more than just best friends, they're also brothers."
"We all took Tommy's sudden departure hard, but it effected Jason the most." Kat said, taking a deep breath. She recalled her husband rereading the letter Tommy left him four years ago after their last visit to Reefside. He left it at Tommy's old house with the hope that someday he'll understand the reason behind it. "However, knowing my husband, part of him wants to hear the truth from his best friend's mouth. There is still that part of Jason that wants to understand what made Tommy leave everything behind four years ago without saying a word."
10:00 pm EST
Boston Harbor Marina
Boston, MA
It took less than one day for Tommy's life of seclusion and retirement from the other life came crashing down. Then there was the fact that he and his daughter were suddenly playing hosts to some unexpected houseguests on their quaint houseboat. By the time the emergency crew finished up at Boston Plaza Hotel, everyone thought it was best to avoid returning for a few hours if in case another attempt on Andrew Hartford's life was made.
The original Rangers along with Shane and Hunter knew who Andrew Hartford was following the adventures of the Operation Overdrive team in San Angeles. For Andrew Hartford, he knew there were other Power Ranger teams out there and he had the pleasure of meeting a few of them last year during the Thrax crisis. The self-made billionaire and explorer gave the veteran Rangers an audience, but after what happened at the hotel he opted for a more private meeting place.
Unfamiliar with the city or the best place to lay low, in an unexpected turn of events Tommy offered his place down near the Boston Harbor Marina to hideout. He set out what he needed to do and secure Andrew Hartford's safety, but Tommy knew his friends and Jason especially wanted some answers.
The mood was tense and awkward as Mr. Hartford, Shane and Hunter noticed the distant emotions among the seven veteran Rangers. Instructing his security entourage to wait on standby and stay close to the perimeter, the group saw where the father/daughter have taken up residence for the last two years.
The others were amazed by how much Amelia has grown in the last four years. For the young girl, she was both surprised and excited by the prospect of her and her dad entertaining some guests at their unique floating house. For Billy and Jason, seeing Amelia was like seeing a reincarnation of Kimberly for the young girl was a miniature version of their deceased best friend and little sister. However, Amelia's eyes and her facial expressions she inherited those aspects from Tommy.
There were only a few exchange of words among the seven longtime friends since their arrival at Tommy's place. Billy, Adam, Aisha, Rocky and Justin were each tempted to ask the question that plagued them for four years: why did Tommy suddenly leave without a word? Apart of them didn't know what to say for a lot has changed in everyone's lives in the last four years.
Jason on the other hand wanted to take a different approach with his best friend. There were a lot of emotions running through Jason's mind when it came to Tommy. He knew things were different now and after what happened at the hotel, he decided to hold himself together and focus the group's main priority on today's events. Tommy figured out what Jason was doing as if the two best friends could read each other's minds. For the next hour, the seven veterans put aside the emotional turmoil they were struggling with after their awkward reunion. Their attention diverted to the self-made billionaire who they intercepted after he was briefed by Shane and Hunter.
"According to my PR team, they have stated that the hotel has been cleared of any hostile threats," Mr. Hartford confirmed reading his phone messages. "My security team is patrolling the perimeter around the harbor." He then addressed the group. "I was told by your comrades Shane and Hunter about what happened in Blue Bay Harbor."
"Does the name Seth Steiner sound familiar?" Tommy asked firmly.
"I remember reading an email from a student at Harvard named Seth Steiner regarding a journal paper I wrote back in 1993." Mr. Hartford explained. "However, that paper almost cost me my reputation, integrity and standing among the historical society. Also, the article raised a lot of eyebrows amongst Asian historians who felt my work slander their cultural history and deemed my exploration as inaccurate. It intrigued me as to why a student from Harvard was intrigued by a paper I wrote 15 years ago that is now considered blacklisted?"
"Well that Harvard student Seth Steiner is in the hospital, sir." Hunter confirmed. "He was attacked this morning at his dojo because he was a former student at the Wind Ninja Academy. Your name was given to him by one of our friends, Tori Hanson."
"Tori?! The Blue Wind Ranger?! Three months ago she contacted me to look into some images she forwarded to me." Mr. Hartford said. "Apparently Kanoi Watanabe, your sensei at the Wind Ninja Academy had someone from your school seek me out. I wasn't aware you Rangers were looking into something without your sensei's consent."
"Three months ago...that's when the attacks started happen until the third one which was game over for us." Shane sighed addressing the group.
"You guys took the risk knowing full well the consequences of finding out truth about your school?" Rocky replied.
"It wasn't until a few days ago sensei revealed the Wind Ninja Academy's six hundred year legacy," Shane said. "And paid the price just so we know the truth."
"Those images your friend Tori sent me made me review the research and documents I recorded back in 1993 before I published that paper." Mr. Hartford said. "I then recall actually meeting Kanoi Watanabe during a spiritual retreat fifteen years ago during my Asian exploration in Kyoto. I visited a local museum there and came upon an artifact linked to the Nihon Shoki. There was an inscription on it when I requested to further examine the artifact. I then remember encountering Kanoi again at the museum and he cryptically told me that "even ancient history can hide secrets from the world around them." I didn't know what he meant at the time, but it intrigued me."
"What if we told you that the paper you published fifteen years ago that is deemed "blacklisted" is in fact true?" Billy asked. "Sir, I believe you uncovered something that hasn't been well known knowledge to the world. Unless...the Nihon Shoki in Japan wasn't the only piece of ancient documentation you found evidence of "their" existence?"
"What are you implying?" He asked curiously.
"Like many secret societies around the world, you may stumbled upon the existence of two who have raged war upon each other for thousands of years." Tommy suddenly spoke up. "One faction has been recruiting warriors since the beginning to join their cause to fight this war: any man, woman or child who had the skills to fight, be a soldier of war. This faction despite their intentions to defend the world against their opposition, their methods come with questionable criticism. The people who attacked at the hotel, are a mysterious organization with mystical and mythical resources at their deposal. They have many fronts and alias over the years, but their mission remains."
"Look I only published my research in that one paper of what I learned from the works and artifacts of ancient dynasties in Asia. I didn't realize one paper nearly jeopardized my career fifteen years ago." Mr. Hartford added. "If I published the rest of my findings back in the day it would have been career suicide and my reputation tarnished. Also I will gain the distinct honor of being discredited by every world renowned historical society. Who knew one little paper could generate such controversy."
"The rest of your findings, are you saying that that there is more evidence?" Jason asked. "What you wrote fifteen years ago is only half the truth?"
"Ancient Egyptian hieroglyphs; dialect translated from old ancient Sumerian tablets dating back to 1600 BC; Celtic manuscripts related to the Bath Curse Tablets." Mr. Hartford continued. "Look, I'm no Robert Langdon but I may have stumbled upon my own Da Vinci Code like situation but out of fear and discredit, I omitted any other findings that were made reference in ancient Asian historical works. I'm assuming...the people who attacked the hotel..."
"Are part of the shadow opposition." Aisha warned. "Our guess is that they saw you as an liability that needed to be dealt with."
"And they wanted me dead because of some controversial journal I published fifteen years ago?!" Mr. Hartford replied. "Look I've made some enemies before battling Moltor and Flurious for the Corona Aurora. I've had my share of dealing with secret societies and intergalactic aliens and mythical deities, it wasn't my intention to somehow go all conspiracy theory and denounce the claims of other explorers."
"Sir basically your paper would have revealed their existence to the entire world." Justin pointed out. "Shane and Hunter found out their school was one of the many recruitment fronts for six centuries for one of the ancient organizations your paper was willing to expose."
"The one the Japanese used to called Shubi-tai and the opposition called Shisha." Mr. Hartford continued. "Both factions went by many names throughout the years, formulated within the depths of some of the most powerful ancient civilizations and dynasties that existed in history. They can be called "Paresidio" vs. "Caprum Emissarium" in Latin; or "Froura" vs "Apestalmenos" in Greek. No matter the language it translates into..."
"The Garrison and the Emissary," Tommy spoke looking at Andrew Hartford. "The sole existence of the Garrison is to be the adversaries of the Emissary to combat. Anyone who gets involved in their war becomes a casualty because I should know. You have no idea the mystical and mythical power of Emissary until it's too late."
"None of us didn't ask to get tangle up in all of this," Hunter argued. "This just happened overnight and we made a cross country trek to get answers that were suddenly thrust upon us after our school got torched to the ground. Sensei Watanabe in his last stand made sure we got out and left us with a bunch of unanswered questions a few souvenirs we got no clue are about. However, we emphasize that the survival of these objects is a matter of life and death. We wanted answers and although it's not the full truth, we got to take what we can."
"I know and I'm not blaming you or anyone else for these guys showing up." Tommy reassured. "It's always been this riddle with the only few collective out there who knows about the war between the Emissary and the Garrison."
"And what might that be bro?" Jason asked.
"How the heck did it all start in the beginning and why," Tommy stated being careful with his choice of words. He then turned his attention to Jason and the others. "I saw an object that Shane and Hunter had in their possession their sensei gave them. I heard you guys obtained something from Tori and Blake in Angel Grove. Hunter, Shane, you said that Sensei Watanabe gave the Ninja Storm Rangers artifacts one of which you showed me: a cryptex."
"Did you say cryptex?!" Hr. Hartford asked curiously as Shane pulled out the hexagon box containing the cryptex. The Rangers stared at Mr. Hartford as he carefully examined both the box and the device. The way he was holding it with such delicacy intrigued the former Operation Overdrive mentor. "It's actually the first time I've seen an actual cryptex device up close. Very rare renaissance mechanical devices Da Vinci created back in the day. According to Da Vinci, this device right now symbolizes the science of cryptology."
"It's pretty smart of the them to keep this under wraps by hiding the contents inside a cryptology device coined by Da Vinci's concepts." Billy added.
"Maybe that little decoder device might be of some use to this," Jason replied revealing the scroll. "You said you specialize in cryptology, maybe you can translate what is on this scroll and what it means."
"Given the texture and contour of the parchment, what you got here is not papyrus, the etches indicate thread." Mr. Hartford replied. "What you got here is part of a tapestry. If you Rangers will look at the edges, this tapestry is incomplete."
"It means there's another piece missing of it." Aisha replied. "The language looks like an ancient language, but there's a small fine print inscription that looks like has faded but it looks eligible."
"Maybe whatever is inside that cryptex must be the missing part to the tapestry." Tommy suggested attempting to further examine the device.
"Mr. Oliver, with all due to respect, whoever designed this cryptex followed to the letter the same mechanism and construct Da Vinci himself created back in the Renaissance." Mr. Hartford warned. The tumblers inside align and the entire cylinder slides apart once it opens. According to scholars, the inner compartment of the cryptex was used to store secret written messages on a scroll of thin papyrus wrapped around a fragile vial of vinegar as a security measure: if one does not know the password but tries to force the cryptex open, the vial will break and the vinegar will dissolve the papyrus before it can be read."
"So this is a one time, one deal touching the cryptex?" Justin replied as Hunter and Shane were checking a few messages on their phones. "Guys, what's up?"
"It was the hospital informing us of an update on Seth's condition." Shane reported. "So the good news is he'll recover and there was no internal injuries done. One of the nurses said Seth was rambling about a club about to be busted. It was why he got attacked because he attempted to warn them. Hunter and I need to go to the hospital to make sure Seth is alright. All the nurse said was Seth talking about an address for a comic book shop somewhere near the hospital."
"It's better you two bring some backup with you just in case." Rocky replied.
"Rocky has a point." Tommy pointed out then looked at Jason. "I think I know of a few comic book shops near the hospital."
"Look, it's getting late and I know you don't want to leave your daughter...and we can handle it," Jason suggested. "Justin and I can check out the comic book shop while the others escort Mr. Hartford back to the hotel and Shane and Hunter to the hospital. We...don't want to cause any trouble for you, bro."
Tommy knew Jason was trying to assign himself and the others to deal with the aftermath of today's events. It wasn't a coincidence that Andrew Hartford was randomly targeted or some karate instructor like Seth Steiner was assaulted. However, for Tommy he feared the Emissary coming after his friends.
He was lucky to have taken them out earlier at the hotel after saving Mr. Hartford. But knowing the Emissary there will always be others out there allied with them to carry out the mission their subordinates failed at. As much as Tommy wanted to hold back, he knows his friends aren't prepared to deal with something beyond their control.
Two Hours Later
A little while later after everyone left, Tommy managed to get Amelia to bed for the rest of the night. The guys briefly exchanged numbers with Tommy and informed him of the hotel they were staying at. He overheard the others talking with Shane and Hunter about a getaway plan to get them and the rest of the Ninja Storm team away from further harm.
Andrew Hartford already made plans to cancel the rest of his book tour and seminars at the upcoming ivy league schools and return to San Angeles. Before his departure he took photographs of the artifacts in the Rangers possession. He needed to notify the Operation Overdrive Rangers in San Angeles of what happened and left instructions for Spencer and Mack to find all his research and documents he used for the paper he published fifteen years ago.
Unknown to the original veterans, they didn't realize Tommy was listening in on their conversation and that Jason and Justin were going to follow up Seth's lead. There was no denying that Seth was in league working for the Garrison and he had this idea that somehow there was a small brigade of the Garrison in Boston.
He made the call to Justin asking him to come back to his place and explained to the former Turbo Blue Ranger he was going to provide Jason backup. Tommy tasked Justin to keep watch over Amelia while she slept and prayed he be back before sunrise or before his daughter woke up. Using his heightened senses, Tommy tracked down Jason's location as his best friend was startled by the surprise appearance of Tommy instead of his P.I partner.
"You don't know what you're walking into Jason." Tommy said nervously. "I can't let my best bro be another casualty in all of this."
"Tommy?! What the hell are you doing here?! Listen bro we can handle this." Jason said in a stern voice. "Where is Justin? He and I will check this place out. Listen to me, go home to your daughter because she needs you."
"Don't worry about Amelia because I asked Justin to keep an eye on my daughter." Tommy replied. "Besides, you need someone who knows how to navigate the streets of Boston and who better than me."
"Look you've already done enough for us tonight...this is our problem, not yours." Jason argued as the two ventured to the back alley of the comic book shop. "The sooner I can wrap up this case, the sooner the guys and I will on the way back to Angel Grove."
"Jase you don't understand what you're digging into. You need back up and someone who had experience being front and center for a Garrison vs Emissary showdown. I been at this game with the Garrison since I was a kid...I don't that to happen to the people I care about." Tommy said with a hint of guilt and sincerity.
"It seems like Tommy Oliver has a very funny way of showing people they still matter." Jason said in a whisper. "Even after four years without a word you still have the backs of those you distanced yourself from and left behind. Can you imagine what it was like for our friends to see you after four years? A lot changed in our lives but you weren't the only one that lost something four years ago...we all did. We get what Kimberly's death did to you and I understand that you needed time to grieve. You could have come to us, but in typical Tommy Oliver style you took the whole burden for yourself when you had people who cared about to help you."
"Okay Jase be the voice for everyone of our friends that barely couldn't look at me tonight." Tommy said with a hint of sarcasm in his voice. "I know each of the guys wanted to ask the question as to why I left four years ago? Why did I leave without saying goodbye? Why did I purposely cut myself from everyone I cared about?"
"And you didn't think any of our friends understood why, but someone did." Jason said. "I understood my best friend lost more than anyone can imagine living "the life" that has been part of us since we were sixteen years old. You explained it...in a letter address to me and no one else because you know I get where you're coming from."
Tommy looked at Jason while he was picking a locked door, and his best friend's words hit him hard. Deep down he knew in the midst of his own grief and loss, he hurt the people that mattered to him. The consequences of his departure four years ago effected each of his friends differently, but deep down it was Jason who felt the impact the most. He put his best friend in the unwilling leadership role of holding everything together knowing full well Jason also had a life of his own too with Kat and their kids.
Out of all of his friends it was the reason why Tommy wrote the letter that day he left and addressed it to Jason. He figured Jason would be the first person to show up at his house that night. Back in the day when Jason was around, he didn't have to be the fearless leader, always hiding his emotions, appearing strong and composed. He reached out and put a hand on Jason's shoulder as Tommy's emotions got the best of him.
"I burned you badly didn't I, Jase?" Tommy asked in a whisper.
"If you want to put that way, I could simply said you did burn a lot of bridges when you packed up and left four years ago." Jason said. "Even when you were grieving, you still had that mentality of carrying the weight of the world on your shoulders and when you collapsed under the pressure of it, you let it eat you. I was there on the other rooftop along with your team and saw everything unfold four years ago. I understand the pain you felt watching Kim die, and although you kept reminding yourself you couldn't control what happened to her, part of you felt guilt for her death."
"That's what I tell myself everyday if I forced her into following me back into this life." Tommy said. "But she was willing to let herself back into the life, the one I felt I needed to stay apart to atone for everything I done back in the day. But she was like me, drawn as well to a life that tethered her."
"Yeah and I remember you both saying to each other consequences be damned." Jason answered. "What I remember is that me and the rest of your teammates saw the story of Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart being played out. Two people who were in love with each other despite what the world threw at them. They defy the hand of fate and destiny because they held the belief that they can write their own story. The falcon and the crane: unbowed, unbent and unbroken who do not yield to anyone except the unbound love they have for each other. It's a story everyone of us remembers for the ages."
"I know you guys like hearing that story, the story of the unbound love of the falcon and the crane." Tommy continued. "If I could go back, I take back everything I did and then maybe...maybe life would have been different for all of us. Maybe the story would have been written out differently where everyone lives happily ever after."
"Let me ask you something Tommy, did you find what you were looking for?" Jason asked. "Did you find the belief you once held? The strength and the belief to endure whatever this world throws at you?" Tommy was startled when Jason recited the letter he wrote to his best friend four years ago.
"You remember what I wrote you in that letter?" Tommy asked. "I figured nothing can get pass my best friend...and my brother. I don't know if I did...ever find that belief and I couldn't know whether or not I see it again because sometimes facing the world alone isn't the way to find the answers you want to know.."
"I hope one day I can find myself again and the belief that you all saw in me when we first met. For the belief I had when I first came to Angel Grove and your friendships became one of the things I valued. For the belief I had when I first met Kimberly and all of it seemed right: a life full of innocence, happiness and eternal love. Above all of this, I hope to find the belief in happy endings, once more." Jason said quoting the letter. "Part of me hopes you'll find what you're looking for again, bro. The others it will take time but I was the only person who knew why you left. So I'll ask you again old friend...did you find what you were looking for?"
"I'm still hoping to find that belief again and the hope that it's not too late to rebuild the bridges I burnt for what I did." Tommy muttered as Jason finally picked the lock open. "As much as it was nice going off on my own adventure and showing Amelia what the world has to offer...sometimes the heart yearns for a place to call home."
"You'll find it again Tommy, and you have all the time in the world to rebuild those bridges." Jason said. "As to answer your question earlier, you don't have to worry about me bro. I learned a few things from my best friend and brother on how to deal. Remember man, no matter how much time and distance you put between yourself and the rest of us, we're not going to hate you. If you let try to take on everything head on alone, the weight will drive you nuts. We're more than a team: we're a family who shares the burden and divide the grief. Heck, some things haven't changed over the years between us and no matter what...you and me we'll always be brothers."
Tommy looked at his friend and managed a small smile. For the first time in four years, he didn't have to force a smile for the sake of pretending or concealing his grief. It had been far too long he seek solace and confided in his best friend. Before entering the building, he placed a hand on Jason's shoulder and gave him a hug.
"You know I always thought about you guys these past four years." Tommy muttered slightly smiling. "Especially you bro. I wonder how my godson Henry is doing and how are things with Kat and your little P.I agency. I'm hoping nothing has changed while I been away."
"We all wondered the same thing and we're glad to see how Amelia turned out. My goddaughter: a splitting image of my little sis she is. Kat and I are still strong and nothing hasn't changed much back in Angel Grove or Reefside." Jason said as the two walked into the dark back room of the comic book shop to investigate the shop. "Oh just to let you know before you hear it from the others they gave me a new nickname: the breeder."
"Okay odd choice of a nickname, Jase." Tommy slightly smiled. "Why did the guys call you that?"
"Let's just say the Scott family has expanded quite a bit in the last four years." Jason replied. "Imagine living in a house with four kids under the age of six? Yeah Kat and I have three more kids in the last four years: a pair of three year old twins named Olivia and Matthew, but we call them Matt and Liv for short and a daughter named Hazel who just turned one last July. I'm hoping to introduce my little brood for some play dates with Amelia in the near future."
It was amazing for Tommy to hear about the life Jason had built for himself in the last four years between his agency and his family with Kat. He slightly chuckled at the nickname the guys dubbed his best friend as "the breeder" of the group. Tommy could imagine what family life is like for Jason and Kat raising four kids. However, there moment of reminiscing was interrupted when Jason stumbled upon something hard that caused him to trip over.
Tommy helped Jason up as he looked at his best friend staring at his hand. Jason felt something moist stain his hand and to his horror figured out it was blood. Both men looked around the back room of the comic book shop to find the occupants killed much to their horror. This puzzled both of them wondering who would kill what looked like employees of the comic book shop. Tommy's ears perked as he heard a van on route through the back alley and warned his best friend.
"Bro, listen to me we have to go now." Tommy warned dragging Jason out of the back storage room and retreating out back in the alley. They shut the door close and hid out of sight as a white van pulled up to the back alley door of the comic book shop. "Somebody is on their way here."
Jason and Tommy decided to get a closer look as they watch a short while later a group of men entered the building. They hide themselves and observed as the men began cleaning the room and destroying the bodies. To their surprise, they found out that the people cleaning the scene were teenagers being instructed by what they assumed was their boss. Tommy couldn't get a read on who the boss was but these people wiped down and destroy any evidence that a crime was being committed.
"They're just kids?! This is totally messed up and this is like a professional cleaner for mob hits." Jason said wary. "The question is why the hell kill a bunch of people in a comic book shop and then clean up the crime scene?"
"I don't know but something tells me this was more than just a regular comic book shop." Tommy muttered in a whisper. "Someone wants to cover up whatever the hell happened here tonight by destroying the evidence as if nothing happened. I think these people are more than just your average working taxpayers."
August 7th, 2008
Boston Harbor Marina
7:30 am
The sun shined bright an early upon the waters along the Boston Harbor marina. Justin woke up after he doze off last night from his role as last minute babysitter to Tommy's daughter Amelia. Justin let the others know where he was and noticed that Tommy and Jason haven't returned yet nor contacted him to follow up on Seth Steiner's lead. The former Blue Turbo Ranger did however wake to at least more than a dozen messages left on his phone by his friends updating him about Andrew Hartford, Shane and Hunter.
Waking up to the sensation of the waves rocking the boathouse, Justin stepped out on the deck and saw a note attached to Tommy's door. It was odd as Justin read the note that only contained what look like longitude and latitude coordinates. Studying the note carefully, it was as if someone was looking out for Tommy and Amelia as the note indicated to Justin reassurance of safety.
Sending a quick message to the others to meet him back at Tommy's place, Justin went back inside only to be startled by Amelia waking up. The young girl looked around quizzing about her father's whereabouts. Amelia had no idea that her dad had gone out last night and hasn't returned since and the young girl was startled by the Justin's presence. Obviously, Justin seemed like a stranger to Amelia as they briefly met last night and now he was left to look after the child until her dad returned.
"Amelia?! Hey...I didn't see you wake up." Justin said. "Do you...remember me from last night?"
"You're one of daddy's friends from him and mommy's photo albums. He says him and mommy's friends live on the other side of the country." Amelia said wary. "Where's my daddy? Did he go out for his exercise? What's your name?"
"I'm Justin and yes I'm an old friend of your parents." Justin said politely. "Your dad...he told me to watch you for a bit because he had something to do this morning with his friend Jason. He promise he'll be back soon. Are you hungry Amelia? Do you want some breakfast while we wait for your dad to come back?"
"Do you know how to make waffles? Daddy has a waffle maker and every Thursday we make waffles for breakfast." Amelia asked curiously. "Do you eat waffles Justin?"
"I do like waffles little lady and yes I know my way around making breakfast." Justin replied smiling. "How about you show me where you guys store all the ingredients and I can certainly whip us a batch of waffles for breakfast. Miss Amelia, do you mind if my friends join us for breakfast? They also knew your parents too and I promise you that they are very nice people."
"I don't mind and if they knew my mommy and daddy then they must be nice people." Amelia smiled showing Justin the pantry cabinet. "Daddy always told me stories about mommy and his friends and we don't get visitors that much because we're always busy."
"Really? So what do you and your daddy like to do?" Justin asked while he was mixing the ingredients and warming up the waffle maker. Amelia sat on the stool near the counter/bar telling Justin about the hobbies and things she does with her father. Justin saw how much Amelia met to Tommy and got an insight to their father/daughter bond.
"Did you know that daddy is really good at karate? Then he also used to drive race cars and he teaches science?" Amelia replied happily. "I'm also learning karate and gymnastics too like mommy. Sometimes I also take music lessons too and on some days we go to the museum and see really cool science stuff."
Once Justin finished cooking a batch of waffles, he and Amelia set up the table outside on the deck for breakfast and began to eat. A little while later, the two were joined by Billy, Rocky, Aisha and Adam as the group settled in for morning breakfast. The five veteran Rangers listened as Amelia continued to swipe stories about her life with Tommy and listening the young girl go on about the stories her dad told her.
It was a long night for the other original Rangers of not only carrying on with their mission, but also dealing with the revelation of seeing their long absent leader after four years. The group was riding a tidal wave of emotions, each of them trying to come to terms with Tommy's reemergence in their lives. However, the last twenty-four hours was a test of keeping their emotions in check as each of them struggled with where their friendships with Tommy stands.
The news of Tommy's whereabouts hit the other side of the country to the others back in Angel Grove and to Hayley and Tommy's former Rangers in Reefside. It was expected that everyone had mixed reactions and although they all had questions behind Tommy's motives four years ago. However, listening to Amelia's stories about her life with her father made them think otherwise about their feelings towards Tommy.
Hearing the young girl's testimony made any resentment and anger they felt towards Tommy lessen as they slowly started seeing the motivation behind Tommy's decision four years ago. The group knew how hard Kimberly's death was on Tommy, but Amelia was still the last salvation and gift he had left to remember his pink princess. It still touched their hearts to know that during his time away, Tommy kept his friends on his mind by telling Amelia stories about them and Kimberly.
"Daddy says that the guy that was here last night, his name is Jason. I have a godfather and his name is Jason and he has a son named Henry," Amelia replied. "He has a wife named Katherine and she's my godmother as well?"
"Yeah that man that was with us is your godfather Jason and yes he's married to your godmother, Katherine or Kat as we call her." Billy said. "And yes they have a son named Henry, but they also have three other kids too. A pair of twins named Matthew and Olivia and a baby daughter named Hazel."
"That is why we call Jase the breeder." Adam slightly smiled.
"What's a breeder?" Amelia asked.
"Someone who likes to have a lot of babies," Rocky laughed as Aisha looked at him and elbowed him grunting. "Ouch, what did you do that for Aisha?"
"Yeah we're not going into Rocky's girls gone wild version of the birds and the bees with a six year old girl." Aisha said sternly, but chuckling. "Besides, do you remember what happened when you told someone under the age of six about the birds and the bees?"
"Oh come on seriously are you guys going to hold that over my head?" Rocky teased the group. "What was I suppose to do? Henry wanted to know about the facts of life."
"And that resulted in a summertime ban of you being prohibited from any of Kat's tasty desserts." Billy laughed. "And involuntary summertime yard work last year after those two found out about Henry's little show and tell presentation at day camp."
"Tip of advice Amelia if you ever want to learn about the facts of life, go to your dad and by all means avoid Uncle Rocky for resource," Justin smiled.
"Listen to Justin because Uncle Rocky has this tendency to get kids into trouble when learning about the facts of life," Jason said as he and Tommy walked onto the deck seeing the group having breakfast. Amelia got up from her seat and hugged her father. Tommy hugged his daughter back and he was surprise to see his friends having breakfast with his daughter.
"Look daddy, Justin made waffles for breakfast and he invited all your friends over." Amelia said. "They been telling me stories about you and mommy when you were all younger. I told them about all our adventures and trips and all the stuff we do together. I like your friends daddy they're really nice people."
"Yeah kiddo, they're the best friends daddy can ever ask for," Tommy replied looking at his friends letting out a small smile. It was a compliment that the rest of the guys appreciated. It was going to take time for their friendships and relationships with Tommy to repair itself, but it wasn't going to stop them from being apart of his life. "Hey guys...thanks for having breakfast with Amelia and looking after her."
"She's an amazing little girl Tommy." Aisha said smiling. "Amelia is lucky to have a wonderful father like you. She really puts you on a pedestal." Amelia released her hold from Tommy and then walked up to Jason and stared at him.
"You must be my Uncle Jason? Daddy told me that he and mommy made you and Auntie Katherine my godparents? Is that true?" Amelia asked curiously.
"Yes that's true Amelia. I'm your godfather and yes your Auntie Katherine, my wife is your godmother." Jason replied as he was startled when Amelia gave him a hug. "It's a pleasure to finally see you again. The last time I saw you was when you were only two years old. Gosh I got a lot of time to make up with my goddaughter."
"Is that you're called "the breeder" because you have a lot of kids?" Amelia asked as Tommy slightly chuckled at Jason's reaction and then gave a disbelief look at his friends.
"Seriously guys I haven't seen my goddaughter in four years and you tell her about the breeder nickname?" Jason sighed in disbelief. "Not the first impression I want to make on Amelia. Thanks guys for the stunning intro to my best friend's kid."
"Oh don't worry bro," Tommy reassured him. "All you need to do to make a good impression on my little girl is not to tell her an embarrassing stories about the guys and you'll be even with them."
One Hour Later
After Tommy and the others finished having breakfast and helping him clean up the deck, Amelia went to her bedroom to get changed and cleaned up for the day. It gave Tommy some time to talk to the rest of his friends about everything that happened between them four years ago. Like the similar conversation he had with Jason last night during their stakeout, Tommy knew it was going to take time to repair his relationships with his friends.
With Tommy's whereabouts now known to those around him, it became a matter of time before one of them will ask him if he was going to come home. They saw how comfortable life was for both father and daughter in Boston, but the last twenty-four hours have been a rollercoaster ride.
While Adam and Rocky were busy getting updates with Andrew Hartford, Shane and Hunter, Aisha was inside the kitchen cleaning up the dishes and keeping an eye on Amelia. Meanwhile, Jason and Tommy explained to the others what they witnessed during their stakeout last night and about the comic book shop. Conferencing the calls in with their allies, Tommy questioned Shane and Hunter what they found out about the comic book shop Seth visited.
The group sighed in disbelief to find out the occupants killed in the shop were former students from the Wind Ninja Academy. However, it was the mystery as to why there was a cleanup crew that went there to dispose of any activity of the crime. Jason and Billy noticed Justin reading a note which brought upon suspicion as he showed it to the guys. The three of them were reluctant to share this news with Tommy knowing suspecting that whoever left him the note, Tommy knew who it was.
"Tommy...you need to see this." Justin said reluctantly showing him the note. "I found it on your door when I woke up this morning. They're coordinates: 110.1735 W Longitude, 37.0042 N Latitude."
"Do...you know where these coordinates lead?" Tommy asked examining the note carefully.
"Based on geographical location: it's Monument Valley near the Navajo Nation Reservation near the Arizona-Utah border." Billy answered. "It's basically the Colorado Plateau rock region."
"Did you see who left this note?" Tommy asked suspiciously as he read the message on the bottom of the note to his friends. "No more running from the war. One last stronghold to keep the brigade in tact. Time for you to open the keys to sanctuary..."
"Tommy, what's the matter?" Jason asked.
"It's a message and I think I know who those guys were that ended up dead last night." Tommy said looking at his friends. "Forward the coordinates to Shane and Hunter and let the Ninja Storm team know at least it's a safe zone. Jase, that comic book store...I think they were former students from the Wind Ninja Academy who were awaiting recruitment into the Garrison." He leaned back against the wall and pounded his fist against it. "Son a of a bitch...after all these years still trying to prep me for war."
"So the question is what's the next move? Those guys we saw at the shop last night..." Jason said. "Tommy, look you don't have to do this...you got out like you wanted."
"I don't think I was ever out to begin with. I couldn't fool myself into thinking I finally outrun the life I left behind." Tommy said sighing. "At this point, I don't know what the next move is, but all I know is there's a war coming. It's just the beginning and the message is clear: someone needs me to finish where I left off four years ago."
"And exactly what are you going to do about it?" Billy asked. "We can see it that you don't want to be pulled back into all of this. You have a choice trust us."
"I think the time for running stops whether I like it or not." Tommy replied. "Quinn...he's looking to me to end this war between the Emissary and the Garrison. I have a feeling we're the ones front and centre in all of this. This blasted war took everything from me and I don't care what comes next or whoever stands in my way. I'm going to come for all of them and whether I like it or not...it looks like Quinn is getting back his reluctant soldier."