Shadows in the Glass

by flipgurlpink11

An incident causes Tommy to retire from the Ranger life following the end of his latest tenure. Years later, an unexpected battle between two warring factions will throw him and the original Rangers into the mix fighting not only for the fate of their city, but for the heart of the team.

28. Ghost in the Shell

(Author's Notes: Hey guys, here is chapter 28 of the story. Flashbacks in this chapter & those scenes will be written in italics. Excerpts from the Prologue will also be included. The Rangers deal with the fallout at Rideau Circle & the sudden return of Quinn forces Tommy to reveal some shocking truths about Kimberly.)

Chapter 28: Ghost in the Shell

FLASHBACK

Algoma Summer Camp- Summer 1990

Eleven year old Tommy Oliver ran out of the mess hall, much to the surprise of the other campers and counsellors. Something felt off today as if everything around him suddenly amplified in terms of sound and sight. For some reason during his sparring match, he quickly anticipated the movements of sparring opponent. It was as if he had superhuman senses like one of the characters he read in a comic book.

Nervous and feeling agitated, Tommy made his way to the lakeside as he watched a couple of canoes and kayaks on the lake. Unfortunately, he received some unwanted stares and murmurs from the rest of the campers after what they witnessed today. Tommy sat on a rock staring out at the lake, deep in thought, eating a granola bar. He always packed an extra bar for snacks and surprisingly he found himself being followed by his fellow camper, Kimberly.

"Oh hi there, Kimberly. What are you doing here?" Tommy replied surprisingly.

"Doyle is telling the other kids in the class that you cheated earlier while you guys were sparring. Quinn keeps going on you being special with gifts that others don't understand according to him." Kimberly reported sitting down next to him. He offered her the extra granola bar he had and she accepted it as the two sat down eating. "For the record, I don't think you cheated against Doyle and if you want, we can go TP his cabin later. I know a guy who will do it for a discount in exchange for a pack of Razzle Candy."

"Really?! But it's hard to find a pack of Razzles to pay for a TP fee to prank Doyle." Tommy chuckled smiling. "However, it is a tempting offer Kim. Doyle and Ian sometimes think they run the class. Besides, it's nice seeing them always flat on the mat. Did Quinn send you to find me?"

"No, I came on my own and you're my friend so I was worried about you Tommy. I know what it's like when other kids talk behind your back and make you feel like an outsider, weird and odd. I know that feeling and I wonder why my mom and dad sent me to camp this summer."

"Well my parents sent me to camp in order to learn how to make friends with kids my age. They think I spend a lot of time to myself or focus more on my karate a lot than trying to befriend other kids my age. However, I know my parents do care about me and just want me to be happy." He looked at a group of campers near the shore talking and pointed them out to Kimberly.

"Do you see those guys near the rack of paddles? I can hear what they're saying. The one wearing the New York Mets is talking about how England should have won the FIFA World Cup this year instead of Germany instead of placing fourth place. The other guy wearing the Hulk Hogan t-shirt was saying it was his first trip to Toronto to watch Wrestlemania VI and see the Ultimate Warrior and Hulk Hogan fight." Watching Tommy pointing out the kids near the shoreline surprised Kimberly. He was telling her what the others were talking about even though they were miles away. Then, he ended up point out to some of the kids that were on the boats on the lake.

"How do you hear that from where we're sitting?" Kimberly asked smiling. "Oh...I see what you're doing. Is that like a superpower of yours? That's what Quinn means about you having gifts that others don't understand. Is that why you ran out of class today?"

"That girl parasailing on the water, her heartbeat skipped a beat a tad faster because of the wind shifting the waves in the water. Those two kids on the boat who are fishing, one is gasping for breath because they caught a big fish but it cost his fishing rod to snap due to the weight of the fish." Tommy continued taking a deep breath. "I can't explain it and I don't understand it myself. It's like the whole world opens right before my eyes that it becomes too loud and big to handle. It's like I'm not normal anymore and that I feel really tiny when everything around me doubles in size."

"...Make the world around you smaller then." Kimberly suddenly smiled at her friend. She felt a sense of empathy for Tommy, trying to understand something he can't explain and in a similar sense found herself relating to him. "Whatever people say about you ignore it and stay true to yourself. You got a gift inside of you that makes you feel small in a world that is huge. However, it makes you special and instead of letting the world make you feel inferior because of you gift, use it to focus on your "own world" around you. I know what it's like to feel like an outsider because of something you have inside of you that you can't understand."

"I get what you're saying...but how do I do it?" Tommy asked. "How do I make the world around me smaller without my little secret making me scared of it?"

"Find a focus, a thing or person that becomes what you're going towards." Kimberly advised. "Just because you have superhuman senses like in the comic books, it doesn't make you less human. It makes you focused, and always...never lose sight of who you are. Grown ups tell us that the world gets complicated the older we get and that there are some things at our age we aren't prepared for yet or shouldn't know yet. They think we don't know what to expect because we're kids, but they underestimate us because we learn how to deal with the unexpected. It can happen...when you least expect it and the challenge becomes how do you deal with it when it comes?"

END OF FLASHBACK

February 14th, 2009

6:00 pm

Angel Grove, CA

At the Edible Taste Bakery & Café in Angel Grove, TJ Johnson was saying goodbye to last customers for the day as his cousin Denise was closing the cash register for the day. His other cousin Wally was mopping the front floor as he flipped the bakery sign closed. He had spent a week as a favor to his aunt and uncle to help his cousins Denise and Wally run the family bakery since their parents were away for a long overdue vacation to Kingston, Jamaica to celebrate Valentine's Day.

TJ didn't mind keeping an eye on things for his aunt and uncle and watch over his cousins since he used to spend his summers in high school working in his uncle's bakery and his cousin Wally recently got his acceptance letter into culinary school. Before the front door could be lock, he heard eleven footsteps enter the store.

"I'm sorry people we're closed." Wally said attempting to usher the unwanted customers out.

"We need to kill the lights right now." Tommy ordered to looking around the store.

"Wait here I found the light switch on the wall here." Adam replied turning off the lights but the young man only got agitated.

"Hey people, I said we're closed!" the young man yelled frustrated trying to get the group's attention. TJ and Denise soon heard the commotion at the front of the store to see his cousin confronting eleven familiar faces he knew.

"We need to stay off the streets if in case they are tailing us." Jason advised.

"Well, stay off them somewhere else. You know that I don't know what the hell is going on but I'll call the police."

"You can't do that." Justin interrupted taking a step in front of the group. "You'd be putting the cops in danger if you do that. You're Wally Johnson right? Listen to me, I really don't have time to explain things but we need your help. I know your cousin TJ because we're friends and..."

"Whoa what the heck is going on here?" TJ emerged from the back of the kitchen to find his former Ranger allies inside his uncle's bakery shop. He stared at his eleven comrades who looked like they went through a grinder. His eyes focused on Justin as he breathed a sigh of relief. "Little boy blue, looks like the brigade found our little wayward genius."

"Hey cuz, do you know these people?" Denise and Wally asked curiously.

"Look, we know this looks bad barging in like this but we just one hell of a Valentine's Day none of us ever imagined." Tommy informed his former successor. "I give you my word that we won't let anything happen to you or your cousins if you can just buy us some time before we figure out what to do next. We need this place to look closed."

"Did you guys look like you been through an extensive exercise workout?" TJ asked curiously. "Do...I want to know what you people have been up to today?"

"Well cuz, are we going to let your friends lay low here for awhile?" Denise asked suspiciously. "Well, we should get some compensation out of this if we going to throw our Valentine's Day plans down the drain. Still, since mom and dad left you in charge to supervise and help out here, at least we should get overtime for this."

"Let the Zack man negotiate some compensation for our good friend TJ's hospitality." Zack and Tanya had a little side conversation as the Bronze Ninjetti Ranger looked at her friend and business partner head to the back of the kitchen with TJ and his cousins. "Guys we assure you we have no intention of hurting anyone."

"Okay boy wonder, start talking and tell us what you been up this past week." Aisha spoke in a stern voice.

"It was surveillance I was doing for the whole week since Arturo's funeral." Justin simply answered. "Tracked Green Beret during one of my observations heading up to the 30th floor of the building. Got suspicious when I figured out the sever and feeds go back above the top floors of that building."

"What about the rest of you guys?" Tommy asked Adam and the others. "How did you all find your way there today?"

"We found out Curtis' old company relocated their offices to the 18th floor of the building." Tanya replied. "Got a tip from Angela about it and went to get Zack. We got suspicious when security in the building were ushering out the other office occupants in the building citing a safety drill."

"Unfortunately no one ever pays attention to the emergency stairwell so we sneaked our way up to the 30th floor." Rocky added. "And then found ourselves in the melee."

"How about the kids? Where are they?" Jason asked.

"We left them at Rocky and Adam's dojo and Angela is looking after them." Kat informed. "Angela messaged to let us know they're alright."

"Okay just to be clear, you're not going to go on anymore suicide, rouge solo missions are you Justin?" Trini asked as he reluctantly nodded. "Good cause that was only one round with those people."

"I'm guessing whatever you guys got yourselves involved in is one of those "the less you know, the better" bit?" TJ asked suspiciously. "And something tells me despite all of you together and fighting alongside each other, you all haven't been honest with each other."

"Everything's locked and secure." Zack reported "I think we're safe for now. Your cousins said we can stay. I gave them our business credit card, the gig to cater the work crew's food and VIP passes to the Virgin Summer Fest Music Festival this year since our record company is one of the sponsors working the event."

"So we're just gonna wait it out here?" Aisha asked. "What the hell happened back there at Rideau Circle? Those people...they're more than your typical corporate yes men."

"And apparently now they know who we are thanks to boy wonder here," Tommy said with criticism directed towards Justin. "We were warned that these people are more than just a bunch of corporate yes men in suits. These people they may look human but there is a dark and eerie mysticism behind them, something ancient and mythic about them. It didn't bother you to know that they knew who we are, our identities, us being the current holders of the Ninjetti powers. The organization we just fought are powerful, the one Zordon and Dulcea warned us about."

"So are you guys up against some mysterious ninja like organization?" TJ asked. "What are they called?"

"They call themselves the Emissary." Jason replied on Tommy's behalf, but much to TJ's disbelief.

"You crossed paths with them before?" TJ interrogated the group, although most of them nodded no, except for Tommy. There were speculations about the events that went down in Reefside five years prior and it was rumors among the Ranger community what happened. Adam heard about it from Kira, the former Yellow Dino Thunder Ranger but she didn't reveal the full truth of what happened.

"It doesn't matter when I crossed paths with...we need to figure out our next move." Tommy murmured. "All that matters is we fought our way out of that building and now we know who are the masterminds behind everything that is going on in Angel Grove. These people, they're dangerous if they truly are the Emissary."

"Well bro we got thrown into the mix of things we can't explain and apparently you're still withholding stuff from us." Jason addressed his best friend. "It wasn't coincidence we all ended up in that building together and had our first rumble with them. They knew who we are and our identities which tells us somehow we're connected to these assholes. Half of us do not know what we are up against and right now Tommy...you're the only chance we got to survive the battle ahead. Now, you need to tell us what you need to know about the Emissary because they're still a mystery to us, but you know more than you're letting on."

"What is that?" Rocky interrupted the group as Denise and Wally brought out some plates cutlery as TJ pushed two tables together. There was a pot of coffee and some a pincher of water placed on the table. The group noticed that the trio was setting up some food as the group reluctantly were forced to sit down. "Huh is that dinner?"

"Um, as, uh as part of the deal, Wally and Denise here made us order the leftover inventory of food that wasn't sold today." Zack informed as they were suddenly being served dinner by their hosts. "Seems like these people aren't keen on letting good food go to waste. Since our Valentine Day plans got shot out the window, might as well refuel and eat up while we deal with today's events."

"Since we're all stuck here for awhile might as well lay all the cards on the table here." Billy said. "Those people we encountered at Rideau Circle, are they the latest incarnation of the Emissary? Zordon and Dulcea told us they existed for many eons across the universe, how do you describe them?"

"The Emissary is an ancient criminal organization if you want to call it." Tommy answered. "If you want to define ancient it means they live forever. The members of the Emissary live by a fanatical ideology, and every member is willing to die to protect it. Many will assume they're terrorists, but the difference between them and terrorists is that terrorists want the world to know what they're doing. The Emissary is something more secret, more evil and evidently they're global. The Garrison knows there is a reason why they're in Angel Grove and the one thing they desire the most is immortality in order to gain power and influence at every level across the world."

"So all the crap that went down five years ago in Reefside, all the crazy news about missing teens being found drained of blood, reports of human trafficking," Aisha replied.

"The reports of recruitment of youths in other parts of the country..." Justin replied. "Angel Grove included..."

"You name it, they've been done it." Tommy stated. "Basically, I'm laying everything on the table for you guys to understand." He looked at Jason and then took a deep breath before continuing. "The human trafficking, youth recruitments, murders, suspicious business activity, it's only the tip of their grand plan. We all...we all know that the Emissary has played their trump card on the field. Some of us...have gotten the impromptu introduction of what...of what she can do, her strength, her power..."

"The woman with the swords?" Kat asked. "Is she the one that was in the parking garage the night of Sasha Gideon's death?"

"She was and neither Billy, Justin nor I couldn't take her down with our combined efforts." Jason said with disdained. "Sasha called her the grim reaper."

"Yeah, and she showed up at the dojo too after she trailed Curtis." Adam replied. "Same story, neither Zack, Rocky nor I couldn't take this woman down."

"She's the same one that came after Curtis that night at the dojo before...well before..." Tanya asked.

"Well, she sure knew what she was doing." Zack said reluctantly. "And we know what happened in the end to Curtis. But whoever she was, man, she was something else."

"The Emissary trains fighters to be merciless. You're not gonna like where this is heading." Tommy replied sadly. "Look, I've been down this road before. I know what we're up against. Part of me wanted to wish this was a nightmare and that wishing for the impossible to become possible would be a dream come true. I should have seen it and now seeing the lurking shadow that has haunted me for years, looks like judgment day is upon us. The Emissary's greatest weapon, The Scarlet Sovereign...is in the epitome of all of this. The beating heartbeat in the void...was once the heart and soul of our team."

"The heart and soul of the team?" Billy said confused. "What...are you talking about Tommy?"

"You guys need to know who is behind the mask that is known as the Scarlet Sovereign." Tommy said with a sigh. "Because...she is the reason I walked away from "this life" five years ago and is now...is the reason why I am back on the frontlines. Now, she is part of our mission if we have a chance to save Angel Grove and the fate of the last kingdom of the Ninjetti and the Great Power. You want me to lay the cards on the table? Well...I'm going to lay down the burden that I been carrying for five years if it is our means to survive the war against the Emissary. What happened to Kimberly five years ago is only half of the story..."

Rideau Circle Building

8:30 pm

Angel Grove, CA

Meanwhile, hidden deep away in an luxurious and isolated penthouse suite in the heart of downtown Angel Grove the guards trailed the Scarlet Sovereign and escorted to her private suite. Gently putting down her twin swords on the floor and changing out of her battle outfit she slipped into a pair of silk pajamas while walking around her room. She stopped in front of the mirror and stared blankly at the reflection staring back at her.

She was simply known as The Scarlet Sovereign and it was the life and purpose she only knew. However, the reflection staring back at her told another story and after what happened today something awoke inside of her. It was like as if someone or something called to her deep in the void of an unknown presence laying dormant in the vessel that held the Scarlet Sovereign.

The battle was like any other and it was her purpose as The Emissary's weapon to serve life itself. Unfortunately, these adversaries she fought earlier at the headquarters of Rideau Circle Corp felt somewhat familiar and distinct to her. The Scarlet Sovereign was a fighter without hesitation to strike down her foes, until she came across an opponent who matched her fighting skills, but it was much more than that.

Staring at the mirror, she lifted up her shirt and began to trace the scars on her body. There was one scar in particular that caught her attention, the one above her chest near her heart. It was an old flesh wound that was there but for some reason this particular scar was one of great significance to her. Her fingers gently traced the mark but suddenly she recoiled her hand back down to the side and gasped.

The Scarlet Sovereign looked back at the reflection staring at her, unaware of the sudden internal struggle that was slowly begin to rage inside of her. If there was one question she wished she had answers to, she wanted to know. Why did she suddenly hesitate when she looked upon the man with brown eyes? Why didn't she strike him?

"I am The Scarlet Sovereign...but what am I feeling? I am the weapon of The Emissary and my purpose is to serve life itself. But who are you? Why am I feeling like I know you from a distinct past life? Am I truly the Scarlet Sovereign of The Emissary? Or...am I someone else?" Whoever cause her hesitation did something more than just that. Somehow, they awoken an unknown struggle inside of her that was only just the beginning.

"I'd erase all the marks of your past, if I could. Your life is new, but sadly, your body is not." Dalia stated coming into the room alongside Pan and Balor. However, to their surprise, the Scarlet Sovereign did something that wasn't commonly known to them.

"Is this...is this...this is how I died?" She murmured staring at the scar near her chest. She traced it staring at the mirror before recoiling her hand back.

"It seems our prodigal sovereign speaks," Balor said with a sneer.

"Don't worry about that." Pan simply said. "All that matters now is how you live."

"The Scarlet Sovereign..." she replied hesitating. "Tell me, is this all I am?"

"You say that like it's not enough for you." Dalia stated approaching the young woman. "You barely haven't uttered a single word in all the time you came to us. However, it seems that you on the road to recovery...after unfortunate circumstances left you in the state you were in previously. Is something on your mind, dear?"

"I just You just can't help but wonder." the Scarlet Sovereign replied with unease. The trio studied the young woman with curiosity wondering if her encounter with the Rangers have triggered their sovereign's need to suddenly interact. "I feel...I feel strange as if something...something came over me. I don't remember...I don't know..."

"The woman who lived in this vessel, she was lost before she came to us." Dalia said. "She was led astray by people who were afraid of what she was, of what she was capable of doing. She had a fate and destiny that carried a heavy burden that caused her to be confined liked a guided caged prisoner. But destiny is a curious thing, because this vessel landed right where it belongs, home with us and liberated by the constraints that held you down. Tell us, who are you child?"

"I am...I am The Scarlet Sovereign." She addressed the group with a lack of emotion. "I serve the Emissary and together, we serve life itself."

"You are our last hope. You have seen death, dear child." Balor informed. "And like us, you have conquered it. We are here to guide you as you are what we pledge our fealty to and to ensure our future. Don't forget who brought you back to where you belong."

"I will not forget." She replied back as the trio glanced at her with pride and satisfaction.

Edible Taste Bakery & Cafe

Angel Grove, CA

"...so, now you guys know everything about the truth about things do you know why this has been my burden for the last five years?" Tommy asked. "Everyday, I live with that memory and every night that final fight against Mesogog haunted me. We used to fight before and believe that victory could be achieved without losing the thing that matters. It was one lesson I disregarded and came to understand the frailty of our own mortality and the price we paid to achieve peace and victory. You weren't wrong to assume I walked away from the life because of what happened to Kim...I did because of it. Now I'm back in this life to finish what was started and to correct it."

The ten veterans looked at Tommy, their moods suddenly somber because of the realization of the burden and secret that haunted their leader for five years. It took a tremendous amount of courage for Tommy to finally reveal to them the circumstances behind the events that went down five years ago in Reefside. However, it was still a painful reminder of the price paid to finally put Mesogog down for good, especially for Tommy being force to recall those tragic final moments.

In some ways, they understood Tommy's reason to burden with himself with this traumatic weight and knowing this was more than just one final showdown. They attempted to fight a fate and destiny that would forever change them in ways no one wouldn't grapple, except Tommy and Kimberly. It was as if despite all that has happened, they found themselves being dumped with a hard hitting mission to once again rewrite the rules of fate and destiny: in particular the fates and destinies of the two people who they consider the cornerstone and foundation of their team.

"I'd like to know Tommy that day at your house when we got our Ninjetti Powers back," Billy said. "Did part of you know the Scarlet Sovereign, it is Kimberly?"

"Did I know those guys have gotten their hands on my dead wife back I mourned for five years?" Tommy questioned. "Part of me wanted to deny the truth thinking some other poor sucker became the Scarlet Sovereign instead. Maybe, there is this part of me that wanted to believe that Kim's sacrifice to prevent a dark fate predetermined for her was stopped and that what I saw in Rideau Circle was just a doppelganger or copy. She was my burden for five years, the truth about what was suppose to be her fate."

"But you two grew up as kids with the knowledge about the Garrison and the Emissary." Adam said. "If Quinn told you guys those stories as kids and then for Dulcea and Zordon to tell it to us, there had to be some truth to them Tommy."

"What could he have say? Could he tell us that when he was a kid at camp, Kim and Tommy heard stories around a campfire about a war between two ancient organizations and a dangerous weapon that could spell destruction?" Aisha said. "Back then we would have simply told those two they were just stories, unless they were the main characters that were part of the story itself. None of us couldn't have known fiction was suddenly becoming reality."

"Aisha has a point and I know all you of you must have mixed reactions." Tommy said. "I told myself it was my responsibility to carry this burden for five years, even everything about my past from nineteen years prior. It was that part of my past that somehow became pivotal after I first accepted the power. I never imagine in my wildest dreams somehow the past I had with Kim as kids woven itself into our present and ultimately...our future. I asked myself every night if it was wishful thinking to wish for the impossible to become possible? I ask if I got the chance to see my pink crane once more, what would it be like? Would she still be the same pure and graceful soul she was?"

"It's like you said bro, you never imagine somehow your past from years ago woven itself into your future." Jason said as he took charge. "What happened five years ago in Reefside has passed and we understand the toll it took on you. I know how you felt ever since that day after being spent out from "this life" and trying to survive living in the world. However, you survived because of that little girl you and my lil sis created together. She is your reason you're still here despite of everything that has happened."

The rest of the team shake their heads for a moment, confirming what their self-appointed second in command said. Despite of what they felt over Tommy's actions these last five years, they knew the motivation behind his reasoning and fully understood. Whatever turmoil was going through Tommy's head, they all made a silent pact to do whatever they can to give their falcon the wings he needed to soar once more.

"You told us five years ago you and Kim had a plan to walk away from this life for Amelia." Kat said. "It's natural as a parent to do everything you can to protect your daughter from the dangers of the world. It was why you came back five years later back into the life you tried renouncing because it's a part of you...and her."

"Amelia is all I got left, the only living reminder of everything I shared with Kim." Tommy replied taking a sip of water. "I knew the risk of coming back into this life, the threats my daughter is facing but everything I do is for the sake of my daughter. I don't know what the hell is happening but I intend to find out even if it means I have to put myself through all that pain I endured for my daughter's future..."

"We will Tommy and we promise you bro we'll figure it out when we come down that road." Jason reassured him as the others nodded. "We'll get the answers we need."

"Right now we need to be rational and think about how we're going to proceed from here on out. Apparently the Emissary knows who we are and we have to figure out how we're somehow connected to these people..." Tommy's ears perked up and he heard a familiar exhaling sound, one that made his fists clenched.

Hearing the emergency exit door open of the bakery, the Rangers were greeted by an unexpected guest. It is the last person Tommy didn't want to see after hearing the revelation about the truth behind Quinn and his identity. His voice only hinted a tone of sarcasm and dismay. "Oh you gotta be kidding me. Are you serious?"

"This is one shitty excuse for a hideout. Hey there Tommy Boy," Quinn said with a slight smirk. "It's been a long time, kid."

"Quinn...or should I address you as Prince Trey?!" Tommy said sarcastically. "How did you find us?"

"Wait a minute, this is Quinn, or Trey as in the original Gold Zeo Ranger?!" Rocky asked surprisingly. "Oh man, it's him but why is he here?"

"Does that guy look like his hand is bent in a somewhat weird angle?" Aisha replied staring at Quinn's hand.

"Because I'm the guy who's going to help you save Angel Grove." Quinn said bluntly. "I guess the cat is out of the bag huh? There's no need for me to explain my true identity to you since the big boss himself did that on my behalf. I surely would have love to recall my tale of how I found myself as one of the founding cornerstones of the Garrison, but we'll save it for another day Power Rangers."

"Yeah it was a surprise finding out that the original Gold Zeo Ranger is one and the same person." Jason commented. "Granted that you appointed me as your successor to hold the gold ranger powers it almost cost me my life. I never expected you were also Quinn, the member of the Garrison who for the last 19 years played a pivotal part in the lives of my best friend and my lil sis."

"Save your breath Jason because obviously after nineteen years this guy has never once apologized or had any regrets for his actions." Tommy stated bluntly. "The only thing Quinn is ever good for is selling the same pitch about fighting some great war."

"I still see your sarcasm hasn't changed one bit Tommy. Still attempting to carry the weight of the world on your shoulders huh kid? You got to understand long ago why I always said you and Kimmie were the exceptional ones. It's always not being a one man army, especially when it comes to taking out the Emissary. I'm guessing you've already found the contingency plan we put in place to make sure there is still that one spark left to quell the lurking shadows."

"Then you know that we found the hidden Ninjetti kingdom in Reefside?" Tommy replied deep in thought. "Zordon and Dulcea told us the story about Earth's Garrison was founded four thousand years ago. The story of the boy who founded the Garrison and his first recruit: the first Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies. They founded the Ninjetti kingdom and by the decree of the ancient sacred spirits of the land were bestowed as the Bloodline of Light: the falcon and crane. Did...did part of you know I was a descendent of that bloodline? Is Kimberly also from that same bloodline too? Was that why...why our fates and destinies always brought us together?"

"You know what you need to know in order to survive the long and winding road of this war ahead of you Tommy." Quinn stated. "It's not only you, but the rest of the chosen Ninjetti it was why the ancient scared spirits led you to the lost kingdom. Basically, you guys are what stands between the Emissary and them attempting to fulfill another "Modus Operandi" that the Garrison has spent over four thousand years preventing and taken the necessary precautions required."

"The secret behind Rideau Circle? So it's true then?" Justin asked. "Something is laying beneath this city and they're trying to unlock it? They're the Emissary aren't they? Those corporate yes men in the board room? They were trying to size us up, testing us to see what we're made of."

"They know you been lurking and sniffing for months and even years they didn't want you to snooping into. As I said before, it takes a lot of winding and intercepting chain of events to lead up to this point. The Emissary has been eons trying to wipe us out in the universe. The sanctums we established here on earth as our safeguards have fallen one by one thanks to the Emissary's trump card. We're a dying breed and our contingency plan to provide the Ninjetti an army is proving futile. Unfortunately, the Emissary have been preparing for years since it wasn't the first time you've encountered them. Why do you think they weren't fazed out by you guys?"

"If you said you're here to help us save Angel Grove from being another Modus Operandi, then tell us what we need to know about the Emissary?" Tommy demanded. "You said they knew us and we knew them because we fought them before. Did...did they have something to do with Kimberly? Or what...what she has become now?"

"Those bastards built themselves as pillars to uphold the foundation of the Emissary. They were once heralds who served masters with intentions of world domination. I'm sure you have been educated about the history of the war between the Emissary and the Garrison. In many forms and incarnations, they were forever decreed heretics for defiling the teachings of the Ninjetti and the Great Power. I'm assuming you already been filled on how this war started? Then you know that these heretics, or corporate yes men you call them are indeed the foundation itself: they are what we call the seven pillars of the Emissary."

"Dalia Tate...the CEO of Rideau Circle is she one of them?" Jason asked. "Is she the Emissary?"

"She has gone by many names over the years but she has always been the leader at the helm, leading the others for many generations. Everything she learned about holding the Emissary together she gained from at least ten thousand years worth of fealty and servitude under one of the most vile witches that terrorized the galaxy. Dalia, along with her second in command Balor learned everything from their herald long ago. When the seven dispersed, they all went back to their point of origins, each pillar ruling over its own domain, growing in power and influence. Dalia and Balor...one of the most deadliest combination together, even in their previous alternative life thanks to Rita Repulsa and Lord Zedd's tutelage."

"Rita and Zedd's former heralds, wait a minute are you talking about Goldar and Scropina?" Billy asked as Quinn nodded.

"So the stinging bitch and the overgrown gold monkey are the main heads of the Emissary?" Tommy asked slightly chuckling in disbelief. "Wow this reincarnation stuff has taken another twist in the matter. So...those are two pillars. What about the others?"

"There's Malo, a gunrunner, notorious human trafficker, infamous at establishing violent militias, you name it." Quinn continued. "Goes by a street name Green Beret."

"We been following him after what happened with Arturo. He was also responsible for recruiting youths for clean up jobs around the country." Justin replied.

"Tip of advice buddy, don't follow too closely. Couple of moves he'll slow your pulse until your heart fails. That guy once went by the name of General Venjix, the blundering legion commander of King Mondo's machine empire armies. If anyone wants a heads up about him, ask Tommy and Jason what happened with the moon mission. Then there is Ashei."

"Who is she?" Kat asked. "Another pillar of the Emissary?"

"She is known as the hit woman, the one who complies the hit list and organizes the cleaning jobs. She has wiped the Emissary's incriminating ledger clean especially throughout Europe for many decades. One of the only few pillars who doesn't hold her former masters with high prestige or affirmation given that she was betrayed in her previous life as Toxica." Quinn replied. "Then there is Salazar, the self-proclaimed "pirate king" of the Emissary. His dominion of the seas stretches along the Caribbean, massing the Emissary's control of the waters. The crafty self-proclaimed "pirate lord" served as a herald in his alternative life to two masters: Divatox and Astromena."

"You're referring to Elgar aren't you?" Tanya replied as each of them recalled their adversary's involvement in the destruction of the Power Chamber years ago according to Justin's account.

"Then there is Thea, the mystical princess of the underworld as many like to call her. However, to everyone else, the only other being in existence that Dalia has a natural bond with." Quinn slightly smirked. "She's the go to pillar if the Emissary dips their hands into the dark arts and also she's Dalia's sister. The demonic arts she crafted during her time as Vypra so she's one dangerous firecracker."

"Who's the last one?" Tommy asked. "You mentioned six, what about the seventh pillar?"

"The last one is Pan, the one pulling the strings behind Mesogog in Reefside." Quinn said. "He's the most secretive of them all, but when he comes out, he's a real evil piece of shit. Even before he was restored back to his original state, he was already orchestrating everything in motion back in the day in Reefside. It has been Pan's little jack of trade skill, play the role of the submissive puppet and let his heralds pull the strings. However, no one ever catches wind that he is the one true puppet master pulling the strings behind the scenes. Mesogog should have learned of that but Pan's gift of misdirection threw everyone off the trail, especially when it comes to you Tommy."

"He was in Reefside the whole time five years ago? Pan...it's Zeltrax isn't it?" Tommy asked as emotions were flaring up. "I guess the theory of someone else pulling the strings behind the scene with Mesogog proved otherwise? Pan, he was the mastermind for all of it in Reefside? So, the seven pillars are basically seven former heralds that worked for previoius adversaries we defeated in the past?"

Quinn looked at Tommy knowing there was one thing on his former student's mind: the Scarlet Sovereign or in this case the woman who was once Kimberly Hart. It was written all over Tommy's face to Quinn that he revealed the truth about what happened to her five years ago. However, Tommy wasn't appreciating the comments and looks he was getting from his former camp counsellor when it came to his missing crane.

"I know that look Tommy and it's okay now that everything is out in the open." Quinn said. "You're lucky to have friends like them to stand by you through everything."

"Oh don't bullshit me Quinn, I know damn well you crossed paths with...her? You know me too well and why I'm here. It's because of her." Tommy said firmly. "Five years I lived with it and what happened to her that night. Now, everything has drastically changed for reasons I don't know. Kimberly, she's alive Quinn. I could have kept it a secret from my friends, but I promise no more holding back. When she saw me, she hesitated, she didn't kill me as if she knew me but her aura...it was different. It felt empty and hallow like her soul or humanity is missing."

"Still thinking the impossible can be possible huh?" Quinn asked surprising Tommy and the others. "She's not alive, she's something else. When I first laid eyes upon her, I couldn't hear a heartbeat. You need to understand Tommy the girl I trained, the one I met all those years ago at Algoma Camp, the woman you love, your pink crane and princess...she ain't there anymore."

"That's not true...Kim is strong, she's able to overcome any evil spell cast over her." Jason argued. "There's no way we'll let her be used as a pawn by evil. Tommy will go through hell and back for the woman he loves more than life itself."

"I don't care what you say and Jason is right, we're not giving up on her." Tommy interjected. "What...whatever the hell they did to her, she's still in there."

"You don't get it do you? No matter how many times we attempted to change her fate, there was no way for Kimberly to outrun it." Quinn argued. "Don't try to make sense of things Tommy. I know you been having dreams of her haven't you? When they brought her back, they made her forget. I'm going to warn all of you that with you or without you, when the time comes whatever is living inside the body of Kimberly Hart is gonna have to die. Do you think what you buried six feet underground five years ago is still there? The Emissary got a hold of her the moment her life ended. I know it's hard to hear but you got to face the truth of what lies ahead..."

"...And learn how to deal with the unexpected. It can happen...when you least expect it and the challenge becomes how do you deal with it when it comes?" Tommy muttered with dismay. "I know because someone long ago said to me how am I going to deal with the unexpected with it comes."

February 15, 2009

Reefside City Cemetery

Reefside, CA

The last 24 hours was all that Tommy Oliver could think about and to the testament of his best friends, it weighed heavy on his heart: physically, mentally and emotionally as he found himself in the last place he least expected: the cemetery. This is the last place he wanted to but it was necessary in order to answer the questions that plagued his heart since that incident five years ago.

The events of Valentine's Day is one that will be etched in his mind and his visit back home to Angel Grove was one to remember. Less than a day after returning home with Amelia, he contemplated his next move. He abruptly left his daughter in the care of Hayley and his former Ranger team as his thoughts dwelled on the shovel he brought with him gripped in his hands. Quinn did warn him whenever it came to Kimberly, he could never think straight but this was extreme. Was he willing to take that step in defiling the living reminder of his reality in order to seek the truth?

"You know when one goes to a cemetery in the middle of the night, they usually bring flowers instead of a shovel when paying their respects." Jason said as he came behind his best friend and brother standing in front of a familiar gravesite. However, Tommy simply gripped the shovel as he stared at the tombstone.

"Well, there is no flower shop opened in the middle of the night to buy a bouquet for her." Tommy said sighing. "You know for five years this is the one place I dread coming to, but yet at the same time I force myself to come here because it's her. However, when I come here reality sets in and I have to remind myself she's gone."

"But yet you made her that promise to live for the little girl at home you two created." Jason reassured him. "We know how hard it was for you losing the love of your life, and watching my little sister being buried was the hardest thing to imagine. However, you need to think about this carefully Tommy."

"I am thinking and after what happened down at Rideau Circle things don't seem to make sense." Tommy replied. "I been apart of this life since I was sixteen years old and I made a vow to myself and my daughter to walk away from it all because the price we paid for it. No matter how many times we try walking away...ignoring...it...it..."

"...The life of a Power Ranger always calls to us," Jason completed his friend's thought. "It was why we all made that choice to go to Angel Grove. You're a father and you'd do anything to protect Amelia, even if it means finding yourself on the frontlines again."

"And don't think you're heading to the frontlines alone." Billy said as Tommy finds the former Blue Ranger accompanied by Trini, Zack, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Kat, Tanya and Justin, the original Power Rangers who served under Zordon many years ago. "Jason alerted us why you're here."

"Is Amelia...is she alright?" Tommy asked regarding his daughter.

"Hayley is staying overnight at the house along with your former students." Trini assured him.

"That's good and I appreciate you guys being here although what I'm about to do counts as trespassing and destruction of public property." Tommy said. "Five years ago we all stood at this spot and mourned the loss of one of our own. The last thing I never expected finding myself doing was desecrate the grave of the heart of our team. But yet something tells me that the answers I need to seek for my sake, my daughter and everybody else here is buried six feet below us."

"How the hell did we manage to find ourselves in his position? I mean five years why now?" Kat questioned. "Who the hell are these people we encountered?"

"I don't know who they are but apparently they messed with the wrong people. My heart is telling me that somehow the impossible became possible and if I have to dig a six feet hole to find the truth, then I'm going to make it my mission to get the other half of my heart back." Tommy said.

There was no way to convince Tommy otherwise to stand down as he began to dig away at the ground in front of the gravesite. The ten former Rangers watched their leader frantically clear away the dirt as the hole got bigger and bigger. It wasn't until Tommy's shovel came in contact with the lid of the ominous oak casket.

"Are you ready to prepare yourself bro?" Jason asked his best friend. "Whatever is inside that casket just know you're not alone."

"I...I...need to be sure for whatever happens next and no matter what we decide to do next, you guys will always have my back." Tommy said. He swiped the dirt off the lid as he slowly begins to pull up the lid of the casket.

Tommy wanted to prepare his eyes for the sight that laid upon him expecting to reside himself to reality. Instead, the expression in his eyes told Tommy another story and in that moment he began to wonder how did things spiral out of control once again in his life. The moment Tommy pry the top of the casket lid open, ten mouths simultaneously dropped in disbelief and shock staring into the grave.

No matter how many times Tommy cursed himself these last five years, he had to see the impossible to believe it. However, the impossible he soul heartedly wished for came with a deathly price tag. His thoughts were on the living embodiment of the entity known as the Scarlet Sovereign. Looking down at the bare and empty casket, Tommy felt his heart pounding at a hundred miles per second and all the blood rushing to his head.

He knew wholeheartedly the truth and the reality he had to confront after staring into the eyes of the hallow vessel twenty-four hours ago. Deep within the Emissary's weapon, the Scarlet Sovereign, was there any light or recognition of the woman the vessel once held. Was the fabled Winged Lady of the Skies, the agile crane known as Kimberly Hart still beating from deep within the void?