(Author's Notes: Hey everybody here is Chapter 50. I appreciate everyone who is following my story and the reviews. With everything going on in recent events during this pandemic every once in awhile we all need time to unwind, reflect and relax. In this chapter, the Rangers deal with the aftermath of Kimberly's return.)
Chapter 50: Actions and Reactions
August 5th 2009
Village of the Whills
It was as if everything suddenly hit her in a matter of seconds. She was still in a state of shock and disorientation as if her vision was trying to reset itself. Inside, she felt like her heart and soul was lifted of this overwhelming weight. There was this underlining sensation going through Kimberly's body as if it was on reboot trying to regain the natural function of breathing air in and out. Next, she was hit with a case of shakiness and part of her felt like her senses were working on overdrive. Inside, she could feel her heart beating again, something she thought was non-existent during the last five years of her state of uncertainty. That, and combined with the reintroduction of the sensation of feeling her pulse she knew...she was finally alive again.
Her vision finally resets itself as the unexpected tears that she was shedding subsides. She feels herself wrapped in the warm and familiar embrace of her long lost falcon. It was finally clear to her now that her memory was no longer clouded. She relished in feeling that sensation once again, committing it into the very core of her memory while he continued to rest his chin on her head. She just let her body relax and give Tommy his moment to finally be able to cradle protectively in his arms his treasured crane.
On the other side of the reunited couple, she felt a tiny hand resting on her outstretched legs and stared the bright and smiling face of the child looking at them. The innocent smile that was plastered across the little girl's face didn't need to speak words. Her heart knew who this child was as she was the splitting image of herself when she was younger. It has been five years but her heart and soul could never forget her daughter Amelia. She was the one treasure created by the love and bond she shared with with her one true white knight and falcon.
No matter what she was forced to endure during her five years in her state of complexity and half-life existence, deep down there was a part of Kimberly that longed to be with her family. That feeling was mutual for Tommy and more than ever he was able to fulfill what he thought was a wishful promise to his daughter. Once again, the overwhelming emotions and the self rehabilitation of her body was getting to her again.
"Please tell me this isn't a dream? Is this...all real, Handsome? Am I'm finally back home?"
"Yes, this is no dream and you are wide awake, Beautiful." He reassured her as he gently caressed her face giving her a soft smile. "Do you feel this? Oh how I longed just to feel your touch once more. How I longed to look upon your eyes once more or to tell you how much I love you. I feel it inside and I know it's real because I can feel your heartbeat. It tells me that I'm no longer dreaming that the impossible is beyond reach."
"How I longed for you too Tommy." She replied sighing. "Everything...everything seems clear inside of me. My soul knows what my heart desires and it is you and the life we longed for with our little girl." She turned to face Amelia giving her a smile. "You kept your promise to keep our little defender safe."
"She is our bridge and the link that keeps our bond alive. She's the best of both of us." Tommy gave his daughter a smile. "She was the one thing that kept me going, my reason to keep on waking up every morning. She needed a white knight to keep her safe from what comes her way."
"I...I...I can sense a strong presence, an unknown force within her." She studied Amelia and very slowly, reached out to slowly give her daughter's hand a squeeze. "My darling little princess Amelia, my little defender...my you have become quite the little lady. Even when I was out of it...part of me felt that pull towards you baby girl and your dad."
"Because no matter what they did to you, part of your heart remained with us. It was what kept you alive and gave you the strength to endure all of it: the good, the bad and everything in between." Tommy replied. "It was still part of the same coin. Even when there were times I let everything in the world around me get the best of me, I wouldn't yield. I took everything the world threw at me. The pain, the heartache, the emotional turmoil, everything this battle and war dealt with. Whatever side of you it was, my heart always knew somewhere deep within that shell was the woman who captured my heart and soul all those years ago."
"...And whatever was done to me, part of me knew I had to endure...we had to endure and survive." Kimberly replied taking a deep breath. "Oh my white falcon, for everything you have been through I want to say this. I...I...I am truly and deeply sorry for all the pain I caused you. There was this part of me inside that felt your struggle, your anguish, your pain and the looming shadow that was kept at bay was unleashed." She looked down at her hands deep in thought. "These hands...I...I...did things and I remember it all. I did unspeakable things that caused harm to the ones I love and the innocent lives that were in the wake. I hear it all inside of me, and it is etched in me."
It was as if Tommy felt the internal remorse and guilt that was weighing deep down in Kimberly's heart and soul. Kimberly sensed the presence of her longtime best friends and the Dino Thunder team surrounding her and her family. They notice since the full restoration of her heart and soul she made limited eye contact with the others. Kim knew what she did to her friends as the Scarlet Sovereign. She remembered everything the Emissary put her friends and their loved ones through.
How could they still stand by and still fight to save her after everything she put them through? It was why she couldn't look one of them straight in the eyes. The other Rangers can sense Kim's guilt as well too. They held no hard feelings or ill content for their Pink Crane, their ladyship and Winged Lady of the Skies. They all made the same vow that they did when they reclaimed their power. It was their oath and duty to protect the Bloodline of Power and stand by the Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies.
It was Jason who decided to break the silence on behalf the tight knit group of friends. He saw his lil sis trembling and still coming to grips with everything that happened to her. Tommy continued to gently and protectively cradle his beloved wife in his arms with Amelia by their side. He bent down in front of Kim and gently placed a hand under his little sis' chin to look at him.
"Hey lil sis...look at me," Jason replied with a gentle smile. "There is nothing to hide from us. Do you think we would have left you in the hands of those bastards after everything they did to you? What they did to you was unspeakable. But it made us determine to stand by our White Falcon to fight and save the heart and soul of our team. We knew what we signed up for but it doesn't change anything. We're a family Kim and we fight for one another...always and forever."
"Always and forever..." she whispered.
"Yeah, you and Tommy are the heart and soul of this team," Billy said. "I know the road ahead will be rough for the both of you. However, don't think for one minute you two are going to face this alone."
"Billy's right this isn't your burden to face alone." Tommy reassured her. "You are finally home where you belong and with the people who love you. We all held that belief that no matter how much time passed, somehow we knew you were fighting. You were surviving and enduring everything they inflicted upon you. It is unforgivable of them for stealing those five years away from us. However, we have all the time in the world to make up for those lost times."
"Time...is of the essence and it's a funny thing." Kimberly replied as she slowly stared at her surroundings. Something in the back of her mind told her she vaguely recalled coming across this place. At the same time part of her felt she wherever she was it held great importance. "It seems like...time has long passed in this place but yet something beckons in the distance."
"It must be the tingling feeling inside," Amelia spoke up innocently. "You feel it too mommy? I feel it as well and so does daddy. It's okay sometimes daddy says to always trust your feelings. He said something about letting your heart being your guiding key." She gave a smile to her mother as a sign of reassurance.
"Maybe it's being in this place, this mysterious Village of the Whills deep within Macalla Mountains." Adam added as the Rangers turned their attention to Quinn. "Something tells us lessons are far from over are they, Quinn? Trey? Or whatever name you go by? You told us that there is something about this kingdom, this whole itself and that this place bridges between here and the beyond the veil of the void, the spiritual realm."
"Where you are standing is history itself of what embodies the legacy and line of the Ninjetti Order." Quinn said looking at the Rangers. His eyes focused solely on Tommy and Kimberly and the couple awaited what the Garrison member had to say. "This place represents a testament in time, one last safe haven the Garrison have defended for over four thousand years until the time came."
"And what exactly what were you all awaiting?" Tommy asked though part of him knew the answer. "We're beginning to write the narrative to final chapter of this ancient war are we?"
"It's means now is the time to write the final chapter." Kimberly said looking at Quinn and then staring at Tommy. "In order to write the the ending, we have to understand and go back in time. We...we...still have one more lesson to learn don't we Quinn?"
"Despite the bullshit that those collective sons of bitches put you through, your mind is still sharp as ever." Quinn explained. "However, before going all gung-ho and guns blazing, you may want to take a little breather there, girlie. I can still sense your aura and still need some rest and relaxation. Trust me, your heart and soul is still struggling to come to grips with all the crap you had to endure. You may not realize it, but trust Tommy when he says it is going to a long road to recovery."
Meanwhile in Downtown Reefside...
While the Rangers relished in their triumph of reclaiming their absent wayward Pink Crane, another scene was transpiring in the heart of downtown Reefside. Two black Suburban SUVs pulled up to an abandoned industrial warehouse. Behind them were the delivery vans following the SUVs. The remaining pillars of the Emissary stepped out of the vehicles and surveyed the wreckage left behind.
There were bodies of their fallen agents but their eyes were diverted to one particular corpse. However, they found the severed head laying a couple of feet away from the decapitated body and the Emissary knew of Pan's fate. Dalia's face cringed with annoyance and frustration visualizing the final moments of Pan's demise. Sharing with what she saw to the rest of the pillars of the Emissary it caught them off guard.
"So our benevolent puppet master was bested by a bunch of schoolboys trained by the white falcon and pink crane?" Dalia said with disdained. "It was a travesty his demise came at the hands of Tommy and Kimberly's team of Power Rangers."
"Yeah and it is a tragedy Pan's legacy was sliced away by the non-blood related offspring of Anton Mercer." Balor grunted.
"And it would only be a matter of time before that kid got his vengeance on Pan." Ashei sighed. "Though it was a surprise young Trent Fernandez-Mercer had that killer instinct inside of him to finish off Pan."
"Great, another body to haul back to Angel Grove." Salazar replied annoyingly. "We can bury Pan in that makeshift memorial next to Malo and Thea. You know Pan's untimely demise just changed the whole playing field for us boss lady."
"There is no denying that and there is now a drastic shift in the scales of power." Dalia informed. "By taking Pan off the board it gave the Rangers exactly what they wanted. As for us...it made us realize that the foundations of what made the Emissary is nothing more than fallacy and misconception! Are we now at a crossroads as a group? Are we now facing the twilight that is descending upon us? I will not lie or sugarcoat it to say we're on the verge of being screwed over."
"Or you can say that Pan pushed one too many buttons." Balor commented sarcastically. "Our puppet master tried to pull the strings behind the scenes until those strings suddenly snapped. Now the Pink Crane, Winged Lady of the Skies has been restored. Two dyads that embody the legacy of the Ninjetti are now reunited. The Bloodline of Power is now on their way to lay their claimant to their fate and destiny."
Dalia's eyes were focused on the sarcophagus as she walked towards it. As the clean up of aftermath continued on by the Emissary, she observed the source that she reluctantly admitted was their fatal error. Images of Thea's demise by Kimberly Hart-Oliver's hands still haunted her mind. Malo and Pan's deaths also took its toll on the Emissary. However, Dalia's loss of her younger sister who stood side by side with her for thousands of years hit hard. Staring at the sarcophagus her intentions were clear.
"The Scarlet Sovereign...or should we just refer to it as the Pterodactyl Firebird." Dalia replied glaring at the sarcophagus. "The foundations of the Emissary have been rocked to its very core. Everything we founded this group upon was nothing but fallacy and misdirection. However, all is not lost and our puppet master did leave us one parting present."
"And exactly what did our dearly departed Pan leave for us boss lady?" Salazar asked.
"A means to restore the true foundation of what defines the Emissary." Dalia addressed the group bushing the sarcophagus. "Even the empty shells can replicate the darkest shadows that lies deep within one's self. The Pterodactyl Firebird maybe the shadow the exists in the heart of Kimberly Hart-Oliver, but deep within it still lies our weapon. They do not realize what is about to come to a head. Consequences be damned when the heart and soul of shadow and light will bring upon the divide needed to fulfill our mission."
Village of the Whills...
Back in the Village of the Whills the Rangers felt nightfall begin to settle upon the land. It was still a long and trying day and there was no way to make the trek back to the ancient ruins of the Ninjetti kingdom. However, when the dusk of nightfall settled upon the fable village it was as if the mystical and supernatural allure came to life. Looking around they were surrounded by thousands of multicoloured pyreflies.
The surrounding forests and nature scenery brought upon echos and whispers that murmured in the wind. However, they made the decision to endure the night and reflect upon the events that took place today. Their eyes were drawn to a slightly illuminated hut that was currently occupied by the newly reunited Oliver family. As much as each of the Rangers desired for some time with their newly returned Pink Crane, there were two people who deserved the time with their restored Winged Lady of the Skies more than ever.
The events of today left Kimberly emotionally, physically, mentally and psychologically drained and spent. It was a lot to take in trying to come to terms with the restoration and repairing of her heart and soul. She was no longer lingering to a half-life existence that came with restraints. The sensation of feeling her own heartbeat, breath in her lungs, the reconciliation of her emotions she knew she was finally back where she belonged.
Tommy sat in the hut as he watched the two most important people he lay down his life for surrender to a the prolong resistance of sleep. He used to dream at night imagining seeing Kimberly and Amelia snuggling up during bedtime after a long day. Sometimes at night he used to be haunted by dreams for five years of the what ifs of life if the Garrison or the Emissary's presences were constants. It was a trying and emotional day though his emotions and thoughts were conflicted and he still wondered if this was all just another ill fated illusion?
He committed to memory the breaths, the heartbeats, the pulse and the sensation of both Kimberly and Amelia. Gazing upon his wife, his heart told him the truth he had long awaited for. The dreams and illusions that have plagued his mind for five years was now a wide awake reality. Tommy wasn't sure how much time passed or if morning passed. However, there was still that doubt if these were just moments that would last a few minutes or if upon tomorrow reality would still sit? Whatever the situation maybe, he was determined to hold onto his heart's desire and yearning. Yet, deep down he knew somewhere down the line the powers that be would make him face the aftermath of his actions inadvertently using the Power of Waking once again.
"Let my heart be my guiding key," he said to himself looking at his wife and daughter resting. "As you always said Beautiful...consequences be damned. The powers that be are calling to me, to us. Sooner or later it's all going to come to a head. I will promise and vow to hold onto to the ones that matter the most. The thing I love the most in this world. I will fight no matter the cost...that I will vow always and forever."
"...Tommy? Are...are you here Handsome?" His train of thought was interrupted when he heard Kimberly moaning and mubling in her sleep. Somehow, she was careful not to arose Amelia from her sleep. Immediately, Tommy was by her side attempting to awaken his wife from her troubling sleep. Suddenly, she jolted awake as if she was startled by a nightmare. She wrapped her arms around her husband as he held her in a protective embraced still hearing her heartbeat. "Tommy?!"
"It's okay, it's okay I'm right here. You're here where you belong my beloved pink crane." He said in a soothing matter. "I got you, I got you. It's all real and you're here with us. This is no dream. I always promised that I will always find you and I did, just like I said."
"I'm sorry...I didn't mean to startled you." Kimberly replied leaning her head as she snuggled in her husband's embrace. They both look down at Amelia who was still sound asleep and unfazed by her mother's sudden urgency to awaken from her sleep. She looked around the hut still trying to reassure herself she was no longer in the custody of the Emissary. "I...I...just needed reassurance this was all real."
"What...what does your heart tell you?" He sincerely asked her.
"My heart it tells me the truth. It tells me what I know and what I been longing for." She whispered relishing in recommitting Tommy's touch to memory. Their eyes focused on their sleeping daughter lost and peacefully content to her rest. Looking at Amelia, it was as if she her sight was restored and everything came clear. "I am with the people I love. I can now see...clearly my family, the ones I love and vow to protect and fight for."
"I know it's a lot to take in and everything we been through. Believe me Kim we been through a lot over the years. However, no matter what the forces of good and evil threw at us we always survived. We endured and everything I did was for you...and for our daughter."
"I'm proud of the way our daughter turned out." Kimberly replied deep in thought. "Part of me when things weren't clear at the time, I knew Amelia and I couldn't forget her or you for that matter. It's taking time for me to reconcile everything I did. I remember all of it and believe me...if our daughter knew of the things I did would she look at me the same?"
"You're Amelia's mother and that will not change anything. In the eyes of our child, parent is God and to us we're that for her. She has a kind heart, a gentle soul and very compassionate like her mom. She reminds me of a miniature version of you from head to toe. Amelia was the one constant I had during our time apart that made your absence hurt less." Tommy explained and took a deep breath to resume. "To her it doesn't matter of the things you did, what the Emissary put your through because it wouldn't make our little girl love her mother less. Hell, I think it made her determine to fight to make our family whole again."
"It sure does look like our kid did inherit her father's fighting spirit. You can tell she is the best of both us. However, realizing the depth of the power that our daughter wields makes me wonder if it was her fate to drawn into "this life?" It's been less than a day since I was fully reunited with our little girl. Realizing how much of a risk our little girl is at makes me determine to protect her and her future. Even if I was not in my right frame of mind...part of me felt this urgency to keep her safe."
"The night at Rideau Circle?" Tommy suddenly asked. "I think...I think that was the turning point when you killed Thea in front of Dalia and the Emissary. You said something called you there that night when those bastards took Amelia and Henry. Part of me felt that although you weren't in the right state of mind, your connection to the crane somehow ensured your survival. Did you kill Thea in order to protect our daughter? Was it really you that did that?"
"Part of me did because I felt a connection to her. Ever since that day I saw her for the first time in five years on the beach. The day of our daughter's birthday I think I was starting to wake up. I can't describe what was happening to me but I have to live with the knowledge of what I have done. Our encounters in the spirit realm and beyond the edge of the void those were real. It was as if the part of myself you preserved prolonged the state of existence I was resided to."
"Maybe it was the Great Power at work or some sort of divine intervention. It's going to be a long road to recovery Kim that I know. However, know that you're not alone on this and you always got me and Amelia to keep you grounded."
"I think I can say the same thing for you too, Handsome." She said smiling. "I felt a force of power unlike anything I seen but yet something in the distance was telling me to trend lightly. Tommy, I know what you gone through just to pull me back from the edge of beyond of the void. However, something tells me that there is a cost that will eventually need to be repaid."
"That was the risk I was willing to take the more and more I was unlocking the true depth of the power inside of me." Tommy replied deep in thought. "It's going to come down to it. The path we choose in order to make it to the road to dawn. Four thousand years the war between the Garrison and Emissary have plagued Earth all in the name of preserving the line and legacy of the Bloodline of Power. It was done in order to ensure the future of the Ninjetti Order."
"And yet we're here trying to figure it out. Even in our not so right frames of mind we still answer the call to duty. The Emissary will be back I know it and Dalia will still want her retribution for what I did to her sister." They both eased Amelia off of their laps as they got up from the ground. Tommy made sure that their daughter was comfortably resting. Both of them were amused by the fact that their little girl was a heavy sleeper during her parent's heart to heart. She made her way to the window to stare out at the night sky contemplating all that has transpired.
"You're deep in thought aren't you? What is on your mind Beautiful?"
"Thinking about what's tomorrow? I am wondering that what we started five years ago if it's our purpose and our fate to finish it? You got pulled back in because of me and also for Amelia. It is as if I can feel everything you're feeling and see you thoughts just as if you're able to feel and see mine. This place we're in right now that was lost and hidden from time suddenly it's as we're waking up."
"I just got you back, the other half of my heart and soul and I feel you're understanding where I'm coming from." Tommy added. "Something is calling to us in the distance. A power or force or a higher calling that needs us to finish what we started five years ago. If I have to walk this path to the road to dawn by myself and sacrifice along the way what I hold dear..."
"No, it's not going to happen because you're not walking the road to dawn alone. I'm with you because I can't bare the thought I parting once again from the other half of my heart and soul. I know there will be a price to be paid but consequences be damned if the price we pay comes at the cost of our daughter's life or yours." Kimberly took a hold of his hand as she looked at him in the eyes. "You and me: we are the falcon and crane. We are one true Winged Lord and Lady of the Skies. We are unbound, unbent and unbroken. We do not yield or bend the knee to anyone but the one who holds the heart and soul of the other. Our vow and bond is always and forever."
"Always and forever...our eternal bond as one." Tommy replied sincerely. In the heat of the moment he leaned in giving his beloved pink princess the long and overdue kiss they have awaited for. It was as if slowly and surely his heart and soul was whole again now that he had the other half of it back. He knew that the road to dawn was going to be a hard fought battle up ahead. The questions lingered what will tomorrow bring for them and if they were ready to face it head on.