(Author's Notes: Hey everybody here is Chapter 51. I appreciate everyone who is following my story and to keep on sending in the reviews. Before proceeding with the story I know many of us as longtime fans of the franchise are still shocked by the unexpected death of Jason David Frank. I am still trying to come to terms with the passing of my childhood hero growing up. I remembered as a kid looking up to them and watching the show everyday. I would used to think to myself that they knew how to solve the problems of the world and that as heroes people count on them to save the day. It was an honor meeting him four years ago at Fan Expo in Toronto alongside another one of my childhood heroes, Amy Jo Johnson. It was a thrill meeting two of my favorite rangers growing up. I'll never forget that day because it was one of the list of things on my bucket list I finally got the chance to achieve. Meeting him I told him and even Amy Jo about how I grew up idolizing them and how they helped me through some rough patches in my life. With the circumstances surrounding his untimely death at forty-nine we come to realize that even at times our childhood heroes are also human beings struggling with personal turmoil. Sometimes although we wish that our childhood heroes had superpowers like the characters they portrayed on TV, we face the reality that time and the unknown are two constants we cannot control. However, despite it all, we will always remember everything he has done for nearly thirty years for this franchise and the dedication and devotion he had to his fans that he inspired. JDF is definitely one of a kind and and truly a legend with a legacy that will leave a mark in the years to follow. May he rest in peace and find joy in the afterlife. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. In this chapter, as Kimberly continues to get reacquainted with her loved ones, the Rangers discuss the aftermath and next course of action.)
Chapter 51: Retaking the First Steps
August 7th 2009
Coffee Beanery
Angel Grove, CA
This was the last coffeehouse Cassie and TJ would find themselves going to for their routine morning coffee run. It was also the one place they found themselves running into Justin's friend Nico sitting by the usual table near the window that overlook the Rideau Circle Building across the street from the coffeehouse. However, they understood why they found the young man staking out the reclusive corporate building for weeks.
Unfortunately, upon recognizing Nico's frequent visits to Coffee Beanary it soon morphed into a daily routine that has lasted for six months. On the contrary, Nico's military service proved to be an asset with his knowledge of being able to gather intel. However, the last thing the Rangers didn't want on their conscience was to put another innocent civilian life at risk due this ongoing conflict with the Emissary and Garrison.
It was the argument that also became part of the routine every time the anyone from the Space Ranger team saw Nico at the Coffee Beanery. Yet, despite the Rangers' many attempts to get the young man to walk away, Nico refused to stand down. The first reason was to see through that the individuals responsible for his brother Arturo's death would receive their judgement for their crimes. The second was to fulfil a promise his friend and former soldier in arms who he owed for saving in life.
"If you are expecting me to step aside the same will be the same as it has for the last six months." Nico replied taking a sip of his coffee.
"Of course you give us the same answer like you did over and over again," TJ replied. "And plus you don't want to go back on your word with Justin you kept."
"Look Justin is our friend too and we want to help him and the others." Cassie explained. "You been coming to this coffee shop for the last six months watching for any suspicious activity going on at Rideau Circle. I know you're doing this because of what happened to your brother Arturo."
"This goes beyond Arturo. I know what these people have done to countless citizens in Angel Grove. They have the blood of innocent civilians on their hands. All the shady whispers and rumors on the streets of the city tell me these people aren't clean or pillars of the community. Rideau Circle is the epitome of corruption, greed and malice all over this city since the day they stepped foot in the Troika neighborhood. Sooner or later someone has to hold them accountable for their actions. The people need to realize the true face of Rideau Circle and behind the scenes what they truly are."
"Which is why you need to take extreme caution Nico because the people behind the scenes of Rideau Circle are dangerous." TJ continued. "Look we know you been conducting surveillance on Rideau Circle for six months. I know you're doing this for Justin because it's a credo with fellow soldiers to help out a brother in arms. We all have the same common ground and that is to finally put a stop to Rideau Circle once and for all."
"We're all on the same side Nico and we won't stop you on your pursuit for justice for your brother's death." Cassie added. "However, we want to make sure that you're safe and that nothing happens to you. You have to believe us that we are working towards the same goal."
"Justin did always talk fondly about you guys when we were kids." Nico said reluctantly. "Even before his dad manage to regain custody of him he always said you guys were like a family to him. It was why I wanted to make sure that day in Kandahar he would make home to his family despite it costing me my leg." With a sigh, Nico pulled out a disk and inserted it into his labtop computer. He played a video clip from a few nights back telling the duo to look carefully. "A few nights ago, there was some activity near the loading bay of the building."
Nico showed what looked like on the video a group of Emissary agents being taken out by what looked like a rival group that were quick, fast, and moved like they were invisible. The clip was less than a minute long and Nico kept on rewinding the footage. However, something about the movement of the individuals that took out the Emissary agents struck curiosity with Cassie. Something about the way these unknown assailants took out the Emissary reminded her of a memory from long ago.
"It's like these guys move like lightning in the blink of an eye." TJ replied. "Is this the only surveillance footage you have on record of these mysterious individuals?"
"Well this maybe about the fourth footage I have on record." Nico said as he pulled out three other disks of surveillance footage. "The clips are less than a minute long but it's the same thing. A rival group that moves around like phantoms taking out the yes men from Rideau Circle."
"Phantoms?!" Cassie asked as she got up instantly from the table and made a fast exit from the coffeehouse. She instantly disregarded TJ or Nico's pleas to stop as she made her way across the street heading towards the entrance of the Rideau Circl building. "Those individuals that took out the Emissary it's like they...no...is it possible?"
As Cassie was coming close to ten feet from the entrance of the building, suddenly she felt a quick lightning swoosh. She found herself being dragged away from the building in mere seconds and suddenly appeared in the back alley of the coffeehouse. She found herself in the presence of four individuals but she found herself drawn to the young man dressed in black who still had a grip on her wrist. Cassie met him before previously with Justin and TJ a few days back. She remembered he was known as Roxas, a member of the Garrison.
"We meet again, Cassie Chan under unfortunate circumstances." Roxas said as he let go of her wrists. "Apologies for the sudden haste but I couldn't risk any harm coming to you once you were in reach of the entrance."
"It's Roxas right? You've met us before a few days back." Cassie replied a bit baffled. "Why are we in the back alleyway of the coffeehouse instead of Rideau Circle?"
"You have to understand that there is something stirring beneath the grounds of Angel Grove." Roxas warned. "The unknown force that beckons in the distance is calling out to the Bloodline of Power. The energy beneath the city is pulsing. The Emissary is running out of time and they are planning one last contingency to hold onto to their dominion and footing. Three of the pillars have been knocked off the floor. The rest are going to press hard."
"What exactly is underneath Rideau Circle? Those guys wouldn't be treating this place like Fort Knox unless it had a purpose. What are the Emissary hiding underneath the city? Do Tommy and the others know what is beneath the city?"
"They're pretty much well aware and also know of the scale of destruction that will plague this city. The power and energy beneath us is stirring which is why you all need to exercise extreme caution. If I were you Cassie...prepare yourselves for one last standoff. This final battle...is above the horizon so you need be prepared."
"Cassie! Cassie?!" She could hear TJ and Nico yelling in the distance searching for her. Cassie saw that Roxas was about to depart again but the interaction felt ironically familiar to her. It was as if she had been through this years ago during her Ranger days.
"Wait! Wait Roxas do you know what's happening? What are dealing with beneath the city?" Cassie asked determine to find out the Garrison's motive. "Look, I don't know but something about this exchange feels familiar. Have...have we met before? Should I be worried about the looming threat coming upon Angel Grove?"
"Look out for yourself Cassie and that goes for the rest of you Rangers." Roxas said as he and his comrades made an exit. "All you need to know is this final standoff up in the horizon a control for power, a force that has long kept the foundations of your city at bay. Soon, that foundation will awaken what was laying dormant for years. Please stay safe Cassie until our paths may cross again."
8:00 a.m
Reefside Forest
For three days the Rangers were up in the Village of the Whills helping Kimberly recuperate before they made the trek back down to the hidden Ninjetti Kingdom. It was going to be a long and hard road to recovery that was for sure. The more time they spent in the village the more they were coming to terms with the full extent of their powers as the spirits became restless. The three days for Kimberly were surreal trying to come to terms with her restored reality.
However, the nights were not so peaceful but more relentless and restless. There were times she wake up screaming and some instances she wake up holding a weapon to Tommy's throat. It was evident that her heart and soul needed to reconcile with what she had done over the course of five years. On the other hand, Kimberly wasn't the only one who for the last three nights was restless. The last three days being in the Village of the Whills started impacting Tommy as well. It felt like months that them and the other Rangers were stuck inside the Village of the Whills though it's only been three days.
Whatever internal struggle that Kimberly was trying to combat deep in her soul Tommy felt every ounce of it inside of him. If only he had the power to ease the conflict and trauma that was the source of his crane's turmoil. The connection between them only amplified now that they were finally reunited at long last. Their connection extended beyond that of soulmates in every aspect physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. This was something he felt as reassurance from both the falcon and crane to uphold their bond with their human mates. Tommy knew Brennan and Shalimar, as mates would protect their bond with everything in their being and it gave him comfort to know that. He felt the spirit of the crane and its power trying to quell Kimberly's turmoil these last few nights.
More than anything all he wanted to do was take Kimberly home but that was also another issue that needed to be handled. His daughter on the other hand was able to come and go as she pleased. Amelia deserved to normal childhood free of the responsibilities of fate and destiny. Yet, his own little defender took a daring risk to bring back her mom from beyond the void but also manage to pull him back to the physical world and avoid from diving deeper into the unknown.
Seeing the sun rise during their third day, Tommy stepped out of the hut to give Amelia and Kimberly some much needed sleep. To his surprise, he found the rest of the rest of the original Rangers alongside the Dino Thunder Rangers awake. Surprisingly, Quinn was not present and it was notable during these last three days he wasn't around as often. The Rangers had this feeling that somehow Quinn indirectly marooned all of them in the abandon village. There was more of a windy breeze and it was becoming somewhat of a routine hearing in the distance the whispers and echoes of the spirits that once inhabited this place.
"How are Amelia and Kimberly doing?" Jason asked looking at the hut.
"Kim well you know she's still adjusting being back in the land of the actual living." Tommy replied. "Besides, I think the transition or whatever the heck we pulled on her to get her back had and effect on her psyche."
"It's pretty obvious because the last three nights we heard Kimberly screaming." Ethan added. "I mean we couldn't imagine the things she went through for five years living that state of existence."
"And also the fact that the true Scarlet Sovereign was the dark side of Kimberly's heart: the Firebird." Tommy replied looking at the hut. "Basically, we destroy the core beliefs of what the Emissary stood for. It's a guarantee they'll be seeking retribution on us, Dalia in particular for what Kim did to her sister Thea."
"Oh and you might want to add us as potential targets on the Emissary's tour for revenge." Connor replied. "The whole magic and light show was able to work after we made Pan's head roll. We took out one of the pillars of the Emissary a few nights ago. Actually...the honor is on Trent."
"You guys defeated one of the pillars of the Emissary?!" Trini replied looking shocked.
"Okay well...well that changes things," Tommy said in a stunned voice. He never had any intentions of getting his former students caught up with the battle with the Emissary. However, Mesogog's involvement with the Emissary five years ago changed things. It was hard back then for his former students dealing with Mesogog as an adversary, They weren't prepared back then when it came to the Emissary. "Look...you guys this was not what I wanted for you all..."
"Dr. O he had it coming," Trent simply stated. "I know you and Kimberly taught us five years ago we don't play judge, jury and executioner with deciding the life of an individual. However, you have to understand Pan, Zeltrax or whoever the hell he was went had to finally be put down. He was pulling the strings behind the scenes with Mesogog. He was actually the true puppetmaster and someone needed to get retribution for his actions."
"This was not what we wanted for any of you," Tommy said looking at the young man. " When Quinn showed up in Reefside he tried everything in his power to get Kim and I to find that ruthless aggression in us to take those bastards on. What he put us through nearly two decades ago, he wanted us to get you guys to tap into that aggression to battle the Emissary on their level."
"I told that bastard right before I sliced his head off was to have his thirty pieces of silver ready for the devil." Trent replied. "I felt relief and some strange sense of tranquillity after his head went rolling. All I wanted Pan to know before I ended him was to look at my face and that of the others. I wanted him to see who was the one that ended his life and who was sending him to damnation. I had to find that ruthless aggression in me at the cost of getting my first taste of bloodlust. Dr. O, I tapped it into it just for the sake of protecting the people who I am indebted to, especially you, Kimberly and Amelia for everything you've done for me over the years."
"You went to a dark place just to protect Amelia and Kimberly, for Tommy's sake." Adam replied as Tommy was in awe of his former student. "Yet, somehow what you did put us at an advantage against the Emissary. It helped us get Kimberly back for good and free her from the Everlasting Spell."
"If there is one person to be indebted to it would be you Trent," Tommy said finding his composure. "If it wasn't for your actions the guys wouldn't have succeeded in pulling me and Kim out of the beyond the edge of the void. You guys protected my daughter when I couldn't and the guys basically dived into the unknown to find me."
"But knowing this what will mean for all of us?" Kira asked. "We can't literally hide here forever. We have lives and families that we need to still look out for. We would need to head back to Reefside and Angel Grove to protect everyone from the remaining pillars of the Emissary."
"She does a point Handsome which is why we need to head back down and back to the plateau." The group turned around to find Kimberly awake with Amelia by her side. It was a rough three days in the Village of the Whills and it was time to finally face her friends and family.
"I told mommy that she should be resting," Amelia said looking at her dad. "I'm sorry daddy but mommy wanted to come out and see everybody. Please don't mad at her and mommy please don't be mad at daddy."
"There is no way mommy could ever be upset with your daddy baby girl." Kimberly smiled giving her daughter reassurance. She then focused her attention by looking at Tommy and her friends. "I know I haven't made things easy for you guys for five years. They made you guys think I was dead. Maybe...I should have been better off dead than alive. I've seen what lies beyond death and it's something I can't explain. How I survived maybe I can say Tommy had a hand in that."
"Beautiful there is nothing for you to explain to us. We understand you're still struggling." Tommy replied taking a hold of her hand. "Everything you been through was because of them. They stole five years from us and nothing can erase all the pain and hurt they inflicted for what they did to you. To say you were better off dead is something I couldn't fathom. Whatever second chance the powers that be granted us I vow to hold onto and not lose it the second time around."
"But at what cost? I did things that are unspeakable. I killed, I murdered, tortured, struck down anyone who got in my way without remorse." Kimberly explained. "The looming shadow that is part of my soul ran rampant for five years. I let that fire continue burning and leaving mayhem and chaos in the path. I didn't want any of you to go to those dark places in order to secure a victory." She turned her attention to Trent. "I didn't want anyone to feel that bloodlust rising because once you feel the sensation of taking a life, it changes things."
"The consolation of Trent defeating Pan gave the leverage we needed to weaken the Emissary." Jason replied. "It gave us enough power to get you back."
"Don't count on the Emissary to back down." Kimberly said. "They may have lived countless eons but they too have their limitations, especially Dalia. I have been with them for five years to understand how they work from the inside. Dalia has led them at the helm for many years, with Balor being second in command. In order for us to defeat the remaining Pilliars of the Emissary we all need to be in this together. In order to do that, first order of business, making our way back to the plateau. I have a feeling I have a long overdue reunion with some old acquaintances."
Dune Lion Records
Angel Grove, CA
10:00 a.m
With the original Rangers in Reefside helping Tommy and the Dino Thunder Ranger team, Andros and the Space Rangers took the task of monitoring the activity going on in Angel Grove. Given access by Zack and Tanya to use the hidden command center Billy created under the Dune Lion Records they continued to keep tabs on the Emissary and of Rideau Circle.
The computers were going haywire again as the scanner indicated another energy spike beneath the building. They were noticing that the unknown energy spikes began right after the the original Rangers left for Reefside. However, there was a speculation that Justin was withholding information from his friends about what was going on Reefside. It didn't take them long to realize that somehow whatever business the original Rangers were dealing with in Reefside had a domino effect of the activity going on in Angel Grove.
They went on a hunch and decided to also monitor readings a suspicious energy spikes in Reefside. They have been tracking them for the last three days and to the Space Rangers' theories, they analyze the data and saw identical energy signatures coming from Reefside forest. Given the geographical location and knowing the location of Tommy's address in Reefside, it wasn't a coincidence they figured out the truth.
"It doesn't take a genius to figure out what we just found out." Ashley said analyzing the data. "Look we agreed as Rangers to hold things down for the original team because as Rangers we help out one another."
"However, given today's report of the energy signatures tracked beneath Rideau Circle and Reefside Forest, the signatures are identical." Andros added his input. "Four thousand years of history of this Garrison & Emissary war somehow those two cities are interconnected. Whatever Tommy and the others found in Reefside it's tide with what is buried underneath Rideau Circle."
"Those Garrison guys mentioned that they serve to protect the line and legacy of the Ninjetti Order." Carlos replied. "It means they must have had some connections to the Power Rangers at one point or another."
"And the same can be said about the Emissary." Zhane pointed out. "They were accounts about these two factions going to war with one another on other planets throughout the galaxy for many eons."
"And yet the results left planets wrecked in the aftermath of the war and massive casualties." Andros added. "According to accounts it is believed that the chapter of the Emissary and Garrison war is the war that will finally put to rest the conflict they been engaged in. Those guys are at the center of it, especially Tommy and his family. Sooner or later this war is going to come to head."
"I think there are some things those guys are withholding from us." The group turned around and saw Cassie and TJ enter the hideout. They couple were carrying the now cold breakfast orders to the team but the team notice something was on Cassie's mind.
"Cassie, is everything alright?" Ashley asked.
"Had another encounter with one of those Garrison guys, the one called Roxas." Cassie replied looking at the group. "He warned me that whatever is buried underneath Angel Grove if it's unearth can cause destruction to the city. The way he moved when he whisked me away from the entrance of Rideau Circle it felt familiar. It was as if I recognized the movements from an ally we knew years ago. Guys, if we're going to help Tommy and the rest of the original Rangers in this little war they're caught between in then we need full open communication."
"What do you mean by that?" Karone asked. "Full open communication."
"Something tells me I met Roxas years ago and something about his movement and his mannerism seemed familiar." Cassie addressed. "If they want our help...we need them to fully be honest with us and start with what is the secret behind the Garrison and Emissary."
Meanwhile...
The trek back down the Macalla Mountain path was a journey in itself but it gave the Rangers time to fill their pink crane on what has happened in the last five years of their lives. Part of her thought that her apparent sacrifice during that last confrontation five years ago with Mesogog ensured that her loved ones would finally be freed from the threat of Mesogog and the Emissary. However, fate took a drastic turn and it diminished in the eyes of her friends and loved ones her sacrifice or supposed death.
Kimberly heard the details after the group's first encounter with the Emissary six months ago and learning the shocking truth of what they did to her. She gently held Tommy's hand as he guided down her the mountain trail. In his other arm he carried Amelia who fell asleep from the hike down. Seeing that Tommy's hands were occupied, Jason volunteered to carry his goddaughter down. Her thoughts dwelled upon Amelia rehearing the accounts of how her powers began to emerge upon their return to Reefside. It was that thought long ago Tommy and Kimberly had that one day their daughter would somehow be used as instrument by the hand of fate and destiny.
There were some things she regretted and some things she wished didn't happen. The Emissary weaponized the shadow within her, the infamous Firebird prophesizing that the shadow that laid deep within her was the Scarlet Sovereign. The memories were embedded in her when they unleashed the looming shadow of her heart upon the world. She remembered the brutal tutelage and training she underwent that made her a weapon. She remembered the greyness, the void, the in between and the internal struggle her heart and soul endured after being pulled back from the brink of life and death.
However, deep within the depths of the blankness and half-life state, Kimberly couldn't explain it but it somehow ensured her survival. The last few days in this hidden Ninjetti Kingdom, by pure luck and divine intervention part of her was able to reach out to Shalimar, her animal spirit the crane. In return, somehow Shalimar sought out Brennan, the animal spirit of her white knight. It was why her heart couldn't harm him, nor Amelia. The fact that her daughter possessed in her the remnants of the Great Power within her. They may have damaged her heart and soul for five years after what they did to her but they couldn't shatter the bond she had with her Winged Lord of the Skies or that of her daughter.
The more and more Tommy and Kimberly were close to one another, each minute their bond continued to reforged. These last few days it was as if the spark reignited in the falcon and crane that it was reflecting itself upon the ancient land. Tommy sensed the inner turmoil within his pink crane as he found himself reading and seeing the memories and flashbacks inside Kimberly's mind. Without even speaking words, the couple became aware what they were doing. Their bond extended beyond soulmates but they were retaking those first steps again. Two kindred spirits who were synced as one and sharing heart, body and soul.
"I can feel you reading my thoughts," Kim said taking a deep breath. "It's...it's been a long time we did that. I like that feeling where we've been interconnected with one another. Our thoughts, our feelings, everything that bonded us together."
"I'm glad to actually hear you say that," Tommy replied giving a smile. "You don't know how long I waited to feel that again with you. However, we never lost our connection nor our bond. No matter what they tried somehow it survived because we made it survive. We endured whatever the hell those bastards threw at us."
"Thank you Handsome, for always finding me even when I was living a half-life deep within the void of myself." She said as the emotions got the best of her.
"You know I will always find you even when the light fades into darkness, Beautiful." Tommy replied as he opened her arms. He wrapped his arms around her familiarizing himself with her scent, touch, everything about her to memory. "We'll always find a way to balance both the light and shadow within us. Neither the light or shadow within us will fade because we balance both sides of the coin that exist within each other. It's one step at a time."
"One step at a time," Kim replied letting out a small smile. In her head, she heard a caws of the crane and that of the falcon. She looked at Tommy who gave her a nod of reassurance he heard it too. "I guess I never lost my connection at all. Things can't go back to the way it was before all this mess. Is it not too late to hope we can move forward once this is all done?"
"If you believe it with all your heart," Tommy reassured her. He turned his attention to Amelia who was still asleep in Jason's arms. "Hope maybe a fickle thing but it's something worth fighting for, something we defend and something we pray comes through."
As the group finally made it down the mountain pass, they proceeded along the path back to the plateau. The Rangers glanced at the ruins of the once Ninjetti kingdom but the land itself thrived with the vast vegetation and lush green grass the covered it. There were questions running through their minds everytime they stepped into this place. What was it land like four thousand years ago? How did it begin and what caused it to leave it in this dormant state for many years? Why did the Garrison reveal this to the Rangers after all these years? Were there many secrets of the Ninjetti Order from Phaedos that were carried out into the galaxy?
Kimberly glanced out into the distance at the ruins. She stared at what looked like something between an ancient castle structure and a temple. However, her focus wasn't on the ruins but something else. Maybe it was the voices or spirits of the souls who once lived here but what she heard sounded like the voices of two children. She felt like she was suddenly being hit with a flashback of a distant and unknown memory of time long ago.
FLASHBACK
"I don't know if I can do this." the young boy said looking at the ruins. "Those people...they took everything from me. I killed them because they destroyed my home, my people and my family. I couldn't let that same thing happen here too."
"You did what you did because it is who you are. You have a pure heart that balances both the light and shadow within you. I can see it because you protected me in my hours of need and for that I am eternally in your debt." the girl smiled. "We both travelled a long journey and found ourselves here in this mysterious place."
"What do you think will happen to us?" the boy asked.
"I don't know but whatever comes promise me we'll be in this together?" the girl replied holding out her hand. He let out a smile shaking her hand. "Besides, you need a second in command and someone who can keep you grounded."
"I think I wouldn't have any other way. I promise and I make this vow that I will protect you and keep you safe on this journey and adventure together, Selphie." the boy replied continuing to hold his hand. "Whatever awaits us on this journey we promise we'll walk that road to dawn together. Something tells us we were guided to this place and this is where the adventure starts."
"I feel that way too, Matias. Something led us here to this place for a reason and purpose but I know I'm not on this journey alone. You make a vow and promise to protect me and keep me safe on this journey. I will return that same vow and promise to you too because I know with you by my side we'll be able to walk the road to dawn together." She girl replied looking down at their intertwined hands. "The light and shadow within us will be balance as long as we stay true to one another. Let our hearts and souls...be our guiding keys on this road to dawn."
END OF FLASHBACK
She shook out her daze as she looked around as the group finally made their way back to the plateau. What was it she saw and who were those kids? A familiar sense of deja vu came over her. Part of her couldn't make sense of it but yet it was important and her heart was telling her she need to know the truth. Throughout their trek down she was hearing from Tommy and their friends about regaining their Ninjetti Powers and discovering their hidden powers to unlock the full strength of it. Was it possible that her restoration somehow reawaken something deep within her?
"Selphie and Matias?! Who are they? They looked like kids who somehow found their way to this mysterious Ninjetti kingdom but why?" Kim thought but there was no way of stopping Tommy from reading her thoughts. He saw the vision Kim saw of the young kids known as Selphie and Matias.
"Hey Kim, are you alright?" Aisha turned around and asked her longtime friend and spirit sister.
"Is something wrong?" Justin asked. "It looks like you've seen a ghost or something."
"Not sure but it feels like I may have experience something out of the twilight zone." Kim murmured.
"Maybe being here for a certain period of time we lose track of whether or not we either back in the real world or transported to another world." Rocky replied as they ascended up the steps up to the plateau. However, they found it empty.
Amelia woke up from her nap as Jason settled the young girl down on the ground. She walked to the outlook spot that gave them a clear view of the landscape. Kimberly watched her daughter stare out into the distance. Whatever she experienced a few moments ago outweighed the need of being a mother. Even in her half-life existent state the maternal instinct she had for her daughter never ceased. As Tommy said she couldn't have survived if it wasn't for Amelia as she bridged the connection between them.
"Hey are you okay bro?" Jason asked as Tommy watched both mother and daughter. "What happened back there a moment ago with Kim?"
"I'm not sure but I think Kim saw something like a vision of the past of one of the many who came here long ago." Tommy simply said. "However, I don't want to focus on that at the moment. Right now, I just want to let my wife and daughter just have a moment to themselves. They deserved this and I'm going to make sure those two keep on having those memories together."
Amelia stared at her locket that her dad gave her on her birthday and opened it up. She looked at the picture of her mom and dad inside and let out a small smile. She was happy to have her mother back and deep down she knew this time it was for real. Amelia didn't understand fully how it happened or what sort of powers that be willed it but she felt that unknown force beckoning in the distance calling out to her and to her parents. It may have helped her but yet in the back of her mind uncertainty crept in.
"Hey baby girl, penny for your thoughts?" Kimberly asked approaching her daughter. "I know you been through a lot these last couple of years. Heck, I wasn't really in the right frame of mind and there is no apologizing for everything I put all of your through, especially you and your daddy."
"But you were still with me and daddy, mommy." Amelia replied as she clutched the locket in her hand. "I think I was doing things with the tingling feeling inside of me and I think I hurt you and daddy sometimes with it. But all I wanted everytime the tingling feeling started was to have my mommy and daddy with me, always and forever."
"Oh sweetie you could never hurt mommy and daddy, not for one second." Kim said as she opened her arms up. Amelia instantly ran into her mom's arms as she embraced her daughter. She looked at the locket around Amelia's neck and let out a small smile. "I see you kept your little keepsake safe, little madam." Amelia let out a giggle recalling one of the many nicknames her mom gave her. "You told me at the cabin that it was your constant to remind me of who I am. Thank you darling for being there for your daddy when I couldn't be there with you both."
"I think daddy says I get your smile from you and his courage from him. Mommy, are you really back for good? Is it going to be always and forever again with you, me and daddy? I don't want you to go away again or daddy to go away." She asked.
"This time...that is a promise I intend to keep always and forever," Kim smiled at her daughter. "I am not sure what will happen to us but your daddy and I made a pact and a promise. We're going to finish what we started five years ago and we're going to fight to keep our family safe, especially our little defender. You deserve a normal life, a life that your daddy and I had for you growing up living a normal, happy childhood. I will forever be grateful sweetie for bringing me home beause you don't know how much I missed you everyday."
"I missed you too mommy and I love you very, very much."
"Right back at you kiddo. I love you too Amy." She replied. "I want you to know whatever happens next, we'll be ready. This fight with the Emissary will get tougher and those guys will definitely come at us full throttle. Your dad and I and all the other Rangers will guarantee they will not get to you because I know what they want and their endgame will lead us to Angel Grove. Yet, also we have a duty here too to protect this safe haven buried in Reefside. Gosh, I wished so hard for my kid not to be used as another pawn by the hand of fate and destiny."
"Daddy told me to brave, selfless and true because there were times things will get scary. He told me that no matter what happens that I have to stay true to who I am and not let anything scare me, especially those weird Emissary people or the tingling feeling inside of me." Amelia said. "Mommy, can do something for me please?"
Bending down to her daughter's level, Amelia wrapped her arms around her mom's neck needing her mom's comfort. It felt nice and warm to have that feeling once again and hoped this time it won't be taken away from her. She whispered something in her mom's ear away from her father and everyone's sight. What Kimberly heard struck her right to the core as she tried her best to keep her emotions at bay. Yet, what Amelia asked her mom would stay between the two of them. This time, she was going to see this through the end and make sure that her and her daughter would safeguard the one person that meant the world to both of them, no matter the cost.