The Terran Ranger Saga - The Preliminaries Volume 3 - Heather Ray (reading tree txt) 📗

since its illegal to drive that speed anyway."

"Oh. Billy, is it my imagination, or are you spewing more techno-babble than usual?"

"I profess that--"

"In English if at all possible!" said Kim frustratedly.

"I...I talk in that manner when I'm nervous, distracted, or upset." he said in what was as close to popular English as he could muster at the time.

"So, which is it?" asked Trini. "Are you nervous, distracted, or upset?"

"All of the above, I suppose. Considering that you, Zack, and Jason are leaving today, I feel very--disconcerted."

Trini was about to ask more, but she noticed that Billy had once again turned a shade redder. She didn't want to pry, so she let the subject drop. Both she and Billy fell silent while Kimberly talked excitedly about a major sale coming the day after Thanksgiving, which was next weekend. When she noticed that no one was listening to her, she promptly shut up, causing the entire car to fall into an uncomfortable silence. There was indeed a question or two lingering in the air, but neither Trini or Billy were willing to utter them. So, they went unsaid, and soon the Rad bug parked in front of the Youth Center. They climbed out of the car in silence, and entered the Youth Center. It was mostly empty, since the usual crowd of teenagers were in school that day. But Kim, Tommy, Billy, Aisha, Adam, and Rocky wanted to spend as much time as possible with their friends Trini, Jason, and Zack, and so their parents allowed all of them to take the day off. When the trio entered the room, they saw Ernie frosting a huge white cake, decorated with colorful sprinkles and bright flowers of frosting. Both Jason and Tommy were furiously pounding on two punching bags, releasing all their anger and confusion onto the lifeless masses of sawdust and leather. Zack was sitting quietly at the bar, sipping on a chocolate milk and thinking to himself. Billy, Trini, and Kim sat down beside Zack, who sat up and smiled when he saw them.

"What's going on, Zack?" asked Kimberly.

"Well, Rocky, Adam, and Aisha had a test second period, so they went for school for it. They should be getting here soon. As for Tommy and Jason, I guess they're both stressed out. I mean, Tommy is now really the leader of the team, and you all know he's always had a self-esteem problem. And Jason, he's such a man of action, and now he has to deal with passing the torch and returning to a relatively quiet life. This whole thing is gonna take some getting used to."

Trini leaned over and placed her hand on his. "What about you, Zack? How're you feeling?"

"Better than I was a few days ago," said Zack with a weak smile. He lowered his voice, "Man, I can't believe how awful I felt after giving up the Power to Adam. It felt like someone reached in and pulled my lungs out or something. I felt so--incomplete and depressed. Being a ranger was the ride of a lifetime, and I didn't realize how much I'd miss it."

"You don't regret giving up the Power, do you?" asked Kim.

"Nah, Adam'll be a great ranger. He's so smart and a great fighter--he's much better than me. I think Zordon knew what he was doing when he picked Adam to replace me."

"Yeah, I know what you mean," said Trini, starting to slouch a little, "Aisha will really be a fabulous Yellow Ranger. She's so strong-willed, and a black-belt martial artist. I've always been peaceful down deep, so I know my place really isn't on the battlefield. But Aisha seems to get a rush from a good fight, especially when she's fighting for something important. She's got a fiery spirit, and she'll be a great addition to the team."

Kim and Billy looked at each other and then at their two downcast friends.

"I do NOT

believe you two!" shrieked Kim, throwing her hands on her hips and glaring at her friends, "You're feeling sorry for yourselves! This is a chance of a lifetime. You've been chosen to do what the Power Rangers will never be able to do--bring peace to the world. And stop talking about being replaced. You're NOT being replaced. Aisha will not be the same Yellow Ranger that you were, Trini, and Adam will not be the same Black Ranger as you, Zack. The team is changing, and that's that! You'll always be our friends, guys, and no one can ever change that."

Billy nodded his agreement of Kimberly's speech. Trini and Zack both stood up, and the four were immediately entangled in a group hug. They heard a little sigh from behind them, and the group separated and turned around. At the door stood Rocky, Adam, and Aisha. Aisha had a tissue, and was dabbing her eyes. Adam and Rocky didn't cry, but they had silly smiles on their faces.

"So, how was your test?" asked Trini.

"Piece of cake," said Rocky. "We studied a lot yesterday, and it paid off. So, let's start the party!!"

Ernie walked back into the main room from the kitchen, and was busy untying his apron.

"Guys, I have to make a quick stop in town. I should be back in about half an hour. Go ahead and start the party without me. Don't trash the place!"

With that, Ernie hurried out the door, leaving the nine present and former Power Rangers alone. Quite frankly, no one felt like partying, and Jason and Tommy continued to pound on the punching bags, oblivious to the world. Kimberly sighed and threw up her hands.

"I guess the work of the Pink Ranger is never done!" she declared, making her way to her stressed out boyfriend. He was so busy concentrating on the bag, he didn't even notice her approach. She tapped the tense muscle of his shoulder, and he spun around in surprise.

"Wha--oh, hey Kim," he said absently, wiping the sweat off his brow.

"Tommy, what are you thinking?" she asked directly. He only looked at her.

"Nothing important," he answered, turning back to the bag. Kim walked around and stood between him and the bag.

"Tommy, just talk to me. Everyone here is in a gloomy mood, and that's not right! We should be having fun with our friends and wishing them well on their trips. You're the leader, so you should be setting the example."

"That's the thing, Kim! I'm the leader! Why? Why did Zordon pick me to be leader? After all, he didn't even pick me to be a ranger. Rita did!"

Tommy dropped down onto the mat, sitting Indian-style. He rested his hands on his knees and forced his eyes shut. Kim sat down beside him and gently touched his cheek.

"Tommy," she said quietly, "Zordon did choose you. He chose you to be the White Ranger. Not Rita, not anyone else. He searched the Earth for a worthy teenager to be dubbed the White Ranger, symbol of purity and leader of the Power Rangers. He chose you."

"But, he made me the leader of the team before Jason left. Why did he do that? Jason has always been a brother to me, and he led the Power Rangers through the toughest of times. Then suddenly, Zordon introduces the White Ranger, the new leader of the team. Why? And is Jason upset with me? He was removed from command, and he didn't deserve that. I'll never be the leader that Jason is. Never."

Kimberly smiled with amusement and lifted Tommy's chin with her hand. She looked him in the eye.

"Tommy, do you think Jason was born a great leader?"

"Well, yeah, he's a natural leader."

"That's not true! Jason was always our leader, but he always had doubts. Every time something bad happened, he blamed himself. When you lost your powers, he blamed himself for weeks! He thought he failed as a friend, as a brother, and as a leader. You see, Jason had to learn how to lead effectively, and obviously Zordon sees potential in you. He chose you to lead us, and the rest of us are behind you one-hundred percent."

Tommy smiled widely and gathered Kim in a warm embrace.

"Thanks Kim," he whispered into her ear, "You always know exactly what to say. What would I do without you?"

"Good question," she said jokingly, letting go of him, "Now, go over to the others and have some cake. I think Jason needs some talking to."

Tommy glanced over at his best friend, who was furiously punching and kicking the punching bag. Tommy nodded and went to the bar with the others. Kim walked over to Jason. He didn't notice her approach.

"What're you thinking about, Jason?" she asked, standing beside the bag.

"Everything," he answered flatly. "You wouldn't understand."

"Let me take a guess. Maybe your feeling down about no longer being a Power Ranger. Or you feel responsible to protect Angel Grove, and now you're leaving. Could it be that you're still wondering why Zordon made Tommy leader over you? Are you feeling like you've been short-changed?"

Jason looked down at Kim, who wore the most innocent smile imaginable. He couldn't help but smile and shake his head in disbelief.

"I have to admit it, Kim," he said, "You're amazing. You should be a therapist or something."

"Wanna talk about it?" she coaxed. "Everyone else is having fun and you're sitting here wallowing in self doubt. Whatever you're going through, it doesn't have to be alone."

"We're not all here," he muttered.

"What?" she asked.

"Its just that you said everyone else is having fun. You're wrong. Someone's missing--Alexis."

"Yeah," said Kim, shaking her head, "I miss her too. I mean, I've only known her for like three weeks, and she's already one of my best friends. We spent hours at the malls! And she's a great person to talk to. And," she said, nudging Jason with her elbow, "she's pretty too."

Jason started to agree, and immediately turned bright red. He stared down at Kim with a shocked expression on his face. He then started to laugh.

"You're too perceptive for your own good, Miss Hart!" he said jokingly, lightly punching her in the shoulder.

"Maybe we should go see her," suggested Kimberly, "After all, she should get a chance to say goodbye to you guys. She'll always be a Power Ranger, no matter where she lives or whether or not she has the Power."

"Zordon always said the Power cannot be used for personal gain," said Jason, "it can only be used in the line of duty. He'll never let us drop in on Alexis in Philadelphia for a visit, and we don't have time to fly there. Trini, Zack, and I leave in five hours."

"I was thinking about this, and I think I may have the answer. Come on!"

Kimberly grabbed the tall young man by the arm and dragged him the the bar with the others.

"Guys, we have to go the Command Center," she declared.

"Why?" asked Tommy, "did Zordon call?"

"No, but we have some unfinished business to take care of. Let's go!"

The others all shrugged, but Tommy nodded his consent. Jason stood beside Rocky, Trini beside Aisha, and Adam beside Zack, and the nine teens vanished in beams of colored light.