4:13 PM
Command Center
Aisha spins into action, kicking the stretcher towards Kim, who, as she realizes, can only hold Kat up for so long. Kim, shaking with strain, lowers Kat onto the stretcher before any of the guys even realize what is happening.
“Hey wake up, you dope heads,” Aisha shouts, frustrated. Snapping out of their collective daze, the male Rangers become even more useless.
“Oh damn,” Kim puffs out, “Sha, get the scanner.”
At the sound of a technologically related word, Billy decides he could be useful after all. “Ish, I’ll take that.” He pulls the scanner out of her hand. Kat lies lifelessly on the stretcher as Billy runs it over her. Rocky is pacing a hole in the floor. Adam is doing a kata, attempting to calm himself. Tommy is back at the spot he has been warming up for the past few hours, eyes shut. Kim and Aisha are next to Billy, ready to provide any help he needs. Zordon looks sadly upon Kat. Alpha is going through a stream of ay-ay-ay’s. “She’s not well,” Billy states the obvious.
“Duh wonder-boy,” Aisha mocks, “the question is what do we do about it.”
“Get me some aquatheraphosine.” He waves in the direction of some cabinets.
“Huh?” Aisha and Kim are both very confused.
“It’s a substance Zordon imported from a planet called Aquitar,” Billy explains absently, “it’s sort of blue with red specks and it has many uses, the most significant, currently, being the ability to stabilize a being into consciousness.”
“Gotcha.” Kim takes off in a blur of pink. She is back within seconds with a stopper-covered beaker full of the required liquid. Billy fills a syringe and injects Kat’s arm. Adam and Rocky stop moving and Tommy opens his eyes. No one breathes, waiting. The seconds run by in a form of infinity. Finally, someone coughs. All the eyes in the room rush around sporadically. Two sets of brown ones meet and lock momentarily before speeding away again. Soon they all connect with a set of dazed blue ones.
“Kat.” Everyone seems to inhale at the same time. She blinks, tries to shake the fog out of her head, fails and closes her eyes again. Her breathing is labored.
“Great,” Billy exclaims, “Adam get me the Dalmane. You know where it is.” Adam sprints to the cabinet and pulls out another beaker, this one filled with an orangey liquid. Billy injects Kat again and she seems to stabilize, her chest rising and falling steadily.
“Billy, what was that?” Rocky is curious.
“Dalmane is insomnia medication but this batch is mixed with some alien drugs that include relaxants and some other ingredients,” Billy says, trying to make the explanation plain. “Basically it will insure that Kat will sleep for quite a while and rests up,” he adds.
“Oh, that’s good then.” Kim nods. “But what now?”
Tommy rises and walks over to the congregation next to the sleeping Pink Ranger. “Now we teleport her to her bed.”
“I’ll go with her and tuck her in,” Aisha offers.
“Ok, meet us at the Juice Bar when you’re done.” Adam gives her a quick hug.
She lifts her bag. “Ok Zordon, I’m ready.” The shining yellow and the wobbly pink speed out of the Center.
“Is it too much to hope that our Lunarian pals take a few weeks off?” Rocky quips, tiredly.
“You’re dreamin’ Rocko,” Adam answers, just as worn.
“Juice Bar?” Billy’s adrenaline has drained away, leaving him too exhausted to formulate a sentence. Nods are all around.
“I’ll see you guys later then,” Kim says, standing off to the side.
“What do you mean?” Adam is confused. “Where are you going?”
“To the park. It’s not really my place to go with you,” Kim offers.
“Bullshit!” Tommy explodes, “You’re one of us and you’ll always be one of us.” As if embarrassed by his outburst, he blushes and looks down.
“You’re coming Kim,” Rocky orders.
“No.” She glares.
“Fine.” Rocky advances on her and abruptly swings her over his shoulder, sack-style. “Then you’re being carried.” Kim starts to scream and attempts to beat his chest with her knees and his back with her tightly closed fists. Tommy automatically tenses at the sound of Kim’s distress, but then forcibly relaxes, except for his tightly clutched fists. Billy smiles at the sight of his little sister being so undignified and smiles some more when he notes his fearless leader’s reaction.
“See you later Zordon,” the Rangers prepare to depart. Kim’s screams persist. The guys all activate their teleports. The brilliant blue is first. The bright red is strangely mixed with pink. The flashing white follows closely. The somber black is last.
“BE SAFE MY CHILDREN.”
“Ay-ay-ay.”
~*~
5:29 PM
Hillard Residence
Kat’s sleeping form materializes on her bed. Aisha shakes her head and begins searching, through the jungle in Kat’s drawers, for a nightgown. “Frilly pink, ruffled pink, lacy pink, way too tiny pink,” she mutters, “doesn’t the girl own a single piece of appropriate sleep-ware? Oh good, finally.” She pulls out a sleeveless long t-shirt. It’s pink with flowers. Aisha cringes. She unbuttons Kat’s shirt and pants, and tugs them off. She carefully tips her over to get the bra unhooked. “Hmm how do I do this without waking her?” she wonders out-loud, contemplating the t-shirt.
~*~
5:29 PM
Juice Bar
The Rangers set down in a darkened corner of the Juice Bar, Kim still screaming.
“Knock it off Kimmie,” Rocky throws out, “You wouldn’t want me to get arrested because someone thinks I am molesting you.”
“It would serve you right,” grumbles Kim, nevertheless stopping her frantic shouting. They walk across the mats to their table and Rocky plops Kim down on a red plastic chair.
“Don’t even think of getting up,” he warns, “besides you have to be here when Aisha comes back or else you’ll sleep in the park.” She glares. Giggles resound all around the table and disappear when she sweeps her angry gaze over them.
“Angry Kim.” Adam begins to laugh again. “I am so scared.”
“Adam, you are dead meat.” She kicks him under the table. “No, in fact, you’re deader than dead meat.”
“Umm... Kim? Nothing is deader than dead meat,” Billy informs her.
“Well, there will be now.” Her look warns Billy he might be next. “Oh and Rocky,” she remarks, turning back to her main tormentor, “call me Kimmie again and you’re right there with Adam.” More giggles are heard. Even Tommy cracks a smile. People are beginning to watch them. It’s not every day that you see three rather large guys giggle, especially guys like Billy, Rocky and Adam.
~*~
5:37 PM
Command Center
Alpha is clearing away the tools Billy had used.
“ALPHA, I THINK WE MAY NEED TO CONTACT DULCEA AND INFORM HER OF THE SITUATION,” Zordon comments.
“Ay-ay-ay, I’ll get on that right away Zordon,” Alpha replies.
“IF KIMBERLY IS RIGHT, WE MADE THE BIGGEST MISTAKE WE HAVE EVER MADE IN THE ENTIRE HISTORY OF OUR WAR WITH EVIL.” Zordon is uneasy with this knowledge.
“Ay-ay-ay.” Alpha has no easy solution for him.
~*~
5:37 PM
Hillard Residence
“Got it.” Aisha makes the final adjustments in Kat’s sleep-ware. She pulls the thick pink-checkered comforter over the still girl gently. “Feel better,” she whispers and triggers her transport.
~*~
5:38 PM
Juice Bar
“What do you want to eat Kim?” Tommy asks, not looking at her. He just volunteered to go get everyone food and Rocky’s order is six items long.
“Oh, I’m not hungry,” she responds, immediately receiving a four-person glare. She wilts.
“Dang girl, what do you want to do, waste away?” a very pissed and very familiar voice sounds behind her back. Aisha strolls over and takes a seat at the table.
Faced with five very determined friends, Kim gives up, throwing her hands in the air. “I’ll have a salad and a peach shake.”
“Keep dreamin’,” Aisha scorns, “Boy get her a double cheeseburger with that.” Tommy nods and walks away. “Tommy?” she calls.
“Yes?” He turns to her.
“What about me?”
“What… oh… Ah man!” He smacks his forehead. “So what do you want to eat, Sha?”
“Good boy.” Aisha smiles, delighted with the situation. “I’ll take chili fries, two hotdogs and a mango shake.”
“Aye-aye, ma’am.” He salutes her and walks off.
“How’s Kat?” Rocky asks quietly.
“She’s sleeping,” Aisha recounts.
“Good,” says Billy, “the drugs will help speed up the re-energizing process.”
“Right Billy. Cease with the techno-babble. Anyway, how are you, Kim?” Aisha turns to her friend. Kim’s eyes fill for the millionth time today.
“I’m fine.” She rubs away the tears furiously. A tray is suddenly placed before her. She looks up. “Thanks Tommy.” He nods, encumbered with piles and piles of food. Rocky grabs his tray, eagerly digging into his special triple-decker bacon cheeseburger sub. Adam’s hot ham and cheese leaves Tommy’s aching arms next. Aisha grabs her tray and blows a kiss at their suffering waiter. Billy relieves him of his tuna salad. Tommy sits down to his food with a sigh of relief.
“So, Kat’s ok, right?” He faces Aisha.
“She’s sleeping and genius boy over there says that it’s a good sign.” She shrugs.
They eat in silence.
~*~
5:52 PM
Moon Palace
“Zeddy? I’m bored,” Rita’s shrill voice resonates through the palace.
“What do you want me to do?” Lord Zedd hollers back.
“Well, we haven’t attacked the power twerps lately…” she suggests.
“Fine,” he concedes, “go find me a nice monster.”
~*~
6:27 PM
Hillard Residence
Kat opens her eyes slowly. She lifts her arms up, stretching. “Wow I feel good! I feel good! I feel really, really good!” She does a happy dance on top of her bed. She jumps off onto the floor and happily dismantles her closet looking for something to wear. Finally, clad in a pink elbow-sleeved shirt and pink and white skort she quietly slips out of the door and heads off to the Juice Bar.
~*~
6:31 PM
Juice Bar
“Done,” Rocky exclaims, sounding slightly disappointed. Aisha, sipping her shake, laughs and pushes some fries towards him. Kim smiles and hands him half her burger.
“Anyone up for a sparring session?” Adam asks.
“I could use it.” Surprisingly, it is Kim who speaks.
Tommy’s eyes flash and he seems to make up his mind. “Actually Kim, can we talk?” No one moves, waiting for her reply.
“Ok sure.” She grips her hands together nervously. They get up and walk outside.
“I have to study and Billy has to help me.” Rocky grimaces. “Take Sha.” Adam looks at Aisha, who nods, and they set off for the mats. Rocky and Billy lean over Rocky’s Calculus book.
~*~
6:34 PM
Outside The Juice Bar
“So…”
“So…” Neither Tommy nor Kim know where to begin.
~*~
6:42 PM
Unknown Location
“Ready?”
“Yes.”
“Do it.”
~*~
6:42 PM
Outside The Juice Bar
Kat nears the Juice Bar and sees her boyfriend facing his ex. She stops for a moment, not sure if she should walk into the middle of the conversation, then keeps going.
“Kim, none of this is your fault you know…” Tommy has to say it.
“Well…” Kim smiles sadly, “that’s not what my guilty conscience tells me.”
“So…” Tommy asks the question that has been gnawing at him for months, “what was the letter really about?”
“Hey guys.” Kat finally reaches them.
~*~
6:44 PM
Juice Bar
Adam wipes his sweaty neck with a blue towel. “Man, next time remind me that sparring with female Rangers is a bad idea.”
Aisha laughs. “You should have seen me and Kim spar. We were scary.”
“You two sparred?” Adam stares at her in shock.
“Yep.” Aisha giggles at his expression. “Kim was trained by the best and you know I’m good. We just had to keep in shape. You guys are useless for that.”
“Kim was trained by the best?” Rocky butts in, getting into the conversation.
“Well, Trini has been showing her moves since second grade, Jase took up training her when we became Rangers and Zack started giving her hip-hop aikido lessons,” Billy comments, “and then Tommy took over.”
“I’d pay good money to see you girls spar.” Rocky grins and moves away before Aisha can punch her favorite spot, again.
~*~
6:47 PM
Outside The Juice Bar
“Hey Kat.” Kim rushes to her. “Why are you up? You should be resting.”
“Nah I’m fine. I feel great.” Kat smiles happily.
Suddenly, the familiar yet greatly annoying jingle sounds on Tommy and Kat’s wrists.
“Yes?” It’s Tommy’s week for fun-with-monster-attack-alerts.
“RANGERS YOU ARE NEEDED IN THE PARK,” Zordon informs them.
“Park? Big surprise there,” Tommy mutters, running a hand through his flowing hair. Kat and Tommy look at Kim.
Kim gives them the thumbs up. “Go get the others and kick evil’s ass for me.” However the others are already there, rushing out to meet them.
“Kat, you sure you’re up for this?” Rocky doesn’t like her feverishly glowing eyes.
“I’m fine.” She waves away his concern. “Let’s do it.”
“We Need Ninjetti Power Now!”
“NINJA POWER – PINK CRANE!”
“NINJA POWER – RED APE!”
“NINJA POWER – BLUE WOLF!”
“NINJA POWER – BLACK FROG!”
“NINJA POWER – WHITE FALCON!”
“NINJA POWER – YELLOW BEAR!”
The six streaks of light prove yet again that the forces of good are ready to fight the hard fight.
~*~
6:51 PM
Command Center
“Ay-ay-ay, Zordon, do you think Katherine will be ok participating in this fight?”
“I DON’T KNOW ALPHA, I REALLY DON’T KNOW,” Zordon says wearily, watching the attack.
Kim’s oddly bright pink teleport stream enters the Command Center and she nods at Zordon and Alpha before becoming absorbed in the Viewing Globe.
~*~
6:55 PM
Moon Palace
“Having fun?” Lord Zedd watches his wife clap her hands in joy.
“Oh yes Zeddy, Elector is so much fun.” She glances back at him, radiating sheer glee.
~*~
6:56 PM
Angel Grove Park
The slim figure covered in black turns to another group of terrified people and smooth electric waves shoot out of its fingers. They try to get out of the way but not everyone succeeds. The screaming is overwhelming. The rather human-like monster smiles and prepares to attack again.
“Stop right there,” Adam shouts.
“Oh look, it’s the power punks.” Elector grins. Rocky and Billy quickly get the people to start moving out of the way. Kat launches into a jump-side kick. The monster staggers back. Kat seems to be taken over by fury as she attempts to flip Elector. The battlefield is finally cleared and the others prepare to back her up. The monster scrunches up its already hideously twisted face and growls. Kat finds herself on her ass and bounces back up.
“Fire Ninja Attack Combo?” Adam’s question comes out breathy, as Elector just sucker-punched him in the solar plexus.
“Great idea,” Rocky puffs out, finishing a combination roundhouse kick.
“Now!” shouts Aisha and they immediately launch an old attack they used to do at competitions. The monster falls back in the face of a combined three Ranger attack. It concentrates and the electricity crackles through the air and into the Rangers. Adam, Aisha and Rocky are down, parts of their suits charred. Kat pulls out her bow and fires off the arrows in rapid succession while Tommy attempts to get near enough for a knee strike. This monster is the fastest they have ever seen. Billy remembers something Kim taught him and fakes a forward flip, flips back and twists through the air, his feet connecting hard with Elector’s chest.
~*~
6:26 PM
Command Center
“Yeah, you go boy,” Kim exclaims, punching the air, “you remembered.” Zordon smiles, his confusion with Billy’s actions clearing up.
~*~
7:27 PM
Angel Grove Park
Aisha struggles up. “Hey Falcon, I need a heads-up.” Tommy nods and cups his hands. She jumps to stand in them and pushes off into a twist kick. Elector is down with a groan.
“Yeah, that’s our Bear-cub!” Rocky remembers not to say her name.
~*~
7:30 PM
Moon Palace
“Well this is no fun.” Rita pouts.
Lord Zedd chuckles, seemingly still in a very odd mood. “Let my monster grow.” His monster-enlarging bomb speeds to Earth.
~*~
7:33 PM
Angel Grove Park
To the Rangers’ great dismay Elector puffs up larger and larger.
“We need Zord Power!”
“BEAR ZORD!”
“APE ZORD!”
“FALCON ZORD!”
“FROG ZORD!”
“WOLF ZORD!”
“CRANE ZORD!”
The Rangers cue their communication links and shout their readiness.
~*~
7:36 PM
Command Center
“Come on guys.” Kim clutches her hands. “You can do it.”
~*~
7:37 PM
Angel Grove Park
Kat flies the Crane over Elector shooting off her lasers. Rocky’s Ape takes a swipe at the monster, knocking it over. Adam’s agile Frog takes advantage of that momentary weakness and jumps atop it, the monster screaming in pain. Aisha guides her Bear into a body slam, as Billy directs his Wolf to nip at Elector. The monster reacts, streaming out its electric rays. The Bear Zord is hit hard. The Falcon joins the Crane and the two sets of lasers inflict yet more damage.
“Guys, it’s time,” Tommy calls.
“BEAR ZORD!”
“APE ZORD!”
“FALCON ZORD!”
“FROG ZORD!”
“WOLF ZORD!”
“CRANE ZORD!”
“WE NEED MEGAZORD POWER NOW!”
“MEGAZORD BATTLE MODE ACTIVATE!”
The Zords come together in a massive show of power. The monster is still wobbly but is preparing another electric attack. The MegaZord initiates a punch-block combination, knocking Elector further off balance. Elector lets loose with a hard electric slap. The MegaZord staggers.
“Damn let’s finish this,” Kat shouts out.
“BRING OUT THE POWER SWORD!” The Zord crackles with power as the massive sword appears in its hand. It swings quickly and slices upward, Elector falling. Explosions fill the air as evil fails again.
~*~
8:02 PM
Moon Palace
“This is all your fault.” Rita smacks Goldar, walking away in a huff.
“The Rangers are growing complacent,” Lord Zedd whispers to himself. “Good.”
~*~
8:02 PM
Command Center
The Rangers teleport to the Command Center.
“Yes,” Kim shouts in delight. “You did it.” They de-morph.
Rocky rushes at Kim, catching her in a hug. “You bet we did it.”
“Hey Kim, thanks by the way.” Billy grins at his friend.
“Oh, so that’s where you got that move,” Adam nods thoughtfully, “I thought the style looked familiar.”
“You guys did great, especially Kat,” Kim comments. “Hey where’s Kat?” Kat is in a heap on the floor.
“Oh no, not again.”