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Post by Kim on Jul 15, 2008 13:22:05 GMT -5
I know, I read the warning......Tommy gets to kick his ass right? Please tell me Tommy kicks his ass?
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 15, 2008 13:25:33 GMT -5
*bites finger nails* OF COURSE!!!!!!!
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shawn30
Wild Force Ranger
~* King of TK *~
Cookies!!!!
Posts: 185
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Post by shawn30 on Jul 15, 2008 16:37:29 GMT -5
You two are fearless writers and I applaud you. You could have easily taken the safe way out on the rape scene and done a fade to blakc, or even simply had Jason or Kim confirm it. But to write it out graphically, and to treat the act with the horrific emotion and physical violence made the scene as gripping as it was uncomfortable. We knew it was coming, but simply saying the word rape will never resonate with the reader through Kim's eventual recovery the way knowing exactly how terrible it was. You rolled the dice with this one and gained my respect, even if you may lose some readers. Hopefully you won't lose any because this story only deserves to grow.
After the first two scenes I was able to pick up on the shift back and forth easily, and the pacing worked very well. I think everyones emotions were in a uproar and you handled them all in a realistic way. Even the way you told the backstory of the things the dead Rangers from the other dimension went through was gripping. Keep up the great work. Stay fearless.
S
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 15, 2008 17:33:12 GMT -5
TBH I thought we lost all readers with this chapter. We've gotten one review over at FF.net from one of my regulars but other than that just great feedback over here from you and Kim.
If we lose readers it's there loss but I was hoping this chapter would have more of an impact. Sure it's a very dark chapter, but why do people go see horror movies?
Anyway thanks so much for your response, we'll definitely stay - fearless.
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nm4ever
Wild Force Ranger
Posts: 199
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Post by nm4ever on Jul 15, 2008 17:45:21 GMT -5
*sits in a corner and rocks back and forth as she cries* this is................I just.................ummmmm..............okay..............wow. I'm gonna try to stop crying and rocking back and forth now. This chapter was just.........DARK. I mean, damn. I liked it but I didn't like it. I liked it because this is a great story, but I didn't like it because of what happened to Kim. Overall, I did like it.
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 15, 2008 17:54:57 GMT -5
O....m....g *passes out more tissues* With as much water works as we are getting we really should pour some into the dry deserts.
Yes Zedd is nothing short of a bastard.
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jps1926
Astro Ranger
by Kim
Posts: 134
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Post by jps1926 on Jul 15, 2008 21:52:33 GMT -5
Sorry it took me so long to respond. I read it in the middle of last night, and honestly I didn't know how to respond at first. I don't know if it was because of the topic of this chapter, or the fact that I read it in the middle of the night. I prepared myself for it and you were right, I did need to breathe more. And I needed tissues. When I read it, I focused more on the emotions of what Kim was going through, rather than the act itself. You've DEFINITELY made Zedd the most menacing that I have ever read! I totally agree with Shawn. I have so much respect for the both of you for having the balls... well one of you at least, to write the whole, detailed scene, instead of sugar coating it. You warned everyone, so we had a choice to read it or not. I'd hate for those who read it to abandon you at your best. I could tell that the both of you put so much effort into making us feel what Kim felt. And knowing exactly what Kim went through will help us understand not only how hard her recovery is going to be, but also how powerful she's going to feel when they take Zedd down for good. I defintely see why it's going to be a long road for an official TK reunion. *sniffs* Thanks for the tissues. I don't think you've lost readers. I think people just don't know how to respond. I'm going to leave this review on ff.net as well. Hopefully, more reviewers will come forward. Great job!
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 15, 2008 22:12:03 GMT -5
AWE! *hugs* Now my two favorite reviewers have responded on ff.net, the rest don't matter! They actually do but since you guys did respond I guess I can move on Try watching the trailer and then reading this *chills* I did that twice, just to make sure it would give the right impact, so did KoA. But then again she watches that trailer like 5 times a day ;D Things for Kim really can't get harder from here - or can they? Hmm... but yes the T/K reunion won't be for some time.
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 15, 2008 22:12:28 GMT -5
Forgot to mention - that was the longest review I've ever seen anyone give. Thanks so much Jena ^_^
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Post by Jade_Max on Jul 16, 2008 17:17:43 GMT -5
After the agony of deciding if we should include this or not in such detail - and Chris had to convince me the story needed it in the end - the respect it's getting by the few who've had the - pardon the term - "balls" to respond have more than made it worthwhile.
Thanks for the reviews, guys, I know it's not an easy scene to read and that you did and could leave your comments means a lot to us both.
Writing that scene... I can honestly say Chris and I have never written anything like that before and the impact we were hoping for appears to have happened.
If nothing else, this chapter was to showcase why a quick T/K reunion won't be possible and to put forward only some of the issues between them.
Especially the key one: Until Kim can separate Tommy from Zedd in her mind, there's no future for them.
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 23, 2008 18:00:04 GMT -5
Chapter Seven: Kindling Reprisals
Dulcea stepped back at Tommy’s words. “Well said, Falcon. What remains to be seen is how you will do such a thing. Jason has brought up a valid point. None of you are as young as you once were – nor do you have the powers that once brought you back to par with Zedd and his ilk. How do you propose to satisfy your need for revenge?”
“It’s not revenge, Dulcea,” Tommy shifted Kim in his grip and gathered his feet under him, pushing to his feet. Zack and Billy moved to help, but a hard look from the longest standing former Ranger gave them pause. Tommy was in leader mode and wasn’t about to accept their help for this. “It’s justice. What Zedd is doing is wrong; he’s murdering former Rangers for the dormant powers contained in their systems. He’s corrupting the morphing grid with his evil energies and threatening the very safety of all life on this planet by doing so. The man is a thief, a murderer and a…” Tommy paused, his gaze on Kim’s face, forcing himself to continue. “a rapist. He must be stopped before he can do to us what he’s done to others. If Zedd isn’t stopped, I don’t want to imagine what kind of universe we’d be living in.”
“And you have no wish for revenge?”
“On the contrary, I’d like nothing more than to grab Zedd's head and smash it continuously with the nearest hefty object – but that’s not going to change what happened to Kim or to our alternate selves.”
“Dulcea,” Billy jumped in before she could answer. “Your appearance in the last altercation with Goldar was incredibly fortuitous. It bears pondering why you should show yourself now and not before.”
“Does it, Wolf?” Dulcea smiled secretively. “You have already deduced part of the reason for my appearance – or you would not have said it as you did.”
“I have inferred nothing.” Billy smiled faintly. “I have a hunch. As you are calling us by our spirit animals – animals which once granted us power - am I correct in assuming that these powers have the likelihood of being resurrected?”
“You are correct. With the changing tides of power, I was forced to take action. While no substantial power exists that is currently active, many lay dormant - but we cannot wait for them to be found. With Zordon no more, I had no other choice than to resurrect your former powers.”
Almost fearing to confront their former mentor, Billy crossed his arms – contemplating the question until his words flew true, before he could cease them. “Why did it take you so long to intervene? Kimberly and Jason have been fighting for years without powers – yet you suddenly have the ability to restore them?”
“Your suspicions are valid but you have not the facts; it has taken me many years to obtain them. With the death of Zordon came more than the thought destruction of evil.” She stepped forward and looked at the beautiful tone of the sky, almost drifting back to that fateful day. “Before Zordon's death – when you first embarked on your spirit quests - my power was limited. I had little in my body and it was Zordon who first granted me the ability to unlock the powers within.”
“I have been on my own spirit quest these past 7 years since Zordon's death. With the tragic sacrifice, he gave me the ability to resurrect the legacy of Eltar and Phados - the two powers that rival any other that has ever existed. Together, the Zeo and Ninjetti powers form the strong and unstoppable Zeo Ninjetti Crystals.”
Dulcea’s gaze returned to the former Rangers, and her hand dropped to her belt. Slowly, almost reverently, her fingertips traced over the worn material of one covered section and pulled it back. Inch by inch, color was revealed as the trial of her tribulations was unveiled; the one last source for hope – the fully re-forged and restored Zeo-Ninjetti Crystals.
Jason, Trini and Zack exchanged confused looks while Katherine looked on curiously, her hand tightening on Jason’s arm. He folded his own over hers and squeezed. He had worked with the Zeo Rangers briefly during his stint as the Gold Ranger but had never felt the power of the Zeo crystals themselves the way she had. While he knew of the powerful abilities of each, but had never experienced them; a closer look revealed something he was sure hadn’t been there before. “Weren't there originally five crystals?”
Adjusting his hold on Kat, he freed his hand and instead wrapped one strong arm around her as he moved closer to witness the glowing light of their true color. Only barely did he manage to check the need to reach out and touch it.
“Five were able to be salvaged, but they still didn't hold enough power to progress with Zordon's implications. Enough were they to stand against Mondo and the Machine Empire, yes, but not enough to destroy the true threat against Zordon. You were in need of a power – any power. There was no time to take and develop the true power of the Zeo Crystals.” Turning with the wind, Dulcea stared at the two that she had forced through the realities, meeting the gazes of the former Yellow and Black Rangers squarely. “Your destiny as Power Rangers was cut short, but the opportunity for greatness – and to avenge your friend’s death - is upon you.”
Still affected by the vivid images that they’d borne witness too, Trini lifted her head as her short cut raven hair slanted back and her eyes opened. In their depths was determination and acceptance – but also hesitance. “We were never apart of the Ninjetti or Zeo teams. It's not possible.”
“Trini, Zack – step forward.” She left them with nothing less than a command but still filled with compassion and turned to Billy. “Wolf, please step forward with your friends.”
Still oblivious to how he and his friends would be able to harness the power, Billy joined them, stepping forward to form a triangle in front of Dulcea. “I was never part of the Zeo team so how is this possible? I never endured a Zeo quest.”
Neutral clouds absent of any color - gray - filled the skies above and around the rangers, only leaving a small veil around them to keep their natural cognizable color.
“Falcon; Crane; Wolf; Wolverine; Tiger; Jackal.”
Dulcea recited the names of the sacred and legendary animal spirits of the crystal, a glow surfacing in their native colors. Beams of light dropped from the sky to individually shine on the rangers, casting them aglow in their radiance; except for Tommy and Kimberly.
The Pink and White lights twisted downwards, merging together in a shining dance. It was warm, bathing each in a sense of surety and acceptance as they opened themselves to the powers. The warmth of the light - the power - was causing Kimberly to stir, revitalizing and giving her the strength she’d lost.
Seeing the Crane beginning to wake compelled Dulcea to act, fearing the impact of Kimberly’s woken state. Of all the Rangers, the Crane had the most trying time ahead of her.
From Kimberly to the triangle of former rangers in front of her, Dulcea separated three of the crystals – blue, yellow, and black; to Billy, Trini, and Zack respectively. The lights faded from around them back into the crystal as they were accepted and clasped tightly.
Grasping the black crystal in his hands, Zack looked up at Dulcea and questioned being given a piece of the crystal – a piece to restore what was lost. A part of him was glad he was able to be restored with the powers, but was it rightfully his? “Shouldn't this belong to Adam?”
Even in the alternate timeline, Adam had been chosen as the Ninjetti Black Ranger - the Frog - as well as the Zeo Green Ranger.
“The Bear, Ape, and Frog have been used to unlock the powers and survive only in the darkness now. They are no more.”
A gasp from Trini dropped into the sudden silence as Dulcea gave them a moment to understand the importance of her words. When she continued, it was with regretful emphasis.
“Only one with the true powers of Zordon are able to wield these crystals. Even if Adam, Aisha, and Rocky experienced one or the other of these powers, they would never have been able to survive with both. They are not Zordon's chosen six. The power may be in all of you, but only will it surface when you finish your quests; until successful, these powers will continue to lie dormant. A word of caution; these quests which will be unlike any you have faced.”
Not wanting to question the Ninjetti Queen again, Trini held the crystal close to her chest and took a deep breath, feeling some of the power flow through her. She knew it would not be complete until they went on the quests but the wounds and power loss that had been inflicted a lifetime ago, but holding it seemed to bring warmth to her heart she had long forgotten. Warmth four of her friends would never feel again. Even if she was in a new reality where they existed, a part of her would never forget where she’d come from and what it had cost. “Billy...Tommy...Kim...Jason...”
Watchful and silent for the revelations of the new power, Tommy knelt back to the ground still holding Kimberly tight in his arms. New Powers – sort of. He well remembered the speed and grace associated with the Ninjetti and the power of the Zeo. While both powers were very different, combined they’d be lethal. Power, stealth, agility and stamina rolled into a combined package of explosive energy – if they could harness the powers, they promised to be potentially unstoppable.
If.
Looking down at Kim, Tommy had his doubts about her wanting to be a Ranger again. It had gotten her into this mess, brought about the very traumas that she’d endured and forced her to face things when she wanted nothing more than to curl into a dark corner and disappear.
She moaned softly, a pained sound, and he could stay silent no longer. “Hey – it's okay, Beautiful.” He whispered down at the fallen crane as she began to wake from her painful slumber. He wasn't even thinking of her reaction, he wasn't even processing the past ten years. In his mind it was like when they were teenagers. He would be the only one to protect her – to save her.
But he was wrong.
Beautiful.
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The nickname echoed about in her head, careening from one side to the other and unlocking doors to memories she had wanted to forget. Hearing that name, so close as she did, made her soul want to weep. He used that against her so many times. He tormented her into believing that Tommy – the man she loved, was alive, by using that name. He perpetuated a lie, reaching into her soul to the very core of all things good and pure and tainted them with darkness. Never again would that nickname be the innocent pet name it had once been. Never again would she be able to hear it without thinking of the pain it had caused her.
Sensations intruded; the arms around her, the scent that enveloped her senses, the musculature of the thighs on which her backside rested – so familiar and yet so foreign.
With effort, Kimberly climbed from the pit that was the darkness of her memories and finally opened her eyes to a sight she’d never wanted to see again. Concerned brown eyes stared back at her, a brow furrowed with worry, the gentle pressure of finger tips against her temple and cheek relaying the care behind that look.
A scream filled with terror, fear and anguish ricocheted through the rocks above and beyond as Kimberly tore her way out of Tommy's arms and away from him, crawling backwards against the eroded ground as she sought to get away. Panic was evident in her features, dread filling her gaze as she sought to put as much distance between them as humanly possible.
The man that held her, the man that touched her, only intensified the feelings she was trying to forget – the way Zedd's touch had been; the way that Zedd had toyed with her and her feelings. Her Tommy was dead – she’d seen him, held him, spoken to him as he’d disintegrated into dust – there was no doubt about that. Her voice was shrill as she found it, continuing to scramble away.
“Stay away from me!”
Tommy stated at her, too stunned by her reaction to his hold to do more than let her scramble away.
Unlocking Katherine’s hold around his waist, but unconsciously not wishing to, Jason moved forward, breaking into a quick sprint to Kimberly’s side. Taking a knee, he was slapped for his efforts once until he was able to grab her swinging hands. She stiffened immediately and screamed – Jason simply pulled her into his arms and rocked with her back and forth. “It's me, Kim! It’s me.”
Wanting to pull him back into her embrace, Kat reluctantly let him go – only to watch Jason run to Kimberly's side. Wrapping her arms around herself, a small hint of jealousy formed in her heart as a lump formed in her throat. Whispering quietly to herself she slowly ran her thumb over the band that covered a small portion of a finger on her left hand. “Jason...?”
Kimberly remained rigid in Jason’s grasp for a fraction of a second, the panic sill evident in her posture, until his words and touch seemed to penetrate the fog of her desperation. Collapsing, the fight leaving her body, she wrapped her arms tightly about him, clinging for dear life.
“Jason! It's him, he's Zedd! He’s come back!” Her frantic cry depicted the Tommy that stood helplessly in front of them as the attacker – the monster – who’d stolen everything from her.
Used to Kimberly’s outbursts – but not the power of this one – Jason rubbed her back, tightening his hold on her and failed to note the confused and slightly jealous look he was receiving from the Australian blonde. Murmuring softly to her, he didn’t really pay attention to what he was saying, except to insure her that Zedd wasn’t there, that Tommy was and that no one, but no one was going to hurt her again.
It took several minutes for Kimberly’s accusations to ebb and finally die. When the wind was once again the only sound moving across the plateau, it took several moments of silence before Kimberly seemed to become aware of their surroundings. Her gaze – locked on Tommy through the whole of her tirade – finally shifted from him to Kat, who was watching her and Jason with an unreadable pained expression. Beyond Kat stood Billy with Dulcea and next to her… next to her were… were…
Tears which had threatened - but never fallen - finally traced their way down her cheeks and the images of her friends blurred, erased by the moisture and finally her eyelids as they dropped to eliminate the scene all together. In denial, she shook her head rapidly, turning her face away. “No! I must be dreaming! Dulcea's on Phados! Zack and Trini...Zack and Trini...are dead.”
“Kim…”
“Wake me up, Jason!” Her plea was broken. “I can’t do this again; I can’t-”
“My agile Crane, you are stronger than you believe; you are one of four to survive.”
Dulcea’s voice seemed to snap Kimberly into a state of stunned incredulity. Where before she had believed she was dreaming, suddenly it all seemed horribly real. Turning slowly to meet the gaze of her former mentor, Kimberly noticed the three crystals that remained tucked to her belt - and the three in Billy, Trini, and Zack's hands.
“Survive?” She choked on the word, her fingers twining painfully in Jason’s shirt. “You call this survival?”
“Adversity suits you.” Dulcea made no move to close the distance between them and instead smiled faintly. “Your spirit was cowed but not broken, damaged but not beyond repair. Your loss is tragic, yet you are capable of moving beyond it.”
And with those words Kimberly knew they knew the truth. Pushing Jason away from her, she stood up almost falling backwards, skidding across the rocks until she found her balance. Backing away, she placed one foot behind the other, heading for the edge of the plateau as she held her hand up to ward him off should he come after her. The look of betrayal that filled her tear struck eyes as she glared at Jason drew him immediately to his feet in supplication.
“You told them?” The choked demand was as much a question as it was an accusation. Everything – every emotion she was feeling – was clear in her high pitched tone.
Empathy and pain echoed in the faces around her as one by one they dropped their gazes from her, Tommy holding on the longest – and it was Kimberly who finally looked away, unable to deal with the raw emotions in his gaze. But it confirmed her worst fears.
Tommy.
After everything she’d done to him, after every callous action she’d taken, was the last person she would ever have expected to show compassion. That he had moved beyond it and seemed to only want to help her despite their past differences was mind boggling. But she couldn’t deny the evidence; she’d woken, after all, in his embrace. Even now, having had to look away, the look in his brown orbs had seared straight through her barriers and threatened what little control the anger had brought her.
Pity she could have dealt with – she’d received it before and ignored it – but compassion and understanding coupled with the rawness of everything Psycho Pink had unlocked were too intense for her to cope with at the moment. She might never be ready to deal with them and didn’t know if she wanted to.
Keeping Tommy at arm’s length was imperative to her state of mind.
It was the reason she took on the lesser of the two challenges in front of her. “How could you, Jason? They can't even look at me!”
“I didn't tell anyone, Kim!” Jason pleaded with his best friend and little sister, trying to get her to reason with him. “I swear.”
“Your dreams were brought here in forms of visions to everyone. They had to know the truth. In order to move on from this, they needed to know the true darkness that is Lord Zedd.” Dulcea’s words were meant to explain and add clarity – but only drew Kimberly’s ire.
“You had... no right.” The former Pink ranger rounded on the Ninjetti Queen, the feeling of having been violated once again settling about her like a mantle. Her hands clenched as she wrapped her arms about her waist, forcing a deep breath. “No right, Dulcea! How dare you sh... show them...” she couldn’t finish the sentence and instead turned her back on everyone. Her trembling was so violent it was visible to them all.
“Understanding is crucial, my Crane,” Dulcea’s tone was filled with regret. “Without it, the chances of defeating Lord Zedd decrease exponentially. Your wounds must be mended before you can fly again.”
A choked laugh was her answer as Kimberly hunched her shoulders forward, as if to protect herself from Dulcea – and the rest of the Rangers. Fly again? That was a joke. Kimberly had no desire to fly again – in any form. “Send me back.” Her words trembled in time with her lips, showcasing her attempt to hold back tears.
“That's not possible, Crane. You are destined to become the Pink Ranger again.”
Even as she spoke, Dulcea activated the crystals of the three who were already prepared for their journey. Three teleportation beams surrounding them, transporting them to the start of their quests. They had witnessed enough – the rest was meant for the final four.
As the other three disappeared – unbeknownst to Kimberly – she was already answering, the vehemence and bitterness in her edged tone catching them all off guard. “I am not the Crane and I will never be anyone's Pink Ranger ever again. Kat can replace me – she has before.”
“Excuse me?” The Australian blonde's head shot up in confusion as she was drawn from contemplation and looked around nervously.
Tense, derisive laughter unlike anything any of them had ever heard from Kimberly erupted from her throat. “Oh come on. You were my choice of successor and delighted in stepping into my shoes in every way possible.”
“What are you talking about Kimberly?”
“Oh that’s rich. Are you trying to tell me you were never under Rita’s spell when you first met us? That you didn’t covet him even then?”
“I wasn’t… that’s not how I-“
“How you what, Kat? Plotted to steal Tommy as well as my powers? Were you just waiting for the chance to edge in?”
“I never wanted Tommy!” Jason and Tommy turned around to look at Kat incredulously as she cut off whatever tirade Kimberly had been about to embark on. “I was never the Pink Ranger, you were. I’ve never been a Ranger.”
Tommy’s expression was unreadable to her and she didn’t dare read Jason’s as he stepped forward in confusion. “What are you talking about, Kat? You took over for Kim when she left for Florida.”
Shaking her head again, Kat seemed to have no idea what they were talking about. “No I didn’t. Kimberly never left for Florida – she turned Coach Schmidt down.”
Jason moved back to Katherine’s side, searching her face expectantly. Placing his hands on her shoulders, he forced her to look at him. “Kat, Kimberly did leave - and she gave you the Pink Power coin. Don't you remember?”
Staring at him blankly, Katherine shook her head, anger and confusion lending her the strength to snap back. “No, Jason; you’re wrong. I've known you since I moved to Angel Grove our freshman year of High School and I’ve never been a Ranger – but I knew that you were.” To everyone’s shock she lifted her hand, displaying a plain metal band with a single small ruby on the ring finger of her left hand. “We were set to be married in the future before Lord Zedd kidnapped you!” Tears formed in her eyes when she saw the same look of confusion that she knew she was wearing. “Don't you remember?”
Stunned, Jason, Kimberly and Tommy could do little but stare at her. Freshman Year? Jason engaged to Kat? Was she feeling alright?
Katherine, for her part, stared back at them, blue eyes brimming with tears as she covered her hand to stifle a sudden sob. “I’ve been looking for you for ten years, Jason, how could you have forgotten us?”
Dulcea stepped forward, intervening before things got too far out of hand. “Katherine, he is not the Jason you remember; the Jason you knew is dead.”
“He's not dead, he's right here!”
“You are correct and yet you are not.” Dulcea’s tone was compassionate. “Your will to find Jason has allowed you to accomplish your goals, Katherine – but not in the fashion you intended.”
“No.” Katherine shook her head vehemently, reaching for Jason. “Jason is right here; how can you say otherwise?”
“The line between these two realities has faded, my dear one, and with the fading and alteration, you were forced from the timeline you know so intimately. Your search has been long, but your desire to reach your beloved has compelled you across time and space into another reality where he exists still. The man you knew died in Lord Zedd’s Dark Dimension in the attempt to avenge his best friend from childhood.”
“No!” Kat’s shriek was desperate as she lunged for Jason, burrowing into his embrace as he automatically caught her, still stunned by Dulcea’s revelations. Alternate timelines aside, the fact he and Kat were together in it blew his mind. Even as Jason struggled with the reality of it, Katherine’s sobbing echoed through the surrounding area.
His attention was drawn and caught as Kat’s hands fisted in his shirt and she thrashed against his chest in denial, looking up at him with sparkling eyes glazed with heartache. “You promised you wouldn't leave me! You promised you wouldn't die.”
Jason flinched with her accusation. “I-“
“You promised!” Kat clutched him like a lifeline, her gaze dropping to his neck in desperation – only to let out a small mewling sound of agony as she noted the absence of the chain she’d given him from around it. If the chain was missing, so was the ring it carried. Weeping as she buried her face in his shoulder and gave vent to sobs that tore loose from the bottom of her heart. “You… you promised…”
“Promises are made to be broken.”
Jason’s head snapped up with Kimberly’s harsh assessment and he narrowed his gaze at her before realizing what he was doing. Kimberly’s didn’t flinch from his disapproving look. “You know better than that, Kim.”
“Do I?” The ache was back in her chest as she watched Jason comfort Kat. “Every promise anyone’s ever made me has been broken. Even you.”
“Kim-“
“It’s not you she’s mad at, bro.”
Kimberly and Jason turned to look at Tommy who’d been a near silent observer until now. He’d been reeling with the knowledge of what had been revealed about Kim, of Kat’s revelations and of Kimberly’s bitterness through it all. She had a hard, jaded edge that had been missing in high school – and one that made all too much sense based on her experiences since those carefree days.
Hell, Tommy himself wasn’t the same boy she’d known then, but she seemed to have split, a part of her stuck in the past - at the moment when her innocence was lost. The rest of her was a woman of formidable spirit and courage who was slowly being smothered by that younger self as it drowned in memories. Somehow they had to merge the two and help the frightened girl accept the woman she’d become.
It wasn’t going to be easy.
“Bro?” Jason’s questioning tone was hesitant, drawing Tommy from his thoughts. Kimberly had looked away from them, staring out across the plains below the mesa as if she could ignore their presence simply by not looking at them. Tommy never lifted his gaze from her profile, the achingly beautiful lines of her features only having refined with age and experience.
Despite it, her beauty wasn’t what held him captive – it was the glitter of a single, solitary tear in the corner of her eye that she refused to let fall. Finally, not looking at Jason, Tommy spoke. “It’s not you she’s mad at; it’s me.”
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Dedicated to: Kim & all the JK lovers. Here's some bits and pieces for you. Also dedicated to KoA, and himself - for the Kim/Kat confrontations *dies for them*
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Post by Kim on Jul 23, 2008 18:14:42 GMT -5
I seriously thought we were gonna get a cat fight for a second there....holy cow. I enjoyed this chapter, and I feel horrible for Kimberly, cause you can tell she doesn't want to do this, she's so scared to hope to soar with her falcon again, but if anyone can get her to do it, it's Tommy.
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Post by chrisangelo on Jul 24, 2008 13:47:41 GMT -5
*loves Kim/Kat confrontations* I'm glad you enjoyed the latest chapter, Kim. it's a lonnnnnnnnnng road from here.
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shawn30
Wild Force Ranger
~* King of TK *~
Cookies!!!!
Posts: 185
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Post by shawn30 on Jul 24, 2008 16:30:20 GMT -5
The emotional roller coaster ride continues. Great characterization her, complete with Kim having a very realistic response upon waking up. The Zeo crystals explantion was handled well and the Kat revelations at the end were powerful. I can't wait for more.
S
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Post by chrisangelo on Aug 14, 2008 1:47:07 GMT -5
*note to readers*
This story has not been left in the dust, I've just been getting really busy with college and work, and haven't had time to finish my edits for the next chapter so we can release another one.
*hope no one ran away* ;.;'
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Post by .liz on Aug 14, 2008 14:46:52 GMT -5
Thanks for the heads up, Chris. I'll be waiting patiently, or rather impatiently, lol. As an art student myself I know how tough it can be sometimes. Good luck with your study and work =)
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Post by chrisangelo on Sept 29, 2008 23:49:29 GMT -5
Chapter Eight: Falcon v.s. Crane
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“You’re just the center of everyone’s world, aren’t you Tommy?” Kimberly’s scathing comment bit through the sudden silence with deadly accuracy. “A little full of yourself, don’t you think?”
“Tell me I’m wrong.” Tommy moved into Kimberly’s line of vision, cutting off her view of Jason and Kat.
“You’re wrong.”
“Am I?” He stepped towards her and Kimberly retreated backwards, away from the edge in a semi-circular motion. “We saw what you went through Kim; all of us did.”
The anger was back in her gaze as she stopped, only to retreat with his next step forward. “Dulcea had no right to show you what happened to me – none!”
“I beg to differ.” Knowing he shouldn't, Tommy couldn't seem to help himself as he stalked her, circling like the bird of prey that was his totem. “You beg to differ?” Another tense and derisive laughter escaped Kimberly's lips as she stopped, turning to face him head on and extended her arm in accusation. “those were personal moments, events that should never happen to anyone, and you had no right to watch, like some sick voyeur getting off on it!” “We had every right. I had every right.” “You had no right!” She screamed the words at him, the vicious and choleric gaze she was sending him could pierce right through skin and rip out his heart. “You weren’t there! You weren’t used and abused, shredded from within by some sick psycho!” “But I was, Kim.” Tommy’s tone – even and level but achingly pained – had her staring at him in dumb amazement. Nothing else he could have said would have affected her as quickly, or as radically, as that statement. Tommy pushed on. “He used me as surely as he used you, Kim. He pretended to be me; for all intense and purposes he violated your memory of me just as he did your body.” Crossing her arms over her chest defensively, she quickly regained her wits and regarded him coolly. “What could you possibly know about it? You saw some vision but were you there? You crumbled just like the others, turning into sand and giving into Zedd - ultimately helping him. You're no better than he is! You're weak!” The comparison to Zedd he’d braced himself for – after all, she’d woken in his arms screaming about how he was Zedd – but hearing it from her lips was something else. The accusation cut deeply and drew blood – heart’s blood – because he could tell she wasn’t just saying the words; she meant them. Despite the bite of her words, he forged ahead. This was the reaction he was going for; this was the Kimberly he was trying to reach, not that scared, simpering broken creature she’d become. No matter how much it hurt, he was willing to bear the pain if it meant getting her to show her true self if only for a moment. “It's my fault, Kim. I should have protected you. I should have been there.” “You were there!” Trying as it may have been, Kim persisted to hold that one tear that formed in her eye the moment her confrontation with Tommy had begun and refused to let it fall. Stepping away, a burning behind her eyes heralded more tears and she quickly cleared her throat, glaring at him. “You were there the moment I gave up my power coin, pushing me away to Florida – with no remorse whatsoever. You had every chance to save me, but each and every time you cast me away without a second thought!”
“I was letting you follow your dreams; I refused to hold you back.” Treading forward, only the gaze between them empowering his feet, Tommy desired to reach out for her yet he knew he couldn't. Not yet.
Ten years of silence – ten years of withholding all of this pain and anger. Tommy always wondered how their reunion would be, but this was unlike anything he’d ever imagined – even in his nightmares.
“You were my dream! You, Tommy,” her voice cracked, and for a moment he thought she wouldn’t continue, but she forged ahead determinedly. “The Pan Globals were the dreams of a girl, a little girl who wanted to compete for the gold. I may have said I really wanted to go, but more than that I wanted you to ask me to stay!” Staring at her dumbfounded, he realized, ten years too late, just how foolish he’d been. He’d known what he was giving up at the time – or he’d thought he’d known – and he’d thought he’d been doing the right thing. Yet, here she was claiming it was never what she wanted to begin with; that all she’d wanted were three little words. Stay with me. “But you didn’t.” Her voice was expressionless and dead. “You saw me off with a hug, a kiss and a smile... and my love for you, died when you...when you...” She couldn't even bring herself to recite the words, the memory of the alternate Tommy dying in her arms, all too fresh in her mind. Their gazes had never parted, remaining locked as she confessed that dead dream – and was unable to hide the truth in her gaze. Or the shimmering tears. “You never could lie to me, Kim.” Knowing that their love could never die, Tommy refused to let her lies pass. “And ten years hasn’t changed that.”
“It's the truth Tommy.” Backing away another step, Kim moved across the rocks and glided further away, their gaze never faltering. “I don't love you.”
“I couldn't save you from that bastard,” the words almost stuck in his throat. He’d saved her from Zedd before, but not this time. “But I could have saved you from becoming this pathetic creature.” “You always knew how to make a girl feel good,” scathing in her remarks, she slid another step backwards, seemingly unaware that Tommy wasn’t speaking of her physical appearance but the spiritual and mental damage Zedd had wrought. “Are you forgetting that you were… There’s not a lot those kind of men can do.” “I should have been there for you!” “But you weren't. Instead you were too busy bettering my replacement and trying to worm your way into her pants!” Feeling the need to strike Katherine for all it was worth she glared past him at the embracing couple across the clearing. “Don't try to understand it, Tommy, you'll never be able to.”
“The way he used me against you... calling you Beautiful... holding you... supporting you... kissing you.” The ache in his tone was almost physical.
“Stop it!” Directing her anger and pain in the form of a scream, Kimberly dodged in a quick sprint, running further away from him – nearing Dulcea.
“Kim, he used my love for you; he made you believe I was still alive.”
“I said stop it, Tommy! You are no different than Zedd! Do you hear me? You are just the same as him!”
“I've never forced you into anything.”
Another unexpected laugh furthered out of Kimberly's mouth as she tilted her head back. “You shoved me onto the plane, leaving for Florida! If you would have stopped me, none of this would have ever happened – it's your fault! Trini and Zack are dead because of you!”
Tommy couldn't summon a reply, the words still ringing in his mind. Her remark had literally forced the air from his lungs in its vindictiveness. Her words had been chosen to hurt and they’d more than succeeded. No words came, no thoughts formed – and in that moment Kim won her first battle against him. Bitter triumph shone in her gaze, the knowledge that she’d succeeded in regaining a point of control Zedd had stolen in his attack, prompted her to open her mouth to continue.
But Dulcea, as if sensing the breakdown soon to come, stepped forward and the sky above them turned from day into night almost instantaneously. “My return will be when the sun rises at the break of tomorrow – rest up Rangers, you'll need it.” No sooner than her words faded, she transmogrified into an owl and flew off in the distance.
Using Dulcea's exit as the perfect opportunity, Jason gently caressed Kat's cheek before moving out of their entangled embrace and walked over to stand by Tommy. Tommy and Kim had made almost a full circle of the Plateau and the distance between where they started and where they’d ended up was almost nil. Symbolic of their conversation and their current relationship; going nowhere. “I think you guys have had enough of a reunion to last a life time.” Kim continued to glare – but triumphantly – at Tommy and finally spun, walking back towards the precipice that overlooked the jungle. With a graceful collapse, she settled on the edge, her feet hanging over into nothingness to look out across the midnight sky. Jason watched her go, conflicted about the fact that she sought solitude for the first time since the attack and not turned to him. It left him proud of her, but it stung too. It didn’t help his heart ached from watching the confrontation between them. Not only did these two need a break, but so did he and Kat – while they hadn’t done much beyond hold one another and listen, his mind was running a mile a minute over the information she’d given. Focusing on his friends gave him the chance to worry about someone other than he and Kat and the confusion picture she’d painted. Pulling Tommy to the side, away from both Kat and Kim, he pointed a finger right against Tommy’s chest and lightly shoved him back. “Have you lost it, Oliver?”
Rubbing the spot where Jason shoved him – not out of hurt, but more out of shock - Tommy glared at Jason and kept glancing back at Kim. “Lost what?”
“Your mind! What were you thinking confronting her like that?”
“I had to push her, the person she's becoming is...pathetic.” Using that word made Tommy's heart crush even more, he hated admitting it – but it was true. Given the circumstances, the person Kimberly had been would have died if she’d seen who she’d become. “She's like a Zombie, man.”
“That's a bit harsh, bro.”
“It may be, but come on Jase, look at her. I had to get the true Kim to shine. She had to attack me like she was attacked Zedd – even verbally.” “That last one was a zinger.” Tommy winced. “I know, but it shows she’s not above defending herself or going on a counter attack.”
“I thought about doing that, but I could never bring myself to. You may have seen her dream, but her screams still echo in my ears. Knowing that I couldn't save her...”
Placing a comforting and understanding hand on Jason's shoulder, Tommy drew past what had been the center of his mind for the past few hours. Instead he examined his best friend and directed his focus to the confused look on Jason's face as he gazed at Katherine. “You’ve got your own problems, huh?”
“Huh?” Jason obviously entangled with his own thoughts, failed to comprehend his best friend’s statement. “I'm sorry, bro, I'm just distracted.”
“Aren't we all?”
“I know I should be focusing on Kim, she's like my little sister – but, I can't help but keep thinking about Kat...”
“I understand, Jase. That's crazy that Kat... well that Kat.” Pointing his finger at the woman standing in the distance, Tommy tried to find the right words. “She was with you, she never participated in Kim’s downfall... and Kim stayed... man I wish I could have been in that reality.”
“Are you stupid, or crazy? If you were in that reality – you would have seen Kim die and raped right in front of you!” Taking a defensive step back, Tommy held his hands up as if he were defeated. “That came out wrong. Sorry Jase, I was just thinking aloud. I don't think I could have witnessed that; it was bad enough seeing what happened to my Kim.” Completely oblivious to claiming Kim as his own, he turned around to watch her as she was shredding some kind of native grass in her hands. “I know how it ended, but I don’t know anything in between. Did our alternate selves progress as we did in this timeline? How did things change after Kim went on the Zeo quest and no Kat, ya know? She would have been the longest standing Ranger...” “The good can’t outweigh the bad.” “Can’t it?” Tommy turned his gaze back to his friend. “Then what are we fighting for? We’ve been in tough spots before but we’ve never given up.” “Nothing like this, bro.” “I know; but that doesn’t mean you give up.” Inhaling deeply to cleanse himself of the frustration and lingering pain of Kimberly’s attacks, he changed the subject. “I can't believe you're engaged.”
“If you can call it that; I'm more worried about living up to what she thinks of my alternate self.” “Living up to a ghost?” “Yeah.”
“So... you do like her?” Tommy pried and was rewarded with the sight of an unusual blush spreading across Jason's tan cheeks.
“No...” Clearing his throat and staring daggers at Tommy, Jason crossed his arms and shifted so he could look at Kat. “Well...I guess I always had an attraction to her, it's just I wouldn't do anything about it. A man doesn't mess with his best friend's girl – ever. But it's not the same Kat we all know.” “No it’s not.” Tommy followed Jason’s gaze and shook his head. “If I’d been paying attention to anything but Kim I’d have noticed it sooner.” “You knew her that well, huh?” “We did date for over a year and having her on the Power team well... you remember how it is. Battle has a way of showing a person’s true colors.” “Considering the source...” Tommy snorted at the jibe. “Funny. So what's with this alternate reality?” “I don’t know just yet,” Jason’s admission was accompanied with a grimace. “Like I said, I’m more worried about living up to this image she has of the alternate me than about what happened in it, but I am curious.” “Were you still a Ranger?” “It doesn’t sound like it.” Regret colored the former Ranger’s tone. “Sounds like I followed a similar path when I was given the opportunity to attend the Peace Conference.” “So if you guys met at the same time Kim and I did, that means you were together for about a year and a half then.” Bending down, Tommy began arranging some of the stones into a ring. “It must have been some courtship for you to propose.” “No kidding.” Seeing what his best friend was doing, Jason bent to assist, collecting some twigs and other nearby dead wood for kindling. Dulcea had left them on a plateau littered with easily accessible fire wood – and what looked to be flint and steel; if they could figure out how to use them. “I’ll admit to being curious, but mostly I’m just confused.” That didn’t sound like the Jason Tommy remembered. “Other than the obvious – alternate realities and everything - what do you mean?” “I gave up on Kat a long time ago, bro.” It was the closest Tommy had ever heard him come to admitting a blatant interest in Kat. “She was cool to hang out with, a great friend - and totally sprung on you.” “Jealous?” “A little, yeah,” Jason set the pieces of kindling inside the ring Tommy was building. “And all of a sudden I’m faced with what could have been, ya know? I accepted a long time ago that Kat was never interested and now, all of a sudden, she’s throwing herself into my arms every chance she gets.” Saying nothing, Tommy set the last of the stones and picked up the flint and steel. It had been a long time since he’d played with anything so primitive, but he was willing to give it a go. It was just like being on a back country dig – you made do with what you had. Jason continued, seeming oblivious to Tommy’s silence as he moved a couple of larger pieces into the ring. “I was totally cool with you guys as a couple, don’t get me wrong, but hearing her say she didn’t have an interest in you did something to me. I used to dream she’d say something like that and then throw herself into my arms but I knew it was harmless fantasy.” “You fantasized about my girlfriend?” For some reason, Tommy found it more amusing than insulting. Katherine had never really been his in the same way Kimberly had been. “Why’d you encourage me to ask her out?” “She wasn’t interested in me.” Jason pulled his hands back as Tommy placed the flint and steel into position. “If I’d asked her, she would have flat out told me no.” “Which is what has you all confused.” “You can say that again.” Jason’s attention was once again diverted to where the tall blonde had stood – and was now making her way towards Kimberly. “I guess I just don’t understand it. How can the same woman, despite the reality she’s in, go for completely different guys right from the get go?” Tommy didn’t have an answer.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Bereft of Jason’s presence, Kat watched as he stepped between Tommy and Kimberly, her heart breaking for the couple she’d known so well through high school. Despite her loss, the break in their relationship was almost physically painful to watch. Jason, thankfully, seemed to know – like he always did – when to step between them. Kimberly and Tommy hadn’t argued often, but when they had, Jason had always been the negotiator. Numbness had settled over her heart through Kimberly and Tommy’s argument, hammering home the reality of her situation; she wasn’t in her reality anymore. The people she’d known and cared about were dead and gone and the man she’d been intending to marry had broken his promise to her. Deliberately or not didn’t matter to her battered heart. Ten years of seemingly futile searching had led her here and she wasn’t about to miss this opportunity. Of course, as much as she wanted to go to Jason as he led Tommy away, she knew she couldn’t. Tommy and Jason were as close in this reality as her own – brothers in all but blood – and she wasn’t going to intrude on their discussion; she knew better. As if pulled by some unseen force, her gaze drifted to her own best friend – or rather, the girl who’d carried that title in her own reality. Kimberly Hart. Her name was fitting, even prophetic. She was the heart of the Power Rangers, Tommy’s strength when he faltered and the very core of everything decent and good. She was the beacon of hope, the effervescent light of optimism and the first person to take a stand when she saw injustice. At least she had been. The three of them - Trini, Kimberly and Kat - had needed to use all of their feminine wiles to keep the boys in line and, as a consequence, had formed deep, lasting friendships; Kat being a Ranger or not hadn’t mattered. The Trini here was the Trini she remembered – with all the memories and experiences they’d shared. But this Kimberly... She didn’t know where to start. The pain the former gymnast was in was agonizing to watch. Katherine’s instincts were screaming at her to go and help, to ease her best friend’s pain – but her heard was urging caution. Kimberly had already attacked her once and it was likely she’d do it again. Yet, even with what her alternate self had done – trying to destroy Kim when she was evil - Kat couldn’t help fight the need to help her, even if it was simply lending an ear. Before she could consciously think about the action, Kat had trudged across the rugged ground, and over to Kim. She stood, staring out over top of the seated gymnast, observing the view even as the crackle of a fire drifted to her from behind. The men had been successful in their endeavor. “Kimberly?” Her Australian accent was hard to hide and had thickened from her nervousness about this approach.
“What do you want?” Not even giving Kat the satisfaction of looking back at her, Kim stayed in the same position, overlooking the darkened mesa, her whole body tense as if she were about to fly off the edge of the precipice any moment.
“I'm sorry Dulcea showed us those images.”
“I don't or want or need your pity.” There was an underlying tone of steel in her voice that had been missing earlier – except during her discussion with Tommy. “If that's why you came here, why don’t you do what you do best?” “What I do best?” “You like taking what's mine - now’s your chance.” She nodded her head sharply back towards Tommy and Jason without sparing Kat a look. “I won’t even fight you on it; you’re welcome to him.” “Him?” Katherine frowned.
“Didn’t I make it clear I don’t want him anymore? Tommy’s all yours, Kat.” “I can't speak for my alternate self, but I have never had any feelings for Tommy.”
“Yeah, keep telling yourself that.”
“I don’t!” Katherine dropped to her knees beside Kimberly, her tone imploring. “I'm sorry for what she did, but I don't like him! I never have as anything more than a friend.” Tears welled up in her eyes and a sharp pain squeezed her heart as Kat tried to stay focused on why she’d come over. “What you went through was awful, horrible and nightmarish, but at least you have Jason! I lost everything, Kimberly, everything. I lost my fiancée when Jason d-died - and I lost you.”
“Awe poor Katherine, she lost her love and the girl she tried to destroy. Try losing your best friends and the last bit of innocence you'll ever carry.” Kimberly finally rounded on the blonde, her eyes spitting spiteful fire. “Try living with the memories every day and the knowledge that you’ve been tainted until the day you die. Try crying yourself to sleep, when you can sleep, because you know the only reason is due to exhausting and he’s always there waiting in your dreams. Try waking up screaming, knowing that the nightmare isn’t just a nightmare but your reality replying itself in your sub-consciousness.” “Kim, I-” “Forgive me if I don’t think losing one person is equivalent to what I endure every day, Katherine, but you can’t possibly know what it is to live with the knowledge that the very evil you once sought to destroy was able to destroy you instead.” “If it had destroyed you, you’d be dead.” “And I am in your reality. Imagine that!” Katherine flinched at her sarcasm. “But he didn’t destroy you or her; Both of you fought on – you by surviving and she by freeing Tommy to help her.” “Some good that did either of us; it got her killed and I’m...” Kimberly trailed off, looking back across the darkened landscape. “I’m charged with taking up a burden of power I never asked for at a stage in my life where I just want to be left alone.” “You’re never alone, Kim.” “You’re right – I’m surrounded by goody goodies like you who want to fix me.” “That’s not fair,” wounded Katherine withdrew slightly. “I only want to help.” “That’s a joke. You can’t even figure out what’s going on between you and Jason so as far as I'm concerned you can take your ‘help’ and go to hell – where you belong.” Stung, Katherine fought back without thinking. “I’ve been in hell since Jason disappeared; what did I ever do to you, Kimberly? Me, the Katherine you don’t know, what did I ever do to you?” “You represent everything I surrendered to follow a dream I never fulfilled.” “How is that my fault?” Kim snorted, but her hostility level seemed to have ebbed marginally. “You’re here, aren’t you?” “I am. But I’m not the Katherine you gave your powers to, nor am I the Katherine who was interested in Tommy. Pardon me for saying so, but no matter how cute you think Tommy is - he has nothing on Jason.” Kimberly blinked and looked back at the other woman with arched eyebrows. “What do you see in that guy anyway?” “Do you really want to know?” Kimberly nodded and Katherine took a moment to examine Kimberly’s expression. Despite the guarded look in her eyes, reflected by the firelight, there was genuine interest. Settling herself next to Kimberly, Katherine dangled her legs over the edge of the cliff next to her and stretched her arms backwards, staring up into the starlit sky. For a long moment she gathered her thoughts. “Are you sure you want to know?” “Of course; Jason’s always been like my brother, I can’t imagine what any sane woman would see in him.” Laughing softly, Katherine shook her head and tilted it backwards, unable to look at the other woman as she spoke. “He’s the most caring, daring, gentle person I’ve ever met. He always puts me first, wouldn’t dream of doing something I wasn’t ready for and he was my first friend in Angel Grove.” The eerie similarities between Kat and Jason and her and Tommy made Kimberly shiver. “So… how’d you meet?” “You wouldn’t believe me.” “I might; nothing Jason does surprises me anymore.” “He saved me from Bulk and Skull.” Kimberly’s head whipped about in shock. “He what?” “Bulk and Skull; they’re in your reality too, aren’t they?” Warning bells were going off in Kimberly’s head. “Uh… yeah. But you said Jason saved you?” Katherine nodded. “Bulk and Skull stole my books my first morning at Angel Grove High. I was the new kid in town, I hadn’t met anyone yet and they figured I was an easy target. I got cornered in the school yard and Jason suddenly appeared out of nowhere. He chased them off and introduced himself.” A heartfelt sigh escaped from Katherine’s lips, a sound of longing and blissful memory. “He was dressed in these black jeans and jacket with this red muscle shirt – I forgot my own name when he introduced himself. The look in his eyes... those brown, deep dark pools... oh gosh, Kim, I thought I was going to drown!” “Blown away, huh?” “Totally,” Katherine giggled softly. “Love at first sight. Fortunately, Jason forgave my momentary lapse and when I finally found my voice and introduced myself, he was playing the gentleman. We hit it off right from the start.” “Jason’s good that way.” “I know.” Silence fell between them and Kimberly noted with a start it was a comfortable silence. The kind of silences she’d once shared with Trini when they’d been teenagers in high school. Unwilling to break the fragile truce that had descended between her and Kat, she pursued her line of questioning. She really was curious. “So… what happened next?” “You know Jason; he’s a gentleman.” “In other words he didn’t make a move for over a year.” Throwing back her head, Katherine laughed, the sound echoing back to the two men and drawing their astounded gazes. “You sound right disappointed Kim; I’ve never heard you say it quite that dryly before.” Tommy was not a topic Kim was ready to discuss just yet. “So, what happened?” Katherine let it pass – after the blasting she’d taken when she’d first sat down, she wasn’t ready to take another one just yet – and talking about Jason was comforting. It brought warmth to her heart and soul that had been lacking of late. “He asked me out the next week.” “Get out – he didn’t!” “Uh hmm, he did and because he did, Tommy asked you out the next day. Jason was forever teasing him about how he totally took credit for the two of you getting together.” “He would have. So how’d he do it anyway? Just come right out and ask you?” “Would you believe me if I told you he had the announcer in a karate tournament ask me?” “He what?!” “Yup. The announcer introduced him for his routine and then when he finished he was right in front of me on bended knee, hand outstretched. The announcer then said ‘Katherine Hillard, this martial artists humbly requests the privilege of calling you his.’ I’d never been more shocked in my life – except maybe when I nodded and he kissed me in front of everyone.” “I hope you’re making that up.” “Not a word,” Katherine grinned. “Jason’s quite the romantic when he puts his mind to it.” “So explain the ring then; did he try and top that proposal?” “Far from it – it was very understated.” “He didn’t get down on one knee?” “He didn’t have to. We were at school on the steps and he was below me – so he just turned, looked right up at me and held my hand right in front of you, Tommy, Trini, Billy and Zack and asked if I’d marry him someday. I thought he was joking – until I saw the ring.” “Wow.” “Yeah. He was pretty sweet.” “Was?” “This Jason – your Jason – isn’t my Jason.” “But you want him to be.” “Can you blame me?” Katherine looked back towards where the guys were unwrapping something they’d found for shelter. “I’ve spent ten years looking for him – and for you – since you two disappeared only to find you in another reality with the knowledge that the people I know and shared all of these experiences with are gone. Killed by the very evil they sought to destroy. It’s not very fair, is it.” “Life never is.” “Then perhaps I should forget the memory of what he was and focus on what he is.” “Are you trying to tell me something Kat?” Katherine pushed to her feet. “You’ve learned to stop listening to your heart, Kimberly. It’s what made you unstoppable in the past. If you can’t regain that ability, this fight – all of it – could be for nothing. Good night.” Kimberly watched Katherine walk way before turning her gaze back to the darkness. Her own screams began in her ears once more and this time, instead of trying to run from it, she simply dropped a wall of silence. Nobody understood – not even Kat – the pain of what she’d endured and none of them would. Her ability to listen to her heard had been obliterated in that cell along with what was left of her innocence and she’d never trust it again. It simply wasn’t possible.
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Post by gigletrig on Oct 1, 2008 0:23:38 GMT -5
raise your hand if you think chrisangelo should be voted king of the dark, creepy and angsty!! lol! omg, i was just amazed by it, it was fantastic! kim's in pain, tommy's no idea how to deal let alone help her without screwing her up even more and then you've got the alternate kat who's deeply in love with jason and he's not sure if he should accept it or not! and now i've just realized that i made what you wrote sound like a daytime soap! yours is better than any soap!
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Post by Jade_Max on Oct 1, 2008 0:35:18 GMT -5
LOL! Chris and I will take that as a compliment *laughs* Glad you're enjoying it
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Post by nfty07 on Oct 1, 2008 14:54:34 GMT -5
Great Chapter. I can't wait to read more of it
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Post by chrisangelo on Oct 1, 2008 20:10:26 GMT -5
z o m g ...
-points to Jade-
She scares me with her angsty twists ;........;
*co-creditness spread around like Kim's flowers ^.^* That made no sense at all but ooweelll xD
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Post by PrincessKimberlyD on Oct 5, 2008 13:30:47 GMT -5
OMFG that was brilliant!!! I'm glad u had the guts to describe the rape because it really made the story brilliant. I love the idea in chapter 8 about how Kim really wanted Tommy make her stay! I bet that was a real kick in to balls for Tommy! I love how Kim doesn't want to take the power but is being forced to. I cant wait for more. I love it so much. the plot line, the detail the relationships the twists and turns are brilliant. Although if this doesn't end up TK im ganna come after you!!!LOL. Keep up the great work!
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Post by chrisangelo on Oct 5, 2008 15:31:39 GMT -5
say what? ... -runs- You'll just have to wait and see Thanks for your comments!
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rapunzl
Wild Force Ranger
Icon courtesy of our lovely and utterly fantabulous Kim!
Posts: 189
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Post by rapunzl on Oct 10, 2008 14:35:54 GMT -5
Due to the fact that school has kicked my BUTT since the end of the summer (yes, we have pre-homework that's supposed to be done before classes even start!), I've been really behind on this story. However, in order to make up for this, you two are going to get a buttload of reviews right now (and if not right now, then in a row). Chapter 5: I have to jump in on the general consensus here. At first, the italics as present day and the regular type as the past kinda threw me (usually, it's the opposite), but it had a nice effect once I figured out what was going on, almost like it's the future that's a dream, and the past is reality - at least to Kim. Tommy's death was written so poignantly, and I love how his major regret was not being able to save Kim. The machines are described very well, and extremely dark. I loved it. As with Tommy's reappearances; it's beginning to make a lot of sense as to why she can't look at him - to watch him die over and over and over again... almost haunting her... and then to have him return and not be him... it's too much for her. It'd be too much for anyone. My other bit of confusion was where Trini and Zack actually came from - the same dimension that Jason and Kim were stuck in, or another, third alternate dimension. I'm interested in how quickly Jason and Kat just jumped right at each other, too... is there more history going on there that we don't know about, or did they just miss each other? I'm looking forward to seeing how it pans out.
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rapunzl
Wild Force Ranger
Icon courtesy of our lovely and utterly fantabulous Kim!
Posts: 189
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Post by rapunzl on Oct 10, 2008 14:49:58 GMT -5
Chapter 6: Holy freaking crap. Firstly, please don't think my delay in reviewing is because of the content of the chapter - to be honest, I didn't read it until today (see above comment about school destroying almost any social life I once possessed). This was absolutely incredible. Frankly, I can only think of a handful of stories (a very small handful at that) that involve rape, usually with Kim as the victim, that handle the issue as respectfully, tactfully, and powerfully as this one. And none so graphic. But rape is a graphic, violent, horrific crime - one of the worst that could ever be inflicted on a human being - and you managed to portray it as such. You left nothing out, nothing to the imagination, and it was horrible and vicious and just like it should be.
You two are far braver than I anticipated you would be. Bravo.
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rapunzl
Wild Force Ranger
Icon courtesy of our lovely and utterly fantabulous Kim!
Posts: 189
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Post by rapunzl on Oct 10, 2008 17:04:28 GMT -5
Chapter 7: Tommy had an excellent "leader" speech to start this chapter off; I had initially considered it too rational considering what he had just seen, but then you twisted it right afterwards to show just how affected he had been, yet how much he had grown up. Kim's waking reaction to Tommy was so blessedly realistic; I was so grateful you didn't succumb to the desire (and pressure) to have her just melt into his arms or somesuch. There's so much more there, and you captured it so well. She's embittered, and you two have done a good job of sticking to a realistic portrayal of that. And whoa.... Kat and Jason were ENGAGED? You did such a brilliant job twisting this around on us! Never in a million years did I think that Katherine was from an alternate dimension, too!!
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Post by chrisangelo on Oct 10, 2008 22:00:10 GMT -5
Rapunzl's Chapter 5 Review: A lot of readers got confused so don't feel bad. There is a lot that we leave out, wanting to leave the viewers saying 'wait did I miss something'? Tommy's death was indeed one of the key events giving out the alternate dimension, especially since we know Tommy went on to be the Red Zeo and Turbo rangers, and Black DT at that. Tommy's going to be dealing with a lot of regret. I have to give all the props to Anne for how she described the machines. My base layout was the similar one of which Kimberly was connected to but I knew we had to make it even darker than that. The detailed -horrific- body inflictions were intended to give that extra chill. Gosh I love being apart of this fic ;D
Chapter Six Review: Awe I know how school can be. The whole rape actually came up in thousands of emails back and forth trying to plan this story out. It was something we were both considering, but refrained from telling the other. We obviously did discuss it, and to give the perfect darkness to the story, it had to be written. We also gave that warning though for the ones that do not want to read it. It's a very touchy subject but in order to make Kim's pain, despair, and overall being shattered, it had to be something so dark such as this. We couldn't just say - Oh Tommy destroyed her with his words so she can't even function.
Chapter Seven Review: Expect the unexpected ;P
This was by far one of my fav. chapters so far. Well that one and 8 ^^. It's the beginning of all that was held in with Kim - and even Tommy.
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Post by chrisangelo on Jan 19, 2009 20:44:16 GMT -5
Wow... totally blame me for the lateness of this series.
But we are back on board!
I know we both hope you enjoy this ^.^
- Chris & Anne
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Chapter 9: Contentions and Obligations
When morning broke ten hours later, Kimberly was still sitting on the edge of the plateau, watching the sun rise. Behind her, Tommy was curled in a blanket they’d found, Katherine and Jason having migrated towards one another in their sleep and cocooned together like peas in a pod under another pair of blankets. A fourth blanket - unused and untouched - sat apart from where they slept and was a clear indication of where Kimberly had spent her night.
Using her time wisely, she considered everything Kat had told her about the alternate reality and its Jason. Guilt gnawed at her by the time the sky began to light up with the glorious rays from the sun; she wondered if she was selfish in keeping Jason beside her. Yes, she needed him - of everyone on the planet she trusted him alone - but Kat needed him too. Katherine, who’d searched for ten years for the man she loved like no other.
The thought was as humbling as it was guilty. The Katherine Kimberly remembered from her own reality would never have considered going to those lengths for Jason. And with that thought, brought about another more disturbing one; what had happened to this reality’s Katherine?
A sudden crunch of gravel behind her was the only warning she was no longer alone.
“Feeling better?”
Her muscles had tensed with the intrusion, but slowly began to relax with the sound of his voice. “Should I be?”
Jason shrugged, easing into a crouch beside her. “You got quite a bit off your chest last night, I figure it might have helped.”
“Nothing helps, Jase.” She’d meant the words to come out bitter, but instead they were resigned. “Not even tearing strips off Tommy.”
“Not even a little?” Wheedling carefully, he nudged her shoulder gently. “Not even a little, tiny, itty bitty bit?
A half smile tugged at her lips with Jason's childish remark and tone. “Alright, maybe a smidgen - telling him off after all these years felt good. Real good.”
“But?”
Stubbornly, Kimberly refused to respond to the gentle prompt and continued to stare into the sunrise. Despite how good it had felt to grasp that tiny bit of control, it had hurt too. Hurting Tommy wasn’t an easy thing to do and while she didn’t look forward to it, winning against him was like an addiction. She’d had a taste and she already craved more, and it made her wonder if she was no better than Zedd because of it. The addiction to inflict hurt and pain onto someone else, especially someone so close to her, had she learned that from Zedd?
A shudder ripped through her torso and Jason’s arm slid about her shoulders. “Guess I shouldn’t have asked, huh?”
“When does that ever stop you?” Slanting a look at him, she nodded back to the camp. “You two were awful cozy.”
“Instinct,” but Jason couldn’t meet her gaze. The new surroundings which included Katherine made the guilt continue to rush over him. For as long as he could remember, it had been just Kim and him; and for him to have found another in Katherine, it was almost unthinkable. At times like these, when the world seemed so dark, did he deserve to have any feelings of warmth? “I guess we were both colder than we thought.”
“And you explain he of the multi-colors being off by himself by...?”
“The guy’s a veritable furnace,” Jason’s tone was dry. “Besides, he needed some space after last night."
Kimberly’s half smile faded and died. “Didn’t we all?”
Silence descended for a long moment before Jason awkwardly broke it. “So... what are you going to do?”
“I’m going home.” It was clear what she wanted, but the hesitance in her voice was questionable.
“Even if it-”
The flap of wings interrupted Jason’s question and both of their gazes were drawn to the owl which had appeared and was alighting on the cliff’s edge nearby. In the blink of an eye, Dulcea stood before them once more. “Home indeed, Crane - and if I told you the home you wish to return to will cease to exist should you refuse this quest?”
Refusing the quest would undoubtedly destroy the world? The Pink Powers were never one to be dealt with lightly, like the rest of the powers, but why now of all times did the fate of the world have to rest in her hands? Kimberly had followed through with her duty, a duty that stretched over the past ten years, warning all current and former Power Rangers of the immediate threat looming out to destroy them. She had been through enough; what more would she have to do to save the Earth now? What else could they possible expect her to do?
She'd lost her idealism, her faith, her innocence - all things that had been key to her ability to be a Ranger. She had nothing more to give.
"You've got to be kidding me. I've done my job - the rangers can still defeat...him without a Pink Ranger."
Dulcea looked more amused than alarmed. "Indeed? And how does the body function without it's heart? You would doom your friends to failure for your own selfish fears?"
"Don't talk about my selfish fears! You have no idea what I went through. You purposely showed my darkest reality...my emotions, putting them into full screen view for everyone." Kimberly glanced down at her uncomfortable crossed arms - an defensive reaction. "And I was never the heart of or for anyone. I was a part of a team, not the center of it."
The Ninjetti Queen remained silent, as if judging her and her words.
"I've never let my friends down - but I can't do this, Dulcea." Tears found their way back to her trembling eyes and she bit her bottom lip trying to stop them as her voice took on an almost desperate edge. "Can't you see that?"
“Do you truly wish to know what I see Crane?” Looking at Kimberly intently, Dulcea stepped closer, her expression stern. “Choose your answer carefully, for I will not lie to you or spare your feelings as your companions have chosen to do; I will not coddle you, nor will I condone the others to do so. Your answer - yes or no?”
"Dulcea, I don't think..."
Placing a hand up to silence Jason's comment, Kimberly stepped forward and wiped the trembling tear that found it's way down her cheek. Silently sniffing her emotions away, she looked at Dulcea more determined than before - challenging her question. "No Jason, I want to hear what the Ninjetti Queen has to say. After everything that's happened, I highly doubt it could be any worse. Tell me Dulcea, what do you think you see."
The hesitant and unsure reply had turned stern and determined, almost mocking the Queen as Kimberly awaited the answer with more confidence than she had shown in years. This fake-confidence was driven by that same addiction that she experienced beforehand with Tommy. The challenge, the retort - the want to make Dulcea seem incompetent brought out that confidence.
“As you wish.” Inclining her head, Dulcea’s eyes met Kimberly’s - and wouldn’t let her look away with the force of her gaze. “I see a broken spirit, lacking in luster and confidence. Crippled by circumstance, sheltered by good intentions and afraid to fight for what is rightfully theirs. I see a shattered heart that has never mended; a bird with broken wings.”
She paused for a moment to let the words seep into both Jason and Kimberly’s consciousness, peripherally aware that Jason was staring at her in mute horror. Despite it, Dulcea continued. Her friends had tried to reach her and failed and the Crane needed to know that - without her cooperation - this entire endeavor would fail.
“I see two individuals trapped within the same flesh; one frozen in the moment of lost innocence, unable and unwilling to move beyond the traumatizing event. In the shadows I see another being smothered, slowly withering under the force of that terror as it is forced to be dormant - your will to fight lost and suppressed within self pity. The selfless child Zordon chose to be his Pink Ranger has been locked away, punished for her outlook. This is not who you are, but what you have chosen to become in an effort to protect yourself - when all you have done is transfer that responsibility to another for fear of being responsible yourself.”
Jason seemed like he was ready to go into convulsions from her words, but Dulcea continued relentlessly, as if Kimberly were the only person before her, seemingly unaware that Katherine and Tommy were now wirness to her words. “I see a Crane afraid to fly, terrified of reaching for what is rightfully hers - and I see that same Crane unwilling to share the skies with the Falcon for fear of stealing the wind beneath his winds and dragging him down with her. Lastly, I see that same flightless bird hiding behind the Wolverine, unaware that her wings have begun to heal and flight is no longer a distant dream but one she can reach out and grasp. Fear. Disillusionment. Dependency. These are the things I see.”
Shocked was an understatement for Kimberly's reaction was to her mentor's response. The forcefulness of her comment holding nothing back but the deadly piercing truth, cutting straight into her inner core.
“You what?” Biting her lip once more, Kimberly held back further tears as the wind brushed back her hair and the cold sensation in her body furthered, her mind feeling like an open void that would never close. Confrontation and conflict had ceased the moment Jason helped her escape from the clutches of Lord Zedd. Not even Tommy had hit her so low. “You really think that?”
Jason moved in, as if to offer protection, but Dulcea turned a look on him that warned him off. If he went to Kimberly now, assisted her in any way, he’d be dealing with Dulcea personally... it was her way of warning him not to interfere.
Confident Jason had received her message she returned her stoic gaze to the dumbfounded Crane. “It is not what I think - it is what I see. You cannot hide from me, my Crane. Until you once again learn to stand on your own two feet, instead of leaning on the Wolverine, you will never be whole. He cannot heal you; he would rather coddle and protect you than allow you to feel the pain of your injuries. He is your shield from the world - a shield you will need to surrender if you wish to find yourself once more. Never have I seen anyone so lost as you. You and only you can move beyond his shadow to stand once again on your own.”
“Tell me something I don't already know...” Kimberly never admitted it aloud, never wanted to, but she knew the moment she'd felt Zedd's hands against her, she would never be the same.
For so long she tried to remain numb, not feeling anything. Her heart ached more with each day, but she'd continued to force herself into other things, just to avoid her feelings. It's what gave her the initiative to embark on the original mission with Jason, warning the rangers. How could she reclaim what was already long lost? Turing her chin against her shoulder as her head tilted to look at Dulcea, the gaze still too powerful to penetrate, the words escaped before she could consciously stop them “I want to find myself... How do I know if I can even reclaim my spirit?”
“You cannot reclaim something that was never lost." Dulcea's tone had softened fractionally. "Perhaps it would be more accurate to infer you must reawaken the part of you that lies dormant - the part you leave hidden in the shadows. My intention in sharing your memories was not to inflict pain, but to begin the healing process. You had to be ready for them to know - even if you did not yet know it yourself - and without your unconscious cooperation, I would never have been able to show the others what you suffered. You are ready to move beyond it, but to do so you must release your protector and learn to fly once more where you belong.”
Finally able to break the gaze, Kimberly saw Katherine beyond Jason - silently watching them, but Tommy was no where to be found. Not within her line of vision, anyway. “Is there...some reason my quest has to be tied to...” The words were difficult to say, her lips to burning with every utterance, but the mere thought of him struck her far worse. Saying his name was like acknowledging a part of her pain in of itself; thinking of him was reliving it. “Why do I have to go with... with Tommy?”
The question seemed to amuse Dulcea. “Your powers have always been intertwined. Once cannot be whole without the other; had you not noticed that you are the strength behind the mighty Falcon, Crane? You are afraid to let him fall, but without you he cannot fly at all.”
“I should go with Kim.”
“And leave your own partner to face her fears alone?” Dulcea laughed softly, shaking her head at Jason's insistance. “I think not.”
“Kat’s not a Ranger-”
“Not yet.”
The statement would have been almost ominous coming from anyone but the Ninjetti Queen - but that didn't stop Tommy from stepping forward from his position behind Kim. He side-stepped her, avoiding her touch completely as he faced Dulcea with a dark expression on his face. “You can’t just arbitrarily decide that Kat’s going with Jason and I’m with Kim,” no matter how much it was killing him to get her alone, Tommy didn’t want to force the issue. She needed to come around in her own time and enforced isolation was not the answer. “Katherine shouldn’t even be going on a quest - she’s not one of the original six.”
“Regretfully, I believe she will need the power for her own protection.”
"What power?" Tommy waved his hand, as if to dismiss it as unimportant. "Regardless of what it is, you can’t know that. Besides, Kim wants nothing to do with me!”
Keeping her head down, her gaze on the tips of her boots, her eyes were hidden by shadows from where she was standing and her arms remained motionless at her side. But it was the underlying pain in Tommy's words that spurred Kim into action, something about it striking a chord within her soul. Despite the fact she'd fought with him the night before, she never had any desire to see him hurt. "That's not... exactly true, Tommy.”
The soft words were ones that not even Jason had heard in well over a decade. She couldn't look at him just yet, but the impact of her words was unmistakable. The utter silence through the clearing was like a benediction as her soul seemed to slowly reopen, unfurling hesitantly as if uncertain of its reception. It was a step in the right direction - but only one of many.
Unable to stand the silence, Kim turned her gaze to the Ninjetti Queen. “Is this how it's meant to be, Dulcea?” If it could not happen any other way, Kim would accept it. She felt the pain begin its slow release, and seeping out with every passing second as it burnt nerve endings that had long ago forgotten to feel. But refused to crawl back into her shell - it had taken so much just to get this far out.
Beyond the circle, Katherine made her way over, drawn by Jason but at the same time hoping that things were looking better for her friends. She smoothly laced her arms around Jason's stronger right and looked up at him. “Me, a Ranger?” She wondered if it would come with similar consequences as what happened to her other self, but fought off the thought and became quiet as Tommy spoke.
Before Dulcea could respond, Tommy rounded on Kimberly disbelievingly, his own actions driven by her words. “Excuse me? This from the woman who was calling me no better than Zedd last night?” Even as the words left his lips, he knew they were a bad idea. Kim wasn’t trying to pick a fight with him, but he couldn’t stop himself - it was as bad as Connor’s ‘speak-first-and-think-later’ habit.
And, honestly, a part of him didn’t believe her - not after the ugly things she'd said to him the night before.
The agony ripping through Kimberly’s chest seemed fresh and almost natural, like a harbinger of things to come. She refused to look at him but knew his words were true; she couldn't face him, couldn't stand being near him - but maybe that was the point of the quest. The pain was something she hadn't experienced in some time, so numb had she forced herself to become as she'd allowed the shelter that was Jason to deflect anything that even remotely resembled hurt. Unable to address him, she did the next best thing. “Dulcea?” “Do you remember Zordon’s farewell to you as the Pink Ranger, Crane?”
Kimberly stood in her own thoughts for a moment, struggling to recall what exactly had been said... and a small warm smile graced her lips as the memory surfaced from somewhere deep within her. Her mentor and father figure, Zordon, had said words that had warmed her at the time, but not completely understood. It had been as if Zordon had known she was destined to resume the mantle of Power Ranger. Voice shaking, she repeated the memory. “He said... 'Someday when you return, you will be an even more effective...power ranger.' I didn't believe...”
“Correct. Do you still think I am mistaken? That Zordon himself was mistaken about your abilities?”
“Dulcea - you can’t force her to go along with this.”
“The choice is hers, Falcon; it has always been hers. It is simply not a choice you like. She can go on a quest with you and face her fears to save humanity, or she can return home and doom countless young women and the world to the fate she has already suffered.”
"That's blackmail!" Tommy's tone was venemous."
"No, Falcon," Dulcea corrected him gently. "That is life. That is how it is; that is what will be."
The words echoing in her mind, Kimberly's conflicting emotions began to rise not only on her facial features but her thoughts as well. Would she be able to live up to them, to accomplish her duty as a better Power Ranger? If she didn't do this, Lord Zedd would destroy innocent women and more around the entire Universe searching for her. It was more than her obligation and duty - it was her responsibility. She had the opportunity to stop Zedd, and if she turned it down it would haunt her beyond death. Kimberly had only one option - one choice. It was now clear as day. The choice was not only right but it was the only one she would be able to live with.
“I'll go.” Seeing their confused faces and postures, she rephrased her sentence giving the true perspective of her choice. “I choose to go on the spirit quest, to find the Crane - to find myself. To reclaim what I've lost.”
“Even if it means being stuck with the man who embodies your fears?” Tommy’s soft question was almost toneless but there was an underlying emotion that was difficult to comprehend.
“Bro - you’re an idiot.”
Katherine silently scolded Tommy with a look as she moved one of her hands to rest on Jason's chest. “I completely agree.” She leaned her head on Jason's shoulder, her eyes looking away from Tommy back towards her fiancé. “Jason...”
Seeing him look down at her, she lightly tugged on his arm to follow her. It wasn't their fight to witness, and Jason couldn't keep trying to intervene. A crystal materialized in Jason's hand, glowing a vibrant crimson color - indicating Dulcea sensed the time to leave as well. Their eyes meeting, their bodies turned into translucent red and orange lights as they were teleported to another location on the mysterious planet.
Completed oblivious to the fact that Jason had just been spirited away with Kathering, Kimberly faced off against Tommy for the second time in as many days.
Her scathing tone sliced through his heart in a way nothing else ever could. "One would think it would make those fears easier to overcome!”
The glare she leveled on him was eyes showing the same hate they had for Zedd; but they were also haunted from having seen Tommy die once already. Fear underlay it all; fear for herself, fear for him - the fear of losing him once more. Sure she was horrible to him, darn right evil with every word, but he was the one that provoked her, and in his provoking, he had unlocked the Kimberly that everyone knew and loved.
Tommy couldn’t let it go. The devil in him that hurt from her rejections - both a long time past and recent - refused to let her off the hook. “Sure... just like screaming at me to stay away from you is good for your vocal chords.” Shaking his head, he obviously didn’t buy it and the agony in his voice was evident. “You don’t trust me, Kim.”
"I don't trust anyone!"
"Jason will be thrilled to know he's nobody."
"Jason isn't just anyone," her eyes spat gold fire, pinning him with an accusatory look. "He's the one who saved me from Zedd, who took me away from that awful place. He's the only one who's stood by me through this nightmare that's become my life!"
"I would have stood by you, dammit!" Tommy returned angrily. "All you had to do was ask!"
"You've been dead to me for ten years, Tommy," Kimberly's words were embittered by her experienced. "Ten years! Jason's the only person I've been able to trust and even now there are times when I know I can't trust him entierly - and I know that hurts him. He's the only family I have - the only person in my corner. He's the only one who cares what happens to me." Her tone was agonized and it told the true depth of her psycological wounds. "I may not trust you, Tommy, but this is bigger than my trust for you."
“So you think, Crane,” Dulcea said softly, breaking into the conversation. “But you are mistaken. Without trust, the battle is lost. Until you can trust the Falcon... until you can trust yourself once more, you will never be able to achieve that which you seek.”
A dismayed look crossed Kimberly's features before she could stop it, the reality of the situation striking her like a fist to the chest and rendering her breathless. Trust. Everything revolved around trust - the trust she had for Tommy and the trust she had in her own abilities. Understanding dawned that her trust for Tommy was more critical than she initially thought.
It was what compelled her to speak, albiet slowly, as she struggled with the notion, mentally wrestling with it and her own fears. "Isn't that the point of the quest, Dulcea? I can't see any other way I can learn to trust him." She turned around afraid to show her emotions, specifically to Tommy. "Tommy was my perfect enemy in the beginning...he nearly destroyed the Power Rangers - but once we saved him, he was my best friend; more so than even Trini. I've never not been able to trust him when it comes to battle, and even now that stands." Turning to face Tommy, she lifted her trembling gaze to his. "I may not be able to trust you completely Tommy, but when it comes to fighting, I'll always fight by your side - no matter what."
Dulcea made to answer Kimberly’s question - about the point of the quest - but Tommy cut her off.
“You were never much of a liar Kim, and I see that hasn’t changed.” A ghost of a smile crossed his lips but it was mirthless. “Manipulation you’re good at, but even now you can’t lie to me."
Indignation and anger flashed across Kimberly's face as he continued.
"I let you down; I deserted you in the hardest battle of your life and failed to rescue you when you needed me most. You said it yourself - you blame me for your attack, and for not protecting you from it. You don’t trust me with your life anymore - and after the last twenty four hours,” had it really only been a day? It felt like years. “I don’t know if you’ll ever be able to again.”
"Somebody please call the pity police. Poor poor Tommy, his ex-girlfriend can't seem to trust him for reasons beyond his comprehension!" There was scornful laughter in her voice that forced the came from the new rising confrontation - she rose to the challenge, relishing the idea of another fight even as a part of her shied from it.
Taking the first step - towards him - she chose to stand on her own two feet and fight back. "I'm not the liar Tommy - you are. You break promises like they mean nothing." She pointed at him and looked dericively towards the sky. "Get off your pedestal Tommy because I don't hold you that high anymore. I needed you to protect me - no, I needed you to stop pushing me further and further away! I wanted to stay, you were my dream Tommy, not this - not the competition. You forced the hands of fate and of course I blame you. I blame you for giving me up!"
“You blame me? Excuse me, but who broke up with whom - and didn’t even have the decency to do it to my face?” He glared at her, refusing to back down and a part of him was secretly please she was fighting back even if she did go for the jugular. A night’s rest had left him better equipped to deal with this type of confrontation. “You’re the one who broke your promise Kim; even after that awful letter I’d still have been there for you. But you didn’t call, you didn’t write - it was like you dropped off the face of the planet and I was forced to move on. This isn’t about that though - this isn’t about me, it’s never been about me. It’s always been about you. Your dreams; your choices; I didn’t push you away, you chose to leave. You could have said no, but instead you disappeared without as much as a second thought!”
The temptation to reach for her was strong, but something in her aggressive posture warned him she wasn’t ready for physical confrontation no matter how much she seemed to be. He settled for curling his fingers inwards and clenching his fists tightly at his sides. “All I ever wanted was to give you the chance to follow your dream - how was I to know you really didn’t want to go to Florida when that was all you ever talked about? I didn’t read minds then and I sure as hell don’t read them now!”
"You could have asked!"
"I did; you're the one who insisted you wanted to leave!"
Shaking with the force of her emotions, her eyes began to fill with moisture faster than they could create and the droplets fell like rain drops from clouds against Kimberly's pale and weary face. "You..." A cry came from her throat and she brought her arms around herself trying to regain her composure but it didn't work. Her shoulders quaked with each passing tear. "I...I was raped! He...you..."
This was one of the hardest things she had ever come across since it had happened. Actually admitting it had happened. "He touched me like you would have - for weeks... he continued to drain my life and my friends, still showing me your face. I watched you die, Tommy! I was..I was a ... I'd never been with anyone and he took that away from me - stole it! - in front of my best friends."
"He had everything about you down to the core...even...your r-ring." Mentioning it made her cradle her hand to her chest, daring only to look down at it, but not really seeing it. "You were suppose to be there for me. You never even called...you never even wrote; you took my letter and didn't even bother questioning it. Tommy you were suppose to protect me, to love me, but all you did was find the perfect opening to move on!" Her legs failed her and she dropped to her knees, hiding her tears now as her long wavy hair covered her face, her hand shaking as they dropped to the ground and clutched at the sod. "You were never there!"
Tommy felt like a heel. Like the lowest of the low; a belly crawling, swamp living, filth ridden thing that didn’t deserve to live in the sunlight - except in this case he’d been living in the darkness since her letter anyway and couldn’t remember what it felt like to see the sun. That didn’t change the fact he’d just made her cry.
“Kim…”
Everything within him was screaming at him to kneel, pull her into his arms like he’d used to, but he didn’t know if she’d accept comfort from him; if she’d be able to stand his touch. Jason was nowhere to be seen and Tommy had a sneaky suspicion Dulcea had intended it that way. It made his chest hurt to think that she needed someone and the only someone around was him - and he didn’t dare touch her for fear of her reaction.
The anger drained out of him. “I... I thought you were happy; you said as much in your letter and... I did love you - enough to let you go. I loved you so much I only wanted you to be happy even if... if you weren’t with me. God Kim!” His throat closed, his hands clenching and unclenching at his sides as he fought the need to go to her.
Kimberly heard his words and they ringed in her head but only made her feel worse. Her knuckles turned white where they dug into the ground and her head came up, searching for the one person who hadn't yet failed her - only to come up with nothing.
Jason was gone.
Fear bore down on her with the realization, the need to retreat back in herself and closed up - to forget the progress she had made - becoming a burning need. She needed Jason! "Please..bring him back Dulcea...I need him. He's all I have..." She coughed out as her crying turned into trembling, the high pitch in her voice seeming thready and pathetic all at once. In front of Dulcea's implacable visage, Kimberly swallowed her pride and lifted her gaze to the Queen's. "I can't do this alone."
Dulcea was silent. Despite the plea turned her way, she had no intention of interfering when the Crane and Falcon were making such progress. For, despite the sharp words, it was progress.
Tommy seemed oblivious to the fact that Dulcea was even around and surrendered to his need to try and comfort Kim - even though it had been his words that had made her cry. Crouching, he extended his hand hesitantly and then pulled back, leaving it open - palm up - on the ground between them. “You’re not alone, Kim. You’ve never been alone. If you’ll let me, I’ll be here for you just like I’ve always been.”
Painfully and uncontrollably still coughing, Kimberly wrapped her arms about herself in a protective self-hug, tipping her head up to try and plea with Dulcea - again. She didn't appear to have heard Tommy. "I...I need Jason - please! Bring him back..."
The stoic mask Dulcea wore showed no signs of cracking, no pity. Jason’s return was not an option.
Unable to hold the gaze of the Queen, Kimberly's gaze dropped to the ground once more, hiccuping loudly as her tears ran into her mouth. The hand resting by her caught her attention and she stared at it.
His palm was etched with familiar lines - lines she'd traced once upon a time with soft finger tips. They were strong hands; hands built for doing great deeds. And they had accomplished great deeds - few knew just how great. Slowly reached but pulled back - those hands hadn't been able to save her.
Her fingers curled back in on themselves as she looked up at their mentor - the woman who seemed hell bent on tormenting her. "I want to get this over with! I said I'll do my part in all of this and go on the quest. What more do you want?"
“You cannot count on his strength to see you through this trial, Crane,” Dulcea told her, finally breaking her silence. “You will have only your own; that of the Falcon can support you, but it will not carry you. Only together can you take to the skies once more.”
Kim wasn't sure how much more she could take before she gave up on the quest and doomed herself to be hunted for the rest of her life. "I..I could care less about flying in the skies! I've done everything you asked, I agreed to the quest, to save Earth; please can we just get this over with." Belatedly realizing that she was screaming at Dulcea, Kim looked slowly up at her whispered. "Please, Dulcea..."
“Escaping this conversation will only be momentary Crane - you will be alone with the Falcon until your quest succeeds.” Seeming to take pity on the soon to be Pink Ranger, Dulcea released the last of the crystals, not at all surprised by Tommy’s silence. He was a born Ranger and would do his duty - there was never any question of that. Kneeling beside Kimberly, Dulcea did something completely unexpected.
With gentle fingers, she brushed the tips over Kimberly’s face, tilting the young woman’s face up to meet her gaze. “This journey is one of understanding and healing. Pride and fear have no place here, my Crane; if you cannot put them aside, you will be incapable of completing your task.” The faintest of smiles crossed Dulcea’s lips. “Where you have always been the Falcon’s strength, so too is he yours. I look forward to seeing you upon the completion of your quest, I suspect you will not be the same as you are now.”
Blinding light engulfed them both before they could respond. With a smile, Dulcea stood and lifted her arms to the heavens, closing her eyes. Silently she wished them luck in the truest of the Power Ranger traditions; may the Power protect you my friends.
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Post by nfty07 on Jan 19, 2009 22:17:22 GMT -5
That was an awesome chap.
i can't wait to see how the quest goes
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Post by chrisangelo on Jan 19, 2009 23:03:59 GMT -5
Thanks
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