Disclaimer: This story continues after Soulmates so if you didn't read that do it now. All the character with the exception of Airiana belong to Saban, blab, blab, blab, who cares! I hope y'all like this and please send me a little note to tell me what ya thought. Read on and May the power protect you!
"Way to go, TJ!" yelled Airiana as her twin brother caught her pass in the makeshift endzone.
"Awesome throw, Sis!" yelled Tommy Oliver.
The seven teens were at the park enjoying a beautiful Saturday in March. A picnic was set up to the right of the 'playing field'. Tommy and his sister Airiana were playing football with Rocky and Aisha. Adam, Kim, and Billy sat on the picnic blanket and chatted.
"We win!!!!! 24-7!!!!" yelled Airiana running up next to Tommy. "Yeah, we rock, we roll, we sway!" said Airiana and Tommy at the same time
"Nothing like a pair of spoiled sports!" said Aisha walking past the dancing duo
"No kidding" said Rocky picking up a sandwich and biting into it.
"Rocky, do you ever stop eating?" asked Kim.
"Technically, Rocky shouldn't be eating for another four to six hours. With the amount of food he ingested earlier, his digestive system will be at full capacity." stated Billy as the other teens looked at him dumbfounded.
"He means that Rocky should be full," said Adam laughing as Billy let out an exasperated sigh
"Yeah, well I'm full and I think I should be getting back to the Youth Center. I have dance practice." said Airiana.
"Which class?" asked Adam, her boyfriend.
"Um....I think it's tap today but it could be jazz." replied Airiana.
"I'll walk you there." said Adam getting up and taking his girlfriend's hand "I'll see you guys later!"
* * *
"That meddling sister!!!!!" yelled Zedd "I had to sacrifice
one of my best men because she got away!!!!"
"Well quit whining and do something about it!!!!!" exclaimed Rita.
"And what exactly do you suggest, oh brilliant one!!" stated Zedd sarcastically.
"Why don't you put her under that one spell that drains the life force out of the person. She's not a little Power Peon so Zordon won't be able to infuse her with his power. That way when she dies we can attack the rangers when they are at their weakest!!" screamed Rita jubilantly.
"That is not a bad idea. Now let's see what was the spell?" said Zedd flipping through the pages of a large book "Ah! Here it is.
Hail to the guardians of the watchtowers of the sun, the powers of sorcery
and magic. Hear us! Bind the one called Airiana to her subconscious, where
she will fight me for all eternity!
As Zedd finished the spell, he aimed his staff towards Airiana and a bolt
of lightning flashed to Earth. Airiana was hit by the bolt in the back.
She was immediately knocked unconscious which caused a paranoid Adam to
run back to his friends.
"Guys, you gotta help me. Airiana was hit by a bolt of lightning. I think it came from Zedd. Hurry!!!"
The teenagers ran to where the fallen girl lay. Tommy gently picked up her head and checked her vital signs. "She's breathing and has a strong heartbeat. Before we go to the hospital, let's take her to Zordon and he can tell us what happened." stated their leader
"That's an excellent idea, Tommy," said Billy as Tommy picked up his sister and the seven teleported to the command center.
* * *
"PUT HER ON THE BIO BED SO ALPHA CAN SCAN HER," stated Zordon.
Adam stood next to the bed holding his girlfriend's hand. He was softly muttering to himself how he should have saved her, how he should have known, how it should be him not her.
Tommy stood on the other side of his sister holding her other hand. Many of the same thoughts were running through his mind as well.
"All done, Zordon. Billy, can you help me process this information?" asked the small robot.
"Sure," replied Billy walking away from the bio bed.
* * *
"Where the hell am I?" asked Airiana holding her head and looking
around.
"You are locked in your subconscious where you will fight me for all eternity!" stated Zedd.
"Excuse me? What does that mean? Am I dead?" questioned the groggy Airiana.
"You are not dead, but you will die soon. Zordon can only keep you alive so long. You will be alive in your subconscious only. You will fight me here. You will become weak and you will die. Nothing anyone does can save you now." stated Zedd.
"Great." replied Airiana sadly.
* * *
"So what's wrong with her, Z?" asked Rocky.
"I HAVE BAD NEWS, RANGERS. AIRIANA HAS BEEN TRAPPED IN HER SUBCONSCIOUS BY LORD ZEDD. THERE, HE WILL WEAKEN HER AND EVENTUALLY KILL HER."
"We can stand by and let Lord Zedd screw with Airiana's life! What can we do for her?" asked Adam, clearly upset.
"I'M SORRY, ADAM, BUT THERE ISN'T ANYTHING WE CAN DO FOR HER," replied Zordon.
"That's not entirely true, Zordon," stated Billy.
* * *
"On your feet, Oliver," yelled Lord Zedd "Time for our first
fight!"
"Lucky me. Why don't you just kill me and get it over with?" asked Airiana sarcastically.
"I want you to suffer! Now prepare to defend yourself!" yelled Zedd lunging at Airiana.
* * *
"So, if you infuse Airiana with energy it should be enough to bring
her out of the spell," stated Billy to the team and Zordon.
"BILLY, THAT IS A WONDERFUL PLAN WITH ONLY ONE FLAW."
"What is that, Z?" asked Kimberly
"I CANNOT INFUSE A PERSON WITH POWER UNLESS HE OR SHE IS A POWER RANGER OR WAS A POWER RANGER." stated Zordon.
"Well back to the drawing board!" stated Billy.
"But Zordon," yelled Adam running towards the glass tube that housed their leader "can't you make an exception?"
"I'M SORRY, ADAM, BUT I CANNOT. I UNDERSTAND HOW THIS MUST UPSET YOU AND THE REST OF THE RANGERS."
"I don't think you do!!!! You are telling me that some weird space alien has stolen my girlfriend and is going to kill her and you can't do a damn thing about it! I'm supposed to just sit by and let her slip through my fingers? I don't think so. If you aren't going to help her I guess I'll just have to do it myself! Alpha, I want you to scan the databases and see if anything like this has happened before. Billy, can you figure out worst case scenario for me and Rocky I need you to help me find a solution to this mess," stated Adam.
"What about us?" asked Kim as Aisha and Tommy stared at him.
"I need you guys to go and talk to Airiana. Talk to her about stuff you did together, stuff you've done at school, anything. Make her want to fight." said Adam as the 3 rushed off to Airiana's bedside.
* * *
Airiana gingerly touched her cheek. Her fight with Lord Zedd had taken
its toll. Airiana was half tempted to give up and just get it over with.
A sharp pain in her ribs overtook her thoughts. Why had Zedd chosen her?
She wasn't a Power Ranger. She was the girlfriend of one though. "Maybe
that's what this is about. Seems like an awful lot of trouble to go through."
Airiana
Airiana's head snapped up at the whisper of her name. "I'm in my subconscious. Who the hell else could be here?"
Patti Wilson and Bruce Nataman broke up. But you know them, they'll be back together in like two days.
It sounded like Kim but what would Kim be doing in Airiana's subconscious. She remembered a conversation she had had with Kim about Patti and Bruce. Maybe it was her mind playing tricks on her. That had to be it.
"Miss me?" asked Zedd.
"No." replied Airiana defiantly.
* * *
"Tommy, I don't think this is working." said Kim holding Airiana's
hand
"We have to keep trying! We can't let her go." stated Tommy.
"Come on, Kim, just keep talking to her. What do we have to lose?" asked Aisha
"You're right." replied Kim.
* * *
Remember when we were 5 and you got stuck up on the monkey bars. I hated
those things but you were scared and wouldn't come down. I had to climb
up and get you even though I was scared out of my mind. Do you remember
that, Airiana?
Airiana and Lord Zedd had been fighting when the voice broke in again. She recognized the voice as Tommy. She also recognized the scene. She had been playing on the playground and she had somehow climbed onto the monkey bars. She sat atop the playground crying. Airiana's best friend at the time, Melissa, ran over to Tommy and told him what had happened. Tommy quickly climbed to the top and carried her down to safety. He had always been her hero. A sharp pain seared through her side.
"Why don't you leave me alone!!!!" yelled Airiana delivering a roundhouse kick to Lord Zedd
"Why don't you just give it up! You can't defeat me! No one ever has and no one ever will!" stated Zedd
"Yeah, well I have something those other people don't" stated Airiana taking a small bottle of hairspray out of her pocket.
"And that is?" he asked
"Hairspray!" she replied spraying him in the eyes.
"Ahhhh! You bitch, you'll pay for that." yelled Zedd as Airiana turned and ran out of the room she was in.
Airiana, it's Aisha. I just want you to know that I'm here for you. We all are. We know what's going on. You've gotta fight. You may not be a Power Ranger but you have the soul of one. You are a strong girl and you need to fight and beat Lord Zedd. You have to come out of this cuz if you don't I'm stuck shopping with Kim!!!
The thought of Aisha shopping with Kim all the time brought a smile to Airiana's face. Aisha was right; she had to fight. She had to fight for Adam and Tommy because God knows they would be lost without her. "Before I can fight thought, I need some weapons." stated Airiana as she went in search of supplies.
* * *
Back in the Command Center, things were starting to look bleak. Adam and
Rocky were having trouble finding solutions. Alpha couldn't find anything
in the databases that may be of help. Billy had had better luck.
"Okay, the worst case scenario is Lord Zedd will beat Airiana and she will die." he reported solemnly
"So now what do we do?" asked Adam
"Buddy, there isn't anything more we can do. It's all up to Airiana now." stated Rocky
"I can't accept that! There has to be something!" exclaimed Adam.
"I wish there was but, Adam, you have to believe in her. Believe that she can do this and make sure that she knows that were supporting her all the way." replied Billy
"Come on over guys. Help us talk. She needs you, Adam." said Tommy.
"Come on. You'll do her much more good if you're holding her hand and talking to her." said Kim
"Alright. But I feel so helpless." said Adam.
"We all do, Bud. We all do." stated Aisha.
* * *
Airiana ran into an empty room and found it was set up like a classroom.
There were desks lined up in 5 straight rows. A large desk was at the front
of the room as was a cart with a overhead projector. Airiana quickly ran
over to the desk and searched through the drawers.
"Come on, something!" she said rifling through some papers.
"Looking for something?" asked Zedd walking into the classroom.
"Yeah, a large blunt object would be nice." she responded.
"Yeah well you're going to need it," said Zedd coming after her.
* * *
Airiana, it's me Adam. I want you to know that I'm here. I'm pulling
for you and I want you to fight your hardest. I know that you are a strong
woman and that you can beat him! I believe in you, Airiana. We all do.
Please come back soon.
Airiana almost started crying right then and there but Adam was right. She need to fight and beat Zedd.
"Okay, mister. You picked the wrong girl to mess with!!!" exclaimed Airiana running full force at Zedd
"Did I?" asked Zedd spinning out of her way and pushing Airiana into the wall. Her head connected with the wall and made a sickening crack. Airiana slumped to the floor. She took one last deep breath and slowly let it out.
"I'm sorry, Adam." were the last words that slipped past her lips Zedd took a last look at Airiana and shook his head.
"Sometimes being evil really sucks." he stated.
* * *
"Oh no, Rangers. We've lost Airiana's life force. I'm sorry."
said Alpha.
Kim clapped a hand to her mouth and Tommy just stared at the small robot. Rocky and Billy hung their heads while Aisha crossed the Command Center to where Adam was standing. Adam didn't say a word. He slowly shook his head from side to side.
"No, not Airiana. She had so much to live for! God!" he stated.
"She's gone? Please, not my little Riri. Something is wrong with the data." said Tommy.
"I'M SORRY TOMMY BUT THE SENSORS ARE CORRECT. AIRIANA HAS PASSED ON. SHE WAS A TRULY BRAVE WOMAN AND SHE WILL BE MISSED. I WILL GIVE YOU SOMETIME ALONE TO SAY GOOD-BYE." stated Zordon.
"Guys can you give me a minute with Airiana ...alone?" asked Adam as the rest of the gang nodded and walked into another room.
* * *
"Oh Zedd! You did it!" exclaimed Rita upon the arrival of her
husband
"Yeah, I killed an innocent girl." stated Zedd.
"Please don't tell me you are growing a conscious." replied Rita.
"No, Rita, I'm not but I do feel bad about killing an innocent girl. She was only 17. What kind of man am I when I attack a innocent young woman?" he questioned
"You are a powerful evil warlord!" she told him. !!!!!"
"Please just leave me alone." he stated while his wife stared at him "GO!!!!!"
* * *
"Hey there. I guess you really can't hear this but I got tell you
some things. You're dead. I mean I always thought that I would die before
you. I was a Power Ranger and everything. GOD! Why did you have to leave?
I'm trying to be strong here and it so hard. I mean usually I'm so in control
and I'm this whole stable kind of person but now you're gone and I don't
know what to do. I half expect you to open your eyes and surprise the hell
out of me. You always knew how to do that. Look, I really love, I mean,
loved you. I can't believe you're gone. I'll never see your exquisite green
eyes. I'll never hear your beautiful voice. I should be the one that died!
I never should have let him get you." said Adam, sobbing.
"Don't blame yourself, Adam." stated Tommy walking up behind him.
"Why not Tommy? I basically killed her." he responded.
"Don't say that!!! You didn't kill Airiana. Adam, you did everything in your power to save her. You can't always look out for her. Zedd is a powerful person and it's a tragic thing that has happened but we can't blame ourselves." Tommy told his downhearted friend.
Adam laid his hand on top of Airiana's heart. "We'll always be connected Airiana. True love never dies.".
Tommy laid his hand on top of Adam's. "I'll always be your brother. Never forget that."
* * *
Zedd watched as Adam professed his undying love to the young Airiana. The
woman he had killed. He watched as Tommy told Airiana that he would miss
her. How could he break up that family, that relationship?
"Here I am, an evil dictator and I feel bad about killing someone. She was innocent. I have to fix this." he stated.
Zedd quickly said a few words and smiled inwardly. Maybe he did have a conscious after all......Nah.
* * *
The two boys felt their hands radiated an immense heat and suddenly Airiana's
heart monitor started beeping.
"Her heart's beating!" exclaimed Tommy "Guys, get in here!"
"Billy, what's up with this?" asked Adam.
"Let me find out." replied Billy punching some buttons on a computer console "You guys will never believe this but she's alive!"
"WHAT?!?!" yelled the rest of the team.
"I don't know how, but she's alive. She's just sleeping."
"Oh my god!" stated Kim as Zordon appeared.
"RANGERS, THIS IS A MOST PECULIAR EVENT! AIRIANA SEEMS TO HAVE BEEN BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE BY THE POWER THAT IS IN TOMMY AND ADAM." he said.
"You mean our power infused Airiana with life?" asked Tommy.
"YES, TOMMY. PLEASE LET AIRIANA REST NOW. YOU CAN DO NO MORE FOR HER." stated their leader
"Zordon, you don't mind if I stay and wait for Airiana to wake up do you?" asked Adam still holding her hand
"NO, ADAM I DO NOT." replied Zordon.
* * *
"Where the hell am I at?" asked Airiana groggily.
"You're in the Command Center." replied Adam brushing the bangs out of her eyes
"Oh, I thought I was dead." she stated
"Well, you were but Tommy and I brought you back." he responded.
"All I remember is I was walking towards this bright white light and this immense heat appeared right by my heart and I was suddenly brought back to my body."
"Tommy and I were saying good-bye and we placed our hands on your heart and told you that we would never forget you. Suddenly you heart monitor started to beat and you were alive." said Adam.
"Where is everyone?" Airiana questioned.
"They all wanted to stick around but I insisted that they go home and get some sleep." replied Adam
"Oh, well I'm glad that you're here. I missed you!" she stated reaching up and bring his head to hers and kissing him.
"I thought that you were gone forever. I didn't know what to do." he said hugging her
"Yes you did. You knew that everything that lives, dies and that you would have to go on and remember the good things." she stated.
"Yeah I guess I did but I'm glad that you are alive. I wasn't ready for you to leave me."
"Apparently I wasn't ready to leave either! Let's go home." and with that the two teleported out of the Command Center.
* * *
"Patti and Bruce are going out again!" stated Airiana leaning
against Kim's locker
"No way! When did that happen?" Kim questioned.
"I guess they made up during study hall. I told you they would get back together!" replied Airiana
"Excuse me? I think I'm the one that said that Patti and Bruce would get back together!" said Kim
"Yeah, I guess you are right." stated Airiana.
"I always am." responded Kim as the two girls burst into giggles "Look I'm really glad you are back." said Kim.
"I'm glad I'm back too! Ya know what though, I have this strange feeling that Tommy and Adam weren't the only ones who saved me." stated Airiana
"What do you mean? That someone else helped save you?" asked Kim.
"Yeah and, get this, I think it was Lord Zedd." whispered Airiana.
Kim just stared at Airiana as if she had grown horns and told her that the sky was purple. "And you seriously think this?" questioned Kim.
"Yeah I really do. Do you think it's possible for Lord Zedd to have a heart?" asked Airiana
The two girls looked at each other. "Nah!" they stated and walked off to Ms. Applebee's room.