Karla Eldrid sat at the bank of the lake gazing at the rippling water. The water changed from being completely still, secure, to being rippled, uncertain. Karla was the Purple Ranger, a member of an elite group of teenagers, that used the powers of the Morphing Grid to morph and save the world. She'd been their second in command for months now, but that afternoon she'd been asked to take the full position of leader. As second in command she'd always had someone there above her, to watch over her. The leader would always make the final decision that could leave one of them dead. She did not want to be responsible for anyone's death.
Tommy had become the White Ranger. He was now second in command of the team. They'd all talked with Jason to make sure he didn't resent them. Jason had said he was fine. Karla knew he had to be hurting.
The Scarlet Sentinel had been giving them a hard time. Billy had gone to the Command Center only to find out that they were making a new Ranger. They'd waited nervously. Then they'd teleported to the Command Center and found out the White Ranger's identity; the bombshell exploded.
"Tommy you are the second in command of the Power Rangers. Karla you are the new leader of the Power Rangers. Jason you lead the Rangers well, through the toughest times, but I have seen a vision that you will leave us in the near future. Karla and Tommy need experience as leaders," Zordon had explained.
Karla shook her head as the memory faded. It's still not right to dismiss Jason so lightly. I just hope he'll be okay.
Karla walked on the sidewalk in Angel Grove Park the following day. Lost in thought, she neglected to watch where she was going and bumped into someone.
"I'm sorry. I should've watched where I was going," a tall Asian young man said as he helped her up.
Karla looked up at his handsome face, mysterious dark eyes. "No, it was my fault. I bumped into you." Karla's heart melted as he smiled shyly.
"I'm Adam."
"Karla. Are you new? I haven't seen you around." I would've noticed you in an instant.
"Yeah," he laughed slightly, "I just transferred from Stone Canyon."
"Do you know your way around?"
"Not really..."
"I'd be happy to show you around."
"Sure, thanks."
"I'm happy to oblige."
"Hey, Adam!" He ran toward them.
"That's Rocky," Adam told Karla.
"Rocky, wait up!" a petite woman called.
Adam laughed, "And that's Aisha."
"You all transfer here together?" Karla asked.
"Yep."
"Hey!" Aisha said warmly.
"Hi. I'm Karla."
"Rocky."
"Aisha."
"Want a tour?" Karla asked them.
"That would be soo helpful! I'm getting lost all the time!" Rocky exclaimed.
Aisha teased, "Except the restaurants. He knows where they are!" They laughed.
Karla queried, "Where do you guys want to start?"
"A good place to hang out?" Aisha offered.
"The Youth Center. Come on." hey walked to Ernie's.
"Wow, this place is packed!" Rocky exclaimed.
"Lots of people come here everyday," Karla informed. Two people walked up to them. "Jason and Zack, meet Adam and Aisha."
"Where'd Rocky go?" Adam asked.
Aisha laughed, "Over at the bar!"
"You're right. He does know were the food is!" Karla teased.
Adam shook his head in amusement. "Yep."
"Hey, didn't you win the Ninja competition?" Zack asked.
Aisha answered, "Yeah."
"Awesome moves," Jason complimented.
"Thanks."
Trini burst into the room, gasping for breath. "Putties and a monster are on there way here! I just saw the news!" Sirens began to wail as people stampeded for the doors.
"What's going on?" Rocky asked as he ran over to them.
"Haven't you ever heard of the monster attacks here?" Zack asked.
"Yeah, I thought they were fake."
"Well, you thought wrong," Karla said.
Ernie yelled, "Everyone to the shelters!"
Aisha and Rocky ran to the door, but Adam stayed behind. "Go ahead, Adam. We'll catch up," Karla said.
"But—"
Karla interrupted, "GO!" He jogged towards the door, but he glanced back, before he turned the corner. His eyes widened.
"Mastodon!" Zack yelled.
"Saber tooth Tiger!" Trini shouted.
"Tyrannosaurus!" Jason bellowed.
"Griffin!" Karla cried. The Rangers ran out of the empty room unaware that there had been a witness.
Adam ran and he caught up with Rocky and Aisha. "I know who the Rangers are!" He hissed.
"What?!" Aisha exclaimed.
"Halt Humans!" The trio stopped running and turned to see a golden armored monkey. An energy blast emitted from the sword and teleported the four of them to a cave.
~*~
Meanwhile the Power Rangers were fighting armies of Putties and the Hatchasaurus. "Man, these guys don't quit!" Kimberly exclaimed as she kicked a putty on the Z spot.
Zack groaned as he got kicked in the stomach. Karla twirled and kicked the putty away from Zack. "Thanks, Karla."
"No problem."
Trini kicked a putty forcefully away from Billy. "Look out!" Billy yelled. The monster snuck up behind Trini, blasted her with a laser beam, and and tossed her into the air. Billy leapt and caught her before she fell into a portal emitting from the ground. He lifted his Blaster and fired repeatedly at the Hatchasaurus. Trini lay in his arms, dazed from the blast. The monster fell backwards.
"Teleport Trini to the Command Center!" Karla yelled. They leftin blue light.
~*~
Billy placed Trini gently on a bed in a back room of the Command Center. He scanned her. He caressed her cheek softly. Oh, Trini you had better be physically and mentally healthy or that monstrosity will pay with his life! He glanced at the readings carefully. Billy felt the tears well up in his eyes. He placed his helmet back on his head and teleported to the battlefield with vengeance on his mind.
Trini turned her head and her eyes opened. She saw the scanner on the bed; she looked at the readings. Trini began to cry.
~*~
Billy landed as the rest of his friends flipped away from the monster avoiding the blasts. He aimed his Power Blaster and fired repeatedly. He whipped out his Power Lance and threw it at the monster. The Hatchasaurus flew a few yards away from them. Karla ran toward the Blue Ranger. "Billy, I've never seen you so aggressive. What's wrong?" He clenched his fist angrily.
"The blast that hit Trini has made her unable to wield the Dino Power anymore."
Karla's blood began to boil. "Let's get this creep!" They flipped and struck the monster with their weapons. The Purple Stars pierced their adversary as Karla kept throwing them in anger. "Form the Power Blaster!" The five original Rangers combined their weapons and fired. The monster exploded. They teleported back to the Command Center.
~*~
"Trini!" Karla yelled as she ran into the back room. Everyone followed her. Trini was sitting on the bed, crying. Karla hugged her friend. Billy sat down on the other side.
"It'll be okay, Trini," Billy whispered in her ear.
"Trini can't be a Ranger anymore. The blast from Hatchasaurus—" Karla explained, choking on each word.
"Oh, no!" Kimberly wailed.
"You have to find a new Yellow Ranger," Trini said.
"Man, I don't believe this!" Tommy cried angrily.
"Rangers," Zordon's voice boomed through a speaker, "Rocky, Adam and Aisha have been captured by Goldar. They are being held in the Cave of Darkness.
"Aw, Man!" Zack exclaimed.
Jason said, "Maybe this isn't such a good time to bring this up, but I've been asked to go to Japan and study with the Grand Master. I just got the notice today."
"Well, I was asked to go to The Academy of World Dance and Music," Zack announced. "I got the notice today too."
"That means we need three new Rangers. Anyone have any persons in mind?" Karla asked.
"Aisha," Trini said, "she'll be great." Billy squeezed her shoulder.
"Rocky and Adam are good fighters," Zack said.
Jason added, "They're all getting experience by being captured by Lord Zedd."
Karla said, "Well, first we save them and then we make them Rangers."
They teleported to the Cave of Darkness. "Trini could you help me with something?" Alpha Five inquired. She smiled.
"Sure."
~*~
"Putties!" Tommy yelled.
Zordon said through the communicator, "Karla, there is a Flower Power Monster in Angel Grove. It has grown; you will need the Zords."
"Jason, Zack, and Tommy get in your Zords and hold the Flower Power Monster!"
"Tigerzord!"
"Mastodon Lion Thunderzord Power!"
"Tyrannosaurus Red Dragon Thunderzord Power!"
"Okay, Rangers. Let's free them!" Karla commanded as they charged at the clay creatures. They destroyed the Putties and entered the cave.
Goldar stood between them and the captured trio. "You think you can get past me?" He laughed wickedly.
"We've done it before," Karla retorted. He growled and lounged forward.
Billy leap kicked him in the head. Kimberly kicked him in the stomach. Karla leapt and kicked Goldar in the neck which sent him tumbling over. Billy cut the chains with his Power Lance. They all ran outside.
"To the Command Center!" Karla ordered. Nine streaks of light flew across the sky.
"Where are we?" Aisha asked.
"You're in the Command Center," Jason answered. All the Rangers took off their helmets.
"Alpha, where's Trini?"
"In the back, Billy." Billy walked into a different room.
"You guys are the Power Rangers? Awesome!" Aisha exclaimed.
"Thanks for saving us," Adam said.
"Oh, well that's our job," Karla answered slightly nervous.
"Why did you bring us here?" Rocky asked.
"We need new Rangers," Trini answered as she and Billy came to join them.
"Wait a second. You want us to become Rangers?" Rocky queried incredulously.
"Yes," Alpha said," Jason is going to Japan, Zack is going to a dance and music academy in Florida, and Trini can't hold the power anymore because of a laser that was shot at her that makes her body unable to hold the power.
"Here," Trini gave Aisha the Morpher. "Saber tooth Tiger if you deem her worthy, infuse her with your power!" Yellow energy poured out of Trini and flowed into Aisha. Jason gave Rocky his Morpher and Zack gave Adam his. The new rangers stood there in the spandex.
"We'll do our best," Adam promised.
"We know," Jason said. Zack and Jason teleported home to pack.
Trini said, "Good luck guys."
"Thanks," Karla said. They teleported to Angel Grove. "Let's show 'em the power of Thunder!"
"Mastodon Lion Thunderzord Power!"
"Pterodactyl Firebird Thunderzord Power!"
"Triceratops Unicorn Thunderzord Power!"
"Saber tooth Tiger Griffin Thunderzord Power!"
"Tyrannosaurus Red Dragon Thunderzord Power!"
"Griffin Phoenix Thunderzord Power!"
"Tigerzord Power!"
The seven Zords attacked the monster. The Phoenix flapped it's wings as it gained altitude. Karla's Zord spinned and dove for the monster's head. The Power Flower ducked and sprayed some arctic blossoms from its leaves at the Zords. Tommy's Zord lounged towards the monster and his Zord froze, turned to ice.
"Tommy's a tiger icicle!" Rocky joked.
"No kidding! He and his Zord turned to ice," Adam responded.
"Guys, the heat from the sun could melt the ice!" Aisha exclaimed.
"I'll get that popcicle machine!" Kimberly raged. The Firebird swooped down, about to fire its missiles, when the monster blasted her with its blossoms. The Firebird was plummeting to the ground.
Adam yelled, "It's gonna crash!"
"How do you stop ice from crashing?!" Aisha shouted.
Karla thought, If I don't do something, I will be responsible for Kimberly's death! She glanced at her wings. "Guys, go protect Tommy and fight that monster! I'll save Kim!"
Karla zoomed toward her friend. She pushed a few buttons and the wings flapped furiously fast. She spun around the falling Zord, getting enough air currents, both cold and hot, so as not to melt or freeze it more. The hurricane force winds held up the Zord and landed it gently on the ground. "Form the Phoenix Ultrazord!"
The Unicorn and Griffin formed the legs. the Red Dragon made the upper body and head. The Lion formed the arms and the chest. "I call upon the Power of Tor!" Karla cried. The four Zords went into the carrier zord. The Phoenix landed on top of Tor. It folded its wings back and absorbed energy from the other five Zords. The Phoenix shot up like a rocket, spread its wings, folded them back again and dived straight for the monster. The Phoenix glowed and fired all charged energy at the monster; he exploded. The Tiger and Firebird changed back into Zords.
~*~
"I can't believe this!" Lord Zedd roared on the moon.
"They have three new Rangers?" Goldar said.
"No! Trini lost her powers, and the Hatchasaurus was destroyed along with that weapon! Now I can't make the rest of them powerless because of your incompetence!"
"I am sorry, Lord Zedd."
"Next time, we will destroy them all!"
~*~
They stood in the Command Center as an awkward silence filled the room. No one knew what to say.
Karla spoke, "Trini, you know that you'll always be a Ranger in our hearts and our minds. We'll never stop being your friends."
"I know. Thanks, Karla."
"Anytime."
"Trini, I—"
"Aisha, I wanted you to have the power. I don't resent you for that." Aisha smiled at her newest friend.
"Um..Karla, thanks for saving me back there."
"Anytime, Kim."
~*~
In the evening, they went to the airport. Jason and Karla stood alone as the others took care of the luggage. "Jason?"
"Yeah, Karla?"
"I've been having a problem with leading—"
"Today you didn't. You're making a great leader, Karla."
"Thanks, Jase, but Kim could have died. It would have been my fault."
"Karla, it's not your fault. Kimberly made her move on her own. You didn't order her to attack—"
"But it's the leader's responsibility to make sure no one else gets hurt. I could have told her to stop."
"Could she have? Honestly?"
Karla thought for a moment, "No, she was flying too fast."
"What happened today wasn't your fault. You're right, though. It is the leader's responsibility to watch over his or her team, but Kimberly got in danger anyway. It takes a good leader to deal with any situation when someone else's life is at risk. You dealt with it. You solved it and saved their lives."
"Thanks, Jason. I really appreciate it."
"Hey, what are friends for?" The other Rangers walked up to them.
"Jase, you ready to go?" Tommy asked.
"Yeah, all of you email me, okay?"
"Hey, me too!" Zack added.
"You bet," Adam replied.
"Count on it," Kimberly chimed. Everyone hugged the two departing Rangers. A few minutes later their planes took off.
~*~
Later that night, Billy walked over to Trini's, hoping she would not leave. After all they'd been through together, he couldn't, wouldn't be able to stand, living here without her. He walked up to her porch, his heart beginning to break. Tommy departed when he lost his powers, why wouldn't she also leave? if she leaves I would never forgive myself, if I don't try to dissuade her. He rang the doorbell.
How do I
Get through a night without you?
If I had to live without you
What kind of life would that be?
"Trini?"
"Hi, Billy."
"May I speak with you in private, please?"
"Sure, Billy." She stepped outside and closed the door behind her. "What is it?"
"I....I...just wanted to make sure you were okay."
"I'm okay. I'm not much to the team, so I might—"
"No!"
Ooh, I
I need you in my arms
Need you to hold
You're my world, my heart, my soul
If you ever leave
Babe you would take away everything good in my life
He'd blurted it so suddenly, it had surprised both of them, "I'm sorry, Trini. Go on."
She glanced at him with knowing eyes. "Billy, what's wrong?"
He heaved a deep sigh. "I don't want you to leave."
And tell me now
How do I live without you?
If you ever go
How do I ever
Ever survive?
"I'm no use to the Rangers. I have no powers—"
"That's not true," Billy replied, "You have the power of your mind. You could help Zordon or Alpha in the Command Center."
Trini smiled sadly, "It wouldn't be the same."
"No it won't, but at least you'd still be here."
"Billy," she choked on the words as tears stung her eyes, "I don't want to leave, but I'd be a liability if I stayed."
"You used to have Ranger powers, but you still are apart of the team." She shook her head, disagreeing. If he was going to speak his mind it would have to be now, "Trini, I'm going to be very blunt, but I don't know how else to say this." He took a deep breath. "I love you, Trini Kwan."
How do I
How do I
Oh, how do I breath, without you?
There would be no love in my life
There'd be no world left for me
And I
Babe I don't know what I would do
I'd be lost if I lost you
If you ever leave
Babe you would take away everything good in my life
She stared, deep into his blue eyes, "You do?"
"Yes," he answered instantly.
"Oh, Billy." She hugged him tight.
And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know
How do I breath without you?
If you ever go
How do I ever
Ever survive?
"I love you, too," she whispered into his ear. She reached for the radio knob and turned the volume up.
How do I
How do I
Oh how do I live
Please tell me babe
How do I go on?
If you ever leave
Babe you would take away everything
Need you believe
Babe don't you know you're everything, good in my life?
Billy gazed at her with loving eyes, as they began to dance to the slow rhythm of the music.
And tell me now
How do I live without you?
I want to know
How do I breath without you?
If you ever go
How do I ever
Ever survive?
"Billy?"
"Yes?"
"I'll stay as long as you don't leave me."
"Never. I could never leave you."
He tightened his grip around her waist. She tilted her head as his head moved forward. Their lips met in a long passionate kiss that soothed both their souls from the aching thought of never being united by love.