Chapter Text
Chapter 4 Lemme Get this Straight
I stepped right up to the railed edge. I ran my hands along the rail and I steeled myself. The room was cold and empty. Devoid of all life and personality. I could only compare this to a hospital. A really shitty hospital.
“Yo Zordon!” I shouted at the wall, waiting for the wall nightmare to join me. He pressed out of the wall and presented his ugly self to me. “Yeah. Hey.”
“What can I do for you, Yellow?”
“First off, I have a fucking name. It’s Trini. I’m not going to repeat it.”
“Very well. What can I do for you Trini?” Could the wall sound anymore tired.
“I have a problem and I cannot wait.” I leaned over the rail. “We feel each other. Like I feel all four of them. I can’t describe it. It’s weird.”
“Yes. Though I don’t know if there are other Rangers in the universe. But I can tell you that we had the same abilities. It’s the pool our consciousness. To insure we work cohesively.”
“So, I’m not going crazy?”
“From what I know, this is normal.”
“Okay. Cool.” I nodded awkwardly. “They can hear my thoughts. Was that a normal thing?”
“Ah. They are already showing. That is impressive.” Zordon began. “Yes. We could hear our Yellow Ranger’s thoughts. Not all of it, but it was very grounding when we needed it most. Veye kept to herself as much as she could. It took her awhile to warm up to some of us. I happen to be one of them.”
“Why?”
“Well. She was a great lieutenant. The best I could ask for.” Zordon almost sounded warm. The Yellow Ranger, Veye, really meant a lot to him. “She was fierce. Powerful. She made it her personal job to keep me grounded. I’ll admit I was very short sighted and she enjoyed reminding me that there was more beyond us as Rangers. I, like many of the others, saw this as our only purpose. Beyond a career. But a lifestyle. She reminded us that we were not only part of this team but part of worlds. We can live. Love. And just be us. It got in the way of duty more than I like to admit. We fought often about plans and goals.” Zordon sighed. “Her constantly reminding me of the consequences to other life.” Zordon chuckled. “But yes. We heard her. And she was a beautiful woman. Strong. Powerful.” Zordon paused and continued sadly. “She was my sister. And I miss her.” I rubbed my hands together. Wall dad was a person at one point at time.
“I need to uh, learn how to control it.” I was very careful with my words. “If I’m going to be strong as Veye. I need help.” Zordon nodded in understanding.
“You were so sure about leaving and running earlier.”
“Well. I’ve ran my whole life and decided I’m not going to run from this.” I set my coin on the rail next to me. “I am not as strong as Veye. I might seem like it outwardly. But I’m scared. All the time.”
“Fear is a natural emotion, Trini.” Zordon said. “All that matters is how you use that fear. You can let it consume you and hinder your bonds with your fellow Rangers. Or you can use it to ground yourself and remind you of your convictions and duty. They will be scared too. I was scared many times. You have the others. They’ll help you be brave.”
I slipped down onto the hard, cold floor and thought hard on his words. I slowly let the wall I built fall brick by brick and felt the others. Many held their own emotions that reflected on their own situations. But Kim and Zack were happy to feel my wall down and made sure I knew it. I wiped my cheeks. I didn’t even know I was crying.
“Is this a safe space?” I croaked out at Zordon. “I don’t want to go home.”
“Yes, Trini. There are barracks. They are pretty spartan. But if you ever need to ground yourself and your thoughts, you can make it as you wish.” Zordon was surprisingly gentle. “Go ahead. Alpha can get it ready for you. We have showers and a food materializer.” I nod and slowly got to my feet.
Alpha met me outside the door. I knew he heard every word, but thank God he didn’t interrupt. And Alpha didn’t bring it up, either.
“How long are you planning on staying, Trini?” The small Android was careful with his words as the atrium shifted and spun.
“A few hours. I might come back later in the night.” I answered. I didn’t want to face my family. If my mother asked what I did and who I was with, I don’t trust myself to be an asshole about it. I can’t risk it. “I just don’t like my family.”
“You are a Power Ranger now.” Alpha clapped as a round door slid open. “We can be your family.”
It was a wider room, not unlike the bridge. There was a short hallway beyond. The large room looked like a communal and recreation room. There was a small kitchen and chairs littered around. It was clearly not set up with human needs and wants, but Trini could work with Jason about it.
“Beyond are rooms for each of you and the bathrooms.” Alpha explained. “This is where you all would live if you stayed here. We can outfit it when you are ready.”
I made my way to a room. I stopped outside a room with a yellow circle over a button.
“This was the previous Yellow Ranger’s room.” Alpha followed me. “It hasn’t been cleaned out yet, but the bed should be fine.” I pressed the button the door slid open. I swear this was a Star Wars ship. Same sounds and everything.
Inside was very spartan, as Zordon said. There was a long twin, clearly Veye was much taller than me. Or their species was taller than us. There was a small table that was clearly a desk. It was covered in papers. There was some sort of map on the wall with different marks in them. I couldn’t begin to grasp what was on this. On a small bookcase were stacks of linens and neatly folded clothes. And onto were small bobbles and trinkets that were probably too fragile to touch.
“Alpha.” I began and looked to the small robot. “If you clear this out, leave these.” I point to the personal affects on the shelf.
“Of course.” Alpha nodded. “Anything else, Trini.” I just shook my head but then something popped into my head.
“Wait!” I stopped him. “Try to set up something called WIFI. Humans need it to function our devices. I’m sure you can ask Billy tomorrow about it. He’s a genius when it comes to human tech.”
“Of course. I’ll do some research. We have a lot of gear around, I’m sure we can figure how to use it with what we have.” The door slid closed behind it.
“Thanks.”
I set my bag down and sat on the bed and turned on the hotspot on my phone. And just like that full bars. Which was weird because I didn’t get any in the cavern outside. But I wasn’t going And a blowing up. They added me to a Facebook Messenger chat.
That was fast.
I accepted and was bombarded with about a half an hour’s worth of casual chatting.
Group Message
5:41 pm
Kimberly
Hey everyone!
Jason
Hey Kim
Zack
Got home safe. You all?
Billy
Yeah. Jason just dropped me off.
Jason
Anything from Trini?
Kimberly
I felt her for a moment but she shut me out quickly
She left after me
Zack
Yo Crazy Girl!
Kimberly
I don’t think she’s accepted the chat
Jason
We’ll give her a bit then.
6:27 pm
Trini
Hey
Zack
And she’s alive!
Trini
Why would I be dead?
Jason
Just glad you are here.
Zack
Guys we need to nickname this shit up
So boring.
Zack changed the chat name to Ranger Danger
Trini
Lame!
Kimberly
I agree
Zack
Any better ideas, then?
Jason
It’s fine
Billy
It rhymes.
Zack
Fuck yeah.
Now nicknames
Trini
Absolutely not.
Kimberly
Cmon crazy girl.
Trini
Fine
But nothing stupid
Zack changed his name to Dark Knight
Jason
Ooo
Jason changed his name to Red Hood
Dark Knight
Niiiiice bro
Kimberly changed her name to Hart Attack
Dark Knight
Fuck yeah.
Billy
I don’t know what to use.
Hart Attack changed Billy to B-Man
B-Man
I actually like that. Thanks Kimberly.
Hart Attack
No problem. And you can just call me Kim.
B-Man
Okay.
Dark Knight
Crazy Girl. Your turn.
Hart Attack changed Trini to Crazy Girl
Red Hood
You can be a bit more original than that Kim
Dark Knight
I got one
Dark Knight changed Crazy Girl to Spiced T
Hart Attack
Oooo
I like that
Spiced T
Fine
Talk to you all later
I exited the chat before I could get sucked in more. I pulled out my math book and started on the homework. As long as I was home by dinner, I knew she could handle the demon. After an hour my phone pinged. I glanced at it and it was Kim.
Pink and Yellow
7:30 pm
Kim
Are you working on biology?
Trini
No
But I can if you want to do some of it together
Wait.
You have the notes
Kim
You dont need them
Youre smarter than me
I pulled everything out and pulled up the questions on the online portal for homework. Just a bunch of prelab questions to get us ready for the end of the week. I glanced over them and could tell all were either word for word in our textbook or answerable with the quick google search.
Trini
K
Which one do you need help with
And the two of us went to work. I missed dinner. I missed last minute curfew. I turned off my phone to save battery and drown out my family. I leaned back on the bed and stared at the metal ceiling. I reached out to Kim.
The ship’s barracks are not that bad. I smiled softly and closed my eyes.
I felt shaking and opened my eyes. After taking in the room around me. Yeah, I was still on the ship. But Kim hovering above me was not what I expected.
“Hey Crazy Girl.” She whispered then looked around. “This isn’t your house.”
“What are you doing here. You don’t need to whisper.” I sat up and brushed my hair from my face.
“Well. It’s 6 am and I wanted to make sure you made it to school. And I was right. Your phone’s off.” She then punched me. Even with my super tolerance, Kim hit hard. She was clearly stronger than me. I knew I was faster than her, but she was pretty damn close to me. I feel like Kim might be the most rounded of us.
“What the fuck?” I complained and rubbed my shoulder. “Ow.”
“That’s for not telling me you stayed here.” Kim hissed angerly at me and I winced through the bond. “Get up. My car is park illegally.”
I followed without question and gathered my things. Kim grabbed my discarded jacket and picked up my notebook. I smiled and tucked it into my bag. She smiled back.
“So, you’re a Power Ranger?” Kim raised her eyebrow with a cheeky smile as she took in the basic room around me.
“Yeah. I’m a Power Ranger.” I nodded with a smile. I flexed my arms dramatically which brought a rich chuckle from Kim. “The Yellow Ranger to be a fact.”
“I think the Pink Ranger is much cooler.” Kim winked at me. I stuck my tongue out then suddenly sobered up.
“Don’t tell the others I stayed here. Alpha agreed not to tell you all.”
“Can I ask why?” I shook my head at her question. She cupped my face with a soft look and whispered. “Okay.” I gave her a small, sad smile in response. “Let’s get out of here.” She pulled me out my room.
As we went, I felt my bond pulse with hers. We were growing stronger. I could feel my dependence pull at her. And she pulled right back. I could feel her happiness.
As we walked, I could see this place becoming a possible home. Just needed a heavy update and some color. Maybe I could do some art for the walls. Or Zack and I can spray paint a mural or something.
“I need a cover story.”
“Easy. You had to meet up with Connor and you had a big lab test to prepare for together. Flash cards and everything. And just fell asleep.” Kim answered as we walked to the pit.
“It’s Carter. And I would be in serious trouble if I slept over at a guys house.”
“Fine. Say you switched partners and we needed to study together. So you slept over with me.”
“I will be murdered if I stayed over with a girl.” Kim gave me an odd look and I tried my best poker face. I knew my mother’s reaction would be different. Possibly violently different. If Kim already caught on I was a lesbian, I don’t know what would happen. I figured she would be okay with it but it would make our relationship difficult.
We launched up out of the pond and to the ridge.
“Could it be a group study? All of us. Like you joined our Group since we share the same classes and your partner with a lot of us.” Kim and I marched to her car. “Once the library closed, we decided to go to one of our houses for a hang out to meet each other and fell asleep watching a movie.”
“That might actually work.” I nodded and we walked. “So, the Power Ranger’s cover identity is a study group?” Kim just laughed as we arrived to her SUV.
“Now you have no excuse.”
“With your notes. I don’t know how you are doing well.”
“I just write really fast.” I just laughed at her and we strapped in.
I could almost see the warm Pink glow around her and I smiled softly as we casually talked and joked on our way to school. This was so new to me and it was growing on me. I though Kim was just one of the rich kids. But she was one of the nicest people I’ve met. She came for me. I will probably never know why she went to the ship to look for me. But it made me wonder if this was how family and friends should actually be. Kim gave me one last smile as we pulled up. Jason and Billy were waiting for us by a tree. And next to them, I couldn’t really believe my eyes. But there was Zack. Zack wrapped an arm around my shoulder in a side hug and I let him.
Time for our second day as teenage superheroes.