The Terran Rangers Saga Volume 1 by Heather Ray (popular romance novels .TXT) 📕

Epilogue

Meanwhile, in the park, Tommy and Kimberly walked along the shore of the lake at sunset.

"I've really missed this lake," said Kim quietly. "It's so peaceful and beautiful. Especially around sunset. I love it here."

"Yeah," said Tommy, looking out at the water, "I come here all the time to think, and sometimes practice karate by the water. It's the perfect place to think, relax, and talk."

"Talk about what, Tommy?" asked Kim, stopping and looking up at him.

"Kim, when you showed up in the CAC, you said that Coach Schmidt gave you Thanksgiving weekend off. When does he expect you back?"

"Tuesday," she answered quietly, looking out onto the lake.

"So, uh, how do you like Florida, Kim?"

"It's nice, but its not as peaceful as Angel Grove."

"Uh, so, um...when are you going back?"

"I...I've decided not to," said Kim, taking Tommy's hand. "Now that Zordon entrusted me with the yellow Zeo shard, I have a responsibility to mankind to carry on as a Power Ranger, and this time I can't just give the Power to someone else. Saving the world is much more important than some medal, and it's a responsibility I accept whole-heartedly."

"Are you sure?" asked Tommy, trying to hide his excitement at having Kim back, "I mean, did you really think about this? It's a tough decision, and you still can change your mind."

"Tommy, I've realized that I'll never be as happy in Florida as I am here. I have friends and all, but there's something missing. I don't feel like I belong there, with all those athletes who have dedicated their lives to winning Pan-Global and Olympic gold. I have more important concerns, and one of those it protecting the world. Another one is just being here...with you."

Tommy leaned over and gently kissed her.

"I love you, Kim," he said quietly.

"And I love you," she said, smiling up at him and hugging him tightly. "Forever."

To Be Continued In...

The Terran Ranger Saga Volume 2:

The Worst Nightmare

Excerpt from The Terran Ranger Saga Volume 2: The Worst Nightmare

Katherine Hillard was a tall, beautiful, intelligent young woman from Australia. She was also a world class diver and a member of the most exclusive group on Earth -- the Terran Power Rangers. She was not the type of person to be self-conscious, but recently she had been. Ever since that fateful day when the Command Center was destroyed, and the super heroes gained awesome power from the Zeo Crystal to command the powers of nature. This event in and of itself isn't what caused her grief. Rather, it was a new-found competition. At this moment, Katherine found herself lost in a dense white fog, and the only word to describe her was -- confused

.

"Where am I?" she asked aloud, waving at the mist to try to clear her view. "Is anyone out there?"

In answer to her question, Kat saw a young man in a white gi, with his dark ponytail whipping through the air as he performed an elegant tornado kick.

"Tommy!" she cried, her voice filled with joy and relief. "Thank goodness! Did you come here to rescue me?"

"Why would I waste my time looking for you, Katherine?" he asked coldly, not stopping his practice to look at the shocked and hurt expression on her face.

"I, uh, thought Rita and Zedd captured me or something," she stammered.

"First of all, if Rita and Zedd wanted to capture a Power Ranger, they would go after someone important. You're nothing but a liability."

Katherine was completely unprepared for Tommy's harsh insults. She ran away from him, tears stinging her deep blue eyes and blurring her vision. As she ran blindly, she tripped and fell at the feet of a young woman.

"Watch where your going!" yelled the woman angrily.

"I...I'm sorry," said Kat, looking up at the figure before her, "Kimberly?!"

"Yes, it's me," sighed Kimberly, looking down at Kat with an expression of disgust on her face. She ran her fingers through her caramel hair and stepped over Katherine.

"You are unbelievable, Kat," snapped Kim. "Look at yourself! You're clumsy, slow, inexperienced, and weak! All the other Terran Rangers are skilled fighters and experienced heroes. The only reason you became a ranger in the first place is because I had to find someone to take my place immediately. Well, sister, I'm back! So you can just crawl back to the land down under! You'll never belong here!"

"NO!!"

cried Katherine, springing out of bed. "No."

Katherine opened her eyes, and saw the familiar pale pink walls of her bedroom. She buried her sweaty face in her arms and breathed deeply to calm herself.

"It was a nightmare," she sighed. "The third one this week."

She looked over at her night table, and glanced at the digital clock. "Oh no," she shrieked, "I'm LATE

!!"

Kat leaped out of bed and dressed for school. She tied her thick blonde mane in a hasty ponytail, and hurried to gather her text books into her blue backpack. She tied her white sneakers, and took a look at herself in the mirror. Her eyes were red and puffy, and she looked exhausted.

It doesn't make any sense. All week, I've had horrid nightmares about Tommy and Kimberly. They have never been anything but kind to me, even after I stole Kim's Power Coin. Why do I keep envisioning them as cruel and uncaring?

Kat headed downstairs and immediately hurried out the door. She walked briskly to the school, still immersed in thought.

I admit, I've always been a little jealous of Kimberly. She's beautiful, popular, athletic...and she has the most beautiful relationship with the greatest guy on the planet. Next to her, and all the other Power Rangers for that matter, I feel so out of place. Like I'm an inexperienced rookie playing way out of my league.

Katherine reached her locker at 8:12 that morning, just in time to make it to first period.

That was close! I have three minutes until Spanish class.

Katherine fumbled with her combination, and hurriedly began searching for her Spanish textbook when she finally got it open. In her rushed search, she managed to drop the other textbooks and notebooks in her locker. They fell to the floor, with worksheets scattered everywhere.

"I don't have time for this," she mumbled angrily, kneeling to pick up her books.

"You're a little late this morning," said a gentle amused voice from above. "Need a hand?"

"Thanks Tommy," Kat answered dryly, not looking up at him. Tommy knelt beside her and helped collect her stuff. Once finished, he helped Kat to her feet, and noticed that she was avoiding eye contact.

"Kat, are you okay?" he asked.

Just then, Kimberly exited Mr. Caplan's office and walked to her two friends, smiling cheerfully.

"Hey guys," she said. "Having a little trouble?"

"Nope," said Tommy. "Everything's straight. Ready to go?"

Kimberly nodded and took Tommy's hand. They both waved their goodbyes to Katherine, and started walking up the stairs to the second floor. Katherine frowned and started walking after them, hugging her Spanish text to her chest.

It figures,

she thought bitterly. Why would Tommy want to walk with me when Kimberly is around?

Katherine went into the Spanish room, taking her seat beside Adam quietly. Adam, who was talking to Tanya, turned around to see his friend sit quietly and gloomily.

That's not like her,

he thought worriedly. She's usually so spirited in the morning.

"Hey, Kat," he said, gently touching her shoulder. She turned to face him, her face etched in a weak smile that didn't quite reach her eyes. "Are you okay?"

"Of course," she answered, "I just didn't get much sleep last night. I wasn't feeling well."

Katherine turned away from Adam and looked down at her text book. Adam sighed to himself and exchanged worried glances with Tanya.

Down the hall, in the European History class, Tommy and Kim walk into the room. Zack and Jason wave to them from the back of the room. Zack was sitting on his desk, while Jason was standing beside him.

"Wow," said Zack. "You're on time, Tommy! What's the occasion?"

"Well, Kim had to get to school early, so I walked her over," said Tommy with a shrug.

"What's up, Kim?" asked Jason.

"Well, I had a meeting with Mr. Caplan about the dance tomorrow night," she explained, taking her seat, "I managed to book the Marriot Hotel for the dance as opposed to the gym. Its gonna be a blast!"

"Yeah," said Jason. "The Crystal Ball is the biggest dance of the year! Especially this year, since it's in Angel Grove! Every High School in Crystal County gets to attend, and the winners of the Crystal County Track Meet get special recognition."

"I can't wait for the meet!" said Zack excitedly, "Angel Grove gets the home-field advantage, and our relay team is dynamite! We may bring the Crystal trophy back to Angel Grove, since Stone Canyon had it for the past three years!"

"What time is the meet?" asked Kim.

"Right after school today," said Tommy. "Are you gonna be there and watch us run?"

"No can do, Tommy," she said with a sigh, "Mr. Caplan made me the coordinator of the Crystal Ball, and we have to start decorating pronto. I was hoping you guys could help me set up, but it looks like you'll all be busy after school."

"Not all of us," said Jason, "I didn't go out for winter track this year. I can help you set up."

"You're a life-saver!" said Kim with a smile. Then the bell rang, and their teacher, Mr. Mason, stood up from his desk. He pushed the glasses up his nose, and straightened his striped tie.

"Okay, class. Today, we begin our study of the Holy Roman Empire. I trust you've done all the reading in the text for today, because I decided to give you all a pop quiz."

The entire class moaned as Mr. Mason began passing out the sheets of paper.