Prologue
A young girl, no more than 18, left her apartment early one morning
with a duffel bag over her shoulder and a large suitcase in one hand. She
took a look at her apartment, which was now stripped bare for all the personal
touches had been removed, and closed and locked the door. After sticking
the key in her bag, she headed towards the elevators. Hope I'm doing the
right thing, she thought as she waited for the elevator. Once it came,
she got on and hit the button for the parking garage.
"Going on a vacation?" said the woman standing next to her. The
girl looked over and paused for a moment before answering.
"No, this won't be a vacation. I'm going to look for someone,"
the girl explained.
"Oh? Who?" the woman prodded. The girl looked down at her feet.
"I honestly don't know," she answered. They said nothing more
to each other. The woman stepped out of the elevator when it reached the
lobby, and the girl had the car to herself.
In the parking garage, the girl searched for her car.
"I've got to repaint this thing a lighter colour," she muttered
to herself as she opened up the trunk on the dark blue-purple Honda. She
threw her things inside and shut the trunk. It closed with a resounding
thud that echoed off the walls. She unlocked the door on the driver's side
of the car and got in. Once she had put on her seatbelt, she started the
car and left the garage. Then she popped in a tape and prepared herself
for a long drive.
That night, the girl drove into the parking lot of a cheap motel. She locked
up her car, grabbed her duffel bag from the trunk and went inside.
She rented a room and the first thing she did when she was inside was she
put the picture of her and her brother on the table beside her bed. She
and her brother had the same hair colour, but their eye colour were different;
dark blond for the both of them, green for her and blue for him. I'm coming,
she thought as she stared at the picture. You may not know it yet, but
I'm coming.
She got changed and crawled into bed. Once she had turned off the light,
she fell asleep almost immediately.
In the morning, she awoke in a dull gray light. Dawn, she thought with
a yawn. She climbed out of bed and headed for the bathroom. After taking
a shower and changing into some clean clothes, she felt awake and ready
to continue her search. She packed up the things she had taken from her
duffel bag and went to her car. Once again she threw her duffel bag, minus
her wallet, into the trunk, got into the car and started driving. She stopped
a while later at a restaurant for some breakfast, then she headed back
in the direction she had been traveling. Kind of like Canadian Geese, she
thought wryly as she drove. Only I'm going South-West. She turned on the
radio and rolled down her window for the temperature here was much warmed
than it had been where she lived.
On the highway, she got stuck in traffic. It's gonna be a long day, she
thought with a sigh as she and the other motorists crawled forwards in
the sea of exhaust-spewing vehicles.
Early that same morning, Rocky's alarm went off. He groaned and smacked
it with his hand, but he only succeeded in knocking it off the table beside
his bed. The clock kept ringing until Rocky finally crawled out of bed,
picked up his clock and shut it off. Then he put it back on his table,
beside the picture of him and his sister. He put it back down with a sigh
and got up from his bed. Rocky took a quick shower, got dressed and went
downstairs to eat something before going to school.
During the walk to Angel Grove High, Rocky couldn't draw his thoughts away
from his sister. She was so young when the fire happened, he thought. She
only lived 12 years, not long enough to have any of the experiences a normal
kid should have. Rocky looked up as he walked onto the school campus. He
shoved the thoughts of his sister from his mind as he entered the building.
"Hey Rocky!" Tanya called as she and the others walked up to
him. Rocky cursed silently to the inside of his locker.
"Is anything wrong?" Kat asked as she stood beside him.
"No, nothing's wrong. Why?" Rocky asked with fake cheerfulness.
"You just seem kinda down. Sure nothing's wrong bro?" Jason asked.
Rocky was growing impatient.
"Nothing's wrong, OK?" he snapped as he shut his locker door
with such force that it flew open again, bouncing off the lock.
"Somehow, I don't quite believe him," Adam murmured as he and
the others watched their friend walk away.
"If it's anything serious, he'll tell us if he sees it fit. In the
meantime, we should get to class," Tommy said. The five teens started
walking away from Rocky's locker.
Rocky walked into his English class and sat down heavily. He dropped his
bag beside his desk and pulled out his wallet. His sister's picture stared
back at him. I've got to stop doing this to myself, he thought as he put
the wallet back into his pocket. The bell rang, jerking him from his thoughts.
During class, Rocky sat up and stared straight ahead but his mind was elsewhere.
He was replaying the night of the fire in his mind.
He had been asleep in his bed when he had suddenly started coughing.
He woke up and saw a thin gray layer of smoke near his ceiling. Fully awake
now, Rocky jumped out of bed and put his hand to the door. It was warm.
Don't panic, he remembered telling himself as he realized his house was
on fire. Rocky had grabbed his comforter and wrapped it around his hands,
then he had yanked the door open. To his horror, instead of seeing the
hallway, all Rocky saw was a wall of orange-red flames. Quickly, Rocky
slammed the door. He could hear his eldest, and closest, sister in the
next room, coughing and calling for him to help her. Unable to leave his
room, Rocky had only been able to shout back reassurances to his sister.
Then, when he had asked if she was all right, he didn't get a response.
He had called her name twice, three times, but still no answer. The only
thing he heard was the cries of his 5 other younger siblings. The flames
were burning a hole in the door. Rocky heard sirens in the distance, but
he knew that they weren't close enough to do anything. Without thinking,
Rocky ran to his window and opened it. He grabbed a pair of scissors and
cut the screen attached to the window. It fell to the ground one story
below. Rocky swung his feet out the window, then his torso, and finally
his head. He reached for the branch of the Maple tree that was just outside
his window. Don't look down, he had thought to himself as he strained to
reach the branch. Whatever you do, don't look down. Finally, Rocky felt
the cool bark beneath his fingertips and he grasped the branch firmly.
He fell off of his window and clung to the branch for dear life. However,
the branch wasn't strong enough to support his weight. It broke and Rocky
plunged to the ground. The second he hit, he fell unconscious.
The morning after, Rocky had awaken with a splitting headache. He saw
his mother and five of his siblings standing over him.
"Where...where is she?" he had asked groggily. His mother looked
down at the bed, knowing exactly to whom Rocky was referring. That's when
Rocky knew. He had buried his face in the hospital pillow and cried for
hours on end, until finally the tears stopped coming.
He was released from the hospital with a broken arm and a slight concussion
but he would have given up his arm just to have his sister alive again.
"Rocky?" a voice said quietly. Rocky jumped. His English teacher
was staring down at him, looking concerned. Rocky noticed that the room
was empty. "Rocky, what's wrong?"
"Nothing...nothing's wrong," Rocky said, glad his voice was steadier
than his emotions.
"I...I was just thinking...of something that happened a long time
ago," he explained.
"Maybe you had better go home. I'll get the nurse to call your mother,"
his teacher said.
"No!" Rocky exclaimed, jumping from his seat. His teacher was
startled. Mom can't know how I feel, he thought to himself. "I'm fine,
really." His teacher looked doubtful.
"OK, if you say so. Now go, it's lunch time and those are probably
your friends out there waiting for you," she said. Rocky nodded and
slung his bag over his shoulder. Out in the hallway, his friends walked
with him to his locker. They didn't say anything until they were all outside,
sitting at a picnic table.
"OK Rocky, spill it. We know there's something wrong and we want to
help you if we can," Tanya said.
"OK, there is something wrong but none of you can help unless you
can change the past," Rocky admitted.
"We can't do that, but we can help you in the present. Tell us what's
wrong. It might make you feel better," Tommy said quietly.
"No, no I can't. I can't tell you. It's just...just too painful. I'm
sorry," Rocky said, hanging his head. He felt somebody put an arm
around his shoulders and suddenly he couldn't hold it in any longer. His
shoulders heaved as he started to let out the grief and guilt he had been
carrying with him all these years.
After school, Rocky headed straight for his locker, hoping no one would
talk to him. Unfortunately, he saw Tanya, Adam and Jason waiting for him
by his locker. Rocky cursed quietly as he approached and saw their worried
looks.
"Why are you guys here?" he muttered as he opened his locker.
"We're worried about you, Rocky. We want to help you get over whatever's
bothering you," Tanya replied.
"I can't get over what's bothering me! I haven't been able to in the
past and I never will be able to!" Rocky shouted. Almost everyone
in the hallway stopped and stared at him, but Rocky didn't care. He shut
his locker and ran out of the building, his friends in pursuit. He didn't
stop running until he got to his apartment. He ran up the stairs, not bothering
to wait fo an elevator and ran down the hall to his apartment. There, he
threw his bag down beside the couch and flung himself onto it facedown.
He cried into his pillow until it was wet, but he didn't care. He heard
someone knocking on his door.
"Rocky? Can I come in?" Adam asked. Rocky grabbed a handful of
Kleenex and wiped his face. Then he stuffed his pillow under the couch
and sat up.
"Sure, come on in," he called back. The door opened slowly and
Adam walked in.
"Hope I'm not bothering you," he said as he closed the door behind
him.
"Not really. Actually, I'm kinda glad you're here. I think I'm ready
to talk now," Rocky replied. Adam sat down on the couch opposite his
friend.
"Go ahead, I'll listen," he said.
Rocky took a deep breath and proceeded to tell Adam all about the fire
and his sister's death.
"I still feel like I'm responsible for her death. If I hadn't been
so afraid, I could have gone to her when she needed me and we could have
escaped together, but I didn't. I could only worry about myself,"
Rocky concluded sadly.
"Rocky, you know that's not true. You can't be held responsible for
what happened to your sister. The fire was what prevented you from going
to her room, not your own fear, and you weren't just worrying about yourself.
You told me that you called back to her and talked to her until she...
until she couldn't call back. That doesn't sound selfish to me," Adam
countered gently. Rocky looked over at his friend through red and blurry
eyes.
"I know you're right. I've told myself that, God, I don't know how
many times. But I still can't shake the feeling that I'm responsible."
Rocky wiped his eyes with the back of his hand. "Anyway, it's getting
really late. You have to promise you won't tell anyone, not even the others,
anything that I've told you."
"I won't Rocky, I promise," Adam replied. He got up and started
to leave the room.
"And Adam?" Rocky called. Adam half-turned, his hand on the doorknob,
ready to go back to his friend if he was needed.
"Thanks," Rocky said with a small smile.
"Anytime bro," Adam replied with an echoing smile, then he left.
Rocky felt much better now that he had told someone how he felt. But that
doesn't bring her back, a small part of his mind reminded him. Maybe not
physically, but I'll never forget her, my sister, countered another larger
part of his mind. That thought in mind, Rocky went into the kitchen to
make his dinner.
The girl drove into the state boundaries late the following evening. The
sun was partway set, and the few clouds that were in the sky had taken
on a pink tinge. California at last, she thought as a smile slowly spread
across her face. However, it disappeared as quickly as it had come as she
remembered the reason for her visit. Where am I going to stay? she wondered
as she drove down a deserted road. She glanced at her watch. 17:30 it read.
Too late to start looking for him now. I'll start tomorrow morning. The
million dollar question is: where do I start? Her brow furrowed as she
thought. Guess I'll just start in the first city I come to.
She passed a sign. Now entering the Rocky Mountains. I'll have to get over
the Rockies before I start searching, she thought.
She drove for hours, spending the night off the side of the road in her
car. The next morning, she woke up, ate what little food she had brought
with her, then began driving again.
On the other side of the great mountains, the first city she came to was
Sanger. Seems like as good a place as any to start looking. Who knows?
I might just get lucky and find him here, although with the way my luck
has been for the past five years, it probably won't happen.
After a few more hours of driving, she finally found a hotel. Well, this
looks a little better than the rat trap I stayed in last night, she thought
as she pulled into the parking lot. She pulled out her duffel bag and,
after locking up her car, walked into the lobby. She rented a room for
a couple of days, figuring that if she hadn't found him by then, she'd
just have to keep going.
After unpacking her duffel bag, she decided to go for a swim in the hotel's
pool. She changed quickly, grabbed a towel from the bathroom and went downstairs.
In the pool, she swam for a long time, working out the tension from her
arms and shoulders. Then she floated on her back, her eyes closed. It isn't
the Pacific, but it'll do, she thought. She swam to the edge and pushed
herself out of the pool. She dried off and went back to her room. Her stomach
growled. Later, she told herself as she changed for bed. She crawled under
the sheets. Hopefully, I'll be able to find my brother, and that was the
last thought that willingly entered her mind before she fell fast asleep.
That night, she dreamt that she was outside a high school, waiting to see
if she could spot her brother. Suddenly, she spotted him. Quickly, she
got out of her car and ran towards him.
"Hey!" she called as she approached him. He looked suspicious
at first, but he smiled as he recognized her. She wanted to run into his
arms, but when she tried she was repelled by a force field. She tried again,
but the result was the same.
"What's going on?" she asked, confused. He didn't look at her,
he looked at the ground. He didn't reply. She looked at him with tears
in her eyes. "Don't you recognize me? I'm your sister!" Nothing.
Choking on a sob, she turned and fled to her can and drove away as fast
as she could. Her brother ran down to the street. The only thing he saw
when he got there was the tail lights.
"Come back!" Rocky yelled. It was then that he realized that
he was sitting bolt upright in his bed. His body was covered in a light
sheen of sweat, and he was shaking. It was only a dream, he said to himself.
He looked over at his clock. 5 A.M., great. I've still got two hours before
I have to start getting ready for school. Suppose I could get an early
start on that, but then what? Rocky asked himself as he swung his legs
over the side of his bed. Hmm, I could shower, get dressed, eat something
decent for breakfast for once and I'd still get to school on time. He sat
there and thought for another few seconds. Well, sounds good to me, although
I'm not doing this every morning. He grinned wryly. He got out of bed and
headed for his bathroom. He took a long hot shower.
No matter how hard he tried to think of something else, he couldn't shake
the memory of his dream. As he was in his kitchen, eating breakfast, he
replayed it in his mind. I wonder why she couldn't hug me? he wondered,
lifting a forkful of eggs to his mouth. Wonder what that force field business
was all about? I'll talk to the others later, see if they can make any
sense of it. He winced as he remembered how he had acted yesterday. Well,
it isn't my fault that the fire happened. With that, he grabbed his bag
and left for school.
Outside Angel Grove High, Rocky met up with Adam and Jason.
"Er, hi guys," he said quietly.
"Hey Rocky. Feeling better bro?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, thanks. Sorry about how I acted yesterday," Rocky apologized.
"Don't be sorry Rocky. What happened wasn't your fault, and feeling
sad about it is only normal," Adam consoled. Rocky smiled gratefully
at him.
Once again on the road after an unsuccessful trial at Sanger, the next
city she drove into was Angel Grove, near Monterey Bay. Door number two,
she thought dryly as civilization started to make an appearance. After
a long drive, she finally came to a hotel which offered cheap prices but
great service and a pool. Being exhausted, she immediately drove into the
parking lot and rented a room for a couple of nights. The managed agreed
that she could rent the room out on a daily basis, since she didn't know
how long she was going to be needing the shelter.
She took the key and went to her room. Not bad, she thought as she went
in and closed the door behind her. Not bad at all. It was a small room
with a bathroom, small kitchen and a twin bed. It wasn't much, but it was
all she could afford.
She ordered in a small pizza, ate, then changed and went to bed. Before
sleep overtook her, she prayed that she would find her brother here.
The next day, the girl was sitting in her car outside Angel Grove High,
watching everybody that came onto campus intently. Suddenly, she did a
double take. No, it can't be, she thought as she scrambled to find her
binoculars. She focused on the guy in question. It is him, it's my brother!
Frantically, she dropped the binoculars and jumped out of the car, banging
her wrist painfully in the process. Calm down, she told herself. You won't
get anything done if you kill yourself before you get there. Massaging
her wrist, she locked her car door and walked up the path to where he was
standing. A few feet away, she leaned against a tree and waited for his
friends to leave. She was in luck, they did a few minutes later. Then,
the bell rang. She cursed. I was so close! she thought. I've got to keep
track of him. She got an idea. I'll follow him to his locker, then I'll
stick a note in it telling him I want to meet him after school. Hopefully,
he'll accept. Quickly, she picked up a discarded piece of paper and ripped
off a clean piece. After borrowing a pen from a passer-by, she scribbled
a short note telling him when and where to meet her, then she returned
the pen and followed him inside the school.
I Hope I don't get caught, she thought nervously as she wandered down the
halls in as casual a walk as she could manage. He stopped at his locker
and turned around. Quickly, she dove for the nearest water fountain and
bent over it. She had to drink enough water to float a ship, but he finally
closed his locker and left for his class. She waited until she heard the
door close before she stood upright. She walked over to his locker and
slipped the piece of paper inside. Then she turned and hurried out of the
building.
She hadn't taken two steps out the door and onto the soft grass when she
heard somebody call, "Excuse me!" She turned, ready to face whoever
it was.
"Yes?" she asked politely. She knew that she sounded calm, but
inside her heart was thudding against her lungs. A middle-aged man with
gray hair dressed in a suit came over to her.
"What are you doing out here? For that matter, who are you?"
he asked. She began to panic. What do I do now?
"I'm...," I'd better tell him the truth, she thought. "I'm
Kris DeSantos." Hope I did the right thing.
"DeSantos...Are you related to Rocky DeSantos?" he asked. What
now? she thought, her mind racing.
"Yes sir, I am. But you can't tell him you saw me," she said
hurriedly. The man looked confused. "See, I'm here on a surprise visit.
I haven't seen Rocky in a long time." That's all true, she thought.
"Mr Caplan, please come to the office. Mr. Caplan," said a voice
over the P.A. system. When Mr. Caplan looked back towards the school, Kris
took off for her car. She heard Mr. Caplan calling her, but she didn't
stop. Kris jumped into her car and sped off towards her hotel. That was
a close one, she thought as she braked for a red light. Her heart was pounding
in her ears, and she forced herself to take a deep, calming breath. The
light turned green and she stepped lightly on the gas. I'll go back to
my hotel and wait until I have to go meet Rocky, she thought as she drove.
I hope he comes.
After school, Rocky went to his locker to throw some books in and take
some books out. A small scrap of paper fell out of his locker. Curious,
Rocky bent down to retrieve it. He stuffed his bag in his locker, leaned
against the smooth metal and read it.
Rocky,
We haven't seen each other in about 5 years.
Meet me at the juice bar at 3:45 tonight.
You'll know me when you see me.
K.D.S.
Rocky was both astounded and confused at the same time. I wonder who
left this for me? he wondered. And who's initials are K.D.S? The only person
I know- or rather knew-who had those initials was...Kris?! Quickly, Rocky
shut his locker and ran over to the juice bar.
There, he skidded into the place and scanned the tables and the surrounding
area. He saw his friends and they waved to him, but he didn't see them.
The only person he saw was a single girl sitting in the corner.
"Oh my God," Rocky whispered, astounded at what he was seeing.
He slowly walked towards her, unable to believe that he was seeing her
sitting before him. She stood as he came within talking distance.
"Rocky?" she asked. And in that brief moment that she had spoken,
Rocky saw the fire replay in his mind. He remembered thinking about her
burning to death, in terrible agony because he had been too afraid to go
rescue her.
"Kris," he murmured. She got up from behind the table and they
hugged each other tightly. He felt her shoulders shake as she started to
cry.
"Rocky, I never thought I'd find you," she sobbed.
"Kris, we should go outside and talk. We've got a lot to talk about,"
Rocky said before they both broke down, although he knew that he already
had tears running down his face. Kris nodded and the two walked outside.
"Wonder who that was?" Kat whispered as she and the others watched
Rocky and his sister leave, Rocky with his arm around the girl, both of
them in tears.
"That could be the answer to all of Rocky's problems," Adam replied,
watching them go, a small smile on his face.
Outside, Rocky and Kris sat under a tree.
"Kris, I need to tell you something," Rocky said suddenly. Kris
looked up at him, her eyes rimmed red. "Kris, after the fire, I felt
really guilty that I hadn't been able to get to your room. I thought you
had died in the fire, and it was all my fault. I tried, I tried so hard,
but in the end the truth is, I was afraid. I was afraid of getting burned.
That's why I never made it to your room. And then, when you stopped calling
back to me, I was afraid that the fire had gotten into your room, and that..."
Rocky couldn't continue. He lowered his head and tried not to show his
sister exactly how terrified he had been. He felt her put an arm around
his shaking shoulders.
"Rocky, it wasn't your fault that you didn't get to my room. The fire
was going along the entire hallway. And when I stopped calling back to
you, well, I hadn't burned to death, I had escaped. I climbed out my window
and shimmied down the tree. Then I ran until I collapsed from shock. When
I woke up, I was in the hospital, but I couldn't remember anything. Doctors
said it was because I didn't want to remember anything, and they were right.
I remembered what had happened a year and a half later. I remember thinking
how much of a coward I had been, running away the way I did. I remember
telling myself that you guys had died, and it was all my fault because
I didn't go for help once I had gotten out of the house.
"We've both put ourselves through pretty much the same thing, but
there was no need. Now that we're together again, now that we know that
the other is all right, we can put those feelings behind us," Kris
said. Rocky didn't look over at her.
"You're right," he said with a sigh. "But I don't think
I'll ever be able to forget how scared I was when you stopped calling back
to me."
"Rocky, stop it. You're torturing yourself. It's not good for you,"
Kris stated with such vehemence that Rocky glanced over at her in surprise.
Suddenly, the two became aware of the presence of others beside them. Rocky
and Kris looked up and saw Tommy, Jason, Adam, Tanya and Kat standing over
them. Rocky looked away quickly and wiped his eyes. Kris instinctively
shifted closer to her brother. She stared at the newcomers, but one in
particular. He had dark brown hair, an earring in his left ear and he was
dressed almost entirely in black. He was looking at her too. Kris reddened
and looked down at the grass.
"Hey there bro. Can we sit down, or do you want us to leave you alone?"
Tommy asked. Rocky shook his head.
"It's OK, have a seat. That is, if it's OK with you, Kris?" Kris
shrugged, and the five sat down. The one she had been looking at sat down
closest to her.
"OK, I think I had better introduce you all before this gets complicated.
Tommy, Jason, Adam, Tanya, Kat, this is...this is my sister Kristine. Kris,
my best friends," Rocky said. Everybody was too shocked to even move,
except for Adam. He shook Kris's hand warmly.
"Hi Kris. I'm glad you're OK," he said. Tommy looked at Adam
sharply.
"You knew he had another sister?" he asked.
"Yeah, Rocky spilled his guts to me a few days ago, but I didn't tell
you guys. It wasn't my place," Adam replied. "Besides, Rocky
would have taken my head off my shoulders if I had told you guys."
Adam grinned.
"How come you're getting so worked up over seeing your sister?"
Kat asked.
"See, about 5 years ago, there was a fire at my place. We were all
asleep when it started. I think I was the first one awake, but I'm not
sure. I smelled smoke, so I got up. I'm not sure what I thought it was,
but I certainly didn't think my house was on fire. I put my hand against
the door; it felt warm, so I wrapped my hands up in one of the blankets
from my bed and opened the door. I wanted to go make sure my sisters and
brothers were OK, but the entire second floor hallway was in flames. I
closed my door and thought for a second. I could hear Kris calling me,
but I couldn't go to her; I was too scared. So I stayed in my room and
called back to her. At least that way I'd know she was still alive. But
one time, she stopped calling back. I thought for sure she had been burned
to death by the fire. So I cut open the screen on my window and grabbed
onto a tree branch, but it broke and I fell.
"The next morning, I woke up in a hospital bed. I saw my mother and
5 of my 6 siblings. When my mom told me that they couldn't find Kris, I
lost it," Rocky explained.
"So what happened to you?" Jason asked, looking at Kris.
"See, the reason I stopped calling back to Rocky was I had escaped
through my own window. I told him I was going to, but I guess he didn't
hear me. I climbed down the tree and started running. I collapsed from
shock. The next morning, I woke up but couldn't remember anything that
had happened," she replied.
"How come?" Jason probed.
"Doctor said it was a mental block; said I couldn't remember because
I didn't want to remember. They were right."
"So, how come you came to find Rocky if you couldn't remember anything?"
Kat asked.
"I remembered everything about a year and a half later. I finally
got so lonely living alone that I decided to find my family."
"You were living alone? But you were only 12 when it happened,"
Rocky interjected.
"Yeah well, what else was I supposed to do?" Kris demanded softly.
"Good point," Rocky admitted.
"So now that you guys have had your reunion, what are you going to
do now?" Tommy asked. Rocky and Kris looked at each other.
"Beats me," Rocky said finally.
"We should probably tell mom I'm alive," Kris suggested.
"Good idea. I'll drive you over there later."
"Or I could drive us, if you gave me directions."
"You can't drive."
Kris dug her wallet out of her pocket and showed her driver's licence to
Rocky. He whistled softly.
"You forgot, I turned 16 in April, last year. I'm 17 now," she
reminded her brother.
"Well, it's been a while since I've celebrated your birthday,"
he replied, looking down at the grass. He plucked a few blades and let
them run between his fingers.
"Well, there's always next year," Kris said brightly.
"We should probably get going," Rocky said, breaking the uneasy
silence that had claimed the group.
"OK. Maybe I'll see you all later," Kris said as she stood. Although
she addressed the entire group, she was looking at Jason.
"Yeah, sure. Bye Kris," he replied. Kris and Rocky walked down
to Kris's car.
"OK, so where am I going?" Kris asked once she and her brother
had settled in. Rocky gave her the directions and she drove away.
At their mother's house, Rocky knocked on the door while Kris nervously
stood behind him. Their mother answered.
"Rocky!" she exclaimed. "This is a surprise. And who's your
friend?" Kris came out from behind Rocky so her mother could see her.
"Hi mom," she said quietly. Mrs. DeSantos's hands flew to her
mouth and she grew pale.
"Let's go inside mom. I'll explain everything," Rocky said, leading
her into the living room. Kris shut the door behind her and followed her
brother inside.
In the living room, Rocky lead his mother to a chair and sat down beside
Kris on the couch.
"Kristine...is it really you?" their mother asked. Kris nodded.
"Oh...I can't believe this! My eldest daughter is alive! Everybody,
come downstairs quickly!" Rocky and Kris heard five sets of feet pounding
on the stairs.
"What is it, mom?" asked the eldest boy as he and the others
came into the living room. Their mother pointed silently at Kris.
"Who's that, Rocky's new girlfriend?" he asked.
"Not exactly, Lucas," Rocky said with a grin.
"Wife? Fiancee?" Lucas guessed. Rocky shook his head.
"Not even close," he replied.
"Well then, who is she?" Evan, the second youngest boy, demanded.
"This, this is your sister, Kristine," Mrs. DeSantos said shakily.
"We have a sister?" two girls asked in unison.
"Yes, Katie, A.J., you do. Remember how Rocky and I told you about the fire that happened in our house when you were very little?" their mother said.
"I have a sister?" the youngest girl asked, stepping forwards.
"Yes, Katie, you do. Remember how Rocky and I told you about the fire
that happened in our house when you were very little?" their mother
said. Katie nodded, and crawled up into her mother's lap.
"You mean, this is that Kristine? But I thought she was dead,"
Lucas said. He sounded confused.
"So did I, Lucas. How did you manage to stay alive Kristine?"
their mother asked. Kris took a deep breath, and proceeded to tell her
story. At the end, her mother had tears rolling down her cheeks.
"What's wrong mama?" Katie asked.
"Nothing's wrong sweetheart, not anymore. Our family is back together
again," Mrs. DeSantos replied, wiping her eyes.
"Hey Kristine?" said the youngest boy as he sat down beside Kris.
"Yes?" she asked.
"Are you going to come live with us, or are you going to live with
Rocky in his apartment?" he asked her. Kris looked at Rocky, then
at her mother.
"Well, um...," Kris began.
"Jonathan," the boy supplied.
"Right, Jonathan, sorry. It's been a long time. Anyway, I think that
I'll probably go live on my own. Mom's already got the four of you to look
after and Rocky's got his own life. I'll find a cheap apartment and stay
there until I get a job," Kris replied.
"No way. That's out of the question. Kris, you're staying with me.
I've got an extra room that I can turn into a bedroom. I won't have you
staying at some apartment where you won't be able to have someone to talk
to whenever you need," Rocky objected. Kris smiled gratefully at her
brother.
"Thanks Rocky, I'd really appreciate it," she replied. "I
don't think I'll get a job yet anyway. I should go to school, like other
normal kids my age."
"I'll arrange a meeting with Mr. Caplan. He's out principal at Angel
Grove High. I bet I can get you into classes there, even thought we're
partway through first term," Rocky suggested.
"Rocky, you're a godsend. Don't know how I'll ever be able to repay
you," Kris said.
"You already have, sis. You already have," he replied as he hugged
her tightly. Suddenly, Kris and Rocky felt other arms encircling their
bodies. Kris looked down and saw the brothers and sister she used to know
hugging them. And for the first time in what felt like forever, Kris knew
she was home.
That night, Kris slept on the couch in Rocky's living room. She slept soundly,
and had no dreams. In the morning, she awoke feeling relaxed and refreshed.
She went into the kitchen and rummaged around until she found some instant
coffee in a cupboard. Kris brewed it and sat down at the kitchen table.
Rocky stumbled into the kitchen a little later.
"Morning," he said sleepily. Kris handed him a cup of coffee.
He took a sip and sat down heavily.
"Hey, this is pretty good. I may have to keep you around," he
said. Kris laughed.
"I'm not going anywhere," she replied. "Want anything to
eat?"
"Um, sure, whatever you're having will do," Rocky said. Kris
opened up the refrigerator and took out some eggs and cheese. Then she
proceeded to make up two of the best omelettes Rocky had ever tasted. By
the time they had finished breakfast, he was fully awake.
"Rocky, you're going to be late for school...if you're going that
is," Kris added.
"Oh geez, you're right!" Rocky exclaimed. He jumped up and dashed
out of the kitchen and into his bedroom. He returned minutes later, dressed
with his bag flung over his shoulder.
"Sure you don't want to come today?" he asked, his hand on the
doorknob.
"No, I'm just going to stay here thanks. I want to relax. See you
tonight though," Kris replied. Rocky nodded and left. Suddenly, the
apartment seemed very quiet to Kris. Now what? she wondered to herself.
Guess I could clean this stuff up. Kris proceeded to clean up the kitchen,
get dressed, make up the couch, stuff her things into an empty closet and
she watched T.V. for the rest of the day.
That afternoon, when Rocky got home, he looked around in amazement.
"Am I in the right apartment?" he asked. Kris laughed.
"Yes, you're supposed to be here. I just sorta cleaned up a bit. Hope
you don't mind," she replied uncertainly.
"Mind? Are you kidding me? This place is cleaner now than it has been
since I bought it," Rocky said, throwing his bag into the hallway.
He was about to settle in and talk with his sister when his communicator
sounded.
"What was that?" Kris asked, confused. Rocky groaned inwardly.
"I've got to go meet my friends. I'm really sorry Kris," he said
as he stood up.
"Think they'd mind if I came along?" she asked eagerly.
"Kris, um, I hate to say this, but you can't come. It's not that I
don't want you to, but there's something me and the others have to take
care of. I'll be back as soon as I can," he said. Then he left. Kris
was hurt. He's got his own life now, she thought sadly. You didn't exist
to him until a couple of days ago. Kris got up and went to the window that
faced outside. She saw a figure clad entirely in blue run out from the
building and stand under a tree. That's Rocky, Kris thought. She saw him
lift his wrist up near his face, then she almost fainted when he disappeared
in a flash of blue light. I didn't see that, she told herself as she turned
away on shaky legs. My brother did not just disappear into thin air. Unable
to handle it, Kris collapsed on the couch.
"Zordon, this had better be really important," Rocky growled
as he arrived at the Power Chamber.
"Rocky, we've got a swarm of cogs in the park," Tommy told him.
"Oh this is great. I really need this now. Well guys, let's go throw
those recycling bin rejects back where they belong."
"It's morphin time!"
"Zeo Ranger One, Pink!"
"Zeo Ranger Two, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger Three, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger Four, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger Five, Red!"
"Gold Ranger Power!"
The six teens materialized as the Power Rangers in a swarm of cogs. Rocky
went after them with a passion that the other rangers hadn't seen before,
but they didn't have time to think about it for they were attacked by the
cogs. They split up, taking five or six cogs with them each to deal with.
Up on the moon, Mondo watched the rangers fight.
"I wonder why the Blue ranger is fighting so well today?" Sprocket
asked, gazing down at the fight below.
"I know why. It's his sister. She was just reunited with him, and
he wants to get back to her. Well, I'll just have to bring her to him,"
Mondo replied. With a wave of his hand, Kris was transported from the apartment
to Mondo's castle on the moon.
"What...where am I?" she asked.
"You, my dear, are in the company of King Mondo, future ruler of the
universe," Mondo said. Kris jumped.
"I know you. You're the one behind all those attacks on the Zeo Rangers
and the one who brings all those creepy monsters down to Earth," Kris
said accusingly.
"Guilty, as charged. But now, I won't be bringing another monster
to Earth," Mondo replied.
"Why not?" Kris asked suspiciously.
"Because I'm going to destroy the Zeo Rangers. Or rather, you are,"
Mondo answered.
"Me? Destroy the Zeo Rangers? You're out of your metal mind, Mondo.
I'd lose in a second if I ever tried to fight the Zeo Rangers, which I
never would," Kris retorted.
"Ah, maybe not in your current frame of mind, but I can change your
mind," Mondo said. He snapped his metallic fingers and some cogs surrounded
Kris. She kicked and punched at them, but they still got hold of her arms
and held her tightly. She tried to struggle, but they held her tighter.
"Leave me alone!" she screamed as loudly as she could.
"That's looks like the end of the cogs," Tommy commented as
he destroyed the last one standing. The metal bodies of their opponents
soon disappeared.
"Guys, look!" Adam said, tapping Rocky on the shoulder. The rangers
turned, and looked in the direction that Adam was pointing. Kris had materialized
along with another army of cogs and Sprocket.
"Kris!" Rocky shouted. He started to run to her, but his friends
held him back, although it wasn't easy.
"What are you doing with my sister Sprocket?" Rocky yelled, straining
against his friends.
"Why don't I let her tell you?" Sprocket said. He gestured to
Kris, who nodded once.
"Kris, Kris run! Get away from them!" Rocky cried.
"Why would I do that?" she replied coldly. "I'm here on
behalf of King Mondo, your future ruler of the universe. I want your Zeo
crystals and access to the Power Chamber."
"Kris, you know we can't give either to you," Jason called, trying
to buy some time for a reason that wasn't quite clear to him yet.
"Maybe not now, but you will change your mind. You have 24 hours to
decide. Your powers, or the life of Rocky's sister." With that, Kris
disappeared along with the cogs and Sprocket.
"NO!" Rocky shouted. His friends let go of him, and he ran to
the spot where just moments before his sister had been standing. His shoulders
slumped.
"Look man, we'll find a way to get her back," Tommy said. "I
promise."
Up at the moon, Kris had returned to the castle. She collapsed to the floor.
Her head was pounding and the room was spinning crazily.
"What just happened?" she groaned, holding her head in her hands.
"You just delivered a message to the Zeo rangers telling them that
if they don't give you the Zeo crystal and the Power Chamber, I'll kill
you," Mondo replied.
"No...how could this have happened?" Kris moaned. "Why don't
I want to help you now?"
"I put a spell on you that puts you under my control whenever you
go down to Earth. Your freewill only returns when you're up here, with
me," Mondo answered.
"How could you do this to me?" Kris shouted. She jumped up from
the floor and tackled Mondo. Then she got up and ran out of the room.
Kris ran down several hallways. She heard the pounding of footsteps behind
her, coming closer, then distancing themselves. I've got to find someplace
to hide, she thought frantically. She stopped at the first door she came
to and opened it. Kris stepped through the doorway and found herself in
a room, entirely black but well lit. Kris started to back away, but the
door had disappeared. Where am I? Kris thought, standing in the middle
of the room.
"Perfect!" Mondo laughed. He had been watching Kris's progress
through the castle on a small crystal ball. "She's in the Dimension
of Doom! I knew I left that thing there for a reason. Cogs! Go down there
and keep our visitor occupied!" The cogs that had been searching for
Kris took off down the hallway.
"Sprocket! Get down to Earth with a message for the Zeo rangers. Tell
them that I have the girl in my Dimension of Doom, and I'll keep her there
for eternity unless I get the Zeo crystals."
"Yes father," Sprocket said, and he teleported to Earth.
The rangers had been ready to teleport back to the Power Chamber when Sprocket
showed up.
"What do you want?" Tommy demanded.
"I've got a message from King Mondo. Your sister has been taken to
the Dimension of Doom, and she will remain there forever unless we get
the Zeo crystal," Sprocket said, then he disappeared. The other rangers
took the news hard, but none harder than Rocky, Tommy and Jason. Rocky
was Kris's brother, and Jason and Tommy had had personal experiences in
the Dimension of Doom.
"We've got to get her out of there," Jason said quietly, indicating
how furious he was with the Machine Empire at the moment.
"But how?" Rocky asked, frantic. He started pacing in anger and
worry. Not again, he prayed. Please God, not again.
"We'll figure out a way. We've always been able to in the past. Why
should now be any different?" Tommy said. Then he indicated that they
should teleport back to the Power Chamber. They did.
"Zordon, we've got a serious problem. Apparently, when King Mondo
took over, he didn't eliminate the Dimension of Doom from the castle, and
now Rocky's sister is trapped in it," Tommy explained tensely the
moment he had solidified.
"This is indeed a grave situation," Zordon agreed.
"Billy, you've got to come up with a way to get Kris out of there
before Mondo goes tried to use her against us," Jason said. Or worse,
he thought, but he left it unspoken, not wanting to scare Rocky further.
Billy thought for a moment.
"I might have an idea. See, I kept most of the old stuff that we used
to defeat Rita and Zedd. Maybe I kept the devices that allowed us to rig
the porthole that allowed you to go through and rescue your friends all
that time ago. I'll go check." With that, Billy hurried away.
"Don't worry Rocky. Kris will be safe soon," Jason said quietly,
patting his friend on the shoulder.
"I hope you're right, Jason," Rocky replied quietly.
Meanwhile, in the Dimension of Doom, Kris was surrounded by cogs. She was
scared that they would attack at any minute, and she knew that she would
probably be powerless to defend herself against so many opponents. Suddenly,
one of them came at her and she knew that her time was up. Taking a deep
breath, Kris launched herself at the cog and knocked it down. She proceeded
to pummel it until it was surrounded by blue energy, then it disappeared.
With a renewed sense of strength and purpose, Kris stood and faced the
other cogs. However, her newly developed ego allowed her to be over-confident,
and soon there were cogs holding her motionless at her arms. No matter
how she squirmed, no matter how had she struggled, Kris couldn't break
free. Suddenly, she was up with King Mondo.
"What do you want now?" she demanded, trying again to free herself.
Failing.
"I want you to help me defeat the Power Rangers and join forces with
me to rule the universe. Think of it. Absolute power," Mondo replied.
"No way. I'd never join forces with you unless...well, I'm not telling
you my weakness. Forget it Mondo. You can send me back to that weird dimension
for all I care because I'd be dead before you'd get my services,"
Kris shot back. Smooth move, Kris, she thought to herself. You almost let
him know how to get you to obey him. I've got to do something about this
huge mouth of mine, Kris thought idly.
"I think you're wrong. Cogs, take her to the chamber and restrain
her. Make sure the straps are secure. I wouldn't want her getting away
from me now," Mondo ordered and before Kris knew what was happening,
she was in another room. It was empty, except for a table with leather
straps and a weird-looking computer. Kris was hauled over to the table
and strapped down. Her head was held in place by a strap that went under
her chin. She couldn't even talk. Her arms and legs were immobile, rendering
her completely helpless and totally vulnerable. Minutes later, Mondo and
a few of his henchmen appeared. They walked over to Kris and leaned over
her. Scared but trying desperately not to show it, Kris glared at them
until they moved away. Suddenly, the chin strap was loosened and a piece
of machinery was placed over her head. Kris tried to scream, but it came
out muffled. She heard the whirr of the machine being activated, then her
mind slowly went blank.
"Perhaps sire, if we could concoct a potion that would give us total
control of her mind, we could make her fight the rangers and weaken them
enough so that the cogs could defeat them," a monster suggested.
"An excellent idea. Do it!" Mondo ordered. The monster bowed
and scurried away.
A while later, it returned holding a vial filled with a greenish liquid.
It removed the machine from Kris's head and poured the liquid into her
mouth. Kris swallowed it, and groaned. She lifted her head and opened her
eyes. They glowed green. Seconds later, she was engulfed in a greenish-blue
light, and she had changed from her street clothes to a dark blue Zeo Ranger
suit very similar to Rocky's, but a different, darker shade.
"It worked!" the monster crowed exuberantly. The others cheered.
"Good. Now Kris, your enemies are the Power Rangers. Your only purpose
in life is to defeat them. Now, go to Earth and do just that! I will help
you anyway I can" Mondo ordered. Kris was unstraped and she got to
her feet.
"Yes master," she replied before she disappeared.
She arrived on Earth with a crowd of cogs behind her.
"Now we wait," she murmured, an evil smile playing across her
lips, which were covered by a dark blue helmet.
Rocky was standing off by himself on one side of the Power Chamber while
the others worked and stood around the computers. He was so lost in thought
that he didnt even notice Adam come over to him.
"Rocky?" Adam asked aprehensively. Rocky jumped. "Sorry.
I just thought you might want some company."
"Thanks Adam," Rocky said, attempting a smile, but failed.
"Need a sounding board again?" Adam offered.
"We've got to get her back, Adam," Rocky said determinadely.
"I lost her once, and it was hard enough then. I don't think I coudl
stand to lose her again, not after all we've been through. I...I've never
needed anyone as much as I need her. I know it sounds crazy since I really
barely know the person she is now, but I knew who she was. I want to get
to know her again. I need my sister back."
"Don't worry, Rocky. We'll find a way to get her back," Adam
said, trying to console his friend.
"We'd better. Otherwise, I don't know what I'll do," Rocky said
softly, meaning every word.
"You'd get by, Rocky. You did once, and you could do it again,"
Adam said.
"Thanks for the confidence," Rocky mumbled. Adam winced, then
laid a hand on his friend's shoulder.
"Rocky, that's not what I meant to say," he said. "We'll
get her back."
"I hope you're right, Adam," Rocky said. "'Cause if we don't,
I'm going to go out of my mind." That's true, Rocky thought to himself,
reflecting on his words. I'd go crazy with rage towards the Machine Empire,
and probably get myself killed. But I'd make sure to that all of them with
me. Rocky's hands clenched into fists.
Suddenly, the alarm began to sound. The rangers turned anxiously towards
the viewing globe.
"Who's that?" Rocky demanded
"Another ranger?" Tommy asked.
"I do not understand. That ranger should not exist," Zordon replied.
"We'd better go check it out," Jason said quietly to Tommy. Tommy
nodded, and the six teleported to the park.
"Who are you?" Adam called to the mysterious ranger.
"In time, you will know. For now, all you need to know is that you
do know me," she replied.
"Guys, you need to get back here right away. I found out something
you definitely have to know about that ranger you're facing," Billy
said through the communicator. Tommy looked over his shoulder and the rangers
disappeared in a rainbow of lights.
"What is it Billy?" Tommy asked once they had arrived. Billy
pointed to the viewing globe.
"I used a thermal scanner on that ranger, then I scanned the city
to see if I could find a match for the readings. I did," he replied.
There were gasps and murmurs as the image appeared on the globe.
"That's Kris!" Rocky exclaimed, and before anybody could stop
him he teleported away with the others close behind him.
"I'm so glad you all decided to come, rangers. This way you will not
have to witness the suffering of one another. Cogs, attack them!"
Kris ordered, pointing at the rangers. The cogs obeyed and within seconds,
the rangers were separated and fighting the cogs viciously.
Kris stood back and watched, the grin on her face hidden by her helmet.
Suddenly, two cogs were tossed away. Kris followed their trajectory and
saw that the gold ranger was the source. She ran at him and tackled him
from behind as he turned to face another set of cogs. They went down, with
Kris on top. She quickly stood and went to stomp and the gold ranger's
chest, but he grabbed her ankle and flipped her backwards. She landed easily
on her feet.
"You cannot defeat me so easily, gold ranger. Try as you like, but
you will eventually succumb and serve King Mondo and the Machine Empire!"
Kris cried as she rushed the gold ranger. He dodged her and hit her back
with his elbow. The momentum made her stumble and fall on a protruding
root. Her helmet clasps were tripped and the helmet fell from her face
and rolled a few feet away. She rolled over just in time as the gold ranger
lifted his staff to deal the final blow.
She disappeared and reappeared behind the red ranger. She tapped him on
the shoulder. When he turned, she kicked him in the stomach. He rolled
away and kneeled a few feet away, gasping for air. The gold ranger ran
over and stood in front of him.
"She's good," Tommy panted, getting unsteadily to his feet.
"She's not. Mondo's got her under a spell. Have you looked in her
eyes? They're green," Jason replied, not taking his eyes from Kris.
"She must be under a spell by Mondo. He probably used a potion to
turn her evil!" Tommy exclaimed.
"But how are we going to turn her good again?" Jason asked.
"She should see who we are. It worked for me," Tommy said, and
he reached up to remove his helmet. Jason stopped him before he could remove
the helmet.
"We shouldn't do it, just in case she decides to spring a surprise
attack on us," he warned.
"Good point. Guess this is so different than what I'm used to. Not
used to fighting people. Mondo's creations, sure. Rocky's sister, not exactly
the norm," Tommy said. Jason could hear the smile in his voice. Kris
stood and watched the gold and red rangers interact and protect one-another.
This doesn't seem right. Why am I fighting them? she wondered. Then she
felt a surge of evil go through her. Because King Mondo demands it!
She ran backwards, away from the clearing in which they had been fighting.
The rangers followed her. Kris ducked behind a tree and when they ran past,
she stuck her foot out. She managed to trip the pink ranger, but the others
managed to dodge her foot and their fallen comrade. Kris jumped out into
the open, now that she had been discovered. Suddenly, more cogs appeared.
"Attack them, but leave the gold ranger alone. He's mine," Kris
ordered. Why the gold ranger? she thought to herself as she advanced. Who
cares? They're all the same under those suits. The Gold Ranger and Kris
circled each other, oblivious to the other fights going on around them.
"Kris, come back to the Power Chamber with me. Zordon can help you,"
Jason coaxed. In response, Kris got a running start and aimed a flying
kick at Jason's head. He met her in the air and punched her in the stomach.
She fell to the ground on her side, choking and gasping for air while Jason
landed gracefully on his feet. He stood over her, his staff in his hand.
Kris looked up and saw him looming over her. Kris disappeared, although
it was against her will.
"Why was I brought back here?" Kris demanded.
"Cogs, take her back to the chamber and give her another dose,"
Mondo said in response. Kris was led back to the chamber where she had
been earlier. She was against strapped to the table and a potion was forced
down her throat. This time, the machine was not placed over her head.
"Your power has been augmented. Now go and defeat the rangers!"
Mondo ordered.
"As you wish, master," Kris muttered. She teleported back to
Earth and once again faced the gold ranger, who had been helping his friends
dispose of the cogs. She took a swipe at the backs of Jason's legs with
her heel, but he flipped backwards and avoided her. She stood up and glared
at him. Suddenly, she felt dizzy. Another wash of evil spread through her
body and she glanced up through her fingers at Jason, who had relaxed and
was coming towards her. She lunged and almost punched him in the stomach,
but he blocked her and grabbed her wrist. Blinded by an uncontrollable
rage, she screamed and swung with her other arm. She connected with the
side of Jason's helmet. He loosened his grip and she broke away, kneeing
him for good measure. Then she felt someone's presence behind her. She
whirled just in time, for the red ranger had lunged at her. He stayed upright,
and turned, ready to go at her again. Kris got an idea. She slumped her
shoulders and hung her head. She made her shoulders shake, hoping the rangers
would think she was crying. It worked. Jason approached and cautiously
moved closer to her. She snapped her head up and prepared to attack, but
instead he grabbed her shoulders, whirled and held her against a tree trunk.
Kris was breathing heavily. She could feel the anger radiating from the
gold ranger, but it only served to further the disgust for the power rangers
that lay inside of her
"Nice try," she muttered, just before she disappeared.
"What the...?" Jason said, confused. He looked over his shoulder
just as Kris aimed and kicked at his head. He ducked, and blocked the kick
with an arm.
"Cogs, arise and be ten times more powerful!" she shouted. The
cogs rose up from the ground and attacked the rangers, but they were no
more powerful than before.
"Master, what's going on? The cogs are almost helpless!" Kris
called.
"I'll send a weapon down to aid you in the conquest!" Mondo said,
his voice echoing throughout the park.
A small dagger appeared in her hand.
"This is the only other assistance you'll get from me," Mondo
said. Kris gripped the dagger. She approached the gold and blue rangers,
slashing the air before her. "Who's first?"
"Look Kris, this is stupid. Give me the knife!" Rocky shouted,
stepping forwards, hand outstretched. Kris grinned, then let the knife
go. It sailed through the air and Rocky ducked just before it cut his head
off, but it still managed to graze Jason's shoulder. He fell to one knee,
clutching his bleeding shoulder.
"Jason!" Tommy called. He broke away from the fight he was in
with the cogs to help his friend. The pink, yellow and green rangers were
still fighting the last of the cogs.
"Kris, I know that you aren't thinking straight right now, but you
almost killed someone. The Kris I knew wouldn't have harmed a fly. I'm
your brother, Kris, the one person you came to Angel Grove to find."
Rocky removed his helmet to prove his point. "Don't let Mondo rule
you, or you'll end up trying to kill each and every one of us. Once that's
done, Mondo will let you go and you'll have our deaths on your head. Is
that really what you want?" Rocky said softly, slowly approaching
Kris. She stared at him in disbelief. "Or worse, he won't ever let
you go, and you'll be evil forever. Mondo will probably want you to kill
hundreds of innocent people. You're not a killer, are you Kris?"
"No," she said quietly. "But...but Mondo is right. The Power
Rangers are evil."
"We're not Kris. You know that. Look into your heart," Rocky
replied. He was in arm's reach of Kris. Kris, looked deep into Rocky's
eyes, and she saw the truth. Suddenly, everything she had done under Mondo's
rule flashed before her eyes. She saw herself fighting the gold ranger,
demanding the surrender of the Zeo crystal and every other act she had
committed. She threw herself into Rocky's outstretched arms, sobbing. Rocky
looked back at his friends. They nodded and teleported to the Power Chamber,
leaving the brother and sister alone. Rocky stood in the park with his
sister in his arms. Kris broke free of his embrace and stood a few feet
away, her back to him.
"I...I can't believe what I wanted to do to you guys. I'll never be
able to face any of you again. I'll never live it down," Kris said,
her shoulders sagging.
"Kris, you can't blame yourself. You didn't want to do any of the
stuff you said. You were under one of Mondo's spells. You didn't do anything,
it was all Mondo," Rocky replied. He powered down, then walked over
to Kris and placed a hand on her shoulder, but she shrugged and walked
a few steps before facing him.
"Can...Do you think that any of them will ever be able to forgive
me?" she asked, tears running freely down her cheeks. Rocky moved
over to her and now she fell against him, burying her face in his shoulder
while he stroked her hair.
"Believe me Kris. They'll forgive you," Rocky said, and he teleported
the both of them to the Power Chamber.
There, Kris moved away and wiped her face with the back of her gloved hand.
She took a deep breath before she began.
"You guys...I'm really sorry for what I wanted to do. I understand
that it was Mondo's doing, but I still feel responsible because it was
my mind he had taken over," Kris said apologetically.
"Don't worry Kris, most of us have been there," Jason said sympathetically,
holding a bandage to his wounded shoulder while Billy got the device to
heal it.
"You have?" Kris asked, surprised. Tommy nodded.
"I was taken over by Rita, and Jason was taken over by Rita and Zedd,"
Tommy replied.
"Glad I'm not the first," Kris said with a weak smile. Jason,
Tommy and the others smiled back. Then she turned to Rocky. "Can we
go home? I'm really tired."
"Sure Kris. We'll see you guys tomorrow at school," Rocky said
before he teleported himself and his sister back to his apartment.
In his apartment, Kris fell onto the folded out couch and fell fast asleep.
Rocky picked up the phone and ordered out for some pizza. When it came,
he paid the delivery guy and set the box on the table in the kitchen, then
sat down to eat. Kris came in a while later. She grimaced when she saw
the food.
"I think Mondo's potions had a nasty side effect on my stomach,"
she groaned as she sat down.
"Maybe you'd better drink something," Rocky offered. Kris shook
her head.
"Hey...I just thought of something," she said a while later.
"What's that?" Rocky asked.
"I know the Zeo Rangers," she said with a small smile. Rocky
winced slightly.
"Yeah, I've been meaning to talk to you about that. See, as far as
anybody else knows, you don't know the Zeo Rangers. You've met them, but
you don't know who they are, OK?" he said. Kris laughed.
"You thought I was going to tell everybody your secret identities?
I wouldn't do that, then I'd never get to see you guys at all," she
replied.
"Good. I know we all appreciate it," Rocky said, wiping his hands
on his jeans. He reached into the pizza box and pulled out another slice.
"Hmm, maybe I will have some pizza after all," she said, taking
the pizza from Rocky's plate and taking a huge bite.
"But...Oh, who cares?" he said with a smile which Kris returned.
In the morning, Kris and Rocky arrived at school early.
"First time for everything," Rocky joked. Kris laughed, and the
two went into the school office. Mr. Caplan was waiting for them there.
"Rocky, Kristine, good to see you," he said, leading the way
into his office. Kris and Rocky sat down, as did Mr. Caplan.
"Now, I understand you want to transfer into Angel Grove High School
permanently. I think we can arrange that. Since you skipped grade 7, you'll
be in classes with Rocky and his friends. They'll help you catch up on
whatever you've missed during the first few weeks. OK?" Mr. Caplan
asked. Kris nodded and smiled.
"That'll be perfect. Thanks Mr. Caplan. When should I start?"
Kris asked.
"Tomorrow, if that's OK with you. I'll inform your teachers, Rocky,
and you can bring your sister to your classes with you for today,"
Mr. Caplan replied.
"Thanks sir. Come on Kris, let's go," Rocky said, standing up.
Kris did the same, and they left the office.
Out in the halls, they went to Kris's new locker.
"This is going to take some getting used to, having my sister in my
classes," Rocky confessed.
"Well, just pretend I'm not there and do the stuff you normally do.
I'll make my own friends, and then leave you guys alone. Don't worry. If
I can live on my own for 5 years, I can definitely make it at a new school,"
Kris replied, tossing her coat into her locker.
"Kris, that's not what I meant. You don't have to leave me and my
friends alone. Matter of fact, I think they kind of like having you around,"
Rocky explained.
"Good, 'cause they seem like really nice people," Kris said,
shutting her locker. Tommy, Jason, Adam, Tanya and Kat walked up at that
moment.
"You've got another locker, Rocky?" Kat asked.
"Nope. This is Kris's locker. She's officially a student at Angel
Grove High," Rocky said.
"Hey, that's great," Tanya said.
"Best part is, Mr. Caplan put her in our classes, so we can help her
catch up on what she missed."
"But aren't you younger than us?" Adam asked.
"Yeah, but she skipped grade 7, so Mr. Caplan stuck her...I mean put
her in our classes," Rocky replied, grinning. Kris swatted him on
the arm playfully. Then, the bell rang.
"This is gonna be really great," Rocky said, putting his arm
around Kris shoulders as he and the others walked down the hall. Kris glanced
up at Jason, who was walking beside her. He caught her eye and they both
smiled.
"You are so right Rocky.
The End?
