|
|
ALL: <Sarcastic> Yeah, thanks a lot!
>[THE MITCHELL HOUSE, TWO HOURS LATER]
>
>
> Kimberly sat in the Mitchell kitchen having finished a large
>breakfast prepared by Billy's father. He really has changed, Kim
>thought.
KIM: I thought he was going to wear the same clothes for months!
> Racer X and his wife had already eaten and taken Tara to
>the park. Poor Tommy was still sleeping, exhausted from the
>night's events. Kim blushed and squirmed in her seat just
>thinking about the intimacies they had shared. Billy was still
>unable to look her in the eye and had barely spoken two words all
>morning. He had wolfed down his breakfast
TOM: Interesting choice of words.
> and hid in his
>temporary room with a book. I think he's more embarassed than I
>am. Mr. Mitchell seemed to have taken it all in stride, not at
>all surprised she and Tommy were lovers. He even seemed pleased
>to learn that.
CROW: Now he could suggest a threesome!
> "Well, I guess I have to go home and face my mother
>sometime." Kim said, in a voice of doom. "She's probably still
>sleeping, but I'd better be there when she wakes up."
ALL: <Singing> Will you be there in the morning?
> "Do you want me to drive you?" Mr. Mitchell asked kindly.
>"Maybe I could talk to your mother and explain what happened."
ROCKY: She's had at LEAST one child. I think she understands the mechanics pretty well by now.
> "Thank you, Mr. Mitchell." Kim said gratefully. "You're very
>kind. I would appreciate the ride, but I doubt my mother would be
>receptive to anything you might say."
> The doorbell sounded repeatedly, then was followed by
>impatient pounding on the door.
> "All right, all right....coming." Mr. Mitchell muttered to
>himself and hurried to the front door. He opened it to reveal an
>enraged Mrs. Hall.
ADAM: Just how many Mrs. Halls are there?
> She was not dressed as perfectly as usual. Her clothing
>appeared to have been thrown on haphazardly, and her hair was
>mussed, as if she had just gotten out of bed. Her face was devoid
>of makeup, but her cheeks were colored with anger.
TOMMY: Which had a real hard time staying inside the lines.
> "Where is my daughter?" She shrieked. "I demand to see her."
> "Certainly Mrs. Hall, just calm down." Mr. Mitchell stepped
>aside to let her in.
> She stomped in and looked around, spotting Tommy sitting up
>on the couch, staring in wide-eyed amazement. This must be a
>nightmare, he thought, blinking his eyes and opening them again.
>She's still there. Shit!
> "I should have known you were behind this!" Mrs. Hall yelled
>approaching Tommy menacingly. He stood up and faced her wrath
>unflinchingly. He was beginning to get mad himself.
ADAM: Please don't make me angry. You wouldn't like me when I'm angry.
TOM: Well, Tommy was green at the time...
> Kim walked timidly up behind her mother. She touched her arm
>gently, feeling her mother's tense muscles. "Mom, please calm
>down." Kim said softly.
> "Calm down?" She said incredulously, looking at her
>daughter. "I was awakened out of a sound sleep by poor Malcum,
>telling me the police have been questioning his nephew Austin
>about assaulting my daughter." Her voice rose several decibals,
>as her tirade continued. "My God Kimberly, are you insane? I'm
>sure this is a terrible misunderstanding. You are going to
>apologize to Austin and Malcum for your unspeakable behavior."
>Then, she paused and added: "And, apologize to me for disrupting
>my sleep. You know I need it to stay young. And, you know I'm
>not that strong and healthy!" She whined.
BILLY: Excuse ME? I can't imagine ANY mother reacting in this manner to the idea that her child was nearly raped.
> "The hell she is!" Tommy said, his voice deadly quiet. "That
>pretty boy tried to rape her. I don't want Kim anywhere near
>him."
> Mrs Hall turned to face Tommy with fire in her eyes. "You
>are the one who will stay away from my daughter, Thomas Oliver,
>or whatever the hell your name is. Austin is a good, decent boy
>who can give Kim the life she deserves, not a poor, long haired
>punk with an earring from the wrong side of the tracks. Look at
>yourself." She said contemptously. She raked Tommy with her
>scathing gaze. "You are nothing and you have nothing. You
>can't give Kimberly anything but grief. Now, stay away from her.
>I mean it!" She poked Tommy in the chest with one of her sharp
>fingernails, digging painfully into the healing wounds on his
>chest. He winced, knocking her hand away and gasping, as shards
>of pain knifed through his chest. Blood oozed onto his shirt
>where Mrs. Hall had broken open the wounds.
ALL: Ewww...
TOM: Who's WRITING this? Wes Craven?
> "Tommy...."Kim started to say. Mrs. Hall grabbed her wrist
>painfully, pulling her forcefully to the door.
> Mr. Mitchell stood in her way, disgusted by the scene he had
>witnessed.
> "Get out of my way!" Mrs. Hall demanded.
> "I will, just as soon as I'm done talking." He took a deep
>breath. "You're wrong about Tommy. He's a good kid and he loves
>Kim and treats her with respect. I used to be like you, thinking
>that wealth and social status were the most important things in
>life. I was wrong. I had to almost lose my son to realize how
>wrong I was. Thanks to Tommy, I have a second chance with Billy.
>Tommy almost died protecting Billy. He put the welfare of my son
>before his own. I'm thankful Billy has him for a friend. You
>should be glad
>Kim has a boyfriend like him. He doesn't deserve the cruel things
>you said to him."
ADAM: Any more than your son deserves the things you said to him?
ROCKY: Pot. Kettle. Black.
> "Are you quite finished?" Mrs. Hall asked nastily.
> "Yes, I am." Mr. Mitchell sighed. "Please think about what I
>said."
> Mrs. Hall dragged Kim to her car and shoved her in, slamming
>the door. Mr. Mitchell stood in the doorway staring at Kim's
>anguished face as they drove away. Tommy could not prevent the
>tears that rolled down his thin cheeks. Mr. Mitchell put his arm
>around Tommy.
> "It will all work out son. I promise." He said, trying to
>comfort the distraught green ranger.
TOMMY: Son? Is there something I haven't been told yet?
TOM: Wait two more seasons.
> Tommy shook off his hold and walked back inside to sprawl on
>the couch in despair. I wish I was dead, he thought miserably.
KIM: Join the club.
> Mr. Mitchell shook his head sadly as he watched the crying
>Ranger. He sat on the couch next to him. "Tommy," He whispered.
>"Come here and let me tend to your wounds. Then, why don't you
>lie down and get some rest." He suggested. Tommy sat up.
>Mitchell carefully removed the shirt and looked at the wounds.
>They were oozing blood. Mrs. Hall had broken them open with her
>sharp nails.
ROCKY: This is a first. I've just lost my appetite.
> Just then, Speed Racer walked into the house.
> "Hello, Mr. Mitchell," Speed said pleasently. "What
>happened?" He gasped when he saw the blood.
> "Mrs. Hall's designer nails." Tommy said grimly.
> "Where's Kimberly?" Speed asked. "I thought she was
>staying here."
> "Mrs. Hall came and dragged her away." Mitchell answered.
>He was pressing a handercheif to the wounds to stop the bleeding.
>"Greg (author's note: Greg is Speed's real name. Check out
>Speed Racer Comics Issue One to get the story on how Speed got
>his nickname.),
CROW: Couldn't she just have- alluded to that in the story?
BILLY: No, blatant info-dumps are MUCH more professional.
>do you know any first aide?" Mitchell asked.
ROCKY: Monica?
ADAM: No, Rocky, she was an intern.
> "Yeah. Let me get my first aide kit out of the trunk of the
>Mach V." Speed spun around and ran to his fancy race car. Then,
>he rejoined Mitchell and Tommy in the living room. Carefully,
>the young racer tended to Tommy's wounds.
>
>[TWO MONTHS, JUDGE'S OFFICE IN SAN FRANSICO]
>
> "Your Honor," Ms. Phillips appealed to the judge. "We need
>a longer extension. Our main witness is not healed enough to
>handle the travel from Angel Grove to San Fransico, even less
>able to withstand the rigors of a trial!"
> "But Your Honor, they had two months for this star witness
>to recover!" Mr. Bailey complained. "Plus the three weeks he
>spent in the hospital!"
> "I guess you don't know anything about gun shot wounds,
>then."
KIM: Allow me to demonstrate.
ADAM: Preferably on this fanfic.
> Ms. Phillips said. "The doctor said that it will take a
>minimum of six months before he is able. Right now he has
>fragments of bone and lead working their way out of his body and
>is spending a lot of time in the hospital because of that."
ROCKY: And here I thought it was the stacked nurses.
KIM: Don't go there, Rocky.
> "Well, it's not fair for my client to have to wait for his
>trial!" Bailey snapped.
> The judge sighed. He hated high profile trials. _Why
>couldn't this have been a nice, simple drive-by shooting?_ He
>asked himself. "The trial will go on as scheduled." He
>announced, then dismissed the lawyers. Once the lawyers were
>gone, the phone rang in the judge's chambers. "Hello?"
> "*Good call, your honor.*" A very familar voice sneered.
>"*Remember, if you keep Mr. Brewster happy, you'll be guaranteed
>a nice contribution to your re-election campaign. If not...*"
>The voice left the threat unstated.
TOMMY: Ah, yes, corruption runs rampant in our justice system today.
> The judge hung up on the caller. Sweat poured down his face
>as he fell to his needs and prayed: "Please, God, forgive me for
>what I'm doing."
>
>*_*_*_* [THE MITCHELL HOUSE, THE NEXT DAY]
> Tommy and Billy sat on the living room couch, studying from
>their biology text books. Miss Appleby had just left the room to
>speak to Mr. Mitchell. Tommy sighed as he scanned the boring
>text. He hated biology, even though he did fairly well in it.
>He strained his ears, trying to over hear the adults'
>conversation in the next room. He glanced over at his friend and
>stiffled a laugh. Billy was staring intently at a _Playboy_
>magazine with a suspicious bulge in his jeans. Tommy leaned over
>and whispered in a falsetto:
> "Is that a pickle in your pants or are you just glad to see
>me?"
> Billy slammed the magazine shut and blushed deep red. "I-i
>um..."
> "Billy," Tommy laughed. "You're having a perfectly normal
>reaction!"
> "I am?" Billy asked.
BILLY: Oh, GOD! And- at the age of sixteen, I have NEVER had the facts of life discussed with me?
> "Sure. I mean, did you have any feelings when you saw Kim
>and I together?" Tommy asked, his chocolate colored eyes
>compelling.
> "Well, my P.J. bottoms got too tight and I felt wierd."
>Billy admitted sheepishly. "I mean, Kimberly is an attractive
>girl, but..." Billy blushed again.
> Tommy laughed again. He patted Billy on the shoulder.
>"There's nothing to be ashamed about, Billy." He said.
> Billy squirmed uncomfortably in his seat. "Are you sure?"
> "Billy, what do you know about this stuff?" Tommy asked.
> "I understand techniquecally what you were doing, but I
>never saw it done before." Billy sighed.
> "Never?" Tommy bit his lip. "Oh boy, I guess you didn't
>have the "Talk" with your dad, didn't you?"
> "The what?"
> "The Birds and The Bees." Tommy responded.
> "I just thought that was bad group from the sixties my dad
>listened to."
BILLY: I AM NOT THAT NAÏVE!
ADAM: TOMMY! Get his other arm! He's beginning to foam at the mouth.
> "Oh boy!" Tommy slapped his forehead. "Billy, you do know
>where babies come from, right?"
> "Sure, everyone knows that! I read about it in medical
>books!" Billy answered.
> "Don't medical books have nude pictures in them?" Tommy
>pressed on.
> "Well, yeah, but nothing like this!" Billy held up the
>magazine. Just then, Miss Appleby walked in. Tommy grabbed the
>magazine and shoved it under Billy.
> "Well, boys, I'm very pleased with your progress. You'll be
>far ahead when you return to school." Miss Appleby beamed.
> "Thank you, Miss Appleby." Tommy and Billy chimed in
>unison.
KIM: <Miss Appleby> Suck-ups.
> Miss Appleby shook her head in silent laughter, then left.
>Mr. Mitchell was busy preparing lunch for the two injured boys.
>Tommy and Billy put the Playboy magazine through a very through
>examination.
>
>*****[The Hall Mansion, The next morning.]
>
> Mrs. Hall pounded loudly on Kim's bedroom door. "Kim? Kim
>open the door. We're supposed to be at the Country Club in ten
>minutes."
> Kim opened the door, looking like death warmed over. "I
>can't go Mom. I'm too sick. I just threw up."
KIM: Oh, NO...
> "Kimberly, Austin really likes you." Mrs. Hall whined.
>"You'd better not be making this up."
> "I'm not Mom." Kim said, leaning heavily against the door.
>"It's been going around school. A stomach flu or something.
>Jason had it a few days ago."
> "It's probably the food at that Juice Bar." Mrs. Hall
>commented. "I don't understand why you eat at such a low class
>establishment."
> Kim didn't bother to try and explain, she was too busy
>running to the bathroom. She fell to her knees in front of the
>toilet, dry heaving. She sounded like she was dying. Mrs. Hall
>stood in the doorway. "That is it." Mrs. Hall said decisively.
>"I'm taking you to see Dr. Newman.
TOMMY: Hello, Newman.
> I certainly don't want to get
>sick. I'll call Malcum and cancel our luncheon."
> Kim was too miserable to argue.
>
>******[Dr. Newman's Office]
>
> Mrs. Hall sat waiting impatiently for the doctor to finish
>examining Kim. The office usually closed at noon on Friday, but
>Dr. Newman had extended his hours to accommodate his wealthy
>patient. She flipped through a fashion magazine, being careful
>not to muss her freshly manicured nails.
> "Mrs. Hall." A nurse said. "Dr. Newman will see you now."
> She followed the nurse down a hallway and into Dr. Newman's
>well-appointed office. Kim was already there, sitting in one of
>the two chairs positioned in front of the doctor's desk. Kim
>glanced at her mother apprehensively.
> "Please Mrs. Hall, have a seat." He gestured to the empty
>chair.
> Mrs. Hall remained standing. "What's wrong?" She asked him.
>"Is it something serious?"
> "I'm afraid so." He sighed deeply. "Kim is not sick, she is
>pregnant."
KIM: AUGHHHHH!
TOMMY: It's not my fault!
> Mrs. Hall turned to look at her daughter, her hand rose to
>her throat. "How could you do this to me?" She shrieked at her.
>"It was that Tommy wasn't it?" She loomed threateningly over Kim.
>"Wasn't it?"
> "Yes, the baby is his." Kim said softly, sinking deeper into
>the chair.
ROCKY: Poor kid.
> "Please, Mrs. Hall, calm down." The doctor tried to
>intervene. "I can recommend an excellent counselor to help Kim
>decide what she wants to do."
> "There is only one solution." Mrs. Hall said grimly. "I want
>you to schedule Kim for an abortion."
> "No!" Kim yelled, jumping up out of her chair. "I will not
>have an abortion."
> "Oh yes you will, Kimberly." Mrs. Hall insisted. "You will
>not embarrass me this way."
> "This is not your decision mother." Kim said, finding her
>courage. "It is mine and Tommy's."
> "And who do you think is going to foot the bill?" Mrs. Hall
>asked nastily. "You have no idea what it costs to raise a child
>and neither does your low life boyfriend."
> "We'll find a way." Kim said defiantly.
> "The only way is my way." Mrs. Hall yelled. "You will have
>the abortion."
ADAM: Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the NBC movie of the week.
> "No I won't." Kim said emphatically. She ran from the
>doctor's office before her mother could stop her.
> Mrs. Hall pulled out her cell phone. She punched in a
>familiar number. "Malcum, I need your help." She said tearfully.
>
>*******[The Mitchell Home]
>
> Tommy tossed and turned on the couch in the grip of a
>terrible nightmare. He was trapped and burning. He heard screams
>of agony...some of them his own. The worst was the gagging stench
>of his own burning flesh.
TOM: Tommy Oliver IS Freddy Kreuger.
> He was alone in the house. Mr. Mitchell was gone to take
>Billy to the doctor. He jerked awake when the front door slammed
>against the wall. Kim ran in, wild eyed and out of breath. He
>stood up much too quickly, blood rushing to his head,
CROW: Among other extremities.
> making him
>dizzy. He shook off the sensation and rushed to Kim's side. She
>fell into his arms, crying as if her heart might break.
> "What's wrong Kim?" He asked her.
> Kim didn't have a chance to answer. A sleek, black Jaguar
>pulled up to the curb with a screech of tires. Tommy saw Austin
>Brewster exit the car accompanied by two goons. He quickly shut
>the door and locked it.
> "Open up Oliver." Austin yelled, beating on the door with
>his fist. "I know Kim's in there and she's coming with me. Her
>mother sent me to bring her home."
> "Kim's not going anywhere with you Brewster." Tommy yelled
>back. "Get out of here before I call the police."
> "I don't think so." Austin said. "You see, your phone is not
>working." He laughed diabolically. Kim picked up the phone. Sure
>enough, the line was dead.
BILLY: Wish the writer was.
> Austin's two henchmen broke the door in easily. Tommy pushed
>Kim behind him and faced Austin. Anger sent adrenaline shooting
>through his veins. He clenched his fists in fury.
> "Get her." Austin commanded his henchmen.
> "You'll have to go through me if you want her." Tommy said.
ROCKY: <Henchman> But I don't swing that way!
> Kim touched his arm. "You're not up to this Tommy." She said
>in an undertone. "I'll just go with him. I don't want you hurt."
> "No way." Tommy said, not backing down.
> "You're making a big mistake Oliver." Austin warned him.
> "No, you are." Tommy said. He grinned in anticipation of the
>fight. The largest goon threw a punch at Tommy that would have
>leveled him had it connected. He easily avoided the blow and
>blasted him in the solar plexus with a reverse punch. The goon
>doubled over, gasping for air. His partner grabbed Tommy's sore
>left shoulder. Tommy gripped his wrist and twisted, applying
>pressure. He swung his leg up with an ax kick and brought it
>down on his arm, just above the elbow, dislocating his shoulder.
>He screamed in pain. Tommy kicked him in the jaw, knocking his
>lights out and fracturing his jaw. His large friend was ready to
>fight again. He came at Tommy with a yell.
ALL: Yawn.
> Tommy side stepped
>his attack and kicked him in the side of the knee with his heel.
>The man's roar of agony was music to Tommy's ears. The man fell
>to one knee, unable to stand. He pulled a knife from his boot.
>Tommy kicked it out of his hand with an inside crescent kick,
>then spun, sending him flying into next week with a back side
>kick. His rib cage caved in with an audible snap. Two down, one
>to go. Tommy turned to Austin, his chest heaving from the
>unaccustomed exertion. Tommy was tiring quickly. His chest ached
>and it was hard to drag air
>into his damaged lung. Still, he was a force to be reckoned with.
>He wanted a piece of Austin so bad he could taste it.
ROCKY & CROW: Nahhh.
ADAM: Drumstick or wing?
> "It's your call Brewster."
TOMMY: Heads I win, tails you lose?
> He taunted Austin. "Put your tail
>between your legs and run or take me on."
> "I'll put you back in the hospital with pleasure." Austin
>said, assuming a fighting stance. He jumped forward and stomped
>on Tommy's foot, busting him in the face with a hook punch.
>Tommy's head lurched to the side and he saw stars.
>Instinctively, he countered, striking Austin in the nose with a
>back fist. Austin squealed like a woman, clutching his broken
>nose. Blood and snot streamed through his fingers. Tommy smirked
>in grim satisfaction.
ALL: Ewww...
>Kim stood transfixed, staring at Tommy. Blood trickled slowly
>down his face from a cut beneath his eye, giving him a savage
>look. She had seen him fight before, but never with such brutal
>violence.
TOM: Are you KIDDING? He nearly KILLED you all when he was the Evil Green Ranger!
> Speed Racer and Racer X walked through the broken
>front door and viewed the carnage.
> "Damn, it looks like we missed all the fun." Speed Racer
>said in amusement.
> Racer X walked back outside. He told his wife to take Tara
>around back to play. He didn't want her involved with the mess
>inside the Mitchell home. He walked back inside.
ADAM: And picked up a mop.
> "What is going on here?" He asked Tommy.
> "Mr. Brewster and his friends were just leaving." Tommy told
>him.
> "Fine." Racer X said. "We'll give them a hand, won't we
>Greg." The two men half pulled, half carried the two groaning
>goons out to Austin's Jag, dumping them unceremoniously inside.
>Austin walked out under his own power, albeit very slowly. He
>opened the door to his car, a handkerchief pressed to nose, his
>eyes already turning black. He glared at Tommy.
> "This isn't over." He said, in a nasally voice. "Count on
>it."
> "Anytime Brewster." Tommy agreed with him. "You know where
>to find me."
> Austin got in his car, slamming the door and drove away. The
>stench of burnt rubber clouding the air.
TOM: Sentence fragment!
>*******[Thirty minutes later]
>
> Tommy reeled in shock with the knowledge he was going to be
>a father. Kim dabbed a wet washcloth against the cut beneath his
>right eye. Austin's ring had broken the skin when he punched him.
>The eye was discolored, puffy and swollen. Tommy impatiently
>pushed her hand away.
> "I'm all right Kim." He said. "Quit fussing over me."
> Kim put her hand down, twisting the cloth in her lap. She
>couldn't look Tommy in the eye. She felt he was angry with her.
>Mr. Mitchell and Billy had arrived shortly after Austin left. Kim
>had broken down and told Tommy what had happened with her mother.
>Tommy had been speechless. He had held her while she cried, not
>knowing what to say.
> Mr. Mitchell had offered Kim his home and any other
>assistance she needed. Kim was grateful, but she was more
>interested in how Tommy felt about the baby.
> "Tommy, are you mad at me?" She asked him hesitantly.
> Tommy picked up her hand, kissing it. "No. I'm just
>surprised, that's all."
> "Tommy, what are we going to do?" Kim asked him.
ROCKY: Have mad, passionate sex?
TOMMY: Rocko...
> "I don't know Kim." He said honestly. "But, I'll think of
>something. I won't let you down."
>
>********[Two Days Later, San Francisco]
>
> The time he had most anticipated and at the same time
>dreaded was fast approaching. Tommy was resting on the bed of his
>motel room under tight security. He and Billy were sharing the
>room. Mr. Mitchell was coming up with Kim and the rest of the
>gang in time for the trial. The DA had wanted Tommy and Billy to
>come a few days early, so she could prep them for the grueling
>interrogation she knew they would face.
> Kimberly's mother had been strangely silent, allowing Kim to
>remain at the Mitchell home and refusing to speak with her. Kim
>was trying to be supportive of Tommy, putting her own worries
>aside. The early symptoms of pregnancy were leaving her washed
>out and drained of energy. She and Tommy took a lot of naps
>together.
BILLY: Aw, how cute.
> Tommy sat up when he heard a soft knock at the door. He got
>up to admit Ms. Philips and her team of assistants. Billy
>finished washing his hands and walked out of the bathroom, drying
>them on a towel.
TOM: And snapping them back onto his wrists.
> "Good morning." Ms. Phillips said pleasantly. She shook
>Tommy's hand and then turned to Billy doing likewise. "I want to
>simulate the type of questions you are going to be asked on the
>stand. You are going to be grilled unmercifully and I want to
>know you can handle it."
> "Yes ma'am." Tommy said politely. He felt extremely
>uncomfortable.
> "Yoshi, I'll be using your real name at the trail, please
>have a seat." Ms. Phillips invited him. "Okay, to start with
>you'll be asked to state your full name for the record."
> "Yoshi Aoni Kurukawa." Tommy said, sitting down in the
>straight backed chair, Ms. Phillips had indicated.
> "All right, let's begin."
>
>**********[One hour later]
>
> Tommy sat huddled in his chair, his hands over his face to
>hide his tears.
> "I'm sorry Yoshi." Ms. Phillips said gently. "But, Mr.
>Bailey will be far less kind. You have to get it together or we
>don't stand a chance in hell of convicting Brewster. Think about
>that." She motioned to her assistants, then turned back as she
>reached the door. "By the way, why don't you get a haircut and
>lose that earring, appearances are important in court." She left
>quietly, shutting the door behind her.
> Billy walked over to comfort his friend, putting his arm
>around his thin shoulders. "It will be all right Tommy." He told
>him. "We'll all be right there with you."
> Tommy looked up. "I know, but I just don't know if I can do
>this." Tears ran unchecked down his lean cheeks.
> "You can." Billy said firmly. "I have faith in you. We all
>do."
ADAM: That you'll screw the whole thing up.
>*********[San Francisco Municipal Court House]
>
> Tommy was seated in the front row behind Ms. Phillips and
>her prosecution team. He was dressed in a conservative black
>suit. His hair was pulled back in a ponytail. A small gold hoop
>earring winked in his left ear. It had been his mother's. She had
>given it to him for his birthday and he would never willing part
>with it. He wore it proudly, holding her memory close in his
>heart. Court was almost ready to convene. Tommy stared straight
>ahead or looked at Kim who was seated beside him. He refused to
>glance over at Malcum Brewster, smiling benignly and talking to
>his smarmy attorney. Mr.
>Bailey was the best money could buy. He was joined by a team of
>the most cunning legal minds in the country. Personally, Tommy
>wondered if they even had a chance.
TOM: Probably not, but when has that ever stopped you before?
>*******
>
> The trail had been a farce from day one.
ADAM: Kind of like this fanfic.
> Whatever could go
>wrong, had. Ms. Phillips had done her best to reveal Malcum
>Brewster's true nature, but had failed miserably. Mr. Bailey had
>done a much better job of convincing the jury that Yoshi was an
>insane, misguided, tragic figure with a vendetta against Malcum
>Brewster. In opening statements the jury had been told about
>the tragic fire and the DA's intention to prove that Malcum
>Brewster had the motive and opportunity to cause it. The defense
>claimed that Mr. Brewster was a victim of Yoshi's misguided
>revenge. They pointed out his philanthropic gestures to the
>community.
BILLY: He's big on recycling- sent all the old horses to new lives at the sausage plant.
> The prosecution had started by showing file photos to the
>jurors of the aftermath of the fire. The burned bodies and
>devastation. They had also been shown pictures of Yoshi's
>injuries and a detailed explanation of his painful
>rehabilitation. Signed affidavits from Mr. Kaplan, Mrs. Appleby,
>and Mr. Mitchell attesting to Yoshi's character were entered into
>evidence.
ROCKY: Of course, he has this habit of cutting class...
>The Fire Marshall was called to explain the cause of the fire. He
>was unable to give a definite cause, since his report was
>incomplete.
CROW: Department of Redundancy Department!
> In frustration, Ms. Phillips called Yoshi. He kept
>himself tightly under control and answered all her questions
>truthfully. He recounted what he had seen and heard the day of
>the fire and what he remembered of being shot in Angel Grove. Ms.
>Phillips smiled at him encouragingly and turned him over
>to Bailey for cross examination. Bailey had done a thorough job
>of poking holes in Yoshi's story. All Yoshi saw was the Lord
>Gangstas' laying the incendiary devices. He heard Robert
>McNickles talking on the phone to Mr. Brewster outside the
>apartments. Mr. Bailey pointed out that it was perfectly normal
>for Mr. McNickles to be near the apartments, since he was Mr.
>Brewster's employee and the apartments were surrounded by Mr.
>Brewster's businesses. Yoshi protested that McNickles was near
>the door leading to the basement of the apartments, but Bailey
>cut him off and started on a new tack.
KIM: When did we wind up in an episode of Perry Mason?
> He suggested Yoshi was being coached by a DA out to make a
>name for herself by exploiting his tragedy. Ms. Phillips
>strenuously objected. Mr. Bailey was mildly reprimanded, but
>never broke stride. He then brought up the fact that Yoshi's
>girlfriend had been dating Austin Brewster, Malcum's nephew. He
>goaded Yoshi into admitting he didn't like Austin, but cut him
>off when he tried to explain why. He pointed to Austin and his
>two goons sitting
>prominently in the front row behind Malcum. He outlined their
>injuries. One's jaw was wired shut, his arm in a sling. The other
>had tightly bandaged fractured ribs, and Austin had tape across
>his broken nose, emphasizing his black eyes. He asked Yoshi if he
>had caused these injuries. He had answered yes, then was once
>again cut off when he tried to explain.
TOMMY: Objection! Badgering the witness!
TOM: Badger-boy comes later.
> Ms. Phillips quickly asked to question Yoshi further, giving
>him a chance to explain. He recounted the true events, but his
>testimony was marred by Austin jumping up and yelling, "He's a
>liar! He tried to kill me. He hates me and my uncle. He's
>dangerous! He should be locked up!" Austin was removed from the
>court room kicking and screaming, but the damage was done.
>Ms. Phillips asked to recess for lunch. She wanted to call Kim to
>the stand to back up his testimony. Yoshi threatened to leave if
>she did. Kim was stressed enough without being grilled by Bailey.
>Ms. Phillips finally gave in, but read him the riot act for not
>telling her about the fight. "I don't like to be caught
>unprepared." She told him.
ROCKY: Which is why I've got condoms in my wallet.
> The trial only got worse. Ms. Phillips called Jason Scott to
>testify about Nurse Nancy's attempt on Yoshi's life. A medical
>examiner stated the poison in the syringe was cyanide. Then,
>Nancy's supposed boyfriend, a well known gang banger named Joel,
BOTS: ARRGGH!
TOM: Joel! Say it ain't so!
>was called. She got Joel to admit Nancy was a drug addict who
>would do anything for cash. Bailey turned that on her by
>suggesting the shooting was a drug deal gone bad and that Nurse
>Nancy was just trying to finish the job. Ms. Phillips objection
>that Yoshi was not on trial, was sustained, but the jury still
>heard the suggestion.
ADAM: And- they haven't heard anything else that Bailey did?
> Ms. Phillips called Billy. His testimony was crucial since
>he had actually conversed with Malcum in the warehouse and been
>told he had to die and why. Billy very accurately told his story,
>almost like he was giving a school report. Then Bailey thoroughly
>discredited him. He had Billy take off his glasses and
>blindfolded him. A guy same build and height as Yoshi, long hair
>in a ponytail, dressed the same, was brought to stand only a few
>feet from Billy. The blindfold was removed.
> "Mr. Mitchell, could you tell me the identity of the person
>standing in front of you?" Mr. Bailey asked him. Billy squinted
>his eyes in an attempt to focus them. Everything was a blur. The
>man turned and he saw a ponytail, light reflected off his
>earring.
> "That's Tommy, I mean Yoshi." Billy said in relief. He
>thankfully put his glasses back on.
> "I think you'd better look again, Mr. Mitchell." Mr. Bailey
>gloated. "If you can't identify one of your best friends from
>three feet away, how could you positively say the man you spoke
>with was Mr. Brewster? Isn't it true that your glasses were
>knocked off and broken before you ever allegedly saw Mr.
>Brewster?"
BILLY: VOICES! I'm half-blind, but there's nothing wrong with my hearing!
> "Yes, but...." Billy started to protest.
> "Then perhaps it wasn't Mr. Brewster at all. Just someone
>who looked like him." Bailey said. "Couldn't you have been led
>astray by Yoshi. You have already testified that you knew his
>true identity before the bangers attacked you. You also knew
>about the fire and Yoshi's belief that poor Mr. Brewster is
>responsible for it. Don't you think you have embellished your
>little story for Yoshi's benefit."
> "No, I told you the truth. I...."
> "No further questions." Mr. Bailey said.
KIM: If the jury buys this, our justice system is SERIOUSLY screwed.
>******
>
> The DA had watched her carefully constructed case crumble. A
>tape of Malcum Brewster talking to Robert McNickles on one
>occasion and the leader of the Lord Gangstas on another was ruled
>inadmissible. The paperwork granting the order for the phone tap
>was not in order. In a last futile attempt, Ms. Phillips prepared
>to call the leader of the Lord Gangstas to the witness stand. He
>had been arrested on a robbery charge and made a deal with the
>DA. He agreed to testify against Brewster in exchange for a
>reduction in his sentence. Unfortunately, he never made it to
>court. He was found hanging from the bars of his cell in an
>apparent suicide.
TOM: <Church Lady> Well, isn't that conveeenient.
> Ms. Phillips realized it was over. Yoshi didn't need her to
>tell him, he knew it, too. He watched the jury return after an
>obscenely short length of time and listened stoically while
>Brewster was given his walking papers. Kim put her arms around
>him crying. He felt nothing, just numb. What did I really expect?
>He looked over at Brewster who had the audacity to wink at him.
>News Reporters waited outside like vultures ready to swarm. Yoshi
>walked outside to face them, surrounded by his friends. He
>refused to comment and pushed through to the waiting car. The
>last thing he saw, as they drove away, was Brewster soaking up
>the media attention.
ROCKY: So he unloaded a 45 into him.
TOMMY: I wish.
>******[Four months later]
>
> Yoshi, still known as Tommy to his friends, finished signing
>the stack of papers giving him ownership of a modest home in
>Angel Grove. Kim gave him a beautiful smile, a hug and a kiss.
>The last months had not been easy for the young couple. Yoshi had
>been involved in a legal battle with Brewster over the Shinjuku
>property. Yoshi Kurukawa was the sole living heir to the
>property that Brewster had bought at auction for a song. His
>grandfather, Hikaru had made sure his will was properly filed. It
>had taken some time, but a deal had been struck. The property,
>now a parking garage, was purchased by the City of San Francisco.
>They were happy to add the additional revenue to their income.
>The City compensated Mr. Brewster for the improvements he had
>made to the property and paid Yoshi the balance.
CROW: <Nelson> Ha ha!
> Mr. Brewster had a beautiful memorial erected for the
>victims of the Shinjuku Fire. It was a huge media event. Yoshi
>refused to attend, but came later with Kim and his friends to pay
>his respects and leave flowers. It was very emotional for him,
>and at the same time gave him the closure he needed.
> Yoshi had used the money from the sale of the property, plus
>the surprising insurance check he had received (thanks to Mr.
>Mitchell's attorney) to purchase the home. He wanted Kim and his
>child to have a safe place to live in.
ADAM: In Angel Grove? Fat chance.
> Mr. Mitchell was helping
>him invest the rest of the money wisely, so he would have an
>income to support his family.
> Things would be almost perfect if not for Kim's continued
>estrangement with her mother. She was deeply hurt and depressed
>by their separation. Kim wanted to share her joy in the coming
>child with her mother. She also needed her mother's consent to
>marry her child's father. Something she doubted would ever be
>forthcoming.
KIM: 'Scuse me? Yeah, I guess, since I'm FIFTEEN YEARS OLD at this point.
> Kim had been stunned when she read in the paper that her
>mother was engaged to be married to Malcum Brewster.
ALL: Eww...
> Yoshi felt
>sick. He really wanted to put the past behind him. How could he
>possibly do that if Malcum Brewster was his future father-in-law?
>
>********[The Hall Mansion]
>
> "Malcum dear, come in." Carolyn Hall invited him, stepping
>aside so he could enter her home. "I gave the servants the night
>off so we could be alone." She smiled suggestively. "They left us
>a light supper in the dining room."
ROCKY: Caviar and escargot.
> "That sounds wonderful dear." Malcum said, sweeping her into
>his arms for a kiss. They walked hand in hand into the dining
>room.
>
>********[Tommy and Kim's new home]
BILLY: I thought she was calling him Yoshi now?
TOMMY: PICK A NAME AND STICK WITH IT!
> Tommy and Kim stood in their new home. It was still empty of
>furniture, but the electricity was on. They walked from room to
>room discussing what they would need before they moved in. Kim
>lingered in what would be the baby's room. She was five months
>along, her stomach rounding more each day. Tommy walked up behind
>her, wrapping his arms around her waist (what was left of it) and
>rubbing her tummy. He liked to feel the baby moving. He thought he
>just might have gone crazy without Kim's love and the hope she
>gave him for the future. He felt her small shoulders start to
>shake, a tear splashed onto his hand.
> "What's wrong Kimmie?" He asked in concern.
> "I miss my mother." Kim said, sobbing. "I need her now more
>than ever. It just kills me that she won't speak to me. I never
>meant to hurt her. I feel like I've let her down."
ADAM: Sure, you wanted a real life. That's unforgivable.
> "That's not true Kim." Tommy said, trying to keep the anger
>out of his voice. "Just the opposite in my opinion. She's the one
>who let you down."
> "It doesn't matter what has happened." Kim said. "She's
>still my mother and I love her. I'm worried about her too, being
>with that Malcum Brewster. Tommy, what if he hurts her?"
> "I understand how you feel Kim." Tommy said. "Look, why
>don't we go over and talk to her right now? It's past time we
>worked this out."
> "Really?" Kim said hopefully, then her face fell. "We won't
>get in. She's instructed the servants not to admit me."
TOM: Very motherly.
> "Don't you have a key?" Tommy asked her.
> "Of course, Mom would never think to have the locks
>changed." She turned and hugged Tommy excitedly. "Let's go."
>
>*******[The Hall Mansion]
>
> Kim fumbled with the key to the front door in the dark. The
>outside light was burnt out. She couldn't seem to fit it in the
>lock.
BILLY: The light? I should think not!
> "Here, let me." Tommy offered. He took the key from Kim and
>opened the door. The house was unnaturally silent. They walked in
>and stood listening.
> "Where is everyone?" Tommy asked in a whisper.
> "I don't know. Maybe Mom gave the servants the night off.
>She must have gone out with Malcum." Kim said in disappointment.
> "Wait a minute." Tommy said. "I thought I heard something."
ROCKY: I don't even have to say it, do I?
CROW: If it's just a cat, get out NOW!
> They walked further into the house. A light shone beneath
>the closed study door in the back of the house. They heard voices
>raised in anger.
> "You will sign this Carolyn, now!" They heard Brewster roar.
>"No one defies me. Do you understand?" There was the sound of a
>fist striking flesh, a scream, and then broken sobs.
TOMMY: Who saw this coming?
<All Rangers raise hands, Bots bounce in seats. (Their arms don't
work.)>
> "It's my Mom." Kim said frantically staring to run forward.
> "Stay back Kim. I'll take care of this." Tommy said. "I
>don't want you or the baby hurt."
> Kim nodded, trusting him to help her mother. He tried the
>door, it was locked. Mrs. Hall screamed again. It sounded like
>furniture breaking.
CROW: Wow, that's quite a scream!
> "Tommy!" Kim screamed. Tommy kicked the door in with a
>powerful kick, wood splintering. He ran into the room and pulled
>Brewster off of Carolyn, leveling him with a well-placed punch.
>Brewster was out for the count.
> Kim ran to her mother, gathering her awkwardly in her arms,
>her tummy in the way. "Mom, are you all right?" She asked,
>brushing tangled hair out of her mother's bruised face.
> "Kim?" Carolyn said in wonder. She glanced over to where
>Tommy stood looking like he wanted to murder Brewster with his
>bare hands. He forcibly restrained himself and turned his
>attention to Kim and her mother.
> "Tommy...thank you." She struggled to stand. Tommy walked
>over and helped her gently to her feet. "You were right about
>him. I know that now. I'm so sorry. I've been such a fool." She
>hugged Kim close, trembling. "He's a monster. I think he only
>wanted to marry me for that commercial property I own downtown.
>He had brought over a pre-nuptial agreement. When I refused to
>sign it, he turned violent."
RANGERS: WELCOME TO THE PLOT!
> "Mrs. Hall, do you want me to call the police?" Tommy asked
>her.
> "No, God no. Just get him out of here." She said, collapsing
>in Kim's arms, her tears returning.
TOM: Oh, of course not, we wouldn't want him ARRESTED or anything!
> "My pleasure." Tommy said grimly. He picked Brewster up by
>the heels and drug him outside to his limo. He made sure to
>bounce his head across the steps and scrape him across the
>sidewalk. He opened the door to the parked limo and dumped
>Brewster inside like a sac of potatoes (rotten ones). The driver
>woke up from his nap and looked at Tommy groggily. "Take Mr.
>Brewster home." Tommy said. "He's not feeling well." Tommy
>slammed the door. The limo pulled away. Tommy had the distinct
>feeling he should have hit Brewster a lot harder and put him out
>of business for good.
>
>*******[Moving Day]
>
> Tommy checked the back of the large moving truck one last
>time to make sure nothing had been overlooked. He jumped down and
>pulled the door shut, walking into his new home. He looked on in
>amusement, watching Kim and her mother directing the unfortunate
>male rangers where to place furniture. No sooner would Jason and
>Zach move the chair they held to one position, then Kim would
>change her mind.
> Trini and Trystan were in the kitchen unpacking boxes. Billy
>was patiently watching his little niece Tara and his new nephew
>Travis.
BILLY: Anyone sensing a pattern here?
> Travis was only six weeks old and still slept a lot.
>Billy's cast was gone, but he still wore a leg brace for extra
>support.
> Tommy went to the window when he heard a vehicle pull up
>outside. He went out to greet Mr. Mitchell, Speed Racer, and
>Racer X. They all piled out of the cab and walked around to the
>back of the pickup truck. They lowered the tailgate and jumped up
>inside.
ROCKY: Tailgate party!
ADAM: Who brought the beer?
> "What's this?" Tommy asked curiously.
> "A little house warming gift for you and Kim." Mr. Mitchell
>said with an uncharacteristic grin.
> "Well, thanks." Tommy said. "Need some help?"
> "Yeah, get up here Yoshi." Greg called out good naturedly.
>"This thing weighs a ton."
> The four men struggled to carry the large, old fashioned,
>seven foot couch into the house. They tried several different
>times before finally fitting it through the doorway.
> "Where do you want this Kim?" Tommy asked, huffing and
>puffing.
KIM: There's more than one of me?
> "Oh God, here we go again." Jason said with a groan.
> "Hello Mr. Mitchell. Thank you for the couch." Kim said
>uncertainly, eyeing the massive relic.
> "You're welcome dear." He said with a mischievous twinkle in
>his eye. "I know how attached you and Tommy are to it and I
>wanted you to have it."
> Tara jumped up on the couch, bouncing excitedly. "Yogi's
>couch." She said happily.
> Kim took a closer look at the couch and blushed furiously,
>realizing it was the couch she and Tommy had made love on for the
>first time. "Oh." She said embarrassed, glancing furtively to her
>mother, who was listening curiously.
> "Carolyn." Mr. Mitchell said. "It's lovely to see you again.
>Will you still be able to join me for dinner this evening?"
ALL: ACKKK!
TOMMY: Okay, who saw THIS coming?
> "Of course I will, Paul." She said, with a smile. She walked
>over and took his arm, looking up into his eyes. "I'm looking
>forward to it."
> Now it was Mr. Mitchell's turn to blush. He and Carolyn had
>started dating after her break up with Brewster. Tommy was barely
>able to conceal his grin.
> "Racer X, Greg, will you come with me over to my old
>apartment?"
BILLY: It suddenly strikes me that for a crossover, we haven't seen
much of any Speed Racer characters in this story.
TOMMY: Not that we're complaining.
Tommy asked them. "I still have a few things to pack
>up." They both readily agreed, happy to help their friend. "Be
>back soon." Tommy said, kissing Kim briefly.
> "I'd kiss you too Trys, if I could get to you." Racer X said
>ruefully. There was quite an obstacle course separating him from
>his wife. Tara launched herself at her daddy, squeezing him
>tightly around the neck.
CROW: He passed out, died, and the fic ended.
TOM: Hold on, buddy, it's almost done.
> "Help your Uncle Billy take care of the
>little guy." Racer X told his young daughter. He looked over at
>Billy, smirking when he saw the suspicious stain on his shirt.
>"Later." He said waving and blowing his wife a kiss. The three
>men loaded up and left. Little suspecting what awaited them.
>
>*_*_*_* [FIFTEEN MINUTES LATER, SALEM COURT PROJECTS]
>
> Darkness was fast descending, as Tommy, Racer X, and Greg
>loaded the last boxes in Mr. Mitchell's pickup. A young boy,
>named Paco, walked over to Tommy. He was about ten and of mixed
>heritage. His dusky skin and dark hair contrasted strikingly with
>his light blue eyes.
TOMMY: And we needed to know this- why?
> "Hola Paco." Tommy said, ruffling his hair. "Que pasa?"
> "Tommy, I think something weird is going on." Paco said
>fearfully, speaking in fluent English with only a slight accent.
>"I saw some men sneaking around the apartments earlier. I didn't
>know them."
> "What were they doing?" Tommy asked, leaning down to the
>child's level.
> "They were around back, you know where the door to the
>basement is." Paco told him. "They unloaded some bundles off a
>truck."
TOM: Right, sure! Not that everyone doesn't KNOW how you did this last time!
> Tommy's blood turned to ice. "Paco, do exactly what I say.
>Go sound the fire alarm and get everyone out now."
> "But, Tommy?.." Paco protested.
> "Just do it!" Tommy yelled at him. The boy ran off.
> Racer X grabbed Tommy by the arm. "You don't think..."
> "I damn well do. Coming?" Tommy asked in a grim tone.
> Racer X nodded his head in agreement. He pulled the large
>caliber hand gun from his shoulder holster and chambered a
>bullet. "I'm with you Yoshi."
> The three men made it around back just as the fire alarm
>sounded. Unfortunately, many residents did not take the alarm
>seriously and were slow to leave the building. The alarm had been
>sounded too many times as a prank by the local youth. Tommy
>peeked around the corner of the building to see Malcum Brewster
>and his nephew standing in front of the entrance to the basement.
ROCKY: Yeah, ALL these evil villains hang around the scene of the crime.
>A limo was waiting. Tommy could smell smoke wafting out the open
>door. Images filled his mind of flames licking at vulnerable
>skin, inhuman screams, and that never to be forgotten smell of
>seared human flesh.
ALL: Ewww..
ADAM: And once again, Freddy Kreuger is heard from.
> Not again Brewster, you bastard. Tommy ran
>and leaped in front of Brewster, kicking the portly man in his
>soft belly. He fell against his nephew, knocking them both
>backwards. They lost their balance and fell down the stairwell
>rolling and tumbling. Racer X shot the large bodyguard aiming
>for Tommy's back without blinking an eye. The single bullet
>caught him between the eyes, killing him almost instantly. A
>series of loud explosions shook the building and flames shot out
>of the basement. Shrieks of agony filled the air, as Tommy caught
>a glimpse of the human torch Malcum had become.
TOMMY: Oh, yeah, Zordon's gonna LOVE this one...
> Tommy slammed the
>door shut and turned to Racer X and Greg.
> "We have to make sure everyone is out of the building."
>Tommy rasped out. The smoke was already irritating his damaged
>lungs. He felt no remorse for the grisly deaths he imagined
>Brewster and Austin had suffered. Poetic justice. The Angel of
>Death had finally extracted revenge.
TOM: <Phantasm> Brewster. Your Angel of Death Awaits.
BILLY: Wow, good one!
> "You stay out of there Yoshi." Speed Racer (Greg) commanded
>him. "You can't take this smoke. I'm trained for this, let me
>handle it until the firemen get here."
> Tommy reluctantly agreed, coughing into the palm of his
>hand. He watched Speed and Racer X run into the building. Sirens
>wailed and fire trucks came screaming up. The pumper truck
>immediately began spraying the building with forceful blasts of
>water.
> An hysterical Hispanic woman came running up to the firemen
>screaming incoherently in her native language, pointing to the
>upper story of the building. The firemen pushed her back and a
>policeman restrained her. Tommy walked over, when he heard her
>sob, "Mi nino". Her face was so soot blackened he didn't
>recognize her as Paco's mother until he got close.
> "Senora Castaldo." Tommy said urgently. "Donde esta Paco?"
>The woman pointed desperately to the building, her throat closing
>from smoke inhalation.
> "Por favor." She begged Tommy, sliding to her knees in front
>of him. Tommy didn't think twice. He ran into the building after
>Paco, just as Kim and the rangers pulled up behind the hastily
>erected barricades.
ADAM: Still suicidal. Yep, he's Tommy alright.
TOMMY: Hey!
> Racer X and Speed came out of the almost fully engulfed
>building carrying a young woman and baby between them. Paramedics
>gave them oxygen and took the victims off their hands.
> "Anyone else in there?" The fire chief asked them.
> Speed pulled his mask down for a minute. "I hope not." He
>said, looking at the flames filling the night sky.
> Kimberly forced her way through the crowds with Jason and
>Zach's help.
> "Where is Tommy?" She asked frantically.
> "He's around here somewhere." Racer X said, scanning for
>Tommy.
> Senora Castaldo sat on the ground nearby sobbing
>inconsolably. She stood up when she heard Tommy's name. She
>recognized Kim and wrapped her arms around the heavily pregnant
>pink ranger.
KIM: Now there's an image I didn't need.
CROW: Would look pretty bad with the spandex, wouldn't it?
> "Lo siento." She said over and over again, soaking Kim's
>maternity top with tears.
> "What is she saying?" Kim asked, a sick feeling tightening
>her stomach into a knot.
> A young firefighter walked over. "She's saying, "I'm sorry".
>Her son is still in the building. Some crazy guy went in after
>him a few minutes ago. I'd say they're both dead."
> Kim clutched her throat, feeling dizzy. Jason put his arm
>around her for support. "Did?" Kim cleared her dry throat. "Did
>he have long brown hair in a ponytail and an earring?" She asked,
>desperately hoping he'd say no.
> "Yeah, that sounds like him." The firefighter said. Kim
>swayed and would have fallen if not for Jason's strong arm around
>her.
> "Tommy." She whispered.
> "I'm sure he made it out Kim." Jason said. "You have to
>believe that."
TOM: I don't, but you do.
> Jason pushed Kim to the ground and shielded her with his
>body as a massive explosion ripped through the building. The
>concussion sent shock waves through their bodies and blasted
>their eardrums with intense sound waves.
> "That place is a total loss." The fireman said, standing and
>brushing debris from his coat. "No one could've survived that."
>The rangers, Speed, and Racer X gave him a dirty look. He took
>the hint and shut up.
> "Get Kim out of here." Racer X said to Jason. "Take her to
>Trystan. We'll stay and find Yoshi."
> "No." Kim said stubbornly. "I'm not leaving here without
>him."
>
>********
>
> Tommy crawled through the hallway of the third floor trying
>desperately to breathe. His lungs were on fire and his vision was
>blurry. Smoke stung his eyes and fire dragged the oxygen from the
>air. Sweat soaked his body and poured down his face in rivulets
>from the incredible heat.
ROCKY: Ladies and gentlemen, a scene from "Backdraft!"
> "Paco!" He yelled as loudly as possible. Flames shot up the
>stairwell he had just exited, fire greedily consuming everything
>in its path. He came to the door of Paco's apartment. He reached
>up and touched the door knob. Heat seared his hand so he didn't
>open it, fearing a backdraft. He felt the knob of the next door
>apartment and opened it. He stood up and entered the room,
>pulling his shirt up over his nose and mouth. He felt along the
>wall,
>finding a spot where there was nothing much but particle board
>and paneling between this apartment and the next. He kicked it
>repeatedly, splintering the wood until a hole caved in big enough
>to crawl through. In the process he used up valuable oxygen and
>energy. He went through the small opening and saw Paco
>immediately. A smoldering beam from the ceiling was pinning him
>to the floor and he was unconscious from lack of oxygen. Flames
>were
>licking at the front door, eating up the floor.
BILLY: That sounds vaguely dirty, somehow.
> Time was fast
>running out. Tommy pulled the searing hot, heavy beam off of
>Paco, never feeling the pain when his hands blistered. An
>explosion deafened him as he fell across Paco and pushed a button
>on his communicator. The two boys vanished in a flash of Green
>Light.
RANGERS: HEY!
TOMMY: Looks like somebody just tossed the rules right out the window.
> "Hey!" Racer X yelled. "Get some paramedics over here." He
>had stumbled across Tommy and Paco in the dark. They were both
>unconscious. Speed Racer was the first to reach him. He turned
>Tommy over and checked his vitals.
> "He's still alive." Speed said.
TOM: Hand me a pillow.
>Kim, Jason, and Zach rushed
>up with paramedics in tow. They immediately went to work; one on
>Tommy the other on Paco.
> "Run, get Paco's mom." Kim told Jason. She watched anxiously
>as the paramedics worked over Tommy. She wanted to hold him,
>touch him...but didn't want to get in the way.
> Paco coughed and opened his eyes, looking around wildly. He
>sucked air in rapidly, aided by the oxygen mask on his face. His
>eyes fell upon Tommy and he started to cry. Tommy looked dead to
>his young eyes. Senora Castaldo ran up and took her son in her
>arms, mumbling in Spanish. Thanking God, the Virgin Mary, and
>anyone else she could think of. Kim could stand it no longer she
>went to her knees by Tommy and brushed the sweaty hair from his
>dirty cheeks.
> "Tommy, please wake up." She begged him. She started to grab
>his hand, but stopped when the paramedic cautioned her. He was
>treating the burns on his palms and fingers. Tommy was wheezing,
>air rasping painfully in his irritated lungs and airways. Kim
>continued to touch him soothingly. He opened his bloodshot eyes,
>looked at her, and winked.
CROW: I'm not quite dead yet!
> The tears Kim had been holding back
>finally fell, as relief made her weak. She leaned down and kissed
>him on the forehead, coating herself with black soot.
> "I have to say Yoshi." Speed said, with a broad grin.
>"You've got more lives than a cat." Tommy sat up and pulled off
>his mask, laughing. His laughter soon turned to deep, hacking
>coughs. Kim put the mask back on his face.
> "Is he going to be okay?" She asked the paramedics.
> "Yeah, I think so." One told them. "He's suffering from
>severe smoke inhalation and second degree burns on his hands."
> "What about Paco?" Kim asked, indicating the young boy in
>his mother's arms.
> "He's one lucky boy." The paramedic said. "No broken bones,
>only a few third degree burns on his legs. Those thick jeans he's
>wearing were flame retardant. He's suffering from smoke
>inhalation, too. We're going to transport them both to the
>hospital. You can ride in the ambulance with them if you want."
KIM: Nah.
>******* Angel Grove Park - Band Shell
>
> A news crew set up lights and cameras in preparation for the
>award ceremony about to take place. The citizens of Angel Grove
>were honoring the heroism of three young men.
> Three months had passed since the tragic fire at Salem
>Courts. The building had been a total loss. Many families were
>homeless. The residents of Angel Grove had opened their hearts
>and wallets to these families. They expressed their outrage over
>Malcum Brewster's betrayal of the community.
ROCKY: Isn't it nice how all these people came in about a WEEK too late?
> They made sure the
>large insurance policy Brewster had taken out on Salem Courts
>went to build new and safe apartments. Brewster had owned Salem
>Courts through a holding company. He had decided to burn it down
>and collect some insurance money to replace the large sum of
>money he had donated to the City Housing Project. It had been
>difficult, but investigators had traced the holding company back
>to Brewster Industries. They were still uncovering his many shady
>deals; and would be doing so for a very long time.
TOMMY: Told ya.
> Tommy held his daughter in his lightly bandaged hands. She
>was sleeping peacefully, her little head laying on his chest.
>Cheyenne Shio Oliver was only five weeks old. They had named her
>after Tommy's Native American mother
TOM: See?
> and the young girl he had
>loved. Both had been lost in the Shinjuku fire. Cheyenne turned
>her little head, searching with her pink lips for something Tommy
>didn't have. She began to fuss angrily when she couldn't find
>what she wanted. Tommy handed her to Kim.
> "I think it's your turn, Mommy." He said, laughing. "I don't
>have the right equipment."
> Kim parted her shirt and unsnapped her nursing bra under
>cover of the baby blanket thrown over her shoulder.
MALES: Ahh!
KIM: What's with you guys? This is a beautiful, natural thing!
> Cheyenne's
>fussing stopped abruptly, as she began to nurse. Kim ran her
>fingers over Cheyenne's silky brown hair and rubbed her tiny
>back. Her chocolate brown eyes were closed in contentment. She
>grasped her mother's finger tightly. Kim's heart swelled with
>love. She smiled at Tommy. He leaned over and kissed her, then
>went to join Racer X, and Speed Racer. He was oblivious to the
>large slobber stain on the front of his shirt. Speed started to
>tell him, but they were drug up on stage to receive their awards.
>
>*********The Oliver Home later that evening
KIM: "The Oliver Home?" Sounds like a nursing home, doesn't it?
BILLY: Or a juvenile detention center.
> Tommy was taking a lot of teasing from his friends. They had
>taped the Awards Ceremony and everyone was laughing about the
>stain on Tommy's shirt. It was painfully obvious to the world and
>looked hilarious. The cause of the stain was sleeping in her
>frilly pink bassinet. Tommy went into her bedroom to check on
>her. They had a baby monitor, so they'd hear if she cried, but he
>just liked to watch her sleep sometimes, listening to her
>breathe. Kim walked in behind him, having the same intention. She
>silently put her arm around his waist and they watched Cheyenne
>together.
> Tommy had finally put the pain of the past behind him,
>replaced by the love and friendship he had found in Angel Grove.
>Malcum Brewster was dead and Tommy wanted to forget he had ever
>existed.
ADAM: Ever hear of that river in Egypt? De Nile?
> He took Kim's hand and they slipped out of the baby's room
>and down to their own. He pulled her inside and shut the door. He
>took Kim in his arms and kissed her.
> "Tommy, we have company." Kim protested half-heartedly.
> "So, they can take care of themselves for a while." He said
>and resumed his attack. They fell to the bed and Kim forgot all
>about their guests.
ALL: Thank you!
BILLY: Yet another tasteful fade.
>********[The Brewster Estate]
TOMMY: Isn't this over YET?
> A tall figure swathed in a long black trenchcoat,
CROW: Lamont Cranston!
BILLY: Grandpa?
> slipped
>through the lax security and into the large mansion. He roamed
>through the maze of rooms empty of life, until he found what he
>sought. Austin Brewster opened his uncle's private safe and
>unloaded the contents into a duffel bag.
KIM: I thought he was dead?
TOM: He got better.
> A mirror over the desk
>revealed Austin's face in the bright moonlight. His once handsome
>face was horribly scarred and disfigured.
ADAM: Austin Brewster IS Darkman.
> The worst scar trailed
>down his left cheek. He glanced up and caught sight of his
>reflection. He traced the thick scar tissue.
> "You'll pay for this Oliver." He vowed. "One day you'll
>pay." Austin zipped up the bag and disappeared into the shadows
>of the night.
>
>THE END (For Now)
ALL: Dum dum dum!
ROCKY: I think the idea of a sequel is the most frightening thing she's
come up with yet.
TOMMY: Come on, guys, let's go.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
The Rangers stood clustered around the console, looking at each other
in consternation. "Can you do it, Billy?" Rocky asked. "I'd kind of like
my other best friend back."
"Cross your fingers," the Blue Ranger responded. Then, casting a look
at the bots, added "or whatever." Taking a deep breath, he pulled a switch
on the console.
Lightning flashed through the dimension, as the thrumming noise from
before the fic grew louder. The noise grew to a deafening crescendo, just
as the world flashed bright white.
When the light cleared, Aisha was standing in the middle of the floor,
where Tom and Crow had been. Kim quickly ran to embrace her, with Rocky
and Adam not far behind.
"We missed you," Adam told his friend, smiling shyly.
"Yeah, it's good to be back with you guys," she agreed. "But I wish
I hadn't had to leave the holocabana."
Suddenly the red light on the console began to flash. Tommy sighed.
"Zedd's calling, guys. Present a united front." Then he hit the red button.
"Well, Rangers, all still sane?" the Lord of Evil asked nastily. "I
see you've returned to the fold, Yellow Ranger."
Aisha shrugged. "Yeah, whatever."
Tommy stepped forward. "We survived another one of your fics, Zedd."
"So you have, Tommy. But no matter! Someday soon, I shall find the
fic that will break you, and then you will help me conquer the world!"
Zedd laughed for a long moment, then turned to his henchmonkey.
"Push the button, Goldar."
"Yes, master!" Reaching out, Goldar pressed the button, and turned
off the post.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well, that's it! My first real professional-level misting! I'm anxious
to know what you all think of it. Mail me at tbrand@wvu.edu with your comments.
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
>"Greg (author's note: Greg is Speed's real name. Check out
>Speed Racer Comics Issue One to get the story on how Speed got
>his nickname.), do you know any first aide?" Mitchell asked.