THE RIPPLES OF FATE

-Episode Two of the 'Light Seraph' Series-

By Chanelle Summer

DISCLAIMER: The Power Rangers and all related characters belong to Saban Entertainment. Some of the characters, Remy, Vithida/Death, The Dream Victor, the Chimera dimension, the Transphortis dimension and associated beings there are of my own imagination.

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ THE FIRST STORY IN THIS SERIES TITLED "THE DREAM VICTOR" I STRONGLY RECOMMEND YOU READ THAT STORY BEFORE THIS ONE, OR ELSE YOU WON'T BE ABLE TO FOLLOW THIS STORY NOR APPRECIATE IT AS MUCH!

Understanding the Lead up to this story: As with my last story, this fictional series is completely separate from all episodes that followed 'A different Shade of Pink' (But with inclusion of 'the letter' sent to Tommy later in the show). The rangers have stayed the same, as was when Kimberly left: Rocky red ranger, Adam Black Ranger, Aisha Yellow Ranger, Billy Blue Ranger, Kat Pink Ranger and Tommy White Ranger. If you've read the first episode in my series, you'll also know that Jason, Trini and Jason are all back in Angel Grove after finishing their time overseas. All dates are for the purpose of this series.

If you missed the first story 'The Dream Victor' here's a recap for you…

Lord Zedd summons an evil dictator known as the 'Dream Victor' to steal the rangers into his Chimera dimension so that he can launch an attack on Earth without their interruption. The magician kidnaps Kimberly from where she's been living in Florida, unbeknownst to the rangers at first, until her roommate becomes concerned and reports her disappearance to the police. Through their investigations, they discover the identities of the rangers in Kim's possessions, and begin a manhunt for the both the former and present rangers who are left to try and put together the pieces in order to find out where she has gone. The Dream Victor eventually kidnaps the remainder of the rangers who are held in his alternate reality known as the 'Dream Land' where they wonder through Kimberly's dreams and memories. It is there they discover a mystical prophecy, which claims that Kimberly will become the Seraph, a holder of amazing power, and where suspicions of betrayal threaten Tommy's relationship with her. After suspicions come to a head in a dramatic confrontation between Kimberly, Tommy and Jason, they try to gather themselves with the help of their new ally Remy, in order to take part in a great battle against the Dream Victor and his grand army. Kimberly, now a powerful force, manages to destroy the Dream Victor, and thanks to Remy forgoing fate to save their lives, Kim is able to use her powers to rewind time and return them all to Earth. Her success in getting them home means they are able to slip back into life without the problems they would have faced, but there's a problem as to how they missed two months on Earth where they existed but don't remember…will fate allow them to continue their lives, or will Kim be punished for trying to change fate?

---

Chapter One – A Fresh Start

Angel Grove, California

Monday 18th August 1997

"Um, seriously Jase, I think I can handle it on my own!" Kimberly Hart told her life long friend Jason Lee Scott with her hands on her hips.

God…guys can be so…like guys…

Kim was grateful that her friends had been so eager to help her move into her new place, but couldn't help but laugh as Jason and her boyfriend Tommy Oliver insisted on carrying every box labeled 'heavy' all the way up to her new home. Maybe that was something she would have expected six months ago, but now that she was stronger then the two of them combined, it was almost funny. I could lift them both and the boxes at the same time!

"Whoa, Kim!" Tommy grunted as he dragged a large suitcase out of the back of the van, "Who did you kill and store in this bag!"

"Seriously, I can take it if it's too heavy," she offered, extending her hand out to him.

"Yeah, like he's gonna let his five foot two inch short girlfriend carry something that's too heavy for him!" Rocky De Santos teased as he grabbed another box and headed off again.

Kim smiled and rolled her eyes as Tommy struggled past her, half dragging-half carrying the pink travel bag alongside him. She took a deep breath and looked up to the clear blue sky above, relishing the summer sunshine above.

She'd been looking forward to this day for months; or to be completely honest, since the day I packed my bags and left for Florida in search of Pan Globals glory…she thought more honestly to herself. Now that she'd proved herself to be a successful international gymnastics star, and had completed all her contracted promotional and endorsement work, she wanted nothing more then start a new life back at home in Angel Grove.

"How many more do we have to go?" Trini Kwan asked as she approached the van.

Kim ducked her head towards the vehicle's window and smiled, "You'll be relieved to know that we're all done!"

Trini exhaled and nodded, "Good, because I was worried about where we were going to fit it all!"

"Yeah, well at least our place is bigger then what I had back in Florida…plus, I figure now that I've brought my own place, I'll take the chance to clear through some of the stuff I don't need anymore."

Trini smiled, knowing Kim too well, "I'll believe it when I see it!"

"Hey guys!" Jason called out from above.

Kim and Trini both looked up, seeing Jason's head poked out the third-story window.

"We done?" he yelled out.

Kim nodded, "Yeah! I'll lock the van and we'll head up!" she replied loudly.

Kim locked up and then she and Trini headed towards the entrance of their apartment complex, their home for at least the next three years. After Kim's bank balance grew following the Pan Globals, she decided to do the responsible thing and put a deposit down on a place of her own. The three-bedroom apartment was on the third floor, and was directly near Angel Grove University, making it prime location for students their age.

"You know we could've just taken the lift," Trini pointed out from behind her as the two women walked up the internal wooden staircase.

Kim looked back over her shoulder, "Yeah, but just think of all the calories we'll burn if we walk up and down these stairs like five to ten times a day!" she pointed out, making Trini laugh.

Trini and Kim had always joked when they were young about moving in together when they were 'grown-up', and so it was only natural that Trini decided to move in with Kim, agreeing to pay towards her weekly repayments. With neither of them having their parents in town, it made their succession into the adult world easier on the both of them, knowing that they had their best friend to come home to every day.

Kim stopped in front of the door to her apartment and smiled. It didn't feel real…I'm really here, I'm really home!

She pushed open the door and then stepped back knowingly as out of nowhere her three male friends leapt in front of her, blowing party blowers and throwing multicolored streamers all over her.

She started laughing, "Oh my gosh, guys, thankyou, you totally didn't have to do that!" she gushed.

Tommy smiled and lunged towards her, crushing her in a bear hug. She held onto him tightly, enjoying his body near hers, his smell, the way he felt. I've been looking forward to this for so long!

Jason and Rocky both came up and goofily threw their arms around the couple, making Kim reluctantly pull away, "Glad to see you've both grown up in the last five months," Kim teased.

"Yeah well, don't expect me to help you unpack all of that!" Jason commented, pointing behind him at the overflowing pile of Kim's belongings.

"I'll help you though," Tommy promised her, his comment making Jason and Rocky roll their eyes.

She smiled at the white ranger. "Thanks," she replied sweetly.

"So, I've gotta go and pick Adam up, I'll see you guys at the lake at about fivish?" Rocky announced, grabbing his keys off the couch.

Tommy nodded, "Yeah, looking forward to it, don't forget to bring some drinks."

The red ranger nodded and pecked Kim quickly on the cheek as he walked towards the door. "Welcome back, Kim," he told her before leaving.

Just then a familiar beeping sounded from Kim's communicator. The three friends all instantly exchanged a nervous glance.

"Yeah, we read you," Kim spoke.

"Hey Kim, It's Billy."

"Billy! Heya, I was wondering where you were!" Kim answered, excited to hear from the blue ranger.

"I've been at the Command Center working with Alpha on some adjustments to your morphing armor…I was wondering if you'd be able to join us now and I'll go through some of the modifications with you."

"Sure, I'll just finish up here and be there in a tic," she replied, before turning back to Tommy. "A Seraph's job is never done," she said.

"Well, we'll have plenty of time to hang out tonight," he reassured her, stroking her arm.

"Okay, well I'll see you guys there if I don't before hand," she told them, "And in the meantime, if any of you are bored and feel like unpacking my stuff, go right ahead!" she added cheekily, before teleporting to meet Billy.

---

"Fashionably late as always, I see!" Aisha Campbell teased as Kim and Billy approached the yellow ranger who was sitting on the banks of Angel Grove Lake later on that day.

Kim blushed and then shook the basket in her hand, "Ya, I know, but we come baring yummy food!"

Aisha patted the large picnic rug, motioning for her two friends to join her. Kim gladly sat down, relieved to have a break after spending hours with Billy in the Command Center working on her morphing armor.

"Hey, glad to see you finally made it!" Tommy called out from where he was paddling in the lake. Kim waved, and watched as Tommy and Jason goofed around in the water, while Kathrine Hillardand Trini floated nearby.

"Isn't the weather just divine?" Aisha marveled, as she grabbed some soda from their icebox.

Billy nodded, "Yes, the balmy summer weather really is still with us," he commented.

"Where are Rocky and Adam I wonder?" Aisha asked, glancing down at her watch. "I told Rocky like ten times that we were meeting at five."

Kim nodded. "Yeah, they know, they're running late…Adam's supposed to pick his car up from the shop, but he's about to find out that the small problem he thought it had is actually quite major…"

Aisha cocked her head, surprised. "Really? Did they call you?"

Kim shook her head, taking a cup of soda off the yellow ranger. "No…I just know," she said, motioning to her head with her free hand.

"Ohhh…" Aisha said, "You know it's gonna take awhile for me to get use to all your mental abilities-."

"Whatcha talking about, Kim's always been mental," Zack Taylorteased as he and the others slowly made their way out of the lake to join them.

Kim pouted light-heartedly, as Zack dropped down beside her and rubbed her head playfully.

"Whoa, I wouldn't touch Kim's hair unless you have a death wish," Tommy joked, as he dropped behind her, pulling her towards him so she was nestled between his legs.

Kim turned her head and glared at Tommy, "Hey, don't pick on me!" she protested.

They all laughed, Kim looking up as she saw Rocky and Adam Park approach the group.

"Better late then never," Aisha commented.

Adam slumped his shoulders, "Well, I've just had the worst news, you know my car-."

"It turned out to be the gearbox, and because it's a front wheel drive car it will cost a fortune, which is more money then you have right now and you won't have a car for the next few days as it will be in the shop…" Kim finished his sentence in one breath.

Adam stared at her and then shook his head, "Wow Kim, that's great, although I wish you would've told me that before the car broke down!"

Kim shrugged, "Sorry Adam, you know I can't go revealing things like that…I mean, you'd all be asking every two minutes what was gonna happen!"

"Yeah, well don't worry, now you're immortal, we'll be pushing in the firing line whenever we're in battle," Rocky told her with a grin.

"Speaking of battle, how's your morphing armor going?" Jason asked, opening a bag of caramel popcorn.

"Really good, I spent the entire afternoon with Billy and Alpha, and we're pretty much done," Kim replied, extending her hand to get some of the sweet snack food for herself.

"Does it look like ours, or what? I mean, are we gonna have two pink rangers running around?" Rocky asked.

"No," Kim said shaking her head, "It's completely funky! I'll show you guys tomorrow!"

"Tomorrow?" Tommy asked curiously.

"Yep, we're having a group meeting at the Command Center to re-group now that we're all here," Kim explained.

Billy nodded, "Affirmative, Zordon wants to go over a few modifications to our team structure now that Kim's joining us…the adjustments aren't on a large scale, but it's a good idea that we all have a clear understanding of any changes."

They all nodded.

"So, did you guys read your college information packs yet?" Kat asked, "I read through all the booklets today and I was so overwhelmed! College is going to be such a new challenge."

"I know, and this is our last week of freedom before years of torment!" Aisha added.

"Well, I'm glad I don't have to do it," Rocky commented, "The workforce is a lot less complicated then higher learning!"

"I'm actually really excited about next week," Kim admitted, "I'm looking forward to having some routine back in my life…the last few months have been total chaos, and it'll be so awesome to see you guys every day again!"

Tommy hugged her from behind, "Yeah, it'll be just like the old times, except I don't have to look out for your mom when I come to visit you at night, and you're about ten times stronger then me!"

"Oh my gosh, I nearly forgot!" Kat exclaimed, reaching back towards her bag and revealing a bulky envelope, "I have photos from your reunion party, Kim!"

Kim's eyes lit up. "I've been dying to see them, I'm so glad you remembered them!"

Kat passed each photo around, all of them smiling, laughing, or making stupid comments along the way. "This is a really nice photo of you guys," Kat revealed, passing a photo straight to Kim and Tommy.

Kim glanced down at the photo and smiled. What a gorgeous photo, we look so great in it!

"Hey, that's a really great photo!" Tommy told her.

"Kat, who took this photo?" Aisha asked, flipping one of the photographs around to show the pink ranger.

Kim giggled as she saw the shot of Rocky, Adam and Aisha…it looks like Rocky is touching Adams butt!

"Kat!" Rocky exclaimed exasperated.

The pink ranger shrugged, "I'm sorry, I didn't force you to pose like that!"

"I always knew you guys were close, but I didn't know it was that serious…" Aisha teased as Rocky leaned over and snatched the photo from her.

"This is a nice photo of Kim and Jason," Kat continued, flipping a photo of the two friends over for everyone to see.

"Yeah, you two look really cute," Rocky muttered sarcastically.

"You're just jealous because I look great in every photo!" Kim retorted light-heartedly.

They continued through the remainder of the photos, reliving memories of the fun-filled evening when Aisha suddenly raised her hands to make an announcement, "Okay, I want to quickly say some words," she began, "Firstly, I wanna say congratulations to Kimberly and Trini for moving into their new place, I'm sure it'll be a refuge for us all when we wanna escape our own houses!"

"Here, here!" Jason piped up.

"And, also I wanna say how great it is that we're all reunited again, especially as we're coming up to a new chapter of our lives…I think we all realize that we have a special bond which will exist for a lifetime no matter where our individual lives take us, and it's wonderful that we can spend these years together, as a team!"

They all nodded, smiling at the yellow ranger's touching words.

"And of course, I wanna wish Kim the best of luck with her new battle powers, I know you're gonna help us kick some major butt! We're all so proud of you and how you've managed your new powers, and we all know that you're only gonna get better and better with time!"

"Aw…" Kim cut in, her eyes glistening, "That's so sweet!" she gushed.

Aisha smiled, "And finally, let's eat guys!"

---

"Zeddy!" Rita Repulsa's screeching voice echoed through their gargantuan skull-shaped palace, Lord Zedd instantly groaning with dread as he heard her ungraceful footsteps approach his chambers.

She stormed in, thumping her way past his throne and dramatically spun around in front of him. He sighed and continued to look past his wife, not wishing to cast his vision on her hideous, bitterly twisted expression.

"What a surprise, Zeddy," she began with a snarl, "Moping around and licking your wounds after you failed once again!"

Zedd reluctantly straightened himself up. "You should talk!" was all he could answer.

She put her hands on her hips. "It's time we get back to plans, and continue our assault against the power rangers!" she whined.

Zedd sniggered, "And what do you suppose we do?"

The question caught the witch off guard. She suddenly dropped her gaze to a book sitting beside Zedd's throne and quickly scurried towards it, sweeping it up in one motion.

The book of Victors? What does she think she is going to do with that? He thought, trying to think of the stupid idea's that would come out of her mouth.

"It's my turn to shine," she said quickly before cocking her head and flipping the book open. She leafed through the yellow pages, another scowl replacing her usual sour expression. "Where is it!" she suddenly snapped, turning to Finster who was standing in the corner.

Zedd groaned, "What are you whining about now?"

"The spells are gone!" she shrieked.

He shuddered as her words pierced at his skull, "Blind, as well deaf?" he groaned, before leaning over, "You must be looking in the wrong place!"

She flipped the book over to reveal the pages, the former hymns surrounding the victors and legends of Chimera now completely gone. She raised an eyebrow. Zedd stood up and snatched the book from her hands, turning to look at Finster.

"Finster, where have the spells gone!" He demanded.

The alien scientist ducked his head quickly, "I cannot be certain," he began, "the only explanation that could come close to explaining the vanished verses, is that the Dream Victor is dead…"

Zedd's gaze narrowed, as a smirk formed behind his faceplate. "How intriguing…" he murmured, returning to sit down in his throne, "…she must have been successful in destroying the maniac magician…"

Rita frowned, "Who?"

"The Light Seraph…the pathetic, sickly sweet former pink princess," Zedd replied, pausing before continuing his thought out loud. "She's a bigger threat then I even thought…She's a bigger threat to us then her pathetic power friends combined!"

Rita eyed her husband carefully. He watched as she turned to gaze down her viewing scope. She sniggered before turning and rolled her eyes at him, "I hardly believe that!" she commented incredulously, "She still looks as pathetically weak as ever!"

"Don't be so naive," he growled at her, "Kimberly is harboring the power of the universe within that diminutive frame…if we can't develop a new strategy, our advances are going to be useless against her catastrophic ability."

Rita dropped her shoulders, and turned to Finster, "Finster! Make us some monsters!" she yelled at him abruptly.

Finster quickly nodded his head, and scurried out of the room. Zedd shook his head, "She'll be able to beat anything he creates with her pinky finger!"

Rita nodded and then made her way over to him, dropping her arm around his shoulder as she nuzzled her face against his, "Yes, Zeddy, but let's play with the rangers until we can come up with a plan that will test the little angel brat to her limits!"

He huffed and the reluctantly nodded, "What do you have in mind, my sour puss?"

"Let's just say, I've got an idea that I think you will like…"

---

"I am so tired…" Trini commented, flopping down on the couch beside Kim on their first official night in their new apartment. She paused, "Hey, maybe you can do mine too?" she asked, motioning to her bare feet.

Kim looked up from her toes and nodded, "Of course, but I've only got hot pink polish or bright pink polish," she replied.

"I thought you'd unpack your make-up before anything else!" Trini commented surprised.

Kim giggled at her friends comment, "Gees, Trini, I have grown up a little over the last two years…I figured two shades of polish will sustain me long enough before I get frustrated enough and force myself to sort through all those boxes!"

"Ya, I know what you mean," Trini said with an exhausted sigh, "Maybe we should agree to do like an hour a day together until we get it done?"

"That sounds like a top idea!" Kim agreed, before she started to blow on her freshly polished nails.

"I had a great time with the guys at the lake tonight," the former yellow ranger reminisced, "It still feels so surreal being back in Angel Grove, and with all of us back together as group…"

Kim looked up and flopped back against the couch, keeping her feet propped on one of her boxes in front of them. She smiled, "I'm so happy, that I think it'll take me at least a week to stop grinning!"

"The other's are so proud of you Kim, the way they all talked about you…how does it feel having so much on your shoulders?"

Kim shrugged, "I'm getting use to it…It's still a little daunting at times, you know, having to keep things to myself and then reading everyone's thoughts…that's the bit that's most tricky."

Trini nodded, "Have you thought about what effect it might have for you at college?"

"Well, I know it'll automatically make things easier for me academically, but then at the same time there's so much else that I have going on in my head at any one time, that I know it'll balance out," she explained, "It's taken three months just to get use to knowing what's usually going to happen every day beforehand, and to control most of my past tendency to blurt things aloud before thinking."

"I know the other's kid around with you a lot, but if you ever need anyone to talk to, you know I'm here for you, don't you?"

Kim dropped her head to look at her and smiled, quickly shuffling herself over to lean her head on Trini's shoulder. "Thanks Trini."

The two friends stared out the large un-curtained window up in front of them, gazing out at the clear night. Kim could hear Trini's thoughts, and couldn't contain a smile. "I'm glad I'm living with you, too," she said.

"You read my mind!"

Kim giggled, "I'm relieved that I'm living with you because we've not only been friends our whole lives, but we share our ranger past and you're one of the few people who knows what I am now…I just hope you won't regret it."

She could feel Trini shake her head, "Kim, I would never regret it! You know we're going to have so much fun, but at the same time I feel comforted knowing that I'll be there for you…"

…As will Jason and Tommy, Kim heard Trini think.

Kim straightened herself up, after she noticed Trini's thought. "What did Tommy and Jason say to you?" she asked curiously.

Trini's forehead creased, "What do you mean?"

"Did you guys all have some big discussion about having to baby-sit me?"

Trini sighed, "No Kim, it wasn't like that," she reassured her, "…Jason and Tommy were just discussing that it's important we all support you, especially as your abilities are likely to spill into your daily life, we all want to make sure that you have a friend nearby every step of the way."

Kim smiled, accepting her explanation, "Well, with me being back in battle with the rangers, with you living with me, Tommy spending every free second with me and Jason being in all my classes, I'll never be able to escape any of you!"

"I know!" Trini said, "Isn't it fantastic?"

They both let out a little squeal as Trini flopped back and threw her legs up on Kim, motioning to the bright pink polish on the coffee table.

TO BE CONTINUED...

Teaser for Chapter Two "New Horizons":

Jason stared at her wide eyed and then leant back in his chair, "Yeah, something along those lines…thanks Kim, you're really becoming the surprise spoiler, aren't you?"