AUTHOR'S NOTE: Yes, this is another Kim/Tommy angst story. Though I personally think it's much more than that. It's a pretty original take on the infamous Letter, and the shocking and tragic consequences Tommy and Kim have to face because of their pride. I like to consider this piece a dramatic epic, as it spans nearly half a year, fills over two hundred pages, includes action and introspection, and covers the rise and fall of heroes and villains. I'm beyond proud of this story, as I feel it is, to this date, the pinnacle of my writing in any genre.
 

Sunday, February 9, 1997

In the spacious, state-of-the-art gymnasium owned and operated by Coach Gunther Schmidt, a group of young American athletes trained for the Pan-Global Games, an international sports competition that would be hosted by the United States in May. Many of the determined athletes were teenagers who have devoted their entire lives to gymnastics. Most were recruited by Coach Schmidt as early as their pre-teen years, and they had slowly but surely progressed into champions of the sport. However, one young athlete amidst the talented assembly didn't lived her life for the balance beam or uneven bars.

Coach Schmidt recruited Kimberly Anne Hart during a scouting trip that led him to Angel Grove California that past July. Even though she had only trained professionally for half a year, the graceful phenom quickly became one of the team's most dependable performers for the floor routine as well as the balance beam. It was clear to anyone looking at her that she was natural athlete, grim-faced determination proving she was no stranger to pressure, and powerful, lean muscles working in a symphony of movement that was so precise, she moved like a well-oiled machine.

But there was a character trait even more amazing to those who came to know her. No matter how strenuous the exercise, or demanding the instructors, the moment she stepped away from an exercise, her focused scowl collapsed into a genuine smile. Her cheerful attitude permeated everything she did, and it was absolutely contagious.

Everyone recognized that she brought out the best in the people around her.

Coach Schmidt surveyed his team of athletes as they practiced on the varied gymnastics stations. As usual, he kept a careful eye on two of the most promising gymnasts: Kimberly and her roommate Renee Ryan. Pairing the two young women was no accident… for he recognized early on that they were the heart and soul of his team. Over the decades of his career, the German legend had coached many world-class teams, and usually, no matter how much he had tried to create group cohesiveness, there was always an undeniable current of competition between his best athletes. Internal strife inevitably led to failure. Coach Schmidt had hoped to avoid conflict by putting the two girls together in the same room… and it worked. Renee and Kimberly quickly became close friends, to the point that both would be genuinely ecstatic to see the other victorious.

"Coach, it's nine o'clock."

Gunther blinked, snapping out of his studious haze at the voice of his assistant coach and right-arm, Trevor Monroe. "So it is," he realized, glancing at his wristwatch with surprise. "Then it's time to call it a day."

Gunther strode from the sidelines to the center of the gym and blew his whistle. The several dozen athletes responded like Pavlovian dogs, freezing their routines at the sound and turning to the man that would make them stars.

"Okay, everyone!" he shouted in his distinguished European accent, "Great practice by all!"

Trevor then leaned toward the Coach, and whispered something in his ear. Gunther's hard face cracked into a grin, and he nodded in agreement.

"You've all done a phenomenal job this week," he continued loudly, "As a reward, I'm treating you to frozen yogurts. Now hit the showers!"

The group of teenagers cheered happily, and separated into the locker rooms.

* * *

The girl's locker room buzzed with excited chatter as the team hurried to get cleaned up and dressed in time for the treat. After all, with a strict diet, it was a rarity to indulge in sweets. Even low-fat ones.

Renee hopped out of the narrow stall after a record-breaking three-minute shower. She deftly swept a soft towel over her rich tawny skin, and wrapped another around her dripping mahogany curls. While making her way to her locker, her dark gaze fell upon Kimberly, who pulled a sweatshirt over her leotard.

"Not taking a shower, Kim?" she asked with mock surprise, "I hate to burst your bubble, Hon, but you don't smell springtime fresh."

Kim smirked, grabbing a sweaty towel and launching it at her roommate. Renee yelped, ducking out of the missile's way.

"I'll take one in the apartment," she answered, tying her hair in a ponytail, "I don't like the whole idea of communal showers, 'Ne."

"So, I take it you're not going to come get fro-yo with the rest of us?"

"I can't. It's Sunday!"

"And…?" prompted Renee, raising her eyebrow.

"I call Tommy every Sunday night at ten. You know that."

"Kimberly," her roommate groaned, "you can't live your life around Tommy's schedule."

"But I'm not," Kim protested, "It's a compromise. He calls me Thursday nights, and I call him Sunday nights. Scheduling time for each other guarantees that we don't wind up playing phone-tag. Besides, talking to Tommy is the highlight of my week!"

Renee exhaled slowly, a small frown on her face. Suddenly, her tone shifted from overly dramatic to completely serious. "Kim, don't you think you're being a little naive? I mean, here's the deal: your boyfriend is a hot, popular guy, whose girlfriend is three thousand miles away! You may talk to him Thursday and Sunday nights, but who do you think he's with the rest of the week? I bet my Tupac collection he's not sitting in his bedroom staring at a picture of you."

Kim stared her friend square in the eye. "Renee, I trust Tommy. He'd never go out with anyone behind my back."

Renee held her peace for a moment, gazing at her friend's unflinching expression. Kim's always wore her feelings on her sleeve; it was easy to see just how deeply her affection for Tommy Oliver ran.

She was a schoolgirl in love… but she wouldn't be the first to be burned by a long-distance relationship.

"How do you know, Kim?" Renee challenged in a soft voice, "I mean, don't get me wrong; I'm sure Tommy's a nice guy and all… but he lives in California, you live in Florida. You haven't even seen him since Christmas, and who knows when you'll see him again?"

"I'm moving back to Angel Grove after the Pan-Globals," Kim announced.

Renee blinked in surprise. "Since when?"

"Since my Uncle Steve offered to have me stay with him."

"And after that?" Renee pressed, "Your mother's in Paris, and you aren't exactly close to your father. You aren't planning on living with your uncle indefinitely, are you?"

"No, but I'll probably be receiving an acceptance letter from Angel Grove University any day now," Kim stated. "Then it's just a matter of living on campus and stretching that endorsement money as far as it can go. Piece of cake."

Her stubborn frown was instantly replaced by her trademark smile as she forcefully dropped the subject. "Have fun, 'Ne. Okay?"

Renee bit her tongue before a frustrated sigh could escape. She did her best to smile. "Take care, Kim."

* * *

Millions of light years distant, circling an ancient star near the center of the daunting M51 galaxy, a gargantuan skull-shaped palace occupied nearly seven hundred square miles of the planet's largest continent. The monumental edifice, the envy of every would-be galactic conqueror in the past twenty two thousand years, was the headquarters of one of the most dangerous and feared villains of the cosmos.

Mastervile the Invincible.

Yes, his title went beyond mere presumption, yet no one could question it. During a lifetime that stretched beyond the beginning of written history, the famed Summoner of Ancient Evil had conquered every viable system in the central cluster of stars in his home galaxy, spanning over a hundred thousand light years of space.

Yet of course, the fierce dictator was not satisfied with owning more planets than he could visit in a century. The brilliant emperor of the entire galaxy sought to expand his stagnant holdings into the nearby Milky Way galaxy. However, his first attempt was foiled by a group of teenaged heroes known as the Power Rangers. His only daughter, Rita Repulsa, and her husband Lord Zedd had been trying to destroy these Power Rangers for some time. Millennia, in fact… when one includes Rita's long imprisonment in Zordon's space dumpster. Despite the oft-depressing failures, however, both Rita and Zedd stubbornly refused to concede defeat. That is, until a deadly threat arrived.

The Machine Empire, another absurdly powerful race of evil, had also set their sights on the planet Earth. They invaded first the moon, and drove Zedd and Rita away. Rita decided to bring the entire court to Mastervile's homeworld, where they could coordinate a joint attack against the Machines, and retake the Moon Palace, and dominance in the Milky Way's struggle for power. So for the past several months, they had taken refuge in Mastervile's palace.

However, while Rita was more than happy to briefly return to the planet of her birth, the domestic situation was entirely loathsome to her "better half."

Damn the Fates! I am Lord Zedd… twenty-eighth of the House of Zhept, Emperor of Phlegethon and a thousand systems besides! I will not bow to that insolent mongrel!

Of course, by "insolent mongrel," the enraged sorcerer referred to his despised father-in-law, who had the gall to take command of Lord Zedd's palace during his brief stay in the Milky Way, and order him about like some errand boy.

That only compounded the growing irritation that boiled his blood at the thought of his wife. Though married a very short time, less than an Earth year, he found himself rapidly growing tired of her. In fact, his long-held disgust with her, that had moved him to banish her into the space dumpster again, that mysteriously evaporated after she returned to his palace, had turned his heart cold toward her once again. Her endless nagging, spoiled complaining, and impotent magic were embarrassing at best, nauseating at worst.

Little did Lord Zedd realize that the reason why his devotion to his wife withered was because the potent love potion, which Rita used on Zedd months ago, had finally begun to fade.

Why in the name of Evil did I marry that old witch? he wondered, absently staring out at foggy, murky planet stretching endlessly beneath the winding outdoor path that circled the entire palace, She has always been a second-rate witch, with powers I could easily outmatch by the time I was Heir. I banished her from my sight, condemning her to life in a dumpster; but the next time I laid eyes upon her, I declared everlasting love, and married her? WHY??

Zedd stood rigid, folding his arms over his armored chest as his gaze drew ever inward. A being such as myself cannot feel "love." I may desire power and infamy, and to be feared throughout the cosmos, but I do not desire Rita in any capacity whatsoever. Her very presence… her voice… has come to sicken me. There was only one woman I ever desired...

The Emperor's thoughts strayed to another woman. Young and naïve, only existing for seventeen Earth years. Laughably weak physically, unless granted power from another source. Sickeningly sweet and pure… always dressed in pink and giggling with mindless glee.

Yet, the erstwhile Pink Ranger had a unique allure. She was attractive by Earth standards, and her short stature and golden-brown coloring made her even more so to any Phlegethonian eye. She was also graceful and lithe, even without the Power to augment her skills.

And despite her utter powerlessness, her large eyes blazed with strength. Strength, boldness, determination… spirit. Her spirit knew no bounds, despite her Human limitations.

She had potential.

But, she managed to escape when I sent Goldar to kidnap her, and make her my wife, he reflected, his anger brimming anew, The spell I had Goldar cast on her didn't work, because her heart already belonged to someone else...

Zedd's visor began to glow scarlet as his thoughts turned to another subject: Tommy Oliver. The fearless leader of the Power Rangers. The former Green Ranger, who stubbornly refused the pull of evil to fight against it. Time after time, Zedd and Rita before him aimed to destroy the thorn in their side. The Green Candle, Green crystal, an evil clone, countless mind-altering spells… and every time, Tommy stood up again, even more powerful than before.

I will have my revenge, Zedd vowed, He was to be my champion… molded of Evil and set loose upon the galaxy. No one will weasel his way out of my ultimate design! I will find his weakness… some way to destroy his spirit as I cannot seem to destroy his flesh. Perhaps the way to defeat the Red Zeo Ranger is not through combat...

The evil Lord froze, brilliance dawning upon him like the sun after an eclipse.

…but heartbreak?

At that moment, a smile pulled the raw lips hidden beneath his mask. His heart quickened and his mind raced, his spirits rising with a sinister glee he hadn't felt since before his regrettable marriage.

His plan began to bloom all at once, founded upon a strategy crueler than merciless battle, or even surprise attacks.

Deception.