CHAPTER FOUR: BACK TO NORMAL
The Rangers returned the Command Center just as Alpha finished the background check.
"Whoo! We did it!" Aisha cheered, bumping Adam's hip and then doing the same with Rocky. The others laughed.
"Rangers, I have finished the background check on your friends-not that it was that hard since most of the data was put into the computer banks when we first came across you and we've seen you countless of times through the viewing globe," Alpha said.
"And?" Angela asked.
"You all check out," Alpha answered.
"Even us?" Bulk asked.
"Yes. True, you done some things that were questionable, but one thing I've learned since we picked this team is that humans will sometimes make mistakes," Alpha answered.
"Bulk, Skull, you have to listen to me. It's extremely important that you keep our identities secret. The world depends on it," Aisha emphasized.
"We understand that now. We'll take the oath," Bulk promised.
"And never betray you-no matter what," Skull added.
"That goes for the rest of us as well," Curtis stated and Richie and Angela nodded their agreement.
"Then repeat after me," Zordon said.
"I swear on the forces of goodness-"
"I swear on the forces of goodness-"
"To maintain the secret-"
"To maintain the secret-"
"Of the true identities of the Power Rangers."
"Of the true identities of the Power Rangers."
"Thank you, friends."
"I'm going to have a lot of work to do," Billy sighed.
"I'll give you a hand," Chris assured.
"Thank you," Billy said. A few minutes later, they were back in school.
"I am so glad everyone's back to normal," Aisha said.
"Especially the people trapped in the photograph," Tina agreed with a shudder.
"You know what? I kind of liked being a kid though. Everything seemed less complicated," Kimberly commented.
"Although, I did notice that you were more into the superhero thing than when Zordon first called us," Jason said, recalling her reaction Alpha's words.
"Well, back then, I believed in superheroes and I wanted to be one. By the time we had reached high school, I had stopped believing," Kimberly answered.
"I agree with Kim. If I had known then what I know now, I would've been in less of a hurry to grow up," Rocky stated. Kimberly laughed. Just then, Principal Caplan walked in.
"What are all of you doing here?" he wondered in surprised.
"We just finished studying. We'll be leaving," Billy answered. The man let out an exasperated breath as the kids headed out.
"So Bulk, I was just thinking, you guys have been looking for our identities for a long time. People are going to think it's strange if you just suddenly stop trying to figure out who we are," Aisha reminded.
"Well, we can make a show of looking for your identities and then after a while, declare that we give up," Bulk answered.
"Yeah, we're not known for sticking with things, so no one will be surprised," Skull added.
"A valid line of reasoning. I'm sure it'll be conducive to keeping our secret," Billy said. "Though you shouldn't be so down on yourselves," he continued.
"I'm sorry, I lost some of that. What'd you say?" Bulk questioned.
"He said it was a good plan," Trini translated.
"You know, we've been through a lot of changes," Jason murmured.
"But it's good to know that some things will always be the same," Kimberly said.
"Hear, hear," Jason agreed. They laughed as the group left the school.
THE END