CALL TO ARMS PT 1

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

Okay everyone, here it is: my series finale. Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own the plot, subplot, and characters you don't recognize. It was pointed out that I never gave the Rangers' friends other than Angela a last name, so I'm going to add last names for them in this fic.

In Ernie's Gym And Juice Bar, the Rangers except for Katherine and their friends: Angela Chambers, Curtis Taylor, Bulk, Skull, Richie Lopez, Justin Walker, Tina Reynolds, Zane Richards, Hilary Morrow, Chris Teller, Marge Sanders, and Tyler Grayson were helping out Ernie. One-by-one, they picked up boxes of fruit.

"Where do you want these, Ernie?" Jason asked.

"Right here on the counter's good. Thanks," Ernie responded and the teens placed the boxes in a row on the counter.

"No problem, Ernie. We're always glad to help out," Billy responded. The man grabbed a box and went to the back.

"So Kim, we got your message. What's up?" Adam asked.

"Yeah, and where's Kat? Shouldn't she be here?" Aisha added.

"Actually it's about Kat," Kimberly answered.

"What do you mean?" Tina questioned.

"Tomorrow's her birthday," Kimberly revealed.

"What!" the others except for Rocky chorused.

"This calls for a surprise party," Trini declared.

"My thoughts exactly," Kimberly stated.

"I don't know, Kim. I get the feeling that she doesn't want to make it a big deal," Rocky objected. "I mean, the only reason you and I know is because we helped her register," he continued.

"Well, whether she likes it or not, no one gets away without at least one surprise party," Aisha determined.

"Let's just hope her birthday goes as planned," Zack stated.

"I hear that," Jason agreed. Tyler looked at them in confusion but didn't ask.

"So, what should we do?" Adam wondered.

"Well, I did some scouting and I think I found the perfect spot. There's a carnival in town and what would be a better way to celebrate a good friend's birthday than to take her to the carnival on the very day it opens?" Kimberly asked.

"Sounds good. I'm in," Bulk told her, putting an arm around Aisha, who leaned into the touch.

"Yeah, me too," Jason quickly agreed and Skull nodded as the others made similar statements.

"Would it be too presumptuous to inquire as to whether or not I can attend the festivities?" Marge queried.

"Absolutely not, Marge. You're our friend," Kimberly responded.

"Prodigious," Marge stated and Billy reached out to take her hand, intertwining their fingers. Tyler bit his lip. A surprise party for Kat sounded great, but he probably wasn't invited. After all, he, Jason, and Kat had only just become friends and it was probably going to be really awkward with him there. As if sensing his thoughts, Jason turned to him.

"Hey, Tyler, would you like to join us?" he offered.

"Are you sure? I wouldn't want to intrude," the other boy protested.

"It wouldn't be an intrusion. She'd see it as a friend coming to her birthday party," came the assurance.

"Cool. I'm in," came the promise.

"Awesome," Tommy said and then they all huddled together and Kimberly outlined the rest of her plan. Meanwhile, on the moon, Rita and her minions had seen the whole thing from the outer lobby of the Moon Palace.

"So, it's Katherine's birthday, is it?" she asked.

"Yes, Empress. And the other Rangers are quite excited about it," Baboo answered.

"You think they'll have cake?" Squatt questioned and Baboo hit him over the head.

"Empress, tomorrow will be the perfect time to attack as the Rangers will have left their guard down," Goldar advised.

"Yes, the carnival will be the perfect stage for our final battle," Rita declared. "FINSTER! GET IN HERE!" she shrieked. Almost immediately, the dog-like creature was in front of the witch.

"Yes, Empress, what can I do for you?" he queried.

"I'm launching my final attack on the Power Brats tomorrow," Rita told him. "I'll need a large group of Putties and the fiercest monster out of the book that you can find," she continued.

"As you wish," Finster replied.

"And Finster, seeing as how tomorrow I'll be taking over Earth, I want you, Squatt, and Baboo to gather any Earthlings other than the Rangers that you find. They will become my new slaves," Rita stated.

"Yes, Your Evilness," Finster agreed.

"What are your orders for us, Empress?" Scorpina questioned eagerly.

"You, Rito, and Goldar will be leading the attack. Whatever monster Finster creates will assist you in either capturing or destroying the Rangers. Our best strategy for defeating the Rangers will be to divide them so that they aren't at full strength," Rita answered.

"You got it, Sis," Rito stated.

"We won't let you down, Empress," Goldar promised. Finally, I'll be able to destroy the Red Ranger, he thought to himself. As Rita's laughter rang out, the griffin allowed a terrible smile to grace his lips.