Guardian Five

Kimberly Hart stood at the top of her staircase looking down at everyone in her fifty-six thousand square-foot house. It was filled with classmates and whoever else wanted to party at the Hart household for the night. Everyone was dressed up like they were attending a dance club, which that’s what it was like, Kimberly had to remind herself. All Kimberly had to do was tell her parents she wanted a party and the Harts would hire the best DJ in California along with the best caterer in town. They would even bring in kegs for the guest to drink. They didn’t need to worry about the cops, Dave Hart already paid them off.

She slowly descended the stairs into the crowd. Only a few people said hi to her as she passed through to get to the kitchen, everyone else was too into what they were doing to pay attention to the host of the party - which was perfectly fine to her. She went straight to the liquor that sat on the counter and poured a shot glass, sending it back quickly. She was staring at her parents trying to be “hip” and dance with her classmates. They were both good looking people, but everyone could tell they were out of place in a house full of teenagers.

“Who are the fogies?” a guy said, standing next to Kimberly and leaning on the counter.

Kimberly looked over to find an extremely good-looking guy staring at her parents with a look of amusement on his face. He was her age and was somebody she never met. “Those are my parents,” she honestly told him and poured herself another shot.

“Yikes,” he said, turning away from them. He still leaned against the counter and looked over at Kimberly, “Sorry.”

“They are fogies. So, no offense taken.” She turned to look at him again, this time getting a full view of his face. His good-looking profile didn’t do him justice, the front of his face almost made her knees give out. He looked away to look back at her parents dancing on the coffee table, giving Kimberly enough time to adjust her dress to look more appealing. “You’re new here?” she asked, drawing his attention back to her.

“How could you tell?” he asked, looking back at her. He noticed her adjustment - his eyebrow rose at the change. She didn’t need to do it, he already found her attractive.

“Never seen you around before.”

“Jason Lee Scott,” he stuck his hand out, “But you can call me Jay.”

“Kimberly Hart,” she answered, putting her hand in his. She pulled away quickly, hoping he didn’t notice. It wasn’t because she didn’t want to shake his hand, it’s just the moment their hands touched, she felt a small current of electricity surge between their hands.

Jason looked down at his hand but brushed it off. “So, you’re the host,” he said as a matter of fact. “You don’t look like you want to be here.”

“That’s because I don’t,” she answered, swinging back her shot.

“Come on, it can’t be that bad,” Jason said, looking down at her shot glass and back up at her.

“Trust me. I didn’t even want this stupid party, but the minute I say I want to have some people over, my parents call the newspapers and everyone in Angel Grove shows up.” She poured another shot.

“Jaeger?” he smirked. He knew she was the same age as him - seventeen - but he wasn’t any better. He carried around a red cup just like the other guest.

“Makes the night go faster,” she answered and leaned against the counter to look at him again, “Who did you come here with?”

“My cousin, Jeremy…” he answered and stood straight to look around. He stood a few inches taller than her and she was wearing low heels. “No idea where he went though.”

“So, you’re here by yourself,” she smirked, looking up at him.

Jason let out a laugh, looking back at her, “That’s what it appears like.”

Kimberly bit her lower lip then turned back to the small plastic shot glasses, “Good. You can have one with me.” She poured two shots and held one out for Jason.

Jason looked at the plastic cup then took it from her. He gave her another smirk and leaned forward, “Here’s to having a good night.” He held it out for her to tap her cup against.

“A good night,” she said, tapping her cup and throwing the liquor down.

***

Kimberly woke up groaning from the headache she had. She shared five shots with Jason and was pretty sure she had a fun time. She closed her eyes and rubbed her face, remembering a piece from the night before.

“Where’s your bathroom?” Jason asked her, five shots in and ten songs later.

“Which one?” she answered, leaning in to hear him as she continued to dance.

“How many do you have?” he leaned in.

“We have more bathrooms than we have bedrooms. One of our bathrooms is the size of my bedroom, which is ridiculous if you ask me.”

“How about the one that’s closest.”

She waved for him to follow her and they continued up the stairs and down the hallway. She pointed at the room and waited for him to come out. A moment later, he emerged from the bathroom and stumbled into her.

Kimberly rolled on her side and hugged her pillow thinking about how their mouths collided as soon as he realized he bumped into her. She had engaged quickly on the heavy make-out session that was about to occur. She bit her lip thinking about that electricity she felt between them and knew he felt it too, but that didn’t stop them from pulling apart even when making their way to her room. She sat up and looked at her bed where they laid in each other’s arms, kissing. She didn’t even feel embarrassed. He was just a guy who she was attracted to and had no shame in making-out with. It felt free in doing so after the crap she went through a year ago. She got up and walked around the house cleaners who were sweeping up the last of the party remains.

“Where’s mom and dad?” she asked their butler, Eugene.

“In bed, ma’am,” Eugene answered, handing her a drink that he made specially for hangovers.

“Ugh, Eugene. Please don’t call me ma’am,” she said, drinking the liquid quickly. It was a mix of milk and a few greens that Eugene would never reveal. “Call me Kimberly. I’m too young to be called that crap.”

Eugene bowed which Kimberly scolded him for as well. She left the kitchen and went out to the back patio. She took a seat near the pool and looked across the crystal blue water. She wondered if she would meet Jason Lee Scott again. He said he came with his cousin, but she didn’t know which Jeremy that was. There was four in her grade. Two on the football team, one who played the card game ‘Magic’ all the time, and another who she wouldn’t dare talk to. He made all the females feel awkward; and some guys too. She dropped her bathrobe off and laid in the sun, closing her eyes. She decided to just enjoy last night for what it was and not think about it too much. But that wasn’t as easy as she hoped.

On Monday, walking into homeroom, she saw Jason standing at the end of the hallway with Jeremy Tyler. He was one of the Jeremy’s on the football team. The moment her eyes locked with Jason’s, her thoughts went straight back to her party on Saturday and she felt her knees get weak again. He smirked at her and left his cousin to meet her just as she reached the lobby.

“Hey,” he said, looking down at her and smiling, “I forgot to mention that I would be going to Angel Grove High. My dad and I just moved into town.”

Kimberly shook her head and bit her bottom lip. “I understand why you didn’t tell me,” she felt herself blush as she added, “The other night was-”

“Amazing,” Jason said, at the same time she said, “Really nice.”

“That wasn’t really my character though,” she quickly added. “Something just kind of took over.”

“I totally get it. The same for me,” Jason said and continued to smile at her as they stood in the lobby. It was like they were the only two people in the hallway.

“I see you’ve met Angel Grove’s little angel,” Jeremy said, interrupting the two. He clapped Jason’s shoulder and tilted his head to Kimberly, “Hey, Kim.”

“It’s Kimberly,” she let out, looking over at him and giving him a look that only Jason noticed. She couldn’t see how Jason and Jeremy were related. Jeremy was one of the most obnoxious jocks the Devils had. She often wondered why they didn’t just make him the mascot instead of head quarterback.

“Nice party Saturday. Your house is so big that my cousin here got lost,” he let out a laugh.

Kimberly looked back at Jason and gave him a small smile. He gave her a wink and turned back to Jeremy who announced he was leaving so he could skip homeroom. “So what’s your schedule look like,” Kimberly asked once they were alone again.

Jason took the sheet out and showed her. She scanned the list, then handed it back to him. She told him to follow her. They had homeroom and almost every other class together. They spent the day together in each class, ending final period in study hall where Jason asked if Kimberly wanted to hang out after Jeremy took him to speak to his coach for tryouts.

“Sounds great,” she smiled. “Where did you want to meet?”

“Jeremy says there’s a place called the Youth Center? He says everyone goes after school.”

“It’s one of the main hangout spots in Angel Grove. The Juice Bar too.”

“So, pick one and we’ll meet there.”

Kimberly didn’t have to think too long, she loved the smoothies at The Juice Bar and told him that, that was where she wanted to meet. Jason agreed with the spot and once the bell rang, said he would meet her there. She wished him luck then watched as he ran across the hall to meet Jeremy. They headed down the stairs to the gymnasium. Kimberly went to her locker and dropped her books inside, grabbing just one folder and dropping it into her bag. She left the school and followed the groups of people into town. As she walked, she felt it get eerily quiet. She stopped and looked around. Cars drove by, people were talking and laughing as they walked down the road, but she couldn’t hear any of it.

I found you, was the only thing she heard. She turned around to see who was it that spoke to her, but nobody was paying any mind to her. They all kept to themselves. But then she heard her name being called. I’ve been waiting, the voice added.

Kimberly turned back around, feeling the hair on the back of her neck go up as all the noises on the street returned. She hurried her way to The Juice Bar and rushed inside. As the glass doors shut, she looked outside, wondering what she was hearing.

“Are you alright, Miss Hart?” Ernest, the bartender asked, startling Kimberly.

“Yes, Ernest!” she answered, catching her breath. “Please call me Kimberly,” she added, walking over to the barstools and putting her bag on the bar.

“This came for you today,” the manager of the bar said, passing her an envelope.

“From who?” she asked, picking it up and feeling something shift inside it.

“Not sure. It appeared on my desk in the office with your name on it.”

Kimberly waited for Ernest to step away before she opened the envelope. She pulled out a note and read it quietly to herself. “Kimberly Hart… You are a chosen one. This coin has been bestowed upon you to complete the task at hand. Good luck and call for my guidance whenever you feel the need,” she finished and stared at the signed name: ‘Z’. She tilted the envelope and dropped the coin onto her hand. It was pink with a dragon engraved in the middle. She held it in front of her and found it to be translucent.

“Great news,” Jason’s voice said, startling her. She quickly shoved the coin into the pocket of her uniform and turned to him, asking what happened. “The coach is putting me on the team,” he said, sitting on the stool next to her.

“You didn’t have to try out?”

“Nope. Jeremy gave him my football videos from Harwood County and it was enough to make the coach want me on the Devils.”

“That’s awesome. Makes starting a new school easier, huh?”

“Amongst other things,” Jason said, keeping his gaze with Kimberly’s and giving her a smile. He broke the moment by asking, “So what’s good here?”

Kimberly pointed out the two boards on the wall telling him the right side was the vegetable juices and the left was the fruit smoothies. Kimberly ordered a strawberry and banana smoothie, while Jason ordered the Pina Colada one. They sat together drinking their smoothies and talking until Jason noticed it was already six o’clock - he had to be home in thirty minutes. He offered to walk Kimberly home, but she refused, not wanting to make him late.

“See you tomorrow then?” Jason asked, looking down at her.

“See you in homeroom,” she said and smiled. Then remembered, “Oh! What’s your number?” She shoved her hand into her pocket and pulled out her cellphone. At the same time, she pulled her phone out, the coin came out with it and bounced onto the ground.

Jason bent down and picked it up. He slowly stood straight, staring at the coin.

“Thanks,” she said, not seeing the look on his face. “I don’t even know what this damn thing is,” she let out, shoving it back into her pocket. “Okay, so new contact,” she said, tapping the contact icon on her phone.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to walk you home?” Jason asked again.

Kimberly looked up at him and gave him a look, “No. I’ll be fine. It’s already a quarter after six. Here, enter your number,” she said, giving him her phone.

Jason entered his number and handed it back.

“I’ll see you in the morning.” She bit her lip before turning away and rushing down the sidewalk. She tugged on her bag’s strap as she walked down the road, thinking about her day with Jason Lee Scott - the boy she thought she would never see again. As she continued uptown, her excitement faded as she felt that eerie feeling again.

I’ve been waiting, she heard again and swung around.

This time she was face to face with the person who made the hair stand on her arms. A woman stood a few yards away from her. She floated where she stood, but her bottom half looked like it was melting into the ground and stretching out behind her. Her body had green wisps coming off around her like it was her dress floating in water and her hair formed two horns that rest high on her head. Kimberly looked closer at her and saw her eyes were black with green slivers. A bright green jewel rest where her third eye was.

Chills went down Kimberly’s spine as she tried to swallow the knot in her throat.

“You have what I’m looking for,” the woman said. Her voice echoed with the voice Kimberly heard moments before.

“Who the hell are you?” Kimberly forced out. She wanted to take a step back, but her body turned against her. She was frozen in place.

“Your worst nightmare, Guardian.”

“Guardian? I think you have the wrong person.”

“Give me the coin!” the creature demanded.

Kimberly gave her a look then reached into her pocket. She pulled the coin out and saw it glowing a bright pink. “This coin?” she asked, holding it up so the woman could get a good look at it. Kimberly watched her eyes light up. “What’s so great about this coin?” Kimberly asked, thinking about the letter she received with it.

“That coin holds power that was stolen from me,” the woman answered, “I, Rita Repulsa, have traveled many planets in search of the guardian coins. You will give it to me and I will spare your life.”

“And if I don’t?”

“Then I will hunt you and your kind down. I will become more powerful with each power I consume until I can rip that coin from your dead body and claim it mine once more.”

Kimberly stared at this woman who called herself Rita and swallowed hard. Her eyes went to the coin she held out and had a strange urge to protect it, but she instead retorted and said, “I’ll save you the trouble.” She threw the coin towards Rita.

Rita’s eyes widened as she reached out to catch the coin, but anger entered her face when she watched the coin retract. Kimberly’s eyes went wide as well as she watched the coin reverse in mid-air and fly into her. She felt it pierce her chest as she flew off her feet, landing yards away.

“What the f-” Kimberly said, sitting up and attempting to stand. “What the hell?” she let out, looking at her hands. The gloves were white with a large, pink diamond design mid-arm and connected to the full-bodied suit she transformed into. It was white and pink, and the coin doubled in size on the center of her chest. She stood up and touched her face, feeling something on it. She had on a mask that covered her eyes and the rest of her head. Her jaw hung open as she moved around to look at her costume.

“Now you’ve done it!” Rita screamed, “You are now my enemy Kimberly, Guardian of Zordon. Prepare to die!” She raised her arm and her large, black claw came shooting across the way towards Kimberly.

Kimberly jumped away, cursing. She had no idea what to do as this guardian. She kept jumping as Rita attempted to grab her. She hit the attack away a few times, surprised at herself that she managed to do so, but that didn’t slow Rita down.

After a few more shots, Rita finally wrapped her claw around Kimberly and squeezed her. She brought her closer and stared at Kimberly, spitting out, “You’re pathetic. You were once powerful and now look at you. You don’t even know how to properly fight.”

“I really don’t know what you’re talking about,” Kimberly forced out, trying to wiggle out of Rita’s grip. “Now drop me.”

“Not until I have that coin!” Rita’s eyes were glued to the coin on Kimberly’s chest. She raised her other arm up and aimed for Kimberly.

Kimberly turned her head, waiting for impact, but it never happened. She dropped to the ground and watched as Rita screamed in pain and was sucked into a funnel - disappearing into the ground. Kimberly stared, wide-eyed, at where Rita was, then brought her eyes to the silhouette standing off in the distance.

“Hey!” she called out, trying to push herself off the ground to stand. The silhouette turned away and she called to it again. She ran after the person and watched as they jumped to the top of the nearest building and disappeared behind the peak. “How the hell do I change back…?” she asked, giving up on the chase and looking back at her suit. She knocked on the coin, “I have to go home now. Can I please go back to normal?” She waited a few moments and when she didn’t change, she turned around and went back to her bag that was still on the ground. As she reached down to pick it up, she felt a wave of energy rush over her and she was back in her school uniform.