Chapter One
"Mesagog and his forces are too strong," said Kira as she nursed her injuries. "And next time, they should rethink this whole early morning battle."
"Yeah, we need help," said Conner, nodding to Ethan, who groaned as he shifted his body to stand up.
"Don't worry guys," reassured Dr. Oliver as he walked into the lab. "I've summoned for a reinforcement. Hopefully, he'll be here soon."
"What do you mean, Dr. O?" asked Trent as he collapsed onto a sofa. "What could possibly help us out now?"
Tommy gave a small smile. 'They sound so defeated,' he thought. "Well, if he accepts, and I hope does, we'll have the help we need. Especially if he manages to round up some other old friends of mine."
"Dr. O—" started Kira as she was interrupted by the doorbell ringing. The teens groaned as they tried to stand up. Tommy turned to the door. "You guys, stay down here. Rest up."
The doorbell rang again as Dr. O made his way to the door. "I'm coming, I'm coming," he called. He opened the door and was immediately thrown into a headlock.
"Nice to see you too," Tommy choked out as he threw his attacker over his arm.
"All fun and games, my friend." Tommy grinned. He helped his friend stand up.
"It's been a long time, Jason."
"You always just seem to need my help, don't you?" Jason grinned as he stuck out his hand. Tommy shook his and returned the grin as he hugged Jason. "Good thing I brought a few friends along, then."
"The other reds? I was hoping you would."
Jason shook his head. Tommy looked over his shoulder and saw three other people standing next to Jason's SUV. His eyes widened as he looked over them with shock. 'Zack, Billy, and Kim…' Zack and Billy grinned at Tommy while Kimberly quickly averted her eyes. Tommy stared at her for a bit.
"How you doin', man?" Zack asked, shaking Tommy out of his thoughts. "It's been long, too long." They hugged each other.
"I'm good, how are you?"
"Never better."
Tommy turned to Billy. "When did you get back from Aquitar?" He hugged Billy.
"I'm just here for a short vacation. It is not within my own disposition to deny a friend in need," answered Billy. Tommy nodded, with a look of confusion flitting across his face. He turned around to Kimberly.
"Kim," he started. She looked up and gave him a small smile. He looked into her dark eyes. His past feelings of love washed over him and he raised his hand to stroke her hair before he realized what he was doing. He stopped midway through and tried to cover it up by running his hand through his own hair. "It's been a long time."
Kim smiled. "It has." She took her gaze off Tommy and looked toward the others, hovering around the porch. "So…are you going to tell us what's going here?"
"Oh right. Of course." Tommy walked toward the house, with Kimberly close behind. She stopped to let Zack and Billy follow Tommy inside the house, with Jason after them when Kim grabbed his arm.
"I don't think I could do this," she told him.
"Yes, you can," he reassured her. "You two looked okay a few seconds ago."
"Yeah, but when I looked into his eyes, all I could remember was the letter and all the hurt that he caused me." Tears started forming in her eyes. "And what if Kat's in there? I don't think I could face the two of them together again. Especially after all this time. It'll just remind me of Murianthas when I tried to talk to him, but…you know."
"Kim," Jason started as he pulled her into a hug. "I know the subject of Tommy has been taboo over the past…what, eight years? But Tommy and Kat aren't together anymore. They broke up not long after Murianthas. They weren't even in contact with each other when Tommy needed help on the moon." He rubbed her back. "Come on, I wouldn't have asked you to come also if I knew you were going to get hurt." Kim nodded. "You alright now?" She nodded again. Jason nodded towards the house. "Then, let's go." They walked into Tommy's house and hurried to catch up with the others.