Mighty Morphin Power Rangers: The Robbie Chronicles - Volume 3

Season 3 - Episode 1: The Wedding

(It's another bright sunny morning in Angel Grove; a city that seems to know no other type of weather. Several weeks have passed since Jason, Zack and Trini left for the Global Peace Conference, and after a shaky start, things seemed to quietly return to normal. Currently they're in Ms. Appleby's class presenting another project.)

Billy: ...and thus concludes using the scientific method that God isn't real.

Ms. Appleby: It was very good Billy! Very thorough and detailed. An A plus for you.

Billy: Thank you. I worked on this for about two months.

Robbie: Almost as long as it took to listen to.

(Billy bows in front of a mostly indifferent audience then sits back down. He's congratulated by most of his friends; old and new.)

Kimberly: Good work Billy!

Tommy: Yeah, I wish I thought to use power point.

Billy: Thanks you guys!

Adam: Billy, that was incredible!

Billy: You really think so?

Adam: Absolutely! Am I the only one whose mind is completely blown? You can win a Nobel Prize for this.

Billy: (shrugs) It's just a midterm.

Ms. Appleby: Okay class, we have time for one more today. Hannah, would you do us the honors?

Hannah: Uh... well... Why sure Ms. Appleby! I'd love to!

(Hoping to not be called, Hannah grabs her half written paper and walks to the front; whispering something on her way up eliciting giggles from her clique.)

Kimberly: What's wrong Rocky? Why do you suddenly seem so down?

Rocky: I'm having lady problems.

Aisha: I don't think you know what that means.

(He sighs)

Rocky: Seeing Hannah up there reminds me of everything I aspire for. But then it reminds me that someone like me could never get someone like that.

Robbie: A woman?

Kimberly: Take it from me Rocky, she's really not all that.

Robbie: Yeah, she may be attractive, but she makes up for it with a lack of personality.

Rocky: Thanks guys... it wouldn't bug me so much if I didn't feel like such a failure overall.

Ms. Appleby: That was nice Hannah. A little brief but okay. Come see me after class if you don't mind. Now class, before you're dismissed I have to hand back your first report cards for this semester.
(The class goes into that collective mixture of anticipation and anxiety. As the norm though, the ranger team just calmly smiles. They expect nothing less than high marks.)

Tommy: I can't wait.

Kimberly: I wonder what my dad will get me this semester.

Adam: I'm a little nervous...

Tommy: Yeah?

Adam: Yeah. My dad won't accept anything less than straight A's.

Tommy: Neither does Zordon.

Rocky Really?

Tommy: Yeah. Why do you think he sent Jason, Zack and Trini to Switzerland?

(Most of the team immediately gets the joke and laughs. Robbie however quietly groans and rolls his eyes to himself.)

Rocky: He really sent them away for that?

Robbie: No pea brain. Tommy's been making that same joke like a thousand times already.

Tommy: Never to the same people.

(Ms. Appleby stops by Robbie's desk and lays his face down on the table.)

Ms. Appleby: You may leave class once you get your grades.

(Robbie doesn't waste much time looking at it and just tosses it in his bag and prepares to leave.)

Kimberly: Hey Robbie. How'd you do?

(He stops, pulls it back out, and impatiently scans it before shoving it back in his back pack.)

Robbie: Oh. Two C's, two B's and an A.

Kimberly: Wow.

Bulk: What's the A in? Lunch?

Skull: Lunch! AHAHAHAHAHAHA!!

Robbie: No, math.

Aisha: Math! You did well in math?

Robbie: What's that supposed to mean?

Tommy: Guys, guys, I think we're forgetting that he was with Trini for six months.

Adam: That's just a stupid stereotype.

Robbie: Trini wasn't good at math cause she's Asian. She was good at math because her parents beat her, nitwit.

(Robbie groans and continues to get his things together as the conversation eventually shifts away from him.)

Rocky: So what are we going for today?

Tommy: You guys wanna head to the park to play some volleyball?

Rocky: Sure, sounds good.

Aisha: I'm down for that.

Tommy: How about you Kim?

Kimberly: I don't know. I actually think I'm gonna crash tonight. I'm feeling pretty tired.

Tommy: You've been "crashing" a lot lately. Something going on? You cheating on me?

Kimberly: No, I just haven't been up for it. We kinda do the same things every day.

Tommy: Is his name Crash?

Kimberly: Tommy...

Rocky: Well we can't play without an even number of players.

Kimberly: You have Robbie.

Billy: Actually, no we don't.

(Billy points up to where Robbie sat to show that he isn't there anymore. In another weekday afternoon where the ranger teens do the same thing the old ranger teens would've been doing, that is the one glaring difference; Robbie hasn't been present. Meanwhile, on the moon, things appear to be a little different there also. The walls aren't dark red with rage, smoke isn't covering the ground, nobody is cowering in fear and the ever so ominous Lord Zedd just hasn't seemed so ominous lately.)

Lord Zedd: Those irksome kids have sucked the life out of me. I just... I just... I don't have it in me anymore.

(Zedd leans lifelessly off the balcony in a dirty bathrobe while staring at Earth. He knows he should be coming up with a new plan to take over the planet, but he just can't seem to get himself to care.)

Lord Zedd: Oh, why bother...


Baboo: Is something wrong master?

(His loyal, yet admittedly disillusioned crew scurries up behind him sans Finster.)

Lord Zedd: Nothing. I just feel I've lost my spark. I just don't have the edge or momentum I once had when I dethroned my predecessor. I feel like a complete joke.

Baboo: Failing repeatedly will do that to you.

Squatt: So will letters from angry parents.

Goldar: Perhaps you need to change things up a bit my Lord.

Baboo: Might I suggest a dog?

Squatt: Or a cool, new haircut. Oh, or a sidekick!

Lord Zedd: Yes. Or a bride. Yes, that's it! I need a bride. They say behind every great man is a great woman pushing him along. That's what I've been missing. A woman to push me to new heights. With plots viler than even my own.

Squatt: But where are you gonna find a woman around here?

Baboo: Yeah, no offense, but it's sort of a sausage fest around here. You killed the only woman in our crew.

Goldar: You mean the rangers killed her, not Zedd!

Lord Zedd: Hmm. The weasely one makes a point.

(Zedd scratches his chin and returns to the balcony to continue pondering over his lack of available options.)

(A little later, while the rest of the teens are out playing volleyball in the park. Robbie is back home, where there is an unusual amount of loud noise. Then there is a knock on the door.)

Robbie: ...just a minute.

(Robbie walks from the back of the apartment and unlocks the seven deadbolts in his door before swinging it open.

Kimberly: Hey.

Robbie: ...hey?

Kimberly: Hey. Can I come in?

Robbie: Uh...

Kimberly: Is now a bad time?

(Robbie's mother suddenly barges in.)

Mrs. Clemente: ...and how would you like it if I disappeared one night without calling?!

Robbie: You do that all the time, ma.

Mrs. Clemente: And you don't like it!!

(Robbie groans and rolls his eyes at his mother. Then nonchalantly turns back to Kim.)

Robbie: No not at all, come on in.

(Robbie makes way for her to walk through his front door. In order for Kim to sit down on his sofa, she wipes off the food crumbs and cat hair. Kim finds the cat hair odd. Since he doesn't own a cat.)

Kimberly: Uhh...

Robbie: So... can I help you?

Kimberly: I don't know, I tried calling you. But you're not answering your phone.

Robbie: Some would say that's an answer in itself.

Kimberly: I just thought I'd catch up with my next door neighbor if that's okay?

Robbie: Kim, we've been living in the same building for months now. You've never once even cared to check if I was alive. Something's up.

Kimberly: Well that's the thing. Robbie, you haven't exactly been making an effort to be social either. You've been like, MIA. I feel something's up with you.

Robbie: Oh?

Kimberly: Yeah. I mean instead of hiding like a sad puppy, why don't you put yourself out there?

Robbie: Nobody said I'm hiding from anyone. I'm perfectly content staying here, doing my own thing. I don't care one way or the other about playing volleyball or picking up trash.

(That last comment tickled Kim just a bit.)

Kimberly: You do know what's funny? You've said this exact same thing two years ago.

Robbie: Except now, it's true.

(Kimberly has to think only briefly about what could be different from last time.)

Kimberly: Well, I wonder why? Bet you'd be playing volley ball and collecting trash right now if Trini told you to.

Robbie: (groans) Whatever. You don't even know what you're talking about.

Kimberly: How so?

Robbie: It isn't just about her...

Kimberly: Then what is this about? Why have you suddenly gone all weird on us?

(He stumbles again to find the exact words to express how he feels. Mainly he doesn't want to be around them anymore. Because it just no longer feels "right" to him. But to put it into words poses a greater challenge to him than asking him to describe a color without saying the name.)

Robbie: I don't know. I just don't want to be around them anymore. I just don't feel like it.

Kimberly: That's deep. Well thought out too. Sorry I misunderstood.

Robbie: Look, even though Jason and Zack were idiots. They were still kinda cool in their own way. I grew up with them. Kinda. I saw them a lot through middle school. We became rangers together. I felt a sense of belonging around them, even if we were never "best friends." Rocky, Adam and Aisha... I don't know. I don't know them, but everything about them just feels... fake. And forced.

Kimberly: Then you should get to know them.

(But his train of thought isn't to be derailed...)

Robbie: And don't even start me on Tommy as leader! He's gotten so smug; more so than usual. God he's so insufferable to be around. Only I seem to be the only one to see through his nice guy façade. He's an arrogant tool. Him and his stupid new Fabio hairdo. And If I hear him make another "Switzerland" joke, I swear I'm gonna punch him.

(Then there's an extended silence. Then he sighs, as if dismissing all he's just said. Then he continues.)

Robbie: I don't know. I guess what really bugs me the most is that, all this just doesn't matter anymore. Like being a ranger has stopped giving me that sense of fulfillment that I sorely needed before.

Kimberly: Oh.

Robbie: It's like, you've ever had a menial fast food job, where all the workers you used to know when you came in stat leaving for better things. While you're stuck behind? And though you grow and become one of the veterans, grow detached around a sea of no-names. Until the day finally comes when you realize that none of what you're doing really matters.

Kimberly: (shrugs) I never had a job.

Robbie: ...I guess it's why I haven't even called Trini yet.

Kimberly: What?!

Robbie: Yeah. I mean there are cards and packages from her on my counter, but I haven't opened a single one. I did speak with Zack the other day, but then he started talking about his feelings and how much he misses me, so I hung up on him.

Kimberly: Why? Why are you ignoring her?

Robbie: I just don't feel part of her life anymore. Feels like she's fighting a losing war.

Kimberly: Yeah, because you're fighting on the other end!

(Her bold statement was met with a yet another careless shrug. It angered her.)

Kimberly: And I don't know if you've realized, but none of us will be rangers forever, none. I love what I do, I love helping others, and yes, it does matter. What we do is very important. But this is not the end of my journey. Trini and the others just found that out sooner.

Robbie: ...

Kimberly: I also have my own dreams, and someday I'll be gone. Billy wants to be a scientist, Aisha wants to be a vet. Heck, I'm sure someday you'll get arrested or knock a girl up and have to leave them team too.

(He nods in agreement.)

Kimberly: But until then I'm fully dedicated to my team and to defending Angel Grove. And if that's no longer fulfilling to you, then maybe you should find something else that is.

(Robbie does not reply. He appears blown away by Kim's rant, but in a way that looks like he's trying to remain cool about it. Kim realizes how harsh her statement sounded, and backpedals.)

Kimberly: I mean, I hope you don't. Not for a while at least. You still have friends on this team after all.

Robbie: Yeah?

(She nods.)

Kimberly: You have me.

(She leans in, possibly for a consoling yet reassuring hug. Unfortunately, we'll never know...)

Mrs. Clemente: (storming back in) Next time you decide to shave, rinse the tub!!

Robbie: MA!!!

(A few minutes later he takes her to the door to let her out.)

Kimberly: And just so you know, if you ever feel like talking. I'm a few doors down.

Robbie: Cool. I'll keep that in mind.

Kimberly: And don't worry about Tommy. I'll keep him on a short leash.

Robbie: I'd rather you put him down.

Kimberly: (Chuckles) I won't do that. I do love him you know. You have to be nice too.

Robbie: I guess I'll try.

Kimberly: Have I just brokered peace between you two? Oh my God, Jason, Zack and Trini can take their little peace conference gig and shove it!

(Robbie cracks a little smile; the first real one in a while.)

Robbie: Thanks Kim. I appreciate it

Kimberly: Of course. What are friends for?

(Robbie shows genuine appreciation in his eyes. He awkwardly opens his arms, as if to offer a hug once more. Kim smiles and takes the offer. As they embrace, another door opens on that same floor.)

Bulk: (gasps) ...!!

(Walking out of someone's apartment, Bulk pulls Skull away with him and throws him behind a stairwell and out of view.)

Skull: What happened?!


Bulk: Shh! I saw something I thought I'd never see!

Skull: (gasps) Is Jason winning an Oscar?

Bulk: Worse. Robbie's over there smitten with Kimberly.

Skull: Kimberly?! But she's with Tommy!

Bulk: I know! We have to tell Tommy.

Skull: Now?

Bulk: Yes now you idiot. Haven't you heard of the man code?

Skull: Man code?

Bulk: Of course you've never heard of it. You aren't a man! Rule number one: Never steal a man's girl.

Skull: Oh...

Bulk: We gotta tell Tommy. That's the only right thing to do.

Skull: I thought we were gonna take this stuff that the man in there said would help us see power rangers?

Bulk: ...fine. We'll tell him tomorrow.

(The following day starts off without incident. Robbie finds himself alone in the bustling hallway of Angel Grove High sorting through his belongings. He comes across a forgotten picture of Trini that she gave to him during their relationship, but besides a momentary glance, he ignores it completely. He shuts his locker and prepares to head to class when he feels a stiff poke on the shoulder.)

Tommy: We need to talk.

Robbie: Huh?

(Robbie is caught off guard, and mostly confused. Behind Tommy is Kimberly who rushes in after him.)

Kimberly: Robbie, I don't know what's gotten into him...

Tommy: Stay out of this tramp!

Kimberly: Excuse me?!

Tommy: I think it's pretty obvious that you don't like me. And up until now, I've done fine just ignoring you. But you mess with my woman, and you make it personal.

Robbie: What on Earth are you talking abou—

Tommy: Can it! You know exactly what I'm talking about.

(A small crowd starts to form around the two.)

Tommy: You're making a move on my woman, and now I have to set you straight.

(Robbie turns to Kimberly who looks as confounded as he is.)

Robbie: Oh you do?

(After processing the situation for a second, decides he'd rather egg on Tommy than fix the situation.)

Tommy: Yeah. I am. I'm a 7th degree black belt in karate, and a purple belt in Jiu-Jitsu. What about you? The only exercise you get is from running your mouth. And I get that you're not the sharpest knife in the drawer, but I get it through your skull: I can hurt you.

Robbie: (Snickers) Your little threats? They're emptier than the space between your legs. You may scare the other peons, but get it through your thick skull, karate kid: you don't scare me.

Tommy: Oh I don't?

Robbie: No. You don't.

(The two continue to posture. Robbie leans in to face him nose to nose.)

Robbie: All those things you listed scream inadequacy. You're an insecure little boy trapped in a muscle man's body. I see you like to rag on Jason a lot now that he's gone, but he's got one thing you'll never achieve.

Tommy: Oh yeah? What's that?

Robbie: My respect.

Tommy: ...

Robbie: Now either back your stupid face away from mine, now. Or you give me an excuse to take you out.

(The crowd around them grows, and now starts "Oooing" Robbie's threat, which as always, makes issues significantly worse. Tommy starts back away, but tries to be cool about it.)

Tommy: Keep running your mouth. I can arrange it so you can be with Jason all you'd like in Switzerland.

Robbie: What did you say?

Tommy: You heard me!!

(Tommy suddenly shoves Robbie against the hard, metal locker. And true to his word, Robbie bounces back and punches Tommy right in the face. The crowd roars into a frenzy, as Kimberly cries for some help.)

Kimberly: HELP! SOMEBODY STOP THEM, PLEASE!

(Just as the two tie up into a ball on the floor, Rocky, Billy Aisha and Adam appear from the staircase. They immediately jump in and separate the two before any real damage is done.)

Tommy: Let me go!! Let me at him. I'm gonna finish him!!

Robbie: This isn't over karate kid! You're dead!

Tommy: Come at me bro!

Robbie: You're dead!!

(Unfortunately the crowd caused by the ruckus attracted someone else attention.)

Mr. Kaplan: What is going on here?!

Billy: Mr. Kaplan!

(Panicked, the ranger teens try to cover for them.)

Adam: Nothing Mr. Kaplan. Nothing to see here.

Mr. Kaplan: Don't lie to me Mr., I know a fight when I see one.

(The high school principle shoves his way to the center of the crowd and is stunned by the culprits.)

Mr. Kaplan: Mr. Oliver! Of all the riff raff in this school. What is the meaning of this?

Robbie: Yeah, lay down the law.

Tommy: He started it Mr. Kaplan. Robbie's been harassing me for years and called me "little boy," and made fun of my karate.

Robbie: What?! He's lying! He started this all.

Mr. Kaplan: I should have known.

Robbie: What?!?

Mr. Kaplan: Quiet Mr. Clemente. You're in big trouble young man. For bullying this hardworking student, I'm issuing you a week's detention.

Robbie: That's bull!! You're full of crap, Kaplan!!

Mr. Kaplan: Two weeks!

Tommy: Haha! Yeah.

Mr. Kaplan: And I'm sorry Mr. Oliver, but I have to be fair. So a week's detention to you too. Maybe some time together in confinement will teach you boys to get along.

(He turns to the rest of the crowd.)

Mr. Kaplan: Everyone move along. This show is over!

(The crowd collectively groans and begins to dissipate. All that's left are the rangers, who are still standing in the way of Robbie and Tommy, who are still giving each other death glare. The fight however didn't just attract there attention, as someone watches them from the moon.)

Lord Zedd: Look at those two. Fighting like dogs over poor Kimberly.


Goldar: She is quite the piece of tail though.

Lord Zedd: Yes. Yes she is.

Goldar: What are you thinking?

Lord Zedd: I'm thinking maybe those boys are on to something. There's just something about Kimberly isn't there? While those two knuckleheads tear each other to shreds, perhaps I can throw my name into the hat.

Goldar: I don't think you're her type.

Lord Zedd: I didn't say I would ask nicely...

Goldar: No offense, but that sounds like rape.

Lord Zedd: You blithering imbecile; I'm talking about making her my new empress!

Goldar: Oh! But sir, didn't you try this before? It didn't work out so well as I recall.

Lord Zedd: That's because as I recall, you screwed up!! We'll try again. And this time she'll be mine!! Get to work! Round the other peons up and come up with a plan. I want her in this castle in chains by sundown!

Goldar: Uh... yes maser!

(Goldar salutes his evilness, and gets to work rounding the boys up. Later in the day, Kimberly, the apple of Zedd's eye, wanders aimlessly through the park by herself. She's in deep thought thinking about her role in what just went on.)

Kimberly: ...