IN THE GRIP OF EVIL

A Power Rangers Operation Overdrive Story by Carla Keehn

* * * *

There was a somber atmosphere in the Hartford Mansion that even the festive party decorations and abundance of food could not dispel. Spencer, the long time family servant, stepped back and gave the long tables running along the wall one last critical look. Satisfied, he turned to his employer.

"I believe everything is ready, sir."

"Excellent, Spencer, thank you," Hartford said, nodding to the older man. "If you'll let the others know that we're ready to begin?"

"Of course, sir."

Then long time servant left, leaving Andrew Hartford alone with his troubled thoughts.

The preceding months had been frantic so frantic that Hartford and his team of Power Rangers were looking forward to the upcoming opportunity to relax and celebrate the team's recovery of the Corona Aurora and its jewels.

Not anymore . . . Hartford thought grimly. His thoughts wandered back several days to when the other rangers had found his son, Mack, unconscious.

Even though he'd called in the best doctors available, none of them had been able to explain the mysterious, debilitating illness that appeared to be draining the life from his son.

At that moment, He heard laughter and knew that Spencer and the other rangers coming. Hartford drew himself up and forced his worries to the back of his mind.

Later, after everyone had filled their glasses and piled food on their plate, Hartford raised his glass to the assembled group.

"Thank you," Hartford praised, "to all of you, for all that you did. I know that I've said it before but I think it needs to be said again; I couldn't have chosen a better team."

"Here, here!" Spencer agreed.

"There's no thanks needed, Mr. Hartford," Will replied, knowing that the others felt as he did. "It was a team effort."

"This party is great," Ronnie added, admiring the decorations again. "I just wish that Mack was well enough to join us."

"It was strange, wasn't it," Rose commented. "Mack's getting sick so suddenly."

"Yes, it was," Hartford said gravely.

"This whole thing with Mack really has me worried," Ronnie confessed. "How can we help him when no one knows what's wrong?"

"I know!" Dax jumped in. "The way the doctors were talking, you'd think that Mack's germs were alien or something!"

"The doctors are doing everything that they can," Hartford assured. "Hopefully Mack will be back with us soon. Until he is, I know that he wouldn't want his not being here to ruin the celebration for the rest of you."

At the same time, in another part of the house, a thin, darkly clad form was creeping along the hallway, darting in and out of each room with a sense of urgency.

This has to be the one . . . the intruder thought, pausing outside of the last room.

Sounds of loud conversation from another part of the house suddenly swelled up. The intruder tensed for a moment before retreating deep into the murkiness for cover.

Then the noise subsided. Satisfied that there was no danger of discovery, the uninvited guest ducked into the room, pausing in the doorway for a moment to adjust to the room's dim light.

With an animal like swiftness, a gloved hand swept the cloak away. Then the woman, Miratrix, moved forward, coming to rest alongside of the bed.

Hatred burned in her cold, brown eyes as she glared at the unconscious form in the bed.

Though time was precious, she allowed herself a moment to savor her enemy's condition. It gave her great satisfaction to see Mackenzie Hartford's drawn features and weakened condition.

You don't look so strong now, Red Ranger . . .She thought smugly.

She continued basking in thoughts of her recent accomplishments.

The younger Hartford's habit of reading outside, away from the other rangers, had made him an easy target. The poison, alien in origin, had worked quickly, just as she'd known it would.

Just enough poison to make the Red Ranger weak, not to kill him. ..

And just enough to make sure that he continued to be isolated from the others. A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth.

Those annoying rangers are weakest when they're separated from each other . . .

From within the confines of her uniform, she withdrew a vial of liquid and held it up to the light for a moment.

The distilled essence of evil collected from Flurious'

remains . . .

Even though there was little more than a trace in the vial, she knew there was enough in it to do what she wanted.

How foolish of the rangers not to realize that the power of the Corona Aurora would continue to exist even after Flurious

was destroyed . . .

The woman dumped the contents of the vial into a glass of water that was on the nightstand next to the bed.

"Drink this." She ordered as she hauled the unconscious form up and pressed the glass to him.

At first there was no response to her words.

She scowled with impatience and forced the liquid into him until he began to choke.

"N-No," the young man muttered hoarsely, trying to push her away.

Mack's glazed eyes opened slowly and stared at her vacantly. The room swam in and out of focus for a moment as he struggled to clear the fog from his mind.

Then, a few seconds later, recognition registered on his face, rousing him from his drugged stupor like a splash of cold water.

"C-Can't be you," the younger Hartford gasped, struggling to pull free from her grasp. "Kamdor . . .defeated you . . ."

She laughed. "Fortunately for me, one of the blasts during your battle with Flurious freed me from my prison."

He continued to struggle. "Have - -to warn - - the others . . ."

"You're too weak to fight me this time, Red Ranger!" Miratrix laughed as she roughly shoved him back against the bed. "Now it's my turn to have the crown and all the power that goes with it. And not only will you help me but you'll also get rid of those other meddling rangers!"

"No," Mack refused, shaking his head, " I won't help you!"

"You don't have a choice. Soon, you'll be glad to do whatever I tell you to do."

"No!"

Fueled by the sudden rush of adrenaline, Mack launched himself towards the woman. Though weak, he managed to knock her off balance long enough to send the two of them crashing into the night table.

Back at the party, everyone, except Tyzonn, had raised their glass. Hartford had noticed from the start of the celebration that the Mercurian had been strangely subdued.

Hartford continued to study Tyzonn and frowned; it looked as if the blond-haired man was in some kind of distress.

"Tyzonn?" Hartford asked in quiet concern. "Is something wrong?"

"I – I don't know," Tyzonn replied quietly. He struggled for a moment to put into words the feeling of danger that had suddenly shaken him to the bone.

"What is it?" Rose asked, leaning forward.

"I – I -" Then, without warning, the Mercurian shuddered visibly, dropping his glass. He felt a chill run up his spine.

The others reacted in alarm and were quickly at his side.

"Tyzonn, tell us what's happening," Hartford said.

His pained eyes glanced at the sea of concerned faces around him. "I can't explain it but something feels wrong." Then he was on his feet, pushing past the others and moving towards the door. "I have to check on Mack."

"Come on, guys, let's go," Will ordered, motioning to the others to follow.

At the same time, Mack was quickly realizing that he was losing ground with Miratrix. Still groggy, the Red Ranger felt himself growing more and more frustrated with his uncoordinated efforts to block Miratrix's blows.

With one last burst of energy he grappled with her, tearing at the weapons at her side. Just then, without any warning, a throbbing pain began gnawing at his insides. The spasms grew sharper with each second until he had no choice but to give up the fight.

An angry Miratrix watched her enemy double over and crumple to the floor in agony.

"I should just finish you off now!" She raged.

"Go ahead!" Mack dared in a weak voice as he struggled, unsuccessfully, to get to his feet. "You'll have to kill me anyway because I won't help you!"

"Killing you would make things too easy for you!" She hissed. "And right now I have a use for you!"

She heard the sound of footsteps coming closer. Miratrix tensed nervously. "Not much time before the others come," she muttered, her breath coming in gasps. She stooped over the fallen ranger, rolling him over onto his side.

"Listen to me, Red Ranger," she ordered harshly. "You can't stop what's happening. The pain will only get worse if you try. Stop fighting and it will go easier for you."

"No . . ."Mack gasped between spasms. He closed his eyes for a moment and tried to force his thoughts away from the pain.

"You can feel the evil devouring your insides as it takes over, I know you can!"

"No!" Mack groaned as the pain twisted his insides. " I can't - -won't –give - in". .

The pain continued to stab at him. Finally, desperate to stop his suffering, the injured ranger heeded his enemy's advice and became still.

Several minutes passed before the pain began to lessen. The room was spiraling in and out of focus, making his stomach churn. Feeling more dead than alive, Mack knew that he had no strength left to fight with.

"The evil is a part of you now, don't fight it." Miratrix chanted softly. "If you do, the pain will devour you until you beg for death!"

"Can't fight, "Mack moaned. "Can't fight you . ."

"Very good, Red Ranger," Miratrix crowed smugly. "I think you're ready to cooperate now. And this is what I want you

to do . . ."

TBC