A CLOUD OF HATE PT 1

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

A slightly tweaked version of "Stop The Hate Master" and hopefully a better execution of the spell. Power Ranges belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own characters you don't recognize. Reference to "Lights, Camera, Dark Rangers".

Jason, Bulk, Skull, and Tyler approached Lt. Stone's office.

"Anyone know why we got called here?" Jason asked and the others shook their heads. Well, only one way to find out, the Red Ranger thought and knocked on the door.

"It's open," Lt. Stone called. Jason turned the knob and the four walked in.

"You wanted to see us, Lieutenant?" Jason asked.

"Yes, and my reason is two-fold. One, I want you boys to start selling tickets for next week's Junior Policeman's Ball," Lt. Stone answered.

"Okay," the boys chorused as they took the tickets.

"And your second reason?" Bulk asked.

"There has been a rash of graffiti near Ernie's Gym and Juice Bar. I want you to find who it is and arrest them," Lt. Stone told them.

"Yes, Sir," they all chorused again.

"Dismissed," Lt. Stone declared. They all saluted and the four boys left.

"Well, I know who I'm going to sell my first ticket to," Tyler announced as they walked out.

"Oh, yeah. Who?" Bulk asked.

"Katherine," Tyler responded. Surprised, Jason stumbled, but managed to catch himself. "And then I'll ask her to the dance and she'll say 'yes'," he continued.

"You're awful confident," Skull noted.

"Please. She'll be so flattered," Tyler responded and moved past them, missing when Bulk, Skull, and Jason put their fingers in their throats and pretended to gag.

"Please tell me I was never that bad," Skull muttered.

"You were never arrogant. Just persistent," Jason assured. While this was going on, Kimberly, Aisha, Hilary, and Angela made their way through the crowds. Kimberly and Angela quickly perused the row of names written on a sheet.

"Yes! Angela and I made it!" Kimberly said and the two laughed.

"That's great. How about us?" Aisha asked. The two started looking again. Aisha and Hilary looked at each other.

"Guess not," Aisha said glumly. I don't get it. I thought we were a good match for the club, she thought.

"Come on, Aisha. Let's go," Hilary said. I didn't want to be part of that dumb club anyways, she thought.

"Guys, wait," Angela said as she and Kimberly caught up with them. "This has got to be a mistake," she insisted. This doesn't make sense. Aisha and Hilary have done so much. Why wouldn't they be let in? she wondered.

"Yeah, the Angel Grove Girls Club is for girls who are dedicated to their community and you two are perfect for it," Kimberly added. It's probably an oversight or something. There's no way they didn't get in, she added to herself.

"Apparently, some people don't think so," Aisha stated.

"Yeah," Hilary added. They all turned to where a group of girls were congratulating each other.

"Let us talk to Veronica, okay?" Angela asked.

"It's okay. It's not really that important," Aisha told them.

"Yeah. I didn't want to be part of their stupid club anyways," Hilary added with a sneer. Then, they walked off. Angela and Kimberly stared at each other. Veronica Hartwood came up to them.

"Kimberly, Angela! Hello and congratulations," she greeted. "You're both now Angel Grove Girls," she added. The girl was tall with semi-dark skin.

"How come Aisha and Hilary didn't make it?" Kimberly asked.

"Aisha and Hilary?" Veronica asked. Then, "Oh, them. Well, let's just say that they didn't have the right…qualifications." Angela and Kimberly shared a look. What did that mean? "Our first meeting is tomorrow afternoon. See you there." Before they could answer, she walked off. The two looked at each other again and headed out. Later, in the youth center, Kimberly and Angela walked up to their friends who were working on two exercise machines.

"She hates us. I don't know why, but Veronica just flat out hates us," Aisha declared.

"Yeah, it's almost enough to make me want to go dark Ranger again," Hilary added.

"Oh, please don't say that. You were a formidable foe," Kimberly told her. Hilary let out a soft smile.

"Anyway, that is why Aisha and I didn't make the club," she continued.

"Wait a minute. Why would she hate you guys?" Kimberly asked as she and Angela sat next to them. They shrugged.

"As far as the club's concerned, we have no idea why you didn't get it, but we are going to find out," Angela promised as she and Kimberly put an arm around their friends.

"Cheer up," Kimberly added before placing a quick, comforting kiss on the side of Aisha's forehead as Angela squeezed Hilary's shoulders. Then, the two got up and walked away. Meanwhile, on the moon, Zedd had witnessed the whole thing.

"'Hate'. A wonderful word. Aisha and Hilary's predicament has given me a splendid idea," he stated as Rita walked up to him.

"Oh, yeah. And what is that?" she asked.

"I'm going to call on an old friend of mine: the Hate Master. He can shape-shift into anything," the monarch answered as Goldar, Scorpina, Finster, Squatt, and Baboo walked up.

"A shape-shifting monster? That has promise," Scorpina whispered and Goldar nodded.

"I'll have the Hate Master shape-shift into a rain cloud and anyone who is hit will be instantly filled with hate," Zedd answered.

"Well, what are you waiting for? Go to it!" Rita exclaimed. That sounds half-way decent. And once Katherine and Tommy are under the spell, I can recruit them back to my side, she thought. Zedd started chanting in his native language. Within moments, there was thunder and lighting. Then, with a terrific boom a creature that had a body that was pitch black and red and yellow eyes materialized in the palace.

"Wow! He's ugly!" Squatt exclaimed.

"Terrible! Just terrible!" Baboo added.

"You called for me. how can I be of service, Lord Zedd?" the Hate Master asked, bowing.

"I want you to turn yourself into a cloud and then rain your hate down on Angel Grove," Zedd instructed.

"At once, Lord Zedd," Hate Master answered with another bow. Then, he turned himself into a cloud and disappeared.

"This is great. The Hate Master will turn the Rangers against each other and they will destroy themselves!" Evil laughter rang through the palace.