WATER YOU THINKING?

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

Yes, this is an actual episode title, but it fits for the story. This takes place between the episodes "The Soul Stealer" and "A Cloud Of Hate Pt 1". Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own the plot, subplot, and characters you don't recognize. Special thanks to Darien Fawkes who helped me figure out how to incorporate the plotline.

It was a beautiful day and almost everyone was outside doing something, whether it was rollerblading, jogging, playing in the park, or swimming at the Angel Grove Beach or the Angel Grove Pool. At the pool, were ten teenagers, nine who were swimming, and one who was lying on a chair, far away enough from the edge not to get wet, but close enough to hear her friends.

"Hey Kat, you sure you don't wanna come in?" Jason offered, after swimming up to the side. The girl sat up and glanced over at the water over her sunglasses. She bit her lip. The water did look refreshing. But what if something happened again? She couldn't take that risk.

"I'm fine, Jason, honest. Besides, I'm not really fond of the water," Katherine finally replied, lying back down.

"Okay," Jason agreed and then swam off to the other side of the pool where his other friends were.

"She won't come in?" Kimberly asked.

"No, she still says she's not fond of the water," Jason sighed. "Though I'm pretty sure she was thinking about saying 'Yes' to me," he continued.

"It sounds like she may be aquaphobic," Billy commented.

"That's like being hydrophobic, right?" Kimberly asked.

"Same thing actually. Both are used to refer to an intense fear of the water," Billy confirmed.

"Wow," Kimberly said, blowing out a breath. Poor Kat. Wonder what caused it, she thought to herself. Just then, Justin, Hilary, Chris, Tina, Zane, Curtis, Richie, Bulk, and Skull walked up in their swim trunks and bathing suits.

"Hey guys," Trini greeted.

"Hey," they all said, getting in the water. Aisha swam up to Bulk who put an arm around her in a brief hug.

"Hey," she greeted, returning the gesture.

"I'm so glad you guys got the day off," Trini said to Jason, Bulk, and Skull.

"Me too," Skull agreed. While this was going on, Tyler walked into the pool area.

"Hey, Kat," he greeted, sitting down next to her.

"Hi," she acknowledged.

"Not in the mood for a swim?" he asked.

"Not particularly, no," she answered shortly.

"So, why don't we get out of here, you know, go for a walk or something?" he invited. Really? She's just going to sit here like a lump while everyone's out having fun? he thought.

"No thank you. I'm fine right here," she responded.

"Well, come on. It's obvious you're not having a good time just sitting here. Why don't we go do something?" he persisted. In the pool, Jason started to climb out.

"Hold on, Bro. Let her handle it," Tommy advised.

"I am doing something. I'm working on my tan," she told him. If he doesn't leave me alone, he won't like what happens next, she thought to herself. "Now why don't you just shoot through?" she continued.

"Huh?" Tyler asked.

"Buzz off," Katherine clarified. Dejected, the boy did as he was requested.

"See, Bro? She can take care of herself," Tommy said.

"Yeah, I know," Jason sighed. Then, his eyes clouded as the girl stood up and headed for the pool gates. He quickly got out of the pool and followed her.

"Kat, you all right?" he asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine. I just have to get out of here. This was a mistake," she replied.

"Is it because of Tyler or the water?" he queried. Katherine blew out a breath.

"The water," she admitted. "I-I shouldn't have come," she stammered.

"I don't mean to pry, but do you want to talk about this?" he asked. Kat bit her lip. Should she tell him? He said that he didn't want to pry and it wasn't really any of his business. But on the other hand, he and the others were constantly at the pool, beach, or lake. What was she going to do, just avoid them for the rest of her life? Making a quick decision, she pulled him to the side out of view and hearing of everybody else.

"It wasn't always like this. I mean-I was training to be a diver in the Pan Globals before I moved here."

"So what happened?"

"I was in the middle of a meet-before the Pan Globals actually started-and I was about to dive. Just as I jumped off the board, Rita contacted me telepathically. It was the first time she had ever done so and it startled me and I messed up the dive and hit my head." She sighed. "When I woke up, I was in the hospital and they told me that I had lost the meet."

"I'm sorry."

"It was shortly after that that my dad got the job transfer and we moved here. Anyways, I've been too afraid to go near the water ever since."

"I don't blame you." Jason looked at Katherine who seemed to be trying to compose her self. "Come on. Let's get out of here." With that, they walked out of the pool area. Meanwhile, on the moon, Rita and Zedd had seen the whole thing.

"So, little Kat doesn't like the water any more, does she? That gives me an idea," Rita declared.

"Oh?" Zedd asked.

"Yes. And let's just say that Jason's going to play a big part in my plans for the Brown Ranger," Rita smirked.

"What do you have in mind, Empress?" Goldar asked.

"I'll call on my old friend Tempestra," Rita replied.

"Of course! Her ability to control the elements will bring the Rangers to their knees!" Goldar realized.

"And we'll get them finally!" Scorpina enthused. Rita then went to her chambers and began chanting in a foreign language. Presently, a woman in a one-piece white suit with black eyes and long, flowing red hair appeared.

"Tempestra," Rita grinned.

"Rita, my old friend. What can I do for you?" Tempestra asked.

"I need your help in destroying the Power Rangers," Rita told her.

"Of course. What do you need me to do?" Tempestra listened as Rita outlined her plan. Then, she let out a cruel laugh. "As you wish! Those Rangers won't know what hit them!" Her laughter joined with Rita's.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

I got the name "Tempestra" from the TMNT episode "Leonardo Vs. Tempestra" but I'm not sure who owns that.