DREAMSCAPE

AUTHOR'S NOTE/DISCLAIMER

No, you're not seeing things, and yes this is the next installment of my "How It Should've Been" series. Takes the place of "A Chimp In Charge" and features Melissa from "Different Drum" and "Dimension Of Regret". Power Rangers belongs to Haim Saban and Nickelodeon. I only own the new plot, the subplots, and any characters you don't recognize. Sign is in bold.

It was a typical day at Ernie's Gym and Juice Bar. Richie was working a shift; Zack was talking to Angela by one of the weight machines, while various teens were working out, sparring, or using the weight machines. Kimberly was doing a routine on the balance beam with Katherine and Hilary as her spotters and Tommy and Jason were teaching a martial arts class. As they taught the class, their gaze periodically strayed towards the door.

"Where's Melissa? It's not like her to be late," Tommy whispered at one point.

"I was just thinking the same thing," Jason commented. A few minutes later, the class came to an end.

"Sensei Scott, was Melissa sick today?" a girl asked.

"I don't know, Leslie," Jason asked.

"No, there she is," a boy exclaimed, pointing. Jason and Tommy turned towards the entrance to see Melissa running in. As she came closer, they could see tears streaming down her face. Concerned, Jason and Tommy ran to her as Kimberly stopped her routine and followed them.

Melissa, what's wrong? Tommy asked. She started signing frantically. Whoa, whoa, whoa. Slow down, slow down. I can't follow you, he told her. Melissa did as she was requested.

"You didn't come to class because you were upset?" Jason asked vocally, signing at the same time. Melissa nodded. What happened? he asked.

I was on my way here when some kids came up to me and started teasing me about being deaf, saying that I wasn't normal, Melissa replied.

"It sounds like they were just being jerks," Tommy told her, remembering to sign. Melissa shook her head.

They were right. I'm not normal, she responded.

Hey! Don't talk like that! Being deaf doesn't mean you're not normal, Kimberly told her.

But in class, you guys always have to sign everything! I hate it! I wish I could be like everybody else! Melissa burst out. Then, she ran out of the youth center. Kimberly started to call after her, then remembered that the girl wouldn't hear and just ran out, trailing the girl. Tommy and Jason looked at each other and blew out a breath.

"How could someone say that about Melissa?" a girl asked.

"I don't know. Let's go check on her," the same boy said and all the students headed in the direction the girl had run.

"We've got a good class, Bro," Jason commented.

"Yeah, we sure do," Tommy agreed and the two turned their attention to cleaning up. On the moon, Rita had seen everything. Well, I couldn't have planned this better if I tried. Good thing Zedd's taking another one of his naps so that he can't get in my way, she thought. An unexpected-though not unwelcome-side effect of Zedd's life-force being drained was his need to sleep for practically an entire day to recharge.

"So, their little deaf friend is down in the dumps about her condition, is she?" the space witch asked. "Say that gives me an idea," she continued, an evil grin appearing.

"Ooooh, I know that look, Sis. You're onto something," Rito commented. And it's going to be really nasty, he thought.

"Oooooh! I can't wait to hear what Empress Rita has in mind this time," Squatt enthused.

"Yes, her plans are always quite brilliant," Baboo added.

"GOLDAR!" Rita shouted and the griffin came running in, Scorpina close behind.

"Yes, Empress?" he asked.

"I want you to open up my dreamscape. I plan to send the Rangers' little deaf friend there," she replied.

"Of course. While physically, she'll appear to be sleeping, her soul will be in the dreamscape, and if she sees something she wants or desires, she'll never want to leave," Goldar said.

"And the longer she stays in the dreamscape, the deeper her soul fades until-" Scorpina continued.

"Her life is mine," Rita finished, breaking out into evil laughter.

"What about me, Empress? What can I do?" Scorpina asked as Goldar went to do as he was told.

"You will go down with one of my monsters," Rita answered and then hurried to Finster's lab.

"What can I do for you, Empress?" Finster asked.

"I need a monster that will distract the Rangers and keep them from finding their little friend in my dreamscape," Rita replied.

"Right away, Empress. I will check my molds to see what can be of use," Finster said.

"Excellent," Rita approved. Then, she walked out of the laboratory. While this was going on, Goldar chanted in a foreign language and with a crackle of energy, a portal opened. Excellent, the griffin thought to himself. He continued chanting until a dome-like gold sphere enveloped a house and a terrible grin came upon his features. Later that night, Melissa changed into her pajamas and then got into bed and closed her eyes. Then, a pleased smile graced her features as unnoticed; a white glow surrounded the girl and covered her.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

For the record, I am not deaf and I don't use sign language, so I'm not going to pretend that I can even begin to understand how a deaf person may feel as part of the hearing world and I mean no offense. I am, however, hard of hearing and wear hearing aids, and there are times when I have been without my hearing aids and I have not been able to hear anyone without them practically shouting, and it is frustrating when I can't understand what's going on. Again, no offense to the deaf community is intended.