Author's Note: This is the first in a series of stories exploring plot points where things could have gone VERY differently in Power Rangers canon.

Summary: What if Alpha hadn't discovered the Invenusable Flytrap's weakness in "Welcome to Venus Island", and Tommy had been forced to turn himself over to Zedd to save the other Rangers and Halley?

Trini's heart was breaking. Tommy Oliver, the Green Ranger, was preparing to turn himself over to Zedd. He was facing his worst nightmare--it was likely Zedd would turn him evil again, and send him to destroy the other Rangers. He had promised Trini he would resist Zedd as long as he could, but both of them knew that was a futile hope. Rita had turned Tommy evil easily, and Zedd was far more powerful than Rita.

Tommy had also told Trini, in a choked voice, that he was sorry for any future harm he might do to them. Trini could tell from his expression that even if the Rangers did manage to save him, he would never truly recover from having gone on a second rampage. It would destroy him.

Yet Tommy was right: they had no choice. The other Rangers were trapped inside the Invenusable Flytrap, and who knew how long they could survive there? In addition, Trini's 8-year-old neighbor Halley was trapped on Venus Island, and Zedd was slowly turning HER evil as well...his way of slowly tightening the noose around Tommy's neck. The reason Trini and the others became Rangers was to protect innocents. Trini had been there; she had seen the hell Tommy had gone through during and after Rita's spell. They simply couldn't let that beautiful, romantic, happy little girl become a monster.

Even if it cost them Tommy.

Trini had suggested that she fight the monster by herself, but she'd known even as she said it that neither Zordon nor Tommy would allow it. The Invenusable Flytrap had defeated virtually their entire team; there was no way Trini could defeat it on her own. As Tommy had said, most likely she would end up trapped with the others. Failing that, she had no doubt the monster would simply rip her apart--literally.

Tommy turned to her, and while his face was composed, she could see the terror in his eyes. "Let's go. Back to action!"

(SCENE CHANGE)

The Green and Yellow Rangers re-appeared on the island the Rangers of Earth would curse for the rest of their lives. The Flytrap was waiting for them. "Back for more?" it screeched mockingly.

The Green Ranger stepped forward. "I accept Zedd's terms--myself in exchange for Halley and the other Rangers. But I demand that you release them first!"

The monster laughed. "You are in no position to make demands, Green Ranger. And why should I trust you to keep your word? You KNOW I wouldn't keep mine!"

"I'm not like you!" Green Ranger snarled. "I give you my word as a Ranger that I will fulfill my end of the bargain."

The Flytrap paused and tilted it's head, as if it was listening to something the Rangers couldn't hear.

"What's it doing?" Yellow Ranger asked nervously.

"Zedd's speaking to it over their mental link; he's telling it what to do." Green Ranger paused, then added tensely, "Rita used to do the same thing to me."

Before Yellow Ranger could respond, the monster spoke again. "Lord Zedd accepts your terms. But know this: if you betray me, Halley's life is forfeit!"

Both Rangers knew that wasn't an idle threat. Halley wasn't an experienced marital artist protected by Morphin Armor. She was just a defenseless little girl. The Flytrap could kill her as easily as it could snap its' fingers.

"Agreed."

"So be it!" In flash of red light, Halley appeared on the ground, seemingly asleep. She was far enough away from the Rangers that they couldn't reach her in time if the Flytrap decided to attack her.

With a roar, the monster's chest opened, and four multi-coloured lights streaked out, reforming into the Rangers. Red Ranger shook his head. "Man, that was NOT fun!"

"Your turn, Green Ranger!" the monster laughed.

"What? Tommy, what's going on?" Pink Ranger demanded as she reoriented herself.

"Kim, I'm sorry," Green Ranger whispered. Then he started to walk towards the monster.

"Bro, what the hell are you doing!?" Red Ranger started after his Green comrade, but Yellow Ranger grabbed him and held him back.

"Jason, Tommy made a deal with Zedd. His life for all of yours."

"WHAT!!" Pink Ranger screamed.

"We have no choice!" the normally unflappable Yellow Ranger shouted, tears in her voice. "It was the only way to get you back! And if Tommy doesn't keep his promise, Halley is dead!" She pointed towards the comatose child some distance away.

Before any of the Rangers could react futher, the Invenusable Flytrap opened it's chest and captured Tommy.

"NO!" Pink Ranger cried out in denial.

The monster laughed yet again. "A pleasure doing business with you, Rangers! If I were you, I'd take the kid and get off this island...Lord Zedd's about to reenact the sinking of Atlantis!" With that said, it teleported away.

The Rangers cried out in rage. Before they could do anything, the island began to shake, as though experiencing a massive earthquake.

"Jason, we have to get out of here!" Blue Ranger shouted. "Zedd is sinking the island!"

With an effort that cost him much, Jason shoved his horror aside. "Right. I'll grab Halley!" He raced over to the girl and cradled her in his arms. She opened her eyes and looked up at him in surprise. "A prince!" she exclaimed.

Right then, Jason felt like anything but a prince.

(SCENE CHANGE)

The Rangers rematerialized on the beach where they had launched Billy's tracking balloon. Pink Ranger was clinging to Blue Ranger for dear life as she sobbed. Black Ranger kicked the rocky ground viciously. Yellow Ranger wrung her hands helplessly. Red Ranger gently set the eight-year-old down.

She looked up at him with big eyes. "Why is everyone so sad?" she asked in confusion.

But no one had the heart to answer her.

Sometime, fairy tales don't have happy endings.

To Be Continued...