A/N: Here's the next part. I've never written for a character that has been brainwashed so this has taken some time to write. I have an idea where I want this to go. We'll see if it works. Enjoy!
Part 9
**Near the Youth Center**
Rita's voice sounded in Tara's head. Tara, the Pink Ranger is already suspicious. Take care of her as soon as you can!
Yes, my Empress, Tara said.
"Are you okay?" Tommy asked.
"Hmm?" Tara looked confused.
"You zoned out."
"My head still hurts," she said. "But I'm fine."
Kimberly watched and noticed Tara's warm smile didn't reach her eyes. Instant red flag in her mind. Not only that but Tara's striking emerald green eyes seemed darker. And when those eyes caught her gaze, a cold chill ran up Kimberly's spine. Something was definitely wrong.
She jumped when a hand touched her shoulder. Trini was trying to get her attention. "Are you coming in?"
"Yeah," said Kim. She took a breath and followed everyone into the Youth Center.
It was barely 4:00 in the afternoon, although after the day's events it felt much later. Tommy ordered sandwiches and snacks for the whole table. Everyone ate and talked. Kimberly noticed Tara kept glancing at her and she was getting nervous.
"I'll be right back," she said, suddenly standing. It was all she could do not to run until she was out of sight of the group. When she got outside, she dropped onto a bench and breathed heavily. I have to think of something, she thought. What am I going to do? She froze when she heard Tara's voice behind her.
"Are you alright?"
"Fine," she replied, forcing a smile and turning to face her. "I should be asking the same of you."
Tara smiled, again her eyes remained dark and cold. "I'll be okay. Not what I expected from my spring break. Definitely will have stories to tell." She shrugged.
Kimberly turned away to gather her thoughts and shake the returning chill. I'm just hyped up after today, that's all,she thought. Me and my over active imagination.
"You'd like to think that, wouldn't you?" Kimberly whirled around to face Tara. A gust of wind blew and the girl's eyes became darker than ever. She tried to move but found she was frozen in place. She was still able to talk.
"I knew it!" she cried. "Tara, you don't know what you're doing."
"Oh, but I do," Tara said, laughing. "And what is a little Valley Girl wannabe like you going to do? Stop me?"
"Tara, please," Kim was fighting back tears. "Think of your family. Think of Tommy! He'll be so hurt when he finds out."
"I am thinking of Tommy," snapped Tara. "And he was a fool. He had his chance with the Empress but he squandered it to join you. And he's not going to find out. Not yet, anyway. And you won't interfere!" She waved her arms and the wind picked up again.
Kimberly screamed. She felt the world change around her. Was she shrinking? Then, she heard her scream turn into a yowl. What? She held up a hand, but it wasn't a hand anymore. It was a small, white paw attached to a gray leg. She felt herself being picked up and she squirmed and scratched and bit. Tara laughed again as she carried Kimberly, now transformed into a small cat, to a nearby tree. She placed Kim on a high branch. Kimberly watched as Tara, satisfied, walked back into the Youth Center. Before entering, she turned back to the tree and looked right at Kimberly.
"One down, 5 to go."
**Rita's Fortress**
"How clever!" said Rita. "Not what I would have done but she is still only human."
"What if the other Rangers discover her?" asked Goldar.
"That's the beauty of it," said Rita. "I've manipulated the magic so only Tara can undo the spells she casts. So, with Tara under my control, Kimberly will be a cat forever!"
A/N: Ookay, it's a little strange, I know, but I wrote that late at night so go with it. I'm working it out. Now there's two people to rescue... for now. :)
