DISCLAIMER: Saban, DC, Sony/Screen Gems/Columbia Pictures, Republic Pictures. This combines Ch. 8and the epilogue in Trackdown , and leads into a one part tale involving Scarecrow & Mrs King, more on that at the end of this story. And now, the finale…
BEAUTY AND THE BEAST: TRACKDOWN
8: Macarena-UGGH! And Epilogue
Vincent: This is where the wealthy and the powerful rule
It is her world, a world apart from mine
Her Name is Catherine. From the moment I saw her, she captured my heart, with her beauty, her warmth, and her courage.
I knew then, as I know now, she would change my life...forever!
Catherine: He comes from a secret place, far below the city streets
Hiding his face from strangers, safe from hate and harm
He brought me there to save my life
And now, wherever I go, he is with me, in spirit
For we have a bond, stronger than friendship or love,
And although we cannot be together, we will never, ever, be apart.
The last of Gabriel's forces had been caught, holdings of his had been found and confiscated, and Lorelei had finally been caught, the heroes had decided to relax and help both Vincent & Catherine decide what to do next. Right then, the communicators went off. "We read you, Zordon." Zack Taylor quickly spoke into the device.
"Rangers, although I am relieved to hear that Miss Chandler is alive, I do have some distressing news. Gabriel had connections to the one-time Legion of Doom, now known as the Legion of Apocalypse. This means that she is still in grave danger. Also, Rita & Luthor have escaped."
"Damn it!" Hawkman swore. This sentiment was shared by everyone there.
"I will not expose Catherine or my child to any more terrors. I have to stop them and make sure they do not bring their evil to this world." Vincent quickly vowed.
"I've got an idea. Wonder Woman, isn't Themyscira in an alternate dimension, and anywhere the Amazons choose it to be?" Kimberly Hart-Oliver asked.
"Great Hera, of course! I'll contact Mother right now, and ask her about this."
Zordon spoke "I will contact your mother. I just hope Hippolyta can help us in this case. In the meantime, Billy & Samantha are on their way to join you right now. Farewell."
Batman quickly charged into the chamber. "Rangers, speaking of Rita…she just sent down a monster created after the lamest, most stupid dance craze. It's...you're not going to believe this...the Macarenatron.
"You have GOT to be kidding!" Trini Kwan groaned.
"I really wish I were. It's already as big as the Empire State Building. You need to call your zords...now!"
2 colored flashes of light came in, then solidified into Billy Cranston, the Blue Ranger, and Samantha Dean, the Purple Ranger. "Just in time, guys, we've got work to do!" Jason Lee Scott shouted. This was followed by 2 more flashes of color, red & silver. They were Andros and Zhane. Andros quickly started "There are a pack of Quantrons headed here, and the monster may just be to draw your attention away from them."
In minutes, the Rangers joined Jason in the middle of Central Park. "OK, GUYS, LET'S SHOW 'EM THE POWER OF THUNDER!"
"MASTODON-LION THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"PTERODACTYL-FIREBIRD THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"WHITE TIGER THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"SABRETOOTH TIGER-GRIFFIN THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"TRICERATOPS-UNICORN THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"STEGASAURUS-MEDUSA THUNDERZORD POWER!"
"TYRRANOSAURUS-RED DRAGON THUNDERZORD POWER!"
Soon, the Thunderzords merged and formed the MegaThunderZord, while the Tigerzord assumed it's warrior mode. Just in time, the Macarenatron was gyrating badly, and that music was deafening.
"Oh, brother, I don't know which is worse, the monster, it's dancing, or the song it's dancing to!" Samantha frowned.
Tommy Oliver shouted "Hal! I've got a plan. If the music was taken away, it would affect the monster. How about it?"
"Worth a shot. I found 2 heavy-duty loudspeakers on either side of the building. Let's trash those babies, besides, I hate that damn song too!" Hal fired an intense blast on one speaker, while Tommy's zord picked up the other speaker, and threw it on the ground, trashing it completely. Both speakers were trashed, and it had a marked effect on the monster, who was now totally confused.
"While it's off balance, guys, THUNDERSABRE, ENGAGE!" Jason shouted.
One incredible slash later, the monster was history. "Rita must really be losing her touch." Billy replied.
Cogs tried to gain entrance to the Tunnel World, but were stopped at every turn by Batman, Wonder Woman, Black Canary, Hawkman, Hawkwoman, the Red & Silver Lightstar Rangers, and the ThunderCats, who had just joined the party.
"Good thing Jason taught me this. TORNADO KICK!" Andros did that move almost letter perfect, trashing his group of cogs. Calling over to the Silver Lightstar, he asked "Zhane, how're you doing?"
"These are Mondo's footsoldiers? Talk about pathetic! SUPERSILVERIZER!" Zhane finished off the other cogs, while Batman nailed Prince Gaskett. "Give up, you walking videogame. You're through!"
"HMPH! Do you really think that you, a mere human, can ever catch me? ME? I am the heir to the Machine Empire, I can make your insignificant existence end right now! I..." He was cut off by a sonic scream that trashed his motors, a gift from Black Canary. "GET OVER YOURSELF, GASKETT!" she yelled.
Cogs were being torn apart, thanks to Keith Partridge's increasing skill with his ThunderSword. His sisters Laurie and Tracy were making mincemeat out of some stray Hunger Dogs with their ThunderBow and ThunderDaggers, respectively, while Chris was happily chopping away more cogs with his ThunderAxe. Bill Engvall was helping Black Canary finish off what was left of Gaskett, while Daniel Aydelott polished off a pack of Tengas.
Bolts of electricity were soon fired at the heroes by Archerina, Gaskett's wife, shouting "Release my beloved, now!" These were soon shot back her by Wonder Woman, who deflected each shot with her bracelets. One shot, she yelled "Hey, Archerina, EAT THIS!" and shot it back so that it fried her neurons and motor functions, effectively putting the mechanical villainess out of action.
The other Rangers & Green Lantern soon came back after destroying the Macarenatron and sending the zords back to their hiding places. The communicators went off again. "We read you, Zordon." Tommy quickly spoke.
Instead, Queen Hippolyta's voice rang from the device. "Thomas, is my daughter there? I must speak with her.
"I'm right here, Mother." Wonder Woman told her. After a quick conversation, she told them "We can go ahead with plans for Vincent & Catherine, but we'd better hurry. We've only got 22 hours, so we've got no time to lose.
14 hours later, Themyscira:
With the Rangers, the JLAers, and Hippolyta watching, Tommy told Vincent & Catherine "We'll keep an eye on the Tunnel World from time to time. Are you sure you both want to do this?"
Yes. If this is the only way that we can be together, so be it. I just cannot live my life without Vincent or my child." Catherine told them.
"My life without her has been empty. I will not go back to that existence, for there is no life without Catherine. This is also what I wish to do." Vincent finished.
Isis joined them. "Is everyone ready?" the human goddess asked.
Vincent & Catherine looked at both each other, then their son. As one, they said "We're ready."
Catherine looked at the heroes assembled. "None of this would have been possible if not for you. You saved us both. Thank you."
"You have given me the best part of my life back. Even with my son, I would be incomplete. There are no words that can express my gratitude." Vincent added.
Kimberly smiled. "This is like a fairy tale come to life. I hope the 3 of you have a beautiful life together." The others echoed those same wishes.
Hippolyta walked up to the couple. "All is in readiness. This is basically a storybook dimension. You will both fit right in. Hurry now, it is time."
The doorway was opened, and to both Kimberly & Trini's joy, fairies, unicorns, and deer were in a lush, beautiful forest. 2 women appeared, saying "They may enter now."
Vincent, Catherine, and their child went to the portal, looked at the Rangers & the JLAers one last time, then walked through. As they held each other, the portal faded, maybe for forever.
Everyone stood there for a long time, lost in thought. Then they all looked at each other. "Come on, guys, let's go home." Jason finished.
4 days later, Angel Grove Park:
Trini & Billy were talking as they sat down under a shady tree, as the sun was rather hot that day. They were talking about what had happened in this last adventure.
"I was thinking about Black Canary and how her relationship with Oliver Queen went sour, and about Vincent & Catherine, and how theirs just gets stronger, no matter what gets in their way. Both of those tell me something, Trini." Billy revealed.
"There is a difference between the 2. Vincent & Catherine were, and are, sensitive to each other, and their needs. BC however was sensitive and caring, but her deal with Oliver was a one-way street. It was doomed from the start."
"I don't want that to happen to us, Trini. I won't let it. I love you, with every fibre of my being, and I will always be there for you. Also, look at what's happened because of this: Zack's spending more time with Wonder Woman, Jason & Jamie seem to be joined at the hip, Tommy & Kimberly are happily married, Batman & Kelly are an item, and Samantha's dating Skull. That one I still don't believe!"
"YOU don't believe it?! Anyway, I definitely don't want to spend the rest of my life with anyone else but you, Billy. It's you and me from here on out." Trini told him. Nothing else needed to be said as they drew each other into a gentle embrace.
Meanwhile: the Batcave:
"Kelly Garrett? I never would have guessed." Tim Drake was getting ready for a Partridge Family concert in Harwood County, and was talking about his new love in his life…Megaforce Pink Ranger Emma Goodall. But he had discovered Bruce Wayne was now in a relationship of his own.
Dick Grayson, Nightwing, was also intrigued. "Didn't you once say that we could not have relationships in this business?" he asked in a joking tone.
"Let's just say I'm seriously rethinking that policy. It looks like we're all involved with someone these days. Myself with Miss Garrett…Kelly, Dick, you and Prue Halliwell, and Tim, you and Miss Goodall…"
"Emma. Guys, she's amazing, she is completely dedicated to protecting the Earth, still misses her parents, she…" Tim faded into a very happy smile.
Dick grinned and turned to Bruce, saying "We have a man in love here."
Bruce then added "Look who's talking. You're with Prue Halliwell. You always have had a taste for the…otherworldly." He said, referring to his previous relationship with Starfire. Turning back to Tim, he added "Seriously, I think you and Emma should try to find out more about each other. I think this concert you're going to is a good way to start. And as for myself and Kelly, we're taking things slowly, but I think she's the one."
Tim & Dick looked at each other, they had never heard Bruce speak this way about anyone before…ever Catwoman. Dick then joked "Well, that's good. I'm glad you finally have someone. Still, stick with Kelly Garrett…and leave the other women to the experts."
Smirking, Bruce turns to the 2 and, showing a side that not even Alfred has seen, jokingly replies "All right, that's it, both of you, OUT!"
The next day, Harwood County:
The Partridge Family was performing a concert in Harwood County. After playing several of their favorites, Keith asked the people gathered, "Is everyone having a good time tonight?" At the applause, Keith cried, "Awesome! We now have something new we've been working on…rather, my brother Chris has done a lion's share of the work on this…and here it is…"
Behind his drum kit, Chris took the lead with this song…
Time, it goes on, waits for nobody special…In the prime of my years I'll remember you
Living and breathing and some misbelieving…but I can't hold you woman, no piece of you
You were the magic, my only believer, my life on the line for you, all that I give to you
Time is time…don't give me no time to waste away
Love is love…keep me alive to my dying day
Now is now…we capture the world…and love will make it all right, all right
Time it goes on, waits for nothing on over…but I still see your sun that you shine on me
Giving and taking and always mistaking…but I'll follow you woman, eternally
You were my magic, my only believer, my life on the line for you, all that I give to you
Time is time…don't give me no time to waste away
Love is love…keep me alive to my dying day
Now is now…we capture the world…and love will make it all right, all right
Setting my sights in one only direction, searching for romance and showing affection
I guess I better know one, standing in the cold dark, waiting for your love
Time is time…don't give me no wrong in making love
Love is love…turn me around till you burn me up
Now is now…we master the world…and time will make it all right, all right
Time is time…don't give me no wrong in making love
Love is love…turn me around till you burn me up
Now is now…we master the world…and time will make it all right, all right
Time is time…don't give me no wrong in making love
Love is love…turn me around till you burn me up
Now is now…we master the world…and time will make it all right, all right
Time is time…don't give me no wrong…give me no wrong
Applause rang through the auditorium. Laurie then said, "We have a little treat for you here tonight in Harwood. For that, we'd like to ask Miss Emma Goodall to join us onstage."
Emma smiled as she walked towards the stage, looks of surprise on the faces of her friends. Jake asked Gia, "Did you know about this?"
"No," answered Gia, actually surprised for once.
When she got on the stage, Emma walked up to the mike stand and smiled. "Thank you. This song goes out to…a mystery boy I met recently. If you're out there tonight, I just want you to know, this one's for you."
Go on, go on…Leave me breathless…come on…hey, yeah
The daylight's fading slowly…but time with you is standing still
I'm waiting for you only…the slightest touch and I feel weak
I cannot lie…from you, I cannot hide
And I'm losing the will to try…can't hide it…can't fight it
So, go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me, until I can't deny this
Loving feeling make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on, yeah, come on…yeah
And if there's no tomorrow…and all we have is here and now
I'm happy just to have you…you're all the love I need somehow
It's like a dream…although I'm not asleep
And I never want to wake up…don't lose it…don't leave it
So, go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
Loving feeling make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on, yeah, come on, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Yeah, yeah
I'm not gonna lie…From you, I cannot hide
And I've lost my will to try…can't hide it…can't fight it
So, go on, go on, come on, leave me breathless
Tempt me, tease me until I can't deny this
Loving feeling make me long for your kiss
Go on, go on come on, leave me breathless
Go on, go on come on, leave me breathless
Go on, go on come on, leave me breathless
Go on, go on
Emma smiled as everyone applauded, none louder than Gia, Troy, Jake, and Noah. But unbeknownst to the Pink MegaForce Ranger, there had been one other person in the crowd watching her performance. Using a baseball cap and a pair of sunglasses as a disguise and smiling broadly was none other than Tim Drake.
Laurie smiled and spoke "Thank you. This song I'm about to sing is from our new album…the 1st on our new label. We hope you like it…"
The first time I loved forever was when you whispered my name
And I knew at once you loved me, for the me of who I am
The first time I loved forever, I cast all else aside
And I bid my heart to follow, be there no more room to hide
And if wishes and dreams are merely for children, if love's a tale for fools, I'll live the dream with you
For all my life and forever, there's a truth I will always know
When my world divides and shatters, your love is where I'll go.
2 weeks later:
Wonder Woman, in her guise as Diana Prince, agent for the Inter Agency Defense Command (IADC), is with Zack Taylor, Kimberly Hart-Oliver, Tommy Oliver, Keith, Laurie, and Christopher Partridge, who are helping out Lee Stetson & Amanda King on a case involving a possible assassination attempt. They are trying to help Amanda with her transcript of a phone conversation she had recorded. "Okay now, you say the man was tall." Tommy asked.
Amanda replied "Uh-huh."
"Um…how can you tell that from a phone conversation?" Diana asks.
Amanda explains "Well, after two steps I could barely hear him, so I figured they had to be pretty long steps."
Kimberly quickly understands. "And tall people make long steps so. . . . then what?"
"Right. And then when he sat down, he had to kind of twist his legs and shift around in his chair to get comfortable and tall people do that, too." Amanda continues.
Lee looks at Amanda. "It makes sense."
Amanda smiles and says "Well, I have a pretty logical mind."
Lee starts "Yeah, you do…at one time or another."
Zack rolls his eyes, saving Amanda the trouble, then asks "What makes you think he was a health freak?"
"By the way he was breathing. See, he was breathing that way they teach you in exercise class, so . . . I think he was working out."
"Ah-hah. So we have a health freak who's tall and he wears a bridge." Keith states
Amanda corrects him with "No, no, no. He doesn't wear a bridge. That's the other man. The tall breather doesn't wear a bridge. Did I ever tell any of you about the clicking sound?"
"No!" Laurie gasps
Well, see, there's also this clicking sound. It's like a grinding and a sliding and a snap . . . and then a click.
Amanda then snaps her fingers, causing Lee's eyes to widen with recognition. Lee then asks "So he's got a gun?"
Amanda then adds "Or someone else . . . who's near the phone has a gun. Sometimes it doesn't always come from the phone."
Lee continues "Okay. So we've got two people and one gun, so far."
Amanda says "Mm-hmm."
Kimberly then thinks about Vincent & Catherine…and their new life in the pocket dimension with their son. "What do you think they're doing now?"
Tommy looks at her…and knows she isn't thinking about the case. "Whatever it is…they're with each other…and safe from any crazies.
Chris then adds "Still…a fairytale dimension?"
Lee picks up on the conversation and then adds "I know I'm butting in here, but, if they're happy together, why does where they are matter? Me, I prefer the real world, but isn't the final decision theirs?"
Diana smiles. "My point exactly. Amanda…isn't this the street where you met the woman with the garage sale?"
The car comes to a stop in front of a well kept house. Everyone gets out and heads to the front door.
Lee stares and walks around to Amanda, and looks at the seven visitors with them as Amanda hands him a platter. He then jabs his thumb in the direction of the mansion, asking "Your friend lives here?"
Amanda explains "Well, I know it's impressive, but looks can be deceiving." As she pulls a second plate out of the car.
Keith agrees. "We found that out a long time ago."
Lee continues "But…you're really dropping off a meat loaf at this address?"
Amanda adds "Well, it's for the lady who lives here. I think she's having a hard time. Look, we'll just drop it off and run, okay?"
Lee states "Sure. Fine."
Kimberly then adds "We don't think she's been eating enough." As they walk up to the house, Lee gazing around in awe the whole time. They go up to the front door.
Amanda adds "I'm afraid none of us can introduce you."
"That's right We don't know her name." Chris states.
Lee chuckles and rings the doorbell. A stiff-looking man answers "May I help you?"
Diana then smiles and says "Hello. We're looking for the lady of the house. We're friends."
The man speaks "One moment, please."
Amanda says "Thank you." As he closes the door. She turns to everyone there, saying "Isn't that nice? She has a boarder. I was afraid she lived all alone."
The door opens and a woman is beaming on the other side. "How nice to see all of you again. And you've brought another friend."
Lee's eyes widen in surprise. Keith sees this and asks "What's up?"
Lee finally finds his tongue. He then bows, saying "Your Highness."
The group stare at him, then looks at the woman, Amanda saying it for everyone. "Your Highness?"
TO BE CONTINUED…IN THE SINGLE PART STORY…WATING FOR GODORSKY