Chapter 12

"Concerns for Rocky"

Katherine and I returned to our quarters aboard the Megaship feeling nothing but concern for Rocky. He was one of us, a power ranger fighting in this never-ending war against evil. Now, both of us had a tough decision to make concerning Rocky's commitment to the defense of Eltar.

"Thank God that the Aquitians are on their way," sighed Katherine as she slid off her black high heels and black suit coat. "But, I can't help but feel concerned for Rocky, Tommy. Don't you think he should go back home and heal?"

"You heard what I said, Kat," I replied. "We can't make that decision for Rocky. Only Rocky can decide whether he stays or fights. I want to decide what is best for him just as much as you do, but I can't."

"Perhaps it is a good thing we're getting reinforcements, then. Still, it doesn't make things any easier for us and for Rocky."

It was then that Katherine brought up another pressing matter concerning Andros.

"But, there's something else," Katherine continued as she slid off her tan stockings. "Tommy, haven't you noticed that Andros…has feelings for me? I know that he says I relate to his sister, but…"

"I've already laid out some boundaries with him, Kat," I interrupted, sharply turning to face her. "You are my girlfriend and he is not to make any advances or moves onto you. If he does, he'll be a disgrace to the Power Rangers."

Katherine was amazed by my defiance, but then again, she was already used to me having these kinds of moments.

"Maybe we shouldn't let this little thing get to us, Tommy. Andros has his reasons for liking me. Perhaps he wants me to be friends with him. We are Power Rangers after all and we must look out for one another."

I wasn't sure what to make of this suggestion because hearing that someone wants to be friends with my girlfriend meant that they wanted to take my girlfriend for themselves.

"Then he'll have to prove it, Katherine," I said, defiantly as I pulled Katherine up to me. "Either way, I am in charge of the Power Rangers and I love you."

It was then that I felt my lust for Katherine grow and we suddenly began to show our love and our passion for one another.

…

Back in Rocky's room, Adam and Tanya continued to stay by Rocky's side as he continued to battle his back problems.

"Must have pulled a few muscles," Rocky moaned as a medical attendant continued to try and massage his back. "Guess taking part in that test must have done something to it."

"All that matters is that you rest it, Rocky," cautioned Adam. "If your back is further damaged than it is, then we'll have to send you back to Earth."

"Don't be silly, Adam. I'm not abandoning you guys, no matter what."

"Rocky, we're serious," protested Tanya, as Rocky weakly looked back at her. "We can't risk seeing you get any more hurt than you already are."

Still, Rocky remained defiant and was not going to back down that easily. He was first and foremost a Power Ranger and was not going to abandon his team for anything.

…

Just then, the doors opened and we saw Delphine and Cestro of the Aquitian Rangers walk into the room.

"Delphine! Cestro!" laughed Adam as he and Tanya embraced them. "Glad to see you, guys!"

"We received Zordon's message and have come to aide you in your defense of Eltar," said Delphine. "The Alien Rangers and I are ready to defend Eltar alongside you."

"We are sorry to see you in this condition, Rocky," remarked Cestro, gently rubbing down on Rocky's back. "Were you injured in the test?"

"No, just injured it in the fighting ring a while back. But, I should be fine. Just got to rest it up for the fight ahead."

"We do have some healing powers that we can use to help your back, Rocky," suggested Delphine. "I don't know if it will help you entirely, but it should take some of the pain away."

"Where are the rest of the Aquitians?" asked Tanya, taking her mind off of Rocky for a quick second.

"They are being briefed on the situation by the Eltarian council," answered Delphine. "We will reconvene with them shortly."

So, we were lucky to have the Alien Rangers onboard to help us fight against the UAE, but that still didn't erase the fact that we had other internal battles to fight, including Andros and his feelings for Katherine.

…

Back on the Cimmerian Planet, Lord Zedd was attempting to finish recharging Serpentera to full strength when he was interrupted by Master Vile.

"So, you're trying to restore your zord to its former glory?" he remarked. "Although, I will admit that this General Havoc does give us hope for the future."

"What do you mean about that?" asked Zedd, turning away from Serpentera to face his father-in-law. "Are you saying that General Havoc is going to succeed me as Emperor of Evil one day? Let me reassure you, you decrepit dictator, that I will continue to hold onto my title as long as I am still in existence."

"Might as well face the music, Zedd. We need to have a new fresh class of evil and well, you haven't had much of a good track record when it comes to defeating the Rangers despite all you have done."

Of course, Zedd didn't take this very well.

"Look here, Master Vile!" Zedd snapped, pointing his Z staff at him. "I'll have you know that despite turning the clocks back and the rangers into children, you also didn't manage to destroy them entirely either. When you got beat by the Alien Rangers, you threw a temper tantrum and ran off back to your own galaxy!"

"That was a long time ago! I've learned to not run like a coward and this time, I am here to stay and help our beloved Dark Specter achieve his goal of bringing about the end of Eltar and Zordon for that matter."

"Is that so?" countered Zedd. "Well, I've got my own team of Dark Rangers ready to take on the Power Rangers. What do you have to say now?"

"I don't believe it!" said Master Vile as he walked away. "No matter what you do, Lord Zedd, you will never, ever succeed in stopping the young evil from taking over the old evil. Times are changing and you must learn to grow with them!"

Laughing wickedly, Zedd watched as his father-in-law disappeared from view.

"So what if will never succeed? You're just probably jealous that I married Rita and gained her stupid idiot of a brother as a brother-in-law. I'll show you! I'll show them all that Lord Zedd still is the true emperor of evil!"

And to prove his statement, Zedd fired his Z staff into the galaxy as an act of defiance for his true goals and intentions…