Chapter 25 – Prince Charming
March 19 1997 – Angel Grove Youth Center
It was an unusually quiet at the Youth Center, only a few patrons were dotted around the inside seating area. There were no scheduled classes today but there were normally a few more customers than this. Behind the bar Cassie sat on one of the tall bar stools, her chin resting in her hands. It was so quiet that she had completed all of her usual jobs. The delivery had been put away, all the tables had been cleared and the dishwasher was empty. Normally on days like today Aimi would allow her to entertain the customers with her singing but as she was by herself today, she had to wait patiently behind the bar.
Sadly patience wasn't a word in Cassie's vocabulary and she sighed audibly as another minute slowly passed by. Just as she was contemplating turning on the television for something to do, the sound of the main doors opening caught her attention. Cassie snapped to attention and waiting to greet her first new customers for nearly half an hour. She was pleased to see Angel Grove High's latest couple, Tommy and Kat, enter the building. The pair were laughing at a joke that the waitress couldn't quite catch. Kat affectionately touched Tommy's arm as they approached the bar, "Hey guys", Cassie greeted, "what can I get you?"
"The usual if you don't mind Cassie", Tommy replied, "bit quiet in here isn't it".
"Yeah tell me about it", she replied as she finished mixing their shakes, "don't think I've even taken a hundred dollars today".
Tommy took a gulp from his drink, "That sucks, we've just been down the park and it's really quiet there too".
"I think everyone's been really nervous since that Machine Empire attack where they tried to choke us to death", Kat added.
Cassie nodded in agreement, if it wasn't for Aimi's supply of agency gasmasks in the supply cupboard, she would have been extremely worried that day. "I've lived in this city for the last few years and seen many monster attacks but the monster alarm really makes me nervous now". She reached over to the soda machine and poured herself a drink, "But hey at least the Power Rangers are here right?"
The couple smiled in response, Cassie caught a little glance between them, almost like they were sharing a private joke between themselves. "So where's the boss today", Tommy began, quickly shifting the subject, "given herself the day off?"
Cassie's body language immediately changed and her shoulders dropped, "Yeah something like that", she muttered as she idly twirled a straw in her drink.
Sensing that something was bothering the waitress, Kat decided to act, "Tommy I think I left my towel in the changing rooms the last time I was here. Can you take a look for me?"
"You want me to go into the girls changing rooms?" the red rangers asked with a confused tone in his voice.
"Don't worry Tommy", Cassie laughed, "no one's in there at the moment. There's a closed sign next to the door, put that on the door to stop anyone coming in". Tommy sighed and trudged off to the changing room, "Not that anyone's likely to come in", Cassie said to Kat.
The pink ranger laughed, "Ok now that I've gotten rid of Tommy, spill". Cassie looked at the floor, thinking that someone had dropped something, "No not that kind of spill", Kat sighed, "I can tell something's bugging you".
"No offence Kat I like you, but I won't consider us good enough friends to start spilling my guts to you", Cassie replied.
Kat shrugged, "Maybe but I'm the best you've got right now".
Cassie stared defiantly at the blonde, however, she saw that she wasn't going to budge. She sighed, "Xander's moving into our apartment today".
"That's good news", however Cassie didn't look so impressed, "isn't it?" Kat continued.
"Don't get me wrong I like the guy, even if he loves motherboards and processers", Cassie replied, "but I'm not sure I want him living with us". She began to mindlessly polish a glass, "Ever since my Mom left for her business trip it's been just me and Aimi and I kinda like it like that", she paused briefly, "selfish I know".
"Not necessarily", Kat began, "Aimi's found herself a guy she really likes but she isn't going to forget about you". Kat looked at the waitress and suddenly the real reason for her mood hit her, "She isn't going to leave you behind like you Mom did".
Cassie nearly dropped the glass she was holding, somehow Kat had hit the nail on the head. "I'm that transparent", she asked the Australian and Kat nodded in response, "this may sound strange but I almost wish Aimi was my Mom. I know that would be creepy since she's only 12 years older than me but she wouldn't leave the country on business and then stay out there indefinitely". Cassie slammed the glass down on the counter making Kat jump, "Sorry I get angry sometimes when I think about it".
Kat smiled warmly, "It's ok you just startled me a little. I can't pretend to know what you feel but look at it this way, with Xander moving in it's only going to extend your little family further".
The waitress thought about that for a moment, "You know what, you're right".
"Happens a lot", Kat smiled, "and maybe talk with Aimi about your Mom, maybe she'll be able to help you with those feelings".
Cassie snorted, "I think parents leaving their kids behind must run in our family", she replied, remembering how her grandparents had sent Aimi and her Mom to America years ago, "but that's another story. Thanks Kat you've been a great help, maybe we should hang out sometime get to know each other better".
"Yeah I'd like that", she replied.
"We could talk about our shared love of the colour pink", Cassie replied as she tugged at Kat's pink blouse, "seriously I don't think you wear any other colour".
"I could say the same about you", Kat laughed as she pointed at Cassie's pink tank top.
The two girls were laughing when Tommy skidded back into the room. He looked at Kat and pointed at his wrist, "Sorry Cassie looks like we've got to go", Kat said as she jumped down from the stool, "hope it gets busier soon".
Cassie sighed as she watched the pair leave, "Great, now how am I going to entertain myself".
Kat caught up with Tommy outside the Youth Center, "Did Zordon call?"
Tommy nodded, "Two new robots are attacking down by the beach, seem to think they're in charge of the Machine Empire now".
"Great just what we need", Kat sighed, "let's go put those pretenders in their place".
"It's morphin' time"
"Zeo Ranger I Pink"
"Zeo Ranger V Red"
Angel Grove Lake
When Tommy and Kat landed at the beach, the others were already engaged in battle. As Zordon had advised there were two robots attacking this time, one male and one female. The male robot had a green upper body and silver legs. His shoulders were shaped into small wings and he had a three pointed hat on his head. The female was mostly pink with white accents. Her hair was styled into a bob and the pattern around her forehead gave the impression of a headband.
Tommy moved himself into the front of the other rangers, "Alright who've we got this time?" he asked the others.
"Not sure", Adam replied, "claims to be Mondo's other son and his wife".
"How dare you speak about me like that peasant", the male bot began, "I am Prince Gasket, the first built son of King Mondo and this is my lovely wife Princess Archerina. We're here to put you rangers back in your place and restore the glory of the Machine Empire"
"You talk too much", Jason called out, "Time for a gold rush", the top of the gold rangers staff snapped open and golden energy balls flew out the top. They were on target, however, Gasket and Archerina moved out the way and turned themselves into beams of energy. They streaked through the rangers and knocked them to the ground. The villainous couple skidded to a halt and admired their handiwork.
"Ok so they pack a punch", Rocky coughed as she clawed his way to his feet.
"Let's split up", Tommy suggested, "the boys will take Gasket and the girls will take Archerina".
"Nothing like a bit of girl on girl right Tanya", Kat joked.
"Sounds like my kind of afternoon", Rocky laughed as charged towards Gasket with Jason, Adam and Tommy close behind. They all called upon their special weapons and tried to attack Gasket simultaneously. The robotic prince called upon a giant sword and batted them away with ease.
"You fools wish to challenge me", Gasket laughed, "you don't know who you're dealing with".
"Believe me buddy we've faced scarier looking things than you", Rocky replied as he swiped at Gasket with his Power Axes.
"If you're talking about my father then he was nothing compared to me", Gasket boasted as he knocked the blue ranger to the ground. "His opinion of his fighting skills was as overinflated as his waistline".
"Not a fan of your Dad then", Adam asked as he tried to attack with his Power Hatchets. Gasket though caught the blades between his hands and pushed the green ranger away with ease.
"That fool dared to exile me for choosing to marry for love", Gasket raged, "said I would never take over the throne, looks like I got the last laugh".
Before Gasket could continue he was struck by a blow from behind that knocked him to the ground. He turned around and saw the gold ranger standing over him with his golden staff in hand, "Yeah you definitely talk too much", Jason stated.
Over with the girls Tanya was trying to dodge out the way of Archerina's energy arrows. The princess took aim at the yellow ranger but was just wide of the mark. The arrow exploded against the ground, leaving a significant crater, "Wow I really need to avoid those arrows", Tanya said to herself.
"Give it up yellow ranger", Archerina called out, "could can't possibly defeat me by yourself".
"Wasn't planning to", Tanya smiled under her helmet as Kat jumped into the battle. Archerina was startled and fired off a quick shot at the pink ranger. Kat summoned her Power Disk and deflected the arrow away. Archerina fired again but the pink ranger flicked the arrow away with ease and began to charge at the princess. Archerina tried to load another arrow but she was too slow. Kat swung the disk across her face and knocked the princess to the ground.
Archerina was temporarily stunned by the blow and it took a while for her to regain her footing. She felt her cheek and was shocked to feel a huge chunk of metal missing. The blow from the power disk had sliced a horizontal groove in her right cheek.
She dropped her bow and screamed loudly, drawing the attention of Prince Gasket, "Archerina!" he called out, completely forgetting about his fight with the male rangers. He touched her cheek tenderly, "What have they done to you?" He turned to face the rangers and his eyes shone red, "You will pay dearly for this". He charged up his sword and threw a powerful energy bolt at the rangers. The teens were struck with the full force of Gasket's fury and they were thrown several feet across the beach, demorphing in the process.
Gasket turned his back to the rangers and took hold of his wife, teleporting them away to safety. The rangers struggled to sit up after Gasket's attack, all of their bones felt like they were on fire, "Ok so that guy's strong", Rocky choked out.
"Is everyone alright", Tommy asked the others, he clutched his ribs and was in some pain.
"Oh yeah just peachy bro", Jason replied sarcastically.
"See your sense of humour wasn't damaged Jase", Tanya weezed.
"Come on let's get back to the Command Center so Alpha can patch us up", Tommy said to the other rangers. Without getting to their feet, they hit the teleport button and disappeared into the sky.
Power Chamber
Back at base Alpha had worked wonders on the teens. Although they were still a little stiff most of the major aches and pains had disappeared. The only major injuries were severely bruised ribs for Tommy and a sprained wrist for Adam. When Alpha had given them a clean bill of health, the rangers gathered in front of Zordon's energy tube for a debriefing, "So how come we've never heard of Gasket and Archerina before?" Adam asked as he adjusted the support on his wrist.
"Years ago King Mondo exiled Gasket after he fell in love with Archerina", Zordon began. "Archerina's father and King Mondo did not get along and Mondo forbid Gasket from seeing her. The prince refused and the pair ran away together, they have been in exile ever since".
"That would be a sweet love story if they hadn't tried to kill us", Rocky joked before turning serious, "they pack a lot of fire power between them".
"Indeed they do", Zordon replied, "my knowledge of their activities are limited but I believe that they have been training with the most fearsome warriors in the galaxy. You will all have to be careful the next time you face them in battle", he then addressed the pink ranger specifically, "especially you Katherine".
"Yeah I did leave a bit of a dent in Archerina", Kat joked.
"This is no laughing matter Katherine", Zordon began, "causing a visible injury to a member of the Royal House of Gadgetry is a serious crime to the Machine Empire".
"Can't they just panel beat her head back into shape?" Kat asked.
"Unfortunately the chassis of royal family is made out of a special material only found in one part of the galaxy", Alpha began. "When Gasket married Archerina he converted her chassis to match that of a royal princess. It would take too long to ship replacement materials to the Moon".
"I fear that you will targeted for retribution", Zordon added.
Kat sighed, "Great it was psychopathic ninjas last year, now crazy vengeance droids".
"Don't worry Kat, we've got your back", Tommy replied and the other rangers nodded in agreement. A new player had entered the playing field, all they could do now is wait for Prince Gasket to make his next move and hope they were ready for him.
A/N – The prince has arrived and he's really unhappy, especially now the rangers have scarred Archerina. I've now finished writing this story and began planning story four. I will say this, someone on the rangers side who was in this chapter will not make it to the next story. That upcoming chapter was hard to write and I'm not sure how popular my decision will be. Guess I'll find out in six chapters time.