*******************Falcon Zord********************
Rocky crossed his arms. "That's not going to work!"
"Well it might." Tommy replied sheepishly, though he doubted it.
"I agree but what else can we do?" Aisha added. They had been trying and failing to come up with a plan.
"We need to make a decision soon. Or should I say, you need to make one young falcon." Ninjor turned to Tommy.
Tommy dropped his head. "Plans were never my thing, that was always Billy or Jason. Fighting I can do. Quick thinking in battle, sure no problem, but strategies ..." Tommy trailed off. He had never planned to be the leader but now he had to figure something out and time was of the essence. Every moment they spend arguing Rita got closer to the castle.
"Um... I might have an idea?" Kat offered quietly from where she had been sitting off to the side. All eyes turned to her and her friends instantly felt a little bad for completely forgetting about the non-ranger on board.
Tommy gave her and encouraging smile. "What's your idea Kat?"
She stood and touched the control panel bringing up an image of the moon. "When I was brought to the harem from earth. We were taken here. I remember seeing it from a window." She pointed to the picture. "It's an air filled docking bay or something similar but it got me thinking. It looks like there may be unused docking areas here and maybe here. Just from like the shape and everything..." Kat felt her face grow hot. This was stupid. She never should have said anything. "I mean... I don't know they are unused or anything but... they have a similar shape and look like this one does and..." She went quiet, feeling a right fool.
Ninjor was thinking as well. There was no way Katherine would just know what to press to bring up the moon on screen. It was possible that the falcon zord was just anticipating what she wanted but... it would be unusual unless she was a ranger. Perhaps one more for the great powers was at hand but for now Ninjor would remain silent on the matter.
Tommy grinned like the Cheshire cat. "I get it. If we can get close. Maybe we can find a way in without being seen. Or at least close enough to teleport in."
Aisha blinked, "Wait? We can teleport?"
Rocky put an arm around her and smiled. "You haven't seen anything yet."
"Alright, we've got a plan to get in but then what?" Tommy asked.
"Actually I think I've got an idea for that. Since were power rangers and all. I think with a good speech, we might be able to convince the mine slaves to revolt. Especially if we are leading them."
Tommy rubbed his chin. 'You said there were maybe two hundred of you in the caves?"
"Give or take a couple dozen, yeah."
"And with the mining equipment. They would be armed." Aisha added.
That might seriously work. Tommy was liking this plan. He didn't want to put more people at risk but "A revolt in the castle is just what we need. Ninjor? Does the falcon have cloaking?"
"Indeed he does." The blue ninja replied.
"Alright, let's cloak and then check out the areas Kat pointed to. See if we can get in." Tommy commanded.
The others nodded. "Right!"
Katherine watched her friends set to work as the falcon changed coarse and vanished from sight.
*********************Billy, Kim, Adam and Justin's room******************
Kimberly was half asleep when Bulk suddenly jumped to his feet. "Zedd's coming!" he shouted. There was no time for Justin to get under the bed so he hide by the toliet, behind the paper screen, with hurried warning to be perfectly still from Adam. The slightest sound might alert Zedd to his presence.
Kimberly had barely rubbed the sleep from her eyes as the door pushed open. "My pet! Look what I've brought you." Zedd came in with a putty behind him carrying a guitar. "To replace the one that was broken from our play time." he practically purred.
Kimberly trembled at the memory. Zedd laughed. "Oh my little birdie. I love your fear. I love tasting your emotions in the air." Zedd came close to her face. "I love the taste of you."
Adam moved forward but stopped. What could he do? Nothing. He was no match for the lord of evil but his movement caught Zedd's attention. "How are you liking your slave, my pet?"
Kimberly swallowed hard before speaking. "He's nice. Thank you... lord Zedd."
"Has he been pleasing you?"
Kimberly could only nod. Eyes on the floor. Why did Zedd ask her these things? She sniffed, trying to hold in tears. Why wouldn't he just go away?
No, it wouldn't be that simple. Kimberly knew that until Tommy came. She belonged to Zedd and... he could do anything he wanted to her. Zedd moved behind her, running his silver claws through her long, brown hair. "My firebird. Do you know how much I want you?"
She shook her head no carefully. Zedd's claws could easily cut her. Zedd sat on the bed, pulling her into his lap, holding her to his chest. Kimberly whimpered in fright as Zedd caressed her. "Oh yes. I want you and soon I will have you but not yet." He released her and got up, stroking his metal cod piece. No, he had to wait. Once Billy willingly embraced the evil then he could do as he please with Kimberly. Harming her now would only bring back the good in the ex blue ranger. "In a few hours you will come to the harem. You will play me a song, so practice while you can."
Kimberly nodded, still shaking.
"That's my sweet firebird." Zedd praised.
"Oh evil one?" A sniveling voice spoke from the door.
Zedd sighed, "What do you two idiots want?"
"It's Rita, she's returned." Baboo replied, his knees trembling.
"So my witch of a wife comes home." Zedd replied, getting up. He mumbled curses as he passed the cowering duo. Just before the door closed he turned, his attention on Adam, as his claws glowed red.
"Slave. Make my firebird smile."
The collar on his neck glowed and Adam began to dance. A silly, ridiculous dance, just like Zedd had seen Rita make her toys do.
The door closed and Adam realized with horror... he couldn't stop!
********************* Rita's chambers***************************
Rita sat on her plush velveteen throne, watching the putties bring her luggage back in. A few human slaves had greeted her but for once she paid them no mind. She didn't even feel like yelling at them.
She had failed in her conquest to capture Tommy but now she knew there were at least two rangers. Possibly five if those two girl were also rangers, and counting Ninjor. Where and how Tommy had found them she would never know.
At least she had the divorce papers. She might be able to convince Zedd it was all a joke done by her idiot brother Rito. After all what Dark Spector didn't know was good for all of them.
Still she knew he would be fuming. What to do?
"You sent for me my empress?" a gentle voice pulled Rita from her thoughts.
"Ah Finster. I have always valued your counsel."
"High praise my Empress. How may I serve you?"
Rita took note of how messy Finster was, covered in bits of magic clay and mud. "Tell me, while I was gone. What has been happening?"
Finster told everything he was aware of, leaving out any speculation he thought. He preferred to deal in facts, not feelings.
Rita pondered for a long moment before speaking. "Finster, make me a potion. Zedd, will be angry, I need something to keep him cool long enough for me to explain."
Finster bowed. "Right away my empress."
Rita watched him go. Yes, if she could just explain, perhaps things would still work out for them. And the army of monsters Finster had been making would come in handy.
Rita stood and crossed to her telescope. She couldn't see anything but she could feel Tommy was close. "Time to come home Tommy." She said to the stars.
********************** Falcon Zord****************************
"Looks like you were right Kat. This is a docking hanger." Tommy said.
Katherine tried not to blush at the praise.
"Problem is how do we open it?" Aisha asked. It wouldn't do them any good if they couldn't get in. They had made it to the far side of the moon. Almost opposite the castle. This area was clearly disused, possibly forgotten about.
"And even if we get in. That's going to be one heck of a walk." Rocky added.
Ninjor walked around the area. " A long time ago. Long before there were humans. Before Rita Replusa ever came, the moon castle was home to a gentle and kind race of beings. I was just a young ninja then but I remember... oh there was something they always said. Some kind of motto for good."
"What's that got to do with anything?" Rocky asked.
Ninjor shook his head. "See the markings there on the side of the hanger doors?" The humans looked, yes there were images, like dancing lines and circles. "It's a puzzle." Ninjor continued. "Now if only I can remember the right answer."
"Keep trying Ninjor." Tommy said.
"We believe in you." Katherine offered.
"I will think of it. I Ninjor the great, never forget anything... still..." He went back to pacing.
Now they could do nothing but wait.
***********************Billy, Kim, Adam and Justin's room******************
"Adam stop!" Kimberly said.
Adam shook his head. "I can't. I've been trying." He did another back flip.
"I order you to stop!" Kimberly said in the most commanding voice she could muster but still Adam danced. "I don't understand. I thought the collar made you obeyed me."
Adam gasped, starting to sweat. "Can't... stop..." he started kicking his legs like a can-can dancer.
Kimberly had panic on her face. "I don't know what to do." She looked at Adam. Then to Bulk and Skull who had joined her on the bed.
"Adam?" Justin called peeking from behind the paper division. Kimberly beckoned for Justin to join them on her bed.
"He can't stop. Its a spell and I, like, have no idea what to do." Kimberly replied, twirling a bit of hair. An old habit she had not done in years. A sign showing just how upset she was. If only Billy was here. He would know what to do.
"I'm...okay..." Adam said, but it wasn't, he was getting tired. He hadn't slept yet and after sparing with Kim, then Justin and now dancing. He was running out of energy fast. Adam did another back flip, almost slipping on the landing.
Bulk was pacing the bed in thought. "Kim try smiling."
She must have misheard him. "What?"
"Zedd said for him to make you smile. Try smiling, it might break the spell."
Kim gave an awkward sort of smile but Adam still danced, now doing the macarena. Bulk rolled his wooden eyes. "That's not a real smile."
"Well it's the best I can do right now." Kim argued back.
Bulk flicked his gaze to Skull who was on the other side of Kim. They knew a way to make her smile. He was happy when his skinny wooden counter part nodded in understanding.
"Sorry Kim." Skull said.
She didn't get a chance to ask him for what, as his little wooden hands dug into her side. She tried to move away on instinct but Bulk was waiting, instantly tickling her other side as well. Kimberly burst into a fit of giggles. At her first smile Adam collapsed to the floor, panting heavily. No longer being forced to dance.
"You okay Adam?" Justin asked.
"Yeah I'm okay." He got to his feet and looked at Kimberly who was still giggling on the bed while trying to swat Bulk and Skull away.
Adam smirked, as he moved to loom over Kimberly. "Well Zedd did command me to make you smile."
"Adam!" Kimberly shouted as he quickly pinned her arms over her head with one hand. His other hand just inches from her arm pit.
He grinned. "Better make sure the spells broken. Right guys?"
"Help!" Kimberly shouted before dissolving into laughter once more.
From down the hallway Billy heard her cry for assistance. He raced to the door, practically kicking it open.
Everyone looked up at Billy's sudden and loud entrance. Adam frowned. Billy's eyes were like stone and Adam had never sensed waves of darkness like this before.