Lord Drakkon
Betrayal is part of being the bad guy. I learned that pretty early on after I rejoined Rita's forces. Since I had left to work with the Rangers but had chosen to return, she wanted to make sure that I had obedience beaten into me. For weeks, she had Goldar and other monsters go at me without my powers until I was a broken heap on the floor. Then, she would help heal my wounds and tell me that I should be thanking her for her assistance. At the time, it was something I hated but I knew that it was helping me become a stronger warrior. Soon, I was able to use my own strength to go against any opponent she through at me which is what taught me how to take charge of any situation. But a moment of weakness where I had sought out my parents one night caused her to kill them, cutting all ties I had with my former life. It had hurt at the moment but looking back, I understand why she had done so.
Knowing that my most trusted friend in my forces had possibly gone behind my back to betray me left a hard feeling in my chest. It was almost as if there had been a lead balloon placed in there where my heart once was. Finster had been my friend before any of this, talking with me when I was under the spell and once I was free. He's guided me on so much since I've become Lord Drakkon and has provided me with enough insight that allowed me to be the ruler I was today. He was more than just one of my men. He was the only thing in this whole world I would consider family, especially after losing the Ranger Slayer to the other side. I couldn't bring myself to believe that he would be capable of doing something like this.
"You know he has," a voice hissed inside of my skull. It resembled that of Lord Zedd, his tone coming as sharp and cold. "The overgrown monkey told you so. Rat boy has stabbed you in the back. It's time to repay him the favor."
"No," I said, shaking my head. "He could be wrong."
"Oh? How many giant rats do you have running around here then?" Shaking my head, I turned my attention back to the door in front of me. I could hear Finster on the other side of it, moving around his room while he spoke to himself. Raising my hand, I knocked on the door gently. His talking stop as he shuffled his way towards the door. It opened, revealing him on the other side.
"Lord Drakkon! What a surprise. Please do come in. I'm just making a spot of tea. Care to join me for some and a game of chess? It's been a while since we've played together." He offered, walking over to a burner that had a tea kettle on it. I stepped into the room, closing the door behind me.
"No, thank you. I've just come to ask your guidance on something, Finster. I'm sorry if this is a bad time." I spoke, glancing around the room. His projects and trinkets lined the wooden shelves here and there, books lining an entire shelf above his workbench. He had clay molds of old monsters he once created for Rita, putties as well, that were lined along the upper part of the shelf. All of his life's work was here, things he's worked hard on to assist those he had promised to serve. The brilliancy of his work is obvious in the work he's done.
"Nonsense, my lord. I always have time for your company. What is it that I can help you with today? My ears are large but they hear every single detail." He smiled at me and I felt that heaviness grow heavier. Silverback had to have been wrong. There is no way that Finster was possible of doing this to me. He had made a promise and an oath to serve under me in return for freeing him from Rita's control. He didn't have it in him to do the worst possible thing he could have done to me. I couldn't see it possible.
"I'm afraid that there might be someone on our forces that is leaking information to the other world. I can't be certain but I do think that we need to heighten our security. Especially when it comes to all the information that is shared." I spoke, leaning against the workbench next to me. Finster pulled the kettle from the flame and grabbed two teacups from the hooks above him. Setting them down, he poured hot water into the cups and added tea bags to them.
"War brings out the worst in some individuals, I dare say," Finster said, sighing. Shaking his head, he slid one of the cups to the side of the bench in front of me. "Those who were loyal to lord Zedd may be acting in his favor, my lord."
"I'm unsure of the source," I replied, taking the cup. I had turned him down but I didn't want him to think I was ungrateful. "I'll need more time to figure out who is capable of doing this but once I do, I will need to use them to teach another lesson it seems." Finster pulled himself up to sit on the stool across from me and sipped his tea, the warm liquid fogging his glasses slightly.
"It's a wise choice. Anyone who is willing to work against you deserves to have proper training instilled in them. It would be most useful for the rest of the men to see as well. When Lord Zedd was dealt with, many of your forces learned that there was no room for error and treason. It may take another refresher course to help this time." He gave a small smile, patting the table. "I know that you will serve them with the right amount of justice to prove your point, my lord."
Silverback had to be wrong.
"Thank you, Finster. I'm grateful that I have someone like you that I can speak to at times like this." I replied, smiling at him. Relief began to wash over me as I sipped the tea. As I brought the cup to my lips and took a sip though, I noticed that there was a large black cloak on Finster's bed. On the cloak, I saw what looked like white and brown colored dust. Almost like it had been around a construction site or somewhere with light-colored debris. There was caked on dried mud on the bottom and tears here as well. I also saw that there were a couple of books stacked on the small table next to his bed.
"Anything I can help, I am pleased to do so, my lord," Finster said, cheerfully. "Abigail is doing wonderfully. I was just with her before you came here. She's aging beautifully. I dare to say she could be ready in two days to fully accept all of her powers. She's a quick learner and has been picking up her magical abilities almost like second nature. As long as her powers are introduced to her slowly, she should be useful to you as the perfect weapon against the Rangers."
"I"m glad to hear that," I said, setting the cup down. I stood up, walking around the room. "Finster, I am very grateful for the amount of work you've done for me through the years. There isn't another living creature in either world that I would trust more than you. You've proven yourself time and time again, something that speaks wonders of your character."
"Thank you, sir." He said, shifting on his stool to face me. I stopped in front of him, putting my hands behind my back.
"You have such a brilliant mind and a clever way of solving problems. That's why I come to you with all of the issues I need help with. I have one more I need help with." I said. Turning, I bent down and picked up one of the books. I saw that it was titled The Giver and that there was a picture of an old man on the cover. "How is it that you've come into possession of an Angel Grove High School library book when the school here in our universe was destroyed before you ever set foot on this planet?" I held the book up, giving him an expectant look. I tossed the book onto the bench where it made a thud noise on landing. Unlike other people I've caught in lies, Finster did not look afraid. Fear didn't take over his features and he didn't start to grovel. Instead, Finster sipped his tea again and set it on the workbench.
"I've been meeting with the Ranger Slayer in the other world." He said calmly, almost like he was discussing the weather with me. "That is how I've come into possession of these books."
"So, you openly admit that you've been aiding my enemies," I said. I couldn't believe he had just admitted it to me so freely.
"My lord, there is no use in trying to hide what you already know. I will not insult your grace in that manner. However, if you would allow me, I would be honored to tell you the reasoning behind my actions." I glared at him.
"I've trusted you with some of the most important information about my forces. My plans. All the details when it comes to using Abby. You've handed all of that right to the people I plan to destroy with it. And you want me to listen to your reasons?" I hissed.
"They are not informed of Abigails's participation in your plans." He replied. "I haven't given them all the information I am aware of. They do not know she has powers nor that she and Lady Kimberly were even here during their imprisonment."
"He's lying," the voice hissed in the back of my skull. I shoved it away, staring down at Finster. He was still just as calm as he was when I walked into here as he gazed up at me over his nose.
"Explain," I said.
"Your grace, absorbing Lord Zedd's powers did damage to your body. Not only that but also your mind. Prior to this, I was uncertain if the Grid would be able to sustain your powers and keep you alive. I met with the Ranger Slayer in order to make a treaty between our worlds. I was merely seeking the most positive solution if something were to happen to cause our forces to fall to them. I did not go seeking to destroy you. I went looking for a solution to help you."
"To help me? By betraying me?" I whispered, hurt vibrating in the words. Finster slid off the stool.
"I was trying to save you, Lord Drakkon." He said. "The Rangers agreed to spare your life if you should fall to them. The Ranger Slayer gave me her word to protect you."
"Ye of little faith, Finster," I stated. "Did you not feel that I was capable of beating my enemies and being victorious?"
"No, Lord Drakkon. I have all the faith possible in you. But Lord Zedd's powers are starting to eat your mind. At night, I can hear you screaming in your sleep. They are not meant for human biology and it's beginning to take its toll on you."
"Screaming?" I asked, confused. "What are you saying?"
"While you're sleeping, the powers are eating everything it can to sustain itself. It's feeding of the very human life force you have to offer. That's why you are changing so much."
"I'm not changing," I said, shaking my head. "I'm growing stronger."
"Please, look at yourself." He grabbed a mirror from the table and held it up to me. I saw an image of a person looking back at me but it took me a moment to realize it was me. The veins that had crawled up my neck and face had spread. They were deeper purple and red now, my hair filled with silver streaks. I looked like some evil villain from a comic book, one who had been dunked into a tub of nuclear waste. "Please, Lord Drakkon. Allow the Rangers to help you. I am afraid of you sub coming to your powers to the point of no return."
Finster looked up at me with pleading eyes. I recognized that he genuinely thought that he was trying to help me. I had been right. He wasn't trying to betray me. He was merely trying to help me before it was too late in his eyes. As I gazed down at him, I thought about what Rita would have done to him during her ruling. I thought about my parents and what she had done to them. I thought about all of the lackeys she had that were gone now because of her actions. How Finster had been the truest of them all and the most loyal aid someone could ask for.
"I thank you for your kindness, Finster," I said, putting a hand on his shoulder. "I wish you had come with me about your concerns but I understand why you acted the way you did."
"I'm very sorry, my lord." He said, emotion thick in his voice. I held my arms open and he hugged me. His paws patted me on the back as I had to bend a little to fully allow him to embrace me. "I wish the best for you, Lord Drakkon."
"I know," I said, pulling back. I put my hands on his shoulders. "I'm honored to be able to call you my friend." Finster gave me a warm smile, tears welled in his eyes.
Quickly, I put a hand on either side of his head and jerked quickly, snapping his neck.
Finster's eyes were wide as his limp body sank to the floor. It landed with a soft thud, not moving once he was there. I looked down at him, the sting of tears in my own eyes. I knew he had done this out of the goodness of his heart. He had been a true friend to the end, with my best interest as he felt in mind. I couldn't have someone like this on my team, however. I needed to know that everyone behind me had the same goal in mind and that there was no space for weakness like this. Around me, things began to rattle. Looking up, I saw that the doorway that he had been using as access to Abby's pocket dimension was glowing yellow. The ground trembled as the air inside of the doorway seemed to fizzle with energy. There was a flash of yellow light and suddenly, Abby materialized in front of me.
"What's going on?" She asked, looking around the room. Like before, Abby had aged since I had seen her last. She was now clearly 15 or 16, long brown hair braided down her back and a purple dress on her body. She was the spitting image of her mother, one that made me want to grimace almost. When her eyes landed on Finster, she gasped and covered her mouth with her hands. "What happened to him?" She asked, tears filling her eyes.
"The Rangers came. They were trying to destroy us." I lied, stepping in front of her so she couldn't see him. "Finster was able to scare them off but they managed to kill him in the process."
"Oh my god." She whispered. I opened my arms and wrapped them around her in a warm hug. She cried as I rubbed her back. "I hate them." She cried into my chest. "I hate the Power Rangers."
"I know. It's time to start fighting back." I replied, holding her at arm's length. "Will you help me?" I questioned.
"How? I can't do anything." She whispered.
"That's not true. Your training has led to this very moment. And I can help you." Turning, I saw the music box that has been housing Abby's powers sitting on the highest shelf in the room. I grabbed it and walked back over to her. "With this, I am able to give you unlimited power to use. Together, we will destroy the Power Rangers and make them pay for everything they've done to you, Abby." She stared at the music box, a complex look on her face. She nodded, lifting her gaze to me.
"I'm in." She said. Smiling, I turned the key of the music box as Finster had shown me before. However, it didn't move. I tried again and it didn't do anything. I tried to pry the lid off but it didn't budge either. Raising my arm, I slammed the music box to the ground. It shattered, pieces of wood flying. A brilliantly bright ball of energy flew out of it as well, flying around the room with a loud whistling noise. It bounced off the walls for a second before soaring right into Abby's chest. Her entire body began to glow with white light, including her eyes. The raw power that was pulsating off of her was intense enough to make the hair on my neck stand up.
"She's perfect," the voice said, licking at my skull.
"It hurts." She said, pain coming over her features as she clutched her chest. "I don't know how to control it."
"Just mentally shut it off," I said, stepping toward her. She closed her eyes and the light dimmed. Only for a moment though before brightening back up again. It was too much for her to handle at once but it was too late now. I was unable to reseal her powers without Finster's magic. Reaching up, I put a finger on her forehead. Her eyes rolled back into her skull and she passed out. I grabbed her before she fell, holding her in my arms.
"Onn!" I called out. Thunderous footsteps came toward me and a moment later, Onn appeared in the doorway. "Gather Silverback and the boy from the kitchen maids. We are going to the other world."
"Yes, sir." He said as I gingerly handed him Abby.
"Tell Goldar to prepare their forces for battle."
"Yes, sir." He repeated. He bowed, heading out the door. I moved to follow until I saw that the book I had tossed on the table was now glowing with the same yellow light that the door had. Grabbing it, I went to open it but it did so on its own. The pages flipped open to two blank ones in the dead center of the book. These glowed and I noticed that there seemed to be a great deal of Finster's magic coming from the pages. I spotted a quill and some ink on the table and grabbed them. 'Something's happened,' I jotted on the page. To my surprise, it glowed and disappeared. A second later, there was another glow, and words scribbled across it. These were in the Ranger Slayer's handwriting now though.
'What happened?' she questioned. I smirked, shaking my head.
'Old Command Center. One hour,' I wrote back. Like before, it vanished and her message returned.
'I'll be there,' she replied. I closed the book, setting it back on the table.
So will I.