Pawns
Chapter Seven: Complications
It does make sense… in a sick kind of way. Jason and Kim have always been very close. I always thought they were more like brother and sister, but hey, in her letter Kim said she loved me like a brother.
Tommy shuddered at the thought.
It also explains why Kim didn't mention Jason's name in the letter… why she never even hinted we should go our separate ways before she sent it. Why Jason disappeared during the Pan Globals, and never even told us he was planning a trip to Florida.
He bit his lip, shaking his head to quiet the voice.
But, how could they do this to me? Kim loved me… I know she did! And Jason was my brother! He knew how much Kim meant to me! I just… can't believe it…
It was too horrible to be true. His best friend, and the woman he still loved… together.
I'm overreacting, he rationalized. There was nothing in that hug that necessarily points to a romantic relationship. A hug, kiss on the forehead, and flowers. It's not like they were… making out or something.
But why couldn't he shed the image from his mind?
I need to talk to Jason, he decided, before-
-and a jab in the face knocked him clear off his feet.
"Whoa, Tommy… I'm sorry!"
Once he'd regained his footing, Tommy offered Adam a forgiving grin. "Hey, it's my fault. I'm the one spacing out in the ring."
Rocky joined them from the side. "That's not like you, Tommy. We only have two days before the tournament; we've got to be in tip-top shape!"
Tommy rubbed his jaw as he backed out of the ring. "I think I need to take five." And get my head together…
The Blue Zeo Ranger then smirked fiercely. "Adam, help me work on my spinning heel kick?"
His best friend met his eyes, and hesitated. "Maybe you should give it a rest, man."
"Oh no… I'm not leaving this ring until I've mastered it." He then backed away, tightening the black belt around his waist.
Adam turned to Tommy, hoping for some support. However, their leader was obviously distracted.
"Okay, let's do it."
Adam pulled on the padded glove, and balanced himself carefully.
Rocky came running from across the ring, his face set in a deep frown. Once he came close, he thrust one leg around, spinning full circle with his foot aiming high.
Only he missed his mark… again.
"Come on!" he growled, punching the padded floor.
"Rocky, you're trying too hard," Adam commented, bending to offer Rocky a hand.
Rocky pulled himself to his feet, bouncing from toe to toe to regain his equilibrium. "Or maybe I'm not trying hard enough."
Adam noticed the glint in Rocky's eyes, and backed dangerously near the edge of the ring to make enough space.
Rocky immediately launched into a ferocious kick, sheer momentum catapulting him over the edge of the ring.
Adam's jaw dropped as his best friend cleared the protective ropes. "Rocky!"
The Blue Ranger struck the unyielding concrete, his back absorbing the impact.
oooOOOooo
Jason watched as Kimberly slowly zipped up her black rubber wetsuit. Her face was pensive as she stared out at the bobbing ocean, the early morning sun streaking the waves gold.
"Penny for your thoughts?"
She didn't turn. "Don't waste your money."
Jason frowned. "Uh uh, Kim... no clamming up now. I thought we already established I'm here for you."
She rubbed her forehead. "I… just can't believe I'm doing this."
"Kim, I don't think one little swim will split your ends. Just wash with a hydrating shampoo, and you'll be good as new."
She looked up at him, blinking in surprise. She noticed his teasing grin, and rolled her eyes. "Ha ha," she groaned.
He answered with a laugh. "Just trying to get you back in the habit."
She was puzzled. "What habit?"
"Smiling."
She offered a half-smile.
"We're getting there," he conceded. He then inched closer, watching her face carefully. "Regrets?"
"No. It's too soon to regret coming back. I'm just… disappointed."
Jason bit his lip, waiting silently for her to elaborate.
She held her breath for a moment, and then released her burden. "I'm disappointed in myself."
He frowned at her admission. "Kim, you've succeeded in everything you've put your heart to. I can understand you being disappointed in Tommy, and even the other Rangers… but why yourself?"
She stared back to the water. "I'm disappointed that I let all this get to me. That I still feel it... I'm not over this yet."
Jason tossed her a pair of goggles. "Let's go. Clear our heads a bit."
Kimberly nodded, pulling the goggles over her frown. They strapped on their oxygen tanks, and rolled into the bobbing water.
oooOOOooo
This is so incredible…!
She'd never gone scuba-diving at sunrise. At first, she'd wondered what Jason was thinking when he rented a boat at four-thirty in the morning. What was there to see in a dark ocean?
But as she watched the light break into the water in streaks, reflecting off tiny fish and bodies of coral, she understood.
After nearly a year of Coach Schmidt's brutal seven a.m. workouts, she'd gotten used to the sunrise. As a consequence of living on the west coast, before going to Florida she'd never seen the sun rise over the ocean. In Florida, she'd seen that unique miracle daily.
Yet, seeing the sunrise below the ocean… that was an experience.
She breathed steadily, letting her body just float. Under the ocean waves, gravity had no hold on her. She just hung weightless as the sun vitalized the ocean surrounding her.
She grinned softly. This is exactly what I needed; to escape from the real world. Jase, you're the best…
Her thoughts were interrupted by a large object that suddenly emerged from the distant depths. She blinked in surprise, heart catching as the shadow approached.
Panic deadened into confusion when the shadow reached a streak of sunlight.
It's... metal? It can't be a shark…
She didn't see the approaching fishnet until she was already entangled.
oooOOOooo
"Okay, whatever idiot got us confused with Chicken of the Sea has some major explaining to do!"
Jason watched Kim pace on the waterlogged floor. Slowly, he turned full circle, taking in the dark metal chamber in which they found themselves, once they regained consciousness.
"Kim, this isn't a fishing boat." He pointed to the dive computer strapped to his wrist. "We're still under water. Deep under water."
Kim's eyebrow rose. "Wait… I did see something weird in the water. It almost looked like a submarine."
Just then, a hatch pulled open. Jason instinctively inched closer to Kim, and the two former Power Rangers stood ready to face their kidnapper.
Both were visibly surprised when they saw a tall, leather-clad woman step through the hatch.
Her face, half hidden by a gold mask, wrinkled the moment her thigh-high black heels touched the floor.
"Elgar!" she hissed, "You couldn't flush the bilge? These are designer boots!"
A white-faced mutant cringed at the rebuke before scurrying away. "Piranhatrons! Flush the bilge!" he hollered.
Kim and Jason heard a flushing sound, and suddenly, the ankle-deep water began to drain.
The woman's scarlet lips stretched in a satisfied smile. "Much better," she noted as she approached the two teens.
The woman smirked disdainfully at their fighting stances. "Cute. Very cute." She then called over her shoulder, "Piranhatrons!"
Four bronze-plated creatures with fish-shaped heads leapt into the chamber, each grabbing the arm of one of the prisoners.
Years of battle ingrained into his mind, Jason responded to the threat with immediate action. He planted his feet in order to wrench his right arm free, and greeted the opposite Piranhatron with a fist in his face.
Surprisingly, the woman reacted with a deep, mocking laugh. "You've got spirit, Human!"
Kim watched in fascination as Jason pounded the two Piranhatrons that tried in vain to keep their hold. Then she noticed the two creatures holding her were also paying Jason their full attention.
Leveraging their grip, she thrust her legs out, kicking both Piranhatrons simultaneously. Months of training lent her body added strength and agility, allowing her kicks to stun both attackers.
Falling back to her feet, a subsequent roundhouse sent the Piranhatrons reeling.
She turned to Jason, who threw her a grin. The lifelong friends inched closer together, muscles tensed and senses fully alert for the next confrontation.
Finally, Jason leveled his hard stare on the leather-clad woman. "Who are you? What do you want with us?"
The woman's gaze shifted from the two unusually powerful humans, to the four Piranhatrons that struggled to regain their footing after the brutal pummeling they'd experienced.
A terrifying glint lit her eye. "I am Divatox, the Pirate Queen. And you… you aren't your run-of-the-mill humans, are you?"
Neither Jason nor Kimberly said a word.
Divatox's smirk only stretched wider. "Yes… I can feel that tingle. The tingle of great power, only faded. So tell me, where do humans get such power from?"
The Pirate Queen frowned at their stubborn silence. "Want to play games?" she growled, balling her fists. "Fine, we'll play."
She marched passed them, and threw open a porthole. "Hey! You in there!"
Kim heard rustling in what appeared to be a neighboring cell. Then, two faces appeared at the opening.
"Ohmigosh…" she breathed.
Bulk and Skull.
The two punks-turned-police stared blankly into space. Their hair was oddly gray, and their skin was eerily pale.
What had that maniac done to them?
Divatox smirked at the horror on their faces. "Don't worry… they're a little confused, but they're unharmed. For now."
She then began circling the chamber, keeping her cold scrutiny on her captives. "See, Kiddies… I only need two pure hearts to sacrifice to Maligore, my husband-to-be. That pure energy will awaken him from his eternal slumber, and together we can wreak havoc across the galaxy!"
She planted her hands on her hips. "My idiot nephew found these two first. Some minor scanning has proven they're not pure enough to feed my fiancée. That means they're completely expendable."
She shouted over her shoulder. "Rygog! Seal off that chamber and flood it. No use keeping those useless humans around!"
Kim and Jason traded urgent glances.
Finally, Jason released a long, weary sigh. "All right, Divatox. We'll cooperate."
oooOOOooo
The Power Chamber was silent. Tanya and Adam worked the communications console, searching for any clue as to what brought Lerigot of Liaria across light-years to seek refuge on Earth. Until the diminutive wizard regained consciousness, the Power Rangers had no idea what they were up against.
Katherine helped Alpha monitor Lerigot's recovery. The harsh heat of the African sun had taken its toll upon the alien, and despite the timely appearance of the Pink and Red Rangers, Lerigot had expended far too much of his strength.
As his team kept busy, Tommy stood in contemplative silence in the back corner of the chamber. This is real bad timing, he realized. Rocky's in no shape to help, and from the looks of it, we have a real problem on our hands. Only a really formidable villain could have chased Lerigot halfway across the galaxy.
The leader of the Power Rangers folded his arms. We need a Blue Ranger, and fast. The Zeo Rangers must be prepared for whatever has followed him to Earth. We've got to be at full strength if we're going to stand a chance. And there's only one person we can approach at the last minute.
He sighed deeply. "I'm going to contact Jason."
Everyone looked up from their respective tasks. "What was that?" Tanya wondered.
"We need a Blue Ranger to stand in for Rocky," Tommy explained. "Given the short notice, Jason's our best bet."
Zordon nodded. "A WISE DECISION, TOMMY. HOPEFULLY, HE WILL BE ABLE TO ACCEPT THE BLUE ZEO POWER DESPITE THE TRAUMA HE SUFFERED DUE TO THE GOLD RANGER POWERS."
Tommy nodded slowly, anxiety written all over his face.
Katherine touched his shoulder. "Don't worry. I'm sure Zordon and Alpha will run every test possible to make sure Jason can use the Blue Zeonizer without complications."
Tommy offered a small smile at Kat's support… though his concerns were focused in an entirely different direction. The others didn't know about the awful suspicions that knotted the Red Ranger's stomach.
I don't think I can trust him! Tommy realized in dismay. I wanted to talk to him about it; get his side of it. But it'll have to wait until this crisis is over.
It was sickening, yet undeniably true. Despite three years of friendship, despite the dozens of times they'd risked their lives for one another… Tommy knew he couldn't bring himself to rely on Jason. He wouldn't be able to look his best friend in the eye.
Nothing's been proven, Tommy reminded himself, in a last-ditch effort to listen to reason. Until we talk about what's really going on between him and Kim, I can afford to give Jason the benefit of the doubt. After all he's done for me… how he trusted me after I nearly killed him as Rita's Green Ranger, the least I can do is offer him that same chance.
After silently wrestling with his dilemma long enough, Tommy released a deep sigh. Slowly, he walked to the communications relay.
"I hope Jason has his communicator on," he mused, activating the system.
Before the signal even went through, the Rangers all jumped at the sudden wail tearing from Lerigot's throat.
"What's happening to him?" Katherine demanded.
"He is receiving a telepathic transmission that is obviously upsetting him greatly," Alpha explained, nimble fingers flying over the controls. "Zordon, what should we do?"
"PERHAPS IF WE CAN SEE WHAT IT IS HE'S RECEIVING, WE CAN HELP HIM," Zordon surmised. "ALPHA, ATTACH THE CRANIAL TRANSMISSION SCANNER, AND CONNECT IT TO THE VIEWING GLOBE."
Alpha immediately followed Zordon's instructions. Moments later, a hazy image began to form on the Viewing Globe.
The Power Rangers were stunned to see and image of a masked woman, gazing into a mirror compact.
"Zordon," she greeted, casually refreshing her lipstick, I know you can hear me, so listen well. Lerigot must surrender. Say hello to Lerigot's family; Yara, the loving wife and caring mother to little baby Bitel."
The image pulled away, revealing a cage behind Divatox, with two Liarians trapped inside. A Piranhatron stood behind them, holding a mechanical cap over Yara's head.
"Don't you just want to pinch those adorable cheeks?" Divatox sneered.
"Stop!" Kat pleaded, turning back to Lerigot, who was groaning pathetically, "Look what it's doing to him!"
"Kat, she can't hear you," Adam commented, "The transmission is only one-way."
"Bring him to me," the Pirate Queen demanded. "And as a token of my appreciation, I'll spare a couple of your favorite humans."
The Rangers stood waiting as the image in the globe shifted to a dark, wet cell, with two shadowed figures standing near the wall.
"They're not much to look at," Divatox's voice drawled off-screen, "But rumor has it they used to be some of your... oh, what do you call yourselves? Power Rangers."
The view focused on the smaller of the two. Dark brown hair, dripping with seawater, clung to her back as she dragged her fingers along the far wall.
Finally, she turned around.
Tommy's breath caught. He didn't hear his teammates gasp as they recognized the prisoner. He didn't feel Katherine enclose his hand with hers, clutching him tightly. He didn't even hear his own voice as he breathed her name.
"Kimberly."
How did Divatox even find her? She hadn't been a Power Ranger in nearly year! And why would Divatox even bother going to Florida… thousands of miles from Lerigot's location?
His attention refocused when the view suddenly shifted, zooming in on the other prisoner. It was a tall man, his athletic build discernible in the rubber wetsuit-
"No…" Tommy breathed. His stomach clenched as a dozen emotions whirled in his mind.
Horror, that his friends were in peril. Disbelief, that they could've been dragged into the conflict. Panic, that Divatox truly had the upper hand.
But just under the surface lay the sting of betrayal, as pieces began sliding into place all at once.
"Jason," he croaked.
Jason and Kimberly. Together.
To Be Continued…