Author's Note: As you probably noticed, this story has now dipped into "Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie." However, I'm not recounting the entire thing. I'll be skipping the vast majority of the movie, jumping the parts that matter to "Pawns," while throwing in broad summaries to keep you with me.
Pawns
Chapter Eight: Prelude to the Storm
Katherine climbed the ramp leading to the deck of the Ghost Gallion. She shivered as the freezing night air stung her arms and legs, yet she chose not to take refuge below deck.
She needed the cold. She needed the silence. She needed the darkness.
She needed to think.
Once Lerigot landed on Earth, the Rangers were swept into a whirlwind of events. Divatox had demanded Lerigot's surrender to preserve the lives of his family, as well as Kimberly and Jason. Of course, it was impossible to convince the stricken wizard of Divatox's trickery, for under no circumstance would he leave his wife and infant daughter in the hands of evil. So the Rangers escorted him to the beach at sunset, as was arranged.
Not surprisingly, Divatox wasn't about to give up her advantage. Her men dumped two bodies into the ocean, distracting the Rangers long enough for other soldiers to capture Lerigot. Only after the Rangers discovered the bodies were mere mannequins did they realize Lerigot was missing.
Divatox was yet another step ahead of them.
Now, Divatox had Lerigot's magical Key… the means to open the path to the mythical Island of Muiranthias. And that meant the Rangers had to prepare for the possibility that Maligore would be brought to life.
Zordon, in his characteristic wisdom, discerned that new Powers had to be developed… powers designed to handle the mutant army of Divatox, as well as the brutal strength of Maligore. The new foe was vastly different from either Zedd's empire or the Machines. Rather than creatures of magic or advanced technology, the monsters were simply supremely strong aliens from a variety of systems. A team of Rangers with enhanced speed and strength, rather than extensive magical defenses or machine-disruptive capabilities, were needed.
The Turbo Rangers were born.
Yet that wasn't the end to the surprises Zordon had in store. Clearly, Jason wouldn't be able to fill in for Rocky, as was previously determined. And with all the other retired Power Rangers inaccessible, the only option was to recruit someone new.
Given the limited amount of time, Zordon wasn't able to conduct an extensive search, which he utilized when he first approached the original five Rangers. Also, the Rangers didn't have any civilian allies who'd already proven their valor, as was the case when Jason, Zack, Trini, and Kimberly had taken their leave.
The only option was to abide by Rocky's own instincts. And Rocky had deemed twelve-year-old Justin Stewart his successor.
True, he was a surprisingly intelligent and mature boy. The loss of his mother had aged him quickly, and his reclusive nature led him to spend his free time reading and studying. In addition, he dabbled in the martial arts, usually under Rocky's own eye.
Rocky had a great deal of faith in young Justin, and he genuinely felt him able to carry on as the Blue Ranger.
So now, the Power Rangers were in hot pursuit of Divatox's submarine. Traveling through the cold night in the magical Ghost Gallion, come morning they would reach Muiranthias. And face a challenge like no other.
Katherine shivered anew at the thought. Never in her months as Pink Ranger did she have to face such a situation. The Rangers had to race to save their friends from certain death. They didn't even get the chance to adjust to their new powers.
New powers. New Blue Ranger. And their foe was a legendary evil so terrible, the heroes of old couldn't muster the strength to destroy him.
And just to make matters worse, their leader was so distraught he could barely think straight.
Kat acknowledged that at least a small part of her stroll above deck was to check on the Red Ranger. He'd been hopelessly aloof throughout the entire ordeal as he struggled with an inner conflict his friends could only guess about.
Granted, two people he cared for were in dire peril. Yet, he was the veteran on the team; hadn't he faced very similar situations before? Why couldn't he keep his head?
oooOOOooo
Kimberly… his first love.
The girl that charmed him at their first encounter, with her genuine smile and endearing eyes. The girl that stole his attention with her beauty and grace… but stole his heart with her undying compassion, fierce loyalty, and endless optimism. The girl who stood by him through the extraordinary: power losses, evil spells, and painful trials of leadership. Who stood by him through the mundane: constant forgetfulness, often crippling lack of self-esteem… just trying to find himself, as every teenager must.
The girl that broke his heart.
Tommy's shoulders hunched just a little more. He'd never thought her capable of even disappointing him… much less writing the hurtful letter that shook him to the core. And for mixed reasons, he'd never confronted her about it.
He didn't want to hear about her new, wonderful boyfriend. He didn't need to meet the man Kimberly preferred, the man whose qualities would make Tommy feel inferior.
Funny how that man turned out to be the very same man Tommy had always measured himself against, since they met on the karate mat.
Jason… his best friend.
The young man that harbored no animosity toward the new kid in town that tied him in a martial arts competition. The young man that welcomed him into the Rangers, after nearly tasting the Sword of Darkness first hand. The young man that willingly faced Goldar in the Dark Dimension, risking his very life, just to spare the Green Candle. The young man that surrendered leadership of the Power Rangers, with no anger.
They were the two people he considered truly inspirational. Exemplary. Infallible.
How could they lie to me like this?
"Tommy?"
He didn't need to turn around to see who it was. "Yes, Kat?"
The Pink Ranger hesitated, her hand hovering inches from his arm. She wanted to offer him comfort, only… how could she comfort him through this?
Instead, she drew her hand back, rubbing the goose bumps on her own skin. Why wasn't he looking at her? "Um… Justin, Tanya, and Adam are resting below," she reported. "It's a good idea, considering the day we have ahead of us."
"Right."
The pretty Australian frowned at his dismissive response. Quietly gathering the courage, she reached out again, weaving her arm through his as he leaned over the edge. "Talk to me, Tommy."
He looked away from the black waters, and crossed the earnest gaze of his teammate. His friend. His girlfriend.
He couldn't do it. He couldn't describe the flood of conflicting feelings; the storm of fury and hurt and confusion and loss… the sharp-edged contraries that wouldn't stay silent.
And despite the fact that she deserved to know, he couldn't bring himself to admit that his feelings for her predecessor were as yet unresolved.
He inhaled deeply, carefully preparing his words. "Kat… I really can't."
He didn't miss the flash of hurt in those deep blue eyes.
"It's not you," he was quick to add, "It's me. I've got to work through this, prepare myself for whatever we'll face on Muiranthias." He mustered a ghost of a smile. "Once this is all over, then we can talk about it. I promise."
She didn't say anything for a long time. Silence hung between the young couple, as heavy as the fog the Ghost Gallion sailed through.
Finally, she spoke. "I can respect that."
The implication was clear: she could respect his decision, but she couldn't understand it.
Then, she tightened her grip on his arm. "We'll save them."
With that parting assurance, Katherine left.
Tommy nodded slowly, listening to her soft footfalls grow distant. "Yes… we will."
They would save Kimberly and Jason. And once the nightmare ended, he would no longer run from the truth. They would work out the twisted drama between them, and move on with their lives.
Failure wasn't an option.
oooOOOooo
The tropical sun quickly dried the water beaded on her skin, leaving only the dry itch of salt and sand.
Kimberly drifted awake, dragging a sharp breath into pained lungs.
Aaa… to breathe again!
That breath helped startle her to full wakefulness, lending her the strength to pick her head from the surf.
It all came back to her in a whirl: Divatox's wicked scheme to sacrifice her and Jason to some demon named Maligore, Jason's plan to pry open the hatch and swim to shore, freeing Bulk and Skull just when the bilge began flooding with water…
…getting stuck on a nail, struggling to free herself as her lungs burned for oxygen.
Somehow, she'd managed to wrench herself free, swim to the surface, and find the island, all in one breath. How was that possible?
A memory fell into place, and she jumped to her feet with sudden adrenaline. "Jason!"
She didn't see him escape.
She searched the blue-green waters in a panic, desperately seeking any sign of the friend that once again saved her life.
"No…"
It didn't take long for her burst of energy to fade, leaving her drained and miserable. Tears dripping down her cheeks, she fell back upon the white sand. She hugged her arms to her chest, fiercely determining that she couldn't just jump to conclusions.
In her distraction, she didn't even hear the sound of sand crunching underfoot. She didn't see the shadows that lurched over her.
She had no warning as suddenly, half a dozen men pounced on her.
Kimberly thrashed against them, but couldn't find the strength to fight after her exhausting swim. After a few moments, she succumbed, and they eagerly began tying her hands and feet with rope.
Bewildered, the gymnast stared at them.
They must be natives, she realized, taking in their wiry, tan bodies, sparse but colorful clothing, and painted faces. Well... it's better than getting caught by megalomaniacal alien.
Two men lifted her, and spilled her onto a wooden table. Wasting no time, one man lifted the pole extending from each corner, and the two others marched at the beginning and end of the procession.
And Kimberly immediately changed her mind.
All I need now is an apple in my mouth, and I'm ready to serve! She thought dismally.
After what must've been about half a mile of terrain, the group came to a clearing in the forest.
"Well, well, well… what do we have here?" came a mocking voice.
Kim's eyes widened. She strained her neck urgently, and watched Divatox saunter toward her, triumphantly holding the thin crystal that could only be the Key she needed.
Despite the gravity of her situation, Kim's eyes lit up when she saw Jason, cloaked in a black sheath, held in place by long twines of rope.
Alive… for the moment, at least.
The former leader of the Power Rangers met Kim's gaze with grim eyes.
"Perfect!" Divatox cried, lifting the key above her head, "Now, to woo my Maligore!"
Kimberly shut her eyes as the natives carried her into the dark cavern. Blistering heat poured in waves from the hellish chamber, stinging her skin in seconds.
After a long, narrow tunnel, red light flooded through Kim's eyelids, alerting her that they had arrived.
The natives lowered the wooden table, letting Kim stand on wobbly legs. Jason was herded toward her, his sacrificial cloak falling behind him as Piranhatrons played with his ropes.
Incredibly, the former Gold Ranger offered a wry grin. "It could be worse."
A column of unnatural fire leapt from the stone pit, shaking the very ground with its force.
"Right," Kim sighed. "Sure it can."
"Kim, we're gonna be okay," he assured her, "When have the Rangers let us down?"
A sharp retort flew to Kim's tongue, but she bit it back. Now was certainly not the time to pick at old wounds.
"I love it," Divatox gasped, sauntering across the chamber, "Love it, love it, love it! The steaming skulls are perfect!"
The Pirate Queen giggled in delight as approached the pit of fire. She then glanced over her shoulder, where her mutants had gathered around Lerigot and his family.
"Now its time to feed my future husband!" she announced. "Prepare the humans first!"
"You heard Auntie D!" growled Elgar, poking Jason with his dull sword. Jason fell closer to Kimberly, gnashing his teeth as a group of Piranhatrons circled them, wrapping the pair together with heavy chains.
Once they were securely bound, Elgar led them towards the pit.
Kimberly and Jason were lifted nearly to the ceiling, only to make their plummet all the more dramatic. As they hung above the unearthly lava, the natives began a ritual chant.
"We'll be fine," Jason repeated, his voice carrying over the roaring waves.
Kimberly swallowed a horrified gasp as she watched the glowing fire roil below. Trembling, she forced her attention toward the tunnel, stubbornly clinging to the hope that Jason's faith in Tommy was well-founded.
He always came to my rescue, she remembered, even before we began dating. Even before I knew his name, he stopped Bulk and Skull from harassing me.
Despite her more recent disappointments, Kimberly found a surprising amount of confidence in that memory. Tommy Oliver may not have been a faithful boyfriend, but he was born to be a hero.
"Maligore, the Flame of Destruction," the Pirate Queen invoked, "it is I, Divatox, your one and only true soul-mate. This moment is long in coming, and now, I bring you two perfect specimens to seal our matrimonial pact!"
She smirked as Kimberly and Jason began to struggle against their chains. "Come forth, and feed upon their purity! Join forces with me!"
The crowd of villains gave a cheer as a Piranhatron began to lower Kim and Jason into the pit of lava.
Kim screamed as the fire drew closer.
oooOOOooo
The terrified scream echoed in his ears, and immediately all the confusion and misery that clouded his mind faded, dissipating into pure instinct.
Just like in the days of White and Pink, whenever danger singled her out, his entire world narrowed into one thought: save her!
"Kim! I'm coming!"
Tommy's feet moved faster than he could've imagined. The other Turbo Rangers were hard-pressed to keep up as they braved the dark, humid tunnel, bracing themselves for whatever was in store.
He skidded to a halt just within the sanctuary of Maligore, where dozens of natives danced in jubilation as Kimberly and Jason inched ever closer to a pit of boiling lava.
"No!" he roared, breaking into a fresh run.
"Stop him!" Divatox screeched, her voice easily as shrill as Rita Repulsa's at her very worst.
Kimberly's entire body fell numb. She couldn't move. She could hardly breathe. All she could do was watch as the Red Ranger tore a path through a sea of monsters and natives, delving into a frenzied strength she'd never seen a man possess.
She knew it was Tommy under that helmet. The fear in his voice filled her with hope as he hacked through mutants and Piranhatrons alike.
"Told you," Jason murmured. "The Rangers would never let us down."
Kim continued to stare, her vision blurred by standing tears. She'd heard him call her name… heard the raw emotion in his cry. Maybe he does still care after all. M…maybe there's something left we can salvage…
Her thoughts were interrupted by Divatox's mocking laugh. "Ha! You think you can save them?" Her face cast into a blood-chilling smirk. "Piranhatron! Drop them!"
The servant tending the lever obeyed, and jerked his hands away. Suddenly, there was nothing hindering their combined body weight from dropping them straight into the pit.
"Kim!" Tommy cried, lunging toward the pit. However, a wall of Piranhatrons tackled him, keeping him away.
"Into the fire!" cheered Rygog, as Kim and Jason plunged further down.
Kimberly felt sudden vertigo as her body succumbed to free fall. Mindless panic setting in, she drew her feet closer to her body in an absurd attempt to buy a moment more of life.
Her heart lodged in her throat, she choked out one word. "Tommy…"
The Red Ranger released a wordless scream as they dropped into the stone well.
"No, no, NO!" Tommy roared, his voice jagged. He would have leapt into the pit after them, if it weren't for the endless mutants blocking his way. Helpless to do anything else, he watched the fire swallow the two people he loved the most.
The leader of the Power Rangers sank to his knees, clutching handfuls of sand that sifted between his fingers. No no no no… this can't be happening! I won't believe it they're not gone they're not…oh God please help me this must be a dream it can't be real it can't
The rest of the team slowly migrated to their leader's side, watching numbly as plumes of flames leapt from the pit.
Divatox wicked laughter set their nerves on edge. "Maybe if you're quiet enough, you can hear your friends shriek as my hubbie devours them alive!"
oooOOOooo
She felt the fire licking her flesh, but it didn't blister her skin, or even singe her clothes. Instead, it pressed deeper, saturating her body, invading her every pore and igniting her entire being from within.
First to burn away were the tears that slid down her cheeks. They evaporated completely, leaving no sign of their existence. Then, the fire bit deeper, somehow burning away all the tears she had left. Burning away her ability to weep.
Then, her panic turned to ash. Instead, she felt a slow numbing of senses.
Fascinated, she searched further into her being, feeling out the changes.
The panic was gone. The fear was gone. The insecurities were gone.
The river of contradicting emotions, the thick frustration and persistent love that she'd been drowning in for months, was utterly gone.
Mesmerized, she took a moment to enjoy the perfect peace of feeling absolutely nothing at all.
Only, it didn't last. All too soon, a new sensation flooded her, as the dry riverbed of her heart was filled with something fierce.
She shrieked anew, muscles tensing as the very Flame of Destruction itself, the essence of the dread Maligore, spread through her veins, blackening her heart like a candle wick that served its purpose.
And as she felt her core of humanity die, only one reaction occurred to her.
She opened her mouth, deeply inhaling the liquid fire surrounding her… and laughed.
To Be Continued…