Pawns
Chapter Fifteen: Intentions
It just didn't feel real.
She felt the word fall from her lips, confidence in her tone despite the concern quietly twisting in the back of her mind. She heard her own voice, and blinked in surprise that she actually agreed to wed Lord Zedd; the most fear-inspiring villain she'd ever faced in her two-year Ranger career.
She kept her blistering gaze on the Emperor of Evil, trying with all her willpower to appear as nonchalant as he did. It's not a big deal, she tried to convince herself. He already said he doesn't love me. This will only be an alliance... one of those political marriages.
Only, if that were completely true, what was he getting out of it?
She held his gaze; assuming, of course, he was actually looking into her eyes through the ruby visor. It certainly felt like he was staring at her, making her damn uncomfortable with his indiscernible gaze.
Vaguely, the bride-to-be wondered how he was going to react. He didn't seem the type to lift her into his arms, gazing adoringly into her eyes while laughing as his anxiety slowly faded into pure joy...
She winced at the memory of that sunny day by the lake, and banished all thoughts of her former love from her mind. She tried not to remember all the daydreams she'd had of the moment she was finally propositioned. Of Tommy's ecstatic face as he slid a modest ring on her finger.
Suddenly, she was wrenched from her inner thoughts by something cold. Her eyes flying open, she stared at Zedd quizzically. She felt his silver fingertip trace the line of her face, starting beside her left eye and slowly creeping down her jaw.
Once his pseudo-caress reached her chin, he gently lifted her face to meet his gaze steadily. Faintly, Kim wondered at what point her head drooped.
"Excellent," he finally spoke, his voice low. "The galaxy will tremble at our union."
Then, as suddenly as it began, his touch pulled away. He regarded her a few moments longer, his hands falling to his sides. "There is much to prepare. If you will excuse me, my dear."
And with that, the Emperor of Evil swept past her, and out of his own private chamber.
Kimberly stood motionless, her eyes wide as her overwhelmed mind tried to grasp what had just happened to her.
She had been certain he felt nothing toward her. She had even taken a measure of comfort in the fact that theirs would be a marriage of convenience, and nothing more.
Still, there was definitely something behind the cold caress. His touch sent an odd tingle over her skin, making her insides flip. She had wanted to push him away... to make room between them... only to finally realize that, as her fiancée, he was within his rights to touch her.
"Oh God," she murmured, "He... he wants me!"
She'd caught the note of desire roughening the Emperor's voice. She'd sensed the contemplation behind the caress.
No, he didn't love her. He couldn't, really. But that didn't mean he didn't feel; and what he felt left his future wife positively mortified.
oooOOOooo
It was half-passed six when the steady silence of the bedroom was jarred by the grating alarm clock, but the young man wrapped within the knot of blanket and sheets was far from asleep.
Tommy freed himself from the tangle of hours spent tossing and turning, and managed to reach far enough to turn off the loud noise.
His shoulders slumped, the exhausted young man somehow found the strength to drag himself from the small comfort of his bed, and carefully stretched out on the plush carpeting, pulling every muscle loose.
Thankfully, he'd managed to make a near-miraculous recovery from the wounds he endured during the last firefight. The numerous cuts and bruises on his body were mostly superficial, and sealed cleanly after a few minutes under the warm blue light of Alpha's dermal regenerator. As for the most serious wounds- the fractured jaw, split cheek, and bruised kidney- he had to endure hours of more extensive treatment, as well as constant scanning to make sure there weren't any other less prominent injuries.
Frankly, he was lucky. During the confrontation, he was too emotionally driven to feel the full extent of his injuries. That, as well as the warm blanket of energy the Power afforded, made it possible for him to walk and talk after the spawn of evil unleashed her bitterest wrath. Even after he'd removed his helmet, the Power protected his skull enough to keep his jaw attached to his body.
His injuries were substantial, but nowhere near as critical as Justin's. The youngest of the Ranger suffered three broken ribs, fragments even nicking a lung, broken wrist, torn ligament in his right leg, and even a concussion. And that didn't include the blood loss he suffered at the cuts inflicted along his entire body.
Tommy scowled, increasing the speed of his push-ups as his mind once again listed his friend's wounds. If not for the Turbo Chamber's advanced regenerative technology, Justin would've been laid up for months. It had taken five hours of fastidious care before he regained consciousness again. He was still visiting the Chamber daily for further restorative treatment; Zordon had predicted two more days before the Blue Ranger could throw a proper punch or walk without a slight limp.
To put it bluntly, Kimberly tore a Power Ranger to shreds. True, Justin was the least-experienced of the team, both in the intricacies of the Power and in physical combat, but his strength and speed should have kept him one step ahead of the spellbound former Ranger.
Despite himself, a familiar shudder twitched the Red Ranger's skin. Kimberly was more than merely spellbound; if that was all, then the spell should've faded when Maligore had been destroyed. Instead, she'd emerged from her month-long retreat stronger than before. Before, in the volcano on Muiranthias, she was just barely a match for a Ranger. If they hadn't been so distracted by the sudden change in her personality, she probably wouldn't have been a match. But this time… she was utterly ferocious. Stronger, faster, and even sporting a new weapon that maximized the damage she could inflict.
How could she grow more powerful when the being that exerted its power over her was dead and gone? It just didn't make sense.
And nothing, save absolute insanity, could account for her leaving with Lord Zedd, of all people.
Tommy couldn't simply swallow his anger, and a grunt of frustration escaped as his elbows touched his knees in a sit-up. Out of nowhere, Lord Zedd had appeared, and whisked Kimberly away of her own free will… right when they were so close to saving her.
The leader of the Power Rangers blinked against the dry discomfort in his eyes. Why was it that every time he got close, she was just wrenched right away from him?
Tommy paused his workout, resting his forehead against his knees. The heartbreaking last-moment defeat in the power plant wasn't mere bad luck; no, the timing of Lord Zedd's appearance was more than merely suspicious. He had to have planned his grand entrance, bursting onto the scene in a bolt of lightning seconds before Kim was finally subdued. After months of inactivity, the Emperor of Evil had revived his war against the Power Rangers, and bizarrely decided to strike by kidnapping Kim.
The Red Ranger squeezed his eyes closed at the image of his former girlfriend nestled in the Emperor's arms almost… gently. Like he'd come to her rescue, like some twisted knight in shining armor.
Why the hell is he sticking his oar in now? Tommy wondered, a red haze blurring his vision. I thought he'd high-tailed it when the Machine Empire took over his castle.
That had been Zordon's hypothesis; the Emperor simply didn't have the raw power to take out the absurdly-efficient, potentially endless Machine forces. Even if he were backed by his full armies, now scattered throughout his expansive territory, Zedd would be hard-pressed to muster an effective counterattack against the Machines.
And what ever happened to the Machines, anyway?
A scowl hardening his features, Tommy abruptly rose from the floor. His muscles still tense, despite his workout, he snatched the first pair of shorts and shirt that caught his eye, and made his way to the bathroom.
There was no point in idly wondering why his world seemed to be crumbling to dust at his feet. If he wanted to help Kimberly, he needed to get back to the Turbo Chamber, and get back to work.
oooOOOooo
"…three Boston Creams, one Strawberry Frosted, and, um… two French Crullers."
The server nodded, sliding the final selections into the collapsible pink and white box. After taping the box shut, she placed it in a large plastic bag, arranging it beside the other smaller paper bags of assorted carbohydrates. Then, she slid the bag on the counter, beside the two trays of Styrofoam cups. "Anything else?"
"Nope, that does it."
"Then the total comes to… eighteen forty-two."
Tanya managed to dig out exact change, and grabbed the two trays of beverages. "Kat? Lend a hand?"
The Pink Ranger blinked, pulled from her own thoughts by her friend's request. "Sure. I'll get the food."
She lifted the plastic bag full of doughnuts and bagels, and followed Tanya through the crowded bakery.
The Yellow Ranger heaved a weary sigh, holding the outer door open with her foot long enough for Kat to pass through. "Well, not exactly the healthiest breakfast in the world, but sugar really helps me think when I'm stuck in a rut."
Kat responded with a wry grin. "All these pastries will get me stuck in these jeans permanently."
Tanya stopped walking, keeping her observant brown eyes on her best friend. To just about anyone else, Katherine's soft-spoken joke would've sounded completely normal. Yet Tanya had lived with the Pink Ranger… had been privy to the secret fears and dreams no one else even fathomed. She'd seen the reserved dancer through all her moods, and had developed a keen understanding of her behaviors. She knew when humor came naturally, and when it was forced.
Katherine was putting on a convincing show… but Tanya wasn't fooled.
Belatedly, Kat realized her companion was no longer beside her. She stopped halfway to the alley, and glanced behind her. "Tanya? Is something wrong?"
"Yeah," she responded pointedly, "but not with me."
A slender blonde eyebrow rose. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"Kat, do you want to… talk about it?"
The dancer opened her mouth to protest, but something in her friend's gimlet gaze stopped the lie right on her tongue. Instead, she sighed. "I'm just frustrated. It's been a rough few days."
A humorless smirk pulled Tanya's full lips. "That's the understatement of the century."
Katherine stayed silent, absently gnawing her thumbnail. Tanya blinked, watching the tension crease her friend's features so blatantly.
"Kat?"
The Pink Ranger kept her eyes to the ground, as if watching the grass grow between cracks in the sidewalk. "Tanya… you know I didn't mean to hurt Kim… right?"
"Of course you didn't!" her friend affirmed, suddenly vehement. "We all know you were trying to help Tommy. I admit I was a bit surprised, at first... but there wasn't really another option. If we tried to distract Kim, she might have just killed him. Someone needed to do something gutsy, something decisive. And you came through."
Finally, ocean-blue eyes rose, taking in Tanya's peeved expression. "I didn't really think about it," she murmured, "I just knew I had to do something. I'm not proud of it… but… then he started yelling at me, and… I had to defend myself…"
"Hold up," Tanya interrupted, her brow creasing, "Tommy didn't apologize yet?"
Kat solemnly shook her head. "He's been distracted-"
"Don't make excuses for him. He was way out of line back there!"
Tanya hadn't been in earshot when the anger erupted between the Pink and Red Rangers shortly after Kim's injury, but Adam had filled her in afterward. The words that were exchanged… the fury their leader exhibited… was outrageous.
The strain of months of anguish and uncertainty had taken their toll, and after months of bottling their insecurities, two kind-hearted people simply exploded.
Still, it's not like Tommy not to fess-up when he makes a mistake. Can't he see she took his attack personally?
Ever since Divatox had the nerve to place the Power Rangers' closest friends in mortal danger, a sullen cloud had hung over all the heroes' heads. Still, while Adam, Tanya, and Justin were sore from the loss, the pain endured by Kat and Tommy was far more intimate.
How can we expect to deal with Lord Zedd and an evil Kimberly if Kat and Tommy can't deal with each other? What is that old saying about a house divided…?
Tanya shook her head, releasing a huff. "Come on," he urged, nodding to the narrow alley beside the doughnut shop, "You know Tommy's already at the Turbo Chamber. I'll sit you two down..."
"No!" Kat protested, her eyes narrowing, "This is between me and Tommy. If I mean anything to him..."
The Pink Ranger bit her tongue, forcing herself to swallow the wave of anger that had broken through the surface. But her best friend didn't give her the chance to just drop the subject; the foundation of Katherine's pain had been exposed.
"That's it, then," Tanya realized, "That's what it all boils down to."
Katherine squeezed her eyes shut. "I know I'm being childish… but I have to know! He's always been a little bit absent-minded… and I could live with it, you know?… but ever since this whole nightmare with Kimberly started, he can barely look at me."
Miraculously, Tanya managed to balance the coffee cups in one arm, freeing one hand to cradle Kat's shoulder. "He's feeling guilty, Kat. You know better than the rest of us how he views his so-called 'failures.' Whenever anything goes wrong, he blames himself… and this time, something major went wrong."
But he's not just blaming himself. He's blaming me; I'm sure of it. If I had just kept my distance, Kim would have no reason to suspect him.
But there was no point in burdening her best friend with her innermost thoughts. Commiseration was the last thing she needed. What she needed was resolution; something only Tommy himself could offer.
Somehow, she found a smile. It wasn't heartfelt, but it was brave… and Tanya had to respect her wish to drop the subject. "Let's join the others," she said aloud, "Coffee's no good lukewarm."
The Yellow Ranger looked like she was going to push further, but decided against it… for the moment, at least.
oooOOOooo
"OW!!"
"Aye yi yi! I'm sorry!"
Justin jerked his hand away, his face pinched in an irritated scowl as he rubbed his nearly-healed wrist. "S'okay, Alpha. Sorry I yelled."
"It might take another treatment to soothe the ache," the robot analyzed, "and keep the swelling down."
"Yeah, yeah," the boy grumbled.
Adam glanced up from his calculations, and smiled sympathetically. "You'll be good as new this time tomorrow," he encouraged, "Hang in there."
"I wish I could get some practice in," Justin mourned, hopping anxiously off the medical cot, "Get the blood pumping, you know?"
The Green Ranger watched as his young friend began shadowboxing, careful to avoid aggravating his tender wrist or leg. Clearly, the youngest member was eager to burn off some nervous energy.
We could all use a distraction, he noted, fingers running through his lengthening curls. He cast a meaningful glance at Tommy, who stared at a monitor across the room with unblinking eyes, completely oblivious to his surroundings. Some more than others. "Alpha, ready to work on this shield with me?"
Alpha continued replacing delicate medical equipment in their proper storage locations, and waddled to the computer relay that formed Adam's workstation.
Moments later, columns of yellow and pink energy brightened the relative darkness of the Turbo Chamber. Adam, Alpha, and Justin turned to see the last two members materialize.
"The food train's here," Tanya announced, holding up the two trays of beverages, "This ought to sustain us for a few more hours."
"All right!" Justin squealed, rushing to Katherine. The blonde couldn't help an amused grin as the boy grabbed the box of doughnuts. "You guys got me Boston Creams, right?"
Tanya quickly made the rounds, depositing the requested beverages at each person's station. "So," she spoke, hovering over her boyfriend's shoulder, "what's the status?"
"Alpha and I are still trying to isolate the frequency of the shield covering the Lunar Palace," he explained. "Until we can penetrate the shield, we can't scan to see if Kim's even there."
Tanya glanced up at Zordon. "And when we get through the shield, what do we do? If Kim and Zedd have joined forces, I doubt we'll be able to force her back to Earth."
The wise sage nodded. "WE CANNOT TAKE ANY ACTION UNTIL WE HAVE DEVELOPED A PLAN TO COUNTERACT MALIGORE'S INFLUENCE OVER KIMBERLY," he informed his team. "WE MUST UNDERSTAND HOW THE FLAME OF DESTRUCTION HAS ALTERED HER, AND HOW THAT INFLUENCE CAN BE BROKEN."
"And have we gotten anywhere on that?" Katherine wondered, her voice soft. She consciously directed her question to her mentor, and not the person actually conducting the research.
"TOMMY?" Zordon queried.
The Red Ranger snapped out of his focused analysis, and turned to Zordon. "Huh? Uh… I'm still sifting through all the ancient legends of the Flame of Destruction. Unfortunately, most of these legends are so vague, they're useless. They generally describe Maligore's reign of terror in various systems. But I think I'm getting somewhere… I need to finish reading them."
"What do you have so far?" Adam wondered.
Tommy rubbed the bridge of his nose, soothing away the tension. "I have a hypothesis..." He sighed deeply. "But, I sure hope I'm wrong."
The foreboding in his tone caught the entire team's attention. As one, the group congregated around Tommy, who shifted the screen to show an image of an ancient cylindrical tablet, with the English translation flowing beside it.
"Almost all of these legends seem to use the phrase 'Flame of Destruction' and 'Maligore' interchangeably… which assumes that Maligore is the Flame. But, this one here says that the Flame is immortal; a primal force of Chaos that has existed since the timeless past. In fact, a lot of accounts confirm this. If the Flame is immortal, it can't die."
Justin grimaced. "Maligore sure did a good job of dying for an immortal."
"Exactly; Maligore wasn't immortal. He's definitely dead, but the Flame survived. It had to, or Kim couldn't have still been empowered by it. So, it looks like Maligore wasn't the Flame of Destruction. He was just a mortal being who somehow connected with that primal power."
Zordon watched the emotions play upon the veteran Ranger's face. "WHAT IS YOUR CONCLUSION, TOMMY?"
He leaned his head against his fist. "I don't really have evidence in the texts to support this yet, but... let's say Maligore was a mortal who somehow bonded with the Flame… maybe through some kind of ritual. He drew his strength from the Flame, and used it like we used the Zeo Crystal. Then, it's possible that Maligore created a bond between Kim and the Flame, right? Divatox did call her and Jason 'Maligore's Children.' Maybe he directly bonded them to his power; or at least… part of it?"
The entire team remained silent, absorbing the impact of Tommy's hypothesis.
"If he did grant them limited access to his energy source, those limits could've been broken when he died," Tanya mused, eyes widening. "That would explain why Kim got so much stronger after Muiranthias! If it were just an empowering spell, it would've faded when he died!"
Tommy shrugged. "That's what happened when we defeated Ivan Ooze. He had entranced all the adults in Angel Grove to serve as his slaves. As soon as he died, his spell was broken. It only makes sense: if the source of the power is destroyed, the power fades."
Katherine found herself chewing her nail again. "If all of this is true… then… Kimberly has become the mortal vessel for the Flame, replacing Maligore. She would have the potential to become as powerful as Maligore himself. Right?"
Five heads and one mechanical visor stared up at Zordon in askance.
Their mentor silently considered this for a few moments before answering. "HUMAN BEINGS ARE RELATIVELY FRAGILE, IN TERMS OF MAGICAL ENDURANCE. I DON'T BELIEVE IT IS POSSIBLE FOR KIMBERLY TO CONTROL, OR EVEN MANIFEST, THE POWER LEVEL MALIGORE DISPLAYED."
Tommy cradled his forehead in his hands, his greatest worries lining his face. "But, what if she tried, Zordon? What if she was angry enough to push herself past her natural limits? What if she reached so deep into that power, she couldn't contain it?"
Zordon found it very difficult to directly answer the Red Ranger's desperate question. Instead, he lowered his eyes. "LET US PRAY SHE DOESN'T."
oooOOOooo
Two gleaming gold swords crashed against each other at such speeds they nearly blurred into flashes of light. The sound of clattering metal accompanied the soft tap of graceful footfalls, and deep grunts of exertion.
After a lengthy session of traded blows, one combatant managed to dodge a particularly unbalanced thrust. Without missing a beat, one sword landed at the nape of her opponent.
Raven eyes twinkled in amusement, dragging the edge against soft blue fur. "Lucky for you the blades are blunt, or you'd have a bald spot."
Her opponent huffed. "If the blades were sharp, I'd have no head."
Scorpina shrugged one shoulder, tossing the practice sword to the edge of the arena. "There's really no point in sparring if you refuse to concentrate, Goldar."
The Titan's brow furrowed, bringing a similar expression on Scorpina's smooth forehead. "What's bothering you?" she asked.
Goldar breathed loudly through his nostrils, as he considered opening a potentially dangerous subject of conversation. Finally, ruby eyes locked with onyx. "What do you think of our Lord's plans?"
Scorpina stiffened. "I think our Lord's plans should not be questioned by his servants," she answered pointedly.
"Why do you insist upon such blind loyalty?" he growled, "Have centuries of service numbed your independent thought?"
The assassin bristled at the insult. "No, but we would do well to remember our place. Our Lord hasn't asked us for our opinions."
"I asked you for your opinion. And Zedd is not here to take offense."
Scorpina studied her partner's face, watching the frustration twitch his snout. Finally, a slow grin spread her sanguine lips. "I can't believe you're so upset about the girl!" she confessed, shaking her head. "This is just Zedd's latest scheme to drive a sword into the Red Ranger's heart. Once he's had his fun, he'll just kill the girl, subjugate the planet, and finally be done with this mudball."
The Titan warrior folded his arms. "This is not a new conceit, Scorpina," he revealed, "He intended to wed the first Pink Ranger before."
Scorpina stared incredulously at Goldar for a few moments. "He did?"
"Yes. Our Lord sent me to Earth to capture the girl when she was alone. He gave me a spell to cast upon her, to make her suitably evil to serve as consort to a tyrant. However, the spell wasn't able to darken her heart, and the plot failed."
She frowned thoughtfully, processing this latest information. "Just because he tried it before, doesn't mean it wasn't a clever plot. She is still Tommy's weakness."
"I doubt she won his attentions solely because of her relationship to the boy."
"What makes think so?"
"The day I went to kidnap her was two days after Lord Zedd permanently destroyed the Green Ranger powers."
Scorpina's jaw slackened in a rare expression of wordless shock. Goldar nodded, supporting her silent conclusion. "If our Lord was merely using the girl as a pawn in his personal war against Tommy, there would be no need to kidnap her after Tommy had been defeated. We were all caught by surprise when Zordon created the White Ranger powers, so there was no way he could have anticipated his foe's return."
He leaned closer to Scorpina, his eyes burning with disgust. "Two years ago, Zedd wanted the girl because he wanted the girl! And apparently, he still wants her."
Scorpina gradually regained her composure, but her mind still tripped over the implications. "Then, this entire plot… months of careful planning and manipulation, was merely to woo the girl?" Her face pinched, as if the very words were sour on her tongue.
"This 'entire plot', little scorpion, was for me to achieve my own ends," a menacing voice stated, carrying through the arena as if amplified. "And those are not for minions to concern themselves."
The two gold warriors whirled around, eyes wide with fear as they stared at the silhouette of their Lord and Master. Zedd stood against the open door, the flickering firelight of the torches beside him casting writhing shadows at his feet.
Both warriors immediately fell to the ground in a desperate attempt to curb the Emperor's wrath.
Zedd stepped into the room fully, his footfalls echoing in the deafening silence. "I have annihilated more valuable servants than you for such disrespect," he informed them, his tone casual, "Fortunately for you, I am in a good mood." He came to a stop right in front of their bowed heads, bringing the polished silver of his feet into view. "The game is nearing its climax," he announced, "Kimberly has accepted my proposal."
Scorpina and Goldar managed to swallow gasps of surprise, and remained fully penitent before their Lord.
"Now listen well," he hissed. "I must spend the next week in near constant regeneration, to insure my strength is at its peak in preparation for the spell I will cast upon my bride. In my absence, I trust her every whim to be met by you." Fierce red light bathed the warriors in a gimlet glow. "And I warn you… she will soon be your Queen, and you will treat her as such. You may find it difficult, but if you dare show impertinence, she will likely grow angry."
His tone shifted, amusement drifting into his voice. "With the Flame of Destruction flowing through her veins, her potential might eclipses what the Power Coin or Great Power bestowed upon her. If angry enough, she can destroy you both with little effort."
That said, the Emperor of Evil left.
Once his footsteps faded down the exterior hallway, Goldar and Scorpina cautiously lifted their chins.
As if of one mind, they stared at each other, an odd mixture of relief and astonishment in their eyes.
oooOOOooo
"I can't believe Zordon kicked us out!" Tanya sighed, leaning deeper into her chair. She found the slight cushion absurdly comfortable, compared to the computer consoles she'd been leaning against the first six hours of the day.
Adam leaned closer to her. "He probably figured we needed to stretch our legs a bit," he decided, a glimmer of humor in his dark eyes. "Seriously, if I stared at that energy grid analysis for a minute longer, I'd have gone blind!"
Justin, who sat directly across from the pair, managed to muster a wan smile at their light exchange. They laughed together, though to anyone who knew them, the undercurrent of tension was almost palpable. Their laughter was empty, as if they were trying to release their anxiety in some kind of socially acceptable form.
At least they're trying to smile, he mused, casting furtive glances at either side of him. These two are so morbid they might as well be at a funeral.
He leaned his cheek against his hand, absently stabbing at the ice cubes floating in his Coke with his straw. How he managed to be sandwiched between Kat and Tommy, he'd never know. He was certain the Pink and Red Rangers hadn't exchanged a single word since he'd recovered from the fight in the power plant. In fact, they seemed to be putting every effort into avoiding eye contact all together.
How long can they keep this up?
He glanced up, noticing how Adam and Tanya had ceased trying to initiate a conversation amongst the emotionally drained team. For a brief moment, his gaze locked with that of the Yellow Ranger.
He winced at the fierce determination that lit those dark brown eyes. Uh oh… even I know what that means!
It didn't take long for someone to learn to recognize that dark glimmer. Tanya Sloan was fed up, and she was going to do something about it.
"Adam, since we're here, maybe now you can show me that spinning heel kick you've been working on?"
The Green Ranger frowned in confusion, turning to watch his girlfriend rise from her seat. He noticed she briefly nodded to Kat, shrugging her eyebrows in mute conversation.
"Right," Adam decided, standing up. "Justin, why don't you join us? You wanted to get some practice in, right?'"
The boy beamed excitedly, pushing away from the table.
Katherine's gaze leapt from the lemonade she was apparently scrutinizing, watching three of her friends turn towards the gym area of the Youth Center. Her throat went dry as she glanced at the only other person at the table. "I'll join you-"
"Why don't you and Tommy take a walk?" the Yellow Ranger suggested, leaning against the table. "It's a beautiful day, and you two could use some fresh air."
Justin threw a non-too-subtle wink at Tanya before grinning at Tommy, his face alight with innocence. "Might as well take advantage of the fact we've been banned from the Turbo Chamber for the next hour."
Adam winced at the very direct meddling his teammates had resorted to, and laid a guiding hand on both their shoulders. "Come on, guys," he prodded, "There isn't really that much time left."
Even Adam's comment seemed to carry a suggestion. Katherine watched them leave, betrayal written all over her face.
"Sure are subtle, aren't they," Tommy commented, shaking his head with whisper of amusement. Considering the Red Ranger's infamous obliviousness, the fact that he figured out Tanya's intentions only proved how forceful the Yellow Ranger could be.
For my own good, Kat realized, rubbing her forehead to massage away some pressure, and for the good of our entire team. Adam had a point: there isn't much time. Might as well take advantage of the few minutes' respite we have...
She opened her mouth, silently amazed how hollow her voice sounded. "Care to join me in a walk?"
After a moment's consideration, Tommy nodded. "Sure."
They both rose from the table slowly, neither one particularly looking forward to the coming exchange. Katherine's fingers twined together as she led the way, weaving between tables and through the corridor leading to the exit. She heard the dull thump of Tommy's sneakers behind her, assuring her that he was willing to finally have the discussion they'd been avoiding for far too long.
The incandescent bulbs and ceramic tiles gave way to summer sunlight and rough concrete. They continued walking in single file, both heads slightly bowed as they wandered further away from the crowded recreation center.
oooOOOooo
Considering Kimberly was unfamiliar with the expansive Lunar Palace, once she'd recovered her bearings, there was only one place to which she could retreat: her quarters.
After wrestling ferociously with her imagination, Kim managed to stop thinking about what a… physical relationship with the Emperor of Evil might entail.
Ugh! I'm not gonna go there!!
Frustrated, she decided to try and dwell on all the positive things a union with Zedd would include. And so, sequestered in her chambers, she performed the single most relaxing ritual for the human body.
She took a bath.
She'd been pleased to discover her large room included a private bath, and treated herself to a languorous soak in the hot, soapy water.
The bath had relieved so much physical and emotional tension, by the time she stepped out onto the cool marble tiles, she felt serene… or at least, as serene as the Flame allowed her to feel.
Afterward, with a fluffy towel wrapped firmly around her body, she stepped into the grandiose closet. Nearly giddy at the sight of more outfits than she could even count, she began sifting through them for something appropriately "regal."
She nearly squealed in girlish delight as she slipped on the perfect gown, and strode to the full-length gilded mirror.
The gown, of course, fit her like a glove. It was a simple silk sheath, reaching just to her ankles. The silk itself was black, with tendrils of crimson climbing upward like flames, contrasting sharply to the darkness. A long slit stretched up each leg, reaching her upper thigh to allow for maximum mobility.
"Perfect."
Once she found an accompanying sheer shawl to hang around her shoulders, and slick black heels to adorn her feet, she was ready to properly arrange her hair and makeup. Fortunately, her vanity was so well stocked even the most discriminating Hollywood starlets would've found everything they needed.
Then, armed with the confidence afforded by a well-suited outfit, Kimberly prepared to wander the hallways, searching for signs of life.
She didn't have long to look, for just outside her doorway stood two of Lord Zedd's most recognized servants.
She blinked when Scorpina and Goldar, two of the fiercest warriors she'd ever met, immediately snapped to attention.
"Mistress," Scorpina stated, keeping her eyes bowed in respect, "Allow us to welcome you to our Lord's palace."
Kimberly's eyebrow rose. "What's all this?"
"As our Lord's fiancée, we are obligated to serve you as we serve him," Goldar answered.
Slowly a smile stretched Kimberly's lip. If nothing else, bossing these two around will totally make my day!
"Is there anything we can do for you at this time?" Scorpina inquired.
"A tour of the palace will pass the time nicely," she responded, regal disdain touching her voice. "I haven't seen the throne room yet."
oooOOOooo
To say things were "awkward" simply wouldn't do the situation justice. It was as if thick fog hung between them, separating them on such a fundamental level that, despite all the words that needed to be said, neither seemed particularly inclined to do more than breathe.
Katherine sighed faintly, staring at the quiet lawn of Angel Grove High's football field. It almost felt eerie, seeing a location typically bustling with activity so grave. Was it really nine months ago that she first sat on those cold metal bleachers? It felt like a lifetime ago, entering a new school in a completely new country, preparing to rebuild her entire life.
By the time the first day of school rolled along, she was already off to a great start. Billy had amiably offered her help with Calculus, after she'd expressed some concern that she wouldn't be able to keep up with the class. Rocky jovially provided a full report on the foods to be avoided in the school cafeteria, and the wisdom in making the trip down the block to the Youth Center whenever possible for a chilidog or the best French fries in town. Aisha was more than eager to divulge the latest gossip, orienting the Australian on which students were trouble, who was dating whom, and which teachers to avoid if at all possible. Adam volunteered to introduce her to the after-school activities available, taking her to a soccer tryout and even helping her locate the nearest Olympic-sized pool, to keep refining her finesse on the diving platform.
And Tommy was the axis around which her new life revolved. Sensitive, selfless, and just so understanding, he was a dream come true for an insecure new girl. He had the kind of charisma politicians try to mimic; only with him, it was utterly genuine. No matter how guilty or inadequate Katherine felt after she'd accepted the overwhelming privilege of the Pink Coin, he knew just how to chase the blues away.
But that was then… before the Letter. When they were friends, Tommy could openly care about her without guilt hindering him. He was never ashamed of their friendship, because he never considered it anything but simply that.
After the letter, his ability to openly express affection… even platonic affection… was damaged. He was less confident, more apprehensive. Even when they dated, it was difficult for him to be as considerate and caring as he had been when Kimberly was in his heart.
And then everything went horribly wrong.
How could she do it? Could she make Tommy understand how much she hurt… how much she pined for what was lost? Did he even care? Or was his focus so narrow, only Kimberly's plight held any of his attention at all?
There was only one way to find out.
Steeling herself, she managed to turn around, and meet the haunted chocolate brown gaze she'd been avoiding like the plague for three days. The pain in his eyes was so engulfing it was impossible not to feel for him. She found herself unable to hold his gaze and yet maintain to her resolution.
"Tommy," she spoke, her fingers laced tightly together, "I think we both know things are… bad between us."
She didn't lift her eyes to him, though she noticed his arms, previously hanging at his sides, folded over his chest.
He didn't speak… either in confirmation, or denial.
"What happened between us, the other day, wasn't a normal fight. It wasn't the kind of argument all couples go through, and then resolve. Everything that's been happening, for the past few months… it just… tore us apart."
Her words were, again, met with silence.
Why isn't he talking? Doesn't he have anything to say??
She struggled against her disappointment that this would clearly be a one-sided conversation. She managed to swallow the lump that clogged her throat. "It's time we made it official."
When she first decided (not quite by choice) to take a walk with Tommy, she didn't really plan what was going to be said. She hadn't intended to take such decisive action; only, the way he let her flounder, silently stoic as she bared her pain, made her grimly certain that there was really nothing between them that could be salvaged.
Despite her cold logic, it still hurt to hear her own voice drive a nail in the casket of their burgeoning romance. Even though their relationship had taken such a dramatic, bitter turn, part of her still clung to him… to wistful dreams of mending all his emotional wounds, and creating a future with him.
That ill-fated hope weighed her down, forcing her to fight against it, like a drowning woman fights to reach the surface of the brine. And suddenly, despite her fervent wish to stand strong in the face of heartbreak, tears clouded the watery blue of her eyes.
Two strong arms wove around her waist, pulling her against a body that seemed to tremble as much as her own. The feel of him… the scent of him so close only made it hurt worse, as the girlish romantic in her mourned the warmth it would never feel again.
At first, she furiously decided it was mercilessly cruel of him to touch her after her painful proclamation. Only, as the embrace lingered, Kat felt what he was trying to convey. He was completely without words… incapable of comforting her, or explaining himself, verbally. Instead, he'd taken the last resort, to let her feel rather than hear his apology, his regret.
His trembling, anxious embrace spoke far more eloquently than words ever could have.
Finally, after over a minute of utter silence, he'd found a few meager words to express some of what he was experiencing. "It's… just not fair, what happened," he murmured, an uncharacteristic waver in his voice. "Please believe me; I care about you… a lot." He sighed, his breath tickling the back of her neck. "I only had the best of intentions, the highest hopes… I wanted something… wonderful to happen between us. But… I think we should just end it, too."
Somewhere deep inside, Kat recoiled. She knew it was best for them both… but she'd still wished, deep down, that he'd loved her enough to fight for her… to fight for them.
He just… didn't. Or couldn't.
"I haven't been fair to you, and I know I won't be." His arms disengaged, leaving her suddenly cold. She turned around, watching his hands flail as he struggled to convey what he wanted to say. "Whatever… we might have had together… has been ruined by the fact that if not for some stupid fake letter, we never would've been together." He gazed into her too-blue eyes, wincing at the sight. "Does this make any sense at all?"
Her head jerked in a bare nod. She understood it perfectly. They were well suited for each other; under different circumstances, they might have made a wonderful couple. Only… whatever could have developed between them had been poisoned by the circumstances that brought them together to begin with. That kind of poison attacked the very root of their feelings for one another, and could never be cured.
They never should have been together in the first place. Tommy still clung to his first love, and no matter how this nightmare would finally resolve, there was no way Tommy's heart would ever truly, earnestly love the girl he had replaced her with.
The ghost of Kimberly Hart would always linger between them… and the guilt that tormented both would never heal, so long as they strove for a romance that should never have blossomed to begin with.
Sobbing quietly, Katherine leaned heavily against Tommy's chest. His heart beat near her shoulder, strong and steady.
"God, Tommy… I'm sorry!" she moaned, her voice muffled in the cotton of his shirt. "I'm sorry I hurt her… hurt you… sorry she suspected we… we-"
His arms wound around her, one draped loosely around her waist, the other climbing her back, letting him gently stroke the straw-gold curls of her hair.
"Shh," he soothed, leaning his chin against her forehead, "We… we're both sorry about what happened. We both wish we could go back in time, and just undo everything that happened since the day I got that letter. And I know you only wanted to help me. I just wish I'd seen that."
He lifted his eyes, staring up into the clear blue sky. Idly, he wondered what had happened to Kimberly… what would happen to her before they were finally able to take action.
He had no idea how deeply his actions had already affected events in the Lunar Palace.
oooOOOooo
Son of a bitch! Why that arrogant son of a BITCH!!!
She backed away from the battered Repulsascope, just far enough to prevent the dripping flames from swallowing the old gadget in their consuming fury.
Flames tricked from the corners of her eyes like furious tears, smoldering on the stone floor of the throne room beside the feet of the near-Queen.
She'd only intended to take a quick look at Earth, the planet her fiancée would surely subjugate in the near future. She'd only wanted to contemplate the planet of her birth briefly, and consider how it would feel to rule over it.
By sheer accident, she figured out how to navigate the magical scope, allowing her to magnify the planet below to such a degree, she could close in on individual people. So her observant stare flashed across much of Angel Grove, just happening to land on the Youth Center as the Turbo Rangers went inside.
She watched them have an early dinner, and saw their mouths move; though the Repulsascope had no audio capabilities. She saw Adam, the girl that replaced Aisha, and the young boy retreat to the exercise mats, leaving Kat and Tommy alone.
Curiously, they left together, taking a stroll and engaging in a conversation. Kim's heart fluttered with malicious glee at the sight of Kat struggling against some torment. Tommy had watched her, keeping his distance for the first few minutes as his girlfriend apparently got some great pain off her chest.
Only then, he did something that set Kimberly's soul aflame. He leaned her body against his, in a lingering, comforting, intimate embrace. And then, he dared to stare up into the sky as if he could feel her eyes on him. Mocking her, as he displayed in his arms the girl he preferred…
It was a tribute to her self-control that she didn't instantly melt the Repulsascope into sludge. Still… the fire had surged within her, burning with a fury so violent it actually hurt.
The realization startled Kimberly out of her outraged cursing. She shook herself, her hand unconsciously rising to her pounding chest. Her eyes widened when she realized her hand had begun glowing.
Her lips trembling, the spawn of evil watched the writhing tendrils of Flame creep beneath her skin…
"Mistress?"
Kim jumped, turning to meet the concerned stares of the palace's two warriors. Almost as soon as she locked her gaze with their own, both meekly bowed their heads.
Hmph… meek my ass…
"Where's Zedd?" she demanded.
"He is in the middle of a regeneration stage," Scorpina informed her, lifting her head. "He really shouldn't be disturbed until at least the present stage ends, but if you-"
"Forget it," she groused, clenching her fists. "Tour's over; I'm going to my room."
Scorpina and Goldar watched as the human girl wrapped in silken fire left the throne room, so swiftly it almost looked like a retreat.
"What set her off?" Goldar wondered, his furry brow folded.
Scorpina was one step ahead of him, already peering out the Repulsascope. She tittered with cruel laughter. "Oh, I think this might've done it."
Goldar was immediately at her side, watching through wide eyes at the scene displayed before him. A fierce smirk pulled his furry lip.
Scorpina noticed his conspiring expression, and smiled. "Are you thinking what I'm thinking?"
"Yes." He backed away from the telescope, stretching his gargantuan wings to the apex of their span. "I think it's time we demonstrate our loyalty to our future Queen."
oooOOOooo
A solemn, yet companionable silence hovered between the two Rangers. They'd moved toward the lowest row of the bleachers, Katherine lounging on the bench beneath the sun, and Tommy performing a slow, deliberate kata. Both were lost in their own thoughts, contemplating the odd mixture of relief for the problem solved, and dread for the problem at hand.
In such a state of distraction, they were wholly unprepared for visitors.
"Well, isn't this serene?" a saccharine voice wondered.
Katherine opened one eye, frowning in confusion at the pretty raven-haired woman dressed in sleek gold armor approaching from the goal post.
Tommy whirled around, instinctively falling into a defensive posture at the familiar, mocking voice of one of Rita's, and later Zedd's, most devious soldiers. "Scorpina," he spat.
Katherine bolted up at the name.
"Now, now," she scolded, "That's no way to speak to a lady. Is it, Goldar?"
The armored sentinel spread his wings, revealing himself near the top of the bleachers. Katherine quickly moved closer to Tommy, standing back to back as the winged menace launched into the air, sailing overhead and landing neatly beside his partner.
"No it isn't," he growled, "Though I'd say the Red Ranger has developed the unique ability to mortally insult every woman he meets."
Tommy frowned, puzzled. "What's that supposed to mean, Goldilocks?"
Goldar hissed wordlessly at the name. "You snatch the girl. I'll take the Red Ranger."
Scorpina brandished her favored sword. "That's fine with me."
The two golden warriors separated, each moving toward their target. As one, the heroes reached for their Turbo Keys.
"Watch out for Scorpina's Sting," Tommy warned quietly, "It's not poisonous so long as you're morphed, but it hurts like hell if it connects."
"Thanks," she breathed.
Each Ranger faced the enemy, sliding the keys into place.
"Red Lightning Turbo Power!!"
"Wind Chaser Turbo Power!!"
Vibrant light spread from their wrist-mounted morphers, transforming them into the Red and Pink Turbo Rangers.
"Go!" Tommy shouted. Both Rangers flipped into the air, making some space between them as their opponents closed in.
As soon as she landed, Katherine raised her hand into the air. "Windfire!" The powerful bow materialized in her hand, just in time to block a downward swing from Scorpina.
Using the bow like a staff, she blocked the subsequent blow, and jabbed one end of the weapon into Scorpina's stomach. The spy winced, falling back half a step and allowing Katherine to create space needed to mount two razor-sharp arrows at once.
Despite being slightly thrown by the Pink Ranger's unique tactic, Scorpina had the presence of mind to glance both arrows off the curved edge of her sword. However, she wasn't prepared as the Pink Ranger settled on a close-quarters fight. A forceful roundhouse followed the arrows by mere seconds, catching the spy in the center of her chest. Scorpina stumbled, but made a quick recovery.
"Innovative," the warrior chuckled, a wicked gleam in her eye. "I'm actually going to enjoy this!"
Meanwhile, only a few yards away, the Red Ranger and Goldar faced off in a heated duel. Much like their numerous other one-on-one confrontations, swords flashed in a whirling dance of speed and grace. The vast majority of thrusts were parried, yet on occasion the silver tip of the Lightning Sword dented the dense gold armor of the Titan, and the broad gold edge of Goldar's magical sword grazed the network of energy forming Tommy's armor, sparking on impact.
Tommy noticed the sparks distracted Goldar for a fraction of a second, and took advantage of it with a thunderous jump-kick to Goldar's unprotected jaw.
Thick blood spurted from Goldar's mouth as the Titan's jagged fangs bit deeply into his tongue. Goldar stumbled back, his hands flying to his aching maw, ruby eyes glaring death at his nemesis.
"I bet that didn't taste too good," Tommy mocked maliciously.
"Be glad you are to be presented as a gift, Human," Goldar hissed, "for I would rend you limb from limb otherwise."
Tommy blinked in surprise, unconsciously steadying himself for the renewed onslaught. Gift? Goldar's here to kidnap me, too! But why?
He ducked a spine-shattering punch, rolling along the ground to make some distance between himself and the rabid blue monster… and out of nowhere, a surprising plan crossed his mind.
He must need to bring me to the moon alive, he reasoned, If I let him, I can find Kimberly… and maybe even figure out what the hell Zedd's trying to do here.
For the first time in days, a smile touched his lips. It would be dangerous, of course. There was no way to know what Zedd's plans for him ultimately were, or how much time he'd have to rescue Kimberly and make good an escape.
But he also couldn't bring himself to pass up such an opportunity.
The Red Ranger sidestepped another earth-quaking blow, and leapt into a series of backward handsprings that Billy and Kim were famous for in their Power Ranger days. He rapidly crossed the space towards the second duel, and broke into a run.
Katherine managed to disarm Scorpina, locking the two women in a fierce blur of kicks and punches. Tommy winced inwardly when Scorpina managed to catch Kat's fist, holding the Pink Ranger in place for a bone-jarring kick directly to the kidney.
Kat released a yelp of pain, the force of the kick throwing her to the ground.
"Innovative, but not nearly enough to make up for the centuries of combat experience I have on you," Scorpina scoffed, slowly moving in for the final blow. However, Scorpina grunted in surprise as she was bodily tackled to the ground.
"Tommy?" Kat marveled, painfully rising to her feet. She watched numbly as the Red Ranger struggled with Scorpina, landing a fierce punch that stunned her long enough to disentangle them.
Without a word, Tommy grabbed Kat's arm, and broke into a blur of barely subsonic motion. Behind them, he noticed Goldar was at Scorpina's side, tending to the frustrated spy.
"Kat, I have a plan!" he yelled over the whistle of air. "I'm going to let them take me!"
Katherine's brow wrinkled in confusion. "Why would you do something like that??"
"Zedd kidnapped Kimberly!" he reminded her, "and Goldar let it slip that he intended to kidnap me too! If I let them take me, I can finally find out if Kim's all right, and maybe even figure out what Zedd's trying to accomplish!"
Katherine snorted ungracefully. "Tommy, you can't just walk into the lion's den! God knows what they've got planned for you!"
Tommy came to a halt, throwing another quick glance at their pursuing enemies.
"Look, there isn't time," he muttered, pulling up his glove. Kat watched, utterly baffled, as he un-morphed, and pulled his morpher from his wrist.
"What are you...?"
"The first thing Zedd'll do is take my morpher," he pointed out. Hastily, he jammed the device into Katherine's outstretched hands. "Now, get out of here! Get back to the Turbo Chamber, and tell Zordon what's going on!"
Kat stared helplessly at the Red Morpher, her panicked eyes hidden behind her rose helmet. "How will you escape Zedd's palace?"
He smirked wryly. "That's your job. Now, get going!"
Dazedly, Kat watched as Tommy ran headlong toward the onrushing duo. Her jaw hanging in astonishment, he stood his ground like a man preparing to stop a runaway train.
"You're not getting her, too," Tommy snarled.
Goldar frowned at the human, before glancing at his partner in askance.
"Just don't kill him," she advised, "We'll leave that pleasure to our Mistress."
A grotesque smile parting his lips, Goldar launched one ham-fisted punch into Tommy's stomach.
Tommy choked out a breath, hands futily clasping his burning torso as he keeled over.
"Tommy!" Katherine screamed, anguished. Then, she watched as Goldar draped the listless victim over his shoulder, while Scorpina strode purposefully towards her.
With trembling fingers, Kat activated her wrist-mounted teleportation interface, vanishing in a cloud of vibrant pink energy.
Scorpina froze in her tracks, watching the light fade. "Looks like one little fishy got away."
"It's not such a loss," Goldar decided, smirking ferally, "We managed to reel in the big one."
Laughing in wicked delight, Lord Zedd's elite warriors vanished from the face of the Earth, taking Tommy with them.
To Be Continued…