Old Demons
Chapter Four
Down to the Dino Cave, the main door slid open as Connor, Ethan, and Kira stumbled inside. They made their way over to where Hayley was but stopped when they noticed Dr. Oliver laying on the couch. His complexion was pale, but he smiled anyway. Haley then swung around in her chair and hung her head down into feet.
"I'm sorry we couldn't be more help," Hayley said.
"That's okay, we were outnumbered and outmatched, but next time we'll be ready," Kira said.
Hayley smiled and nodded as she spoiled back around in her chair before getting back to work.
Tommy set up on the couch with Kira, sat down beside him soon Connor, and Ethan joined her.
"So those were Putties you guys made it look so easy to defeat them back in the archives," Ethan said.
"They were pretty tough back then, too." Tommy replied.
"I saw a white cat before running away. Guess you weren't crazy." Kira said.
Tommy sighed and shook his head as he built up his fists in anger. He was hoping he was only seeing. Things it looks like it wasn't.
That means it was Katherine right, the one in the archives. She was the Pink Turbo Ranger," Ethan said.
"Correct. She was also the Pink Zeo Ranger and Pink Power Ranger after Kimberly, but before that, she was brainwashed like me to serve Rita as her pet," Tommy said.
"So with Rita back, does that mean and she's after you too? Kira asked.
"It looks like it, but listen if she should succeed…." Tommy tried to say.
"She won't. We won't let her," Connor said, interrupting.
Tommy could see the worry in the teen's eyes as he forces a smile across his lips. He could pick up that they didn't want to hear what needed to be said. So he nodded to Conner's response, which made the other teens smile.
"You're right," Tommy replied.
Typing away on her keyboard while glancing over the monitors as she checks the cameras all over town, Hayley leaned back in her chair and sighed.
Well, it looks like everything's calm down, no putties, monsters, Zeltrax, or Elsa insight. So while I will keep working down here with Tommy, you guys…." Haley trailed off.
"Yeah, we know we've got to go to school, Connor said with a frustrated sigh.
Connor and Ethan gave Dr. Oliver a pat on the back, while Kira gave him a big hug. Then they made their wave over to Haley and gave her a big hug as well before leaving the Dino lab.
Circling back around in her chair, Hayley turned to Tommy and swallowed hard. Tommy wasn't a fool. He could see the worry look across her face.
"They don't want to think what would happen if Rita would have succeeded," Hayley said.
Tommy smiled as he patted the cushion of the couch. Hayley stood up and walked over to the couch and sat down right beside him. Swallowing hard once more, Hayley did her best to blink away her tears, but a few still trickled down her cheeks.
"I understand, really do. In fact, I am angry that I am even putting you and the others through this. But I have prepared for this like everything else."
"A back-up plan," Hayley said.
"Yes, you know I'm good for them. Should things go south, press the button under the monitor and the follow the directions," Tommy said.
"Understood. I really hope we don't have to use it, Hayley said.
"I hope so too," Tommy replied.
Back at the Island Fortress, a large portal appeared: Mesogog, Rita, Elsa, and Zeltrax returned. Walking out and bowing slightly, Elsa and Zeltrax walked into the laboratory while Mesogog and Rita wander the halls together.
The roars of thunder and flashes of lightning along with the dark skies and pouring rain brought a sense of peace to the both of them. Looking out of the window at the storm, Rita smiled. The way the wind tore through the trees and the lighting strike the earth as the pouring rain flooded the area warmed Rita's insides.
"Amazing such darkness along with a lovely sight even I could call this place home," Rita said.
"I'm glad you like it. You're welcome to stay as long as you like," Mesogog said.
Sighing, Rita closed her eyes and took a deep breath. She could feel what was happening here. But she promised herself she would not get attached to anyone else. It hurt too much that last time.
Pushing those thoughts to the back of her mind, she opened her eyes and turn to Mesogog with a stern look across her face followed by a subtle smile.
Mesogog smiled as well. Normally he found other villains a threat, but the moment he laid eyes on Rita, something changed. A feeling stirred within his dinosaur heart, one that he never felt before. He didn't know if this was because of his human side or perhaps both, but he found her company to be quite enjoyable.
"So tell me, what are these distractions you are talking about?" Rita asked, changing the mood of the conversation.
Mesogog merely snapped his fingers and within a flash, there stood Zeltrax and Elsa with a few monsters and Tyrannodrones.
Impressed, Rita pulled out a large ball of clay. She leaned in she whispered a few words before for slamming it down in the ground. After a few seconds, the ball split into smaller balls, growing bigger and bigger. Soon they formed into humanoid gray creatures waddling around in place. With the snap of her fingers, the Putties ran joined the Tyrannodrones.
Mesogog and Rita turned to Zeltrax and Elsa, who nodded and bowed to both of them before summoning another portal and disappearing with the creatures in tow.
Turning back to each other, Mesogog extended his hand out to Rita, who gladly slipped her hand into his. Soon, the two of them were walking down the corridors once more, enjoying the dank, stale air and the loud thunder and flashes of lightning that danced around outside.
"Now we wait and once they have taken the bait…. Mesogog said.
"I can reel in my prize," Rita said.
Soon the two of them laugh, it echoing though out the corridors till it filled the fortress.
A storm was indeed coming, and it would be a big one.
