Disclaimer: I don't own the Rangers, Saban does. This is the second last chapter and the longest, deadliest and dramatic of them I think. Sorry about the long delay between updates, R/L has a way of getting in your face sometimes. Thanks for the feedback. Mouse, November, 2002.
Destiny Chronicles Ten: Consequences of the Soul.
By Mouse.
Our greatest glory is not in never failing, but in rising up every time we fail. -- Ralph Waldo Emerson
Phaedos, October 2000.
Since Billy's return the Rangers had settled into a sort of quiet routine. There were no more attacks by Dathan or his Rocknies, so they were able to rest and heal for a change. Dulcea and Dimitria knew that this stalemate was just temporary, that the big battle was looming on the horizon, but it wasn't spoken about. The reprieve was too well needed.
Billy had been slowing rebuilding the friendship with the other Rangers and had been slowly working himself out of his grief. He had been teaching Justin and Carlos all about the two remaining Zords and their maintenance. That helped to keep his mind busy, as there was quite a lot to know. He had also been meditating daily in the mornings and soon all the Rangers had gotten into the habit of doing it.
Jason had quickly noticed that Billy was slowly trying to build them up so he started a routine of exercise, kata's and sparring, to make sure everyone stayed sharp while this un-natural quiet continued. They soon slipped into a routine. Meditation and kata's in the morning. A light lunch and then sparring and more kata's in the afternoon. After a few weeks everyone was back in excellent shape and feeling a lot more centered than they had been after the trials of the year so far.
~*~
The Revenge
Dathan just lounged in his overstuffed chair, watching. Waiting.
And waiting.
And waiting.
~*~
Phaedos. October, 2000.
The Rangers had taken a day off to relax and enjoy themselves for a change. They had been working hard keeping in shape and everything, so it was well earned. All the guys except Billy and Jason had gone fishing by the river to catch something for tea. Trini was watching over Kimberley, who she thought might wake soon, as all the signs were good. The girls had decided that some pampering for them was in order and Dulcea had told them about a hot mineral spring within in the jungle that would suit their purpose perfectly. They had all agreed most enthusiastically that it was what they needed. Kat and Aisha came over to where Billy and Jason were watching the ladies preparation, they had decided to stay behind and spend some quiet time together. Kat and Aisha both had serious expression on their faces and Jason leant his head closer to Billy's, his voice soft but full of mirth.
"Brace yourself. We're about to be hit by hurricane Kat and Aisha." Billy had to turn his head away, covering his mouth with his hand so they didn't notice him laughing at Jason's words. Jason cleared his throat and addressed the two ladies.
"Can we help you ladies?"
"Yes. We want your word that neither of you will interfere in what we are about to do?"
"And that would be?" Jason's tone was one of suppressed mirth and curiosity. Kat spoke, her accent standing out more than usual, her voice extremely cheerful and happy.
Ever since the last supply run to Earth, a week before, she had become almost impossible to live with. The Sydney Olympic Games had ended and Australia had won a record amount of gold medals ever. It was enough to make the very proud Australian over the moon and she had been in such a good mood ever since then, it had reflected on everyone else. Although she did do some good-natured teasing of all the others, considering everyone else on the team was mostly American. She had said it was her patriotic duty to rub their faces in the fact that Australia had wiped the floor with them at the Games. Which wasn't strictly true, but in the pool, Australia had no equal and they all knew it. They didn't mind, in fact it was fun. This was a side they hadn't really noticed about her before.
"We're going to drag your wife to the mineral springs Dulcea found for us. We don't want you couple of blokes interfering." The two friends held up their hands and backed up a step, both wearing identical expressions of horror. Jason spoke this time not bothering to hiding his laughter, Billy couldn't stop either.
"Wouldn't dare interfere with you to. Please, go ahead!" They both stood there laughing as the entire female ranger contingent headed into the medical cave. Jason had never seen such a stampede of determined woman before. He glanced at Billy and saw he was just as fascinated as he was. Billy quirked an eyebrow and spoke softly.
"This'll be interesting." Jason just laughed harder and they watched and waited. After a few moments a sound of a protesting voice could be heard, demanding to be taken back inside. But she was being ignored. The mass of woman exited the cave and the two men burst into helpless laughter, holding onto each other to stay upright at the sight they beheld.
Trini was being carried by the entire posse of women and couldn't get away. She was held up by all the woman for all the world to see and it was priceless, the look on her face. At a barked command from Aisha, Maya darted out from the pack and grabbed up everyone's bags and the woman headed off down the trail, Trini protesting all the way. Billy clapped Jason on the shoulder and laughed heartily.
"You know, that has to be the funniest thing I have ever seen." Jason tried to look serious but then burst into laughing. The two of them moved down into the main camp and looked around. The place was completely deserted and the two men realized that this was the chance both of them had been waiting for. The chance to talk and get to know what was going on. A chance to plan for the future – if there was going to be one that is. Smiling Billy nodded at Jason, silently agreeing with him.
"You get us something to drink, I'll check on Kim."
"Right." They both moved off in different directions, minds bent to their respective tasks.
Ten minutes later they were both seated at the workbench in the main kitchen area. They had decided that they might as well make themselves useful by chopping vegetables for that evening's stew, that way they would have something to eat even if the other male rangers didn't catch any fish, the bonus being they could talk as they worked.
"So, Billy. We haven't had much of a chance since you've been back to talk. How are you holding up?" Jason concentrated on peeling the potatoes while he spoke. Billy was doing the same with the carrots. Content to let his mind just concentrate on this menial task. After a few moments of silence he sighed and began speaking, amusing himself by throwing the chopped carrots into the vast stew pot in the middle of the bench.
"Okay I guess. It's going to take a long to get used to being with out her by my side I suppose. I guess, I guess I now know how my dad's felt most of my life since my mother died. It's not easy and it's not going to get a lot easier for a long time is it Jason?" Jason paused for a moment and then nodded gently.
"I wish it would for you Billy." They sat in silence for a moment, peeling vegetables. Sighing Billy started chopping beans now that the carrots were done. "So, tell me about her Billy. Tell me everything." Billy looked up sharply at his friend and could see the concern for him in Jason's eyes. Might as well, he thought, it might even help.
"Well, we meet when I was helping them rebuild Eltar after Zordon's death. She was their working as a Healer and I loved her from the very first moment my eyes meet hers."
Elsewhere overlooking the temple, the two Guardians watched the two young men talking. Dulcea nodded to herself and turned and walked away, towards her private meditation spot. Dimitria following after a moment. Dulcea leaned her staff against the rock and picked a couple of fruits off a nearby tree and handed one to her friend.
"Those two are close." Dulcea grinned a very rare grin at her companion.
"Yes. Billy will tell Jason things that he won't tell the others. Something happened to him while he was trying to fight Dathan and I think he will have to get it sorted out before he can face him again." Dimitria just shrugged and sat down on a rock, opposite her friend. Curling her legs beneath her Dimitria reached up and removed her veil, revealing her lovely face and long dark hair.
"Why do you still keep your face covered Dimitria? Everyone here knows who you are."
"Habit I suppose." She reached up and removed her veil entirely, shaking her head so that her hair fell about her face in waves. Dulcea smiled, it wasn't often that Dimitria relaxed like this.
"In over the four thousand years I've known you Dimitria, that's only the second time you've let your hair down, literally." Dimitria smiled and took a bite of her fruit. Sighing she looked out over the jungle. Dulcea leaned forward slightly; Dimitria seemed pensive somehow.
"What's wrong my friend?"
"I have to go home now. My sister has been calling me for almost two months solid. I can't ignore her any more. Even though she's good now, and has been cured of the evil that was controlling her, she still can be, well, rather insistent."
"And her voice, well, the less said about that the better." They both laughed, enjoying a rare moment of tranquillity. Sighing about the necessity of going home, Dimitria turned to her friend, her expression sad and regretful.
"I have enjoyed being here with you for the last ten months Dulcea. It was good to get back into the fight, albeit on the sidelines. But I have missed Inquiris. More than I thought I would I suppose."
"Your always welcome here, when ever you want to visit, I'm always here." Dimitria looked at her friend, concern coloring her tone.
"Do you ever regret accepting this responsibility? Of never being able to leave here, of never being able to go down into the jungle itself?" Dulcea looked down at her beloved jungle, her expression now pensive.
"Occasionally I do. And there are those rare occasions when I can go into the jungle. I have the rest of the planet to roam in so I keep myself amused. But sometimes, sometimes I feel like Maya. Not knowing where my home is any more or what has become of it. I feel like I'm the last member of my people, the last of the true Ninjetti."
"Except for young William down there, you are my friend."
"I know. And that's what makes it so hard sometimes Dimitria. Knowing that maybe he wont survive the upcoming trials facing him and that I will truly, be the last Ninjetti." Dimitria began putting her veil back on, speaking slowly as if the words themselves weren't important but the intent was.
"It is the burden we accepted knowingly Dulcea. I accept the fact that I am to be a Guardian to the Rangers. You accepted the responsibility of the Guardianship of this planet and all that went with it. Including the loneliness. I do not envy either of us our tasks."
"At least once this is all over, you can go back to being just plain Dimitria, teacher of knowledge at the Academy. Me, I'll remain here for the remainder of time." Dulcea shook herself and stood up, automatically grasping her staff. "Maybe I'm just feeling a little sorry for myself, or just that the deaths of so many young people have upset us both more than we realized." Dimitria stood and finished fastening her veil.
"Yes. Maybe it has." She held out her hand and Dulcea came over and grasped it in hers. "Good bye my friend, may the power protect you."
"Safe journey my friend. May the power protect you, always." Smiling at her friend Dulcea released her hands and stepped back. Concentrating Dimitria disappeared in a streak of white light. "Good bye my friend." Sighing Dulcea went back over to her meditation rock and sat down. Crossing her legs under her she closed her eyes and tried to seek answers for the questions troubling her soul.
"So there I was, on bended knee asking her to marry me, when in bursts her brothers whose main aim is to take me out the back and ask me my intentions for their sister." Jason laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair. Billy grinned and kept talking as he was chopping various roots for the stew. "So anyway, here I was on bended knee asking her, in front of her father. Anyway she just grinned at me, reached down and got me to my feet. Which was pretty hard as I was really, really nervous about it. Anyway so she says to me I'll think about it and you could of heard a pin drop. Then she decided that I'd suffered enough and threw her arms around me, saying yes. Tell you what, never been happier. And didn't look back." He sighed, his mood changing to one of melancholy reflection. "I just wish you could have known her better Jason. You would have loved her as much as I do." Jason laughed slightly and clapped his friend on the back.
"Somehow I think Trini might have objected." Laughing the put all the chopped vegetables in the large stew pot. "Now, if the guys have caught a good catch, fish stew sounds nice for a change doesn't it?"
"Yep. Defiantly a nice change." They stood and stretched a little. They had been sitting and talking about things for what felt like forever but was probably only a couple of hours. "Come on. Let's go check on Kim." The two friends walked over to the medical cave, enjoying the company of one another and the deep friendship between the two of them.
"She's looking a little better don't you think?" Billy's words were soft.
"Yes. Trini said she was hoping that Kim would come out of it soon." Jason sighed, that was one task he wasn't looking forward to. Tom had been killed in the attack that had injured Kim and put her in a coma. She didn't know that he was gone, and it was Jason's job as leader to tell her. It wasn't something that he was good at, having to tell seven families that their son's or daughters wouldn't ever be coming home again. Unbeknownst to all bar Trini, the anguish he felt at having to do this duty had driven him a couple of times to despair, and almost quitting outright. But he didn't give up. That's what made him a good leader. That's what made him a leader everyone was willing to follow. Sighing he looked down at his friend and was startled to see two brown eyes staring up at him.
"Kim. You're awake. How do you feel?"
"Like I've been run over by a steamroller. How do you think? Where's Tom?" Jason bowed his head for a moment, dreading the task he had to perform. Billy saw the anguish and had heard the reluctance in his voice earlier. So he decided to spare his friend this task and began speaking softly.
"In the explosion which injured you, Cassie and Tom were killed instantly. Carlos had concussion and you've been unconscious since then. We're sorry Kim. More than you can know." Tears began streaming down her face and she closed her eyes in pain for a moment. Jason reached down and grasped her hand in his and Billy did the same, his hand covering theirs. Just then they felt a presence behind them and saw Dulcea standing there.
"Go now. I'll watch her and ease her pain." Without a word they both let go of her hands and left the cave. Sighing they both went over to their favorite spot and watched the jungle for signs of the others returning.
~*~
The Revenge.
Dathan watched as the pink ranger came to and heard the news about her husband. He saw Dulcea comfort her and try to help with the pain. He moved uncomfortably in his seat, his own thoughts sad and confused. This scene was unsettling him more than he thought possible. Frowning he concentrated a moment and disappeared from his ship. He re-appeared on the asteroid near the Great Barrier, the very one where he had fought the Rangers and the Blue Mage earlier. He stood there staring at the Barrier, trying to divine the purpose of his existence he supposed. He wasn't that surprised to feel a presence behind him. He turned to find T'Risa's spirit standing there.
"Welcome fair lady." He bowed his head in respect. She did the same.
"You are troubled." He quirked a grin at her simple statement.
"You noticed."
"Yes. You are unsure of your role in the upcoming events." It was a statement, not a question and he knew the answer straight away.
"Yes. I have talked with your husband, and some of the Rangers. It has made me doubt my motives and my purpose." T'Risa looked at him, her eyes wise and she nodded slowly.
"It can be disconcerting, can't it Dathan. To discover that you like your enemy." His head jerked up and he stared her in the eye before he replied.
"Yes, that's it exactly. I don't want to hurt any more people." He sounded angry and upset and confused all at once. T'Risa looked at him and smiled gently and gestured all around her.
"Dathan, destiny choose you to walk this path. The universe needs balance more than anything else. The balance of good versus evil is the most fundamental of those balances. Zordon's influence wiped out most of the evil in the Universe, and for awhile the balance has been on the side of good. But the universe is coming up to something spectacular. The birth of new millennia is also the rebirth of the universe itself. And if that balance isn't exactly right at the time of rebirth, then chaos incarnate will reign and nothing anyone can do will stop it." He stared at her in shock. To him it sounded like she wanted him to commit unspeakable acts of evil. But that couldn't be right, could it?
"Are you telling me that I have to be evil? Go out and destroy peoples and planets like I enjoy it? Even though I've already cost you your life?" She sighed and looked at him. He could see the sadness and loneliness in her eyes. It was like he was looking into the Blue Mage's eyes again. He could see how these two made such a good couple together.
"No Dathan. I'm telling you that you can't fight destiny. Destiny has decreed that you are to fight Will on the eve of the new millennia. It has decreed that the fight will decide the fate of the universe. Are you going to fight destiny Dathan?" She faded away and he was left alone. He stared at the spot where she had stood for a few moments and then sighed.
"No my lady. I will not fight destiny. But it doesn't mean I have to like it."
~*~
Phaedos. Early December.
The Rangers had enjoyed the quiet time that they had been sharing. The women had helped Kim cope with Tom's death and the team had become closer than they ever had before. They all missed Dimitria, Justin especially, but understood that she had to return home to her people. In fact they all had returned to Earth at one point or another over the last few months, to see their families and reassure them that they were still okay. Trini and Jason had even managed to get a couple of days away to celebrate their recent wedding anniversary, all the Rangers had chipped in for that one.
Billy wandered around the camp, watching his friends going about there daily routine. He had slowly come to terms with all his friend's death's and found that the sadness he felt was replaced by a strong determination to win. But there was still a gaping emptiness in him, where the loss of his wife still hurt, he supposed it would be there for sometime to come. He looked up as he saw Dulcea approach him.
"William. There is a problem. Dathan has sent his forces to attack Inquiris itself. They have overwhelmed its defenses and Dimitria has called for help." Billy's stomach twisted itself into knots. This was totally unexpected.
"What's the problem then? We take the two Zords and go help them." Dulcea gazed at him and sighed. Looking away from him she spoke again, her tone very reluctant.
"The Prophecy is the problem. It stated how many Rangers were to die. There is a chance that a yellow and a blue ranger will fall in this attack. Do you want to take that chance?" Billy was stunned and grabbed her, forcing her to look him in the eyes.
"What do you mean, lose a blue ranger. We've already lost T'Risa, isn't that enough?" His voice was hard, rough and upset.
"William. Think about it, T'Risa only joined with the Great Power to give her extra power as a Mage. She didn't need to be a Ranger, so she isn't counted as one. And if you remember, the prophecy mentions her separately." Billy shook his head and moved away, stopping to look down at his friends. "You must leave all the yellow and blue Rangers here." He shook his head emphatically.
"I can't make that decision Dulcea. I tried to do that a couple of months ago and look how close we came to losing everything we have been working for. No, it's Jason's decision." He moved away from her and jogged down the path to where Jason was practicing with Rocky and Adam, his whole demeanor angry and upset.
"Jason, something's come up. Dathan's attacking Inquiris, Dimitria's called for help." Jason stared at his friend and then nodded, not really noticing Billy's mood.
"What are we standing around here for then?" He made to move away to get the others but Billy grabbed his arm. Nodding to Rocky and Adam the two friends moved off to gather everyone together. Jason studied Billy intently and knew something was up.
"What is it Billy?"
"Dulcea thinks we should make the yellow and blue Rangers stay behind." Jason looked shocked and glanced over at the Master Warrior. She was standing proud and defiant, on the steps of the temple. Her head was high and her eyes steady. Jason was thoroughly confused.
"Why?"
"Because we can still loose one or both of them, she doesn't think we should take that chance this close to the end." He stared at his friend, having a feeling he knew where this was heading.
"And what did you say to that?"
"I said it was your choice. I tried to choose for everyone a couple of months ago remember, that was a disaster. You're the leader Jason, I hate to put it on your shoulders, but that's why you're our leader. You can handle the responsibility of it." Jason just stared and then smiled thinly at his friend.
"Thanks. But considering what Dathan is capable of, I think we're going to need everyone. Let's go."
~*~
In orbit above Inquiris.
"What do you think Jason?" The red ranger looked over the results on Justin's sensors.
"It's not looking good, that's for sure Justin." He glanced over to Aisha. "Any luck getting through to Dimitria Aisha?" He didn't sound hopeful, but had to ask anyway.
"No. Too much interference. Sorry."
"Okay, so we do it the hard way. Kim, you stay here as back up okay?" The recently woken pink ranger looked ready to object but just nodded in agreement.
"Okay Jason." He looked around at the assembled Rangers.
"Okay. Let's do it. It's Morphin Time!"
"The Lion!"
"The Ape!"
"The Hawk!"
"The Fox!"
"The Dolphin!"
"The Swan!"
"The Butterfly!"
"The Chameleon!"
"The Tiger!"
"The Panther!"
"The Frog!"
"The Bear!"
"The Cheetah!"
"The Gazelle!"
"The Eagle!"
"The Deer!"
"The Bull!"
"The Squirrel!"
"The Wolf!"
~*~
Inquiris.
The Rangers arrived morphed and ready to fight in the Center Square of the capital of Inquiris. Jason took the situation in with a glance and started issuing orders quickly and concisely.
"Aisha, take Justin, Zhane and Kat with you. Find Dimitria and find out what the situation is. The rest of us, let's get 'em!" The four Rangers departed and headed off towards the main building while the rest of them attacked the Rocknies.
Aisha held in the mini-scanner in front of her as they raced towards what looked like the main building. It was calibrated towards Dimitria's life signs and they raced towards her location. They reached the building to find a couple of Rocknie's in their way. Zhane took this in with a glance and quickly decided what to do. They could hear his smile beneath his helmet.
"Aisha, take Kat, find Dimitria. Justin and I will handle this."
"Right Zhane." The two female Rangers leapt over the Rocknies and left them to be dealt with by the two guys. "This way Kat."
They raced along a corridor, ignoring the stares of the Inquitian people inside. "I think she's in here." They had reached a huge double door that a couple of guards were standing outside of. They skidded to a halt and Kat stepped forward.
"We are here to see Dimitria. Take us to her, now!" The guards hesitated a moment and then nodded to each other. These were Power Rangers, the most trusted people in the universe. One guard opened the door and motioned them to go inside. They walked through the door and saw Dimitria standing in the middle of the room with four others, around a large table that was glowing white for some reason. She looked up as the two Rangers came into the room, her expression one of relief as she smiled at them. It was then that the two woman noticed that her veil was gone, in fact, instead of her normal flowing headdress and robes, her hair was free, she was in some sort of military looking uniform and she had a smudge of dirt on her face. To top it all off, she looked extremely tired.
"Rangers. Thank the power that you're here in time. Come over here." The two Rangers moved to stand next to her. Kat looked at her, concern in her voice.
"Are you alright?"
"Tired is all Pink Ranger." She motioned towards the table. "This is what we have been working on. It is the Knowledge Crystal. All the combined knowledge of all our people, our heritage, culture, art, music, knowledge, everything that makes Inquiris what it is, is in the crystal. You must take it to Dulcea. She will know what to do with it." Kat began to get a horrible suspicion but Aisha beat her to voicing her thoughts.
"Hang on a second Dimitria, you're coming with us aren't you?" Aisha's voice was soft.
"No Yellow Ranger. I mustn't leave now, my place is here, with my people. Take this crystal please, it is our hope." She reached out and reverently picked the crystal up. She turned and placed it in a small bag made of what looked like to be white velvet. She handed it to Kat, closing Kat's fingers over it. She smiled gently at the two women.
"Now Rangers, please hurry and take this to Dulcea. It is very important, it will aid you in the final battle and more. Go."
"But Dimitria." Kat's protest was automatic but Dimitria shook her head.
"Go. Now! Please Rangers." Taking the bag Kat nodded and backed away. As she and Aisha reached the door they turned and both bowed to the Inquitian lady and then left. "Good luck Rangers."
Outside the building Zhane and Justin had quickly dealt with the two Rocknies trying to get into the building and were about to run into, looking for the others, when the two woman came running out. Zhane kept an eye out while the other's gathered around.
"What's going on? Where's Dimitria?" Justin looked around, his blue head twisting and turning, trying to see his mentor and friend.
"She's not coming Justin. Come on, we have to join the others." Justin went to protest Aisha's words but Kat just shook her head as she raised her communicator.
"Kat calling Anzac,"
"Go ahead Kat." Kim's voice was strong, even though she was miles above them.
"Kim, in front of me about half a meter away is a small bag, teleport that up in a moment and don't let it out of your sight for a moment okay, I'll explain later." Kat placed the bag on the ground and stepped back slightly.
"Okay. Teleporting now." The bag vanished. "Got it Kat."
"Thanks Kim, Kat out." She lowered her wrist and nodded to the guys. "Let's go."
The rest of the Rangers had been fighting a holding action against the Rocknies at the spaceport, allowing people to evacuate the planet. So far they had been successful but were getting pretty tired. Jason looked up in relief as he saw the other Rangers arrive.
"Did you get Dimitria to safety?" He asked absently as he ducked under a wild swing, blocking it with his sword.
"She refused to come. Told us to leave in no uncertain terms. Sorry Jason but she won't come." Kat spoke distractedly as she ducked under a clumsy swing made by the Rocknie that had just attacked Jason.
"Oh well, we'll just have to keep fighting and get rid of these guys altogether." They jumped into the fray with renewed vigor and calling on their power weapons they were able to reduce the number of Rocknie's dramatically. They were winning when all of a sudden there was a large flash and Dathan appeared in front of them.
~*~
Inquiris.
"Rangers." Billy and Jason stepped forward as one to face him. The Rocknies had backed off and were standing behind their master. At some unseen signal, the rest of the Rangers spread out behind Jason and Billy in a semi circle of color.
"Dathan. Is there something we can do for?" Jason's voice was calm, controlled and Billy's admiration for his friend was immense in that instant. The most evil person in the universe walked slowly towards them. Reacting instinctively all the Rangers behind them both assumed combat stances. Dathan just smiled slightly and stopped just in front of Jason and Billy. He nodded his head politely to them both.
"Red Ranger. Blue Mage. I have come here to offer a deal." Jason and Billy exchanged wary glances and even though their helmets, they knew what the other was thinking.
"We don't do deals." Billy held his hand out to stop his friend from reacting to quickly. They were of the same mind, but Billy had a suspicion he wanted verified, so he removed his helmet to stare at Dathan, his shoulder length blonde hair blowing in the slight breeze.
"I think we should hear him out Jason." It said a lot for the regard Jason had for Billy that he didn't retort, just nodded his assent and turned his attention back to Dathan.
"Thank you Blue Mage. As you know, the prophecy says that the Blue Mage and I will are supposed to fight on the eve of the millennium."
"We know that. What's the deal?" Sometimes, Jason just had to come to the point, no matter what. Dathan sighed and looked Billy square in the eyes when he spoke. His gray ones staring into the deep blue ones.
"We stop this useless fighting now. And then it's just you and I on what you human's call New Years Eve. No more me sending Rocknie's to attack insignificant targets and try to kill you. Just you and me on New Years Eve."
"That's it? What about the Rocknie's that are left here?" Dathan looked around and saw about twenty Rocknies left, he just shrugged, they didn't concern him, and they were just tools after all. He looked back at the two Rangers.
"You can finish them off Red Ranger, they don't matter. Consider them a farewell gift from myself. Well Blue Ranger? What is your response?" Billy went to speak but Jason stopped him with a glance. Billy could read his friend like no one else could. He knew that Jason wanted him to wait. Jason stepped forward as Billy put his helmet back on.
"He'll think about it. In the meantime we'll finish off these Rocknies and you don't bring anymore in and he'll consider it. That's our deal!" Dathan just nodded.
"Fine by me Red Ranger. Go for it. I'll be over here watching." He gestured towards a nearby pile of rubble and walked over to it. They watched as he made himself comfortable on the rubble. Jason turned to Billy and Billy could tell Jason was worried.
"I don't know what to make of him. Kat, come here a minute will you." The Pink Ranger walked over and Jason quickly filled her in on Dathan's proposal.
"So, what do you think?" Kat crossed her arms and glanced over at Dathan and then sighed.
"I think he means it. He wants this to come to an end Jason, just as we do. I know I'm in a minority of one here, but I feel sorry for him." She sounded defiant and Jason just nodded and clapped her on the shoulder.
"It's okay Kat, we all have our feelings. Let's take care of these Rocknies and then see what happens."
The remaining Rangers battled the left over Rocknies eagerly. Knowing that this was the last time they would be facing them had let themselves get over confident and they stopped taking notice of the environment around them. Each of the Rangers was taking on the Rocknies with sometimes an almost blatant disregard for their own safety. Time and time again they had to remind each other to be careful. Jason had called Kim down from the Zords, as he knew that she would want to be in on the last fight if this turned out to be the case. They were fighting well and had gotten it down to the last five Rocknies. One of the Rocknies saw the overwhelming odds and took off running. Without thinking Justin took off after him. Jason seeing this ordered Trini and Adam to go after him, while the others took care of the rest.
"Justin, will you wait. He's not going anywhere." The young blue ranger slowed down a fraction and waited for the two other Rangers to join him. They stopped and saw where the Rocknie was. He had tried to take shelter in a heavily damaged building but couldn't get in to it through the rubble. So it saw the three Rangers standing there and took off running again.
"Let's go!" Justin took off running again. Adam looked at Trini, and she could hear the smile in his voice.
"Were we ever that young?"
"No one's that young!" She laughed and they took off after Justin. The Rocknie had run back towards the battle's location and then pulled up short when he saw he was the last Rocknie left. He saw 18 Rangers standing there, waiting for him. He turned and saw three Rangers standing behind him.
Growling with rage he took the path of least resistance.
He turned and charged at the three Rangers, taking them by surprise, even the more experienced ones. Striking out with its powerful arms, it sent Adam flying through the air, the black ranger landed badly with a sickening crunch. The other Rangers came running and Dathan stood up, concern on his face. Something wasn't right with this particular Rocknie. The Rocknie then turned it attention to Trini and Justin. With a roar that shook the very foundations of the building's around them, it struck Justin with such a lightening hard blow that sent him to the ground like a felled tree, unconscious. Trini leapt at it, trying to distract it by landing blow after blow, to gain time for the others to arrive to help them. The Rocknie had other ideas though. Utilizing a little known attack he increased his energy and grabbing Trini by the throat, he didn't let her go no matter how many blows she landed on him. Her vision started to go black as she fought for air. The other Rangers had reached Adam and watched Trini's battle with growing horror. Jason, Billy, Rocky, Andros, Zhane, Leo and Mike all took off at a run, to try and reach Trini and Justin in time. Behind the Rangers Dathan yelled at the Rocknie, his face a mask of horror as he began to realize what was about to happen.
"NO! I won't let you do that!" He held out his hand to try and stop the Rocknie but it was too late. Eons too late.
The Rocknie exploded.
The Rangers were flung about like rag dolls in all directions. Most of them were lucky and only got cuts and bruises, a few had minor breaks and sprains. Trini and Justin weren't so lucky. They were obliterated, totally. Jason got to his feet unsteadily, holding his right arm and just stared at the huge hole on the ground were moments before his wife had been. He took two steps towards it and then collapsed to the ground, sobbing softly.
"No. Not her. Please God. Not her."
Dathan picked himself up and looked at the devastation that his creature had caused. Without realizing it he found himself standing next to Kat.
"I didn't want this to happen. No one was supposed to get hurt." Once more, Kat's infamous temper got the better of her. This time, however, Dathan wasn't amused.
"Wasn't supposed to happen? How could it not happen! These things were your creations Dathan! That's what they do. It's what you do. Kill and maim and destroy! That's the only thing you know how to do! I felt sorry for you Dathan, but no longer. I despise you more than anything! You've killed so many good people in this stupid fight of yours and now you've gone and crossed the line. Do you realize what you've done? You've killed a Healer Dathan! A Healer! The one person you told me that you would never harm!" He stared at her in shock. The Rangers were looking at him and he could tell that through their helmets that they were way past angry. And so was he. Angry with himself and what his creation had done. How dare they judge him for being what he was, evil?
"Don't you think I know that! But it's what I am. Evil! Evil people do evil things! You think that I don't regret killing a Healer. It will go to my grave with me!" He looked up as Billy approached.
"New Years Eve. The asteroid. You and me." Dathan nodded. "Now get out of here before we forget about the universe and destroy you here and now."
"Agreed Blue Mage. But remember this Ranger. I am evil. Nothing can change that." He pointed at the ground, a streak of black light emerging from his hand and the ground began shaking. He disappeared and Kendrix spoke.
"Let's get out of here, now!" Billy went over to Jason and held onto him as they all teleported to the Zords.
From the Zords the watched as the Planet Inquiris slowly broke into pieces. In the space of ten minutes, the planet was no more. All the Rangers stood around silently. No one moved or spoke. After a few moments Andros stirred and headed the Zords back to Phaedos.
Tbc.