POWER RAGNERS: OMEGA
The Femme Fatale Saga
Part Two-Episode Four: Felines and Canines
Two hours have passed since Maurice subdued Keisha. She is now asleep, Maurice protectively cradling her body next to his in her bed. He is at a lost as to what is happening to her but can easily trace its origins to her abduction the previous day. She begins tossing in her sleep and he calms her down with the words of the song once more.
"I'm coming with you." Tommy looks up from tying his boots to see Kimberly struggling with an oversized suitcase.
"Who's gonna watch the store?"
"We can close it for now. Whoever gets back first can just reopen it." She places the huge piece of luggage down and wipes her forehead. "I refuse to be left here alone."
"Maurice will be back by morning."
"Like I said, I refuse to be left here alone."
"Suit yourself. We leave now."
"Okay. What? As in right now? It's midnight! Are you insane?"
"You wanted to come. That's the time I chose."
"Okay, okay. Midnight it is." She huffs and Tommy can't help but smile at his father's first love.
Trini approaches the dwelling with a miniscule amount of trepidation tugging at the back of her senses. Ducking, she avoids a punch and with the speed and grace of a martial arts master, grabs the wrist of the assailant and tosses the person over her shoulder. Still holding the masked person's wrist, she kicks the attacker in the face. Two more leap at her, each armed with clubs. Wind milling her arms, she slams her open palm down against the first attacker's wrist and spin sweeps him down. From her crouched position, she easily dodges the homerun swing attempt to her head, turns her back to him, and rams her heel into the man's shin. Spinning around quickly, she chops him across the shoulder of the arm holding the club, causing him to drop it. Hooking his arm with her own, she jerks at the elbow joint and uses his forearm to block a blow from his partner. Wincing from the sound of the club cracking against his forearm, she turns to her left and drives her elbow into his lower back with enough force to knock him and his partner down.
"Enough," calls out a feminine voice from within the building.
"These guys are sloppy," Trini remarks as the owner of the voice steps away from the doorway.
"True, but I didn't train them." A smile creeps up on the lips of the slightly taller female as she covers the few feet separating them and pulls the older woman into a tight embrace. "It's good seeing you again. What have you been up to as of late?"
"Long story. Mind if we go inside?"
"Not at all." She places her arm on Trini's shoulder and the two venture inside the dwelling.
"Sure you're not forgetting something, like the refrigerator or something?" Tommy comments, as he tosses her suitcase in the storage bed of the air truck.
"I knew I forgot something!" she responds, pushing him gently. "I get to drive the first leg of the trip."
"Go right ahead. I'll just take an hour nap." Securing the locks on the bed, he hops into the passenger seat, reclines, and clasps his hands behind his head. Kimberly shakes her head and climbs into the front seat. She initiates the flight sequence and in moments the two of them are hovering several feet above the surface at about 320 mph.
"That's incredible," Sasha notes, sipping her coffee. For the last hour, Trini had been telling her friend Sasha Ortega about the reconstruction of most of California's cities, and about her relationship with the new Power Rangers.
"That's the main reason I'm here," Trini affirms, alluding to her search for a new Ranger.
"I'd love to help, but like you said, none of my friends here are quite up to the task, and I'm too old to be dressing up and fighting monsters. Might break a hip or something." The two forty plus year old women giggle.
"I suppose you're right. But you must know someone."
"Why not let me be a Ranger?" inquires a voice similar to Sasha's. Turning in the direction of the voice, Trini's jaw nearly drops at the sight of the young woman. It is as if she is looking into a mirror of the past and staring into the face of Sasha at age nineteen.
"Ashley, how long have you been there?"
"Long enough to hear what I've wanted to hear for a long time." The young woman, dressed in a pair of tight fitting black jeans and a white tank top, walks over to the two older females.
"What are you talking about young lady?"
"Ever since I first began learning how to fight, I often wondered why my father was so against it. Then I found out about what my mother used to do, and I wanted to be a Power Ranger." She sits down next to Trini. "Right now, more than ever, the world needs more than two Rangers."
"She has a point there," Trini adds.
"Whose side are you on?"
"Whichever side helps save the world. In this case, I think I'm siding with the young lady." Ashley smirks at Sasha.
"Lord help me," Sasha whines, looking directly into her eyes. "When your mom asked me to watch over you, I never thought in my wildest dreams you'd want to grow up to be like her. I won't stop you." Ashley walks over to her and hugs her tightly.
"Thanks for trusting in me." The two continue hugging as Trini smiles.
"Wake up Kim." Tommy nudges the sleepy beauty with his elbow. She moans and rubs her eyes.
"Are we here?" She yawns and stretches as much as the confinement of the vehicle allows her.
"Yep. Been here for a while. Had time to bring our things upstairs." He opens the door and exits the truck. Kimberly yawns once more before joining him.
Unlocking the door their room, Tommy steps aside and bows for her.
"After you my lady."
She curtseys and replies "Why thank you kind sir."
The room is quite spacious, providing enough room for a separate sleeping and lounging area independent of one another. Plopping down upon the sofa, Tommy flips on the television set.
"How did you know about this place?" Kimberly tours the room, stopping at the king size bed. "I didn't know they'd have time to build a place like this in such short time." She bounces up and down upon the plush mattress.
"Saundra told me about it. Said the former owner rented it out to Omega's human soldiers to protect it from being destroyed. Now go to bed, Saundra starts her rounds at five. So that's give us about 2 and a half hours of rest." He turns the volume of the television back up as Kimberly gives him an evil look before rummaging through her bag for a nightgown.
The early morning rays cast a warm glow across Maurice's face. Blinking the sleep from his eyes, he senses that Keisha is no longer in the bed. Rolling out of bed, he looks around the apartment and finds her on the balcony staring directly into the sun.
"You can permanently damage your eyes that way." Maurice approaches her and places a reassuring hand on her shoulder.
"I don't know what's wrong with me and it's scaring the hell out of me."
"It may not seem like it, but I understand." He pulls her into an embrace and rests his chin on her head. "I'm here for you."
Michael hands Saundra the crate of water bottles. Hoisting them above her head, she places them on the shelf.
"That's the last of them." She wipes away the few droplets of perspiration that had gathered on her forehead. Glancing down at her watch, she notes the early hour. "Let's take a break. It's only seven and we've already got most of our errands done for the day."
"Then you have time to try this out." Turning around Saundra smiles as she finds Tommy and Kimberly standing behind them.
"Nice seeing the two of you again. And to what do I owe the honor?" She flashes her super-model quality smile and climbs down the stepladder.
"I wanted to give you this." He tosses her what appears to be a small wrist weight. "Now come with me please." He turns to leave. Saundra informs Michael that she will be gone for a few minutes.
In a barren field just outside San Diego's city limits, Tommy holds his morpher in front of him.
"It's voice activated. The first time you morph will feel a bit uncomfortable. Painful even. You get used to it though." She nods. "Now as soon as I morph you do it too. That way, a little of the pain will be compensated for with my transformation. You ready?" She nods and holds her bracelet to the opposite shoulder. "It's morphing time! Dragon Zord!"
"Purple Panther!" Instantly, the form hugging body armor enwraps her body. Just as promised, her entire body begins to ache and she nearly looses her balance.
Catching her Tommy asks, "So, you still wanna be a Power Ranger?"
Maurice finishes packing up Keisha's clothes and slings the tote bag over his shoulder. Grasping the handles of the two suitcases, he proceeds downstairs as Keisha watches him from the doorway. Earlier, it had been decided that she stay with him until they figured out exactly what was afflicting her so. Holding her hand over her heart she sighs, the first sign of relief since she thought she had woke from a long sleep the previous day.
"All packed?" Trini inquires of her young companion.
"Yep," Ashley responds, adjusting the bedroll atop her backpack before shifting its bulky design onto her shoulders.
"Nice seeing you again Sasha."
"Same here. Take good care of her."
"No need to even ask." They hug and part ways. Ashley kisses Sasha on the forehead before following Trini through the doorway.
"One more time." Tommy watches as Saundra pants heavily and wipes the sweat stinging her eyes.
"Purple Panther!" For the fifth time, a purple aura swirls around her body, starting at her feet and ending at her head.
"Good," Tommy compliments. "Now attack me."
"Can't I rest first?" Her answer comes in the form of a punch aimed at her head. She ducks it and snaps her neck away from another. Digging deep within herself, she manages to block the ensuing offense.
"Ready to step it up?" Before she can reply, Tommy blurs away from her sight for a moment. Reappearing behind her, he taps her on the shoulder.
Turning, she finds him no longer there. "Over here." She turns and finds him standing a few feet from her to the right. "That's enough for today. We'll do more tomorrow." His suit dematerializes as does hers and he catches her as she stumbles.
"That was intense."
"Yep. You're learning quickly. Now let's get you in to a shower. No offense, but you stink." She shoves him playfully and they walk off together.
Maurice checks up on Keisha for the fourth time in the thirty minutes since they had arrived from her apartment. She assures him that she's okay and thanks him again for the use of his room.
"I'll be in my workshop if you need anything."
"I'm fine Maurice. Just do what you need to." He touches her hand and leaves her alone with her thoughts.
Keisha watches as he leaves and thanks her fortunes for having such a good friend in Maurice. He had always been a good friend to her and she felt safe with him. In the back of her mind, another panic attack begins to surface and she hugs herself. As much as she loved Maurice, she could not help but feel like a burden having to depend on him for comfort. She chooses to weather this one alone.
Silver, garbed in a black silk robe and pants, watches from the shadows of Cornelius's lab as Tigress runs her hands over the glass-like opening of one of the larger stasis units.
"Not that I particularly care, but what are you doing?" Tigress turns around startled at the unexpected and frankly unwanted company.
"None of your business you walking canned good." Before she can blink, Silver is in her face.
"Maybe I approached this incorrectly. I asked before, but now I'm demanding to know what's inside." Instantly, his fist slams into the door, rattling the entire containment unit and causing her to flinch.
"I'm not easily intimidated." He grips her chin.
"Maybe not, but you are easily beaten to a quivering pile of excrement. I saw what you looked like after the Black Ranger finished with you. And that was beautiful how you told the doctor it was you who inflicted the injuries to the Ranger. Now one more time before I snap your neck and open it myself. What. Is. Inside?"
Relenting, she sighs and responds, "My older brother."
"Now then, was that so bad?" Pushing her aside, he looks inside. "Question. You were spliced with a cat. Why wasn't he as well?"
"Who knows? The doctor does as he wishes with his subjects."
"I could tell, with you being his special 'kitty' and all." He smirks at her and backs away, dissolving back into the shadows from whence he appeared.
"I hate you!" she screams, grabbing the nearest item and hurling it at the spot he just occupied. The beaker shatters as it strikes the now closed doorway and she slumps to the floor in defeat.
For the past hour, Keisha laid motionless, tucked in a ball on the cold linoleum floor of Maurice's bathroom, enduring her worst attack since her abduction. Breathing slowly, she uncurls herself in order to look at her reflection.
Frightened to the point that she is shaking, she observes the disheveled hair, the blood red, dry eyes, the white streaks of dried tears on her cheek, and oddly enough, facial hair. Slowly her hand reaches up to the small patches of wild hair protruding from her chin, she jerks her hand back quickly and examines them. The same dark hair is amassing on her hands in small clumps.
"What's happening to me?" She inhales sharply, realizing the voice resonating from her vocal cords was deeper, more sensual than her normal speaking voice. Almost a purr in its quality. Suddenly, her arms begin to itch and instinctively, she scratches them. Having cut her nails the day before, she is shocked to find herself drawing blood from her skin. As the thin tendrils of crimson run down her forearm, she shrieks and punches the mirror, shattering it in a spider-web pattern. Smaller shards break loose from the frame and spray the sink. Grabbing her head, she falls to her knees and begins crying.
Maurice, sensing something wrong, literally drops everything he is working on and dashes upstairs. Moments later, a small beeping sound, unheard by the bedroom bound Maurice, indicates that someone is attempting to reach him.
"Damn. I can't get him to respond." Tommy looks over at Saundra, who at his suggestion is combing her hair after the refreshing shower she just took. "Guess it's up to us." He reaches in his pocket and retrieves his morpher.
"Right behind you." She tosses her comb and places her morpher back on her wrist.
"Dragon Zord!"
"Purple Panther!"
The Green and Purple Rangers materialize in the middle of stalled traffic. Looking around, the unmistakable growl of a huge dog catches their attention and they race in that direction. Having only traveled a handful of steps, Green Ranger is knocked down by a man sized canine. Holding the mutant's snout, he temporarily keeps it from snapping its powerful jaws upon him. Purple Ranger grabs the canine's tail and swings him into one of the abandoned cars.
"You okay?" She helps the Green Ranger to his feet.
"Sure," shaking his head. "This kind of thing happens all the time."
"I am Kubarra," a voice comments from a place other than the car it should be emanating from. "Today you die."
"I could have sworn that it was next week. I even marked down the fifth to pick out a casket." Green Ranger searches for the origin of the voice, and almost a second to late, dodges a slash from Kubarra. Dodging another, he aims a punch at the man-beast that is avoided and countered with a kick that sends Green Ranger reeling backwards. The two males exchange punches, Kubarra's finding their mark more frequently and more potently than Green Ranger's. A back fist to the jaw sends Green Ranger up against a car.
"Here Kujo," Purple Ranger calls, "Come to momma." Kubarra turns and greets a kick with his nose. Holding the afflicted area with both hands, he leaves his stomach open for three solid punches that double him over. Bringing her leg up to her shoulder, she slams the heel across his massive neck, driving him to one knee. A follow up to the side of the head is caught by Kubarra's large hand. Driving a back fist into her stomach, he brings his knuckles back, striking her in the jaw as she falls forward. Still holding her leg, he stands back to his full six feet and nearly seven inch height and dangles her upside down, driving blow after blow into her stomach. A knee strike to the back halts his assault. Using her sore abdominal muscles, Purple Ranger pulls herself upright and jabs the beast between the eyes with all her might. He staggers back, dropping her on her shoulder. Seizing the advantage, Green Ranger jumps and hooks his underarm around the beast's neck. Tugging with all his strength, he drops the beast on the pavement headfirst. Running over to Purple Ranger, he looks her over.
"You okay?"
"Yep. Shoulder hurts though." He helps her onto her feet, only to be snatched off his own. Purple Ranger shakes the cobwebs from her head, only to find herself dangling by her head in the powerful grasp of Kubarra.
"I will crush the two of you with my bare hands." Saliva runs down his face as he snarls menacingly.
Thinking quickly, Green Ranger swings his legs up and hooks them around Kubarra's arm. Purple Ranger does the same and the two twist simultaneously. Their efforts send the man-beast toppling back, once again his already bruised head striking the hard surface. His grip slackens just enough for the Rangers to free themselves. Standing back gasping, they look on in disbelief as the man-beast bolts to a sitting position. Green Ranger drives both feet into Kubarra's chest, knocking him back down. But even before Green Ranger can get back up, Kubarra sits up yet again.
"This is not looking good for the good guys," Purple Ranger remarks, watching as the taller opponent rises to his feet despite the punches Green Ranger pummels him with. Utilizing his favorite technique, Kubarra backhands Green Ranger, lifting him completely off his feet and flying into a brick wall. The bricks crack and Green Ranger slumps down against it.
The two women, one a former Ranger, the other not quite one yet, traverse the long stretch of dusty trails leading to the next somewhat reconstructed city. Trini places her hand up to signal Ashley to stop.
"Check your morpher." Ashley places her backpack down and removes the morpher from the side compartment. The power coin, hers and Tommy's the only surviving ones from the seven made, glows intensely.
"What does that mean?"
"Trouble. I wish you were able to practice a few times. When I was a Ranger, our mentor restructured our physiological makeup to accept our powers. Since we don't have that luxury now, each new Ranger has to endure the pain of your body's attempts to reject the change. So you'll have to fight through the pain."
"I can handle it." Ashley places her fingers through the grooves and holds the morpher that originally belonged to Billy in front of her. "Blue Wolf!" The armor, hers a rich blue, which represented the new age of Power Rangers adorns her body instantly.
"Now, press the button to lock on Tommy's signature and you'll be teleported to him." She does as instructed and disappears from sight.
Purple Ranger catches the beast with a sidekick to the jaw that merely staggers him. Rolling forward, she leaps up and hook kicks him in the jaw, this time, staggering him a little more. Green Ranger rams his shoulder into Kubarra's lower back, toppling forward into Purple Ranger's back flip kick. Panting, for twenty minutes had already elapsed in the intense battle, the two Rangers regroup for another assault. Just then, a blue flash passes them and knocks Kubarra back down. Blinking his eyes, the Green Ranger can make out the distinct curves of a female within the blue Ranger armor as the female lands a solid crescent kick to the rising beast's face. With her leg still up, she brings it down across his head, then back somersaults away from a low slash. Landing next to the two tired Rangers, she looks back at them from her crouched position.
"Nice of you to save me a piece." Tommy smiles beneath his helmet and welcomes the added support.
"Three or three hundred. It makes no difference in the end." Kubarra spits out blood. "I'll still kill you all."
End of part two
NEXT TIME ON POWER RANGERS: OMEGA – With three instead of two Rangers to deal with, Cornelius decides on a new battle plan and calls Kubarra back. Meanwhile, Ashley and Saundra are filled in as Tommy and Maurice talk about where he was during the battle. Stay tuned for the next chapter in the FEMME FATALE SAGA: Bird of Prey