Disclaimer: I don't own the power rangers.
A/N: Here comes the actual last chapter of Against All Odds, chapter15 will be an author's thanks and a sort of epilogue. Please read and review.
Chapter 14-Evil At Work
ANGEL GROVE PARK
The rangers landed in the park, and converted their Blade Blasters into a new water mode. They extinguished the ring of fire around the Aquitians, much to the dismay of their former ally in pink. The Alien Rangers thanked their earthen counterparts, and were preparing to depart.
"Rangers, do not let your emotions for your fallen comrade interfere with this battle. If you do not win, evil will claim Earth for Divatox, and soon the universe will as well. Good luck rangers of Earth, and farewell," Delphine said as the Aquitians flew up and away from Earth.
"I really don't want to do this, but if it will save Earth, then I must," Kyle said, leading the team to Kathy's location.
The five rangers began combat, but found themselves surprisingly overwhelmed by Kathy's skills. Eventually, it was just down to Samantha and Kathy. The two assumed fighting stances and began their battle.
"Kathy, I don't want to do this," Samantha said, ducking from a kick.
"I do, I wish to serve my queen!" Kathy said punching at Samantha. Samantha did not dodge this blow in enough time, and fell over, her nose, bleeding. Kathy began walking toward the other rangers, and the end of the freedom of Earth.
Samantha, hear me, Samantha, a voice cried out in her head.
"Zelda, what are doing?" Samantha whispered quietly to herself.
Listen to me my dear, you cannot win this battle unless you slay the beast, Zelda responded.
"But I can't! She's my friend!" Samantha cried out.
You poor thing, it must tear you up inside. Trust me, it will be for the best. And think: what would Kathy do were she in your position. Remember Samantha, you WERE in that position years ago, so do not fret, Zelda said soothingly to Samantha.
Samantha rose up, calling upon Saba. Saba came down and Samantha reached for it. Kathy turned around and looked as Samantha came, charging at her. Saba impaled through her chest, her heart, sticking into a tree.
Kathy began gagging, and spitting up blood. Samantha removed Saba, seeing the large hole it had left in her friend's body. Samantha lifted Kathy's body up, and the rangers teleported back to the Command Center.
LORD ZEDD'S PALACE
"IMPOSSIBLE!" Divatox yelled as she walked to the balcony.
"I sent down the Alien Rangers' nemesis, AND I turned the Earth rangers' comrade against them! How much can these damn humans piss me off!" she screamed.
Zedd came over to her, but Divatox shoved him away, and sat on his throne, weeping. She had lost, and there was no doubt about it. Then a fiendish idea came to mind in her head, something completely dastardly and sinisterly evil. There was one critical element she had forgot to add in: the Zeo Crystal.
"Zedd, prepare a crew of Tengas for assault," Divatox said calmly.
"Why is that, my queen?" Zedd questioned.
"They are to bring back to us the Zeo Crystal. The one of many great powers in the universe that we will conquer, and control. Tell the Tengas to also take a little present for our friends, the power rangers," Divatox said as a bomb materialized in her hands.
Zedd stared at the device and the two began laughing fiendishly.
THE COMMAND CENTER
The rangers had de-morphed, and had placed Kathy on a gurney in a small medical bay. They watched as Zelda scanned to find a way to heal her. Outside the bay stood Samantha and Kyle, watching closely. Samantha was crying, regretting what she had done.
"Baby, it was the right thing to do," Kyle said, hugging his girlfriend.
"But I don't believe it," Samantha said through tears.
"Wipe your eyes, you're better than this. You're a team leader, a fighter, and a great lover," Kyle said, raising up Samantha's head.
He leaned in, and kissed passionately with his girlfriend. Samantha did not want to let go, it was soothing her, comforting her.
"Rangers, come quickly!" Zelda said as the remaining teens rushed in.
For the first time, Samantha got to see the damage she had done. Kathy was bleeding all over, there were many other gashes on her, and not including the massive chest wound left by Saba.
"My friends…it has appeared…that…it is the end of…my time…" Kathy began, coughing heavily. "I wanted to tell you…that I do not regret choosing…this life…you will…be…near to me…always. I have loved you like…brothers and sisters, and I…will…miss you dearly. Samantha…this was not your fault…it was Divatox…she controlled me. It…was…her," she said, dying at that moment.
The teens began crying, hugging each other, and then joining Zelda for a comforting hug. The rangers returned to the main part of the Command Center.
"Rangers, do not regret your decision, it was the only way to save Kathleen," Zordon said.
"Now what do we do?" Greg asked.
"Now that the Zeo Crystal is in our possession, we will-," Zordon began, but was interrupted by a loud fluttering noise.
Ten Tengas appeared in the Command Center, squawking about.
"INTRUDER ALERT! INTRUDER ALERT!" the computer cried out.
The Tengas grabbed the Zeo Crystal, and nine exited the Command Center. The remaining one turned, and spoke, saying, "Enjoy this present from Lord Zedd and Queen Divatox,"
It threw out a large metal sphere, rigged with dynamite and TNT.
"BOMB!" Kyle said, preparing to dive.
"Rangers, prepare for emergency teleportation," Zelda said, not even turning toward the controls, but zapping them to send the rangers off.
ANGEL GROVE DESERT
The rangers landed a good mile or two away from the Command Center. Violent explosions began rocking the Command Center, and the force shook the sand the teens stood on. After a minute or so, flames of bright orange, blue and red spewed from the Command Center, engulfing the stronghold.
"NO!" Greg said.
"Zordon!" Susan cried out.
"Zelda!" Kyle screamed.
After the flames died down, the rangers moved to the ground where the Command Center stood moments ago. There was nothing left, the viewing globe had been shattered, as was Zordon's energy tube. No one could have survived an explosion that immense, or even been injured, they would have instantly died.
"Gone, it's all gone," Samantha said tearfully.
The rangers stood, glancing at their former fortress, now leveled, and then turned, heading back on the long, grueling trek toward Angel Grove.
TO BE CONTINUED…