Disclaimer: We don't own power rangers, yada, yada, yada.
AN: Here's chapter 9! Enjoy and please leave a review!
Quiet Evil
Chapter 9
By Andrea McPherren and Tanya DePass
Lilacmoon@hotmail.com and direwolf1211@attbi.com
Once the smoke cleared from the battlefield, the destruction caused by the 3 evil rangers was awe inspiring. Jason was stalking around the command center ready to explode. He had no idea that his former friends would ever be so hard to handle on the battlefield. He had underestimated them and that was a mistake they all were paying for dearly. Aisha and Rocky's zord's had taken the worst of the damage, with the ape losing an arm and Aisha having her weapons and tracking ripped out of the chassis. Adam, Jason, Zack, and Trini had received enough fire damage to put them out of commission for a while and without Billy's expertise on the alien technology they were going to be hard pressed to be battle ready for the next time they were attacked. While everyone attended their cut's and bruises from the pounding they had just taken; Billy, Kim and Tommy were out in the forest talking. Albeit, it was like watching two animals locked in a cage fighting to get out. It was interesting to observe the two young men play the game of who betrays who first.
"Thomas, we are all in this together for now. It is a temporary truce to defeat them. The three of us are stronger than 2, and if you will allow me to do so I can make your zord even more powerful as I have done for ours. I know we don't trust each other, and probably never will, but what I want is power and victory over those who would betray us," As he had been speaking Billy has been circling Tommy, gauging his body language and reactions to his words. Kim has been off to the side, dying to speak to Billy privately. Tommy looked over to her and smiled coldly, as if it is only a matter of time until she is his again. Billy caught the look and went to stand in front of Kim.
"There is only one thing that is going to make me say to hell with the deal. Look at her like that again and I kill you. Touch her or make any kind of overture toward Kim and the deal is off. I know you plan to just use this arrangement to get her back and get rid of me. Sorry Tommy-boy life isn't that simple or easy for you. We all have one common goal and that is to rule this little mud ball and continue on a path of wanton destruction that will leave the cosmos in disbelief at what we have done. Now are you in or out for that?" Billy stood, waiting for an answer.
Meanwhile, Trini and Jason have decided to take a walk, mostly to get Jason to calm down and for her to process the battle they were just in.
~*~*~*
"Fine we join forces for now, but as soon as we've had our revenge, our alliance dissolves," Tommy said. Billy nodded and turned to take Kim's hand, as they teleported away. What Tommy didn't know, was Billy had developed a viewing system back at he and Kim's base that would allow him to watch Tommy's every move.
Billy and Kim arrived at their lair.
"Billy, I am uncomfortable with this alliance with Tommy," Kim said.
"Don't worry love, I will not allow him to get near you. The key to winning the fight depends on which one of us can outsmart the other. And we both know who excels in that area and who does not," Billy said. Kim smirked evilly and wrapped her arms around his neck.
"You do think of everything, don't you?" Kim said.
"All I can think of right now is you," Billy replied.
She kissed him deeply and sauntered into the bedroom.
"You stay here, while I slip into something more comfortable," Kim said seductively.
~*~*~*
"Jason, what is going to happen? We almost lost the last battle and what happens if we have to go back into battle before we can fix our zords?" Trini asked.
"I don't know Tri, I just don't know. I wish I had the answers. I totally underestimated Billy, but I think we've all been doing that. He's too powerful to overpower and there's definitely no way to outsmart him," Jason said.
"But if we could get to Kim, we might be able to make him cooperate. I know it sounds like sinking to their level, but what other choice do we have?" Trini asked. Jason only nodded as he continued to ponder his thoughts.
~*~*~*
Jason thought a little bit more on what Trini said, ready to dismiss it out of hand since attacking or even coming anywhere near Kim had proved to be a bad strategy for everyone.
"I like the idea, but he will go berserk should we even attempt to get near her. I think we should bounce the idea off the others and get some feedback," Jason walked Trini home and headed to his home to find his parents a little concerned about his late return.
"Jason Scott, why are you in so late? With those evil rangers about the town isn't safe right now!" his mother scolded.
"I know mom, that's what I walked Trini home after we were done at the youth center. I know it's unsafe lately but I'm not going to let her walk alone. If I may be excused I'm exhausted...still running on empty from the time difference,"
"Sure son, glad to see you are still the gentleman we raised, good night," Joe Scott smiled as his son went upstairs, glad to see being on his own overseas hadn't gotten rid of the values they had instilled in Jason.
Meanwhile Billy was trying to fix his father's laptop, keeping up his facade of normalcy at least around his father. No need to worry the elder Cranston about his son's extracurricular activities. Billy finished as his father watched him work, thinking that watching Billy work on something mechanical was like watching a master create a painting or work of art.
"There you go dad. The memory chips were just a little loose. I suggest you get a better carrying case for this, otherwise you may damage it if it's not well supported in the case and protected by padding," Billy looked over to see his father watching him intently.
"Dad, are you ok?" Billy asked.
"Huh, oh sorry...I got caught up in watching you work. It's interesting to watch you build and repair things. Thanks son, you saved me a trip to microcenter, and feeling embarrassed about getting such a simple thing fixed. Would you be willing to go with me tomorrow and help me pick one out?" he asked.
"Sure dad, we haven't been spending much time together anyway..." Billy paused as he was screwing in the last panel on the laptop.
"Dad, do you think it would be bad if Kim and I really were dating? Considering the whole rumor thing and how Tommy was acting? We are both interested, but not at the expense of our reputation or friendship with the others," Hank whistled for a moment and looked at Billy.
"Are you asking my permission or opinion?" Hank asked.
"A little of both I think. I finally realized I've liked Kim as a lot more than a friend for a while, but was afraid to pursue it because of our friendship, then she started dating Tommy. Now that they have broken up, we have had a chance to be honest with each other and ourselves,"
"I'd say be careful, and keep it under wraps until you are both sure where it's headed. Don't get too caught up in emotions and need. I love you both son, and if this works out for you I'll have no complaints," Hank said.
"Thank you father, I wonder if Kim is having any luck with her mom now. We kind of decided to get your opinions on us as a mutual decision...let's hope Mrs. Hart is ok with it," Billy said as he handed his father the laptop and stood to work out the cramp in his neck.
Across town Kim is having a similar conversation with her mother.
"Mom, what do you think of me and Billy really dating? I mean we have been friends since grade school and he is much more of a gentleman than Tommy ever was. I'm just worried about how our friends will take it if we made it public. After the whole rumor thing, we're hesitant to take that step, but we are interested in each other. I guess that I'm asking for your permission and your opinion mom," Mrs. Hart looked at Kim, wondering when her daughter had grown up so much.
"Honey, I trust your judgment. You have my blessing if it's what you need, and more importantly I trust Billy with you. I know you two will be happy together. Now if you will excuse me, I'm going to bed. I have to show a few homes tomorrow and I'm not happy about having to get up at 7:30 on a Saturday morning," Kim hugged her mother briefly and thanked her.
"Thanks mom, I'm glad I came to you. Good night," Kim headed upstairs to her room, and smiled to herself, glad at how she has snowed her mother into believing her and Billy had just started to date and with their permission. While Kim and Billy drifted off dreaming of conquest, the others sleep while they can, worried about the next time they go into battle. Tommy was up, plotting and scheming ways to get back at everyone.
The next morning, the rangers met at the youth center. It was a Saturday and they were none too happy about having to be up early. But they had to do what was necessary.
"Thanks for getting here guys. We need to discuss a way to take out Billy and Kim," Jason said, as he glanced at Trini.
"My idea is that we should try and capture Kim. I know it sounds like sinking to their level, but if we have her, we might be able to get Billy to cooperate," Trini said.
"No way! Trying to get Kim will surely bring injury to all of us. You saw what he did to Tommy when he attacked her! We're going about this all wrong," Adam growled.
"Then what do you suggest Adam? You and Billy seem close," Jason said.
"We should be in the power chamber looking for a way to turn Billy and Kim back to our side. I refuse to participate in the idea of eliminating them," Adam said.
"Ad, we may not have a choice," Zack said.
"We don't want to do that, but we have to do something. And we have to do it fast," Jason said.
~*~*~*
Tommy teleported to the old moon base. He decided to look and see if Zedd and Rita had left anything behind that he could use. Tommy searched through the palace and heard noise coming from Finster's lab. He peeked in and saw that the little monster maker was still alive.
"Finster, Billy didn't kill you?" Tommy asked.
"No, I guess he forgot about little old me, just like everyone else," Finster replied.
"How would you like to help me get back at Billy and the other rangers?" Tommy asked.
"It's better than spending the rest of my days alone," Finster replied.
"Good, now I need something to take Billy out so that I can kidnap Kim," Tommy said.
"Use this device," Finster said, as he handed the contraption to Tommy.
"Challenge Billy to a fight. Then while you are fighting, I will activate the device, which will encase Billy in an electro-magnetic force field. This will allow you to grab Kimberly and teleport away," Finster said.
"Thanks Finster, it will be a pleasure working with you," Tommy said evilly, as he left the moon palace for earth.
~*~*~*
Billy and Kim walked hand in hand through the park. They were on their way to the youth center.
"It's Saturday night, what are we going to do tonight?" Kim asked slyly.
"Whatever you wish to love," Billy replied.
"You two will be doing nothing tonight, at least not together," Tommy said. Billy fell into fighting stance.
"That alliance dissolved rather quickly Thomas, but no matter. Kim and I have no use for you. Tommy, Kim, and Billy all morphed. But Kim again watched from the sidelines as Tommy and Billy went after blood.
Kim stepped back as Tommy and Billy went at it tooth and nail so to speak. Billy was furious that their alliance had dissolved so quickly, but it gave him ample room to take Tommy out for good.
"So there truly is no honor among thieves is there Oliver?" Billy said. Tommy snarled, as he threw a vicious uppercut in Billy's direction. "Look who's calling me a thief! You stole Kim from me! I intend to make you pay!" Tommy was all fury as he came at Billy with everything he had. In the process, Kim caught a glimpse of the device he was carrying. She teleported off to their new base and locked on to Billy's bio-rhythm, waiting to see if he would need a quick get away from their enraged enemy. The Rangers picked up a danger signal from the Command Center and had teleported in to observe the fight. It ripped Jason apart inside to see his friends at each other's throats, but he also noticed that Kim wasn't anywhere to be seen.
"Hey, where is Kim? Can you get a lock on her and teleport her in?" Jason asked excitedly. Alpha tried to locate Kim but couldn't. "Negative Jason, I cannot locate Kimberly at this moment. No doubt Billy has cloaked their signals. We can capture Tommy if you wish," Alpha said. Jason looked to the others, wondering what the consensus would be on capturing Tommy and taking his coin and morpher away.
"If we can get Tommy and get his coin and morpher away that would be one less problem to deal with, since none of you want to deal with Billy and Kim." Adam rolled his eyes and snorts rudely...
"We want to deal with them, YOU try to outthink Billy, and despite what you think, it is a bad idea to try to get Kim. We will follow your orders, but we will be damned if we throw our lives away so you can save them!" Rocky, Aisha, Zack and Trini look to Jason and Adam, thinking it was unlike Adam to blow up and Jason to be so reckless. Their thoughts are interrupted by a scream of pain from Billy as Tommy unleashed the EMP device on him. He hit the ground writhing in pain. Adam hit the teleport button to bring Tommy to the Command Center, while Kim brought Billy back to their base and tried to attend to him. The others are looking at Tommy as if he is a caged animal, as Jason takes the hypo and waits for Alpha to shock Tommy enough to get a clean shot in with the needle. Once Tommy has been knocked out, Rocky claims his coin and morpher as they watch Tommy sleep off the concoction that Alpha cooked up.
Meanwhile, Billy is finally able to stand after writhing about in agony for a few more minutes. Kim helped him to the closest chair where he collapsed.
"Oh that bastard, he is soooo dead when I get my hands on him. Do you have any idea what an EMP pulse can do to a human being? I'm lucky I even know who I am, he better hope the others get him before I do," Billy sits still, trying to compose himself enough to walk and scan for Tommy.
"Well well, looks like my wish came true. They have him and they are taking his coin away. Even better for me to beat the crap out of him. Kim, can you start a bath for us? I don't feel like I can really stand up for a shower and I need to come down from the shock. Kim drew a bath for herself and Billy, while the others decide on what to do with Tommy now that they have him.
~*~*~*
Kimberly ran a hot bath. She pounded her fist on the side of the basin.
'Damn Tommy for hurting my Billy,' Kim thought to herself angrily.
Billy came in and began to try and lift his shirt over his head. Kimberly saw his wince of pain and began to help him. Kimberly inspected the numerous bruises. Her brows knitted in anger toward Tommy.
"I'm okay Kimmie," Billy said.
"Yes and I am glad for that. But it doesn't change the fact that bastard tried to kill you," Kim replied.
"But you saved me. It's because of you that I am okay and that Tommy was captured by the others," Billy replied. Kim and Billy settled into the warm water, which soothed their muscles. Kimberly began massaging Billy's sore shoulders.
"Your hands are magic Kimberly," Billy said.
"So you've told me before," Kim whispered seductively in his ear. Kimberly climbed into his lap. Billy laid his head on Kim's shoulder enjoying the feeling of being touched and caressed by Kim. When he stopped speaking, Kim got a little worried. She lifted his face to meet hers seeing the anger in his eyes at nearly having been defeated. "What's wrong Billy, you still seem mad," Billy sighed, and kissed her on the cheek.
"I was careless, that's how he damn near got me. And that EMP pulse really hurt. Humans run on electrical impulses to the brain, heart, and muscles. I'm just lucky that I'm not still writhing around like a fish out of water," Billy said as he slumped forward a little bit, really pissed off and hoping he can get revenge on Tommy for what he did. Kim smiled at him and caressed his face, slightly worried about his anger being so strong.
"I don't know what I'd do without you," Kim said.
"And you never have to find out love," Billy replied, as he looked up at her. No words were spoke after that. Only blissful lovemaking and passionate cries existed through that night.
~*~*~*
Tommy paced wildly, as he glared at his former friends. He had just woke up and was none too happy about his situation.
"Zordon, what are we going to do?" Jason asked.
"DULCEA HAS AGREED TO RECEIVE TOMMY AND TAKE HIM THROUGH A PURIFICATION RITUAL. HOWEVER, IF THIS DOES NOT WORK, NOTHING WILL BE ABLE TO BRING TOMMY BACK FROM THE DARKNESS," Zordon said. The rangers nodded, as Alpha teleported Tommy Oliver to the planet Phaedos.
Once Tommy was sent off, Jason asked Alpha for an image of the fight. He wanted to see what Tommy did that made Billy scream like that. One to hurt him for hurting his little bro', because he knew Billy and Kim could be saved and he still felt the need to care for him. Trini watched Jason play and replay the fight almost maniacally. She came over to him and touched his shoulder, worried he was getting too caught up in trying to help his friends.
"Jase, what are you looking for? They are beyond redemption now it seems," Trini watched the fight and cringes when Billy is hit with the EMP pulse.
"Damn that had to hurt. Tommy just zapped him with an electromagnetic pulse. I'll be surprised if we see him anytime soon," Jason furrowed his brow at Trini's statement that they are beyond redemption.
"They aren't too far gone to save. Maybe Tommy is, but I know that there is a way to bring Kim and Billy back, there just has to be," Trini snorted rudely.
"Very well, you can lose sleep over saving them but I say we capture them and do all we can to strip their powers before they kill us," Trini said as she gave Jason a hard look.
"Much as I wish it were the case Trini Kwan, the only way to strip their powers is to kill them.
Think about that for a while, that is of course if you wouldn't mind having Kim out of the way," Jason said, as he teleported out of the commander center, leaving Trini to think about what he had said.
"Nothing is ever easy, nothing!" Trini said as she slams a fist into a console and teleported out in a streak of dark gray.
Meanwhile on Phaedos Tommy is in a cell being watched by Dulcea.
"Thomas do you understand why you are here?" She asked, as she prepared the ceremonial potions for the purification rituals that Tommy must go through.
"Because of him, it will always be because of HIM!!!" Tommy snarled as he paced in the cell slamming his fists into the stone walls, no longer able to think clearly or wanting to really. Dulcea shook her head and sighed inwardly. Young falcon can you ever be brought back to the light?
AN: Hope you liked it! More excitement to come in later chapters! Thanks for reading and please leave a review! Later!
