Disclaimer: I think it's pretty obvious that we don't own Power Rangers.
AN: Here's chapter 13! Enjoy and please leave a review! Thanks.
Quiet Evil
Chapter 13
By Andrea McPherren and Tanya DePass
Lilacmoon@hotmail.com and direwolf1211@attbi.com
Billy and Tommy circled each other as they both sought an opening to really get the fight going. Tommy slashed at Billy in an attempt to sever his head from his body, but was never able to get a good shot in.
Billy locked swords in hopes of disarming Tommy as they dueled in the waning moonlight of Angel Grove. He got his hopes up as he managed to get in a couple of hits with the flat side of his Ice Blade. Billy's joy was short lived as he felt the cold steel of Tommy's weapon penetrate his armor at the thigh...
Kim gasped as she saw Billy falter, and the others stood by as Billy limped out of the way to barely avoid the killing blow.
"So there is a little life left in the wounded puppy after all."
Billy let out a small growl as he summoned his twin blades and stood as close to his full height as possible with the gash in his leg bleeding badly...
"Too bad the Falcon is too near sighted to see when his victory is not assured," Billy pinned Tommy's arms to the ground with a vicious whirlwind kick that took the last of his energy. He slumped down to the ground as blackness claimed him.
Kim flipped out and charged up her rising Phoenix attack and unleashed it Tommy's prone form. He howled in pain as white-hot fire did it's best to consume his armor and the flesh underneath. Just as Kim was about to unleash another volley, they found themselves in the Command Center with Billy in the Med bay, Tommy in a holding cell in the med bay and the others standing there in shock at what had just transpired.
They knew Tommy had gone over to the darkness but they never imagined he would stoop to kidnapping Kim from her home. Kim had powered down and was pacing the length of the command area like a caged animal.
"God dammit! How could he get that powerful? We have the Dark Ninjetti powers and we have nothing remotely close to that level of power!"
Rocky, Aisha and Adam stood back from Kim's rant, while Jason came over and hugged Kim to him as she broke down in tears. She disentangled herself from Jason and went straight to the med bay to find Billy finishing off his own stitches. He looked up at her and said nothing as he clipped the stitch at the end. Kim went to him, ready to fling herself into his arms, but when he looked up something dark in his expression stopped her.
"Kim, leave us alone... I need to be left alone for a while, please," Kim turned around and left the room and kept going until she was out of the Command Center all together. Everyone got out of the way, except Jason who went after her.
Billy came back to the main room with a slight limp, his gaze challenged anyone to disagree with what he had to say.
"I have come to a decision. Thomas Oliver is too unstable to remain here if we cannot purge him of whatever evil powers Master Vile has bestowed upon him. Do you agree or disagree?" Billy's voice was hard as stone, leaving no room for argument.
Adam looked into his eyes, seeing something dangerous and he didn't like it one bit.
"Can we think about this? Why don't you go home and rest, calm down a little bit?" Adam queried gently as he stood his ground and stood face to face with Billy.
"Yea, I need to go talk to Kim," Billy replied, as he teleported out.
~*~*~*
Billy arrived at Kim's location, which happened to be Angel Cove at the moment. Kim stared out at the waves as they crashed against the rocks. She smiled and remembered how she and Billy used to gather seashells here all the time.
"Kim? I'm sorry I pushed you away," Billy said from behind her. Kim smiled slightly.
"You always push me away when something bothers you. I just wish you'd learn that no matter what it is, I want to be there with you," Kim replied. Billy blushed. She knew him so well.
"I'm sorry, I don't mean to push you away. It's just that I hate seeing you hurt," Billy said.
"And I hate seeing you hurt too. But no matter what you do to shelter me, I'm still going to be hurting, because what hurts you hurts me," Kim replied, as she pulled him into her embrace. Billy wrapped his arms around her petite form.
"Does this mean you forgive me?" Billy asked. Kim smiled slyly and captured his lips in a passionate kiss.
"Guess that means yes," Billy said, with a chuckle.
"Now, I believe we have something to discuss," Kim reasoned.
"Yes, we need to figure out what to do about Tommy," Billy said.
"What do you want to do?" Kim asked.
"We can't do what I want to do. The dark side of me, which is now permanently in my subconscious thanks to the venom, wants to eliminate him for he tried to do to you. When I saw him hovering over you, my blood boiled at the thought of him harming a hair on your head. I know it's wrong to say this, but I want him dead, or at the very least as far away from us as possible," Billy said. She put her arms around his shoulders and hugged him.
"We'll see what Zordon thinks about putting him through the purification ritual. He's banished many beings, maybe he will banish Tommy," Kim said.
"I don't know, I guess we'll just have to wait," Billy sighed.
"I'm glad you calmed down, but now I need to get you to relax," Kim said, as she began to take her shirt off.
"Uh Kim, this is a public beach," Billy said nervously.
"I know, but no one else is here and I want to go for a swim. And I'd really like it if you would join me. Besides, if anyone does come, we can always teleport to your bedroom without being noticed," Kim said in her sultriest voice. It took no more convincing for Kim, as he joined her for the swim.
~*~*~*
While they took a quick dip in the ocean, the others stood around the Command Center while Tommy lay still in the energy cage that surrounded his bed. Adam was surprised at how Billy had reacted, at the darkness that was still prevalent in his gaze as he spoke of Tommy.
Adam looked over to Aisha, Rocky, Jason, Trini and Zack as he considered what he was about to say and how it may affect the rest of the team.
"Guys, as much as I hate to say this… Billy may be right about Tommy. He did stoop to kidnapping Kim, and I'm sure if the battle had gone a little differently Billy would be dead. I'm not supporting the idea of executing him, but if we cant cleanse him of whatever Master Vile has done to him or find a way to block him from accessing the power of the Dark Ninjetti; we are all screwed," Adam said bluntly.
Jason nodded, he hated that his best friend had become a mockery of the great young man he was until all this happened.
"Zordon, can we attempt the purification ritual again? Somewhere where Master Vile can't track Tommy?"
"I WILL CONTACT DULCEA AND SEE IF THERE ARE ANY GROUNDS ON PHAEDOS WHERE THEY COULD ATTEMPT THE RITUAL AGAIN WITHOUT INTERRUPTION. BE WARNED, THE CODE OF THE NINJETTI WARRIOR WILL ALLOW NO ONE TO ABUSE ITS POWER.
IF THOMAS CANNOT BE HEALED, THERE MAY BE NO OTHER ALTERNATIVE OTHER THAN HIS BANISHMENT OR DEATH. GO NOW, I WILL CONTACT ALL OF YOU ONCE I HAVE SPOKEN WITH DULCEA."
The rangers teleported out, with Jason and Trini being the last ones to leave, as they still were discovering their attraction toward each other while Adam, Aisha and Rocky had convened at Aisha's home to discuss matters. Zack had decided to go to the youth center to be by himself. "Do you think it will come down to killing off Tommy guys?" Rocky asked, as he lay back on Aisha's bed and stared at the ceiling.
Aisha laid back, allowing her head to land on Rocky's stomach for support.
"I hope not, but we can't forget we were talking about eliminating Billy and Kim if we couldn't save them not too long ago. I'm hoping Tommy isn't so far gone he can't be saved. If he is, we'll have to do something about it, but no one said we'd have to like it," Aisha finished as Adam came over to the join his two best friends on the king sized bed. When things went badly, or when they were alone together they always wound up together no matter what.
Adam let that thought run about in his mind while Rocky and Aisha went silent, as they mulled over their predicament.
~*~*~*
Meanwhile, Billy and Kim had returned to the city and were in the Cranston kitchen having a snack. Billy was too wound up to sit still and also full of sand from their earlier escapades on the beach.
"Kim, I'm going to take a shower, if dad comes in can you let him know I'll be down in a few minutes?"
"Sure, can't help you wash your back instead?" Kim said as she stood to help him out of his clothes.
"Normally, I'd jump at the chance but my father will be returning soon. He is usually home by 6:00 and that is only a couple of minutes away. I'll make it up to you later, promise," With that Billy left her to go shower. As soon as she heard the water flowing upstairs Hank Cranston entered to find Kim watching TV in the living room.
"Hi Mr. Cranston, welcome home," Kim said.
Hank smiled at Kim.
"Hi Kim, how are you? Where's Billy?" he said as he put down his briefcase and took off his tie.
"In the shower, we went to the beach and he had sand all over him. He wouldn't be satisfied until he could get cleaned off," Kim said as she barely kept her face straight at her comment.
"Well since you're here would you like to join us for dinner? Don't worry, I'll order in," Hank smiled as he went to get some coffee and joined Kim at the table. Kim smiled a little at that, neither Billy nor his father were known for their culinary prowess but rather for the lack of it.
"I don't think Billy would forgive me if I tried to cook for you. I'd like to have you here, rather than have you run off screaming at the prospect of my cooking," Hank smiled at her shocked expression.
"Kim, it's ok. I know my limitations and cooking is a huge one,"
Kim smiled at Hank.
"I see where Billy gets his sense of humor from. Are you ok with Billy and I as a couple Mr. Cranston?"
Hank gave her a subdued version of Billy's brilliant smile.
"Of course I am, I mean you two grew up together, you already know each other well. I'm just sorry that I accused Billy of seeing you behind Tommy's back. I fell for his lie and jumped all over Billy one night when he got home. I should know he wouldn't do something to a friend. I apologize to you as well Kim, I should know you're a better young lady than to sneak around like that.
I know you and Billy will be wonderful together. I can see it in his eyes how much he loves you. I was the same way with Rachel. It was like the sun didn't rise until I saw her and the moon wouldn't shine unless she was with me. He feels that way about you, just make sure he tells you,"
Billy walked in as his father finished his statement.
"Hi dad, what should I tell Kim?" Billy asked as he got a cup of coffee and sat with Kim.
"How much you love her son. I can tell just by looking at you that you are madly in love with Kim. I know because that's how I was with Rachel. Now, Kim why don't you call your mom and see if she'd like to join us. We can make an evening of it,"
Kim took the phone from Hank while Billy just sat there staring at his father. He couldn't believe what had just happened, or rather what Hank had said.
"Dad, I … I don't know what to say. You really see that when you look at me. I would never have thought you'd notice. It must be obvious,"
Hank kissed his son on the forehead as he went toward his room. "Son, I know you well and I notice everything about you. Even when you try to hide it. Now, get that surprised look off your face and put the coffee down before it gets colder," Hank finished as he shut the door to his room and changed out of his work clothes. Billy put down the mug as he went to the couch to think and Kim grabbed his hand as she chatted with her mom.
"Yeah, Mr. Cranston invited us over for dinner. No he's going to order in, make an evening of it. Sure come over and we can decide what to order. Thanks mom, love you too bye," Kim hung up and put the cordless phone down.
"Billy, are you ok?" Kim asked.
Billy looked over,
"hmm?" he asked, since he really wasn't paying attention to his surroundings.
"Sorry, I was off wool gathering Kim. I'm just surprised at what dad said. You know I love you, I'm just surprised he sees the same deep feeling of love that he has with mom, in me when I talk about you or I am with you. I know he knows me well, but I figured some things just slipped by, guess I was wrong. Anyway, when your mom gets here, we can order," Billy said as he slipped her a quick kiss on the lips and snuggled with her while he waited for his father to reappear.
~*~*~*
Master Vile watched all the teens from his space skull.
"So they think they can cleanse my dark Ninjetti do they? Let them try, but Tommy will remain loyal to me and he will destroy the likes of them," Master Vile growled.
~*~*~*
"DULCEA, DO YOU THINK WE WILL BE ABLE TO CLEANSE THOMAS?" Zordon asked the master warrior.
"Have the rangers pack some essentials and teleport them here tomorrow. I will teleport Thomas directly to the temple. Master Vile cannot interfere with the purification on the sacred temple grounds. I will then have Kimberly and Billy touch their hands into the sacred purification water. I believe it will bring peace to their tortured souls. Then, we will immerse Thomas in the waters. If that does not work, then nothing will, and Thomas will be lost to the side of evil forever," Dulcea said.
"Yes Dulcea, I will inform my rangers, thank you. Alpha, contact the rangers please," Zordon said.
"Right away Zordon," Alpha replied.
~*~*~*
Billy's communicator beeped, and Billy glanced at Kimberly nervously.
"This is Billy, go ahead," he replied into it.
"Billy, you and Kimberly must teleport to the command center at once," Alpha said.
"On our way," Billy replied, as he knocked on his father's door.
"Dad, Kim and I are going for a walk in the park. You and Mrs. Hart can go ahead and order and we'll be back in time for dinner," Billy called into the closed door.
"All right Billy," Hank replied. With that, Billy and Kim teleported to the command center. Hank Cranston smiled wryly, as he peeked through the crack in his door...
~*~*~*
The eight rangers arrived at the command center. Zordon briefly explained what would take place tomorrow and the rangers agreed.
"I hope this works," Adam said.
"Me too," Jason replied, carefully watching Billy's reaction, but could gather nothing from Billy's empty expression.
"I'll bring water for everyone," Aisha offered.
"And I'll bring the first aid equipment," Kim said.
"Okay, now that we've got our bases covered, I think it's best that everyone goes home and gets a good night's sleep," Zack suggested.
The others nodded in agreement, as they once again teleported to their respective homes.
~*~*~*
Billy and Kim arrived back at Billy's house in time for dinner. They enjoyed dinner with their parents and socializing with them afterwards. But soon, Kim and her mother left for the night, leaving Billy and his father alone...
AN: Oooh...a cliffie! Aren't we evil?! Anyway, hope you all liked it! Thanks for reading and please leave a review!
