Disclaimer: Skipping it.
A/N: I'm trying to speed up the process of completion for this story, so I can put up my new one! Or, at least, begin it... Hah, but anyway, here's the next chapter in the Idealistic Daydream (Oh, and the title will make sense at the end of the story, if I type it up right...).
A POWER SHORT LIVED
The whole group, minus Katherine, had gathered in the Power Chamber the next morning. Tanya, Adam and Rocky were very anxious about Tommy's surprise, and were smothering him with questions about just what it was he was hiding.
"Calm down, guys. You'll see in a second." Tommy raised his hands as though he were surrendering, but was rather trying to hold off his ambitious team mates.
Tanya was getting antsy. "I can't take this suspense anymore! Just get out with it, Tommy! You were so excited when you contacted me, and now I'm excited, but I don't even know what the surprise is!"
Zordon chuckled at Tanya's enthusiasm over the surprise. He decided it was time for the introduction. "As you know, Rangers, we have been in search of the White Zeo Crystal in order to keep it from Lord Damien's menacing hands. In a rather lucky streak, Tommy was able to avoid any harm from his encounter with Damien and his Leeches just last night-" He was momentarily cut off by gasps from the others.
"What? Tommy, you saw him?" Rocky was very interested.
Adam was curious. "What did he look like? Was he strong?"
Tanya just waited for answers.
Tommy laughed sarcastically. "Don't worry, guys. I'm sure we'll all get a chance to see him soon. Personally, I'm not so excited... Go ahead, Zordon."
Their mentor resumed his speech. "During the attack, however, Tommy was not alone. He happened to have an old ally with him, who was able to snatch the White Crystal before Damien or his minion could, and Tommy teleported them both back here safely."
The others were in shock. With all the excitement, they seemed to forget the visitor that returned yesterday.
"Who was it, Tommy?" Tanya wondered. "Where are they now?"
"This, Rangers, is what you are anticipating. Reaching a decision, Tommy, Alpha and myself agreed that it would be to our benefit if our ally were to take on the powers of the White Crystal, and aide in our defense against evil as the white Zeo Ranger. She has not yet performed the power intake, and this is why we have called you here this morning."
They didn't know how to react. Tanya couldn't wait, Adam was confused, and Rocky's expression just couldn't be read.
They all watched as Alpha began punching buttons on one of the control panels of the Chamber, and as a secret compartment began to rise from the counter, Zordon resumed.
"We have left the white Zeo Crystal here over night for safe keeping, but it is now time to bring it out, and fuse it with the spirit of our newest team member."
Everyone stared in awe at the beauty of the crystal before them. They had never seen anything like it. The light it emitted as not so bright, and the rangers were able to look strait to it, watching it glitter proudly.
Then, from the back of the Chamber came the sound of an automatic door opening, and when the rangers saw who stepped out, they smiled.
Adam and Rocky ran up to her, each taking a turn in giving her welcoming hugs.
"Kim, I can't believe how long it's been!" Rocky said.
"It's really good to see you, Kim." Adam admitted.
She laughed slightly, and thanked her old friends. "Thanks you guys. It's good to see you all, too!"
Both Rocky and Adam briefly thought about the letter she wrote to Tommy, but dismissed the thought when they saw Tommy approach Kim with a genuine smile of happiness.
Kim returned his smile, and then turned her attention to the newest yellow ranger. "You must be Tanya," she assumed, reaching out a hand. "I'm Kim."
Tanya took Kim's hand and shook it. With somewhat of a sad expression, she stated, "Katherine told me how close you and Aisha were-"
"And I know she made the right decision in sending you back in her place." Kim winked. Tanya smiled gladly and she and Kim gave each other friendly hugs of welcome. When they parted, Kim landed a reassuring hand on Tanya's shoulder.
Tanya giggled. "Welcome back to the team."
Kim sighed nervously. "Let's just hope I can handle this new power..."
Everyone took a moment to talk about the crystal and the great powers it had. Edging off to the side, Kim walked up to the glass that cased her old pterodactyl suit. She closed her eyes in remembrance of the good days, and how it made her feel to be morphed in the safety of the pink ranger armor. She was startled slightly by Tommy's hand on her shoulder blade, and turned around to meet his gaze.
"You ready?" he asked.
She took a deep breath, and nodded with confidence.
She and Tommy walked a few steps forward, and Zordon instructed her.
"Kimberly, approach the crystal." She did so, and gazed readily at the crystal that would make her a ranger again. 'Here we go,' she thought.
"Close your eyes, and relax your spirit..." Zordon's voice echoed faintly in her ears as she began to feel a state of total nirvana rush throughout her whole body. She could no longer feel the ground beneath her feet, and she felt like she was floating. Her eyes remained shut, but she could see a bright white light growing powerfully around her. It became hard to breathe, but just for a moment, and she gasped for air, taking in the deepest breath she possibly could. Releasing it sparingly, she opened her eyes, and the crystal was gone. She blinked repeatedly, and turned around, facing the others. She could see expressions of awe and amazement, and wondering what caught their attention, she raised her hands.
"Oh my gosh..." she whispered. White gloves covered her arm to her elbow, and there was a gold band that wrapped around her wrists. Her feet rested in flexible white boots that reached to the middle of her shins, and a streak of gold traced the rim. Her entire body modeled a flexible spandex armor, with gold and black designs at the chest, and a gold belt that circled her waste. There was the familiar skirt following the belt that curved her thighs, with a gold hem at the bottom. Taking of the helmet that protected her head, she turned it so she could gaze at her proud expression through the heart shaped visor. She turned to the sound of her mentor's voice.
"Behold the White Zeo Ranger. Kimberly, I have no doubt that the powers will collaborate well with your pure spirit. The crystal lies within you now. Trust in it, and it will serve you well."
She felt like she could cry. "This... this is amazing! I feel so... brand new, or something!"
She was quickly surrounded by her fellow team mates.
"Congratulations, Kim," Adam said.
"Yeah, you look great." Rocky admitted.
Tanya smiled. "I have a feeling that we'll make an excellent team." Kim smiled at that.
Tommy gave Kim a small hug, and then asked, "So, what do you think?"
Kim shook her head with a laugh. "And I thought DIAMONDS were a girls best friend." She got a laugh from the rest.
Tommy stepped back with the others to give Kim some breathing room as she continued to admire her new suit. He studied her, watching her dark caramel hair sweep along her shoulders and neck as she turned her head, and how well the soft white of the suit complemented her tan complexion. It was like she was made to be looked upon, and his heart was warmed by the thought that she was his to care for, once again. She was back now, and was more important to him now than ever. 'I can't lose her again,' he told himself. He smiled as she looked up at him with her glistening cinnamon eyes, and promised himself that she would be kept safe from any harm that Damien might cause to get at the crystal.
His thoughts were broken by the alarm suddenly sounding. Alpha shuffled his way across the Chamber, punching more buttons to determine the problem.
"Alpha, what is it?" Tommy asked, stepping up to the robot's side.
"Oh, my sprockets. It appears that Lord Damien has sent his Leeches down in two different locations! There is a group harassing citizens in the park again, and another group right outside of the Power Chamber!"
The teens exchanged glances. Tommy gave out orders.
"Alright. We're going to have to split up. Rocky, Adam, you two head for the Park. The girls and I will take car of the ones up here. Ready guys? It's morphin time!"
Each ranger, including Kimberly, called out their power source.
"Zeo Ranger two, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger three, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger four, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger five, Red!"
Kimberly hesitated, but then quickly joined in. "White Zeo Ranger Power!" Her helmet was replaced on her head, and she took on a teleporting stance, ready for action.
Activating their teleporters, each and every ranger left the Power Chamber, ready and willing to defeat evil.
* * *
The Blue and Green rangers arrived at the park and found that it had been cleared of people, thanks to the threatening Leeches that scampered about. They stood back to back, and encouraged one another to just let it lose.
"You ready, Rocco?"
"You betcha, Adam."
"Okay then. Let's get 'em!" Adam fired the first shot with his Zeo blaster, and practically vaporized the first Leech that came into contact of the laser.
Rocky was having equal luck with two Leeches that lingered at his sides. First kicking one away, he shot at the other, and it melted away into nothing. He did the same to the other, laughing proudly as he finished. "If I were you, I'd ask your boss for a raise! You really take the heat for him, don't you?"
"Alright, slime balls, let's just get this over with." Adam launched a fierce fist attack on three Leeches that had huddled together, and when his aim was right, he fired at them.
The two rangers worked quickly, ridding themselves of the pesty Leeches that seemed to never end.
* * *
Out in the field right in between the Power Chamber and Damien's cave, the Yellow, red and White rangers took caution in every step they made.
"Where'd they go?" Asked Tanya. There were no Leeches in sight.
Tommy walked between Kim and Tanya, covering the front and back while the girls took either side. Tommy didn't understand it. "I don't know," he said, "But keep your eyes open. They might be hiding out somewhere." He'd been in this area before, when Zedd had teleported him there to fight Turbonshell. He remembered it as clear as Kim's crystal.
* *
The Turbonshell had taken away his powers, and Tommy took refuge in a ditch that led to a slope of dry grass. As Turbonshell walked in Tommy's direction, he teased at the ex ranger. "Fi fie fo fum, I smell something green and dumb..."
Tommy quickly grabbed the monster's foot and pulled him into the ditch, sending him rolling down the slope.
* *
Returning from the thought, Tommy instinctively pulled Kim away, just as a Leech reached out at her leg with it's grimy hand. They were all in the ditch.
Seeing that they'd been discovered, the Leeches retreated down the slope, and were heading off somewhere in the distance. "Where are they going?" Tanya asked.
"Look, over there!" Kim pointed. "Into that cave! Shouldn't we go after them?"
Tommy shook his head. "I don't know. Something's not right. Why would they hide and run?"
"Who cares! We've got to go after them!" Tanya flipped in the air and landed at the bottom of the slope, calling out to Tommy and Kim. "Come on!"
Kim agreed with Tanya and did a similar flip down the slope. Landing gracefully at Tanya's side, she looked back up to Tommy. "Are you coming?"
Tommy knew better, but followed them against his best judgement. He landed right behind them.
The girls broke out into a run, and as Tommy watched, Kim looked like a white blur.
Not wanting to lose them, he followed at their heels and made his way to the cave.
They all stopped at the entrance, and Tanya was the first to speak up. "Well? Should we go in, or wait for them to come back out?"
"We'll wait here for a second... see if they've got something planned." Tommy sat on a rock, out of sight from the mouth of the cave. The girls just stood in front of him, each placing all their weight on one leg. Tommy could see Tanya's Zeo blaster at her hip, but noticed that Kim didn't have one. He made a notion to bring it up, but was stopped by a chuckling noise from inside the cave.
Tanya grabbed Kim's wrist and pulled her along. "Come on. Let's check this out..." They both disappeared into the cave.
"Wait!" Tommy called, but they didn't return. He followed in after them.
* * *
Damien chuckled loudly, so as to let the Rangers outside know of his presence. Baku was right at his leg.
"Oh, how anxious I am to see the new White Ranger, and how she struggles at the pain within her when I strike at my shard of the White Crystal." A smile snaked upon his shadowed face.
The Leeches that lured the rangers to the cave pranced around Damien and Baku, awaiting a battle.
Damien spoke, and the Leeches stopped their motions. "Leeches, it is time I guard you against the lasers that the Rangers have been defeating your lot with. It might sting a little, but I assure you: no laser can break the seal I will provide you with." He held his staff high above his head with an outstretched arm, and a streak of purple lightning shot from the end, branching apart to each and every Leech. When the bolt stopped, the Leeches seemed to exchange glances, and began to poke at each other. It felt to them as though a clear, plastic cover had wrapped around them, and they were more than willing to face a hundred of the lasers that the Rangers could point at them. Their wish was the Ranger's command.
Damien slipped further into the shadows of the cave as the yellow and white rangers burst into the cavern, followed closely by the red. Before taking out their Zeo blasters, Tommy and Tanya kicked and punched at the Leeches, while Kimberly tried her best to lose them with cartwheels and flips of all sorts.
Finally getting a kick at one of them, Kimberly felt a rush of strength flow through her, and punched at another. "Oh, this is gonna be fun," she snickered, and continued fighting. Not paying attention to what was behind her, Kimberly tripped at the hand of a Leech who grabbed her ankle. Now on the ground, she panicked to get up, but the Leeches seemed to gang up on her and kept her down.
Tommy saw this from the corner of his eye and whipped out his Zeo blaster. "Tanya! Aim for the ones surrounding Kim!" he yelled, and the yellow ranger followed through. They were both shocked, however, when the lasers did nothing anymore to fend off the Leeches. Tommy folded his brow from beneath his helmet, and watched in horror as the Leeches began to suck power from Kim. "No..." he whispered.
Damien was all to happy at this moment, and reappeared from the shadows, not too far from where Kimberly lay. "Well, isn't this a precious sight? The Leeches are defended against your lasers. The Zeo blasters are useless to help your friend. Soon, her powers will be stripped from her, and she will be nothing but the average girl she was just hours ago." He cackled with cruelty.
Tommy cringed under his helmet, and balled his hands into fists. He made a charge at the Leeches around Kim, but was stopped by those that still surrounded him. Tanya was held back as well, and after only seconds, the Leeches began to drain their powers as well.
"No! Let me...GO!" Tanya pleaded, but to no avail. Yellow sparks began to flow into the bodies of the leeches that held her, and she was brought to her knees.
Tommy sat in a similar position, and struggled wildly against those that held him down. He could hear Kim screaming, and noticed that the white light began to brighten.
She was in agony. She felt as though she couldn't move, but attempted to anyway. It was no use, however. The more she struggled, the weaker she got. Her powers were leaving her body, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Damien approached her, and sarcastically shamed her. "Poor girl. It's a shame your powers were so short lived. You've had them less than two hours, and you've already failed! My my, for shame." He shook his head, and then lifted out his palm. "But, what's this? Why, it's a shard of YOUR crystal! How fortunate for me..."
Kim's eyes widened with the sight, and she folded her brow beneath her helmet. She tried to swallow, but she could not, and it became hard to breathe.
Damien laughed. "You'll love what I have in store for you, love." He turned his focus on Tommy now, who managed to break free of the Leeches and made his way toward the sorcerer. "And you, boy, will simply have to wait your turn!" Damien pinned Tommy down with a strike of purple lightning, and Tommy was frozen in place.
"Let her go!" He shouted. "Take the crystal! I don't care! But leave her to us..." Tommy was demanding.
Damien seemed amused. "I don't think you're in any position to be making commands, red ranger. The girl is at my mercy for stealing what should have been mine. She will have to suffer the consequences. And believe me, she WILL suffer..." He released a cold, bone chilling chuckle, and looked straight into the eyes of Kim. "You're time has come, dear girl. There is no way out."
Tanya and Tommy could see Kim's suit flicker in and out of existence, until finally, Kim was fully demorphed. The Leeches released her, and stepped away, leaving her to lie on the cold ground of the cave. She gritted her teeth as she pushed her upper body off of the ground, and scowled at Damien. 'So then, that's it. It's over. I've already failed.' She snorted at herself. 'And I promised myself I wouldn't be weak...' She believed she was looking into the eyes of Death itself, and hung her head in surrender.
A/N: I'm trying to speed up the process of completion for this story, so I can put up my new one! Or, at least, begin it... Hah, but anyway, here's the next chapter in the Idealistic Daydream (Oh, and the title will make sense at the end of the story, if I type it up right...).
A POWER SHORT LIVED
The whole group, minus Katherine, had gathered in the Power Chamber the next morning. Tanya, Adam and Rocky were very anxious about Tommy's surprise, and were smothering him with questions about just what it was he was hiding.
"Calm down, guys. You'll see in a second." Tommy raised his hands as though he were surrendering, but was rather trying to hold off his ambitious team mates.
Tanya was getting antsy. "I can't take this suspense anymore! Just get out with it, Tommy! You were so excited when you contacted me, and now I'm excited, but I don't even know what the surprise is!"
Zordon chuckled at Tanya's enthusiasm over the surprise. He decided it was time for the introduction. "As you know, Rangers, we have been in search of the White Zeo Crystal in order to keep it from Lord Damien's menacing hands. In a rather lucky streak, Tommy was able to avoid any harm from his encounter with Damien and his Leeches just last night-" He was momentarily cut off by gasps from the others.
"What? Tommy, you saw him?" Rocky was very interested.
Adam was curious. "What did he look like? Was he strong?"
Tanya just waited for answers.
Tommy laughed sarcastically. "Don't worry, guys. I'm sure we'll all get a chance to see him soon. Personally, I'm not so excited... Go ahead, Zordon."
Their mentor resumed his speech. "During the attack, however, Tommy was not alone. He happened to have an old ally with him, who was able to snatch the White Crystal before Damien or his minion could, and Tommy teleported them both back here safely."
The others were in shock. With all the excitement, they seemed to forget the visitor that returned yesterday.
"Who was it, Tommy?" Tanya wondered. "Where are they now?"
"This, Rangers, is what you are anticipating. Reaching a decision, Tommy, Alpha and myself agreed that it would be to our benefit if our ally were to take on the powers of the White Crystal, and aide in our defense against evil as the white Zeo Ranger. She has not yet performed the power intake, and this is why we have called you here this morning."
They didn't know how to react. Tanya couldn't wait, Adam was confused, and Rocky's expression just couldn't be read.
They all watched as Alpha began punching buttons on one of the control panels of the Chamber, and as a secret compartment began to rise from the counter, Zordon resumed.
"We have left the white Zeo Crystal here over night for safe keeping, but it is now time to bring it out, and fuse it with the spirit of our newest team member."
Everyone stared in awe at the beauty of the crystal before them. They had never seen anything like it. The light it emitted as not so bright, and the rangers were able to look strait to it, watching it glitter proudly.
Then, from the back of the Chamber came the sound of an automatic door opening, and when the rangers saw who stepped out, they smiled.
Adam and Rocky ran up to her, each taking a turn in giving her welcoming hugs.
"Kim, I can't believe how long it's been!" Rocky said.
"It's really good to see you, Kim." Adam admitted.
She laughed slightly, and thanked her old friends. "Thanks you guys. It's good to see you all, too!"
Both Rocky and Adam briefly thought about the letter she wrote to Tommy, but dismissed the thought when they saw Tommy approach Kim with a genuine smile of happiness.
Kim returned his smile, and then turned her attention to the newest yellow ranger. "You must be Tanya," she assumed, reaching out a hand. "I'm Kim."
Tanya took Kim's hand and shook it. With somewhat of a sad expression, she stated, "Katherine told me how close you and Aisha were-"
"And I know she made the right decision in sending you back in her place." Kim winked. Tanya smiled gladly and she and Kim gave each other friendly hugs of welcome. When they parted, Kim landed a reassuring hand on Tanya's shoulder.
Tanya giggled. "Welcome back to the team."
Kim sighed nervously. "Let's just hope I can handle this new power..."
Everyone took a moment to talk about the crystal and the great powers it had. Edging off to the side, Kim walked up to the glass that cased her old pterodactyl suit. She closed her eyes in remembrance of the good days, and how it made her feel to be morphed in the safety of the pink ranger armor. She was startled slightly by Tommy's hand on her shoulder blade, and turned around to meet his gaze.
"You ready?" he asked.
She took a deep breath, and nodded with confidence.
She and Tommy walked a few steps forward, and Zordon instructed her.
"Kimberly, approach the crystal." She did so, and gazed readily at the crystal that would make her a ranger again. 'Here we go,' she thought.
"Close your eyes, and relax your spirit..." Zordon's voice echoed faintly in her ears as she began to feel a state of total nirvana rush throughout her whole body. She could no longer feel the ground beneath her feet, and she felt like she was floating. Her eyes remained shut, but she could see a bright white light growing powerfully around her. It became hard to breathe, but just for a moment, and she gasped for air, taking in the deepest breath she possibly could. Releasing it sparingly, she opened her eyes, and the crystal was gone. She blinked repeatedly, and turned around, facing the others. She could see expressions of awe and amazement, and wondering what caught their attention, she raised her hands.
"Oh my gosh..." she whispered. White gloves covered her arm to her elbow, and there was a gold band that wrapped around her wrists. Her feet rested in flexible white boots that reached to the middle of her shins, and a streak of gold traced the rim. Her entire body modeled a flexible spandex armor, with gold and black designs at the chest, and a gold belt that circled her waste. There was the familiar skirt following the belt that curved her thighs, with a gold hem at the bottom. Taking of the helmet that protected her head, she turned it so she could gaze at her proud expression through the heart shaped visor. She turned to the sound of her mentor's voice.
"Behold the White Zeo Ranger. Kimberly, I have no doubt that the powers will collaborate well with your pure spirit. The crystal lies within you now. Trust in it, and it will serve you well."
She felt like she could cry. "This... this is amazing! I feel so... brand new, or something!"
She was quickly surrounded by her fellow team mates.
"Congratulations, Kim," Adam said.
"Yeah, you look great." Rocky admitted.
Tanya smiled. "I have a feeling that we'll make an excellent team." Kim smiled at that.
Tommy gave Kim a small hug, and then asked, "So, what do you think?"
Kim shook her head with a laugh. "And I thought DIAMONDS were a girls best friend." She got a laugh from the rest.
Tommy stepped back with the others to give Kim some breathing room as she continued to admire her new suit. He studied her, watching her dark caramel hair sweep along her shoulders and neck as she turned her head, and how well the soft white of the suit complemented her tan complexion. It was like she was made to be looked upon, and his heart was warmed by the thought that she was his to care for, once again. She was back now, and was more important to him now than ever. 'I can't lose her again,' he told himself. He smiled as she looked up at him with her glistening cinnamon eyes, and promised himself that she would be kept safe from any harm that Damien might cause to get at the crystal.
His thoughts were broken by the alarm suddenly sounding. Alpha shuffled his way across the Chamber, punching more buttons to determine the problem.
"Alpha, what is it?" Tommy asked, stepping up to the robot's side.
"Oh, my sprockets. It appears that Lord Damien has sent his Leeches down in two different locations! There is a group harassing citizens in the park again, and another group right outside of the Power Chamber!"
The teens exchanged glances. Tommy gave out orders.
"Alright. We're going to have to split up. Rocky, Adam, you two head for the Park. The girls and I will take car of the ones up here. Ready guys? It's morphin time!"
Each ranger, including Kimberly, called out their power source.
"Zeo Ranger two, Yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger three, Blue!"
"Zeo Ranger four, Green!"
"Zeo Ranger five, Red!"
Kimberly hesitated, but then quickly joined in. "White Zeo Ranger Power!" Her helmet was replaced on her head, and she took on a teleporting stance, ready for action.
Activating their teleporters, each and every ranger left the Power Chamber, ready and willing to defeat evil.
* * *
The Blue and Green rangers arrived at the park and found that it had been cleared of people, thanks to the threatening Leeches that scampered about. They stood back to back, and encouraged one another to just let it lose.
"You ready, Rocco?"
"You betcha, Adam."
"Okay then. Let's get 'em!" Adam fired the first shot with his Zeo blaster, and practically vaporized the first Leech that came into contact of the laser.
Rocky was having equal luck with two Leeches that lingered at his sides. First kicking one away, he shot at the other, and it melted away into nothing. He did the same to the other, laughing proudly as he finished. "If I were you, I'd ask your boss for a raise! You really take the heat for him, don't you?"
"Alright, slime balls, let's just get this over with." Adam launched a fierce fist attack on three Leeches that had huddled together, and when his aim was right, he fired at them.
The two rangers worked quickly, ridding themselves of the pesty Leeches that seemed to never end.
* * *
Out in the field right in between the Power Chamber and Damien's cave, the Yellow, red and White rangers took caution in every step they made.
"Where'd they go?" Asked Tanya. There were no Leeches in sight.
Tommy walked between Kim and Tanya, covering the front and back while the girls took either side. Tommy didn't understand it. "I don't know," he said, "But keep your eyes open. They might be hiding out somewhere." He'd been in this area before, when Zedd had teleported him there to fight Turbonshell. He remembered it as clear as Kim's crystal.
* *
The Turbonshell had taken away his powers, and Tommy took refuge in a ditch that led to a slope of dry grass. As Turbonshell walked in Tommy's direction, he teased at the ex ranger. "Fi fie fo fum, I smell something green and dumb..."
Tommy quickly grabbed the monster's foot and pulled him into the ditch, sending him rolling down the slope.
* *
Returning from the thought, Tommy instinctively pulled Kim away, just as a Leech reached out at her leg with it's grimy hand. They were all in the ditch.
Seeing that they'd been discovered, the Leeches retreated down the slope, and were heading off somewhere in the distance. "Where are they going?" Tanya asked.
"Look, over there!" Kim pointed. "Into that cave! Shouldn't we go after them?"
Tommy shook his head. "I don't know. Something's not right. Why would they hide and run?"
"Who cares! We've got to go after them!" Tanya flipped in the air and landed at the bottom of the slope, calling out to Tommy and Kim. "Come on!"
Kim agreed with Tanya and did a similar flip down the slope. Landing gracefully at Tanya's side, she looked back up to Tommy. "Are you coming?"
Tommy knew better, but followed them against his best judgement. He landed right behind them.
The girls broke out into a run, and as Tommy watched, Kim looked like a white blur.
Not wanting to lose them, he followed at their heels and made his way to the cave.
They all stopped at the entrance, and Tanya was the first to speak up. "Well? Should we go in, or wait for them to come back out?"
"We'll wait here for a second... see if they've got something planned." Tommy sat on a rock, out of sight from the mouth of the cave. The girls just stood in front of him, each placing all their weight on one leg. Tommy could see Tanya's Zeo blaster at her hip, but noticed that Kim didn't have one. He made a notion to bring it up, but was stopped by a chuckling noise from inside the cave.
Tanya grabbed Kim's wrist and pulled her along. "Come on. Let's check this out..." They both disappeared into the cave.
"Wait!" Tommy called, but they didn't return. He followed in after them.
* * *
Damien chuckled loudly, so as to let the Rangers outside know of his presence. Baku was right at his leg.
"Oh, how anxious I am to see the new White Ranger, and how she struggles at the pain within her when I strike at my shard of the White Crystal." A smile snaked upon his shadowed face.
The Leeches that lured the rangers to the cave pranced around Damien and Baku, awaiting a battle.
Damien spoke, and the Leeches stopped their motions. "Leeches, it is time I guard you against the lasers that the Rangers have been defeating your lot with. It might sting a little, but I assure you: no laser can break the seal I will provide you with." He held his staff high above his head with an outstretched arm, and a streak of purple lightning shot from the end, branching apart to each and every Leech. When the bolt stopped, the Leeches seemed to exchange glances, and began to poke at each other. It felt to them as though a clear, plastic cover had wrapped around them, and they were more than willing to face a hundred of the lasers that the Rangers could point at them. Their wish was the Ranger's command.
Damien slipped further into the shadows of the cave as the yellow and white rangers burst into the cavern, followed closely by the red. Before taking out their Zeo blasters, Tommy and Tanya kicked and punched at the Leeches, while Kimberly tried her best to lose them with cartwheels and flips of all sorts.
Finally getting a kick at one of them, Kimberly felt a rush of strength flow through her, and punched at another. "Oh, this is gonna be fun," she snickered, and continued fighting. Not paying attention to what was behind her, Kimberly tripped at the hand of a Leech who grabbed her ankle. Now on the ground, she panicked to get up, but the Leeches seemed to gang up on her and kept her down.
Tommy saw this from the corner of his eye and whipped out his Zeo blaster. "Tanya! Aim for the ones surrounding Kim!" he yelled, and the yellow ranger followed through. They were both shocked, however, when the lasers did nothing anymore to fend off the Leeches. Tommy folded his brow from beneath his helmet, and watched in horror as the Leeches began to suck power from Kim. "No..." he whispered.
Damien was all to happy at this moment, and reappeared from the shadows, not too far from where Kimberly lay. "Well, isn't this a precious sight? The Leeches are defended against your lasers. The Zeo blasters are useless to help your friend. Soon, her powers will be stripped from her, and she will be nothing but the average girl she was just hours ago." He cackled with cruelty.
Tommy cringed under his helmet, and balled his hands into fists. He made a charge at the Leeches around Kim, but was stopped by those that still surrounded him. Tanya was held back as well, and after only seconds, the Leeches began to drain their powers as well.
"No! Let me...GO!" Tanya pleaded, but to no avail. Yellow sparks began to flow into the bodies of the leeches that held her, and she was brought to her knees.
Tommy sat in a similar position, and struggled wildly against those that held him down. He could hear Kim screaming, and noticed that the white light began to brighten.
She was in agony. She felt as though she couldn't move, but attempted to anyway. It was no use, however. The more she struggled, the weaker she got. Her powers were leaving her body, and there was nothing she could do to stop it.
Damien approached her, and sarcastically shamed her. "Poor girl. It's a shame your powers were so short lived. You've had them less than two hours, and you've already failed! My my, for shame." He shook his head, and then lifted out his palm. "But, what's this? Why, it's a shard of YOUR crystal! How fortunate for me..."
Kim's eyes widened with the sight, and she folded her brow beneath her helmet. She tried to swallow, but she could not, and it became hard to breathe.
Damien laughed. "You'll love what I have in store for you, love." He turned his focus on Tommy now, who managed to break free of the Leeches and made his way toward the sorcerer. "And you, boy, will simply have to wait your turn!" Damien pinned Tommy down with a strike of purple lightning, and Tommy was frozen in place.
"Let her go!" He shouted. "Take the crystal! I don't care! But leave her to us..." Tommy was demanding.
Damien seemed amused. "I don't think you're in any position to be making commands, red ranger. The girl is at my mercy for stealing what should have been mine. She will have to suffer the consequences. And believe me, she WILL suffer..." He released a cold, bone chilling chuckle, and looked straight into the eyes of Kim. "You're time has come, dear girl. There is no way out."
Tanya and Tommy could see Kim's suit flicker in and out of existence, until finally, Kim was fully demorphed. The Leeches released her, and stepped away, leaving her to lie on the cold ground of the cave. She gritted her teeth as she pushed her upper body off of the ground, and scowled at Damien. 'So then, that's it. It's over. I've already failed.' She snorted at herself. 'And I promised myself I wouldn't be weak...' She believed she was looking into the eyes of Death itself, and hung her head in surrender.