Rated PG-13: language, sexual references in the last section, including slash elements.
Reviews are always appreciated.
"Tommy Oliver. That is your name, isn't it?"
"What? Kat?"
The startled exclamation had been Tommy. The first voice - a woman, with an accent Wes foggily identified as English - had been what pulled him out of a light doze.
"Tommy Oliver." She said it the way everyone here said their names, as if they were one word. "We must speak."
Coldly awake now, Wes quietly folded the covers back and slid out of bed. He padded quickly to the opening of his small sleeping alcove, pressed against the wall, and peered out around the edge of the curtain that separated it from the main room.
Tommy was there, outlined in the morning sun streaming through the narrow windows, shock and a strangely vulnerable expression fading from his features as he stared at the young woman facing him. "Who are you? How did you get in here?" he demanded.
Wes looked again at the woman. Young, golden blonde hair, a softly sweet face and very attractive figure in a tight, low-cut white lace gown decorated with pink ribbons. She was beautiful, especially the melting way she was looking at Tommy. When she spoke again, Wes realized her accent was Australian. "You know me, don't you?" she murmured. "Why else do you call me Kat?"
"You look like her, but you're not her. Who are you?"
"I could be a friend."
"You're Morgan Le Fay, aren't you?"
"That is what I am called."
"What do you want?"
"Only to speak with you. You think we are enemies, but it doesn't have to be that way... we could be very good friends indeed..." She raised a hand towards his face.
Tommy reached for her wrist to stop her, only to blink in surprise as his fingers passed through her arm as if through empty air. He took a step back, eyes wide.
She laughed. "I am not here in body, Tommy Oliver, only my spirit has come to you."
"Why?"
She moved closer to him, her face taking on an unhappy look. "Would you and your friends fight us without hearing our side of the story? Would you judge me - all of us - without a hearing?"
Wes jumped at a touch on his elbow, and found Eric beside him. He nodded silently to his partner and returned his attention to the two inside the main room.
"Merlin and Myrddin told me what Vivienne is doing. As long as you're on her side, yes, I'll fight you."
"You take the word of an ancient, shriveled monster half mad with age and untold years locked in that dismal cave, and of the boy whose mind he has bent? You would take their word over mine?" She leaned into him, bringing their faces close.
"I believe in Zordon. Myrddin. No matter which world he's in." But Tommy looked shaken.
"If you are truly like Arthur... you must care for me... just a little... don't you?" She smiled as he stared wordlessly. "We could be together for always, Tommy Oliver. You look so like the king - with you, we would not need Mordred, you could so easily step onto the throne, and no one would ever know..."
"What?"
"You could be a king, and I would be your queen... I know you want me, don't try to deny it..."
"No! Not like this!"
Her voice rose, becoming harsher. "Don't fight me, Tommy Oliver. You cannot resist my power!"
"Maybe. But I can. Stop this, Morgan!"
Eric had already pushed the curtain aside and both of them had started forward, when the new voice brought them up short. The door leading to the castle corridor stood open and a blue-robed figure, his face flushed with anger, filled the doorway. As they watched, he took a few steps closer.
"Merlin!" Morgan hissed, her lovely face twisting.
"Yes, Merlin. Your childhood friend. Your teacher. Your playmate and companion. Whom you have betrayed for that witch!"
"What Vivienne commands, I must do!"
"Morgan!" More people had crowded into the doorway now. Wes caught sight of Nimue stepping aside for Arthur, his long hair rumpled, and behind him Lancelot, still pulling a shirt over his chest. Arthur had spoken, and continued, "Morgan. If you feel no loyalty to your friends, what of your king? What of Camelot?"
"Camelot's rightful ruler is Vivienne." She smiled spitefully.
"Please, Morgan," Lancelot said, a pleading note in his voice, "Don't do this. Whatever Vivienne has done to you, we understand. We can help you. It's not too late."
"Don't..." She gulped, eyes widening, for just a moment what seemed to be doubt wavering over her expression. But an instant later it was gone, so quickly Wes wasn't sure of what he had seen, and a wave of fury swept over her face. "Don't pity me, or think I will not destroy you! We will make you all wish you had never opposed us!" Morgan raised her arm, sweeping it up and then out, a bolt of bright energy springing from her fingertips and stabbing towards them.
"Watch out!" Eric's voice was almost drowned out by the thunder-like noise as he pulled Wes down and behind a chair. When Wes looked again, he saw Morgan swing her arm again in an angry gesture, sending another flash of light at the doorway. But Merlin stood in front of the others, hands out, a barrier in front of him becoming visible as it blocked the attack and dissipated it into harmless sparks.
"We will destroy you all!" She swung around at Tommy. Wes raised his arm, knowing none of them had time to morph before she could throw another of those bolts - but even as her arm lifted, Tommy blinked out of sight. Morgan hesitated for an instant, and then snarled in frustration, raised both hands above her head, and vanished in a spiral of light.
Silence followed, until Merlin said, "It's safe now. She is gone, and will not return."
Tommy reappeared from thin air as Wes and Eric got up. "Forgot about that disappearing trick of yours," Wes said. The others showed no surprise, he noticed. Of course, people appearing and disappearing was probably an everyday event for them.
"Comes in handy." Tommy turned away, still looking shaken.
"Are you okay?"
"Sure." His fists clenched. "I know her, too. In my world, Kat's mind was controlled and she was forced to attack us, by Rita, before she joined the team." He threw a quick look at all of them. "And now the same thing is happening with Morgan. We have to help her, and Justin - I mean Mordred."
"You have done well, Tommy Oliver." Nimue favored Tommy with a smile.
"Yes." Merlin was behind her. "Had I suspected she would approach you in this way, I would have taken precautions. I apologize."
"No harm done, I guess."
"At least this demonstrates one thing." The others had gathered around Merlin as he spoke. He paused for a moment to face Arthur. "Vivienne believes that Tommy Oliver, Eric Myers, and Wes Collins are a significant threat to her. Enough of a threat so that she risked sending Morgan here in an attempt to seduce one of them to her side. An encouraging sign. However..." His eyes turned back to the three of them. "It also means you will be among her primary targets in battle."
"We'll all be targets," Eric said. "Don't worry about us."
Arthur stepped closer. "Then, like Myrddin, I will thank you for your courage and loyalty. Take your breakfast and make whatever preparations you need. Battle will be joined today."
"What's the first thing you want to do when you get back?"
Wes smiled at Tommy's question. He didn't even need to think about it. "Kiss my wife, Jen," he said.
The morning had passed without any further excitement. They were all tense, finding the waiting so uncomfortable that Wes found himself wishing the attack would come and get it over with. But tension can be kept up only so long. Now, lingering over a late lunch, they were talking about their return home - none of them wanting to mention that there was no guarantee it would ever happen.
"What about you, Eric?"
Eric smirked. "Say hello to my girlfriend. But I don't intend to stop with a kiss."
They all chuckled, but Tommy's expression was distant as the laughter faded. "I don't have a wife or girlfriend to - uh - say hello to, but I'll be glad to get back. Make sure the kids are okay."
"How about Hayley?" Wes asked. "She seems nice. And you two have a lot in common."
"Yeah. But - I dunno. Sometimes there's chemistry, and sometimes there isn't. Maybe Hayley and I have just been friends too long for anything else."
"Guy like you, there must be someone you'd like to hook up with," Eric said.
"Well, there's Ms. Randall - the school principal. She's pretty - but she's kind of - well, weird. Don't think that would work out."
"Too bad."
"Tell me about your wife and your girlfriend."
"One of my favorite topics..." Wes smiled. "We went through a lot together, with our team and since then - and we were separated for a long time, but it all worked out for the best. Now we still get to work together sometimes. She's a police detective, so we're both in law enforcement. Still can't believe sometimes that we're actually married, but - I guess we were meant to be together... So I know I'll get back..." He trailed off into a suddenly depressed silence.
Whether Eric wanted to lighten the mood or simply ignored it, Wes was grateful when he said, "You guys both go for the pink Rangers. What's wrong with a regular woman? Gaby's just a normal person and we do pretty well together."
"When you're a Ranger, that's who you spend all your time with," Tommy said. "I guess it's just natural to date each other."
"And I bet it didn't hurt that both of them were hot."
"Kim and Kat are both pretty, I guess."
"You guess?" Eric grinned. "From what I've seen of Guinevere, I could go for Kim myself, in a different universe."
"Don't mind Eric," Wes said. "He's just yanking your chain."
Tommy smiled and started to answer, but stopped, his expression changing. "Do you hear something?" he asked.
They all heard it. Eric was already on his feet and headed for the windows. They each looked out over the city below, into the narrow streets winding their way past shops, markets, and houses. They were filled with people - but instead of going about their usual business under the afternoon sun, they were running, a wave of them sweeping towards the shelter of the wall surrounding the castle area. And behind them...
"Demon-drones," Tommy said. "It's started."
The black, blank-faced creatures were in pursuit, chasing the stragglers as they struggled to keep up with the crowd. As Wes watched, a small group of castle guards fought their way through the fleeing townspeople and spread across the road leading through the gate, weapons at the ready, to face the attackers.
"Come on!" Eric said. At a run, they headed for the door.
The others were there, at the gate. The guards had retreated inside and it had been closed again the tide of demon-creatures, but they could see it rattle as dozens, maybe hundreds of inhuman bodies pressed against it. Without a word, the two groups of Rangers shared a look that spoke of shared purpose and determination, and then moved to stand shoulder to shoulder in a line, facing the enemy outside.
"Are we ready?" Arthur asked.
"Yes, my love," Guinevere said.
"Of course, my king." Lancelot's voice was strong and steady.
"As always," from Galahad.
"I am prepared," Nimue confirmed.
"As am I." Merlin sounded as determined as ever.
Moving in harmony, the six of them reached into their belts, pulling out the power coins in their holders. Holding them out straight-armed, they stood still for a heartbeat, then with a swift movement took a half-turn, bent their elbows, and brought the coins back to their waists. Wes glanced at Eric, half expecting a mocking remark, only to see him watching intently as they all cried together,
"Knights of Power, unite!"
A spot of light grew above each person, quickly unwinding into ribbons of color, spinning down over their bodies until they were encased in a web of sparkling energy. They brightened like six multicolored cocoons, and burst, shards of light flying outwards and disappearing just as rapidly. And in their place stood the six Arthurian Rangers, their clothing replaced by six suits of gleaming, form-fitting chain mail, heavy gauntlets and boots, visored metallic helmets, and short tunics in each color, decorated with the form of a red winged dragon outlined in black. Arthur wore green, Lancelot red, Guinevere pink, and Galahad black; while Merlin was in blue and Nimue in yellow.
"Weapons!" Lancelot called. As each one reached out into the air, a weapon appeared in his or her hands. Lancelot lifted a long, silver sword by its elaborate red and black hilt, Merlin a silver and blue lance with a three-pronged head. Galahad received a black and gold double-headed axe which he whirled above his head before holding it ready. Nimue swept two dangerous-looking yellow, silver, and black daggers through the air; Guinevere fitted a pink and white arrow to a short, thick bow of the same colors. Arthur held his arm straight up, a long and heavy silver, green, and black dagger materializing in it, with a line of symbols engraved along the blade. A faint shimmer of energy ran over it as it caught the sun, bringing the thought of Excalibur to Wes's mind.
"Just like old times," Tommy murmured. To Wes's surprise, he was smiling as he held out his arms, called out, "Dino Thunder, power up!" and morphed into the black Ranger.
"You ready?" Wes asked with a glance at Eric.
"I'm always ready. Quantum Power!" A moment and a flash of sparkling light later, the Quantum Ranger was suited up.
"Then let's do this." Wes felt almost anticlimactic as he pressed the button on his morpher and transformed.
"Merlin, can you hold these creatures long enough for us to get outside?" Lancelot asked.
"Of course."
"Then we go to face our enemy!" Lancelot raised his weapon again. The others did the same as Tommy pulled a staff with a sword-like handle from his own belt. They all moved closer together. "Men, open the gate!"
With a defiant cry they charged out. Merlin's spell had worked, the demons seemed to be straining against an invisible barrier as the gate swung open. Wes braced himself for impact, but they all passed through as if nothing was there. Then there was no more time for thought as they plunged into a sea of black bodies, hands reaching for him, hard feet kicking; being pulled and pushed and blinded by the press of their numbers.
He was surrounded, dizzied and overwhelmed, as their fingers clawed at him and their fists pounded on his chest and back and helmet... They kept coming, it was hopeless, too many... Wes's heart thudded in sudden panic, it was just like before, just like that endless mass of cyclobots Ransik had let loose on him three years ago... If Jen, Trip, Lucas, and Katie hadn't come, they would have killed him, he would have died there, all alone...
But the thought of Jen braced him. He had to get back to her, couldn't let anything stop him. And he wasn't alone this time. Wes concentrated on the creatures around him, smashed a fist into the featureless face before him, and then another, feeling a grim satisfaction as it dissolved into smoke. He grabbed the arm of another one that had climbed on his back and dragged it over his shoulder, swinging it around, toppling all of them within reach. This was too slow... He summoned his blaster and opened fire, sweeping out a circle, keeping an eye out for his teammates.
An angry shout located Eric, down on the ground but not out, viciously kicking a demon off him. In an instant he had yanked the Quantum Defender out and blasted the creature in midair. He caught another with his boot, knocking it away, did a back-roll and jumped to his feet, elbowing one demon and side-kicking another in almost the same motion.
Tommy was busy too, he had cleared a small space around himself by swinging his staff. Stopping, he switched to jabbing at them with the end, and quickly disposed of several. Then he spun it into the air, knelt, and slammed it end-first into the ground. The earth around him seemed to ripple, the effort growing stronger as it reached the circle of demons around him, erupting under them in an explosion of dirt and dust.
And the Knights of Power were doing just as well, Arthur, Lancelot, and Galahad slashing about them with their weapons, literally cutting the demons into pieces, although fortunately they then vanished into smoke. The three of them had stayed near Guinevere, but she appeared not to need protection; she was doing a surprising amount of damage herself by sending arrows through one creature after another.
Merlin and Nimue had abandoned lance and daggers for the weapon they knew best: magic. They stood back to back, a stream of small, shiny bubbles flowing from Merlin's hands, instantly dissolving any demons they contacted. Nimue was using her lightning strikes, a steady series of bolts flashing from her pointing finger with just as deadly an effect.
And then it was over - for the moment. Wes staggered to a stop, panting, looking around. The surviving demon-drones were pulling back, retreating to form a line several yards away. He joined Eric and Tommy as the nine Rangers regrouped.
"Have we defeated them?" Lancelot asked.
"No," Merlin said. "That was only the first skirmish. Now we face the real enemy."
"Here they come," Arthur said in a low voice.
Three figures appeared, stepping through the line of demons, moving slowly closer. Two of them Wes recognized. Mordred, an ugly smirk on his boyish face, his hand on the elaborate hilt of a heavy, curved sword. Morgan, her expression cold and hard, now dressed in a silvery chain mail vest and loose leggings. Between them walked a second woman, Asian, in a long flowing gown with black hair pulled up in an elaborate arrangement, too short and small to seem impressive if not for the chill that sprang from her black eyes.
"Just as I thought. Rita!" Tommy said, barely above a whisper.
Arthur stepped forward. "Vivienne."
"Arthur." Her smile was like ice, her voice harsh and shrill.
"I offer you a last chance. Release Morgan and Mordred, and leave Camelot in peace."
"You know there's no chance of that." Vivienne smiled again, even more chillingly. "I will have your life and your kingdom. And the lives of all those who defend you."
"Then we must do battle."
"To the death."
TBC...