Chapter 22
In Mesogog's Lair
Conner and Anna were still trying to figure out a way to free themselves from the chains they were bounded by. After struggling for about ten minutes, they realized that it was useless. Conner had given up trying to break out but he was thinking of other ways to get free. His mind continued to drift back to Kira, no matter what happened, Kira was always the first thing he thought of. He hoped that she could forgive him for what his clone did to them. If he lost Kira's trust, he would not be able to go on.
Suddenly, a frustrated cry from Anna brought him back to reality.
"Stupid things. This is pointless, isn't it?" She said with a sigh.
"Using brute force, yes. But I think I have an idea on how to get out." Conner said with a light in his eye.
"How?"
"Just don't say anything when Mesogog gets here. It's getting to be that time when he comes in and sees how we're doing."
"What do you have planned?"
"Just trust me."
In Tommy's Lab
Hayley, Rita, and John were surrounding the computer trying to find a way through Mesogog's defenses. They were making some progress but not enough to get through. Meanwhile, Tommy was still unsure about his former enemies helping his current team. He was in the corner talking to Jason and Kimberly, voiceing his concerns.
"Jason, how do we know we can trust them?"
"Zordon's energy wave got rid of the evil in them, for the past few years I've been in contact with them. I ran into John one day and he apologized for everything he put us through when he was Lord Zedd. Since the wave, he and Rita have been living pretty normal lives. They still have the memories from when they were evil and they have always wanted to redeem themselves.
I thought they would jump at the opportunity to help but it took a little convincing. But the bottom line is, they're here."
"Tommy, I'll do anything to get Anna back, if that means that for the time being I have to trust Rita and John, then so be it.
What Jason said makes sense, they would know how to get around these barriers. Look, we don't have to be friends with them, but if they want to help, let them. We could use it." Kim said.
"I guess you're right. But I don't like it."
Sensing that he was the topic of discussion between the three friends, John looked back to the group with a small bittersweet smile on his face. Sighing, he made his way over to the three of them.
"Tommy, can I speak to you for a second?"
"Yeah, I think that would be for the best." Instead of talking in front of everyone, the two of them made their way outside to talk privately on the porch.
"Look Tommy, I know that you don't trust me and given our history, why should you? But that was a long time ago, Zordon's wave, was vital to your survival and to my revival. I'm left with the memories from those days as Lord Zedd and I will never lose those memories. I wished that the wave would have removed them from me, only the evil was removed. Even all these years later, I still regret those days. Let me and my wife make amends to those who we hurt. That is all we ask of you. When Jason came to us and asked us to help, I tried to find a way to not come back, but in the end, I had to. This was the chance we were looking for. For years, I fought against the great Tommy Oliver, now I have the chance to fight with the great Tommy Oliver.
Mesogog must be stopped and if I can help you do that in any way, I will. We may not be friends, but for the time being, we are allies. Let me do this and when we finish, if you so desire, we will go our seperate ways once again. But I'm not leaving until we get Anna back home and safe."
"That's all I needed to hear John. Everyone was saying that, but I needed to hear it first from you. I didn't trust you and now I realize that I never gave you a chance to earn my trust. You get Anna back, and we'll see where go from here. Right now, our main concern is getting Anna back."
"I agree. Let me ask you something."
"Shoot."
"Yellow ranger, blue ranger, black ranger, where's the red ranger?"
"The red ranger is the one who took Anna. He's turned on us, now Mesogog has the white ranger and the red ranger."
"And the yellow ranger is in love with the red ranger?"
"Yes. How did you find that out?"
"Rita talked to her, she said that Kira is her name?"
"Yeah."
"Kira kept saying that it wasn't Conner, that there was something different about him. The look in his eyes when he took her was different. She has a theory that it's not the same person. She also says that she brought that concern to you guys and you shot down the idea that it wasn't. Why would you do that?"
"There's no way it couldn't have been him. We were there when he came home from the hospital, we had a party here and it was then that he took her."
"Were you with him every second he was in the hospital?"
"Well, no. Visiting hours only go for so long."
"So who's to say what happened after visiting hours."
"Do you think there's a way that it couldn't have been him?"
"Yes, I do. I even have a theory as to what happened, but until we can get into the fortress, my theory is just that."
"I hope it's not Conner and that Kira is right but I just don't see how it couldn't be him. But if you have a theory that needs us inside the fortress, then what are we doing out here? We should be down there getting to work."
"It's your house. You lead, I follow."
The two men made their way back to the basement to continue working on the barriers.
In the Lower Chamber
Mesogog entered to find his two prisoners looking defeated. He had them right where he wanted them. First he went to Anna,
he hissed in approval at her dishevelled appearance. Then he walked over to Conner, pleased that Conner was starting to wear down as well.
"How are you doing today, red ranger?" He hissed.
"I'm hanging in there."
"For now at least."
"Mesogog, I have a question for you."
"What?"
"Why are you doing this? I know you want to destroy the rangers, but why bring an innocent teen into this game?"
"You are just pawns red ranger."
"You don't need her, let her go. You have me."
"And why would I do that?"
"Because she has no part in this."
"No, I will not let her leave." Mesogog started walking away until Conner called out.
"Mesogog!"
"Yes?"
"I'll make a deal with you."
Mesogog turned around, clearly intrigued.
"I'm listening."
"Let Anna go, and I will serve you willingly." Anna's head shot up at Conner at his declaration.
"Willingly?"
"Willingly. You let her go and I'm yours. No brainwashing, no spells, just me. You can take out the rangers with two instead of one. You can get rid of the clone. Just let her go."
"Why red ranger? Why serve me?"
"Everyone back in Reefside thinks I already am. I have nothing to lose. The rangers don't trust me. I have nothing back in Reefside. If you kill me, so what?"
"What about your pretty little yellow ranger? Don't you have three little words that you need to say to her?"
"Kira knows that I love her even if I never said it. Actions speak louder than words. She knows just like I do."
Mesogog decided to think over the deal that was offered before coming to a decision.
"TRENT!"
"Yes?"
"Contact Dr. Oliver, tell him that we are sending the girl home."
"But why?"
"Because I said so, now go."
As Trent left, Mesogog turned back to the two teens. With a flash, the shackels were gone and they were released. He walked up to Anna.
"I'll be back for you in a few minutes. They will want to see that you are alive and well before I send you back. Wait here."
When Mesogog left, Anna raced over to Conner.
"What are you doing?"
"Getting you home."
"What about yourself?"
"I meant what I said to him. I need to get you out of here. I have faith that you and the others will get me out. But right now, getting you out of here is more important. Dr. Oliver taught me that being a leader means putting other people before me. That's what I'm doing. I'm getting you home."
"What do you want me to do?"
"Just tell them what happened. I will wait for you guys to get me out. If I have to serve Mesogog until then, so be it."
"We will get you out of here."
"I know but in case something happens and I don't see you again, tell them...tell them that I'm sorry and that I love them."
"Don't talk like that, we will see you again."
"Things happen Anna, you can't guarantee that."
Mesogog entered the room once again.
"Anna, we have established contact with your mother and Dr. Oliver. Come now, we are preparing to send you home."
Anna walked out of the Lower Chamber and looked back to Conner with one last wave, which Conner returned. The door closed,
leaving Conner alone in the chamber.
"I just hope they haven't given up on me." He whispered into the empty chamber. "Come on guys, I need you now more than ever."
TBC.