Just four reviews for the last chapter? Maybe I should stop writing this story. I've been very sick for a few months so I am sorry this is so late. Its take quite a bit out of me to write so Please review if you want it to continue.
Also for those who think Tommy could not have been beaten, in the search for the Zeo crystal when Zedd fights Tommy he is more than a match for the ranger. The fight only ends in a stalemate when Tommy gets in a lucky shot and breaks Zedd's staff.
***************************Finster's workshop*****************************
"Baboo get those sedatives! Squatt place those badges over here. Zedd is in such a terrible mood, we need to be ready." Finster ordered, as the comical duo plus a few putties hurried around getting things in place. Human lives could be so frail. Finster was sorry to admit it but he wasn't worried about losing a slave or two to Zedd's wrath. No, it was the former pink ranger who had worried him. He had no doubt that Zedd would regret harming her, because without her, the young genius would not work. Finster sighed, he enjoyed having someone of equal intellect on the moon. He had even been hoping to perhaps speak and spent time with the former blue ranger but if Zedd killed Kimberly. All his hopes would all be in vain.
"I feel...kinda bad for her. There's no telling what Zedd will do to her." Squatt mumbled softly and for once Baboo didn't hit him.
"I know and we all know why." Baboo said in hushed reply. Yes, Zedd was there lord of evil. They would obey him but Kimberly was Tommy's true love and Tommy, when he had been evil had been a brother to them. Because of that connection, the three not quite fully evil minions, didn't want any real fatal harm to come to Kimberly.
Finster sighed and dismissed the putties. "We will just have to wait and be ready to act quickly. There may not be a moment to spare."
*******************************Zedd's Throne room***************************
Kimberly struggled with all her might against the mass of gray clay that forced her into the throne room. One moment dozens of hands were on her, the next she found herself alone on her knees in front of the throne. The great chrome door behind her was slammed shut with a resonating, hope stealing, thud.
Kimberly swallowed hard, her body beginning to tremble with fear. She used to be so brave but being alone, without her friends, without her powers and in such trouble, frightened her to her core. She knew what Zedd did to both his female and male slaves when the mood struck him. Only Billy's defiance had keep her safe from his touch but as the throne turned around and Zedd's continuance glared down at her. Kimberly felt a lump form in her tummy.
Zedd breathed out, a bit of steam coming from the grating covering his mouth. "Kimberly..." His voice was like she had never heard it before. "Come closer." She hesitated out of fear, a mistake. Zedd growled and waved his staff, red light surrounding Kim and roughly dragging her up the few stairs of his throne, bruising her knees and bottom along the way. Zedd leaned down into her face. "When I tell you to come, you COME!" he screamed at her, Kimberly flinched and whimpered slightly. Zedd reached a clawed hand down and caressed her face for a moment before giving her bottom a good hard smack. Kimberly yelped in pain. "Learn your place girl." Zedd warned.
With a wave of his staff, Zedd released her and she fell to her hands and knees in front of him. Her long hair falling into her face...wait long hair? Kimberly only had a second to realize not only did she had hair again it was longer then she had ever had it before. Falling in a brown cascade to her waist. A moment later a small pink silk cloth and a strange glass bottle of silver fluid appeared before her eyes. She blinked, unsure of the purpose of these objects. "Polish me Kimberly." Zedd said, moving his foot towards her. Kimberly swallowed her pride and reached for the cloth and silver fluid.
She didn't have a choice.
Zedd watched her dutifully polish his one foot, then the other. Then she started up the chrome plating on his legs. He could see the degradation in her eyes, her sorrow tasted so sweet. Yes, if only her precious Tommy could see her now. Zedd smiled, now that was an evil idea. His visor glowed and he began recording Kimberly's punishment for Tommy inability to die. He would save her humiliation, not only for his own pleasure but as bait. He would use serpentera to send a message to the dragon zord. Tommy would return the zord to him and willing give over his life or Kimberly's torment would only just be beginning. She was to his knees now and almost to his thighs. Her hands appeared to be shaking, her eyes watching the sick fluid flowing in the tubes along his body.
Zedd smirked and spread his legs, showing off his large metal cod piece. "Polish it." he commanded her and with tears of shame, dripping silently from the corners of her eyes, Kimberly obeyed.
*****************************Billy's and Kim's room******************************
Billy paced frantically around the room. Kimberly had been gone for far too long and Goldar still blocked the door. There was nothing Billy could do but wait and it was driving him mad. He pulled at his hair and made rage filled hopeless sounds.
Goldar snorted from the door. "Just stop. I am sure lord Zedd would like you to remain unharmed."
Billy growled, anger making him take leave of his senses. "If Zedd, has so much as scratch Kim's skin I'll...I'll..."
Goldar laughed. "You'll what worm? You forget human you are weak without your powers, so very weak. Pathetic..."
Billy frowned and narrowed his eyes. Without saying a word he began to type furious. There was a loud beeping and a light began to flash. Goldar was suddenly worried. "What are you doing?" He asked. Billy didn't reply. Goldar moved towards him and away from the door. "Answer me!" Billy smirked as he looked over.
"I just erased all of the data and discoveries I had on Serpentera...its all gone...poof." Billy opened his hands as he spoke for emphasis.
Goldar's mouth dropped open. "Get it back." He demanded. Billy shrugged. "When I get Kim back, unharmed. I may have erased the files but its all still up here." Billy tapped his head for emphasis. Now if was Goldar's turn to growl. Zedd would blame him for this. Goldar turned on his heels fled the room. Ordering putties to keep Billy from leaving. Billy hoped that his deception had worked. It was a calculated risk. That the golden lion ape would be clever enough to think of something needing Zedd's attention and would then interrupt Zedd and whatever he was doing to Kimberly and bring Kimberly back to him.
**************************Slave caves*************************************
Morning had come to the slave residents deep in the, under-the-castle, caves. There was no sun here but strange glowing rocks would get brighter during the day cycle and at night pathways would be lit dimly by small mushrooms that sprouted only in the evening, giving off a soft blue light.
"Come on Adam get up." Aisha tugged on the blanket covering her friend. He grumbled and pulled it back just as hard. "Five more...minutes." He mumbled to her, half pleading. His body begging for more sleep, for more rest. Aisha felt bad and looked up at Rocky.
Rocky sighed. "Come on Adam. You've got to get up." Rocky hated to admit it but he was worried. He had seen too many slaves, no people, he reminded himself, succumb to depression, to the hopelessness of the situation and just die. Some by there own hand, some from torture at a lack of working and some from a broken spirit. They would just go to sleep and not wake up. Adam was more sensitive and gentle in spirit than himself or Aisha. Rocky refused to let the same happen to Adam. He would drag him to the mines if he had to.
Adam curled in on himself. He couldn't shake the bloody nightmare that had kept him from decent sleep and now the day seemed impossible to face. He felt a gentle hand on his shoulder. "Please Adam." Aisha's voice sounded so desperate and with that in mind Adam forced himself up. His belly rumbling with hunger. His body aching painfully, from day after day of hard labor.
Rocky patted Adam's back in a friendly and reassuring manner. He was hungry too but if they didn't show up to work soon the putties would come looking for them and all three would be whipped.
Aisha was already covering her hair with a dirty rag and wearing her dirtiest and most distressed dress. "Try to get as much as you can." Rocky said, handing her a bag they had cobbled together from scrap fabric. " It's been too long since we've had any fruit or meat. Try for those first." She nodded. "I will. You guys get get to the mine. If I can, I'll try to bring you something to eat when I come in for second shift."
Adam and Rocky nodded and as they left the room. Adam hesitated for a moment in the doorway. "Please be careful Aisha. No risks."
She smiled at him. "No risks. I promise."
Aisha took a moment to make sure her more attractive features were well hidden before making her way to the path that lead towards the kitchen's trash room. There, if she was quick enough, she would be able to get through two or three food lines before they ran out. Last time Adam had been too slow, hence the cereal only diet they had been surviving on for the past two weeks. Looks around she felt so angry. How poorly the hard working slaves were fed. There were so many older slaves who begged and "alpha" males who dominated and stole from the others. She hated such bullies but she needed to keep her head down and get food for her friends and herself. Even if not helping those suffering so, hurt her spirit.
Picking up the pace she hurried into an upper chamber. It was brighter here and warmer. The smells from the kitchen wafting down to torment the hungry slaves. There were four lines already forming. She quickly got into the fruit line and wished deeply the people would hurry up. The other lines were growing. Most of the people were female, second shifters like herself, some covered in abuse marks and bruises. When it was finally her turn after half an hour she spoke quickly and clearly. "Three, mine workers." And a 1 pound box of dried apricots was dropped into her bag along with three small snack sized bags of apple chips and a small jar of strawberry preserves. She then dashed to the meat line, the wait here was almost an hour and too hungry to think straight she ate a three apricots as stealthy as she could. It was never wise to show you had food. Living on the out skirts as they did, Aisha knew they avoided most of the trouble that came with shoving dozens of strangers together. Rape, murder, theft, it was all rampant down here. Bad apples, finding a way to survive even if it killed other people.
Again she spoke clearly and quickly. "Three, mine workers." When she reached the front of the meat line. She could see the supply was almost out but she was given three cans of spam, three cans of chicken breast, two cans of tuna and a jar of boiled pigs feet.
Aisha skipped the vegetable line and hurried to the last line. The grains line. If she could snag a box of cereal or two or a loaf of bread, they would be set for at least another two weeks, maybe more. Some people in the fruit line were crying, everything there was gone now. Aisha felt a painful twinge in her heart. Giving away her food might make her feel better but not if Rocky, Adam and herself starved. After all this, food pantry, as it was, was only open one day every two weeks.
Aisha did a quick mental calculation between the people in front of her and the dwindling supplies. She was going to cut it very close. "Three, mine workers." She said, as the last family sized box of cheerios was placed in her arms. She almost had it into her bag when a women began screaming from about ten people back.
"Oh no that bitch isn't getting my food! Dirty trash! Filth!" the woman spat as she began to rage, the other people in the line, sensing danger, moved away quickly, giving the women a straight path to Aisha.
Aisha tossed her food sack onto her back and slipped into a defensive stance. This women was Bulk's side and much too old to be acting like this. Without saying a word Aisha dodged the woman's fist, tripping her as she passed. The women rolled like a ball, over the now empty food table. And landed with a crash on the floor. People began applauding and cheering Aisha. That women was a bully to everyone. Aisha swallowed hard before running out of the room down towards the caves as fast as she could. No doubt gossip will spread and putties must have seen what she did. It was rumored Zedd was very interested in anyone who knew any of the fighting arts.
Aisha took the long way around back to the rock room she shared with Rocky and Adam. Getting rid of the scarf covering her hair and staying in the shadows as best she could. She made it back without incident and checking carefully that she was alone she pulled out a clean rag and put a handful of apricots, two hand fulls of cheerios and a can of chicken breast, wrapping it up tight. Then she moved to the hidden stone in the wall that Rocky and Adam had chiseled out and hid the rest of the food she had acquired. Changing her dress Aisha hurried towards the mines. The temperature increased the closer she got to the crystal mines. The light glowed red slightly as Aisha entered for second shift. She was given a bucket, a bottle of water and a small chisel by an awaiting putty. There were several putties guarding the only entrance and exist but several more stood around. Some carrying needle tipped whips ready to punish. Some taking buckets of crystals from the humans and pouring them into large tubs to be melted in fire so hot it would burn skin from a distance. Of course the putties, made of earth and magic, were unaffected by such heat. Aisha hurried up one of the higher outer paths. She knew the area Rocky and Adam would be working. Its was narrow and dangerous path walk but the crystals were more plentiful higher up. It was better to risk a daily climb then to risk not meeting the daily quota per slave.
****************************Dragon Zord************************************
Tommy smiled as he did his kata routine over and over. It felt good to finally be free. Really free. It had taken awhile but he was finally able to understand what the dragon zord what saying when it spoke without speaking. He knew he had a bound with this zord and not just because he had been the green ranger. It would take a few days to get to the planet that Tommy would find help on so in the mean time Tommy was working out. He would be as strong as he could be. Mentally and physically. He would get help, beat Zedd, rescue his friend and free earth. He didn't know how but he was determined to do so.
He had hope.
****************************Zedd's Throne Room*********************************
Goldar paced outside the sealed doors. He had been unable to think of a reason to interrupt Zedd's punishment of Kimberly. He didn't know what lord Zedd was doing to her but placing his ear to the door he had been unable to hear any screams of pain. Unless he had taken Kimberly to the far back inner chamber he should have been able to hear something. Zedd would have his skin for a throw rug if the lord of evil ever learned of what Goldar let Billy do. All he could do was wait.
*************************Inside the throne room******************************
With tears in her eyes Kimberly finished polishing the Z on the very top of Zedd's head. Her fingers hurt badly from the effort and the tips were stained silver. Zedd had started making strange moaning noises while she had been working that made her very uneasy. "Oh Kimberly..." He almost purred as she took a step back. "That was a very fine polishing. You will do it again and soon." Kimberly looked at the floor, unsure of what to say or do next.
Zedd looked at her for a moment in silence before speaking. "Would you like a present?" His voice was like satin. Smooth and silky.
Kimberly blinked again and shook her head no, not trusting her voice to be strong.
"No? There must be something my pretty fire bird wants."Zedd purred. Again Kimberly shook her head no.
"Very well, when you think of something. You may ask Goldar or someone else and I will see you get what you asked for. Speaking of...GOLDAR!" Zedd suddenly bellowed and Kimberly squealed slightly covering her ears at the sudden loud noise.
Goldar entered the room and bowed low toward Zedd while sneaking glances at Kimberly. The silver on her fingers indicated her punishment she had completed. Goldar was relieved it was only polishing. "You called my Lord?"
"Yes take Kimberly back to her room. She also has permission to ask for one gift. Let me know if she thinks of something." With that Zedd waved his hand, dismissing them both. For a moment Kimberly did not move.
"Come along." Goldar prompted as Kimberly slipped slowly down the throne's steps and gave a quick bow before falling in line behind Goldar and out into the hallway. The throne room door shut with a thud and not knowing the reason why, Kimberly began to cry silently again.
Please review. Reviews help move my creative sprint.