Its take quite a bit out of me to write so Please review if you want it to continue. I like they way this story is going so far. Bwahahahaha.
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.
*********************Somewhere underground**********************
Rocky slowly cracked open his eyes. Everything hurt. The steady plop plop of water dripping from the ceiling was the only sound to be heard. The air was damp and stale with a slight scent of mold. It was much wetter than the caves they had been held in before. Cooler as well. Waves of dense white fog rolled across the slick ground making Rocky's clothes wet. Well what little clothes he still had on. His red shirt was tattered to pieces with just a little around his neck and shoulders still there. Some of the nearby rocks seemed to glow slightly but the darkness was ever at its heels.
Rocky pushed himself up into a sitting position. The grime of the floor sticking to his hands and chest. His head was swimming and his back felt like it was covered in jelly fish stings. It was still painful but slowly dulling to a manageable level of pain. Leaning against a stone block Rocky took a few deep breaths as the fog twisted and moved around his waist. For a moment the teen had forgotten what had happened to him and how he had come to be here when a weak groan and desperate plea reached his ears.
"No...please...no more..."
Rocky's head snapped up in the direction of the sound. Remembering quickly the horror of what had happened. He began feeling though the fog when his hands touched shivering flesh and that flesh pulled away with a whimper of panicked fear. "Adam." Rocky looked down at his friend, bruised and bloodied, curled up in on himself for protection. His eyes tightly shut. "Adam, it's me...Rocky." Rocky said and Adam sniffed looking up. "Rocky?" Adam's voice was like one awakening from a nightmare. He was so relieved and so close to tears upon seeing his friend.
"Are you alright?" Rocky asked, helping Adam up.
Adam chuckled dryly, but there was no humor in their situation. "Everything hurts but...I'll live. Where's Aisha?"
"I'm…over here." A slightly pained voice called from the far corner of the cell that now held them.
"Aisha." Adam moved to go to her but...
"Adam don't...I'm not...they tore my dress..." Aisha sniffed embarrassed and held a scrap of fabric close to her body , trying to cover herself.
"Oh geez." Adam stopped in his tracks. Rocky spoke up but did not approach his female friend. "Are you hurt Aisha?" Worry in his voice.
"Just...sore, no real damage." She assured her friends. "Where do you think we are?"
Adam looked at Rocky who shook his head. "I passed out. I think we all did."
"But were still prisoners." Adam sighed sadly, touching the stone bars of the cage.
"We'll think of something Adam. We've survived this long." Aisha assured softly.
Adam looked at Rocky. "What do we do now?" Since they had become friends Rocky was always the go to leader of their little trio.
Rocky ran a hand through his hair and sighed before looking at Adam. "I don't know but we can't give up hope."
******************************Planet Phaedos**************************
The dragon zord touched down onto the rough mountain plateau. Brown dust blowing up from its landing. The dragon zord wasted no time and opened his mouth. Tommy found himself shielding his face with his arms from the hot and dry wind that blew in. The world looked so alien, so different from home that he hesitated for a moment. "Dragon Zord?" There was no response, no reply, no flashing of lights. His zord...was gone. Maybe dead from lack of power, maybe just sleeping, Tommy couldn't be sure. Tommy felt tears drip from tips of his eye lashes as he laid a loving hand on the metallic behemoth one last time. "Thank you for bringing me this far."
Tommy wipes his eyes and turned to look at the sandy rock formation he was now on. The sun was starting to set and he could see a great jungle at the base of this mountain. Tommy squinted as the failing light glinted off something far in the distant. Some kind of glittering structure was out there. Stealing his spirit for the journey ahead Tommy began to pick his way down the cliff side. A structure might mean people. He might find the help he desperately needs there.
He didn't go far before trouble found him...Trouble always seemed to find Tommy Oliver.
The guardian of this plateau watch the new invader. How dare he land here in this sacred place! She would stop Zedd's invasion once and for all. By killing this servant of the darkness.
********************Rita's toy room********************************
Bulk and Skull stirred on the high toy shelf. The Skull marionette held his head in his small wooden hands. "Oh Bulk...I don't feel so good..." He said wooden eyes rolling around a bit in the sockets.
"I don't either, oh man...look what that witch has done to us." Bulk looked over his still roundish but solid wood body. Both of them only stood about a foot tall now. Wooden legs and joints, painted on clothes and faces. Wooden mouths that moved and opened but did not match the words they were speaking.
Skull began to shake a little, his wooden knees knocking together. "And if this is how she plays with her toys..." He said gesturing to the destroyed chaos around him. "I...I don't want to be around to be played with."
"Come on Skull we are getting out of here." Bulk said as he slide off the shelf and hit the floor. It didn't hurt.
"Bulkie wait for me." Skull called following as well. As the duo made their way on shaky new wooden legs to the door; it opened suddenly, forcing them to hide.
"I don't know why the putties can't clean this up." Squatt grumbled carrying in an empty trash basket.
"Because dummy they might throw some toys out by mistake and Rita won't let any of the human slaves in here. She still really hates them all." Baboo said.
"Human slaves?" Skull whispered to Bulk but Bulk raised his hand, silencing his friend.
"Well come on, let's get this place cleaned." Baboo sighed, "Then we have to go to the kitchen and make sure the food is ready for the harem.
Squatt pushed some bits of broken toys into the waist bin. The two monsters really weren't paying attention and as soon as they were far enough away Bulk decided on plan. "Come on Skull follow me." Bulk hurried across the floor Skull right on his heels and jumped into one of trash baskets, Skull landed right on him. "Ow, geez Skull." Bulk chastised. Again he hadn't felt anything, it was more from human habit that make Bulk cry out, not actual pain.
"Sorry Bulk I...oh there coming back." Skull's voice was fearful.
"Quick cover up with junk." Bulk ordered grabbing at bits of trash to hide himself and his friend.
Soon Bulk and Skull felt themselves lifted up and carried out of the room. The two monsters above them arguing constantly, to distracted to notice anything amiss in the basket.
"No, we need to go to the kitchen first." Squatt whined. Bulk could hear the drool sloshing around in his mouth as he talked.
"No, we need to go to the incinerator first with this junk then the kitchen, then the harem." The tall one spoke.
Skull grabbed Bulk's arm. He didn't want to be burned up alive...if this counted as alive. The comical toys were lucky in two regards. One the laundry room was on the way to the incinerator and two Squatt and Baboo were just as clumsy as they were. A little spilled soap on the floor, a misplaced step and the trash baskets spilled everywhere. In the confusion and mess Bulk and Skull quickly slipped into a basket of warm freshly folded laundry. Almost instantly they were picked back up and moving once more.
Their destination unknown...
***************************Harem****************************************
Zedd sat back watching his toys play there private little games. He had grown tired of the dancers after a time and now was enjoying watching the mating habits of the humans. The way some of the males would fight for certain females. He loved the sound of their blows connecting on flesh and the blood that was spilled and how some females would be held down and forced upon. It was delightful. Zedd ran a hand over his metal cod piece. He was starting to feel lustful. He would pick someone to mate with soon...maybe two or three even. Thick acidic smelling smoke mixed with the incense and filled the air. It was a strange plant the humans called weed. Zedd liked the affects it had on his sex slaves.
Kat push herself deeper into the shadows. She was thankful she was able to slink away unnoticed. How she hated this part of her harem life and the smoke was making her feel so funny and numb. There was a small place hidden from sight at the far back in the harem. Kat pushed herself in that small corner and to hide. It was uncomfortable to hide here all night, scrunched up, but it beat the alternative. There was a yelp and Kat looked carefully out from her hiding place as Zedd dragged a very handsome male and female away to the back chambers. Kat swallowed hard...yes it beat the alternative.
**************************** Planet Phaedos******************************
Tommy slid down a rocky path, landing in another open area. He doubted he would make the jungle by dark. This seemed as good a place as any to rest for the night. As he gathered kindling for a fire he couldn't shake the feeling he was being watched. Yet every time he looked around he could see no one. As Tommy tried to light the fire with a flint stone the feeling came over him again. Turning back he saw nothing but an old owl on a dead tree. "I don't suppose you know where the ultimate power is?" Tommy chuckled a bit before turning his back to the bird and continued trying to light a fire. Just as he got a spark going Tommy was attacked from behind, blindsided and rolled over. He put his hands up to defend himself when a spear tip touched his neck.
"Do not move, if you value your life." The strange woman, wearing very little clothing, standing over him spoke in a strange accent.
Tommy blinked. "I won't...but please..." Tommy spoke softly and shifted slightly. The ground was uncomfortable, full of pebbles and he didn't care to be in such a helpless position. This woman was physically perfect and in a fur bikini that left very little to the imagination. Tommy mentally scolded himself, he hadn't heard a single footstep before she had pounced on him. The woman frowned at his wiggling and pushes the tip of her spear harder against Tommy throat.
"I said don't move or I will kill you where you lay servant of evil." She hissed death dancing in her eyes.
"But I'm not a servant of evil." Tommy argued, trying to keep his voice calm.
"You lie! I saw the Dragon Zord. That zord has been a slave to evil for centuries. Therefore you are evil." She said with certainty.
"Wait please, I can explain everything. Just let me explain." Tommy said and the strange women looked deeply into his eyes. Tommy didn't blink as she seemed to be looking right into his soul. She moved the spear slightly and lifted up his shirt exposing his vulnerable belly. The spear tip was so close to his skin that he shivered involuntarily. Then she moved in a flash and Tommy felt pressure from the tip of the spear on one side of his jeans then the other. It hurt slightly, but didn't damage him. "She was checking his pockets!" he realized, eyes going slightly wide.
She snorted seemingly satisfied and moved away slightly allowing Tommy to roll up into a defensive crouch and then stand. She was still in easy spear stabbing range but she had backed off enough for him to feel a little more in control of the situation and not as helpless.
"I am Dulcea, Master warrior of Phaedos and guardian to the passageway to the temple of Ninjor. Who are you?" She demanded with a wave of her spear.
Tommy swallowed. "I'm Tommy Oliver, the green power ranger...or I was anyway."
Dulcea smirked, "You lack your coin ranger. No powers, no weapons. Perhaps you should tell me your story. Then I will see about sparing your life."
Tommy moved away slightly and sat down by the now burning fire. Twilight had come and it was getting dark. Without looking at Dulcea, Tommy told his tale from the beginning. He told of being captured and tortured by Rita, being spelled to be evil, he told of his friends, his new family, how they had saved him. He spoke of Zordon who advised him, he told of Zedd's return and of the fight where they failed. His captivity, torture, losing his friends, his world and he talked of Billy. The reason he needed power again. Even if he could only save his one friend, one brother, he would do anything.
As he finished the tale Tommy looked deeply into the flames. He didn't want to face Dulcea. He knew she would be deciding his fate. He doubted he could take her in a fight. This was her turf, she was skilled and she had a weapon.
"Your tale rings true ranger. Perhaps I was a bit hasty in my notions of your loyalties." She spoke and Tommy looked up at her as she came and sat opposite him and the fire. "Therefore I shall aid you in your quest to reach the temple of Ninjor. Though the journey will be full of peril."
"You'll really help me?" Tommy asked almost unbelieving. Dulcea smiled at him her whole attitude towards him seemed changed.
"Yes young ranger. I can give you temporary powers to help you survive the jungle to reach the temple alive. There my powers will fade, it will be up to Ninjor and your spirit animal after that." Dulcea smiled and stood placing her spear down on the rock behind her.
"Spirit animal?" He had heard his great grandfather talking about spirit animals once before when he was very small but Tommy, really never spent much time thinking about his heritage.
Dulcea had pulled out a small bag of shimmering powder, though where she had been hiding it on that outfit Tommy couldn't begin to imagine. "Stand Tommy." She commanded and he obeyed.
Dulcea tossed some powder into the fire and it sparkled, releasing glittering light and not heat. "Deep inside all of use is an animal spirit waiting to be released. Close your eyes and look deep inside."
Tommy did as he was told, searching for something deep within himself and feeling the familiar sensation of changing clothes with power tingling over his skin. When he next opened his eyes his outfit was that of a white ninja.
"You Tommy are the falcon. Winged lord of the skies. To be in harmony with the sacred animal spirit is to have the force of the ninjetti. To those who are ninjetti, anything is possible. But I am afraid from this point on, you must do this on your own." Dulcea looked suddenly so sad Tommy felt a pang of pain in his heart for her. "The strength is in you. Trust it; your sacred animal will be your guide. May your animal spirit watch over you."
Before Tommy could say another word Dulcea changed in a blue light, becoming the very owl he had seen earlier. No wonder she had been able to sneak up on him! With a nod she flew up and vanished into the night sky. Tommy looked out at the dark jungle below him. Come first light, his real journey would begin.
*****************************Kimberly and Billy's room****************************
Billy typed rapidly into his computer program, fingers flying over the keys. His tongue sticking out slightly in deep concentration. Serpentera was slowly giving all her secrets to him. It was like a drug this need of his to push the limits of what was mentally possible. The realm of science was unlimited in his creative mind. Billy had given Zedd another report. Well he had printed one out and given it to the putties to take to Zedd. There was just the problem of the overheating and quick power drain. If he could just find some kind of fuel source but Billy needed to try and keep his excitement and imagination in check. This was evil work he was doing by Zedd's command. But Billy couldn't help it. He had a small taste of dark power inside him that gave him command of Serpentera's systems and that little taste was starting to feel so very good.
Kimberly shook her head slightly from her perch on bed where she was leafing through a month old magazine. She was watching the genius working steadily on his computer, his back towards her. It was actually tiring just watching someone be so very smart all the time. There the teens remained for a little while resting in their own little worlds, until a knock on the door rang throughout the room. Billy and Kim looked up at the same moment then she looked towards him. Billy gave a short nod before speaking. "It's open." He called loudly. Technically the magical blue and pink door couldn't "lock" but…that was just a technicality.
Goldar entered the room and Kimberly stood up from her bed. Billy stood up from his desk. Goldar didn't look at Billy but turned to address Kimberly. He inclined his head slightly in a very diminutive bow and Kimberly's eyes went wide and she looked at Billy quickly. Goldar had never bowed to either of them. This…That slight move meant something, she was sure of it.
"Lord Zedd has granted your request. Unfortunately your guitar was destroyed in the concurring of earth however I believe we have procured one you will find suited to your pleasure..." As he spoke dozens and dozens of putties came into the room forming a single line, backs to the wall, along the edge of the entire great space that Kim and Billy now called home. Each one of the clay minions holding a guitar delicately in their gray hands. "If none of these please you, we will bring more if you tell us exactly what you want." Goldar said.
Kimberly looked around. Goldar must have raided a guitar center or two to get this many acoustic guitars. "How long to I have to decide?" Kimberly asked barely able to take her eyes of the musical treats in front of her. Oh how they shimmered in the light.
"As long as you need." Goldar said off handily with a wave of his paw. "The putties have orders to remain until you choose one or dismiss them." And with that Goldar turned around and the door shut behind him.
Kimberly looked at Billy, biting her lip to hold back an excited smile. Billy smiled brightly at her obvious happiness. "Well what are you waiting for?" He teased her, mirth in his eyes.
With a squeal of delight Kim was off. Billy chuckled at her quietly before turning his attention back towards his computer.
Slowly Kimberly paced around the room looking at each guitar in turn. This was just her first sweep. Already she saw some she didn't want for sure. Mainly anything with skulls, flames, demons or death symbols. When she finished her first sweep she sighed strangely content. Eighty guitars to choose from and everything from cheap fifty dollars beater guitars to thousand dollar guitars lay before her eyes. On her second walk through she dismissed all the ugly guitars. After an hour she had narrowed it down to ten guitars. Those putties stood at attention in the center of the room. The rest having been dismissed. One by one Kimberly took the guitars they held into her hands feeling and turning them over. The putties seemed almost afraid of her being so close. It gave Kim a bit of a power trip.
Now she sat back on her bed tuning her new guitar. It was a very fine piece with pink mother of pearl inlays, rosewood fret board, solid spruce top with maple binding and back strip. The plinking noise of tuning the strings showed the find quality sound each note made. She never could have afforded a guitar like this on her own. Not even is she saved all her baby sitting money for a year. Kimberly smiled so brightly. She remembered what she had to do to get this present and at this moment she didn't care.
She liked her gift.
A/N: You know the drill, please review. Reviews help chapters come faster.
Please review. Reviews help move my creative sprint.