This chapter demanded to be written. I have so many horrible ideas to do to our characters. *giggle*
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**********************
"How long do you think it's been?" Adam asked as he leaned his forehead against the cool bars of the cage.
"Too long and it's too quiet." Rocky replied as he strained his ears again to listen. Only the distant sound of dripping water could be heard. Both boys stayed close to the bars. They had convinced Aisha to get off the wet ground and sit on the dry stone slab that was directly behind them. She still held a bit of left over fabric against her body but it covered almost nothing. Aisha has sniffed quietly for a bit but had calmed down after a short time. The boys, her boys, were really being wonderful. She felt truly bad; they had both been standing for hours now.
Adam bent down a little, resting his hands on his knees in a half squat and Aisha felt a pang of guilt in her heart. "Adam come sit down. You guys should rest. I've...been thinking about it. I...I don't care if you see me...naked." It was unspoken but the absolute trust she had for them was in her voice. Adam glanced at Rocky who gave a quick half nod of permission.
Keeping his eyes focused on the foggy floor Adam sat on the very edge of the stone bench and sighed. His legs were cramping. Being able to rest them was very nice. After about an hour, he and Rocky switched places so Rocky could rest while Adam keep watch for any sight or sound.
"Is it just me or is it getting colder?" Adam asked after another hour. He rubbed his arms briskly trying to get warm.
"It's not just you. I can see my breath." Rocky answered. Indeed with a deep exhale a soft puff of condensed breath was seen floating in the air for a moment.
Aisha shivered "What s-s-should we do?" She asked, her teeth chattering slightly. Rocky looked at her slightly alarmed. He was so stupid he could kick himself. At least he and Adam had pants on. Aisha must be freezing with only a scrap of cloth no bigger than a dish towel. He looked up at Adam and saw the boy had the same fearful look. Aisha could get sick in such prolonged cold.
Rocky swallowed hard before he spoke. There was only one thing he could do to help his friend right now. "Aisha, I'm going to close my eyes. When they are closed I want you to...to...come sit in my lap. I'll try to get you warmed up." Rocky hoped that came out right.
Adam's jaw dropped open as he stated at his friend. Had Rocky really just said that?
Aisha was quiet for a long moment in thought. "O-okay..." she sniffed quietly, the cold making her nose run. Rocky closed his eyes and moved back on the bench. He opened his arms wide and waited. He would keep his word. His eyes would remain closed. There was some shuffling and after a moment something soft yet very cold pressed against his chest. He gently circled his arms around this form and drew her closer to his chest and the warmth of his body. Her scent filled his nose and it took all his martial arts mental discipline to keep his body from reacting naturally. After a few minutes she stopped shivering with cold and her breathing became soft and deep. Rocky smiled slightly. She trusted him so much she could sleep in his arms. It was a level of trust they all had for each other and given how short a time they had been friends it was amazing to him. Rocky never really had a real family or a real home. He never knew his father and his mother was a drug addict who neglected him severely. He only learned martial arts because a kind sensei had seen a little boy watching through the front windows every time there was a class and trying to mimic the moves. Rocky was only eight at the time but he was happy to sweep up and clean the mats in exchange for lessons. Even though all he knew was gone on earth being here, finding this new family to love and protect seemed so right.
Rocky could hear Adam continue to pace and rub his arms trying to stay warm. "Adam, there room. Come get warm."
"But Aisha..." Adam started, but Rocky interrupted speaking softly. "She's sleeping. Come on or you'll get sick."
There was the sound of a few steps and Rocky felt another body lean against him from the side. Adam let out a slow breath, pushing down his blush; it wasn't like they weren't use to sleeping next to each other for warmth, but well, they just...usually had more clothes on.
******************************Planet Phaedos**************************
Tommy rushed through the jungle at a tiger's pace. He had every intention of making the temple of Ninjor by sundown. No matter what stood in his way. He blew past bushes, jumped streams and leapt over rocks. It was if he was flying through the wild and untamed terrain. He felt like he was part of it, somehow, now part of this jungle. In his mind's eye, he could see a golden falcon of light flying before him, leading the way. Only when he came to the valley of bones did Tommy slide to a halt. The air smelled different here and thick wisps of white fog rolled over the gray ground and dried white bones. Tommy knew he had to cross this place, he felt it inside. It was the quickest way to the temple. Tommy took a deep sniff of the air, it was stale but breathable. Next he focused his trained ears to the world around him. Everything was as quiet as death. Slowly and with much care Tommy made his way in between the bones of great giants.
"Welcome to Jurassic park." He mumbled dryly to himself, but there was no humor here. So many dead beasts of various sizes lay this way and that. Some were little more than piles of bones. He vaguely wondered what had killed them all. There was something strange about one of the skeletons. It felt different. It looked so complete. Each tooth was as big as his hands and as sharp as a knife. It looked like a dinosaur but it had front horns like a rhino. Tommy pondered for a moment looking deeply into its eye sockets.
Suddenly he heard what sounded like small pebbles falling to the ground. Tommy turned and with a yelp dodged out of the way of a boney tail that came slamming down on the ground he had just been standing on.
The creature he had just been looking at moved and stood on its massive boney legs. It shook like a dog, bits of earth, dust and stones falling from its body. Then it turned to face him and roared.
"Aww man." Tommy said as he began to put some distance between himself and the raging pile of monster bones. The beast charged after Tommy, roaring fiercely. The ground shook with each of the monster steps causing Tommy to lose his balance here and there. Tommy had to think quickly and seeing the mass of thick trees he had an idea. "Alright bone brain, follow me!" Tommy taunted. It was unnecessary as the beast jaws snapped just inches from behind him. Using his momentum Tommy hit the thick tree trunks and used his body to flip over landing on the creatures back. The giant bone beast bucked like a bull and turned its head furiously snapping its jaws, trying to catch Tommy's leg or hand.
Tommy held on for dear life. If he was thrown now the monster would end him for sure. He had to think of something fast but it wasn't easy with the way this bone rhino was thrashing about. Tommy noticed every time it turned its head a main joint bone squeaked terribly. It looked moveable. "I have a bone to pick with you." Tommy shouted over the roaring as he grabbed at the joint and pulled. The bone came loose and the head fell right off. A second later the body collapsed and Tommy found himself rolled on the ground. He got to his feet quickly and dusted himself off. He was dirty but unharmed. "Better not stick around in case you pull yourself together." He said to the bones before hurrying off to finish crossing the valley. He had lost a lot of time. He needed to make that up.
*****************************Bulk and Skull******************************
The little toys were running out of options. Every time they stopped more laundry was removed. They were down to the very bottom of the basket now. Doing their very best to stay hidden.
"Hey Bulkie look!" Skull currently had a pair of pink undies on his head. He laughed at himself, "Frilly things."
"Knock it off numb skull." Bulk whispered roughly. "I think we might be coming close to being found out."
Indeed Bulk and Skull could hear voices talking. They sounded so familiar. Then the basket was put down and they heard…music? And someone softly singing…Where were they now?
********************** Billy and Kim's room********************************
Kimberly was so happy with her new instrument that the melodies were just flowing from her. Even if she didn't know the words or her feelings behind them yet. Billy mostly had Kimberly tuned out. He was so focused on getting this algorithm for Serpentera right but some part of it was still missing. Still eluding his mind, it would drive him crazy if he didn't figure it out.
"Hey Kim, I need to double check something on Serpentera. I won't be long." Billy assured getting up from his desk. He stretched and cracked his back.
"Try not to be, it's almost dinner time." Kimberly said looking up from her music doodle note book. Where she was currently trying to compose or remember one of her songs she had written before.
Billy nodded, "That's right, well if Zedd requests us, I'll meet you in the harem shortly. If not and the putties come to take our dinner order I could really go for a turkey club sandwich."
Kimberly nodded scratching down Billy's order. "No mayo and pickle on the side right?" Kimberly asked glancing up at Billy. For a moment Billy felt his heart flutter, God, Kim was so beautiful and she always remembered his tastes. She just did all these little feminine things that now seemed so much more important than before.
"Yes and…spilt an order of fries?" Billy offered with a slight smile. Kimberly loved French fries but would never order them just for herself since they weren't "healthy" but she would never say no to sharing fries with her friend.
Kimberly smiled brightly and added the fries to Billy's order. "Okay, just don't be too long."
"I won't Kimberly, promise." She knew he would keep his word. Even if their situation here seemed better that when they first arrived, Kimberly still hated being alone, separated from Billy for long periods of time. He was like a life line to her. "Oh Kim, laundry is here." Billy said as he opened the door and a putty was standing there holding a basket.
Kimberly nodded, "Just put it there." She ordered to the putty, which put down the basket near her bed and bowed before leaving. That was the second bow to her today. She shook her head and began to play her guitar again. Neither she, nor Billy had had any idea why the putties now bowed to them. As Billy has said, this was either a very good thing, or a very bad thing.
They would just have to wait to find out.
************************Females only part of the harem***********************
Kat was glad Zedd had retired for the night. Though she saw the white monster doctor, meaning that was at least one if not both of the other humans were down for the count. At the pace Zedd was abusing them Kat was sure they would run out of harem members eventually it would be harder for her to stay hidden and under Zedd's radar. For the most part the women looked after each other when Zedd wasn't around but when he was, it was every woman for herself.
Dinner had been brought in, plate after plate of delicacies and delights she never would had been able to afford back on earth. Crab stuffed flounder, lamb chops with mint demi-glaze, rosemary roasted chicken and potatoes, fried chicken with buttermilk biscuits, veal cutlets, bacon wrapped pork chops, steamed clams in linguine, buttery lobster tails, filet mignon etc. As well as plate after plate of an assortment of fresh fruits and ready to eat vegetables.
Kat reached for a plum when a woman, she did not know well, spoke to her. "I didn't see you out there during play time Kat." She accused, with a thick accent.
Kat looked up. This woman was very beautiful with dark eyes, long black hair and pale Russian features. She was maybe about ten or fifteen years older than herself but age had not married her looks. Kat only hesitated for a moment. "Of course I was out there." She said evenly and grabbed her plum taking a bite.
The older woman shook her head, making her long black hair move like a cascade of water. "No, you weren't kitty Kat, because I was looking for you." She purred at the blonde. Kat was aware the others women around them were going quiet, starting to listen to this exchange of words.
Kat gestured with her hand holding the plum. "You just didn't see me. I was out there for the dancing and play time I just…" But Kat didn't finish as this women grabbed her wrist of the hand holding the juicy fruit. She tugged on Kat's hand bringing it close to her mouth and bit into the plum Kat had been eating, juice squirting and dripping from her lips.
"I will make you feel good Kat. You will let me enjoy you next play time little kitten or I will tell Lord Zedd of your absence." With that she stood, wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and walked over to pour herself some wine. Kat let the fruit fall numbly from her hand, it rolled off the short table and onto the floor.
Kat had lost her appetite…
*****************Finster workshop*******************************
"How many have we lost this week from the harem?" Goldar asked with an annoyed sigh.
"Three from sexual encounters with Zedd, two from suicide and one accidental maiming but that was kitchen staff…" Finster replied as he looked over a chart. "At this rate Lord Zedd will not be please."
"Why couldn't you just put them back together?" Squatt asked, referring to the humans Zedd had used.
"Yes humans are simple enough." Baboo agreed.
"I cannot go until I am summoned. The last one bled out before my arrival." Finster said putting down his charts. "Zedd will need replacements."
Goldar growled softly. He could go down to earth and capture more humans but those that were left were getting very good at hiding. It would be trouble and he knew where three very fine specimens of humans now sat but he had been planning to do quite a bit of gambling with them in the coliseum. Making some coin on the side from a few pleasure bets was one of the things all monsters loved.
After earth had fallen the collective group of evil had reinstated the coliseum of Rome for its original purpose. Pitting humans against one another and gambling on the outcome. But Goldar also knew the slaves in his private possession would please lord Zedd very much, so much Goldar might even get a few favors granted. A few days off with some coin to spend on drink and females. He might not be allowed to have Kimberly, but he could imagine another monster prostitute was her. Especially if he went for a high priced female shape shifter.
"Goldar? Do you have a solution?" Finster asked, seeing the golden lion ape lost deep in thought.
Goldar sighed again, "I have three that can take places in the harem. Two boys and a girl. They are of good stock. Lord Zedd will be most pleased with them."
"Lord Zedd already has enough males; he just needs one boy to replace the dead one. Can you send the other male to the kitchens? Those pots won't scrub themselves." Finster asked taking inventory and not really paying attention to Goldar.
Goldar hung his head. A gift of two was not as good as a gift of three. "I'll get them ready to be presented at the harem tonight."
"What about the kitchen one?" Baboo wondered.
"After they are clean you can take that one to the kitchens. Meet me in the bathing area shortly." Goldar growled and left the room. As he walked down the hallway and deeper into the cut out stone of the castle base only one question remained, who would go where?
****************************Planet Phaedos**************************
Zordon had such a head ache. For the creator of the power coins Ninjor was being very stubborn indeed. Even after all his pleading and logical arguments Zordon couldn't get Ninjor to see how needed these new powers were and how worthy his pink ranger was. The blue ninja just would not listen to him. Someone was currently running the test and if they made it they would take the powers. Zordon paced inside the stone temple trying to think of another argument. He hated to think this way but if whoever was currently being tested fail, Zordon might have a chance of convincing Ninjor in his favor.
Zordon hoped this runner failed, as all the others had, in the quest for ultimate power.
************************Somewhere underground*******************************
Rocky heard the jingle of metal and opened his eyes, for a moment forgetting the naked form in his arms. One glance down and he looked away and up. Adam was standing near the bars of the cage looking out into the dark.
"Is something coming?" Rocky whispered starting Adam slightly.
Adam composed himself quickly and nodded. "Yes I think so. You better wake Aisha."
Gently Rocky began to shake Aisha's shoulder. "Hey Aisha, time to wake up." She made a soft noise of waking and rubbed at her eyes. For a moment she had forgotten about her state of dress. She blushed but Rocky only smiled reassuringly. "Someone is coming. Stay behind us, okay?"
"Well well, feeling better I see." Goldar smirked as he approached the cell door. Rocky and Adam both took defensive stances but Goldar laughed at them. "Really? Do you really think you can fight me." He jingled the chains in his hand and they vanished only to reappear wrapped tightly around the three teens, Rocky, Adam and Aisha all began to struggle but the more they fought the tighter the chains became. "Unless you want to be crushed to death, I suggest you stop struggling" Rocky frowned but went still, Adam and Aisha following suit.
"Good...come with me." In an instant the bars vanish and the trio found themselves in a line bound to each other by the wrists, Rocky in the lead and Goldar holding the end of the chain. Goldar gave the chains a hard yank causing the three to lose balance and move comically to remain upright. Goldar laughed at them.
Aisha sighed gently as they were being lead someplace higher up and into the castle. Adam could completely see her butt, she hoped he wasn't really looking. At least the chains completely covered her chest. Soon putties rushed about them, ignoring them and doing there own business, the trio hesitated unsure, but a swift pull on the chains had them moving again.
Adam's mouth dropped in wonder. The castle with its dark wall and rolling fog floor was like nothing he imagined. There was so much light and activity and wonderment. Yet there was this almost palatable sense of evil. Like a flavor on the very back of his tongue. He didn't like it here.
The golden lion ape leading them stopped at some ornately carved brass or maybe gold doors. Rocky couldn't tell. Four putties stood to attention and opened the massive doors reveling a wonderful sight. It was a shower room, but seemed combined with a small pool in the back. Fluffy towels and rows after rows of hair products and soap lined the shelves. A shower sounded awesome to rocky right now.
"Get clean." Goldar ordered as there chains vanished. Aisha covered herself with her hands. Goldar looked at her with a smirk before continuing. "Tonight two of you join the harem. Lord Zedd likes his pets to be clean."
"And if we don't want to join the harem?" Rocky talked back, a mistake. In a flash of light, Goldar had his sword tip pressed against Rocky's neck. Aisha and Adam both gasped in fear. Rocky didn't move.
"Pathetic human, you don't have a choice, unless you want me to end you're life right here." Goldar growled. Rocky looked away, breaking eye contact, submitting to Goldar and after a moment the sword withdrew.
"Get clean!" Goldar demanded and the door slammed shut behind him.
Rocky sighed and two sets of eyes looked at him for guidance. "Come on a shower will feel nice. Aisha you go on that side, Adam and I will be over here."
They bathed in silence, each fill with their own dreaded thoughts. Goldar had said two would join the harem...so what would happen to the third?
***************************Kim and Billy's room**********************************
After giving their dinner order to the putty that came to the door Kimberly sighed. At least she was starting to be able to tell which putty did what depending on how they were dressed or what they were carrying.
Kimberly delicately set her new guitar down on the bed, she really should have asked for a stand to go with it. Sighing again she looked at the basket of awaiting laundry. She might as well get that put away before dinner arrived. Not paying much attention she began to pull out fabric. She was thinking about Billy and hoped he would be back before dinner arrived or his dinner would get cold.
She removed a pair of pink underwear and saw a small wooden arm. Without thinking much of it she pulled the toy out by his arm and held him up. He looked strangely familiar but she couldn't quite place where she had seen this toy before. Maybe a cartoon or something the kids she use to baby sit would watch?
Kimberly was about to put the little doll down on her bed when it's bulbous round eyes rolled to look at her. "Hiya toots!" it greeted.
Kimberly screamed…
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