Sorry this took so long rangers. My health has been poorly...again. So even though I have the story in my head, it's hard to find the energy to write. And thank you to all my reviewers and readers for being patient. You make this story fun to write.
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.
**********************Kimberly and Billy's room****************************
Bulk only nodded in silent understanding. "Not to change the subject but this stuff doesn't look right." He held some release in his tiny hand. Indeed ripples of bright red energy could be seen every once and awhile dancing across the liquid.
Billy's frowned as his mind went right back into scientist mode. "I need to see this under my microscope right away."
Scooping some of his mess into his hand Billy peeked out from behind the partition. Lord Zedd was no longer in the room. Billy hoped the lord of evil had just stumbled back to his own chambers. Kimberly laid seemingly undisturbed, Sulk still curled up like a kitten by her side. Creeping out, Billy went to take a better look at Kim before moving to his computer.
She was sweating. Her brown magically made long locks sticking to her forehead. Her cheeks and lips flushed. Her breathing slightly shallow and she whimpered while...unintentionally touching herself in her sleep. Billy swallowed hard. Bulk had "cured" him but it seemed Kimberly was having the same painful bodily reaction. It was so intense even in her sleep she couldn't help trying to release some of the burning pressure he had just been a slave to as well.
Billy hurried back over to his desk and microscope. If she was feeling even half of what he felt earlier, he didn't have a moment to spare. The residual magic in her body from Zedd's attention would drive her crazy. Maybe even kill her. Billy needed a cure, and he needed it now.
Billy settled in at his desk, minutes ticking by as he began to calculate and examine the red power moving over his excess liquid. After a little while Bulk softly spoke up. "Is there anything I can do to help?"
Billy looked down at the toy. "Just keep an eye on her for me. I think...I need to go to Finster's lab. He might have the right material components to make a counter spell." Billy began to gather up a note pad and a back pack. "I don't think Zedd will be back tonight but if he is..." Billy closed his eyes. "I know it would be asking too much for you to protect Kimberly if Zedd returns but..."
Bulk interrupted. "I'll look after her Billy, I promise."
Billy nodded, Bulk really had changed so much. They all had. It was something he didn't think about too much. Doing one last check that he had everything Billy shouldered his back pack. "Finster's lab is one level down. I should be able to find what I need and be back in half an hour or so. Assuming anyone doesn't stop me."
Bulk watched Billy move towards the door. "Just hurry back." He called at the blue rangers fleeting form.
The blue door swung closed and for a moment Bulk just stared at the door before moving over to where Kimberly was sleeping on the floor. He saw her red cheeks and heard her pained whimpers. Hesitantly Bulk gently placed a hand on her forehead. She was so very hot. Bulk sighed sorrowfully, Billy better be able to make a cure fast.
Or the pink ranger wasn't going to make it.
**************************Wash room*************************************
Justin chatted like a little bird about everything and nothing at all Adam noticed at the duo washed and scrubbed. They had found a few burn on bits of food to nibble on but no more than a mouthful each and it was tough and hard to chew, like old jerky.
The hours slipped by as they worked and there was a strange thud that echoed. Justin looked up from the pan he was scrubbing going silent. Adam noticed his immediate change in behavior.
"Justin... is it the water?" Adam questioned getting ready to run.
Justin shook his head and Adam could see him tremble every so slightly. "...no, its much worse."
"Justin! Where are you my precious play thing?" A lispy human voice called out echoing through the room. Justin flinched and leaned down slightly hiding himself as the man continued down the stairs.
Adam craned his neck to get a good look at this stranger. Tall, middle aged white guy, pot belly, stains on his shirt, and something in his face, his eyes brought Adam to alert. This guy was setting off all kinds of red flags in Adam's mind but he didn't know why. The male hasn't seen either of them yet.
"Do come out Justin, you know I don't like it when you play your little hiding game." The man stopped at the bottom of the stairs and moved over slightly to lean on a few pots. "You know what I want. Be a good boy and give it to me. Looks I brought you something." The man fished out a handkerchief from his pocket and unwrapped it holding up the fried chicken thigh. "I know you can see me. How long has it been since you were last fed? That's right, four whole days...almost five."
Adam blinked, this guy didn't seem to know about him being down here as well.
The man continued. "Don't make me come find you. There is no place you can hide." His voice became cold and Justin whimpered slightly, afraid.
Justin swallowed hard. Adam said he would look after him but now he wasn't sure. Shaking Justin took a few steps towards the man into the open. "Please...don't watch Adam." Justin's voice was full of shame.
Adam looked surprised at his young friend. "Justin wait." He said, but the kid continued to walk towards the man, like a lamb to the slaughter.
"There you are. Come do as I want and you can finally eat." The man began to fumble with his belt buckle as Justin, with solemn blue eyes gazing at the ground and without a word, dropped to his knees in front of the man.
The man smiled. "You're obedient today. Hmm? Guess starving you has been taming that wild spirit of yours. Ha! If you only knew the food chef sends that I refuse to give you. Now you understand. I'm your only source of survival. You are mine! Say it!"
Justin softly replied in a voice that sounded numb to life. "I'm yours..."
The man pulled off his underwear and stood at attention. Adam's eyes went wide. No, not this! He thought someone had just been bullying and hitting the kid...but not this! With a hate burning in his heart Adam charged forward, the man saw him at the last moment and stumbled back as Adam's punch connected with his face.
There was a scream and the cracking of bone. Blood flowed from the man's now broken nose. He continued to scream and shriek. The noise bouncing off the walls. Echoing like a nightmare. In a panic the stranger back stepped tripping over his own pants. Adam was raging, his eyes like fire. Justin still on his knees was watching the scene. Adam had protected him! He really was just as kind as he seemed.
Adam's nostrils were flaring. "You monster! You sick monster! He's a kid!" The man whimpered as Adam approached him and landed a kick squarely on his chest knocking the air out of the man with a painful wheeze.
The man doubled over bruised and beaten. Adam growled like a lion, ready to kill. He raised his fist. Blood singing in his ears. His mind was no longer aware. He was acting on instinct alone...until a sob reach his ears. He glanced back at Justin. The boy was watching the scene, his blue eyes dripping with tears of fright at the blood.
It brought Adam back to his senses and with a shake of his head he pulled a few steps back from the man.
"I...I didn't know there was someone else down here. Look I understand why you attacked, but let's make a deal. I...I'll..." The man stopped bargaining as the door to the chamber opened again. The man who ran the kitchens stepped into the light, no doubt alerted to the happenings by the screaming.
It all happened so fast Justin felt himself blinking. The bad man, there was a lot of cussing and he had been demoted to wash room. Justin and Adam found themselves pulled up the stairs behind the chef and a few putties and into the kitchen. They would learn to prep, cook and bake. As the stone door closed behind Justin he heard the man scream one last time.
Adam kept Justin close by his side as they moved up in the world. Kid looked like he was going to go into shock. The cold hearted chef noticed this as he looked at the pair. He glanced at Adam, "He's your responsibility. Keep him out from underfoot or he will go to the play room of the queen." Adam was set to work butchering a freshly killed pig in the far, far back of the kitchen. Justin sat quietly behind him on the stone floor, a mug of hot chocolate in his hands. Perhaps the chef wasn't as cold as he seemed.
*******************************Harem***************************
Rocky had barely a moment to reach as another boy about his own age went right for his throat. Death was gleaming in his eyes. He wanted to kill Rocky. Rocky blocked most of the sudden attack and tossed the guy off of him, bringing his hands up into a defensive position. God, was blood sport now in the harem too? Was this fight to the death?! That thought distracted Rocky long enough for the man to land a good blow slicing Rocky's lip open.
Rocky dodge the next blow and came back with his own. They grunted, flipped, punched and kicked all around the room. The shouts of the monsters and the people fueled the fire of the fight. Rocky got another good hit. This guy was good but too wild. He telegraphed his moves. Rocky had to take a few good blows to get his attackers pattern down but now, Rocky had the advantage. Block, block, strike, block, fake strike, kick...
The other man fell into the food covered tables. "Oh! Finish him! Let's hear some bones break!" Rito called from his seat, almost jumping up with excitement.
"No, I won't do that." Rocky shouted defiantly turning towards the monsters.
"Rocky look out!" Aisha screamed. Rocky turned around a second to slow. He had turned his back on his opponent and got incense ash thrown right in his eyes. Oh God! He couldn't see and it hurt so much. The man laughed, the monsters laughed and blow after blow landed on Rocky knocking him to the floor. The human continued to stomp and kick Rocky while he was down and blinded.
"Rocky!" Aisha screamed as she pulled forward to help her friend. A hand grabbed her arm. "Don't intervene, this is not your fight." Aabish warned the girl in yellow. "But he is my friend." Aisha protested. The man had a weapon now, some kind of double bladed sword. He was approaching Rocky, mocking him, and Aisha pulled out of Aabish's hold and ran for her friend. No, there story would not end here, not like this. The man wasn't expecting her and she tackled him straight the the floor and began to punch him over and over in the face, screaming violently at him to leave Rocky alone.
Once the man stopped moving, Aisha left him and stood over her friend as if daring anyone to come at them. No one in the harem cheered now, they didn't make a sound...until a slow clap began to fill the room. Master Vile was impressed, he said so, asked a few random questions and turned to leave promising to send someone to tend to Rocky's injury. He said nothing about the male Aisha had thrashed.
Master Vile smiled as he left the harem, Rito in tow. He saw something he wanted and he has a deal to make with Zedd
Please review. I know this was a short chapter. I will do my best to get another posted soon. My health is not good right now.