************************ Billy and Kim's Room*******
"So what's gonna happen to me?" Justin asked, looking at his new friends. "I can't go back to the kitchen. Not without Adam. The chef... he will put me back in the wash room or worse...send me to the toy room." Justin rubbed at his arms. The bruises were still fresh on his skin.
"That's a horrible place." Skull 's little wooden knees were shaking at the thought.
"And you can't go to the haram." Kimberly said softly. After what she had seen that first night, she never wanted to go back either.
"He's too small for the crystal caves too." Adam added looking at Billy. It was clear that Billy was the de facto leader in this room. He could tell that just the way Kimberly continued to watch him for guidance.
"Crystal caves?" Billy asked, he hadn't heard of such a place.
Adam sighed. "It's where I was before the kitchen. Deep in the moon. The slaves spend every day mining out these weird crystals for Zedd."
Billy rubbed at his face. He had only planned on looking after and protecting Kimberly. Bulk and Skull had been unexpected additions. They did not change things very much , as they didn't need food or water, but now? For just a moment Billy wanted to wash his hands of all of them. Who cares what happens to Justin or Adam? Bulk or Skull? His Kimberly was all that mattered!
...his Kimberly?
Billy shook his head. What was wrong with him? Kimberly wasn't his property. She was his best friend. He had never had such a feeling of possession like this burning his soul but in a moment it was gone.
"Billy?" Kim called quietly.
Billy sighed and then smiled. "Well guess that means you're going to have to stay with us."
Justin's eyes lit up. "Really! I get to stay here with the power rangers?"
"Affirmative but..." Billy came over and lowered himself more to Justin's level."You need to promise to do whatever we say okay? Like hiding. You might have to be still and quiet for hours."
"Zedd was the one who did all this." Kimberly gestured to the destruction. "...while hurting us and we don't want him to hurt you too, okay? Either of you." She added looking at Adam.
There was true kindness in her eyes and Adam felt his heart skip a single beat.
Justin beamed brightly. "I promise!"
"Good." Billy ruffled Justin's hair. "It was lucky you were under the bed when Zedd came in."
"That wasn't luck." Bulk sighed. Ever since he and Billy had been together, and he had become covered in evil magic filled release. He had felt changed. Not evil but "I can feel when Zedd is coming."
"What? Really Bulkie? I can't." Skull was surprised.
"Yeah, I think it might be a side effect I got from something else." He looked straight at Billy. Hoping the blue ranger would understand his meaning. Billy blushed slightly. He would need to run tests on Bulk later.
Before anyone could respond there was a knocking on the door. Justin scrambled under the bed as Billy bought some time by shouting. "Who is it?"
"It's Goldar. I'm here for your list." The golden lion ape growled from outside the door.
"Come in." Billy called once Justin was well hidden.
Goldar seemed unhappy as he stomped in and gave a small bow before looking at Adam. "Why are you standing slave? Your place is on your knees. Grovel before your mistress!" He moved to punch Adam when Kimberly slipped between them.
"He's MY slave and if I WANT him to stand, HE will stand!" She snapped at Goldar, not backing down, as she stared right into his eyes.
The monster could feel energy crackling just under her skin. Her standing up to him was so hot! He didn't think the pink ranger could get any more attractive but then she acts like this!
"My apologies favorite of Zedd." He said backing away slightly with a bow. "I've come for your list of supplies." He said turning to Billy. "And to offer Kimberly, a chance to come to earth and pick out her own replacement things. Lord Zedd knows how important that is for females."
"Kim's not going anywhere." Billy replied quickly.
"She will be perfectly safe. And Zedd thought his firebird might be missing the sun. It's a revoltingly beautiful day on earth."
Kim suddenly felt very small. She did miss the sun and the sky. All she ever saw from the balcony was darkness and stars. The sudden need for sunlight and fresh air and a chance to really stretch her legs nipped at her heart. "Billy please...?" She begged in a whisper.
Billy tried to hide the fear in his eyes. What if Kimberly didn't come back? What if she escaped and left him here? No, she wouldn't do that. And even if she did, he should be happy if she escaped and was free. Billy looked into her eyes. She was so sad. "Okay but, and I can't believe I am saying this, stay close to Goldar. No telling what trouble you might run into."
Kimberly nodded.
"Now that it's settled. Your list?" Goldar asked, looking at Billy.
"Yes of course." Billy grabbed a sheet of notebook paper and began to write quickly. "Here. This is what I need to continue work on Serpentera."
Goldar took the paper and slipped it into his belt."Very good. After you Kimberly." he gave another slight bow. Kimberly had only taken a few steps towards the door when Goldar growled. "Follow her slave! Attend your owner!" he smacked Adam hard on the shoulder as the human stumbled to follow Kimberly.
The doors closed and Billy collapsed into his chair. What was happening? None of this made sense.
*********************** Zordon's dimenion******************
Alpha 5 had replied and now would be clicking on every hour until his power ran out. Recording anything he saw and sending it to Zordon. Alpha had already been able to see Zedd's zord and a few other things. Putties and monsters walking by. Zordon hoped that one of these moment's he would catch a glimpse of Billy or Kimberly.
Then it would be up to the little robot to decide if it was safe to call out to them, or not.
Suddenly alarms sounded and lights flashed. Zordon was startled from his thoughts when his computer screamed it had found something.
No, this couldn't be right. Zordon clicked a few buttons turning on his viewing globe. Kimberly was on earth? He could see her on a deserted main street of Angel grove. Goldar nearby, a large group of putties and a human he didn't know. She didn't have her power coin but if he worked quickly.
He might be able to teleport the pink ranger to him.
********************** Falcon Zord**************************
"Tommy! Help Me! Tommy please!"
"Kimberly hold on!"
"I'm slipping! Ahh!"
"No Kim! Don't let go! I've got you!"
"Tommy! Please!"
Kimberly vanished from his hand and Tommy felt himself falling and falling into inky darkness.
Tommy awoke in a cold sweat, trembling. God, he hadn't had a dream like that in a long time. Last time was right after he was freed from Rita's spell. He had a month of nightmares after that. Tommy placed a hand over his chest, willing his heartbeat to slow down as he took a few deep breaths. For a moment he thought of Trini, these were the breathing exercises she had taught him.
Old medicine from ancient places that always seemed to help.
After a moment Tommy was able to bring his focus back to his surroundings. Rocky and Aisha were still sleeping next to each other. Ninjor seemed silent in his blue jar. But Katherine was nowhere to be seen. He thought that perhaps she was just using the temporary facilities of a bucket behind a box but soft, distant noises got his attention.
There was a small amount of light on in the next room. Tommy crept towards the doorway staying in the shadows as much as he could. There was Katherine on the mats in the next room. Trying to spar? Her horse stance was wobbly, her wrists weak in her punching. She went to kick and tumbled to her knees with a small shout. That made him move.
"What are you doing?"
Katherine whipped around. "Tommy! You scared me.I thought everyone was asleep." She said getting to her feet.
Tommy smiled. "I'm a light sleeper." It was a bit of a half truth. "What are you doing?" he asked again.
Kat looked down, cheeks red with embarrassment. "I was trying to copy what you guys were all doing earlier."
Tommy grinned like a cat. "Why didn't you say so?" He moved to join her on the mat. "First let's fix that stance of yours. You are completely off balance."
Katherine couldn't believe it. A power ranger was going to teach her fighting? She got back into the stance. "I don't feel off balance."
In reply, Tommy gave her shoulder a slight push. Katherine wobbled and was forced to move her feet to keep from falling over. "Okay," she admitted. "Maybe it is unstable."
"We'll soon fix that." Tommy promised. Thankful for the distraction.