*******************Billy, Kim, Adam and Justin's room********************
Billy didn't know how Jason did it. He was having the hardest time keeping his mind on several things at once. Making sure the cleaning putties didn't take anything important, watching the new beds be set up, making sure no one went near the wardrobe Justin was hiding in and making sure Kimberly was, for a better word, contained.
He had never expected to become the leader but now, in this moon prison, it was clear that was exactly what Billy was. Leader of this new little group of misfits trying to survive.
At least Kim had quieted down. He could see Adam pushing her on the swing. Not too high or too fast, but enough for her to have fun.
God, he couldn't deny how protective he felt about her. Not just because she was his best friend, not just because she was the only other ranger, not just because they were Zedd's favorites... something much deeper seemed to pull at his soul when he looked at Kimberly. A connection he had no word for.
Was this love?
************************** Zedd's throne room**********************
"What is taking that blasted queen of mine so long?" he mumbled as he paced back and forth in front of his throne. The message had been sent hours ago. Master Vile's castle was not that far in terms of space travel. Clearly Rita should have seen his letter summoning her home by now.
A noise from outside his door caught his attention and the Lord of evil went quiet listening.
"You tell him."
"No way! He'll rip the blue right off me!"
"Well one of us had to tell him."
"Play you rock, knife, lizard for it."
Squatt and Baboo argued as Zedd pulled the door to his throne room open. He hated having to do this himself but Finster was behind in making new Z putties and Rita still had all the majority of smart ones with her. "What are you two arguing about!?" Zedd growled.
The two monsters fell to the ground. "Forgive us oh powerful one."
"We have news... from Rita." Squatt said shaking as he offered a letter to Zedd.
Snatching it out of his minions hand Zedd read the words there and then turned everything around him red with anger. "WHAT! How DARE she do this to me! That bitch of a witch! I should have locked her away forever!" Zedd fumed sending lightning from his staff destroying part of the hallway. The letter caught a spark and began to burn in his hand. It was a formal declaration to seek divorce in from of the counsel of Dark Spector. His wife would pay dearly for this. "Bring me Finster!"
Squatt and Baboo tripped over themselves to get away as fast as they could. Zedd turned and moved back to sit upon his throne. It was time to move forward with his plans but how was the question. No ninjetti ranger would be a match for Serpentera, if he could get the zord operational quickly. For that he needed Billy and to control Billy, he needed Kimberly, alive and unharmed.
He would speak to Finster first, then he would see to Billy.
Then he would see to this new ranger and to his disobedient queen.
**************************** Falcon Zord****************************
"Okay Tommy, we should be coming out of light speed now." Rocky said, clicking a few buttons on the command deck. Ever since he morphed, just like Tommy, he just knew what to push and when and what did what, well for the most part.
"Sun's directly to our back." Aisha added looking at the screen with Ninjor at her side.
"Alright great job. Keep a close eye out for any kind of indication the moon's seen us."
Kat wandered closer to one of the eye windows of the falcon. "Look, there's the earth."
It was a beautiful site, a ball of blue floating in the vast dark sea of the stars. Katherine felt her heart pang with homesickness. One look at her friends showed they felt the same sadness that she did. "I'd give anything to walk on the beach again." She said quietly.
"I miss trees." Aisha said quietly. When life got tough she always found a silent strength from nature but especially trees.
Rocky sighed. "I miss fresh air and the breeze."
Tommy became aware that several pairs of eyes were now resting on him. He swallowed. "I miss those things too but, earth's not safe right now." he said shaking his head. "But... Aisha, Kat, you both are not prisoners...if you want I can teleport you both down to earth but..." Tommy trailed off.
Rocky continued. "Tommy and I wouldn't be able to protect you anymore."
Both girl's nodded. It was better to stay here, stay safe with there new friends then risk it. Still as Rocky put a supportive arm around Aisha, pulling the shorter girl to him, Kat couldn't help but feel lonely. Rocky and Aisha had been friends for so long. They were like family. And while they had been kind to her, and very friendly, she was missing that sort of connection.
Touch, she was missing touch.
Something must have shown on her face for a moment later she felt warm, strong arms envelope her in a gentle hug. "It will be okay." Tommy spoke gently in her ear. "You're safe. We've got you."
Katherine began to cry all the bottled up tears she had inside. Like flood gates being opened. Tommy let her cry, holding her gently and speaking soothing words for as long as she needed.
After all... she was human too.
*******************Billy, Kim, Adam and Justin's room********************
"Oh Adam.. I'm dizzy." Kimberly suddenly said. She had been laughing and smiling just a moment ago but as she spoke, he hurried to stop the swing. Barely getting there in time to catch her as she tumbled off it and into his arms.
"Kim? You okay?"
She blinked up at him. Her eyes so big, so vulnerable. It was clear there was something special about her, some sort of energy she just had.
No wonder Zedd was keeping her as a pet.
Kim moved like her limbs were half asleep. Resting her hand on his chest. "Adam?" her voice was unsure, confusion played on her face, like one trying to wake from a dream.
"I'm here." he replied suddenly feeling stronger and brave than he had in a long while. It was as if she awoke something deep inside him. A feeling of belonging, a feeling of power shifting just on the edges of his mind.
"..'m sleepy... sing to me?" She mumbled against his chest.
Adam hesitated, about to tell her he was not much of a singer when the collar around his neck began to glow and choke him. She had given him a command! Adam had no choice as he began to sing. A little rough sounding but at the first note the collar returned to normal and he could breathe well once more.
He sang a Korean lullaby very quietly to the pink ranger. He used to sing the same to his sister. After a few verses he felt Kimberly go slack in his arms, and while still singing he lowered them both to the gym mats on the floor. He was careful to keep Kim cradled carefully to his chest. She rested peacefully in his lap.
And even though the collar no longer forced him.
Adam continued to sing to her.
************************** Zedd's throne room**********************
"And given the situation Lord Zedd. Those are the options." Finster had just finished speaking.
Zedd tapped his claws in thought. The options offered were limited. It took time to make monsters. He couldn't just have an army waiting for this ranger and he certainly could not fight Dark Spector if he decided to null the marriage and give Rita back her moon.
He would never allow it. He was the one who concurred earth, not his poor excuse for a queen.
But even Lord Zedd could not go against Dark Spector.
"Tell me Finster, in your opinion, is this ranger a threat?"
"Very possibly my lord."
Something in the way Finster replied made Zedd curious. Just a look in the monster makers eyes. "Do you know something you are not telling me?"
"Only speculation my lord, no proof or facts."
Usually and answer like that would dissuade Lord Zedd from pushing the issues, as he had no time for rumor and speculations but now. "And what would that be Finster?"
If Finster was surprised he didn't let on. "I only speculate that the new power ranger coming here. Is Tommy Oliver."
Zedd felt the liquid in his tubes run cold. That pest, would he never be rid of Tommy Oliver? He should have killed him when he first had the chance.
Zedd stood, "Only one way to know for sure." He walked past Finster who did not follow, and made his way down, down deep and deeper under his castle chambers. Down to where the rocks glowed with light and the crystals seemed to whisper of the darkness. Down deeper, so deep and small was the space that Zedd had to crouch down to remove a rock and pull out a red box with a demon face carved upon it.
Opening the box, the power coins each seemed to glow like tiny stars with shimmering power. All but one.
The dragonzord coin was cracked and 'dead'. No longer showing any signs it was connected to a soul.
Zedd put the box back in its hiding spot and stood. "So Tommy is coming to play. Then play we shall white ranger."