*******************Billy, Kim, Adam and Justin's room********************
Breakfast, lunch and dinner had come and gone. The day had passed and yet Billy had not returned. Kim was laying on her belly on her bed, thumbing through one of the magazines she had taken from earth but not really enjoying it. Her mind was too distracted.
From the far side of the room she could see Justin and Adam sparing. Justin had admitted he would like to learn and honestly it was probably a good skill for the kid to have.
No telling what might happen up here. Adam was teaching him as much as actually sparring. Correcting his stance and fists several times but they both seemed to be having fun. It reminded her so much of Jason and the classes he had taught at the youth center. She was glad someone was having fun. The news that Tommy was coming made her heart flutter with hope, but Billy missing took the joy out of that knowledge.
"Kim? You okay?" Skull spoke softly from beside her. It was a funny thing but Kimberly had forgotten Bulk and Skull were on the bed with her. Somewhere in her mind, if they weren't talking, they just registered as toys. Just something to cuddle with or play with or ignore. Kimberly wondered if it was her imagination or if they were starting to really be more like dolls.
"No, I'm worried about Billy. It been hours. He should have been back by now and no one has come by today. Not Zedd, or Goldar or Squatt and Baboo. Just the putties outside the door, always waiting for me to just tell them what I...er... we want to eat. It's really strange."
Bulk crossed his arms in thought. Something bad had to be happening to Billy. Why else wouldn't he return? But the former bully decided to keep his mouth shut. Worrying Kim further, worrying everyone with his thoughts, would not do. "Kim, are the putties always at the door?"
"Usually, why?"
"Well if you can think of a way to get rid of them for a bit. I could... go and look for Billy."
Kimberly's eyes went wide with surprise. "You... You would do that Bulk?" She had never know Bulk to be selfless before.
"That's risking your life Bulkie!" Skull added also shocked.
Bulk huffed. "Least I can do. To make up for... well everything before now."
"But Bulk that's suicide if they catch you!" Skull's little knees were knocking in fright. He never knew his best friend to be so brave.
"I can handle myself Numb-Skull. So don't worry."
Kimberly sighed. "Let's give it a few more hours. If Billy doesn't come back we can try your plan Bulk."
Bulk nodded, he could wait.
He just hoped Billy could endure whatever must be happening to him.
************************* Rita's Zord***************************
Damn! Damn, Damn, Damn. Rita thought, clutching the control panel of her zord. This just couldn't be happening. How was it that his falcon of white, floating before her, was so much more powerful than she was? Black Midnight would never survive a direct fight.
She should have known that. After all Tommy already beat her father and his ship was one of the finest in the galaxy. What could she do? There must be something. Rita bit her lip in thought. She was getting such a headache. Humans, what did she know about humans and there weaknesses? Of course love, but its not like she had Kimberly on her ship to threaten in exchange for Tommy's submission.
No, she would need a spell. But what kind? What could she cast that would affect him and Ninjor? She had no doubt the blue ninja mentor was on the ship as well. Tommy was smart, but not that smart. Someone had to be helping him.
"Putties! Bring me my spell books!" She screamed suddenly, making the putties who had just been hanging around dash to obey.
Ancient books and manuscripts were brought, as Rita dragged her long finger nails along the lines for forgotten magic. Yes! This would work. A spell of hypnosis. It wouldn't last long, but long enough to get Tommy and Ninjor to go right to the moon and surrender. The only problem was they would have to see her for it to work but...
All zords have communication screens. Rita smiled and pulled her wand closer, tightening the old magics around her.
She would only get one shot at this.
**************************Serpentera***************************
Billy whistled a merry little tune. This had been the most wonderful day. Serpentera was like a puzzle and the more he worked the more he learned. Soon he would be the master of this zord and he would take Kimberly and escape.
Kimberly...?
Billy looked up from the computer outputs at the thought of his best friend. He probably should go check on her, briefly, while the data was running. He wasn't at all tired yet or hungry but he would poke his head in the door of there room and make sure she had eaten today and was safe.
And to make sure Adam wasn't trying anything. That little dark thought fluttered through his brain with a twinge of hate. And for once Billy didn't try to push it away.
Still feeling cheery, Billy made his way out of Serpentera and into the hanger bay. He nodded at his unicorn, when a flash of a red light caught his attention. Curiously, he moved towards it, only for his mouth to drop open. "Alpha?"
Yes, Alpha 5's head was right there in the pile of trash and metal bits, his lights blinking. {B...B...Billy...P...power...critical...stabilization...help...}
Billy grabbed Alpha head before glancing around. He was alone as far as he could tell. "Don't worry Alpha. I'll get you functional again." Billy promised, hurrying to his room with the little robot's head hidden under his arm.
************************* Falcon zord*************************
"Really, I'm okay Kat." Tommy didn't want to sound rude but she had been fusing over him since he woke up.
Kat blushed a bit mumbling an apology.
Rocky chuckled, "You can't blame her for wanting to be sure. We all want to make sure you're okay."
"After all, none of us are medics." Aisha said, with a smile as a light began to blink. "What's that?"
"Strange, we are being hailed young falcon." Ninjor said. "but I can't get a reading on who is sending the message."
"Maybe its Zordon. No one else knows about us. On screen Ninjor." Tommy commanded, excited at the thought.
The face on the screen was not of his wise mentor, but of the dark witch who haunted his nightmares. Tommy took an involuntary step back from the screen as Rita's eyes found him. "Hello Tommy. Did you miss me?"
"Rita..." Tommy growled. "What do you want?"
Rita pouted. "I just wanted to see how my favorite play thing is doing. My green... no... my white ranger."
"Tommy isn't yours!" Katherine shouted at the screen.
Rita took notice of her. "My what a brave little human you have with your Tommy." Katherine began to tremble. "Or perhaps..." Rita continued, "Not so brave."
"State your purpose witch." Ninjor spoke, voice strong with the power of good.
"My purpose? Why to take you all as my prisoners back to the moon."
"We'll never surrender to you!" Rocky snapped.
"You never had a choice. You're slipping Ninjor." Rita smiled. "Even now. None of you can move. Spell stuck where you stand. Hahaha!"
They tried to move, they tried with everything they had! Grunting and pulling at unseen bonds but they couldn't move! "Tommy." Katherine said, the fright in her voice made his heart ache.
And the fear in the faces of all of his friends made his blood burn. It couldn't end like this!
"Now Tommy. My precious pet. Go to the controls and set course for the moon." Rita spoke waving her hand.
Tommy felt his body move of its own accord. He fought and struggled but he couldn't stop. Rita was smiling, enjoying having her living plaything back in her control.
"No!" Aisha screamed and suddenly moved. Not far but just enough to hit the button closest to her, turning off the communication screen.
Tommy and the others had no time to react as a bright light filled the area. When it stopped they could move again. Free of Rita's spell.
Aisha was in a yellow ninja outfit. The gold coin of a bear shined on her chest and she couldn't stop smiling as she looked at her friends.
"Aisha, you are the bear. Steadfast and Strong." Ninjor said.
"I've always liked bears." Aisha couldn't stop herself from touching the coin and the new clothing. She never felt so powerful, with such energy flowing through her.
Rocky hugged her suddenly. "Welcome to the team!"
"Couldn't have been a better choice!" Tommy praised, he couldn't believe how lucky he had been. Two of this new team had been right here. His heart was bursting with happiness! More rangers meant a better chance of beating Zedd.
Ninjor checked the computer. "As much as this calls for celebration. I fear Rita may be on her way to warn Zedd of our existence."
Tommy nodded,"So we need a plan. Like, now."
The group of power rangers began to talk, not noticing Kat pull herself away from the group. After all, she couldn't be of any use.
She wasn't a ranger. She was... nothing...