**************** Tengu cave*******************
The smell of stale air and rotting food was thick as Goldar dragged his limping self deeper into the cave. He couldn't risk the tengu seeing him weak and injured. One fowl getting that thought in its head would lead to him getting ripped apart by the others Those stupid birds acted as one.
Goldar growled, hitting the stone wall, ignoring the burning pain in his hand. They should have won that fight in the park On a land battle, sky creatures should have bested water ones. It was simple battle tactics.
Yet the Tengu had failed. Sure the tengu had killed some of the piranhatrons and Goldar had harmed Elgar but he had been hurt worse back.
Not to mention Ninjor had been captured by Divatox's forces and the power rangers hadn't made things any easier. Showing up to save there precious friends. Goldar leaned on a few stones and closed his eyes for a moment. He hurt but this wound would not kill him.
Though he was missing Finster right about now. Goldar let his mind drift to the monsters he used to be with. He loathed to admit it but he missed them.
"How could you have failed? Ninjor was basically gift wrapped for you!"
Goldar opened his eyes at the soft, feminine voice. Letting his gaze drift over to the girl in pink with blonde hair. "You're one to talk. I saw you not take the opportunity to shoot Tommy in the back."
The human girl shrugged. "Don't be a fool Goldar. We might still have use for the rangers. If anyone can figure out Ninjor's little riddle it will be them."
"Where the sky meets the sea. What a strange thing to shout while being captured. It must be the location of his key part."
Katherine huffed, "We'll one things for sure it isn't on Phadoes and it's not in the command chamber."
Goldar looked the girl over. "Would you please change already. All that pink is making me sick."
Katherine smirked, "And here I thought you liked the cute pink ranger." Even as she spoke her face began to change in bone structure, her hair growing long and turning black. The pink clothing melting away to armor of gold.
"No offense Scorpina, but you're no Kimberly." Goldar stated flatly.
She laughed. "Speaking of the little fire bird. Poor thing is in the first stages of the change."
"Growing feathers is she?" Goldar laughed deeply. "Oh that I would love to see."
"Not yet, her connection to the powers of good is keeping her in human form but she so very weak. As weak and helpless as a galactic kitten. I could smother her with no effort in her bed but she's been a wonderful distraction. Zordon hasn't even noticed one of his rangers isn't a ranger." They spoke as they wandered deeper into the cave. "Billy's growing a lovely horn. When he's done changing he might actually be quite handsome. For a mutant human that is."
As they turned the corner of the cave, a cage carved from the stone came into view. Katherine got to her feet as soon as she had heard them speaking down the corridor.
"Hello Katherine... what's this? Not hungry?" Goldar asked, seeing the bowl of rotten fruit and vegetables was untouched in the cage.
The girl said nothing, her arms crossed in stubborn defiance. That only made Goldar smile. "You should get used to it Katherine. You are never leaving this place, not alive anyway."
"My friends will save me." She argued back. "They'll come for me. You'll see. Then you'll be sorry."
"But my dear." Scorpina's voice was as sweet as sugar. "They don't even know you're missing."
Katherine gasped and took a few steps back as a copy of her was suddenly standing there on the outside of the cage.
Copy Kat laughed. "I suggest you do as you are told Katherine or you're life will be over much sooner than any of us want. Isn't that right Goldar?"
Goldar simple laughed and Scorpina joined in his merriment.
Katherine covered her ears from the horrible sounds of them mocking her and cried, collapsing to the pile of straw and feathers of the floor. She was trapped once more by evil forces but this time she was alone and without hope.
No one to save her...
*********************** Kim's room****************
"Straight flush!" Skull said with a smile. "I win again."
Kimberly blinked. '"That's eight hands in a row. How are you so good at this game?"
Skull bite his lower lip. "Want to know my secret?" He whispered quietly leaning closer to Kim when she nodded yes. "I count cards."
"Seriously?" Kim asked, surprised.
Skull blushed. "Yeah, I'm not good at math or anything but for some reason playing cards make sense to me. Doesn't matter if you put three or four decks together. I always remember what's been played and what's still in the pot. Bulk said we would go to Vegas after high school and strike it rich."
"Vegas road trip?" Kimberly turned to Bulk. "That would have been so cool."
Bulk hadn't been playing the past few hands his mind was elsewhere but he gave Kim a small nod and asked. "What about you? Did you have any after high school before college plans?"
Kim raised her arms up gracefully. "I wanted to try out for the Olympics gymnastic team and maybe see Europe since my mom was planning on marrying a guy who lives in Paris." Sadness showed on her face. "But those dreams are gone. I'm not even sure my mom's alive." Kimberly couldn't keep the quiver out of her voice.
"Don't cry Kim. Please, don't cry." Skull said, pulling his red and white handkerchief from his pocket and offering it to her.
She took it, dabbing at her eyes before blowing her nose. She offered it back but Skull made a bit of a face. "Um... keep it."
Bulk spoke once more. "Speaking of Moms. We saw Mrs. Kwan at the juice bar. She's really upset you're missing Kim. Skull and I, we had to lie, we told her you met up with Billy and went off with him but... "
"But you can't go back in your condition." Skull added quickly. "It wouldn't be safe."
Kimberly dropped her head. "I feel awful about this. I don't suppose you guys could do me a favor?"
"Anything Kim." The words were out of Bulk's mouth before he realized it.
Kimberly smiled. "Can you see if Billy has any note book paper? I'll write her a note and maybe you guys can put it in the mail slot of her front door. Not to mention...um... I left all the clothes I own in the bedroom. But I'm sure if you ask Zordon he'll give the okay to teleport in and get my things. I know I'm asking a lot but..."
A gentle hand on her shoulder pulled Kimberly from the depression she was feeling. Both of the former bullies were smiling at her. "It's not a problem Kim. Skull go see if Billy's got any paper and a pen."
"Be right back." Skull said, hurrying from the room.
Kimberly and Bulk lapsed into silence but Kimberly didn't feel the pressured need to fill it with chatter. It was like being on the moon once more. A quiet contentment of company.
It was Bulk who broke the silence. "So what's with you and Tommy?"
Kim shrugged. "We've decided to see other people. I just want him to be happy and if Katherine makes him more happy than I could...I'm... I will be okay with that."
"What about you? What do you want?"
Kimberly sighed, "I could never ask Tommy to be with me or anyone really. Billy says this weakness might be incurable. I'm a immortal mutant human who now needs more care than your average child. I could never willing burden anyone with this. I could never burden anyone with me... Well except maybe Billy... being immortal too and a mutant... I don't think he would abandon me." While the fear was there Kimberly tried to remind herself that Billy was her best friend, he would never just leave her fending for herself. Neither would Zordon or Alpha 5. As long as she remained here, there would always be someone to help her.
And if she had too... as long as she was the firebird, she could command Billy to look after her and he would have to obey. A shiver ran up her spine at the thought making her tremble for a moment.
No, she could never do that... A sob escaped her lips and suddenly Kimberly found herself crying hard.
She was pulled into a hug before she realized it. As awkward as it was, it was also what she needed. "Kimberly listen to me. You ain't a burden! Never could be! Don't go thinking like this, okay? Those thoughts lead down a dark road. A place it's very hard to come back from. Trust me, I know."
Kimberly was about to ask Bulk how he knew when Skull returned with the paper and a pen. She wrote the note for Mrs. Kwan. Gave it to Bulk and Skull with a word of thanks and was asleep before they even left the room.
"Poor Kim." Skull said quietly.
"Come on Skull. We've got a letter to deliver." Bulk said, closing Kim's door partway. She needed to rest.
And Bulk knew he and Skull would be there for her and for Billy. No matter what.