A/N: Let me start off by saying how much of an ass I feel like for taking a MONTH to update. I am SO sorry for such a delay. With the baby coming, it's been hectic as hell. I've also had the worst case of writer's block but I was finally able to push through to give you guys something. Again, I apologize and feel free to yell at me in the reviews.
As always, I own nothing Power Rangers.
Drakkon
I could feel it inside of me from the moment I woke this morning. It was a slow start, my legs wobbling as I went to stand. My body wanted to buckled but I gripped the corner of the bed tightly, not willing myself to do so. My vision blurred, the lines of the objects in front of me weaving together as my head spun. I closed my eyes, swearing under my breath. It took a moment for it to stop, my eyes feeling irritated as I opened them again, strands of my hair hanging in my face. I felt winded, my heart thumping in my chest and I was panting. Sweat appeared in a thin layer on my skin and the temperature of the room rose. At first glance, one would assume I had just competed in a marathon or was suffering from the flu. I wasn't. I knew what this was and irritation ran through me.
As I steadied myself, I walked over to the chair by the dresser and nearly flung myself into it. I ached from the recovery, the power inside of me seeming to pulsate as it tried to regenerate. It was trying to regain its strength, absorbing whatever it could to do this. I rested my elbows on my knees and my face in my hands as I slowed my heart rate. This was the third time this week I had woken like this, this time being the worse. Now, I was experiencing times throughout the day where I would feel faint or drained. The worse coming last night during my briefing of the other generals under my control. The world had started to tilt and I thought for sure I would end up face down. Thankfully, the Ranger Slayer was present to assist me with a way out before this occurred. I was able to make it to another chamber before falling to my knees.
My powers were failing.
This was happening just as rapidly as Zedd had suggested. I may have been the foolish one for not believing him when he spoke, I realized. It had been a week since our conversation and I felt like I had aged five decades since that day. My powers were draining the very life from me and at this rate, I didn't see myself being able to last much longer. This thought made something flare in my stomach and it took me a while to recognize that it was fear. I was terrified at the thought of dying, my hold on the world fading with my death. This couldn't occur. I had worked hard, fought hard, and conquered all of this. It couldn't go to waste because of this. I wouldn't allow it. It didn't matter what I had to do to stop it either.
Zedd had brought me some powerful beings from other planets, promising them safety in return for their help. When they couldn't offer any type of solution, I killed them and absorbed what power they did possess. It wasn't much but made it last a few days longer. That option was still available though I lacked other powerful beings. The only creatures around her came nowhere close to the power I would need. The only other creature that I could potentially use in this case was Lord Zedd who was smart enough to keep his distance unless he had another person to sacrifice.
And the Ranger Slayer.
That thought had come to mind a number of times in the last few days. With her power coin and her connection to the Grid, she absorbed nearly close to the amount of power I originally did as the green ranger. Her power coin would be enough to give me a power supply, though it only temporary. I couldn't bring myself to do this though. She was still Kimberly, the person who held my heart in a vice. Without her, my main purpose for taking over the world would be gone. I hated having any kind of weakness but Kimberly was my strongest one. Making her mine was the reason I agreed to join Rita's quest. She never would have loved me if I hadn't earned all of this and placed a spell on her. She would be dead with the rest of them, fighting for a lost cause. The thought of her perishing made my stomach hurt and I brushed the idea away. I wouldn't absorb her. Not even if I prevented my death.
"I'm Tommy."
"Kimberly. Thank you for your help."
"Anytime. Those guys are creeps."
"They sure are. You're new around here, right?"
"Yeah."
"A bunch of us are getting together after school at the youth center to hang out. Want to come along and meet some new people?"
"That'd be great. See you then."
I growled at the memory. It was another thing that came with my powers draining. My mind kept going back to the past. To the time where I was that pathetic weakling. Tommy Oliver. How useless I had been then, unknowing just how much control I would have on the world. He had other things on his mind that homework and Kim. I was naïve, unable to comprehend just what I was destined for. I couldn't imagine what my life would be like if I hadn't joined Rita's side and then took over. I would be something my current self would squash like a bug, a teeny tiny speck of nothingness that Kimberly would never love.
"Are you alright?" The Ranger Slayer's soft voice asked from the doorway of the room. I looked up, not hearing her enter. I nodded, leaning on the arm of the chair.
"I'm fine." I said, not having it in me to yell at her for entering without knocking. I moved to stand but fell back in the chair again. She was at my side in a moment, holding on to my elbow gingerly. I swatted her away, leaning back against the chair. "I said I'm fine."
"It's getting worse." She said, kneeling in front of me. "You're pale and you look like you've seen a ghost. Perhaps you should stay in bed." She offered. Kim's compassion. It was something I loved about her even though it wasn't warranted in her current reign in our empire.
"No. I have duties to perform and a land to rule." I replied, pulling myself to my feet. Holding on to the dresser, I moved passed her and over to the window that overlooked the south part of Angel Grove. In the sky, I could make out the incoming swarm of ships. We were having a round table meeting today to discuss our options going against the rebels in space. The fighting had increased, regardless of our efforts. It was time for something to happen to remind those who was truly in charge. I was to lead the fighting in just a few days' notice, taking Goldar and our fleet to kill whatever stood in our way. I was unsure how this would happen when I could barely hold my own weight, let alone that of my armor and weapons. I would look weak, making our entire army easy to destroy.
"You'll be unable to rule anything if you are unable to breathe." She stressed, standing. I leaned against the stone wall next to the window and closed my eyes. There was pure exhaustion in my entire body and I wished for something to give me strength. "Lord Drakkon, please. I'm begging you. We need you here. I need you here."
"That's enough." I whispered, opening my eyes to glance at her over my shoulder. For a moment, I didn't see the eyes of my most loyal subject. My most talented assassin. My most trusted ally. Instead, I saw soft doe brown eyes that gazed up at me the same way they did in the hallway 15 years ago after I saved her from those baboons, Bulk and Skull. The Kimberly I had fallen in love with that I yearned for all these years. "Have them change the meeting to my throne room. I will sit during the meeting and release them before they become aware of my situation."
"Lord Drakkon, I really wish you would reconsider." She said softly.
"I said-." I moved to yell at her but something suddenly ruptured inside of me. It made me gasp loudly, the sound of a million bombs exploding filling my ears. I could feel my eyes glow a brilliantly bright green color as my head was tossed back. I noticed that the Ranger Slayer was also being affected by something. Her eyes glowed pink, her hair glowing to the ends as well. Her eyes and mouth were open wide, an almost silent scream on her face as something came over the both of us. I tried to speak but couldn't, whatever that was holding us taking complete control. There was a warm feeling inside of my chest that was getting increasingly hotter, close to that of burning. I balled my hands into fists, trying to force the feeling away. It was soothing, energizing almost. The memory of receiving my powers the first time when Rita had me placed under her spell came to mind. This was the same feeling of unlimited power absorbing into every cell of my body. I was certain I would lift the moon with one hand if I wanted to. Again, I was the most powerful being in the universe.
As quickly as it came, it was gone. Both of us were tossed to the ground, the Slayer landing in a heap a few feet away from me. She was able to regain her composure faster than I, running over to me. "What was that?" She asked, helping me to my feet. I suddenly felt stronger. Stronger than I had in months. As if I had just absorbed a power coin from another ranger. I could feel the color in my face again and feel the raw power bubbling inside of me. Lifting my hands, I willed them to glow green. They did, illuminating brightly. My powers were recharged.
"I'm not sure but whatever it was, I like it." I said, smiling as I gazed at my hands. Behind us, I heard the muffled footsteps of Goldar. He appeared moments later in my doorway.
"Sire! Lord Zedd is here with urgent news. Something has occurred."
"You can say that again." I heard the Ranger Slayer mumble behind me.
"Send him in." I replied. Goldar shook his head.
"He requested to see you on the balcony. I think this would be wise, sire."
Minutes later, I was changed from my sleep attire into a pair of blck slacks and a green long sleeved shirt. Walking briskly, I made my way from my chambers to the throne room. This was the only way to reach the balcony, the doorway located in the south part of the throne room. The Slayer had gone before me to retrieve Zedd, ensuring he was there when I arrived. As I swept into the room, I used my powers to seal off the room and the balcony from prying eyes and ears. I spotted Zedd standing near the railing of the balcony next to the Ranger Slayer. To my surprise, I saw that something was illuminating the space between them. Something extremely bright and filled with intense energy.
"What's this?" I asked, stopping next to them.
"This is the morphing grid." Zedd replied. I shook my head.
"It can't be. I've seen it before. It has never been this bright." I replied. Zedd nodded, taking his staff in his right hand.
"Something has recharged it in a way that hasn't been seen in many years. We picked up on the energy signatures on our way back here. The readings were unbelievable. Something is tapping into the Morphing Grid that isn't supposed to be there and is making it stronger." Zedd poked the bright light with the Z of his staff and it sparked, dots of energy exploding into the air.
"This is good, right? We will be able to charge Drakkon fully then." The Slayer said, looking hopeful. Zedd shook his head.
"We are unsure of what is causing this energy. If we try to tamper with it, it could fracture the entire grid itself. We can't do anything if we don't know what the source is."
"How do we do that?" She asked, crossing her arms.
"Someone will need to venture into the grid itself." I replied, putting my hands on my hips. "Someone with a power coin."
"Go into the grid? Is that even humanly possible?" The Slayer asked, looking confused. Zedd nodded, stepping closer to me.
"It is. It's never been done before at this magnitude but it is possible. If someone goes into the grid, they will be transported to the source of the power. When the source is located, we will be able to control it."
"And then control the grid." I finished for him. He nodded, holding a fist in the air.
"This is the type of power you will need to be able to survive."
"I'm aware." I stated. "I'm going in."
"No." Zedd said, shaking his head. "It's too dangerous to send you, Lord Drakkon. If anything were to occur, you will be lost to our empire and our efforts."
"I'll do it." The Ranger Slayer said. "I have a power coin. I can go in and do what needs to be done." I eyed her for a moment, wondering if she would be able to withstand the power that resides in the grid. It was one thing to have it in you with a power coin. It was another to be indirect contact with it at such a raw capacity. She gave me a determined look, her brown eyes holding mine. Her hair was pulled back in a ponytail, a curl slipping down the side of her face.
"Do you think that would be wise?" Zedd asked, trying to keep his voice hushed. I glared at him, his constant questioning of the Slayer getting on my nerves.
"She's the only other person in our universe with a power coin. There is no other option left, now is there?" I asked, a hint of nasty in my voice. I turned back to the Slayer. "We will have Finster prepare your weapons so they will be able to withstand the power in there. All you need to do is find the source and bring it back here. If something should go wrong, report back here and we can regroup." She nodded.
"Yes, Lord Drakkon."
"Kill whatever or whoever has the source." I stated, reaching out and running a finger down her cheek. "I'm trusting you with my life. Do not let me down."
"I won't." I turned back to Zedd who was gazing at the portal.
"Lord Zedd, we will meet with the other commanders and tell them of this new development. Goldar will take my place alongside you with leading the charge to the outer limits of the galaxy. As before, do not state any of the affairs dealing with my powers. Since we are unsure of how long this will last, I do not want others to know. Is that clear?"
"Yes, my lord." Zedd said, bowing his head.
"Leave us." I said to him. He nodded, walking from the balcony and into the throne room. I waited until I knew he was gone before turning to the SLayer. Her eyes were transfixed on the portal in front of her, the light dancing off the orbs of her eyes. It illuminated her face with an almost angelic glow.
"Are you certain you trust me with this?" She asked, casting her eyes towards me. I nodded, folding my arms in front of me.
"I am. You are the only person I would trust this with." I stepped closer. "The power of the morphing grid is tremendous and it's uncontrollable. There is a good chance that you may die once you enter. Even with a power coin, there is no ensuring that you will be safe. I will instruct Finster to increase the protection of your armor for this. Once you are through, get back here with the source."
"Yes, Lord Drakkon." She said, bowing her head.
"And Ranger Slayer, do keep in mind that if you fail me, I will have no choice but to punish you. And I don't mean in the way you enjoy. This is a critical situation and I will not have the likes of you destroying my empire due to your incompetence to complete a task. Do you understand?"
"Yes." She said, her voice faltering slightly.
"Good. I would be a shame to have to kill you."