A/N: Morning, everyone! As promised, here is another chapter. I'm not sure about anyone else but we were gifted a snow storm yesterday on top of being quarantined. I'm currently on day 5 of being locked in a house with my husband, our baby, and my 16 year old sister. May the power protect us because we might not all survive at this rate lol.
Anyway, I hope you guys enjoy! For some reason, I highly like writing as Drakkon for this fic more than any other character. Kim's usually my favorite but I'm liking the channeling of the evilness of LD.
As always, remember to R&R to let me know if you like it so far.
Drakkon
"Sire?" A meek voice called from the doorway of my throne room. My eyes darted in that direction, heat radiating from my stare. I found one of the kitchen servants there, a small little man with dark blue skin and wisps of black hair around his head. His eyes were large silver things in the middle of his face, his small nose pointed out. I never knew what planet these things were from but they were strikingly ugly in my opinion.
"What is it?" I snapped, continuing to flip the power coin in my hand through my fingers. Each time it passed between my thumb and forefinger, it glowed and dull green color.
"Do you wish to eat?" He asked, not daring to come any closer. "It's near dinner time."
"No. I said it once already. No one is to bother me until the Ranger Slayer has returned!" I roared, waving my arm towards him. The small creature slammed into the wall behind him, a whimper coming from his lips as he collapsed to the ground. It took him a moment to clamber back to his feet and when he did, he clutched his right elbow to him like he was injured.
"Yes, sire. I apologize." He turned and scurried away, leaving me with my thoughts again.
It had been almost 24 hours since the Ranger Slayer had gone through the portal. Zedd and Finster were guarding it around the clock, making sure no one was trying to make a run through it while it was here. I waited by it for hours, hoping for her to return and to bring me the power source she was sent for. After sometime, I knew I needed to return to the throne room to continue on with my meetings. I had several with my generals, making plans on stomping out the rest of the others, the Coinless. It was a term that had taken for themselves after they had let the other Rangers take over for them when they no longer had powers. Finster feared they would attempt to come here if they felt the power as we had. I had no concern with this. It would be a certain suicide mission if they attempted, my orders to bring them to me for execution still intact.
My patience was wearing thin waiting for her. Has something gone wrong? Was she in trouble? Had she failed in her mission? Or had the grid ripped her to shreds upon entry? I couldn't be sure about any of those answers as I had no way to determine what had happened. I had said I would go after her but Finster forbade me from doing so out of fear of being lost as well. I was left to sit here and wait for her to possibly return or to begin planning our next move.
'You miss her.' A voice said in my head. I shook it, forcing it out. That was absurd. It wasn't because I missed her being there. I needed her to be back here with the power source so I could continue being as powerful as I was. Nothing was going to stop me from controlling the world, including talk of another world that was trying to pull the Morphing Grid from me. By being able to get this power and obtain control of the Grid, I would ensure that all of my enemies bowed to me and that no one would stand in my way ever again.
Growling, I pushed myself up from my throne and strode across the room to the curtain that was blocking the balcony. Pushing it to the side, I saw that Finster stood near it. His glasses were at the tip of his nose as he studied the portal. He tapped his chin with a finger, taking in the sight. Now and then, he would hum something to himself as he walked around the light. He seemed fascinated by the anomaly, amazed that it had appeared here. I had to admit that I was too. It was like a rip in our universe and world, leading me right to a bright future of ultimate power and control.
"Anything, Finster?" I asked, closing the curtain behind me.
"It's quite remarkable! Now and then, I can hear voices. I'm not sure what they are saying but I think I can hear the calls of the Coinless from the past." He replied, not turning to look at me. If he had been anyone else in my empire, they would have been punished. Finster was different. Unlike the Ranger Slayer, he had been loyal to me since the beginning without needing a spell. He was my most trusted friend here and I knew that he cared more about my mission than anyone.
"You can hear the Coinless?" I questioned, stepping closer. He shook his head.
"I believe that it's showing past impressions of the Grid's power from our world. It's unbelievable, sire." He said, finally turning to look at me. "How are you, Lord Drakkon? Have your powers held strong?"
"Yes. I feel incredible, honestly. It feels like when I was first given my power coin from Rita." I replied, crossing my arms in front of me as I paced the balcony. "Could this be a good sign?"
"Well, I imagine it's not a bad sign. If my calculations are correct, the Grid is seeking any type of Power Coin to re-charge in a way to keep itself powered. The coins act like batteries to the Grid. Yes, it has its own energy and it is able to power other items but the Power Coins connect it to human energy which is needed to connect it's sources. It's similar to that of a spider's web. It's strongest in the middle but it needs supportive attachment in various points to ensure it's structurally sound."
"Without Power Coins, it's unable to stay this powerful?" I asked. He nodded, glancing out at the view behind us. The sun was beginning to set, it casting harsh shadows on the ruins below.
"You'll need Power Coins to keep it re-charged at this level." He stated.
"There are only three power coins here." I said, feeling annoyed. "I've absorbed and destroyed the rest of them."
"Then we will need to find a way to obtain more." He replied, shrugging his shoulder. As he did, the portal suddenly began to spark and crackle, the noise ripping through the air. I took a step back, shielding my eyes as something began to emerge from it. It glowed brightly, getting to the point I needed to turn away. I managed to look long enough to see a form stumble out of it. The Ranger Slayer was laying on the ground in a small heap, her helmet next to her.
"Kimberly." I said softly, bending down to help her to her feet. Smoke was coming off of her and she was warm to the touch as I took her elbow. She was slow to stand, stumbling as she did. Her bow laid on the ground and she was gasping for breath.
"I'm sorry. Traveling through there takes a lot out of me." She panted as I let go of her arm.
"I'm sure." Finster said, walking towards her. He examined her, looking to see if she had any injuries. He didn't look too concerned as he picked up her helmet and bow for her. She took both before powering down.
"Did you find the source?" I asked. She nodded, turning away from me. I grabbed her arm again, forcing her to look back at me. "Well?"
"It's complicated." She responded. I felt a surge of anger flare through me.
"You didn't return with it."
"Lord Drakkon, I-." She started but was cut off as I backhanded her in the mouth. She fell backwards, her small frame not taking the blow well. She winced, holding her face as she regained her footing.
"Leave us, Finster." I said, not looking at my friend.
"If I may, sire." He said. I shot him a glare.
"I said leave." I said in a low tone. He nodded, bowing his head before walking back into the throne room. I turned back to the Ranger Slayer who was standing straight, blood trickling down her chin where I had struck her. "You had one mission and you failed. Give me one reason why I shouldn't kill you right where you stand."
"It was us." She said, her tone almost short.
"What are you talking about?" I asked.
"Through the Grid. It was another version of our world there. I saw him. I saw Tommy Oliver. He had a Power Coin. It was radiating energy and I knew it must have been the power source. I was able to kill him though." She said. I shook my head, running a hand through my hair.
"You clearly didn't since the Grid is still energized." I seethed. "You could have brought him here. I could have taken his coin from him and used it to energize our fight."
"I thought if he lived, he would try to stop us." She explained, sounding feeble.
"You're lying." I snapped. "You gave in to pathetic feelings. What are you? 16? You're supposed to be the strongest member of my elite force and you reacted with emotions of a sniveling little teenager. I should have known better than to send you."
"I was protecting you!" She pleaded, raw emotion swimming in her eyes and for a moment, I believed her. I shook my head, turning my face away from her.
"I will go and deal with this version of Tommy Oliver myself. Were there others?" I asked.
"Yes. I attacked him and another ranger but I saw the rest of them together at one point. It was too risky to attack then."
"I am going to go after him and retrieve all of their power coins. We need them to keep the Morphing Grid powered in this manner. Can I trust you to assist me with this? Or will you provide me with more reasons to end you?" I stepped closer to her, sealing the gap between up. She didn't flinch or try to move away.
"You can trust me." She said, the tone of her voice low.
"We shall see."
"Please reconsider this, sire." Finster said, his shuffling feet echoing behind me as I walked towards my bed chambers. After my confrontation with the Ranger Slayer, I had informed him that I was going in the Grid myself. I knew he wouldn't approve of the plan and he was voicing his concern. "If you shall perish on the other side, what will become of your empire here?"
"It wouldn't be a concern for me then, would it?" I responded, walking into the chamber. I left the door open, signalling he was free to follow. "This should be an easy task, Finster. I've destroyed these simple teenagers before. Tommy Oliver is no concern of mine. Once I kill him and his Power Ranger team, I will have six power coins to keep the grid connected. I will have everything I've ever wanted in the palm of my hand." Walking to my dresser, I pulled out my underclothes that I typically wear when heading to battle.
"This world is different than ours. There is no telling what type of technological advances they have at their disposal compared to us. They might have been able to develop weapons to defend themselves against this type of attack." He said, clasping his hands together in front of him. "Surely Goldar or Zedd would be more suitable to send in your place."
"They are both off in battle against the rebels. Besides, neither can enter since they do not have a Power Coin." I changed into my other clothes, morphing into my suit. The green and white armor shielded me and fit like a glove. My helmet appeared on the bed next to me. I grabbed a tie from the top of the dresser and pulled my hair back into a ponytail. Grabbing my helmet, I walked passed Finster and out of the door. "I will need you to reinforce the dagger as well as Saba for me before I go."
"Of course. I've already done so." He replied. I stopped, turning to face Finster.
"You are a great and wise creature, Finster." I said softly, smiling at him. Reaching out, I put a hand on his shoulder. "I swear to you that this is not the end of our story. I will go forward, bring back these power coins, and we will continue our quest to rule all."
"I hope you are correct, Lord Drakkon." He replied, returning my smile. "I have created something for you." He reached into the front pocket of his apron. He pulled out a small little device. "This will allow you to stay in contact with our world while you are through the Grid."
"Brillant." I said, taking it from him. "How did you ever develop something such as this?"
"The blue ranger had it in his possession when he was captured. I simply was able to reconfigure it with some work."
"Thank you for your work." I brought the piece up and attached it to my ear.
"Anything for you, sire. I will retrieve your weapons and meet you on the balcony." He bowed before walking up the hallway. I went the other direction, heading towards the throne room. I had left a message for Lord Zedd in case of his return before I had returned myself. I was not intending on staying long in this other universe. My goal was to end the lives of those pathetic beings on the other side and bring their powers back before the sun sets. They had easily been destroyed at my hands here. It would be no different this time, I was sure.
The Ranger Slayer was standing near the portal and I came through the curtain. She was suited up again, her bow on her back and her helmet under her arm. She casted a glance at me over my shoulder when she felt my presence. She didn't speak, just watching me with her doe brown eyes. They shimmered in the bright light of the portal and I felt something stir in me. It was dull, not as excited as it had been before. A pang of sadness crept into the back of my thoughts. Though I loved her deeper than anything I've ever loved before, the sight of her was not leaving me breathless anymore. Her features were not the same and she no longer brought the emotion from me as she had before. I was tired of Kimberly. Tired of her being this person. Tired of her only caring for me because of this spell.
"Here you are, Lord Drakkon." Finster's voice said, breaking my thoughts. I shook my head, turning to look at him. He held out the Dragon Dagger to me. I took this, putting it into its sheath at my waist. He also held up Saba, the sword of great power. After taking the power from Jason and Zordon, I silenced the hilt of the sword. He was still alive but could no longer talk back at each one of my commands. It was something I had grown tired of shortly after I had taken him. I placed the sword on the other side of my waist as well.
"Thank you." I turned back to the Ranger Slayer. "You are to stay here."
"What?" She asked, looking surprised.
"Finster has created a way for me to communicate between worlds. You will guard the portal. If I need assistance, I will command it. Until then, you will stay here." I responded.
"But Lord Drakkon-."
"That is an order." I said sternly, pulling my helmet on. She stepped back, lowering her gaze to the ground. "Finster, continue to monitor the levels of the Grid. Once I destroy these Rangers, it may drop. We will be able to restore it once I return."
"Yes, my lord." He replied. I stepped forward, stopping in front of the portal.
"I'll send word once I have arrived." I said, the static crackling around me.
"Be careful, my lord." The Ranger Slayer said. I didn't bother to turn and look at her before stepping forward.
The heat was intense and overpowering as I entered the grid. I moved quickly, wanting to be out of there. There were voices as Finster had mentioned but there were too many to be able to pinpoint just one in general. As I stepped forward, I felt the world drop. The bright light vanished and I found myself laying on my back. Blinking, I looked up and saw stars above me in an ink black sky. Blinking, I took a moment to gather my thoughts before jumping to my feet. I was in the middle of Angel Grove Park, a place that had been long destroyed in my world. Looking around, I saw no one around me. The late hour probably aiding to the lack of people.
Glancing down, I saw that I was no longer in uniform but rather the under clothing I had dressed in prior to morphing. I pressed the button on my morpher but nothing occurred. Growling, I brought my hand to my ear. "Finster, I'm here but I cannot use my powers."
"Because the Tiger zord powers haven't been introduced in this timeline yet." Finster replied, his voice in my ear. "You will need to utilize one power coin or the other until I find a way to merge the two powers together."
"Ridiculous." I muttered, morphing into the green Ranger. Though I was admittedly fond of these powers, they were nowhere close to the strength of my powers now. They would do, I suppose.
"Hello?" A voice said behind me, startling me. I spun, seeing someone standing on the path. It was a man in his late thirties, a German Shepherd connected to the leash in his hand. "Are you a Power Ranger?" A smile crossed my lips as an idea came to mind.
"Yes." I said, stepping towards him. The man smiled, excitement on his face.
"Oh, wow! My son loves your guys. Thanks for all that you do to keep Angel Grove safe."
"It's not a problem." I replied, stopping in front of him.
"I can't believe I'm really meeting a Power Ranger! My son is going to flip when he hears this."
"I'm sure he will." I quickly grabbed the Dragon dagger from my belt and slashed it across the man's throat, the blade cutting through his skin like paper. He gasped, his eyes widening. He released the leash, bringing his hands up to grab his neck. Blood poured from the wound as he dropped to his knees. The dog growled at me before turning and running away.
"It's good to be back."