Author's Notes: You guys, I'm so excited for the next story. Expect a summer of more regular updates.
Reviewer thanks: gardien1204, GreenEngineer, Seth A. Mincberg, The-Knight2000, janzen222, dan, Curly Q, brankel1, Festacles, sanbi221 (I'm actually planning on writing through the Zordon era, stopping with the end of In Space. That being said, my writing of Turbo and In Space will diverge even more from the show than what I'm writing now.), I Hate Politics, CraZramblinGhost, and Zanzibar1 (The sheriff's name was intentional, as Bill was a nickname for William. Sorry it was confusing… I tried to it not to be.).
Addendum to reviewer thanks: I want to thank my supporters for their support after my author's notes last time. I was having such a difficult time writing and, as CraZramblinGhost pointed out, the point of the notes was to explain the depression I was going through, and that depression involves politics. I got so many heartening notes, and that honestly helped me write this chapter. There were only a few… hmm… debaters? I suppose for those who don't want to read about anything that doesn't involve the story itself, you guys can skip to the actual chapter. It's usually easy to find. For the rest, I love you, all my lovelies.
Brighter Paths
Book 7: Best Person for the Job
Chapter 26: Et Cetera
Tommy and Kimberly glared at each other from opposite sides of the Command Center. The rest of the Rangers were between them, watching them carefully just in case they decided to attack each other.
They didn't need to worry, though. Both were angry, yet strangely calm and self-contained. Tommy's hand kept straying to his side, as if feeling for the sword that was no longer there.
"So, Zordon, do we kick this spell like we did before?" Tommy said, his voice tight from the effort of resisting said spell.
"So you know you're under a spell?" Adam asked.
Tommy laughed. "If I had a dollar for every time I was asked that…"
"We figured it out," Kimberly said. "Not as powerful a spell as the ones that turned us evil, but annoying enough to mess with our perceptions if we're not careful."
"That'll be a first for you," Tommy said under his breath.
Kimberly rolled her eyes. "And who was the one who lost Saba?"
"I wouldn't have lost him if you hadn't shot me…"
Zordon had been busy quietly conferring with Billy and Aisha. At this, he spoke up.
"Kimberly… Tommy… I do not believe breaking this spell will be that easy," Zordon said gravely. The arguing Rangers went quiet, their faces marked with a dread they'd been trying to hide.
"We're not going to have to work together, are we?" Kimberly said.
"You are, of course, because you are Power Rangers, and you have a mission," Zordon said, not unkindly. "And, yet, that alone will not break the spell. According to the readings, the spell was administered through a potion that can be nullified only through a counter-potion."
"We're fabricating the cure as we speak," Alpha said, "but it will take time."
"Time we don't have," Billy interjected. "Should I remind you the danger of allowing Zedd and Rita access to Saba?"
"You don't need to remind me," Tommy said. "We made the White Ranger powers resistant to evil influence, but the two of them could come up with a way to corrupt it."
"So, you can work together, right?" Aisha said. "At least until we get Saba back and break the spell."
"Of course I can work with that jackass," Kimberly said breezily. "After all, I wouldn't want to risk him being even more annoying if they somehow turn him to the dark side again."
Tommy bit back a retort. "We'll just focus on the mission, like always."
"Good," Rocky said. "Now that mom and dad say they're not going to fight in front of the kids… how do we get the damn sword back?"
Adam pointed to a blinking light on a console. "This may help. It looks like a communication from the Moon Palace."
Alpha pressed the button, and the smiling face of Rita Repulsa came on the Viewing Globe. She was holding Saba, tightening a gauze scarf that was gagging Saba's mouth.
"Rangers." Her voice was tinged with amusement. "I trust you've been enjoying the latest spell?"
"Seems like you're running out of ideas," Kimberly retorted. "Haven't we been there done that?"
Rita's placid smile seemed to turn more dangerous. "Now, now… my husband is relatively new to this. He is fairly good at improvising, though. And you can't fault him for results."
"You want something more," Tommy pointed out. "You're not just after my sword."
Rita regarded the sword coolly. "As much as it makes an attractive mantle decoration… no. I can think of far better things that you might be willing to give to retrieve your precious Saba."
Tommy gritted his teeth. "I'm not coming to work for you."
Rita laughed. "So conceited." Her eyes sharpened. "What makes you think I'd ever, in a thousand years, take you back?" She took a breath, seeming to control her anger. "No, my former servant, I want something far more valuable. I want the sheath to the Sword of Power."
The Rangers stared at her, not expecting that request.
"You know the one," she continued. "The sword that currently belongs to Goldar. You know, it used to be called the Sword of Light, before Goldar came to his senses and joined the winning side. Unfortunately, though, it can't work properly without the sheath. Without that, it just cuts things."
"Not going to happen," Kimberly said.
"When can we make the swap?" Tommy asked at the same time.
They glared at each other, and Rita chuckled. "To answer the question of the leader of the Power Rangers," she said with heavy irony, "how about now? In the park by the lake. You Rangers always come up with some way to squirm out of a bad situation if I give you too much time."
"Only if you're there," said Tommy. "I don't feel like dealing with a middle man right now."
"Fine," Rita said, and flickered off the Viewing Globe.
It had all happened so fast. Tommy had made the deal and Rita had accepted the terms before anyone could raise an objection. There were, however, plenty of objections, though surprisingly not from Kimberly.
"So, any word on if frequent spells cause brain damage?" Rocky said. "Since, ya know, that was brain dead stupid?"
"Handing the sheath over has to be worse than letting her keep your sword," Adam said. "We got our powers because of that sheath, and they could easily be taken away."
"And that's just the first step," Aisha said. "They could use it to take away anyone's powers. It's like giving them the keys to the Morphing Grid."
Billy did not immediately speak up, but he looked up at Zordon. "We don't have time to fabricate a replica of the sheath, since she'll get suspicious if we take too long. Is it possible to keep a teleportation lock on the sheath until we gain Saba?"
"Wait… we're planning a double-cross?" Rocky said.
Kimberly grinned. "Now you're catching up."
"But you objected to the plan. In front of Rita." Rocky said slowly.
Tommy and Kimberly gave each other a knowing glance, before their shoulders tightened and the look turned back into a glare. Even with the spell nudging them to hate each other, their base impulses were still to work together.
"You guys stay here," Tommy said, as Alpha handed him the sheath. "Let mom and dad take care of it."
Rita Repulsa, flanked by Goldar and a squadron of Putties, stood by a bench at the edge of the lake. Tommy forced himself to breathe, his breath echoing in his helmet loudly. Rita had picked this place to taunt him, to throw him off balance. He couldn't let it work.
"Oh, great, the gang's all here," Kimberly said. She had her hand by her blaster, just in case things went south too quickly. "Sorry we couldn't gift wrap the sheath for you, but Mr. No-Brain here couldn't stand another second away from his toy."
"Enough mouth," Tommy said. "How are we going to do this?"
Rita rolled her eyes. "You could just give me the sheath, and trust that I will give you your sword."
Kimberly barked out a laugh. "Yeah, that seems likely. I see you brought the goon squad. Why do you need them for a simple exchange?"
Rita regarded her coldly. "The sheath belongs to Goldar. The Putties are for my protection. I am an empress; why should it be odd that I have an entourage?" She smirked. "I see both of you morphed, so let's keep talking about trust issues, shall we?"
"I don't see why we're still talking," Tommy said. "I brought you along because you insisted, Kim, but I'm beginning to think I should send you back to the Command Center."
"As if you could force me to do a damn thing," Kimberly said. "I'm here to make sure you keep a clear head. Between Rita, Goldar, and Scorpina, you don't seem to remember who the enemies are."
Tommy crossed his arms, his attention now seemingly fully on Kimberly. "You seem to think you're somehow better than me. I wasn't the one who volunteered to serve the enemy. That was all on you."
"At least when my spell broke, it broke," Kimberly said. "You carry it around wherever you go. Flirting with Scorpina… thinking of Goldar as your drinking buddy… and let's not forgot ALL the mommy issues with Rita."
"I think," Rita said under her breath, "I'm starting to dislike this spell rather intensely."
Tommy and Kimberly paid her no heed, however. The item exchange seemed all but forgotten.
"Oh, here we go," Tommy said. "The world doesn't revolve around Kimberly, so she gets upset. You know jealousy isn't that great a color on you."
"I thought envy was green," she retorted. "And isn't that what you still are, deep down? Rita's Green Ranger."
"And you're still the girl worried about helmet hair." He paused, looking her up and down. "No, wait, you're worse. You're a pretend hero, endangering everyone with her delusions of grandeur."
"As entertaining as all this is…" Rita interjected.
She didn't get a chance to finish. Kimberly drew her bow and aimed it at Tommy. Tommy drew his blade blaster but had no time to set it in blaster mode. Instead, he used the blade to deflect the arrow right to Rita's hand.
Rita shrieked from both surprise and pain, and Saba went flying. She immediately teleported away, and Goldar was on the move before she'd fully dematerialized. The Putties launched themselves at Kimberly, and Tommy caught Saba just in time to block Goldar's sword with his own blade.
"Are you prepared to say your last words?" Goldar said, his voice oddly calm.
Tommy's arm was starting to buckle under the strain of blocking Goldar, and he knew he needed to get the sheath away from the battlefield. Goldar's sword and its sheath in this close proximity was perhaps more dangerous than just getting cut with the sword. If Goldar figured a way to access the power…
"Duck!" Kimberly yelled in his helmet comm, and Tommy threw himself back as she let loose a volley of arrows, having dispatched enough Putties to pay attention to the other fight. Goldar hit the ground, cursing as some of the arrows hit their mark, his sword going wild. Tommy felt the sheath leave his hands as it made slight contact with Goldar's sword. He held his breath, fearing the worst, when the sheath disappeared in the familiar shimmer of teleportation.
"We have it," Billy said over his communicator. "Are you ready for backup?"
"Would be nice," Tommy said. "Goldar's mightily pissed off."
"He's not the only one," Kimberly pointed out. "That looks like Zedd's handiwork, doesn't it?"
The lake was roiling, the usual calm waters cresting in a wave. People on the other side of the lake, just now noticing the altercation, ran for safety.
"What Lord Zedd has planned for you," Goldar said, his voice dripping with contempt, "I hope it hurts a lot." He and the rest of the Putties disappeared before a wave of water crashed where he'd been standing.
"As far as plans go, we've had better," Kimberly commented. "Ones that don't call the fury of the elements down on us."
"We didn't exactly have time for finesse," Tommy responded, bracing for whatever attack would come.
The other four Rangers teleported in, already morphed, just in time for a giant wave to drench them.
"Think they're trying to drown us?" Rocky yelled.
"Not quite!" Billy answered, pointing up. "I think they're just skipping the usual preliminaries."
In the middle of the lake stood a giant fish. It looked remarkably like Pirantishead, Lord Zedd's first monster upon his arrival on Earth, yet missing the flute that had controlled metal and caused them so much trouble. In fact, it seemed to lack any of Lord Zedd's usual finesse, making up for it in raw power.
"It may have been a mistake to hurt his wife like that," Adam commented.
"He's angry," Kimberly said. "But that means he's going to make mistakes. Zords?"
Tommy brandished Saba and pulled the gag of its mouth. "I'll meet you up there."
Rita's stomach swooped with nausea as she held her wrist. All she felt was pain, and she couldn't even focus long enough to tell how serious the damage was. She hadn't been hurt like that in a long time. She wasn't a combatant, though she supposed that's what she got for going down to the battlefield when the Rangers were obviously planning some kind of attack.
She felt a cool hand guiding her to a seat. She sank into the chair and laid back, closing her eyes. The hand left her, and she slitted her eyes open, confused that Finster would leave her so soon, when she was still in pain. Why wasn't he treating her injury?
"Finster! Get your worthless hide in here already! Every second she's in pain you will endure one hundred-fold!"
It had been Zedd, she realized, who had guided her so gently to his own throne. The room radiated with red, but not the same kind of rage she'd seen so many times. It had taken a grayish hue, and the mental bond between them was raw and open. She could feel his panic mixed with the rage. And love. There was love there too.
But that was just the spell. Right?
Finster bustled into the throne room, his medical bag in tow, and he quickly applied a salve to her wrist that immediately numbed the pain. She chanced a look. Her flesh was red and covered with angry blisters, but it didn't look like it had been broken, as she'd feared.
"You'll be quite all right, my queen," Finster said softly, giving a nervous glance over at Lord Zedd, who was advancing on both of them. "The wrist didn't take the full brunt of the blow, and the burn will heal in a matter of hours."
"You hear that? I'm fine," Rita said, nodding to Finster before turning her attention to Zedd. "Calm down, and stop terrorizing poor Finster. It was my own stupid fault that I was injured, and it's not like I haven't had worse. It merely… caught me by surprise."
Lord Zedd seethed, but the room's red hue dimmed noticeably.
Rita smiled and closed her eyes, letting the medicine do its work. She opened her mind and sensed the monster on Earth. She opened her eyes again. "We didn't plan for an attack. This could jeopardize your plan."
"Our plan will survive this little punishment," Lord Zedd said. "However, if the Rangers die here, I will shed no tears."
Rita felt herself smiling despite herself. "Well, let's hope the Rangers suffer to your liking."
"Did you mention mistakes?" Rocky yelled from the front seat, desperately trying to keep up with the monster. "If you've seen any mistakes, Kim, I'd love to hear them!"
Kimberly concentrated on redirecting the power flow to give Aisha more of a chance to strengthen the shields. She glanced over at Billy, who wasn't even blinking as he was directing quick repairs to their power center, which had been hit early in the battle.
"Yeah, well, I may not be thinking clearly right now," Kimberly admitted. "The power center's been hit, so we can't access any of the extra thunder powers. We're working with what we have."
"And what we have is a slowly failing Megazord," Billy said.
"And falling!" Adam yelled. "Hold on!"
The Rangers braced for impact, and Rocky managed to execute a neat roll away from the fish monster's attack, what Kimberly had taken to calling Pirantishead 2 in head. It had none of the subtlety of its previous iteration, but it made up for it in raw power and rage. She wondered how angry Zedd had to be to funnel this much of his power—dangerous amounts—into his monster. She remembered the dress he'd presented to her, the books he'd pored over that had belonged to Rita. Pretty damn angry, she decided.
"Seems like you guys need some help," Tommy's voice came over the intercom.
"You took your time!" Kimberly said, though she was too tired and focusing too hard to put too much vehemence behind it. Like she'd experienced before, adrenaline did a lot to allay the spell's effects. That, and falling back on training. She was a Ranger, and they were a team, spell or not.
"Never mind that!" Rocky said. "We've got a damaged power center! You might need to make the finishing move."
"That might take a while," Tommy answered. "I haven't had a chance to charge up."
The Megazord finally got to its feet just as Pirantishead clocked it with an uppercut. The Megazord stumbled back and the cockpit was showered in sparks.
"Oh, you know, any time is fine," Rocky said breezily. "No reason to hurry."
Tommy ignored the sarcasm and concentrated on the fight. The opponent was tough, and the Megazord had already taken a pretty bad hit. It was floundering, and Tommy had to get the White Tigerzord to take the majority of the fight while also building power. It was going to be tricky.
"You're being quiet right now, Saba," Tommy said as he ran through some basic maneuvers, allowing the Megazord to get on its feet.
"You're not entirely yourself right now," Saba said. "I'm a reflection of you. It's difficult to reflect you right now, and you need to be focusing on the battle."
"Fair enough," Tommy said. "Glad to have you back, anyway."
"It's… good to be back," said Saba.
Tommy moved his Zord in tandem with the Megazord, and they were both fighting the best they could, but all they could manage was maneuvering the monster further away from populated areas. It didn't look like the monster was slowing down, either. Zedd had to have been expending a lot of energy on this thing.
"How's that finishing move coming?" Rocky asked. "Think you can pencil it in this week?"
Tommy gritted his teeth as the monster clocked his Zord in the head. Sparks flew in the cockpit, and he braced himself, wishing this Zord worked by remote like the old Dragonzord. "It's going to be a near thing. If it happens," he admitted. "Our best bet may be to outlast this monster. Contest of endurance."
"That's a really dangerous strategy," Kimberly cut in. "We're losing power fast, and if we push it too hard, we could lose the Zords entirely."
"Got a better idea?" Tommy said wearily.
Kimberly paused, probably biting back a retort. "Nah. We all know the risks. Just saying them out loud."
"Right," Tommy said, watching his own power reserves slowly fail. "Be prepared to evacuate at the last minute if we need to."
"That won't be necessary, Rangers," Zordon said, in probably the most welcome interruption in history. "I am sending you a Zord that will protect both Zords long enough to repair the power reserves."
"Wait, are you sending the Carrier Zord?" Billy asked. "I thought it was inoperable."
"It was last month," Alpha said, a bit smugly.
"Wait a minute…" Aisha said slowly. "Is this the…?"
Before she could finish, the two Zords were plunged in darkness. They were covered in a dome, the only illumination coming from their running lights. They could hear loud clangs outside of the dome, but it sounded distant.
"Giant turtle," Adam finished for her. "We're in a giant turtle."
Tommy smiled. "Weirdly, that's the best thing I've heard all day. Billy, how long is it going to take on repairs."
"Now that we're not being actively pummeled by a monster? Around ten minutes."
"Sounds good. Zordon, don't I remember there being a new Zord combination with our new best friend Tor here?"
Ten minutes later, the monster looked up. Since it had been created for pure revenge against the Rangers, it had not moved from that spot. The top of the impenetrable turtle zord opened, and out burst the Zords, now in their individual components. The White Tigerzord stayed inside, merging with Tor's power center, while the other Zords formed a kind of assault vehicle with the Red Dragon Thunderzord, in battle form, on top.
"Well, that was complicated," Rocky commented. "Something tells me these toys were never meant to fit together."
"If it gets the job done, that's all that counts," Kimberly said. "And we're at full power. Take the shot."
Rocky laughed. "You mean this?"
As the monster charged at them, the Red Dragon Thunderzord raised its staff and twirled it, helicopter-like. Power channeled through the White Tigerzord and Tor. Impossibly, the entire assemblage lifted into the air. It hovered as the monster stopped and gawked… before finally landing straight on the monster, crushing it with a solid crunch and and a shower of sparks.
"Did I just see all the Zords combine with a giant turtle and literally land on the monster?" Rita said. Zedd was projecting the battle for her as she remained on his throne, recovering.
"It seems so," Zedd commented. He flicked the image away. "Are you well, my love?"
Rita gestured impatiently. "Yes, of course, but never mind that. It worked, didn't it? And we have the item?"
Zedd lacked the facial expression to smile, but Rita realized she was starting to be able to interpret his moods, even the subtle ones, based on his gestures and demeanor. He looked relaxed. Possibly even happy. Or did she sense that through their bond. She felt oddly closer to him than she had since they'd first married.
"Indeed," Zedd said. "The Power Rangers never had the chance to test the White Ranger's sword and find the slight corruption in its power, a corruption that has spread to all the Zords now that those fools have been forced to join all their Zords together. And as for the item…"
He called for Goldar, who appeared after a few moments of waiting.
"You have it, Goldar?"
Goldar bowed to Zedd and then, after a worried and guilty glance, Rita. "Yes, my lord and empress." He held out his hand, where a tiny sliver of brown leather was just visible. "I cut this piece of the sheath. I'm sure the Rangers did not notice."
"I'm positive," Rita said. "They were far too distracted, and, like with the White Ranger's sword, they didn't have time." She found she was cradling her injured wrist unconsciously, and she forced herself to stop and relax. "Those Power Rangers will never see what hit them."
Goldar bowed again, and then seemed to struggle with words.
"Take the item to Finster for safekeeping," Zedd said dismissively.
"Hold on," Rita said, sitting up in the throne. "Goldar, you have something to say. If it's a misgiving about the mission, it's best to report it now. We can't afford screwups or mistakes."
"No, my empress," Goldar said. "The mission was a success. It's… just…"
"Were you troubled by what those Ranger said?" Rita said. "You'd think the Pink Ranger would be more imaginative than to keep bringing up Tommy's time working for me."
"I allowed you to be hurt, my empress," Goldar said, collapsing on his knees.
Rita looked at him in shock. She looked from Goldar to Zedd, and in Zedd she somehow sensed… approval.
"I know you said you neither want nor need my protection, but you were placed in danger with me right beside you. I should have taken the blow."
Rita remembered the look he'd given her, when she'd nearly strangled him. She'd come back to the Moon Palace in a vindictive mood. She hadn't been able to take her revenge on Zedd, unless you counted the love potion and subsequent marriage as revenge. So she'd taken it out on Goldar. Goldar, who had been willing to sacrifice everything for her. She still wished he hadn't. She was a ruler, not a princess to protect.
And, yet, that was the point. She was a ruler, a liege lord. Her servants served and protected her, and she protected them. It was as it always had been. Revenge wasn't all it was cracked up to be.
Zedd stood to the side, willing to allow Rita to solve this problem herself. He wasn't a servant, but an equal. A co-ruler who had acted as such in this plan, and it had been a success. Together, they were far more than they were ever apart. No, their marriage wasn't revenge. It had been a love potion that brought them together, but this, right here, was real.
"There's been no lasting harm, Goldar," Rita said, rising from the throne. "You did well, and I wouldn't want anyone else by my side… besides my husband, of course," she said with a smile. "Now leave us."
Goldar bowed again, looking at once shocked and, for the first time in a long time, relieved.
"That was generous of you," Zedd commented. "You had every right to punish him."
"And what would that accomplish?" Rita said teasingly. "You're far too quick to resort to torture. It makes ruling more difficult than it need be. In making your plans, did you ever consider that you could perhaps learn from me?" She ended with a smile.
"It had, actually," Zedd said. "I suppose I never considered that you were as much a ruler as I." He surveyed the throne room, still very much his. "I promised you the stars," he ended lamely.
"Not yours to promise, nor to give," Rita said, approaching him to pull him in an embrace. "But perhaps ours to take… together." She flicked her uninjured hand, and music filled the room. "Do you know how to waltz?"
"I don't," Zedd admitted, "but perhaps I can learn from you."
Rita laughed. "As long as you don't step on my toes, I think I can manage that."
"You've been holding out on us."
The rest of the Rangers were gone. The spell had finally gotten to Tommy and Kimberly; as soon as they'd teleported back to the Command Center, they'd immediately started yelling at each other, mainly about what they'd yelled to each other while fighting in front of Rita. Clearly, they'd gotten rather too personal, and the spell was augmenting their very real hurt feelings. Aisha and Rocky had grabbed Kimberly, and Billy and Adam had grabbed Tommy, teleporting them both home.
Billy had doubled back, however, hoping to catch Zordon before he disappeared again. There needed to be a conversation, and Tommy was in no condition to be the one to confront Zordon. Billy presumed he was the most appropriate, after Tommy and Kimberly.
"Alpha and I had only recently completed the repairs to Tor," Zordon said. "I was going to bring it up at the next meeting."
Billy's eyebrows shot up. "So you were going to attend the next meeting. I wondered, since you skipped the last one."
Zordon did not answer. Billy wondered if he was feeling shame, or merely impatience that one of his Ranger was questioning him.
"I admit I lost track of time," Zordon finally said when Billy did not continue. "It is far too easy to do when I'm in my dimension and not interacting with this one."
"You've been doing a lot of that lately," Billy pointed out. "And you've been avoiding us. I think we deserve to know why."
Zordon's eyes narrowed. "I don't believe you do, Blue Ranger."
Zordon was trying to intimidate him. Trying to pull rank, rather than communicate openly or give a reason for his recent lapses. That scared Billy, but not for the reasons Zordon intended. It scared him because he now knew that Zordon was hiding something. Something he had no good reason to hide.
"I remember a time when you, rightfully, chastised and punished me for keeping important and dangerous secrets from you and my fellow Rangers," Billy said, trying to keep his voice neutral. "You also said you would work with me and monitor my progress. I can't remember the last time you responded to any of my reports without fobbing it off on Alpha."
"I have followed your progress," Zordon said, and Billy was shocked to hear he sounded rather defensive. "You have been doing remarkably well."
"Not my point, but thank you," Billy said. "Zordon, my point is that you can talk to us. If there's something we need to know…"
"There isn't," Zordon said. "It's merely a personal problem. I will take your advice and try to communicate more. I assume you are tired after today's battle?"
Billy knew a dismissal when he heard it. He lingered one moment more, but Zordon was firm. He wasn't going to say a thing.
The votes were in. The freshman and sophomore classes had already held assemblies announcing their new student government nominees. People stared at the junior class as they filed in to take their turn. Word of the class president debate had spread quickly, how two candidates who were dating had basically laid into each other on stage. Most were treating it as a joke, though some juniors were rather embarrassed about the whole thing. Most of those being the friends of the two presidential candidates.
Rocky and Adam were waiting around for Billy and Aisha to show up so they could sit together for moral support. Whoever won would give a speech, so they were preparing for the worst.
When Billy and Aisha finally arrived, they were unexpectedly all smiles. Aisha held up a bottle, and Rocky and Adam smiled to match.
"Is that what I think it is?" Adam said.
"A cure for the rivalry spell, just finished," Aisha said. "All we have to do is spray it on them."
"I would suggest doing it before any of them have to give any speeches," Rocky pointed out. "We don't want a repeat of yesterday."
"On it," Aisha said. "I need to be back there anyway."
She ran backstage, expecting to see anything from the two giving each other the silent treatment to full-on battle to hair-pulling. She breathed a sigh of relief when all she saw was Tommy and Kimberly muttering insults at each other while Bulk looked on uncomfortably.
Trying to act natural, she sprayed both Tommy and Kimberly as they filed onto the stage, which was currently hidden by the curtain. She then joined the other class government candidates over to the side.
Ms. Appleby took the stage and with a few stern glances quieted the auditorium. "Welcome, class of 1997. Your votes have been tallied, and we're here to present your new student government."
There was a series of thumps behind the curtain, and Ms. Appleby gave a worried glance to the drawn curtain, but continued. The Rangers, sitting together, exchanged their own worried glances. Had the cure not worked? Had Aisha not been able to give them the cure?
Ms. Appleby hesitantly continued. "We'll first announce the class president, and then vice-president, treasurer, and secretary, after which our new class president will give an acceptance speech. But, first," she said, slightly faltering there were more thumped and hissed whispering behind the curtain, "let's all give a round of applause for all of our candidates."
There was a desultory round of applause from the crowd as the curtain raised, followed by surprised laughs, whoops, and much more enthusiastic applause.
"Hey, they made up!" One guy yelled from the crowd.
Mr. Caplan was already running to the stage, his wig slipping as he took the stairs two at a time to help Ms. Appleby usher Tommy and Kimberly off stage. They had knocked a microphone stand down and were currently pressed against the teetering podium, lips locked in an aggressive and increasingly intimate embrace.
"Take it off!" a guy yelled.
"Both of you!" a girl chimed in.
Tommy's suit jacket was already on the ground and his shirt was open, only held together by a loosened tie. Kimberly had almost gotten her top off before Ms. Appleby blocked the view and half-tackled Kimberly backstage. Mr. Caplan pulled Tommy backstage by the ear, and the onlooking crowd let out a mix of disappointed groans and whoops of approval.
Rocky and Adam immediately looked at Billy. Billy looked like he was trying not to laugh, especially as he watched Aisha holding her head in exasperation. He'd walked in on Tommy and Kimberly enough times to not be shocked by the display.
"I think," he said low enough for the others to hear, "the cure had an immediate and radical opposite effect."
"So they went from hating each other to…" Adam said.
"Very much not hating each other," Billy said.
Rocky let out a low whistle. "At least it got the job done."
Mr. Caplan appeared, looking murderous, and everyone went dead silent. "Given… recent circumstances, we've had to make some adjustments to the ballot. But, first, I'd like to announce your vice-presidential, secretarial, and treasurer nominees."
Everyone cheered at each name, and the Rangers gave extra cheers as Aisha was announced as the new class treasurer. She still looked embarrassed for her friends, but definitely pleased.
"And now, your class president," Mr. Caplan said. He suddenly looked like he'd swallowed something unpleasant. "I regret to announce that I've had to forfeit the candidacy of Tommy Oliver and Kimberly Hart. Therefore, the new president of the class of 1997 is… Farcas Bulkmeyer."
There was a stunned silence, followed by a round of cheers from the members of the football team, which spurred everyone else into applause. Bulk stood on stage, looking rather stunned and lost. He didn't move, so Mr. Caplan grabbed his arm and led him to the microphone, which someone had set back upright.
"I… I didn't write a speech," Bulk whispered to Mr. Caplan. "I didn't really think I could win, I guess."
"Then I suggest you improvise," Mr. Caplan said. "You know how to do that."
Bulk steeled himself. He looked ready to fall through the floor. "Uhhhh… I… uhhhh…"
Several people laughed, and Mr. Caplan sighed, ready to take the mic away.
"I know most of you didn't vote for me," Bulk blurted out. The laughs died a bit, and Bulk looked like he was preparing to take a plunge. "I won by forfeit. Tommy and Kimberly both ran on a better platform than mine, at least until they started fighting and… other things."
There was a smattering of laughter.
"I've spent all this time wanting to find out who the Power Rangers are, but I guess I kinda missed the point. I guess what's important is we all stay safe. Our town gets attacked by monsters, and for some reason, they like to attack our spaces. The school, the Youth Center, the park… Those are our places. And we need keep safe. We need to look out for each other. So, as class president, I'm going to try to help everyone stay safe… and let the Power Rangers do their jobs. That's… that's all."
There was a rather surprised burst of applause and cheers, and Bulk slunk from the stage, not even acknowledging the crowd's reaction. He looked more like he wanted to throw up.
"All's well that ends well?" Rocky said weakly.
"At least no one's fighting anymore," Billy said. "I wonder what's going to happen to Tommy and Kimberly, though. Mr. Caplan looked livid."
Before anyone could respond, Aaron stooped over to talk to them. "I take it that was because of…" Aaron trailed off, not sure how to talk about Ranger business in public.
"Yeah," Adam said. "We cured them of a spell, and it sort of… backfired."
Aaron smirked. "All right. I'll handle it."
Billy looked cheered as Aaron walked off. "See? They'll be fine."
Rocky and Adam, though, looked perhaps even more worried.
"Aaron's way of handling things?" Rocky said. "Kimberly and Tommy may have rather Mr. Caplan just yell at them."
Aisha stood outside the boys' bathroom. After a few minutes, Skull walked out, looking a little green.
"How's he doing?" Aisha asked.
"I think he can't throw up anymore," he said, looking a little sick. "But then I was wrong the last two times." He laughed nervously. "I think I'll wait out here where I won't sick myself."
"So he's giving up looking for the Power Rangers' identities?" Aisha said. "Sounds like your wish came true."
"I dunno," Skull said. "From what he was saying up there, it sounds like he's got something else cooking. He usually has some big idea planned."
Before Aisha could respond, Bulk walked out, looking exhausted and still a little green. He tried to pull himself together when he saw Aisha.
"So, were you serious, what you said in the speech?" Aisha said. "You want to focus on student safety?"
Bulk's eyes went big. "That's… that's what I said. Right? Yes, it's what I said. And… I meant it."
Aisha grinned. "You panicked, had nothing to say, and said the first thing that came to mind."
Bulk frowned. "It's… it's not like I expected to be class president. I sorta had a plan to sneak in to the school records during one of the campaign meetings, but I never had the chance. And, I mean, Kimberly's really popular, and even Skull voted for her."
Skull looked affronted. "No! Of course I didn't I totally did I'm so sorry Bulky," he said all in a rush.
"I knew you did, buddy, don't even worry about it," Bulk said. "So, see? I probably just got the one vote."
"You got my vote," Aisha said.
"You're pulling my leg," Bulk said, though he looked rather flattered.
Aisha shrugged. "You stayed on topic, and I liked some of the suggestions you gave during planning meetings. You have a real talent for organization and thinking outside the box, and I knew we'd basically be voting in Skull as your assistant as well. Tommy and Kimberly are two of my best friends, but they are way too easy to distract." She smiled. "So, are you really serious about this? Focusing on student safety?"
Bulk and Skull merely stared at her, stunned at her genuine compliments.
"Because if you are," she said, walking away, "I think I have a few ideas. See you at the first meeting."
Tommy and Kimberly lay naked in an out-of-the-way room in the Command Center. This was where they usually went to fool around. It was approaching midnight, and their brains were starting to clear.
"I think…" Tommy said gasping, "that was the most fun I've ever had throwing off a spell."
Kimberly laughed, also out of breath, and Tommy joined her.
"Do you remember anything Mr. Caplan said?" Kimberly said through gasps of laughter.
Tommy scraped his hair back. It had gotten loose from its ponytail. In fact, both of their hair looked wild and matted, and he wondered if there was any way they could go home without everyone knowing what they'd been doing. At least Mr. Caplan hadn't called their homes.
"I think Aaron saved our butts, but I don't remember the details," Tommy said. "I'm pretty sure I escaped failing tenth grade, anyway."
"From what Aisha told me, Mr. Park can be a hardass," Kimberly noted. "Who knows what he'll have us doing."
They laid in silence, their bodies cooling as the effects of the spell and the cure left their system. As their minds cleared, they slowly remembered everything they'd done and said. They looked at each other, the unspoken sadness and remorse clear in their gazes.
"I'm really sorry," Tommy said.
"I'm sorry, too." Kimberly bit her lip. "I said some pretty terrible things. Things I didn't even believe."
"No… I mean…" Tommy took a breath. "I'm sorry about not telling you about Scorpina. I made excuses, but that wasn't fair to you. And, you're right, it wasn't fair to me. If we're going to be in this together, we have to be honest. I don't want you to get blindsided like that again."
Kimberly smiled. "It sucked to hear, and I kind of already knew, but I already reacted really badly. I mean, you were right, it's not like you had much of a choice." She hugged his chest. "And, I mean, we proved one thing."
"What's that?"
Kimberly smiled. "We can work together, even when we'renot getting along. The forces of evil… and social etiquette, apparently… can't pull us apart."
Tommy kissed the top of Kimberly's head. "You know, I think I may love you."
Kimberly looked up at him and wrinkled her nose. "I've been considering it myself, and I might possibly love you, too."
They kissed and pulled away sleepily. "It's good how things work out."
Lord Zedd and Rita Repulsa were shaken awake by a loud crash. Rita tore off her sleep mask and grabbed on a robe while Zedd detached himself from his medical equipment as quickly as he could.
"What do you think it is?" Rita said.
"Whoever it is, they shall pay with their lives," Zedd said. "I was having a particularly good dream."
They ran for the throne room, only to see Goldar, Finster, Squatt, and Babboo crowded around the balcony. There was smoke pouring into the room, which Rita dispelled with a wave of her wand.
Goldar had his sword out. "Intruder! Come out if you know what's good for you!"
"Yeah, come out so Goldar can chop you in half!" Squatt yelled. He was hiding behind Babboo.
"Out of the way, fools!" Lord Zedd said, and Finster, Squatt, and Babboo retreated, not wanting to stay between the intruder and the Z-staff. Goldar moved slightly, but he stayed on guard.
The smoke thinned to reveal a crashed one-man ship, similar to the one Scorpina used. There was a coughing, hacking sound coming from the cockpit, and the top raised. The silhouette was not the lithe Scorpina, however, but tall, with big, bony shoulders.
"Is this…" the voice said between hacking coughs, "any way to greet guests? I expect this from dad, but not from you."
Rita relaxed and laughed. "Rito Revolto, who in the galaxy taught you to drive?!"
The smoke finally dissipated altogether to reveal the bony skeleton and rictus smile of Rito Revolto. He'd stopped coughing with the loss of the smoke, as he didn't need to cough in the first place. "You did, sis. When we stole dad's cruiser and almost lost it to space pirates."
"Rita, you know this imbecile?" Lord Zedd demanded.
"My baby brother, Rito," Rita said by way of introduction. "Rito, meet my husband, Lord Zedd."
Rito looked over Zedd, who was still brandishing his Z-staff threateningly. "How ya doing, Ed?" he said. "Say, sorry about the damage. Never could get the hang of landings."
"It's Zedd… Lord Zedd to the likes of you, and what is the meaning of this intrusion? It's the middle of the night!"
Rito shrugged. "I mean, time's relative, right? And speaking of relative, I guess you're my brother-in-law, right? I missed the wedding, but I figured I could still come visit my big sister. You know, while I have the time and all."
Rita sighed. "You need a job, don't you?"
Rito laughed. "Well… I mean, I might be a little unemployed. And homeless. And possibly blacklisted from most of the job boards…"
"You can't be serious," Lord Zedd said.
"Come on, Zeddy, he's family," Rita said. "And I owe him, anyway."
Rito finally looked over at Goldar, who was still pointing his sword at him, waiting for the word to attack. He put his hands up. "Whoa there, big guy. Get up on the wrong side of the bed?"
"It's the middle of the night!" Goldar pointed out.
"Tell ya what," Rito said. "Let me work one mission on a trial basis, and I guarantee excellent results. By the way… here's your wedding present."
Rito ran back to the ship and pulled out an egg. It was attached to a heating device. "We'll have to put this in a proper incubator soon, but it should still be fine."
"Is that what I think it is?" Rita said.
"Yes, and plenty more where that came from," Rito said. "You don't want to know where I got them, but they're all yours… you and Ed's."
Lord Zedd advanced on him, but Rita intervened. "We do need extra help on the next mission. Come on, what do you say?"
Zedd looked between the pleading faces of his wife and his new brother-in-law, with oddly identical expressions, and shrugged.
"On a trial basis, you say." Zedd grumbled. "Fine. But one toe out of line, and that bag of bones is flying out of here without the benefit of a ship."
Rita smiled. "There you are, Rito. Welcome to the team."
To be continued this summer in Ninja Quest.
