Tommy's eye colors:

Dark green - mortification/hysteria/panic

White orbs - control air element

Navy blue - assertive/sureness

WARNING - Discusses rape in harsh terms. But really, what would you expect from a Dark Lord.

CHAPTER 10 - WORST CRIME

So many locks but all to keep me in, Tommy thought to himself as he faced the sink, refusing to turn towards the dark lord that was leaning oh so casually in the doorway to the bathroom, watching him. Of course the fucker wouldn't give me a way to lock him out.

"Is she correct?" Zedd demanded finally. "Were you raped by some earthlings? Were you used so much that you took off on your own and refuse any aid by the species that so harmed you?"

When Tommy didn't respond, didn't move at all, Zedd stalked into the room and grabbed the boy's arm, forcing him to turn and face the dark emperor. Tommy's hair fell into his face, masking his eyes from view. Zedd's free hand casually brushed the hair back then he lifted Tommy's chin until their eyes met. The boy's dark green eyes held all the confirmation Zedd needed. He released his grip on Tommy's arm and the boy immediately backed into the counter behind him, putting as much distance as possible between them.

At Tommy's continued silence, Zedd said, "Tell me, my boy, why do you fight for that world? Why fight for those that have only used you, hurt you in the worst possible way?"

"Not the worst way," Tommy finally said. "I don't fight for them."

Zedd chuckled. "What could be worse, child, than someone taking you like that? Someone overpowering you, forcing themselves on you, forcing themselves in you. What is worse than someone touching you, taking you in a way no child should ever experience?" Zedd closed the distance between them, stopping a hairbreadth away and breathed in his ear, "What did you tell yourself is worse, child? What did you tell yourself when your clothes were removed and you stood naked before them? When they held you down and took their pleasure from you. When you felt their skin against your skin, felt their hot breath? What did you tell yourself?" He waited a breath for the response he knew wasn't coming. "Did they tie you down when you fought, child, or did they just pin you with their greater size and strength? Did you always fight or did you give in, give up when you realized you could not win? Did you give them what they wanted, please them how they wanted because you thought it would be better that way, because you thought it could be worse? What, child, is worse?"

"Get out of my face," Tommy hissed. All color fled his eyes leaving white orbs behind and suddenly a force of air pushed Zedd back and out the door.

From just outside the bathroom door, Zedd stared at Tommy in shock. He's an elemental, he thought to himself. Air elemental, a weaker element but still impressive enough. He will be most useful. The boy seems just as shocked so he must have just come into the power. That is good, it'll be much easier to mold him if he had no set ideas.

"Admit it, child," Zedd goaded, "there is nothing worse than what they did to you. Yet you choose to fight for them, against one that offers you true Power."

"Rita," Tommy spat the name. "She's worse. What she did to me is worse. She touched what they never could. And she's yours. She's part of your empire." He took a breath, his navy blue gaze strong and sure. "I do not fight for those fuckers. I fight for my world and my people. I fight for what's worth fighting for. I do not fight for perverted waste of spaces like those fuckers, Rita, you!"

"I have never raped anyone," Zedd stated, matter-of-fact. "I would never even think of touching a child in that manner. You will not compare me to those that have." He paused, letting the boy take in those words fully before continuing. "Rita is my servant. As you said, she is part of my empire. Her actions, however, are not my own. If you'll remember, I had her arrested as soon as I arrived here."

"Because she stole your family's Power Coin, because she was trying to overthrow you," Tommy pointed out. "Not because of that damned spell of hers. That wasn't illegal. That's allowed in your empire. That makes you no better than her."

"Accept your place in my empire and you may pass any law you wish against control spells," Zedd offered. "I will also allow you to name Rita's punishment."

888

Connor stopped Jason. "You're sure you can pull this off?"

"I'm sure," Jason said. He glanced over his gathered team. "We're sure. Just do your part, Con."

Harry met Connor's eyes and swore, "We'll get Tommy back. Whatever it takes."

Justin and Billy finished their work and joined the rest of the gathered Rangers. "Everything's set," Justin said.

Billy added, "We won't get a better chance than this."

Harry enthusiastically said, "Let's get moving then! We've got a castle to nuke."

"We're not bringing a nuclear device," Billy pointed out.

"Whatever. Can we go?"

Jason couldn't help but grin as he called out, "It's Morphin' Time!"

888

Continued - Let me know what you think. Review