Tommy's eye colors:

Royal blue - nervousness/irritation/insecure/confusion

Navy blue - assertive/sureness

CHAPTER 15 - SEARCHES AND BATTLE PLANS

Snape was unsure what to think of this little town. He'd spoken to several people around town already yet received no answers. Even Legilimancy found nothing - it was as though everyone in this town had the strongest Occlumency shields he'd ever come across anywhere, and all of them were the same. No matter how he asked, the only thing he was told, aloud or through Legilimancy was 'Angel Grove looks after her own'. They would be friendly and open when he first approached, their minds unshielded until he said anything even remotely related to his search. It made no sense, how could it possibly be more difficult to find information in muggles than even among the strongest and best trained wizards and witches alive?

Suddenly, the ground shook and alarms screamed. "It's alright," the woman who had just closed off to him said, smiling kindly once again. She grabbed her purse and ushered him out the door, locking it behind her. "It's just another monster attack. The Youth Center's the closest safety zone, that's where I'm headed."

Monster attack? Snape wondered to himself. But he followed the woman, figuring a place called the Youth Center would be a good place to look for the boys.

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Within the Rangers' base, the three teams gathered in the war room. There were multiple attacks, all minor it seemed. Tommy frowned as he looked at the screens. Putties were causing havoc in the park, Goldar and putties were on the docks, Scorpina and putties were across town in a shopping center, and a snake creature and putties were in the streets near the Youth Center.

Tommy's eyes flashed royal blue in confusion at this. A snake creature was an odd choice. Yes, Zedd had an affinity with them because of who and what he was but Tommy had the same. He couldn't take control away from Zedd but it was also highly doubtful that such a creature would be willing to harm Tommy even at Zedd's orders. Such a conflict within the creature would only weaken the attack. But Tommy did have to admit that this way, Zedd would know exactly which battleground Tommy would join.

"Alright. Remember, no one show more than necessary. Zack, Trini, morph out to the docks. Striker and Blade, teleport somewhere nearby and stay unseen," Tommy reminded. As they left, Tommy continued, "Jason and Billy take Scorpina. Harmony and Rocky, background. Harry and Kim to the park with Adam and Candy as backup. I know it's just putties but you never know what else Zedd'll send."

Harry hesitated. "That means you're taking on the snake alone?"

"Visibly, yes." Tommy's navy blue gaze bore into Harry's green eyes. "You will not come anywhere near that battlefield. We do not need Zedd learning your connection to serpents."

Though he wanted to argue, Harry knew better. He nodded in agreement and morphed out with Kim. Adam and Candy Cane teleported after them.

"Brandy, you're with me," Tommy said. "Con, Kat, monitor from here. Call in any changes needed, just don't send Harry anywhere near me. Justin, be ready for any casualties."

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Snape quickly pulled the woman into the alley as the corrosive spit from the snake creature hit the sidewalk where she'd been standing. The ground sizzled as the venom ate through the cement, leaving no doubt as to what would have happened had it hit them.

What is this place? Snape wondered to himself as he led the woman to hide behind a dumpster. This is the muggle world! This thing doesn't belong. Merlin! Even the Wizardry World doesn't have ten foot long spit vipers roaming the streets with strange grey men whose movement shows they cannot possibly be human.

"Perhaps we should return to your shop?" he suggested.

The woman frantically shook her head no. She started to speak, stopping as her eyes caught something in the street. "The Green Ranger! We're saved!" Snape didn't look convinced. The woman continued, "Just wait. He'll have those things gone in no time."

The Green Ranger stood in the middle of the street, staring down the snake creature. Lifting his hands send a sudden gust of air through the street.

Snape watched in hidden shock as the grey men were blown away, falling to pieces which quickly crumbled into dust.

"Wow!" the woman exclaimed. "I've never seen one of them do that!"

"Hey," a young girl said from behind them. Snape spun around into a defensive stance which relaxed slightly as he took in the child's appearance. Dressed in yellow short shorts and a yellow halter top, she couldn't have been over fifteen, he'd guess younger, so small she didn't look like she could hurt a fly. "I'm supposed to get everyone off the streets while he has them distracted. There's a back way into the Youth Center, that's the best place here. Follow me." With that, the girl skipped off down the alley, away from the fighting.

The woman followed after immediately. Snape looked back towards the battle - or rather, the standoff, then decided to follow as well. Though he was somewhat curious how the fight would proceed, it was more prudent to get clear of such an unknown. And the Youth Center still seemed the best bet for finding the boys.

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Continued - Let me know what you think. Review