Authors Note: This chapter took a little longer to complete than I planned, but it also ended up being a longer chapter than I planned. Hopefully you guys enjoy this. Please read and review.
Chapter 13
Zack teleports into the command center and finds the other rangers there. "So, what's going on?" Zack asks. "Do we know why Goldar and the putties attacked me, then the Green Ranger showed up and they all bailed?"
"Patience, Zackary." Zordon says. "At this point, Rita's plan is unknown to us."
"It just seems so weird." Zack says.
"Yeah." Jason says. "And the way Goldar responded when the Green Ranger showed up definately makes me think he had no idea the Green Ranger was coming."
"Do you think Goldar attacked on us on his own?" Kim asks.
"It wouldn't be out of character, but I don't think so." Billy says. "I'm pretty sure Goldar mention Rita ordered him to attack Zack."
"By the way, Zack, did you ever find Tommy?" Kim asks.
"Nah." Zack says. "I looked around for a while, but I have no idea where he could have went. Eventually, I figured I better head back so I could meet you guys here."
"Look, we need some sort of plan." Trini says. "We struggle enough with Goldar and the putties. We don't need that Green Ranger just showing up whenever he wants. We could be done for."
"What about figuring out who the Green Ranger is?" Billy says. "From what I gathered from the people at D.E.T.A., the Green Ranger has to be human. Maybe if we can figure out who he is in person, we can get him to stop working for Rita?"
"Whoever he is, he's under the control of Rita." Jason says. "I don't think talking things out is a realistic solution."
"Maybe the people at D.E.T.A. have some idea who he is or at least the weaknesses of the Green Ranger powers." Trini says.
"Even if they did know, it's not exactly like we're their favorite people." Zack points out. "I seriously doubt they'd help us."
"That Jones guy did." Kim says.
"He's just one person, though." Billy says. "I think it would be best for us if we were to leave D.E.T.A. out of this."
"It was just a suggestion." Trini said. "If anyone knows about the Green Ranger, it would be them."
"True, but I think Billy's right." Jason says. "Let's leave D.E.T.A out of this as long as we can."
"Rangers, Zordon and I will continue to gather as much information on the Green Ranger as we can while you are at school tomorrow." Alpha says. All the rangers jump a little at this statement.
"Whoa, I almost forgot about having school tomorrow." Kim says.
"Yeah." Zack says. "How are we supposed to focus on school work when the Green Ranger could attack at any time?"
"We have to try." Jason says. "Unless the Green Ranger attacks, then there's no reason for us not to go to school. We don't want to fall behind on our school work."
"Right." Billy says. "Besides we don't want to raise any suspicion about us. If we aren't there, are teachers would begin to wonder where we were."
"Go home and get some rest, rangers." Zordon says. "Alpha and I will alert you if you're needed for anything."
"Will do, Zordon." Jason says. The rangers all raise their wrists out in front of them and teleport away.
Commander Harrison is sitting at his desk, looking over some paperwork. He hears a knock on his door. "Yes?" Harrison says, wondering who is there. Butler opens the door and walks in. "Butler? What are you doing here?" Harrison asks.
Butler slowly walks into the room. He walks over to a chair in front of Harrison's desk. "I've failed, sir." Butler says. "The Green Ranger was too much for us. Thank god the Power Rangers showed up and saved us."
"Wait, what?" Harrison says. "I thought we had those kids captured here."
"Well, they showed up, so apparently they got out." Butler says. "But it's a good thing they did, otherwise the Green Ranger would have killed us. We don't have the power to defeat him."
"We don't have to defeat him." Harrison says, sipping on his coffee. "I've talked to the engineers who designed the Green Ranger powers. All we need to do is get the power coin back. If we can do that, the user will be worthless."
"Sir, the rest of the men in my troop have returned to the army base." Butler says. "They don't believe in you. I am the only one who returned. They said they signed up to serve in the army, not to work for D.E.T.A. My believe is that if working for you is what is best for this country then that is what I should be doing. That being said,I don't believe I'm up to this challenge by myself."
"Listen, Butler, the fate of the world depends on you completing this job." Harrison says.
"What about forming an alliance with the Power Rangers?" Butler says. "They're on our side."
"The Power Rangers are not on our side!" Harrison shouts. "They are a bunch of kids, who are getting in the way of both military and government action! We will not work with them! That is not an option!"
"OK, sir." Butler says. "I'm sorry, I didn't realize I was hitting on a sore spot with that suggestion. However, I'm not sure how you want me to go about getting the Green Ranger power coin. It's not like he's just going to hand it over."
"Our brightest minds are working on a strategy at the moment." Harrison says. "If it's just you who is willing to help, then perhaps you should meet with them. They are in meeting room 3A. I'll alert them you are on your way."
Butler stands up. He salutes Harrison. "Yes sir." Butler says. He turns and walks out of the room and heads to meeting room 3A.
Rita is watching this whole situation unfold through her telescope on her moon base. She pulls away from the telescope. "So, they want to take back the Green Ranger power coin!" She says laughing. "They can try all they want. They won't be able to." She looks at Goldar who is standing next to her. "Do you want another chance to prove your loyalty Goldar?"
"Of course, my Queen." Goldar says, bowing his head.
"Take a squad of putties with you to the D.E.T.A. facility." She yells. "Make sure that the DNA lock on the green ranger powers is activated."
Goldar bows and pulls his sword over his chest. He disappears from sight. "Once the DNA lock is activated, Tommy will be under my spell forever, unless the Sword of Darkness is destroyed." Rita says. "Only Zordon knows that secret, though. That's it! I'll disable the Power Rangers connection with Zordon! Tommy, it's time for your next assignment." She laughs maniacally.
Butler walks into the conference room and sees a group of D.E.T.A. officials sitting in there. Jones is the only one he recognizes. "Nathan." Butler says, and Jones looks at him.
"You're Butler, right?" Jones says. "Commander Harrison said you would be coming down."
"The rest of the troops have not returned." Butler says. "I'm all you've got."
"So I've heard." Jones says. "I'd like you to meet our strategic team. This is Mr. Chris Fields, director of research here at D.E.T.A., and one of our brightest staff members." Fields is an Asian-American, standing at 5'10. He has short black hair, which is combed over. He appears to be in his late 30's, or early forties.
"Next to him is Mr. Jordan Owens. Owens was the one in charge during the creation of the Green Ranger powers." Jones continues. Owens is a caucasian in his mid 40's, stands 6'1 and has brown hair, which some grey in it.
Jones points to the last man. "And our third member and final member, besides myself, is William Pickett. Pickett is a former military strategist brought on to aid our weapons development." Picket is a 6'1 African-American with a shaved head. He glares at Butler.
"Nice to meet all of you." Butler says.
"Cut the pleasantries, kid." Pickett says. "We're hear on business."
"Sir, yes sir." Butler says.
"Our strategy is simple." Owens says. "As long as the DNA lock on the Green Ranger is not activated, the coin is still of value to us. We get the coin back, and then Rita no longer has a Green Ranger. Instead, we have one, and access to our Dragonzord."
"What do you mean access to the Dragonzord?" Butler asks. "It's still in our possesion, isn't it?
"Yes, but only the Green Ranger can use it." Owens explains. "That's part of the reason we need to get the coin back and make sure the DNA lock does not get activated."
"In theory, that's a good idea." Butler says. "But how to expect one man to be able to get the Green Ranger's power coin. It's a suicide mission."
"It's not." Pickett says. "You're not going in alone. The Power Rangers will be there with you."
"But Commander Harrison we're not working with the Power Rangers…" Butler says.
"We're not." Pickett says. "But I can assure you that they will be drawn out during the next Green Rangers attack. While they keep him busy, you will sneak in to the fight."
"Getting the coin will be exceedingly difficult." Fields says. "It is housed where a Belt-buckle would ordinarily be."
"You'll only have chance at this." Pickett says.
"Owens and I have been working on a new weapon." Fields says. "It's not 100% operational yet, but, once it's completed it should be able to send an enemy into a state of shock long enough for you to get in, grab the coin, and get out. Maybe a 5 second window."
For a brief second, an orange glow appears over the table in the middle of the room. Then Goldar appears with a swarm of putties. Jones quickly panics and notices a door behind. He immediately opens the door and slips in. Pickett is caught off guard and falls back in his chair on to the floor. The putties grab both Owens and Fields. Butler quickly jumps into action and tries to free Owens and Fields by kicking the putties, but Goldar comes up behind him and grabs him.
"That weapon sounds great!" Goldar shouts. "To bad it will never be completed." He lifts Butler off the ground with one hand and holds his sword across the throat of Butler with the other hand.
"What do you want with us?" Owens asks.
"Tell me how to activate the DNA lock on the Green Ranger powers!" Goldar demands.
"Why would we tell you that?" Fields asks.
"I'm sorry." Goldar growls. "Did you think that was a question? Tell me now!" Goldar glares at the men, all whom are in a state of shock. "I'm waiting." Goldar says. Still no one answers him. "Times up!" Goldar says.
Jones, hiding in the closet he managed to sneak in to, listens in horror to the screams and shouts of his colleagues. He can tell by the sound that they are being murdered. After about a minute, but what seemed like an eternity to Jones, the sounds are silenced. Jones hears Goldar yell at the putties "They were not going to be of any use to us anyway! We'll have to find a way to activate it on it's."
Jones sits in the closet in fear. He's afraid to leave, not knowing if Goldar and the putties are still out there. He sits in the closet until he hears a long period of complete silence. At that point, he slowly opens the door. He looks at the room, which now has blood splattered all around it. He looks at the now lifeless bodies of Owens, Pickett, Fields, and Butler.
"That monster." Jones says to no one. He walks over to Pickett and notices a large hole in chest, and a knot forms in his stomach. His eyes widen as he thinks of everyone else in the facility and how much danger they are in. He quickly pulls out his cell phone and dials Commander Harrison's number. There's no answer. "Oh god." Jones says. "This is bad. This is really bad." He turns around and notices that Owens is actually moving.
"OWENS!" Jones says, running over to him. Owens turns his head to look at him. "You're alive." Jones continuities. "I thought you were… I mean I thought that gold guy…"
"No." Owens says, struggling to get to his feet. "He stabbed me, but he didn't hit any vital organs. I just laid there hoping he would leave. I wish I could say the same about the others, but they weren't so lucky."
"We need to get you to a hospital." Jones says. "And evacuate this facility. Anyone that gold creep has murdered yet needs to get out now."
"Not just yet." Owens said. "First I need to get to the research and development wing and destroy the DNA lock program for the Green Ranger powers. If that monster activates the DNA lock, we're all screwed."
"Why didn't you destroy the program already?" Jones asks.
"There would have still been a major use for the program if we got the coin back." Owens explains. "Give it to someone, activate the DNA lock and then no one else could ever use the Powers. However, since that seems nearly impossible now, we have to destroy it! Now!"
"Look, I get that we need to do that, but we should still sound the alarm and give everyone in the facility a fighting chance to get out of here alive!" Jones yells at him.
"Then you do that!" Owens says. "I need to get there and destroy the program before that big ape finds it."
"Then quit yelling at me and go do that." Jones says. Owens nods and starts to but can't walk very fall before falling over.
"Owens!?" Jones says, rushing to his side. "Are you OK?"
"Of course I am. I'm just lying on the floor because it's fun!" Owens says, sarcastically. "I guess he got me worse than I realized. Quick, go sound the alarm, then help me get to the R&D wing."
Jones rushes down the hall to a nearby control room. He rushes in there to find it empty. He rushes behind the control panel to sound the alarm when his foot runs in to something. He looks down and sees the security guard who had been stationed in this room, lying, dead, on the floor. Jones takes a deep breath and then slams his hand on the button that sounds the alarm. There are speakers all throughout the D.E.T.A. facility that all start sounding the alarm. Along with the alarm is a computerized woman's voice saying. "Attention all D.E.T.A. employees. Emergency! Please exit the facility." That phrase continues, on a loop.
Jones rushes back to where Owens was. "All right, let's go." Jones says, helping Owens to his feet. Owens wraps his arm around the back of Jones neck and they start to go. Owens is able to move someone quickly, but is limping pretty badly. As this is happening, hundreds of D.E.T.A. employees attempt to rush to the exit. As quickly as they can, Jones and Owens make their way to the Research and Development wing of the facility. "OK, Owens, so how do we destroy the DNA Lock program?" Jones asks.
"Over there." Owens says pointing to a computer about 50 feet away. "I can destroy the program from right there."
"I'm guessing that also where you activate it!" They hear a voice from behind say. They turn and see Goldar, standing right behind them. "Did you really think I thought you were dead, foolish human?" Goldar slowly walks towards the two men. "I knew you were alive and would lead me right to the program."
Jones looks at Owens, who nods back at him. Jones quickly lets Owens fall to the floor and then takes off running towards the computer. Jones doesn't get halfway there before a squad of putties appear in front of him and grab him. They throw him to the ground.
"I'm not going to kill either of you." Goldar says. "There'd be no fun in that. Instead, I'm keeping you alive so that you can see the destruction of your world." Goldar walks up to the computer and presses on the keyboard. The screen saver turns off the and DNA Lock program is already loaded up. "Someone must have been working on this before you foolishly sounded the alarm. Lucky for me, not so much for you." Goldar locates part of the screen where the DNA Lock is. There is a slider that is currently on inactive. He slides it to where it says active. I window on the computer pops up that says "Are you sure you wish to activate the DNA Lock? Once activated, it can not be deactivated." Goldar presses yes, and the DNA Lock is completed. Goldar notices something else on the screen.
"What's this?" Goldar says. "Instruction for how to activate the Green Rangers Dragonzord. Very interesting!" He looks at the screen for a few seconds, then laughs. "Putties! Our mission here is complete. Let us return to Rita!" He pulls his sword across his chest, glows orange and disappears. The putties all disappear as well. Jones gets up and runs back over to Owens.
"Owens, are you OK?"Jones asks.
"It's over." Owens says. "We can't win now. Not with some of our brightest minds dead and our best weapon permanently out of our hands. And if he can figure out how to use the Dragonzord, there's no end to the destruction that the Green Ranger can cause."
"Look, you're alive." Jones says. "That's all that matters right now. Let's get you to a hospital." Jones helps Owens to his feet. "I hope Commander Harrison is alright. He wasn't answering his phone right before I found you alive. He might have some idea what to do now." They head slowly head for the exit, and then the nearest hospital.
Tommy sits in his room before school. He is sitting on his bed when he suddenly he hears Rita's voice. "Tommy! I have a new mission for you!" Rita says.
Tommy stands. "What is it, my empress?" Tommy asks.
"You must go to the Power Rangers Command Center. Once there, disable Alpha 5 and dispose of the connection to Zordon. Without them, them the Power Rangers will be worthless."
"Of course!" Tommy says. "Then the world will be yours for the taking. It shall be done my queen."
"Good." Rita voice says. Then Tommy feels all alone again. The voice is gone. Tommy smiles, until he hears a knock on the door.
"Tommy." His uncles voice says. "Tommy, who are you talking to?"
Tommy rushes to his bedroom door and opens it. "No one, Uncle Frank." Tommy says. "I was just thinking out loud. I've got something I need to take care of before school, and I just remembered it."
"Did you forget about a homework assignment?" His uncle asks.
"No nothing like that." Tommy says. "Just someone I've got to meet with." He grabs his backpack and runs past his uncle.
"Tommy, you sure you're alright?" Uncle Frank asks. "You've been acting kind of strange lately. Getting your car towed, arguing with me about what you were doing, and now talking to yourself and rushing off to school early."
"Everything is fine Uncle Frank." Tommy says. "I know I was kind of a jerk this weekend, but I just had a lot on my mind, but I've really got to go." Tommy says he rushes down the stairs and out the front door slamming it behind him.
Tommy rushes to his car and speeds away. He gets to the school parking lot and then gets out of his car. He looks and around to make sure no one is watching then pulls out his morpher. "Dragonzord!" He shouts as he morphs into the Green Ranger. He then starts to laugh, and teleports away.
He lands in the command center. Alpha notices him. "Intruder alert! Intruder alert!" Alpha says.
"Shut up, you tin can." Tommy says as he pulls a plug out of Alpha's back. Without the plug in, Alpha shut off. His upper body falls forward but he remains on his feet. Zordon looks down at the Green Ranger.
"What are you doing here, and how did you enter the Command Center." Zordon asks.
"My empress Rita has commanded me here." Tommy says, as the Green Ranger. "She is my Queen and there is nothing you can do to stop me."
"Rita has you under and evil spell." Zordon says. "Please allow me to help you."
"You should worry about helping yourself!" Tommy says pointing at Zordon's tube. Tommy pulls the panels off the computers and starts pulling the wiring out. With each panel Tommy pulls off Zordon's image fades a little bit.
As Tommy is doing this, Zordon tries to plead with him. "Please, Green Ranger, stop this. I can save you. Don't do this. I'm losing my form. I'm losing contact with this dimension. Alpha! Alpha 5, wake up! You must contact the Rangers. NO!" It's no use, however, as Tommy continues to trash the command center. He pulls out off one more panel and Zordon disappears.
"It is done my empress." Tommy says laughing manically. "Zordon has been eliminated, and the Power Rangers are next." Tommy says. Then he teleports away leaving the command center in ruins.
Goldar enters Rita's palace and bows in front of her. "My queen, your wish has been completed. I have successfully activated the DNA lock on the Green Ranger powers. Tommy is now the Green Ranger forever."
"Excellent work, Goldar." Rita says.
"That's not all my queen, but I also discovered that the Green Rangers zord, the Dragonzord, is fully operation and being housed in the D.E.T.A. facility." Goldar continues" By using the Dragon Dagger like a flute, the Green Ranger can activate the zord and destroy the whole city."
"That is very good news indeed, but as long as those power brats are still out there, they might be able to stop that with their Megazord." Rita says. She looks at Goldar. "For your loyal service to me Goldar, go to my Dark Dimension and wait. Very soon, Tommy will be sending you a little prize to play with."
"Yes, my queen." Goldar says. Once again, he pulls his sword across his chest and disappears. Rita smiles and laughs.
"For once, everything is going my way. And with Zordon out of the way, no one can stop me!" Rita yells.
Tommy teleports back by his car at school. He quickly looks around to make sure no one saw him. When he realizes no one did, he grabs his backpack and walks into school. He goes to his locker and puts his backpack in it, grabbing only a few books he needs to carry. Kim comes up behind him.
"Hey Tommy, what happened this morning?" Kim asks. Tommy ignores her. "Tommy?"
"What is it Kimberly?!" He says, snapping at her.
"No need to get so angry." Kim says. "I just thought you were going to give me a ride to school, but when I went to your house, your uncle said you already left. It's not a big deal. I mean, I did have to walk to school, but it's not that far. I was just wondering what happened or why you didn't tell me you couldn't give me a ride."
"Something came up, OK?" Tommy says, slamming his locker.
"Whoa. Tommy are you alright?" Kim asks. "You're acting like…"
"Like what, Kim?" Tommy says.
"...Like you're mad at me." Kim says.
"You ever think I had other things on my mind?" Tommy yells at her. "Look, you're not the center of my universe. Something came up, and I didn't tell you. Oh no. Kim doesn't know everything going on in my life." Tommy shakes his head and storms off.
"Well excuse me for living." Kim yells at him as he leaves. Kim goes to her locker and her friends all come up behind her.
"What's going on, Kim." Jason asks.
"Tommy's acting super weird, you guys." Kim says. "First he leaves without me and I have to walk to school, then he just yells at me for no reason once I get here."
"Maybe he's just nervous about something." Billy says. "Nerves often cause people to do things that other construe as angry."
"Maybe…" Kim says. "But what would he be so nervous about."
"I might have an idea." Zack says smiling and pointing to a sign next to him. The sign reads 'Homecoming Dance: This Saturday'. "I bet he wants to ask you to the dance but is nervous about it."
"Maybe, but if that was the case, wouldn't be, like, super nice to me, not mean?" Kim asks.
"He don't worry about, Kim." Jason says. "You're over thinking it. I'd be willing to bet whatever is on Tommy's mind will blow over in a day or two and he'll be back to the same old Tommy that we all know and one of us loves and the rest of us tolerate." Zack and Trini laugh. Kim ignores the comment.
"Hopefully he'll be back to normal soon." Kim says.
"Look, if you want, I'll go talk to him." Jason says. "Maybe clear the air a bit. After all, he's a martial artist, just like me. Maybe I can relate to him a little more than you can."
"You'd do that for me, Jase?" Kim asks.
"Of course, Kim." Jason says. "I'll talk to him at lunch."
The bell sounds and the rangers all go their separate ways to class.
Jason heads down the ramp to the cafeteria at lunch time, looking for Tommy. He walks asks around to few people. "You seen that new kid, Tommy?" He asks on girl, she shakes her head. "I need to talk to Tommy, you seen him?" Jason asks another guy.
"Sorry, haven't seen him." The guy says.
Jason keeps looking. He sees Tommy in the distance, heading out of the lunchroom. He runs after him. "Yo, Tommy. Wait up." Jason says. He catches up to Tommy.
"Jason, right? What do you want?" Tommy asks.
"Look, I know you don't know me, but I really think you should apologize to Kim." Jason says.
"Oh yeah?" Tommy says. "Do you really, now?"
"Yeah." Jason says. "I know whatever is going on with you probably has nothing to do with her, but she really feels like you're mad at her. She wouldn't be mad about you not giving her a ride if you had given her fair warning. She was almost late because she thought you were giving her a ride to school. Just let her know you're sorry for not letting her know in advance. That's all she needs to hear."
"Well, thanks for letting me know how you feel." Tommy says. "If I see her, I'll apologize. After all, I really do want to keep you guys as my friends." He smiles.
"Alright." Jason says. He's not really sure what's going on with Tommy, but he is kind of creeped out. "Well, I'll see you later."
"See you." Tommy says. He hears Rita's voice in his head. "Now Green Ranger, send him to the Dark Dimension." The Sword of Darkness appears in his hand he points it at Jason who has his back turned to him. A green beam shoots out of the sword and hits Jason in the back. Jason then disappears. Tommy smiles.
Jason wakes up lying on the ground in a place covered in smoke. He looks around and sees that he is underneath a round cage that has an eerie green glow to it. "What the hell is going on?" He says. "Where am I?" He pulls his communicator up and tries to contact the command center. "Jason to Command Center." but the communicator fails. "Zordon? Alpha? Anybody?" The communicator fails again. He then hears a familiar laugh. He turns to see Goldar looking at him.
"Try to contact Zordon all you want." Goldar says. "Your communicator won't work in Rita's dark dimension."
"What?" Jason says.
"Your Power Morpher might, though." Goldar says. "Too bad, I already took that from you." Goldar holds up the Morpher for Jason to see. "Your time is up, Red Ranger!"
END CHAPTER 13