I can't believe I actually got this finished within two days. I surprise myself sometimes. For those of you on my mailing list, you all had a 1 page preview of this chapter. I really hope you enjoyed it :) As of now, the contest is officially over. I had one person to correctly guess the 3 Rangers-- dragonknighttara. Congratulations. You have earned two special icons I have created. I had two second place winners who were able to guess two of the Rangers. They were also close to guessing three as well. They are Bored-Girl-84 and naughtybynature. They have each earned one special icon created by me. I will be contacting you all about receiving your prizes. Congratulations, and thanks to everyone that has participated. A new contest type thing is posted at the end. Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 17 Zordon's Chosen Rangers"Good," responded Zordon. "I have chosen three Rangers- Tommy, Jason, and Katherine. I believe these three can successfully complete the mission."
"Your choice is strange, but I understand two of the three," replied Billy.
"I figured as much," acknowledged Zordon. "You understand Tommy and Jason because both are strong, courageous, and have the closest connections to Kimberly. It is Katherine you question. I have chosen her for her skill and intelligence. It is she that will sneak by much of what Rita plans. Having dealt with Rita before, she may be able to withstand anything more than some of the other Rangers I could send. Tommy and Jason have also dealt with her and therefore can interpret some of her tricks before she attacks."
"I see," nodded Billy. What Zordon said made sense, but what if?... "What if those three aren't enough?"
"If the time should come that the three cannot handle Rita's master plan, then I shall call the other Rangers into action. We will do whatever it takes to get Kimberly back home safely. I have confidence in the team I have chosen for this mission."
"Shall I teleport those three here now?" asked Alpha, his hands at the ready.
"For now I'd only like you to teleport Tommy and Jason. I fear it is going to take more than we expect to bring Tommy around to the mission. Jason can help him make his decision."
"Zordon, what if Tommy refuses?" asked Billy.
"It is a chance we'll have to take, but I have faith that Tommy will make the right decision. A broken heart is hard to mend, but with a few stitches it can begin to heal. Tommy has tried to forget and he realizes that he cannot."
"Contacting Tommy and Jason now," reported Alpha.
Tommy and Jason were both gathered at the Youth Center lifting weights when their communicators went off. Glancing around, they hurried to the hallway just outside before answering. "We read you," whispered Tommy.
"Tommy, Jason. It is urgent that you report to the Power Chamber immediately. We have important news on our latest encounter and it is crucial that you come now."
Jason had never heard Zordon have so much fear in his voice. The man could mask it well, but Jason could tell that something was terribly wrong. If Jason had known it involved Kimberly, he would have known why the fear was in Zordon; he would know soon enough. He glanced over at Tommy, who had the same look on his face. For some reason, the unknown made them fear the worst possible scenarios.
"Teleporting now," replied Tommy.
When the two arrived in the Power Chamber, they were greeted by the grim looks of Billy. Billy may have been a genius, but he couldn't mask the emotions that rambled over his face. "What's wrong Billy?" asked Jason.
Billy just shook his head as Zordon began to speak. "Tommy and Jason, Billy and Alpha have unscrambled the video from yesterday. What we have seen is far more terrible than we could have ever thought."
"What's going on, Zordon?" asked Jason with crossed arms.
"We are not dealing with the Machine Empire this time around. Instead, Rita Repulsa has unleashed a plot that is devious and maniacal. It is unlike any plot of hers that has proceeded it. I fear that if we do not stop her soon, she will succeed in her plan."
"What is her plan?" asked Tommy.
"We are not yet certain of that. So far we have been able to find nothing, and she hasn't sent any more of her minions to Earth."
"So what's on the video?" asked Jason.
"Turn toward the viewing screen. You may see for yourselves," commanded Zordon.
Alpha pressed a few buttons and the viewing screen jumped to life. As both Jason and Tommy watched the video, their bodies tensed up. They couldn't believe what they were seeing or why it was even happening. And just where did that wheelchair come from? was on both of their minds.
Zordon began to speak to the two teenagers as soon as the video finished. "As you can see, Rita has once again returned and this time taken Kimberly. Rita has changed from before, using any tactics necessary to get what she wants. We are not sure of her exact plans, but Kimberly must play a major role."
"We've got to get her back," answered Jason confidently.
"Yes, we do. That is why I have chosen a few of you Rangers to rescue Kimberly. Jason, you and Tommy are two of those Rangers."
Tommy had been standing there in silence, his face empty of emotion. Even when he watched Kimberly being attacked, no emotion stirred. And now he was being told that he was one of the chosen Rangers to rescue her. He could only guess why he was chosen—he had once dated her. An emotion began to stir on Tommy's face—anger. "No," whispered Tommy softly.
"What?" asked Jason.
"I said no," said Tommy. "I won't do it, and that's final."
"Tommy, you can't say no to this mission. You're a Power Ranger. It's your duty," responded Jason."
"There are other Rangers besides me, Jason. One of them can go in my place, but I will not take part in this mission," growled Tommy.
"Tommy, we can't do this without you," added Alpha.
"You guys are just going to have to do it without me because I am refusing to go," replied Tommy.
"You've got to think this through, Tommy," answered Jason.
"I have. I'm not going." With those words, Tommy teleported himself out of the Power Chamber.
"What do we do now, Zordon?" asked Jason.
"I figured that Tommy would react in this way, Jason. Whether he thinks so or not, he has not gotten over Kimberly completely. It is only natural for him to act this way."
"How will we get him to go on the mission then?"
"Jason, you and Tommy have always been close. I need you to speak with him and try to get him to come around. You must do this alone. Any interference could cause Tommy to pull away for good."
Jason nodded. "Right. I'm outta here." Jason left in a beam of light.
"Well, that went worse than expected," commented Alpha.
"Not really," answered Zordon. "As I told Jason, I had already anticipated that Tommy would react in this way."
"What if Tommy still refuses?" asked Alpha.
"I have confidence that Jason will be able to convince Tommy to cooperate and go on the mission."
"Aye-yi-yi… humans are so confusing," muttered Alpha.
"Zordon, what about Katherine?" asked Billy.
"I believe it is time to let her know of her part in the mission. I just didn't want to have her here when Tommy was told. I have sensed much tension between the two that is secretly harbored inside."
"Contacting Katherine now," said Alpha as he pressed a button.
Katherine was working at her desk when her communicator went off. Glad for the reprise from the trigonometry homework that was plaguing her, she answered the call cheerfully. "Katherine here!"
"Katherine, you need to report to the Power Chamber immediately. I have urgent news on the latest danger," responded Zordon.
"More than happy to," answered Katherine before disappearing in a pink light.
As Katherine touched down, she saw the look of worry on Billy's face. "Billy, what's wrong?"
"You'll just have to see the video," he answered.
"Katherine, we have been viewing the video from yesterday's attack. Rita Repulsa is up to no good again. This time, however, she is more powerful and diabolical."
Katherine shuddered to think at what Rita could be up to this time. She still hated recalling her time under Rita's spell. She knew how devious the empress could be. She didn't want to know what worse was. Unfortunately, she had no choice.
"Turn to the viewing screen and you will see what happened."
What Katherine saw made her stomach churn. She hated seeing all the pain Kimberly was going through. She wondered how Kimberly of all people ended up in a wheelchair. She had a bad feeling about that. "Zordon, why would Rita do such a thing?"
"We are not certain of that yet, but are working to discover the reason. I fear that Rita has something more complex up her sleeve than we've ever encountered before."
"How are we going to get Kimberly back?" asked Katherine. She had been wondering why she was the only one currently in the Power Chamber beside Alpha, Billy, and Zordon.
"I have chosen three of you to partake in this mission. You are one of the three."
"Who are the other two?"
"I have also chosen Jason and Tommy to accompany you on this mission. Tommy is currently refusing."
"Why?" asked Katherine, shocked.
"Tommy has unresolved emotions dwelling within him. He never completely got over Kimberly and is struggling between doing what he feels is right and what is the right thing to do."
"I've got to talk to him," answered Katherine, determined to get Tommy to go on the mission.
"No Katherine. I'm afraid that's not such a good idea."
"Why not?"
"I'm afraid that Tommy doesn't want anyone to talk him out of it. The only person who's been able to talk to him before is Jason when he's like this. Jason is currently on the case. In the case that Tommy still refuses, I will send another Ranger in his place, but I am hoping that Jason's talk will work."
"I really hope so," answered Katherine. "We really need Tommy."
"Everything is in Tommy's hands now," spoke up Alpha.
"Do we know anything about what's happening to Kimberly?" asked Katherine.
"Unfortunately, no. We are in the process of tracking Kimberly's energy. We must hope that her body is not too weak from the attack."
"I really hope Kim doesn't suffer too much… if Rita's gotten worse, who knows what she could do?"
Billy placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We must have faith in her," he said softly. "Kim is strong."
"But Rita can be stronger… look at what she was able to do to me," answered Katherine as her eyes began to tear.
Alpha handed Katherine a tissue. "Don't cry, Katherine. We'll help Kimberly."
Katherine had to smile a little at the robot's actions. "Thanks, Alpha." She dabbed at her eyes. "Zordon, you can count me in on the mission."
"I had no doubts in you, Katherine. Once Jason returns, with or without Tommy, I will give you as much new information as I can. Hopefully by then I will have been able to gather some information on Kimberly. For now, you may return home."
Katherine nodded. "Thank you." Then she disappeared again in a pink light.
I really hope you all enjoyed this chapter. Now for the newest contest type thing... I just realized yesterday that 5/15 marked my 5th year of being a member of Not only that, but chapter 16 received the most reviews. So in honor of both of these things, I'm asking for suggestions for a special wallpaper. Criteria: 1. Must be MMPR. 2. I must be able to get pictures from seasons 1-3 (don't worry, I have them all) 3. You must tell me which episodes to get the caps from. 4. Describe your idea to me. 5. Please send all suggestions to my email and not in a review (email in profile; ideas sent in reviews will NOT be considered!). You will have until chapter 20 is posted to come up with ideas. I will then send all ideas to the members of my mailing list for a vote. The top vote getter will be made, but that doesn't mean I won't make the others later on from your suggestions.
Next time on Windmill into the Fall: Rita has Kimberly in her hands, but what is she planning to do with the poor girl? How is Kimberly faring from the attack? Will Jason ever convince Tommy to join the mission? Find out next chapter!