Okay so I know I haven't updated, but I did let my mailing list readers know I was going to Energy Express training Wed-Fri. I had no Internet connection so I couldn't update as it was, but I didn't finish this chapter until last night. I think it turned out well, and by taking longer to write it, it gave me a new idea for the end part, which you will see. Quiz at the bottom btw. Enjoy!
Chapter 26 The Bargain Store
Later that evening, shortly after dark had fallen, Bulk slowly opened his eyes. He groaned and sat up, blinking in confusion. The last thing he remembered was trying to stop Kimberly and Jason from fighting… wait Jason and Kimberly fighting. That was something you didn't see all the time. It needed to be discussed. Bulk jabbed Skull in the side. "Skull, wake up you dolt!" Each jab became harder and harder each passing moment that Skull did not move.
Finally Skull rolled over. "Five more minutes, mommy…" he muttered.
"You idiot! I'm not your mother! Now get up, up, up!"
Skull sat up. "What?"
"We've got to figure out why Jason and Kimberly were fighting. Think about it. Jason and Kimberly? Have you ever seen them fight like that before?"
"Well no, but maybe Kimberly was PMSing or something…"
"Do you really think Jason would be fighting with Kimberly if she was only PMSing? Think!" Bulk smacked Skull upside the head.
"Ow! Geez, all right. Maybe Kimberly is cheating on Jason with someone?" suggested Skull. The boys knew that Tommy and Kimberly were no more, and figured that both had moved on.
"Hey… that's a good suggestion… maybe Kimberly and Jason hooked up and now Kimberly's found somebody new." Bulk considered this idea.
"Of course it's a good idea. I thought of it," answered Skull, pointing to his chest.
"As junior policemen, we need to investigate this. After all, this is not how things should be."
"You're right Bulky, but first, can we get something to eat? I'm starving!"
"To the Youth Center!" The two teens bumbled off, each one devising ways of solving this new mystery. It had certainly confused them, but they were eager to solve it.
Power Chamber
Zordon met with the Rangers after he'd sent them off the night before to get a good night's sleep. "Rangers, we must discuss the mission today. Now that Rita has Tommy too, I fear things could take a turn for the worse if we do not act soon."
"Zordon, we have to go now," interrupted Jason.
"Jason, I understand your motives for wanting to go, but we must plan everything to make sure that she does not capture you as well."
"I know," replied Jason somewhat dejectedly.
"Katherine, you and Jason will be split apart. Originally, Tommy was to go with Jason, but this is no longer the case. Alpha has retrieved a map of Master Vile's hideout. Please face the Viewing Screen." All the Rangers turned as a map was brought up on the screen. "I believe that Kimberly and Tommy are being held in the dungeon area. From information I already have, it is known that Rita, Zedd, Finster, Goldar, Squatt, Baboo, and Rito moved in originally. Whether all of them are still there today is unknown. Maroon is the latest addition to the group. I am not sure where they have positioned themselves, but it is my guess that there is a guard near the dungeons 24/7."
"What must Jason and I do?" asked Katherine. A rest had done her well. She wasn't as distant as she had been the previous day. Though the memory still haunted Katherine, she had learned to accept that it had happened, and that it couldn't be changed. However, she still had lost the total trust in her Ranger powers that had once been there.
"Katherine, you will provide the distraction to Rita while Jason goes to the dungeons to see if Kimberly and Tommy are truly there. Jason, if you find them, release them and have Tommy morph. You two will then take Kimberly up to Rita's balcony and meet up with Katherine. Katherine, you will teleport Kimberly back to the Power Chamber. Jason and Tommy will hold off Rita as long as possible. I fear that there will be a final battle with Maroon before this mission is through. Do you two have any questions?"
"Zordon, what if Tommy and Kimberly aren't in the dungeons?" asked Jason.
"I am not sure. You will have to use your stealth to get around the fortress and avoid coming in contact with any of Rita's henchmen. If Tommy and Kimberly are being held in separate areas, Tommy may know where Kimberly is. Just use your best judgment, Jason. I have confidence in you."
"Zordon, what am I to do to keep Rita at bay?"
"Once she knows that you are there, there is no doubt that she will send her henchmen to find Jason. Rangers, I know this mission is tough, but I also know you will be able to handle it."
Katherine and Jason nodded solemnly. "We understand, Zordon," answered Katherine, as she reached for her morpher.
Billy wandered over to Katherine and Jason. "I need to see your communicators for a second. I need to attach a device that will allow you to transfer back to the Power Chamber after completing your mission," he explained. Katherine and Jason handed over the communicators without a word. Billy tinkered with both of them for a second before handing them back over. "There. They should be fully functionally. "Good luck to both of you."
"Thanks man," answered Jason.
"Thanks Billy," added Katherine. "Zeo Ranger I, Pink!"
"I need Gold Ranger power!" shouted Jason as he called upon his staff.
"Alpha, please enter the coordinates for Master Vile," commanded Zordon as the morphed Rangers stood in front of him.
"Right away, Zordon," replied Alpha as he pressed a few buttons on the Power Chamber console.
"A final good luck to the both of you. May you return safely with Kimberly and Tommy," stated Zordon as the teleportation light appeared around each Ranger.
As soon as both Rangers had disappeared from the Power Chamber Alpha asked, "Zordon, will they make it in time?"
"We can only hope so, Alpha. We can only hope."
Rita's Balcony
Rita glanced through her telescope, only to find nothing. She had hoped that Zordon would have sent his precious Rangers by now. She was getting quite impatient to defeat them and to kill Tommy. Finster entered behind her. "My queen, we have prepared the room. Shall I take them there?"
"No, not yet," answered Rita. "I still have to deal with Kimberly first. Then we will work on the room. I hope you have set everything into place."
"As you requested."
"Good. Take a few Tenga warriors and retrieve Kimberly. I want her taken to that room alone."
Finster bowed to Rita. "I shall meet you there shortly." He disappeared down a hallway and Rita smiled. She was still in the game, whether the Rangers liked it or not. She still had Kimberly and Tommy, and she could still use them to kill each other. The mere thought of such a sight pleased Rita to no end.
Dungeon
Tommy glanced up as he heard the sound of footsteps. There appeared to be more than one pair this time around. He grew angry when he saw Finster escorting two Tengas. He grew angrier when Finster let the two Tengas into the cell. He was his angriest when they were able to break the bonding spell that Maroon had placed on Kimberly and him, and watched the two Tengas drag Kimberly away. The worst part was watching Kimberly's face as she was dragged out of the cell. She made no noise, but the sad look on her face told Tommy that she had given up the will to struggle. He feared that there was nothing Rita could do that would give her the will to fight back.
Finster locked the cell again and looked in at Tommy, who glared back at him. "Rita will deal with you after she is finished with Kimberly," he responded pleasantly.
"Don't you dare lay a finger on her," growled Tommy.
"Oh trust me, I won't lay a finger on Kimberly, that I can promise you," answered Finster.
"You know what I meant."
"It is up to Rita to do as she pleases. I do not control her actions. I only give her my undying loyalty."
"I'll have my revenge on you," stated Tommy.
"Well if I recall, you seem to be stuck in that cell and I am out here. That does create quite a problem." Finster was surprised at the way he was acting. Normally he would never be so bold as to talk to any Ranger, captured or not. A few words were all that would come from his mouth, but nothing sassy.
Tommy jumped at the bars, but was thrown back by a purple electrical shock. He groaned and sat up, rubbing his head. "It is pointless," said Finster. "You cannot escape Master Vile's dungeons. Only he knows how to disarm everything." Finster turned and left the dungeons, pleased at angering Tommy. He knew Rita would be pleased too. If he could get Tommy angry enough, then Tommy would be unable to concentrate on fighting and act foolishly instead.
Rita's Secret Room
Rita paced back and forth as she waited for Kimberly's arrival. She looked up just as the two Tengas walked in with Kimberly. The two tossed Kimberly to the ground before leaving once again. Kimberly made no move to readjust her position. She hadn't even cried out when she landed. She simply lay still like a rag doll. "Get up, Kimberly," commanded Rita in a sickly sweet voice. Kimberly lay still and gave no answer.
Again, Rita called to Kimberly, but received no answer. She gave Kimberly a swift kick in the side and heard a groan come from the girl. "I see I've got your attention," commented Rita.
"Please… leave me alone…" begged Kimberly in a raspy voice.
"I've a bargain to settle with you."
"I don't… want to help."
"But I've a bargain you can't refuse. I can give you the ability to walk again if you are willing to help me. I can even give you a taste of it, so that you know I am telling the truth." Rita pointed her scepter at Kimberly and out shot a pale blue light.
Kimberly felt the energy race through her body, from her head to her feet. It felt weird to be able to feel her legs again, but she knew that this wasn't the way it was supposed to be. "Rise," commanded Rita, and Kimberly did. She tested out her legs again, wobbling at first like a baby colt taking its very first steps, but she quickly got the hang of walking again. Even so, her walk was slow and pained from the injuries she had all over her body. She sat down again.
"I see you enjoy being able to walk again," noticed Rita.
Kimberly couldn't deny the fact that it had felt good to walk on her own two feet again. She also couldn't deny the fact that to earn back the ability to walk that she would have to work with Rita. "What's the deal?" she whispered.
"The deal is you torture Tommy to death. I want him dead, but not quickly. I want him to suffer a slow, painful death for what he did to me. When he switched to the side of good he became forever first in my black book. I have wanted revenge on him since them. He will pay with his life."
Kimberly was taken aback. Kill Tommy? "I won't. I won't do you bidding. I may have broken his heart, but I will never break his body or his spirit. You will simply have to find someone else to do it. I refuse."
"Are you sure?" asked Rita. She had been afraid that Kimberly would answer in this way, yet she wasn't finished just yet. "You leave me no choice, but to do this then."
"Do whatever you want, but I will never kill Tommy willingly," declared Kimberly in a low voice.
Rita again pointed her scepter at Kimberly, this time shooting forth a golden light that overtook Kimberly's body. Red flashed in Kimberly's eyes as she rose to her feet. "I am here to serve you, my queen," responded Kimberly.
"Good girl. Wait here while I go fetch your prey."
"Yes… I could use a treat tonight…" trailed Kimberly.
I hope you like this new change. I was originally going to keep Kim/Tommy good and have Rita not get the chance to have fun with the two, but it changed on me. Lovely idea though... So the Kim/Tommy final talk may have to wait for a long time, but I promise you will get to see the rest of their chat. And about the quiz. I used a song title for the chapter title, but the song meaning has nothing to do with the chapter. I just liked the title. Anyway, give me song and the artist. I do believe I have one more icon to hand out of Kimberly before I have to make new ones. However, if you already have the one of Kim that says "That thing? Gross!" let me know cause I will have to do more icons for future contests
Next time on Windmill into the Fall: Rita shows Tommy the new Kimberly and the Rangers finally set off. But will anything go as planned?