Here I am with another chapter! It took a turn at the end that not even I expected. I guess that's what happens when you take forever to write up the thing to begin with. However... the turn is going to be interesting when played out in future chapters... I really hope you enjoy!
Chapter 36 Devil Minion
Katherine stood beside her fellow Rangers, wondering exactly what they were going to do. Why were they even morphed? She knew that each and every one of them was afraid to even touch one of the Kimberly clones, for fear they harmed the wrong Kimberly. They hesitated, hemmed, and hawed, and she knew that it did no good, regardless of the situation. She felt useless; she had technology that was unimagined by the government, yet none of it had really helped her along on the mission thus far, save the blaster, which had only been used to show that she meant business. All of her Ranger gear would not help her here and she could care less now. She placed her hands to her belt and whispered, "Power down." She felt less of a fool now.
Tommy stood, lost in his own thoughts. Which of these clones was truly her? How could he even begin to tell? He'd already scanned most of her body and realized that everything matched, down to the scars and dried blood. She appeared to be flawless, but even something that looked flawless had a flaw somewhere. Tommy knew that Maroon's flaw was her terrible temper, something that Kimberly didn't have. He had to bring that forth, he had to get her so angry and worked up that she'd slip out of her role for even just a fraction of a second. He turned his head, glanced over at his fellow Rangers. Behind the mask they hid, and he couldn't read anything. He could tell they were tense, which meant they were nervous too, just as he was. Then he saw the pink light and Katherine powering down. She looked… helpless. She turned to him and smiled sadly. He powered down too.
One by one, each Ranger powered down, following Katherine's example. Each felt silly at wearing their Ranger suit, for it could not help them here. Only words would help, words and compromise. Neither side wanted to compromise. Maroon wanted the Rangers dead and the Rangers wanted back Kimberly. It was a deal that could not be easily made.
For awhile, no one spoke. They looked back and forth at each other, embarrassed, undecisive, afraid. They looked to their leader, but he looked as they each felt. What to do next was running through each Ranger's mind, but no one could act on thoughts. The silence became unnerving.
Maroon looked out over the Rangers, secretly pleased. They looked like a bunch of lost, confused children. She kept a straight face only by chanting the same mantra over and over in her mind. Must break Rangers, must break Rangers…It kept her face steady, kept her confusing the enemy. She wanted so badly to glance over at Kimberly, to see how she was doing, but she knew that if she did, the Rangers might figure her out. She wasn't willing to risk such a thing happening. She knew that Kimberly was following her every instructions, and that was all that mattered. If only she could find a way to further break the Rangers…
Kimberly was breaking up inside. She had put up a front, but it was a thin façade and she would crack very soon if she had to hold it up much longer. She hated having to fight for the side of evil. Her life was on the line and she was in no position to defend herself by fighting against Maroon's command. If she had still had the use of her legs, things would be a lot different and she wouldn't be put in this position. Heck, she wouldn't even be part of this plan. She watched the looks on her friends' faces. They were confused as to how to get to her and not mistake her for Maroon. For the first time she noticed how unsure the Rangers were of themselves. She knew that this couldn't be any easier on them than it was on her. She desperately had to convey some sort of sign to the team, but no one was focused on Kimberly and Maroon enough… except Tommy. At some point, she'd have to give him a signal, but what? How could she give him a signal he'd recognize and not take for one of Maroon's tricks?
Master Vile's
Rita watched the standoff through her Repulsa Scope. It seemed to be going nowhere and she was getting quite bored. She wished she could speed things up, but any appearance or form of communication she made with Maroon would be fatal to her plan. Every last bit of the plan depended on this final battle. If she lost, she'd never live it down, especially with Zedd. He'd have endless fun with the jokes and retirement. She was so lost in her thoughts that she didn't notice someone coming up behind her.
"Is everything moving smoothly?" asked Finster.
Rita jumped, her hand flying to her chest. "Finster, you idiot! Don't scare me like that!"
"Sorry, terribly sorry."
"The plan is moving slowly and I can't interfere this time. If I did, it'd mean the end of Maroon and the plan."
"Any ideas to speed it up?"
"No, and that's the worst part. There must be some way to get Maroon to be able to attack without being noticed."
"How about a monster creation, my queen?" asked Finster. "That would distract the Rangers and allow Maroon the opening to attack."
"Why Finster… that idea could work. Is there any way you could have him target Kat and Tommy particularly? Those two are the strongest on the team, and the ones most willing to get Kimberly back at any costs."
"I can do one better actually. I can have him target all the Rangers, but communicate on a wavelength that is specific to Katherine and Thomas only. It will keep them from getting Kimberly as well as encouraging the other Rangers."
"Then get on it! I want that monster down there pronto!" shouted Rita, annoyed that Finster was keeping details from her.
Finster bowed and scurried out of the room, returning a few minutes later. "I had him waiting in the hallway outside my room," he confessed.
As the monster stepped from the shadows, Rita took a good look at him. He appeared to be a red devil of the sorts, one that was done as a freakish caricature. His faced was pointed and he had slick black hair behind his pointed ears. His lizard-like tongue snaked from his mouth to lick his lips. At his side he carried a three pronged staff. "What is he and what does he do?" asked Rita haughtily.
"This is Devil Minion, a demon creature that uses his staff to brainwash his enemies into seeing nothing but red. Their mind is filled with nothing but anger and Devil Minion can control their actions. His control over them depends on how much anger his enemy brings forth."
"Hmm… he sounds perfect, but I want to see how he fares against the Rangers…. Devil Minion! Get to Angel Grove and distract the Rangers, especially the one dressed in red, and the one dressed in pink. They are your main target. Obey my command at once!"
Finster's latest creation bowed before teleporting away. Finster edged closer to Rita, but she shoved him away. "I have work to do Finster. You've followed my commands now get elsewhere!"
Smiling almost in a fake manner and nodding, Finster retreated to the hallway. The things he did for that woman… She was just as moody as those Earth women could be any day! Alien women were no different than human women deep down… Now that would make a fascinating study thought Finster. Ideas began forming in his mind about all the research he could do to make a point. Rita was long forgotten by the time he opened his bedroom door.
Angel Grove Park
The Rangers turned around suddenly when an electrical charge was heard followed by a loud cackling. They covered their ears, but it did no good against the nails-on-a-chalkboard laugh of the demon that stood before them. Maroon and Kimberly were temporarily forgotten as the group faced the newest threat.
"What now guys?" asked Rocky.
"We can't hold two fronts," added Adam.
"We've got to do something," piped in Tanya.
"We'll have to split up," suggested Katherine.
"Whatever happens, we work as a team!" stated Tommy.
"Don't get caught up in any traps!" added Jason.
"Oh silly Zeo Rangers so you think, but when I pick your brains you won't speak!"
At first, no one understood what the monster was talking about. Then, they noticed Tommy and Katherine holding their heads as though in pain. The two fell to the ground, shaking and trying to get rid of the demon that was inside their heads. It was no use. Soon, Tommy and Kat were lost to the world.
Adam, Tanya, Jason, and Rocky knelt by their fallen friends. They were confused as to what to do now. Tommy and Katherine lay on the ground quietly, as though passed out. Rocky checked their pulses. "They feel okay," he noted.
"Oh they're okay!" interjected Devil Minion. "They'll just be seeing red for a little while!"
Confusion was splayed on faces, that is, until Tommy began to awaken. He groaned as though having a giant headache, but when he opened his eyes, they glowed a blood red hue. His facial expression changed to anger, and his fist lashed out, connecting with Adam's jaw. Adam stumbled backwards, completely unprepared for Tommy's outburst. He rubbed his jaw fervently while staring at Tommy in shock. "I'll get you… I'll get you all!" roared Tommy as he began to swing wildly. Fortunately for the Rangers they had backed away from him soon after he'd hit Adam.
The group looked to Katherine next as she began to stir and awaken. She too, acted the same as Tommy when she awoke, her eyes glowing red. The Rangers were cautious and carefully made sure that they weren't anywhere near Katherine just in case she too decided to pull a few punches. "Anger… delicious anger…" she purred and looked each Ranger up and down, but particularly Adam.
"Um… guys?" asked Adam nervously as he back peddled.
"Things are getting way too weird," spoke Rocky.
"You're telling me," added Tanya.
"What are we gonna do?" questioned Rocky.
"Be careful!" spoke Jason.
"You're going to succumb to your friends' anger! I've brought it all forth and now they're acting upon it!" Devil Minion cackled with glee as though he was the greatest creation in the world.
The four remaining Rangers continued to back away, but couldn't get very far before their duty sank in. "Guys, we've got to morph!" shouted Adam. "There's no way we can deal with Devil Minion or our friends like this!"
"Zeo Ranger II, yellow!"
"Zeo Ranger III, blue!"
"Zeo Ranger IV, green!"
"Gold Ranger Power!"
"Come and get me Rangers! But first, you'll have to deal with your friends. And I dare say, they won't be too happy to let you through!" called Devil Minion as Katherine and Tommy rose to their feet and marched forth.
Maroon was surprised by the scene in front of her, but was glad for the distraction. No doubt Rita had sent her help to destroy the Rangers and keep them busy while she continued to toy with Kimberly. It was a perfect scheme. Maroon turned to face Kimberly. "Not so easy for your little friends now, is it?" she hissed in a hushed tone.
"My friends will destroy the monster. We always have before," whispered Kimberly back.
"Yes but this time the monster is using your friends to attack. Would your friends kill their own to win?"
"Never!" Kimberly whispered, vengeance in her voice.
A grin crossed Maroon's face. "Watch this!" Maroon held up her hands as though to cast a spell.
"Guys, watch out!" shouted Kimberly.
Adam heard Kimberly's cry, but it was too late. He made a move to turn himself around, but fell forward, feet firmly planted to the ground. He pushed himself to his feet. "Something's wrong. I can't move my legs!" he shouted to Rocky, Tanya, and Jason.
The three turned to Adam, but found themselves stuck as well. They were in the same boat. "Adam, we can't! We're stuck too!" shouted Rocky.
"What are we going to do now?" asked Rocky. He noticed Tommy and Katherine advancing from the corner of his eye, fists in position.
"I don't know, but we need help," stated Tanya. Katherine lunged for her then, and Tanya was caught up in protecting herself from Katherine's agile blows.
Tommy took the opportunity to settle a score with Rocky and he became speechless too, focusing every bit of his concentration on Tommy's moves. Adam glanced around nervously and wondered what was going to happen to him. Jason did the same.
Kimberly cringed as she watched her friends fight her friends. She couldn't stand to see the battle going on like this. The tide had to be turned somehow. The Rangers were outnumbered and outmoved. Devil Minion's spell was strong on Katherine and Tommy's bodies. Kimberly was afraid that Tommy would end up killing Rocky if he wasn't stopped soon. Something had to change! The question was, what would?
Mwhahaha... I love cliff hangers, don't you? Next chapter should be up before I head back to school next week. Friday's move in day and what fun that will be... Anyway, I am going to try my best to get the chapter up before then, but if not, I'll post it as soon as I can get an internet connection, either one set up in my room or by accessing the wireless on campus somewhere. I wonder if this chapter will make 200 reviews? You'll never know unless you help!
Next time on Windmill into the Fall Kimberly's got to make a decision fast. What caused all the anger in Tommy and Katherine? What is Maroon going to do with Kimberly? What will Devil Minion do with the team? Find out in the next (and future!) chapters!