I've finally gotten a chance to write this chapter. I'm still not certain how many more chapters there will be. Possibly five, possibly more. There are still plenty of loose ends to be tied up and it will all depend what I write or what I create to amend this. I would like to hit 300 reviews with this fic, but that's only possible if you all review. Please do as it would make me very happy :) Enjoy this chapter!
Chapter 41 The Final Battle?
The Rangers turned when they heard the familiar sound of teleportation behind them. "Tommy!" exclaimed Katherine.
Jason nodded to him. "It's good to see you back bud."
"Right back at ya," answered Tommy.
"Got a plan in mind?" asked Adam.
It was then that Alpha made contact through the communicators. "Rangers, come in. Use the cannon to defeat Devil Minion."
The Rangers looked at one another, but no one spoke. Finally Katherine responded. "We're on it, Alpha."
"Hey big ugly!" shouted Rocky confidently.
"What's up Ranger boy? Hoping to become my newest toy?" answered Devil Minion in rhyme.
"Not a chance!" shouted Rocky.
"It's time you learned your lesson!" added Tanya.
"Ready guys?" asked Tommy. The other Rangers nodded. "Time to power up the Zeo Cannon!"
The Rangers formed two lines and raised their arms as the massive cannon appeared above them. They eased the cannon down into the crook of their elbows. Tommy turned the sliding mechanism on the back of the cannon, pulling it out. "Zeo V power cell power up!" He slammed the cylinder down into the mold and closed the mechanism. The power cell slid into position with the other four cells and the cannon came to life. Flashes of colored light came from the cannon and the Rangers raised their arms.
"Zeo!" they shouted.
Tommy cocked the cannon. "And…fire!" Each Ranger held tightly to the cannon as a massive energy ball built inside before shooting forth at Devil Minion. Beneath each helmet was a confident, grinning Ranger. All it would be is a few seconds more.
Devil Minion did not move as the final blast headed toward him. Perhaps he knew that this was the end. Perhaps he knew that Rita Repulsa had no other plans for him, or that she could care less what happened to him. He'd never know that he was merely a distraction, but deep down he may have sensed it.
Looking back later on, Katherine would remember how nervous she was when the cannon fired that final blast. She wasn't sure if Devil Minion really was the last straw, or if Rita had something else up her sleeve to give the Rangers. After everything that had happened up to that point, she was as uncertain of Rita as she was about Kimberly.
Tommy was confident that Rita's plan had fallen apart. She'd had her day, but now that was far gone. She had waged a war like no other, yet Tommy knew that the Rangers had won again. It had been one of the hardest things to do, and he knew Kimberly had suffered the most. As soon as he got back, he knew where he was heading.
Adam was simply glad things were coming to an end. He was still surprised when he spoke up. He didn't think he had the guts to do that, not with Maroon threatening everyone around her. He had been brave and helped save Kimberly in the process. What would have happened if he hadn't spoke up was a mystery, and something he didn't want to contemplate.
Tanya couldn't believe it was finally the end. So much had happened and she hadn't suffered like some of her friends. She couldn't imagine what Katherine or Tommy had been through, much less Kimberly. She wondered how Kimberly was doing and if Zordon had been able to take care of her injuries. She wondered if Kimberly was still going to be paralyzed or if Zordon had been able to cure that. Did such technology really exist?
Rocky was ready to relax. Being on alert so much had exhausted him, but he was glad to have done his part. Kimberly was safe and Rita had lost yet again. He knew the old witch would never totally admit defeat, but there was no doubt that she could always be defeated.
Jason watched his fellow Rangers power up the cannon. Once again, Rita was about to be taken down by Zordon's Rangers. Ever since he had first been a Ranger, it had always been the same story. This was the first time she'd actually been a truly formidable enemy and used dirty tricks against the Rangers. For once, she'd permanently harmed a Ranger. Jason didn't care what the others thought. He felt that there was no way that even Zordon could reverse Kim's paralysis. Once this was finished, he was going to check on Kimberly.
It seemed like an hour before the blast finally made impact with Devil Minion, but it was really only 1.3 seconds time. Time seemed to slow down as the blast enshrouded Devil Minion, and his curses rose to the sky. Explosions overtook Devil Minion, and the Rangers covered their visors with their gloved hands to shield them from the brightness. When they finally looked again, Devil Minion was nowhere to be seen; only the charred burn mark on the grass gave a clue to where Devil Minion had previously been.
Tommy looked around at his friends. They stood still, waiting for anything to appear in front of them. After a few minutes, Tommy dropped his stance. "I think… I think we've won the battle guys," he declared softly.
"Is it really over?" asked Katherine. "Or is Rita just toying with our minds?"
"I don't think we can be sure," replied Tanya.
"I think we should head back to the Power Chamber," suggested Rocky.
"Good idea," answered Jason as he mulled over the idea thoughtfully.
Adam nodded. "Zordon will have some news for us."
Before the Rangers teleported, Katherine looked around nervously. She wasn't so sure that Rita was finished here, but she did want to get back to the Power Chamber. .She turned back to her friends and was glad none of them could see the nervousness she felt. She placed her hands on her belt buckle and teleported back with the other Rangers.
Alpha and Billy turned when they heard the all too familiar sound. "Welcome back, Rangers," called Alpha.
The Rangers removed their helmets. "Zordon, is this the end?" asked Jason, concerned.
"I am not sure, Rangers. For now, everything is calm."
Tommy stepped forward. "I believe she is done," he answered softly. "She wants me and no one else."
"What are you talking about, Tommy?" asked Rocky.
"Yeah. Why does she want you?" asked Adam.
"She wanted me all along. She wants me for betraying her. She used Kimberly to get at me, but I never knew that until now. She's already threatened me."
"Threatened you?" asked Jason, raising an eyebrow.
"Yes. When I left the battle, she found me and told me that it wasn't over yet. She would eventually have me dead. I don't know what she'll plan then, but I don't want anyone else to get hurt because of me. Look what happened to Kimberly."
"Tommy she's always threatened us," answered Katherine.
"She's made it personal this time," he growled.
"Tommy, you must focus. Rita could wait for years before deciding to strike again. There are other things that are more important right now. I think you know this," spoke Zordon wisely.
"I know, Zordon, but she's gone too far."
"Tommy, I want you to go and be with Kimberly. I want you to relax and de-stress yourself. Think things over, but don't dwell too much," commanded Zordon.
Tommy lowered his head. "Yes, Zordon."
"Alpha, take Tommy to the medical bay to be with Kimberly."
"Right away, Zordon," responded Alpha.
The others watched as Tommy and Alpha left the main room. The silence that fell over them was an uneasy one. Finally, Jason spoke up. "Zordon, you do know they…"
"Yes, Jason. The two of them have much to talk about and discuss. Billy has already told me about his visit with Kimberly. Trust me when I say it is for the best."
Katherine looked up at Zordon. "Zordon, can you tell us about Kimberly's condition?"
"Yes, Katherine. Billy and Alpha have gotten the results back from the testing."
"How is she doing?" asked Rocky.
"Kimberly is doing very well. Her wounds and bruises are healing with the aid of our machine just fine."
"But what about…" began Jason.
"…the paralysis?" asked Tanya. She had listened quietly up until now, but she was just as nervous to hear the news as the rest of the team.
"Rangers, it saddens me to say this, but there is no technology in existence that will cure Kimberly's paralysis. She will continue to live as she did before Rita kidnapped her. Kimberly already knows of the results."
The Rangers lowered their heads. Some felt anger, whereas others felt sympathy. This is what Rita had done and they couldn't make her pay or get revenge. It would do no good to stoop to her level. Even if we could get revenge thought Rocky we still wouldn't be able to cure Kimberly.
"It's not fair," said Katherine suddenly, somewhat angrily.
"Kat, what's wrong?" asked Tanya worried.
"It's not fair what Rita is getting away with. She stole Kimberly's dreams. I know what it's like to have them taken away. Mine were never permanently gone, but hers are. Rita went too far. She used her clone on me and had Rito put a spell on me as well. I suffered, but not like Kimberly. No one's ever suffered like she had to!" Katherine ended up shouting this last part, breaking down into tears. Adam and Tanya were by her side, an arm on each shoulder.
"Kat, there's nothing we can do," answered Adam softly.
"You've got to be strong, Kat. Kimberly needs us to be strong for her," added Tanya.
Katherine pulled away from both of them. "You don't understand. You don't understand what she can do behind the monsters!" cried Katherine, turning and walking out the main entrance into the hallways.
"Should we go after her?" asked Rocky in the silence that followed.
"No," commanded Zordon. "Like Tommy, she has much she needs to deal with. I do not know what she went through while at Master Vile's, but we all know what she went through during the first battle with Maroon. Leave her in peace to think."
"You know," began Jason. "We don't know what she or Tommy really went through up there. All we know of is what happened during our battles. I for one saw Tommy making out with Maroon, but they teleported away before I could do anything. What happened where none of us could see is all one big mystery I don't think we'll solve."
"Jason is right. You will have give support if Katherine, Tommy, or Kimberly need it, but do not push the subject."
"Right Zordon," answered the Rangers.
"I want you four to go home and rest for now. I will call you back to the Power Chamber soon to see Kimberly."
"Shouldn't we check on Katherine before we go?" asked Tanya, still very concerned for her friend.
"No. Leave her as she is and she may be ready to talk when you all return. For now, sleep is in order. Alpha and Billy will keep watch in case Rita decides she wants to launch another attack."
"Don't worry, Rangers. Everything will be fine," added Alpha. "Billy and I will see to that."
Adam, Rocky, Tanya, and Jason teleported out of the Power Chamber. When each one landed, they laughed softly. Instead of going home, each one had decided to go to the Youth Center. When the laughter died off, Rocky was the first to speak. "I'm here because I need some food. Why are you guys here?"
"To take my mind off things," answered Jason aloofly.
"Ernie's smoothies," answered Tanya and Adam at the same time.
"What do you think Zordon will say when he finds out we didn't go home to rest?" asked Tanya.
"I don't think he'll mind," answered Adam. "After all, we are resting, just not sleeping."
"Come on guys. Let's get inside and discuss this," replied Rocky.
"You heard Rocky. Let's go," said Jason.
The four Rangers headed into the Juice Bar for some much needed rest. The battle had drained them, but food and the company of other teens would help change that. The Rangers were hoping that Zordon would soon call them back to the Power Chamber in a few hours. Each was eager to check on the three that had been left behind. They really didn't know what Katherine, Tommy, or Kimberly had truly suffered at the hands of Rita Repulsa, but certainly didn't wish it upon others. Only time would tell if the three would ever give up the secrets they kept locked inside.
As you can see, I went and created another twist with Katherine. And, we certainly haven't heard from Rita, now have we? She's not finished with yet!
Next time on Windmill into the Fall: While Adam, Rocky, Tanya, and Jason relax at the Juice Bar, there is still much inner chaos going on. Katherine's let off quite an outburst and hasty exit. Can she deal with the emotions? Tommy's finally been sent to be with Kimberly. Will the two ever come to a compromise? And finally, has Rita decided to call it quits? Find out next chapter on Windmill into the Fall!