Chapter 5: Game Over
"You failed me, Montgomery," Shiva said softly, though giving the Monkey Master a hard stare. "Not only that you ran like a coward."
"My mistress, I …" the once proud warrior cowered before the goddess. "I tried, but those machines … they were just too powerful …"
"Save your excuses," Shiva waved her hand. "But we successfully got a key, so it wasn't a complete loss. And you do have some bragging rights, Monkey Fist." The goddess gave a consoling smile. "You faced down a Power Ranger team's Megazord and lived to tell of it. Not many can say that."
"So what now?" Shego asked as politely as she could.
Shiva sat back in her throne, picking up her key and fingered it slightly, "Simple, Shelia," her eyes burned, "We try to figure out who is behind those accursed helmets and … We play."
"Play?" Drakken asked, tilting her head.
"Call it a gift for all of your loyal service." Shiva grinned at her followers, "How many would like to see Kim Possible broken?"
Angel Grove, California
"Tell Bill thanks for the ride," Kim said getting out of the limo beside the train station just inside the city limits of the small city.
"No problem," A woman in a business suit said, "After all you did save our company billions."
"Ah, just going into cyberspace and stopping Shego and Drakken's computer virus manually. It was no big," Kim waved her hand, and started to leave.
"Oh, I just thought, did you and your boyfriend break up or something?" the woman asked curiously, "It's rare seeing you traveling alone."
Kim froze in mid step. "Oh … umm … something like that …" Kim muttered, not looking back.
"Just be careful on your own, ok, Ms. Possible," the woman smiled apologetically, "You two made quite a pair. It's sad to see you two not together." She said closing the door as the Limo drove off.
"Why …" Kim breathed, "Why did Wade have to hook me up with a ride that remembered him?"
Kim took a deep shuttering breath but continued on toward the first place she spotted that was familiar. "Ernie's Juice Bar and Gym?" Kim blinked, "I haven't been here since I was little…"
She walked into the door and saw a blond headed woman running the bar and two men seated talking with her. "Aunt Kat!" Kim said cheerfully as she approached the bar to see the shocked blonde's eyes light up.
"Little Kimmie, my goodness, what are you doing here?" she asked in a distinct Australian accent as the two men turned to see her too. "Kim, these are my old friends Rocky and Adam." She then turned to the two men, "Guys, I don't think you've met Jason and Kimberly's daughter."
"You're the kid of those two?" Rocky asked with a playful smile.
"Bless your heart kid," Adam nodded.
"I always figured Kimberly would end up with – OUCH!" Rocky started but was kicked hard by Kat who walked around the bar.
"So, Kimmie, what are you doing all the way here, are your mum and dad with you?" Kat asked curiously.
"Na, I'm here on hero business." Kim stated, sitting down at the bar. "I'll get to it… there are some guys that have shown up in Middleton. They're calling themselves the Power Rangers. I know that the original Power Rangers were first scene here, so I'm looking for any signs of who they were and maybe find out who these guys are."
The two men looked at each other uncomfortably but Kat spoke up without missing a beat. "No one really knows who the Power Rangers were, Kimmie. They came when needed and disappeared after they were done."
"Isn't that a bit cowardice?" Kim furrowed her brow, "What do they have to hide? With the power I've seen in old film captures and what I saw of these new guys, they could take care of themselves. So why hide their faces?" She asked, blinking in surprise when she saw the Australian woman's eyes flash angrily.
"You've done a lot of good, Kim," Kat said angrily, "But w-they've saved the world more times then you and from far more dangerous monsters!"
Kim's head dropped, and caused Kat's anger to drop with it. "I'm sorry, Kimmie, I didn't mean to yell at you."
"It's ok," Kim said blinking rapidly, fighting off the tears she once again felt burning the back of her eyes. "You're right, It's just I've had a lot going on right now and a bit stressed."
"Look, I'm going to go to the back and make you one of my specials on the house," Kat said hugging her friends' daughter, "That always cheered you up when you were little."
"I'd like that …" Kim nodded as the woman walked back behind the bar and on to the back room.
Kat walked back into the room and picked up the telephone and placed a call.
Hello?
She heard on the other end. "Jason, It's Kat."
Hey, Kat, what's up, calling about the new team on the news?
"In a way, yeah," Kat bit her lip, "Your daughter's here asking questions about the Power Rangers, the ORIGINAL Power Rangers."
Oh boy …
"Is something wrong?" Kat asked, "She seems to be acting funny, did something happen with her and that friend of hers … Don I think it was …"
Ron, and yeah, they had a fight … 'sigh' It's not looking good for those two, doesn't help I think he's got an after school job we both know a lot about.
"You think he's on the new team?" Kat asked.
Yup, and a kid after my own heart, go Big Red.
"Jason, this is serious! Kimmie's hurting here." Kat scolded, "What can we do."
Tell her where to find the old CommandCenter
Kat was silent for a moment, blinking not once, not twice, but three times before almost screaming into the phone. "What?"
She needs something to focus her mind on other then her fight with Ron. It's safer for her to dig around in our past then it is to maybe cross whatever thing this new team was created to fight. What harm could exploring the ruins of the CommandCenter do beside see the grave of the original team?
"If you're sure …" Kat said unsurely.
Besides, we should have told her the truth about her heritage when she started doing her 'hero thing'. If she finds out about us, then she finds out about us. No point in hiding from our own pasts.
"Ok, I'll do it, but if this blows up in our faces, I'm personally kicking your arse over the moon." Kat said mock-angrily "Bye, Jason don't be a stranger."
You too. Bye, Kat.
With that Kat hung up the phone and walked out where she found Rocky and Adam telling Kim embarrassing stories about her parents.
"Hey, Kim, while I was making your drink, I thought of something about the old Power Rangers that might help you out." She stated, getting a curious look from Kim and worried looks from Rocky and Adam.
Middleton Colorado
"Wow, what a house …" Zita breathed as she, Brick, and Ron stared dumbly at the Rockwaller mansion.
"Yea I know," Bonnie shrugged, "It's still a bit trashy but its home."
She opened the door and led the four teens inside. "And remember, Stoppable, if you touch anything, ANYTHING, I'll disembowel you and stuff that damned mole rat up your stupid a…" Bonnie's curse was cut off when Mrs. Rockwaller walked in beaming easily masking Ron's stiffness.
"Oh, Bon-Bon, I'm so happy you finally brought your friends over," she beamed, "I was afraid your only friend was Joshy."
"Bon-Bon?" Zita asked with a snicker.
"Joshy?" Brick laughed having to lean on Zita for support.
"My room's this way …" Bonnie grumbled leading the group through the hall, but two objects on the mantle in the living room caught Ron's attention.
Ron walked over and picked them up to examine them. One was pink and the other silver, with four rectangular lights on connectors running to a circular object. And on the underneath of it was a wrist strap. He rolled up his sleeve and compared it and realized though a bit different, they were Morphers.
"I figured as much," Mrs. Rockwaller spoke from behind Ron startling him.
"Mrs. Rockwaller, I … um …"
"It's ok, you can call me Cassie. After all, we're both Rangers after all." Mrs. Rockwaller greeted taking the pink Astro Morpher.
"Ok … my name's Ron … if you didn't know … um …" Ron stammered, embarrassed to have been found out so easily.
"You don't have to be nervous." Mrs. Rockwaller giggled, before studying the Morpher on Ron's arm. "You're the Red Ranger, huh? That's the hardest job in the world." She stated, placing a hand on the teen's shoulder.
"Huh?" Ron asked nervously.
"My first real love was the Red Ranger of our team," Mrs. Rockwaller stated, giving a sad smile. "Don't let the role of leader eat you away though. The pressure can either make you stronger or it can destroy you if you let it go unchecked."
"I saw you on the news," Mrs. Rockwaller said changing the subject before any questions can be asked. "You guys make quite the team. Now go on to your friends, Ron. Bonnie thinks a lot of you and your friend Kim. She may not show it but you and Kim are highly spoken of by her here, just under Josh." She patted his back before starting toward the door of the living room. "Take care of my, Bon-Bon, Ron, I'm counting on you and Josh to do that for me." She said walking out of the room.
Ron nodded dumbly before making his way into the large house. "Wait … um … where's Bonnie's room again …"
Kim climbed the mountain side where Kat had told her she might find some answers. "This better not be a wild goose chase …" Kim whispered as she hoisted herself over a ledge. She paused to catch her breath before beginning to climb farther.
She reached the top of the plateau and started digging through the thick bushes. "Something was here …" Kim said as she knelt down to pick up a piece of rusted broken metal.
She continued on, stopping suddenly when she noticed her the sound of her boots hitting the ground went from thuds to clangs. She looked up and her jaw dropped. She didn't even realize she had walked through a barely standing wall and was now in a rusted metal hallway overgrown with weeds and moss.
She finally spotted one door still standing half ajar. It was rusted but she could still make out what looked like a lightening bolt symbol along the break in the center. She put both her gloved hands on one door and her back on the other and pushed with all her might and fell when the doors gave way and she stumbled down a series of stairs into a dark underground hallway.
Kim reached on her belt and pulled out a flashlight. With a press of a button the light filled the dark, burned hallway. "What is this place?" Kim asked herself as she slowly made her way down the blackened and moss covered floors. She finally found a damaged door with light escaping the cracks. She pried it opened and gasped at the ruins she discovered.
It was a war zone in appearance. Computers and monitors lay destroyed and a central tank stood shattered in the center and the back wall of the chamber had several broken cases where ripped costumes hung on the broken glass.
Kim was drawn to one in particular. She squatted down and reached into the case and pulled out a white helmet with gold plating around its broken black visor giving it the appearance of a white tiger.
"Many have cowered before the helmet you hold there, Kimberly," A gentle voice spoke from behind the girl, causing her to drop her helmet.
"Shiva!" Kim yelped, spinning around in a fighting stance.
"Greetings my friend," Shiva smiled innocently.
"You're no friend of mine." Kim spat, glaring at the goddess.
"I could be if you'd let me." Shiva took a step toward the redhead.
"Why would I want you for a friend?" Kim asked tightening her fists.
"I could give you everything you ever wanted." Shiva said opening her arms. "Power, popularity, authority … Ron." Shiva smirked when Kim flinched, "And not just Ron, but Ron when your friendship, your relationship is publicly accepted. Ron be as popular and strong as you."
"You can't do that," Kim forced out backing away.
"The do not call me a goddess for nothing, Kimberly," Shiva smiled, "If you wished for Ron's eternal love and devotion, I can give it to you at the snap of my fingers."
Kim's eyes widened as she almost stumbled backtracking.
"You can't hide from me, Kimberly," Shiva stated again soothingly, "I can see your mind, your fantasies. I can make it happen, I can make it where you and Ron sit at the Senior table laughing and talking without anyone giving you disapproving looks. I can make him hold your hand, kiss you, even more if you desired. All you must do is accept me."
"Make …" Kim whispered, "You'd make him," Kim said glancing back up, "Would that be fair to him to be made to do something he doesn't want to do."
"Is it fair to you to be running, hiding from the pain that's eating away at your heart without him by your side?" Shiva asked closing the gap to stroke Kim's cheek motherly. "I can make the pain go away, Kimmie, I can make him yours forever."
It was tempting … so very tempting. "No … no, this is my own fault," Kim shook her head, her voice trembling. "I hurt, Ron, he might come back on his own someday. I'll make it up to him, You'll see," Kim said determinedly, "I'm Kim Possible, I can do Anything! I don't need you to help me. I don't any help at all. I can do anything … I can do anything …" Kim panted.
"Foolish, foolish girl," Shiva shook her head sadly. "You believe this life is a game. You honestly believe you can do anything on your own. You cannot, and you will fall soon. The game is over, Kimberly." Shiva said turning her back on the trembling girl. "But take comfort in when you fall, I'll be there to pick you up and make you whole again as you deserve to be."
Kim watched as the Goddess disappeared. She stood there for a moment before dropping to her knees. "I'll get Ron back … somehow …"
I can make him hold your hand, kiss you, even more if you desired. All you must do is accept me.
The offer was so tempting …
To Be Continued …
C. Cowboy: sorry for the lack of action this chap, but next chap will have another monster and actually take closer look at the newest Yellow Ranger. As for the use of the Inuyasha sword attack, I was trying to come up with an attack and was watching Inuyasha at the time so … shrugs. Anyway, hope ya like the chapter and more to come . Don't forget to review!