Chapter 3: Results
As soon as Will woke up the next morning, he headed down to the medical center to check on Ronny. He wasn't surprised to see Mack already there; actually it looked like he had been there all night. As leader of the rangers, he was worried about his teammate. Will realized quickly that Mack felt as guilty as he did about Ronny. He woke the red ranger up to join the rest of the team for a conference with Spencer and Mr. Hartford.
Will was hoping that Ronny's condition could be remedied quickly and painlessly. The look on Spencer's face however did nothing to assuage Will of his worry. "She is very weak and unresponsive, I'm afraid." The butler said sadly, hurting for the team that stood before him and the girl who lay behind them.
"We think Moltor is behind the intensity of the attacks, keeping Ronny in battle has weakened her considerably." Andrew Hartford revealed cautiously.
"But I thought everything was fine when I destroyed the draining device." Will contended irately, his anger toward Moltor growing ever more as he paced the room feverishly.
"Even though her energy is not being drained anymore, it is not fully recovered either." Spencer informed them tiredly.
"How can it be restored?" Rose pleaded eagerly, the only one sitting still and calm enough to reason and receive information.
"Well, "Mr. H paused uncertain how to tell them. His pause worried the rangers. "Ronny will have to be put into a drug induced coma for three months until her power restores itself to its natural balance." Reported Mr. Hartford regretfully.
"Three months?" Will cried out in disbelief. "We can't fight without her for three months." He argued in disbelief.
"Will's right." Mack agreed. "What about another power source?" He asked as he turned to his father. "I was reading last night about how the green and pink morphin rangers were able to get their powers back by using another power source to fuel their powers." The red ranger explained as he handed his father the book he had been reading. Mr. H was a little shocked at how Mack had ascertained the information about Ronny but was glad he was prepared to fight.
Dax was strangely quiet this entire time conversation flowed around him. "How do we find another power source?" he asked breaking his silence.
"In the country of Zaire, there is another power source in the diamond mines, a rare yellow diamond that is one of the most powerful jewels in the world." Andrew Hartford declared hopefully. "Using the diamond's power we can restore Ronny's energy. "
"Let's go!" Dax cried out enthusiastically, eager to escape the helplessness he felt at Ronny's condition, and wanting to find a solution to help his teammate.
"Even if the yellow diamond restores her powers completely she will always be at risk." Warned the adventurer. "It won't be easy rangers." Mr. Hartford cautioned them. "If Moltor finds out what you're up to, he will stop at nothing to keep you from the diamond."
"I'll make sure Moltor doesn't find out." A weary voice vowed fiercely as the yellow ranger limped into the hallway. Mack rushed to her and forced her into a chair, not surprised at her desire to help.
"Ronny, you can't. It's too dangerous." Rose begged her friend to reconsider.
"Rose is right. A few more battles and we may not be able to restore your energy." Mr. Hartford announced bleakly.
"Do you understand the risk you're taking?" Mack asked seriously. "You could die, Ronny." He added more gently yet realistically.
"I don't care." Ronny protested vehemently. "If you don't get the diamond, I'm as good as dead anyway." She said, ripping out the wires and tubes that monitored her condition. "Moltor won't go after you if I'm around." She stated truthfully. "He wants me." Ronny added bitterly, "he's going to wish he didn't."
"Well until he comes calling for you, you need to stay in bed and rest." Ordered Spencer though not unkindly, gallantly offering his arm to the weak girl as he escorted her back to bed.
"Dad, you can't let her do this." Mack objected strongly. "She could die before we even get the diamond." He said worried.
"I'll take care of Ronny and you take care of getting that diamond back here as fast as you can." Mr. Hartford promised Mack, hugging him before he and the others left on their mission. "Be careful."