Chapter 2- Something old, Something New
Thank you for the likes and follows so far!
So just to touch on where this is, when it comes to possible relationships- in Zeo, Tommy and Kat don't become official until "Good as Gold" when Jason leaves after losing his powers.
At this point clearly there may be feelings there- but never acted on.
And now we continue the story:
After hours of trying to get into the Machine Empire's security system to try to be able to scan for Billy, the gang decided to take a quick break and grab some food to bring back to the Power Chamber.
"Kimberly?"
Tommy engaged sharply as he whirled around when he heard Rocky say her name.
Sure enough, there she was in the doorway of the Youth Center, looking just as radiant as he has always known her to be.
Jason, Rocky and Adam all rushed to her, as she excitedly gave them hugs. Kat had a slight hesitation, but gave a smile and hug while Tanya stood back with Tommy.
"Kim, this is Tanya," Kat introduced her.
"Nice to meet you, I've heard a lot about you," Tanya said with a warm smile.
"Nice to meet you too," Kim returned it, and then turned to Tommy. "Hey."
"Hey yourself," he gave a soft smile as he stepped closer to give a welcoming hug. She held him tightly and gave a little sigh.
"What are you doing here?" Rocky inquired.
"Well, I hurt myself during the last competition and was surprised that I felt relieved. The more time I stayed on the sidelines, the more I realized it wasn't where I wanted to be. I missed home."
"What about…" Kat caught herself and glanced at Tommy.
"John… right. He… wasn't all I thought he was," Kim looked down, ashamed.
"But you're here now," Jason said cheerfully.
"Yep. How are…things going," Kim indicated her meaning with her tone.
"We are dealing with a problem right now," Adam said, his own tone changing to the gravity of the situation.
Kim's smile disappeared from her face as everyone's happy demeanors faded.
"What's wrong?" She lowered her voice.
"It's Billy," Tommy started, and Kimberly felt her heart clench. "He was captured by the Machine Empire."
"They are the ones who have taken Zedd and Rita's place?" Kim asked.
The team nodded back at her.
"So how do we get him back?" She inquired.
They all looked at each other and back to her. "Look, I may not be a ranger any more, but there is no way I'm not doing all I can to help."
"We could always use an extra hand," Rocky gave a nod to her.
"Let's go let Zordon know that Kim is back to help," Jason said.
They glanced around and went to the doorway.
Kim looked to Tommy for permission, and he gave a smile as she placed her hand on his shoulder to ride the teleporter with him.
"Just like old times," he said.
And with beans of color, they vanished.
-PR-
Billy looked around at his cell.
He just needed one point of weakness to be able to get out, or send a signal...
"Well well," Billy froze as he heard the familiar voice. "There he is…"
He turned to see Rita and Zedd, along with Mondo and Machina looking into his cell. He felt like an animal at the zoo.
"Your son did well," Zedd commended the mechanical royals. "And so our deal stands."
"I am so glad we could come together," Queen Machina voiced. "The only way to handle these pests is together."
"Well since you have taken their genius, we will be able to send our newest general to earth for those pesky rangers to deal with," Zedd said, as he eyed Billy, who didn't shrink back.
"What are you going to do with me?" Billy demanded.
"Don't worry," Rita reached her hand through the bars to touch Billy's cheek, but he stepped away. "You are an important part to the end of your friends."
Billy shook his head, "they'll find me. They'll come get me."
"I have no doubt they will try," Mondo said. "And maybe we'll even let them."
"In the meantime…" Zedd raised his staff, pointing the top of the "Z" towards Billy.
The last thing Billy saw was a red beam of energy coming towards him.
The last thing he felt was almost a buzzing sensation over his entire body.
And then darkness.
-PR-
It is great to see you Kimberly, Zordon welcomed the former pink ranger back, I wish it was under better circumstances.
"Me too, Zordon," Kim replied.
"Rangers, I have been getting closer to being able to get through the Machine Empires security system," Alpha informed them. Adam stood next to him and squinted to look at one of the scanners. "Soon we should be able to scan the area and find Billy."
"That's good news," Tanya said, peeking over Adam's shoulder.
Tommy looked at the rest of the team, noting that Kat was sitting on a step in the corner. Kim followed his gaze, seeing the pink ranger leaning her arms on her knees, head in her hands. Kim looked back to Tommy with a question in her eyes.
"Kat blames herself," Tommy informed her softly, "She was with Billy when they were attacked and he was taken."
Kim nodded, understanding what Kat may be feeling. She walked over to her successor and sat by her side.
"You wanna talk about it?" Kim asked her quietly,
"What's to talk about?" Kat said, with a shrug. "I couldn't save him."
"But we can get him back," Kim reassured her. "And you could have been taken too. It's better for the team to have you here to help."
Kat didn't answer. Kim leaned back on her elbows and looked up at the ceiling of the Power Chamber.
"It's never easy," Kim said. "We do our best to protect, but there are times our teammates get hurt. There are times they get captured. You and I have both been captured in the past. And we know it wasn't anyone's fault. And we always come through with the rescue."
Kat lifted her head to look at Kim. She sighed, "you're right… Billy and I were just talking about how he had been keeping us at a distance. Things have been harder for him since he stepped down, and I don't want him to feel any worse. And who knows what they could be doing to him. They had a plan to take him, there must have been a reason why."
Kim nodded. "Zedd and Rita would target Billy because of his intelligence, and how he played an important role in us defeating them… he still fills that spot on the team, I'm sure."
Kat paused. "You're right. That is a Rita and Zedd move…"
Kim frowned, following Kat's line of thinking. "You don't think…"
"I do, and I really hope I'm wrong…"
"What is it?" Jason had noticed the expression on their faces.
"What if Rita and Zedd have something to do with this," Kat asked. She and Kim stood, and the team gave them their attention. "Mondo is always focusing on us. Because he wants the zeo crystals… the Machine Empire is strong, but has always attacked with blinders on."
"Taking Billy sounds like a bigger scheme," Kim added.
"Mondo and Zedd?" Rocky visibly shuddered. "That's not who I would want teaming up…"
Alpha turned to them, "I'm afraid it may be so, rangers."
Adam nodded to the viewing globe.
"By expanding the view of the area, we are able to see a familiar outline," Adam said, chewing at his lower lip.
"Serpentera," Tommy recognized.
Suddenly the alarm went off.
Adam quickly hit a switch to change the view on the globe.
"Ay yi yi!" Alpha said. "There's a collection of Tenga Warriors and Cogs attacking people at the park!"
"That's an invitation if I ever saw one," Kim observed.
"And it's one we are going to have to RSVP to," Tommy replied. "Kim, stay here until we get back. We don't need to lose another friend right now."
Kim sighed, but nodded.
Tommy looked to the others, his eyes landing on Jason who gave him a nod.
"It's morphin time!"
-PR-
The Rangers flipped into action, taking on the Tengas and Cogs as they rushed them.
One by one each foot soldier was subdued.
"Alright!" Jason called out. "You have our attention!"
"Come out and face us!"
"With pleasure," Zedd appeared with Rita by his side.
"Zedd! Do you have something to do with Billy being taken by Mondo?" Tommy demanded.
"He was needed for our treaty," Zedd said.
"A treaty with you could never last very long," Adam commented.
"Well for now we are united," Rita said with a smile. "With a new general to do our bidding!"
"New general?" Rocky tilted his head. "What about Rito and Goldar?"
"Those fools have been missing for months!" Zedd replied. "Clearly we needed someone more reliable."
"And here he is!" Rita raised her wand. "Come my Midnight Ranger!"
"Midnight Ranger?" Tanya looked to the others.
Suddenly there was a flash of a deep purple color rushing past the rangers.
Sparks flew as they all went flying back from the impact.
They all struggled to rush back to their feet, glancing up to see a ranger in purple, with a silver shield protecting his chest. The symbol on his helmet looked like a multi-pointed star.
"I thought they would be a challenge," the voice from the ranger sounded slightly mechanical.
"We will be," Tommy positioned himself into a fighting stance.
The Midnight Ranger stepped into a defense mode that echoed the rangers fighting style.
"Careful," Adam warned.
The rangers all rushed forward, this time on the attack.
And each ranger was deflected by their opponent.
"Is that all you got?" The ranger said with a chuckle, which gave Kat chills. Something about a robot laughing seemed…wrong.
Suddenly the Midnight Ranger raised a hand to his head, stumbling slightly.
"That seems to be enough for today," Rita held up her wand and the Midnight Ranger disappeared. "Next time he will be fully charged Rangers! Just wait and see!"
Zedd joined in on her laugh as they vanished.
"A new Ranger opponent…" Tommy sighed.
"Let's get back to the Power Chamber and see what Zordon has to say about this," Tanya said.
Everyone voiced their agreement as they teleported back.
-PR-
Billy opened his eyes, being met with the sight of the wall of his cell.
He felt so tired.
Are they draining me? He wondered.
He remembered being zapped by Zedd…
He glanced down at his body, noticing his communicator was now gone, replaced by another type of device.
What it was… he didn't know just yet.
But it probably wasn't anything good.
Once again, thank you for reading! Next chapter may take a day or so to get out.
Comments are welcome!
It helps me to know that people actually like what I write (helps me decide how long or short the story/series of stories will be).