Chapter 8
"Did you miss me Zeddy?" came a familiar voice. Those in Throne Room turned to see a familiar figure entering: Rita Repulsa! The witch who had given the Rangers so many problems, including the time that she had created the Evil Green Ranger, among other foes, were too numerous to count. Now, she was back, after having been banished by Lord Zedd from this galaxy.
"I thought that you were gone!" growled Zedd, as he grabbed his staff and aimed it at Rita. Things were coming along well. Kim was embracing the darkness within her, helped along by the dark energy that filled the statue that he had created. She was proving herself a worthy warrior, giving Goldar someone to train and battle against that helped Now Rita had shown up, and was threatening EVERYTHING!
"I was. But now, I am back. And I am here to claim my place as your protege, not some human who you turned from being a Power Ranger" Rita snarled. Rita not only wanted to be Zedd's protege, but to replace him once again in the eyes of the Dark Empire.
"If I may speak, my Lord?" Kimberly asked, looking at Zedd. Upon his nod of approval, she turned toward the former Empress. "Rita, you NEVER were of any success when you battled us then. And you are no match for me" Kim told her, in a cold, ruthless voice.
"You, a puny Power Ranger, Dare to Challenge ME! I'll destroy you" Rita said, issuing a challenge in doing so.
"Kimberly, do you accept the challenge that Rita has issued you?" Zedd asked, knowing that this was going to be a battle to see! If Kimberly defeated Rita, then she was truly worth being his apprentice. If not, then he would have to seek out a new one.
"I do" Kim said, summoning her Halberd to her side. She knew that while she was not as strong as Rita when it came to magic, what she had learned would help her. And with her weapon, Rita was going to be in trouble!
"And do you, Rita Repulsa, accept the challenge? You do have the right to withdraw now, without any consequences" Zedd told her. But Zedd doubted that Rita would withdraw. Rita would want to prove that she was worthy of her title as Empress and wanted that back.
"I will not back down! I will destroy her and take back my position" Rita declared, summoning her wand. Rita was bound and determined to regain her title as Empress and aid in conquering the Earth.
"Then let the battle commence" Zedd declared, allowing the two protagonists to begin the fight. Zedd was staying neutral, but was secretly routing for Kim. The former Pink Ranger had adapted to using magicks and had become someone who could train with Goldar, and learn from each other.
Rita made the first move in the fight, using a spell to try and blind Kim. Kim though, countered with a spell of her own, that not only blocked the light spell, but absorbed some of the energy as well. Kim then used a spell that created a number of small missiles that, while Rita was able to avoid most of them, some did score hits on Rita.
"A rather unusual fight, would you not say so Goldar?" Zedd asked the winged simian from Titan. The battle was keeping Zedd interested, and was interested in seeing who was going to be victorious in this fight.
"Very interesting, my Lord" Goldar answered. Goldar had mixed feelings on the battle. While he was enjoying seeing Rita back, he was enjoying being with Zedd, and also had the pleasure of working out with Kimberly. The former Pink Ranger was definitely giving Rita a run for her money.
"Why don't you just surrender Kimberly? Make it easier on yourself" Rita taunted the former Pink Ranger, trying to throw her off of her game. Rita was shocked with what Kim did next though.
Instead of answering with words, Kim STRUCK! First, she summoned to her side her halberd, which she used to cut Rita's staff in half! Then, she used a leg sweep to knock a surprised Rita onto the floor. Finally, she took the pointed end of the halberd, and pointed it at Rita's throat, which was something Kim would NEVER have done as a Ranger!
Rita was SHOCKED! No one had ever done that to her. No staff, no access to her magicks. She was helpless as Kim stood over her.
"You've won. Finish me" Rita said, as she looked up at Kim, who had a cold look in her eyes. Rita was not certain what would happen, but she she was certain that she was in trouble.
"No. Destroying you would not serve what I want or need. What I want and need is knowledge. Knowledge of Magick other than what Lord Zedd has taught me. And that is what you can do Rita. You can teach me, help me be better in using Magic" Kim told the former empress.
What Kim was suggesting both shocked and intrigued Rita. NO ONE had ever wanted to learn from her. Yet, the idea of supplementing what Zedd had taught Kim intrigued her. "Very well, Kim, you have a deal" Rita told her.