Disclaimer : The last disclaimer I make, and its for the whole story : I DO NOT OWN THE POWER RANGERS! ANY OF IT!
A/N ;;; Well, this is my second chapter of the day. Its long, eight pages on OpenOffice. [Author's Note at the bottom of the page as well]
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Chapter Two : Prince of Evil
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2001
1.50 pm
Angel Grove Park
"They may look like Putties, but they sure as hell don't fight like 'em." Jason said, dodging another clawed swipe. Like the putties, they weren't smart or strong, but they were fast, with claws of steel and teeth to match.
"Kinda makes me wish for the little Zedd Babies." Zack joked, then winced, "I can't believe I just said that."
"I can." Trini said, "You do usually speak without thinking first."
"If he thinks at all." Jason said, then swerved to the side and delivered a perfect ax kick to a enemy's skull.
Billy landed near him out of a black flip, cursing as he did so. "Since when do you curse?" Trini asked as they fell back into a group of four again.
"Since we get our butts kick by foot soldiers." He wheezed, then ducked and did a lovely side kick right into the black putty's chest. "I'm out of shape." He said as an after thought, sounding somewhat disgusted.
"We all are." Trini said, then did a cartwheel, landing and throwing out a round kick at a putty's side.
"Stop flirting and fight, will ya?" Zack snarled, pushing a putty Billy's way.
Jason cut through and took it out before it could hit the blue ranger. "As much as I hate to agree..." He started, then pulled back to a tornado kick.
The black putty stumbled away, and is didn't charge again. It stayed where it was, swaying back and forth as the remaining ones joined it. The stood in a huge cluster, weaving back and forth like birds, as if waiting for a command.
The Rangers pulled back as well, pulling out their Power weapons as they did so. Always better to be cautious. Otherwise, you might just end up dead, Jason though fleetingly. "On the count of three, I want you to discharge your weapons. Let's try and get rid of them in one foul swoop."
Everyone nodded, and Zack switched his grip of his Power Axe, getting ready to send waves at his enemies. "You know, its kinda odd that they just...backed off." He said, a millisecond before Jason started the countdown.
"I too am wonder why its so." Billy ventured, "Maybe they're waiting for commands?"
Trini nodded, agreeing with Billy, even though she had no idea how he had come to the conclusion. "Jase, I say we wait for their boss to out, or see what's up with them." She shrugged a shoulder at him. "No use wasting power on foot soldiers if a big one is coming out soon."
Sighing, he agreed. "Fine. Five minutes only. After that, no more waiting."
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2001
1.52 pm
Revamped Moon Palace
She lazed across the cushions, her black and pink hair spread around her. She had dyed it black the first month of her freedom, then streaked it pink soon after. She'd never changed it, never gone back. Was there really a need to? Something told her she was being silly, thinking such deep thoughts about hair color, but another part of her told her she wasn't thinking about hair at all.
Kim let out a frustrated growl as she bolted into a sitting position, clawing hair out of her face with her pink-tipped fingers. Each one had a bright silver end, and were longer than she'd ever worn them on earth. She had always wanted fake nails, but her mothers always, always said no. When she left earth and mother behind, she'd done everything she wanted, including the nails.
She slipped the sheer white robe around her, loving the feel of the clothe against her mostly nude skin. Unlike the former occupant of the Lunar Palace, the Empress of Evil felt no need to doll herself up. Instead, she went around mostly nude. Her current outfit was tiny pink skirt, sheer like the robe in all but a few areas. The top was a bikini looking this, once again in pink, though the shades changed depending on the light.
Eying herself in the mirror with glowing pink eyes, she couldn't help but smirk. God, she was hot. Then she shook her head, her curls dancing around her as she pivoted and slipped on the high heel sandals.
She made her way from the bedroom to the throne room. Tommy had redone the entire palace, purging the gleaming white marble of any trace of the Moon Witch and her failure of a husband. Now it was done in white and pink, black splashed every so spaces just to tone down the brightness. The carpet of the entire palace was plush black, for example, while almost all the walls were white marble. Pink crystal hung as lights, something to add her color to their new home.
The woman hid a delicate yawn behind a slender hair, her heels making no noise on the carpet. Then she pushed the marble doors open with a strength no human should have and poked her head in. "Tommy? You there?" She didn't want to enter the huge room for no reason.
She saw a movement from the balcony and two tall, male figures came from outside. She slipped into the large room, thin eyebrows already raising at Tommy as she walked towards them. "I didn't know we had guests." A polite way of saying, 'Who the hell is he'.
Tommy smiled and didn't stop walking until he was invading her personal space. His friend stopped farther away, respecting their space as the evil couple kissed deeply. Finally, Tommy pulled back and looped an arm around her waist, maneuvering her so that she saw his friend.
"This is Andros." He said lightly, "You remember him better as Dark Specter's Prince of Evil?" It was a question rather than anything else.
"Oh. Him." She said, then smiled charmingly and held out a hand.
Andros stepped forward and kissed it, looking up at her with dark hazel eyes. His hair was duel colored, parts of it black and parts of it eerie white blonde. "My Empress."
She smirked at him and took her hand back, allowing him to stand. "Former Prince of Evil." She said in reply, enjoying the spark of anger in his dark eyes. He should have been the Emperor of Evil; instead, he was now nothing.
'I was thinking of giving him back the title,' Tommy spoke in her mind.
She didn't even jump. 'You should. By giving him respect and a title, we could make a valuable alley that Dark Specter didn't have.'
Tommy murmured his agreement in her mind, not even bothering to nod. Dark Specter had been powerful, too powerful for anyone other than the two greatest Power Rangers to defeat. That didn't mean anyone supported him. Cruel and rude, he had no political manners, and made more enemies than friends. It was how they had torn him down and rebuilt their own empire.
They would not be the same.
"Or should I say, current Prince of Evil?" Kim asked a second later, her smirk growing darker.
An eyebrow lifted on the man in front of her. "Oh? I wasn't aware I was still in possession of the title."
"Shall we give it back to him, love? He is so very cute." She purred, turning towards her husband and placing a hand on his chest, smiling into his eyes.
He smirked and pressed a kiss to her hair. This show were merely that : a show. They had decided a while ago on how to play it; she would pretend to be the clueless trophy wife and he would pretend to merely tolerate her. It was a show that they put on to lure out those who wanted the throne. They would attack, thinking the new rulers weak. Once taken care of, there would be no more willing to steal the throne.
So far, it had worked.
"Yes, darling, I think we shall." He said after a second, glowing white eyes on the figure in front of him.
He didn't know how loyal Andros was. The man was from a colony called KO-35, and had been kidnapped as a child. The aim of Dark Specter had been the twin, whose magic was significant even from a young age. Instead, the fool who had done the job had nabbed the male twin, but it suited fine with Tommy. He liked his paws weak, anyway.
Another bow from the duel-colored haired man. "Thank you, my emperor."
"Oh, don't thank me yet." Tommy said lightly, moving swiftly past the man in a semi-bow, his arms still around his Beautiful. "Thank me after you finish your job, if you still wish to."
"Job?" The Prince was surprised enough to stand straight up and blink.
"Did Dark Specter never give you quests?" The former good ranger asked from her place by her lover's side.
"No, my empress. I was merely to kill those he did not like, and they were usually in front of me when I was told to." He explained. In fact, they had always been dragged in front of him, and never hard to kill.
"Ah, then this will be like school for you." Tommy's lips curved into a smile, dark intent in his every move.
"A very first lesson, easy indeed," Kim said softly, turning her eyes towards the large windows that looked upon Earth.
"And what lesson will that be, my rulers?" Andros asked when Tommy turned his gaze to look where his wife stared. It was obvious that nothing was going to happen without prodding.
"Destroy the Power Rangers, the defenders of Earth." They both said at the same time, their heads snapping towards him at the same time. Glowing pink and silver eyes stared at him, and for the first time in his life, the Prince of Evil felt afraid, terrified that he would die if he did not do as commanded...
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2001
6.55 pm
Angel Grove Park
Jason stepped back, and everyone who stood behind him did as well, a collective breath going up. A portal was twisting in front of him, pink and white combining and opening to show a figure. A second later, feet hit the ground and a man stepped from the pink and white portal, a sword held in his hand.
Jason took quick observations, and trusted his instincts. His instincts told him to retreat, and his observations said the same. The man was dressed in black jeans, which was odd because he looked so old style. A huge belt bucket sat at his waist, keeping two sword sheathes near him, and his boots seemed to float on the ground as he made his way towards the middle of the foot soldiers. His shirt was red, and it looked like a muscle shirt, the kind that Jason himself wore.
For seem reason, the appearance struck the red ranger wrong. The guy seemed to have an aura around him, one that said he was old and powerful, and should be wearing something that matched. Instead he stood with a sword in one hand, another on his waist and in modern black and red, hair tied back in a ponytail.
"Rangers." He said, voice like black velvet, which caused Jason to scowl more. What happened to ugly evil guys? "How good to finally meet you."
"You seem to have us at an advantage." Jason said lightly, though he felt anything but. "You know about us, but we have no idea who you are."
The guy only smirked, "Dear Jason, I have you at an advantage in more ways than that."
Jason was struck, his blood frozen in his body. This guy knew who he was. How the hell...Pushing the thought away for later, he focused on what the guy was saying. "...Prince of Evil at your service." 'Prince of Evil's' voice was amused, like he was laughing at them. "But you may call me Andros, if you wish. Not that it matters, as you will be dead soon."
"If your goal is talking us to death, Andros," Jason spat the name, "Then you are succeeding."
He didn't look amused, though Zack snorted his laugh. Billy and Trini were rolling his eyes, he could tell, behind their helmet, wondering why he had to go and torment a being that seemed to roll with power.
There was a slight pause, then the com. in his helmet crackled to life. "Ayiyiy! Jason, fall back! Zordon says to fall back!" Alpha continued with this until Jason sighed.
He signaled to the others it was time to teleport, right as the guy in front of him moved. Faster than anything he'd ever seen, too. He blocked the sword that was swung at his face almost a second too late, or too early, judging by Andro's face. Then he saw nothing more than ruby light.
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2001
2.03 pm
Command Center
Tini let the morph go just a her golden light vanished, reverting to civilian clothing. She looked around and saw the others had done so, back in their jeans and t-shirts. She herself was back in jeans and her yellow tank top, hair band still atop her head.
"Billy, are you okay?" She asked when he winced, moving quickly to his side.
He waved her off with a smile. "Yeah, I'm fine. Slightly winded; I've been working in labs and with computers since we defeated Zedd, remember? I haven't had time for keeping in shape."
"I AM SORRY, BILLY, FOR DRAGGING YOU BACK INTO THIS FIGHT." Zordon said, his voice booming once again.
Billy smiled at the face of his mentor. "I'm not complaining. I like fighting the good fight," He joked, then more seriously, "Besides, it felt good to be a team again."
Zack nodded from his place on the ground, his back against a control box. "I second that motion."
"I enjoyed leading again." Jason teased, but like the others, he was glad to be back. "I do have a question, though. Why'd you call us back? If we worked together, Zordon, we could have beaten that guy."
"I'M AFRAID YOU WOULDN'T HAVE. ANDROS, OR RATHER, THE PRINCE OF EVIL, IS A LEGEND ON THE BATTLEFIELD, AND IN SOCIETIES LIKE OURS. HE HAS LOST ALMOST NO FIGHT, AND IS KNOWN FOR HIS BLOODTHIRSY AND LEATHAL WAYS." Zordon said gently, or as gently as he could when his voice boomed that way.
"BEFORE YOU EVEN THINK TO FIGHT ONE SUCH AS HIM, YOU WILL NEED NEW MORPHERS AND EQUIPMENT, NOT TO MENTION A FIFTH MEMBER." Zordon added, this time a little tentatively.
"Like hell! Zordon, we can't replace Kim! She gave her lives for us! By giving another person the Pink Power Coin, you'll destroy her memory." Trini objected, for once loosing her cool.
"I DON'T PLACE TO REPLACE HER, TRINI. EVEN IF I DID, IT WOULD BE IMPOSSIBLE. THE PINK POWER COIN WAS DESTROYED WITH KIMBERLY." There was silence; that had been one part of the story that Zordon hadn't told the others. "INSTEAD, I AM BRINGING IN TWO RANGERS FROM ANOTHER WORLD, A FORMER COLONY CALLED KO-35." Their mentor explained."THE SILVER AND PURPLE SPACE RANGERS HAVE FOUGHT ANDROS BEFORE, AND LIVED."
Jason made a noise in the back of his throat. "If they can, we can as well. I mean, they might have a better power source, but we can still do it." His pride in his team wouldn't let anyone, not even Zordon, tell them there was someone better.
"It has nothing to do with beating him." A voice from behind them said softly.
Everyone spun at that, and Zack whistled. The woman standing before them wore black pants and a purple shirt, a matching black vest over it. Blonde hair cascaded around her high cheekbones, and red lips were pursed in a frown. She was a beauty, Trini thought, once I will never be.
Behind her stood a man, his hand on her shoulder. He wore the same uniform, but his shirt was silver instead of purple. He had a lighter shade of blonde, almost white in colour. His ice blue eyes wandered over them all, laughing and fun, and Trini blinked. Most people didn't look so happy at times like these.
"I'm Zhane," The silver man said, smiling, "And this is Karone." He motioned down at the woman who stood only to his chin. "I'm the Silver Space Ranger, and Karone is the Purple Space Ranger."
"I'm Jason, the Red Earth Ranger." Jason started, then motioned for everyone.
"Billy, Earth's Blue Ranger." The light brown haired man stepped forward, smiling slightly.
"Zack, Earth's Black." He said, smirking playfully. "And damn if this isn't awkward."
"Shut up, Zack." Trini hissed before putting on a smile and stepping up by Billy. "And I'm Trini Kwan, the Yellow Earth Ranger."
Karone nodded at them, and Zhane gave her a concerned look. "Well, nice to meet you all. Wish I could say it was under better circumstances."
"Why did you ask us here, Zordon?" Karone said suddenly, shifting feet.
"YOU HEARD PART OF THE REASON, KARONE. YOUR BROTHER HAS APPEARED HERE, AND I ONCE PROMISED YOU THAT I WOULD ALWAYS CALL YOU WHEN HE SHOWED UP."
"Wait." Jason said, calling a halt to everything. "Your brother is Prince of Evil, fear-me-and-die Andros?"
"Yes," Karone snapped, glaring. "But its not his fault."
"From what Zordon said, he's a murderer and a thief. How is that not his fault?" Zack asked, falling back to support his leader.
"ENOUGH, RANGERS!" Zordon sounded a bit angry this time, only to be stopped by Zhane.
"No, they need to know." The Silver Ranger said, "When Karone and Andros were small, Dark Specter, the former ruler of evil, tried to kidnap Karone. Instead, he ended up with Andros. A young Andros, five years old, was brainwashed and raised as the Prince and Heir of Evil."
"Oh." Zach said, while Trini added her two cents, "That makes more sense now."
Jason squirmed a bit, "Look, I'm sorry. He just...he would have killed us all, and I'm taking it a bit personally, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know." Karone said, softening. "I was an enemy of the Prince of Evil before I knew he was my brother and a victim, and trust me, I hated him as much as the next person."
Jason opened his mouth, only to be cut off by Zordon. "RANGERS OF BOTH EARTH AND SPACE. I KNOW YOU ARE NEW TO EACH OTHER, BUT I ASK THAT YOU PLACE THE NEED TO BECOME FRIENDS ASIDE FOR LATER. RIGHT NOW, WE HAVE PRESSING ISSUES TO DISCUSS."
"JASON, TRINI, ZACK AND BILLY ; ONCE BEFORE YOU WERE CHOSEN TO BE POWER RANGERS, AND I SHALL MAKE THIS OFFER ONCE MORE. WILL YOU TAKE UP THE POWER ONCE MORE, OR GO ON WITH LIFE WHILE I FIND NEW RANGERS?"
It wasn't really a choice, but they spoke anyway. "I said I'd always be ready to defend Earth, and I meant it." Jason said softly, standing tall and feeling the power swell in him like it hadn't in years.
"Zordon, I help saved this earth more times than not, and I'll be damned if my hardwork goes down the drain now." It was a joke, but the meaning behind it was real. Zack would be the Black Ranger again.
"I'm in agreement, Zordon. I love this planet too much to leave it unprotected." Billy said, chest swelling and a smile gracing his face brilliantly.
"I'm up for anything, and always will be."Trini was the last, but her face glowed and she felt complete after years.
"THANK YOU, RANGERS. NOW I MUST ASK YOU TO TEAM UP AND ACCEPT THE HELP OF THE SPACE RANGERS. THEY HAVE THE UPGRADES YOU NEED, AND THE KNOWLEDGE TO HELP YOU WHERE I CAN NOT."
"Of course, Zordon." Jason said, knowing he'd do whatever it took to protect his planet. Turning his head, he looked at Zhane and Karone, then held out his hand. "Welcome to the team, I guess."
Karone was the first to shake, followed by Zhane. "You got anything to eat around here? Cause I'm really hungry." The silver space ranger said light, everyone dissolving into laughter and the tension breaking just like that.
Trini sighed in contentment; maybe this could be the path to healing the wound Kim's death had left them. Maybe, just maybe, they would be whole once again.
a.n ; yes, I have Zhane and Karone in here, along with Andros. I love Power Rangers in Space, and I love Andros, Ashley and Zhane, which is why they are in the story. Plus, I think it worked out with the plot as well.
And yes, to all you out there who love PRiS as much as me. I did switch Andros and Karone's placement. Now Andros was the kidnapped one, not Karone. You'll see why later. ^_-