A; U :;: Okay, that last chapter was really long for me. I don't know about you, but typing eight pages almost murdered my muse fairy...then I read someone else's work, and POOF! Its back. Plus, the three really great reviews I got renewed my muse. Go you guys!
Well, here's some TommyKim fluff, or as fluffy as evil couples get. Also, we get to see some some of the characters we love.
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Chapter Three – The Living Dead
Thursday, Nov. 13, 2001
6.00 pm
Revamped Moon Palace
"We told you to destroy them, not have a goddamn tea party!" The Empress of Evil snarled, eyes glowing a dark pink than before. "Because you decided to show off a title you aren't worthy of, the only thing standing between me and that world got away!"
Tommy stood back, merely smirking. He might be the figure head and the fighter of the Empire, but his wife, lover and queen was the true drive behind the vast empire. She had a temper that over came his own, and the skills and stomach to back it up (with both fighting and torture). Not that she needed it; if she went around looking like she did now all the time, no one would pose a problem. Well, okay, he'd have to kill them for ogling his wife...but still. On that train of thought, he glued his eyes and took her in again.
Her hair was in a cloud of dark and hot pink, the curls swaying with her slender body. She was completely nude under the mostly sheer dark pink robe, which was one of the many reasons his eyes were glued to her. Pink fire pooled from her eyes, and she was glowing a steady pink, a few blasts of black every so often.
"Next time you see them, don't stop to talk about the weather!" She finally roared, her voice echoing through the halls of the palace. "KILL THEM!"
"Y-yes, My Empress!" Andros said from the floor where we was kneeling. Pooled around him and stuck to his hair, and his voice was hoarse and shaky from blood-loss.
"Good." She said, composing herself in a matter of second, "Go and clean yourself up now. And try not to get blood on my carpet, hm?"
The Prince of Evil stood and moved away, pale and bleeding. His back had the worst of it, but along his chest there were deep lines of red as well. The Empress of Evil had run her claws up and down him like a cat or even a bird, drawing blood and growling as she did so. His 'punishment' for not killing the Rangers this time.
He teleported to his room, not wanting to anger the Empress over such things as blood on her carpet. Her temper was set off by the smallest of thing, such as, well, blood on her carpet or being interrupted when talking with her husband. He had seen her in action once before, when a Quantico interrupted her and her husband's conversation. She had destroyed the Quantron and all of its kind, leading to the current production of new ones and the temporary use of Black Putties.
During those times, it was easy to see why the pair had been able to murder Dark Specter. Other times, like the first time he had met them? Not so; the Empress had seemed like a normal human girl, except the glowing eyes, with a habit of wanting thing destroyed. No brain, no plans, just impulse. The Emperor had been twisted upon her little finger, doing whatever she said with mindless devotion.
Then he had come to their summer palace, this redone Lunar Palace, to pension for a title and some forces. He found that they weren't the same as before. Violent and manipulative, both were cruel and merciless, though completely devoted to each other. He personally found it odd that those two, while being like they were, were so in love, but he didn't have the courage to question it.
Grunting, he stood from the bed he had teleported to and made his way towards the cabinet. Throwing them open, he found exactly what he needed. While he healed faster than a mortal, it wasn't less painful. In fact, with accelerated healing, his wounds were probably more so.
Groaning in pain, he placed the bandages on, eyes focused on the white wall in front of him.
Someone would pay for these wounds. If not the Monarchs of Evil, then the Power Rangers.
Friday, Nov. 13, 2001
6.31 pm
Revamped Moon Palace
She moved towards him, perching on the edge of his throne. "Strike one." She muttered, then smiled as she was pulled back into his warm chest.
"Two more and he's out." He echoed her.
She shrugged, "Maybe. Or maybe I might just keep him around for amusement."
He chuckled, chest moving under her cheek. "Be sure not to get too attached, or I might just get jealous and kill him."
"That's so sweet." She purred, moving to peck a kiss to his lips. "I'm flattered that you would think to kill someone over me."
"Of course, darling," He said lightly, then smirked, "You're mine, just as I'm yours. Anyone who gets in the way of that has to die."
"You're right of course," She cooed back, then sighed.
"What's the matter, love?" He asked, though he had a pretty good idea based on the look on her face.
"I'm bored." She complained, "I know we have to wait until the Rangers are destroyed to do anything, but..."
He sighed himself then, stroking her hair. "Well, we can always join the fight ourselves you know. Maybe you can go down there and play ghost?" He suggested.
"Oh, that's right. They think I'm dead, don't they?" Now she sounded a little better. "I like the way you think. Have I ever told you that?"
She moved away from him and he scowled, standing after her so he wouldn't loose her warmth. "Which idea?"
"Well, both in a way. Give them a few glimpses of me, let them think a ghost is haunting them. If, for some reason, they catch me, I can pretend to have been tortured and etcetera by you." She explained, her eyes brightening. "Break their spirits a little bit, or just in total, make the fight more interesting."
"Huh. I kinda like it." He said, pulling her back to rest against him. He didn't like her far away from him for even a second. "But where will I be during this time?"
"Invisible, of course." She giggled. The good thing about leaning all the evil in the galaxy was that they had hundreds of witches and spells at the fingertips.
He smirked down at her, then lifted his head and yelled out, "KAT!"
A second after his summons, the blonde witch stuck her head around the corner of the throne room. Tall and amazonian, the Australian had been another of Rita's flunkies. She had been put under a spell and ordered to seduce, then destroy, Jason, the leader of the Power Rangers. She didn't have time to complete her mission before Rita died. Kim had suggested giving her Rita's staff and making her a witch in their lovely court. Easier than finding a new person, really.
"Yes, my lord?" She was also one of the few beings that didn't have to bow and use the formalities. She had been with them since the start, and in turn, they treated her just a bit better than the others.
"One of those little invisibility potions...you know, the kind we used before?" Tommy said, motioning with a hand. "I want to spy on the Rangers a little bit, and I don't want them to know it."
They saw her head vanish, then the pattering of feet. Her workroom was close, so it was only a few seconds before she came back, this time fully into the room. She gave a slight bow then held out the vial of almost clear liquid.
"It will only work for three hours, and only on Earth. If its used here, then the entire potion will be fried." She explained. "Just drink it, and wait for a second. You'll be fully invisible."
Kim smiled and leaned up to pat the other girl's cheek. "You're a darling."
Kat smiled at her, "Thank you, my queen. If you will excuse me now...The Quantrons still need some magical life. You know how it is." She shrugged a should before rushing out, her dress flapping like usual.
"Very focused, if a tad rude." Tommy remarked a second later. "Now, go change if you will. You won't blend very well with that on."
She smiled innocently and pushed off the robe. "Or off."
Then she bolted towards their room, laughing as he followed at the same pace.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2001
12.17 pm
The Youth Center
She twisted in the skirt, frowning at the clothe that covered her body. She hadn't worn clothes like this she had left earth, and didn't really like the outfit that much. The color – a dark pink, with streaks of black – was alright, but the skirt was heavy and long. The top was better, a knot holding the clothe together right under her breasts. Her entire torso was pretty much bare, which, considering her usual attire, was quite modest.
Kim covered a yawn as she sipped the strawberry kiwi smoothie, wondering what was taking the Power Puppies so long. Taking a sip, she focused on the entrance as the door chimed once again, two people entering. She sighed in aggravation at the fat man, who was closely followed by a skinny, bird looking one. She vaguely remembered them from her freshman yea...Flunk and Skulk, or something like that.
Twirling back around, she push her black and pink ponytail to the side, only to have it pushed back. She smiled, and reached around to tighten it as a cover for smacking Tommy's hands away. The guy was having way too much fun being invisible. He had been messing with her all day, pulling her ponytail and spilling her first smoothie. She couldn't do anything about it either, unless she wanted to attract attention.
"They're here." He whispered in her ear, so only she could hear it. People started freaking out when they heard voices and didn't a see a person.
Should I get up and move now, or wait until they see me fully? She asked. She might be the temper and looks behind the Empire, but he more fighting experience, which included psyching out his opponents.
Its too early in the game to let them see you alive, Why don't you move, just give them a glimpse of the skirt, something that really looks like the old Kimberly? He suggested, though it was merely that : a suggestion. He never directly told her what to do, even though he was more powerful than her.
"And then increase the 'sightings' of Kim's ghost until they think they're going crazy." She finished his thought before he did; she had learned how he thought, and really, it was quite obvious after she thought about it.
Exactly. Now go. He said, and she felt his leaving her presence, though she didn't see him.
Standing, she turned her back, skirt swirling around her. The strawberry and kiwi smoothie, her favorite drink both Before and After, sat on the counter as she moved towards the side entrance. She felt arms come around as she left the building, and her lover whispered into her ear, "They're were staring. Then Jason saw the drink and...oops, here he comes."
A second later they rounded a corner and vanished in a portal that he had set up earlier. Nothing was left by the time Jason hit the exit.
Saturday, Nov. 14, 2001
12.20 pm
The Youth Center
"Kim?" Jason whispered, watching as the slight, slender looking girl whisked out the door. Her pink skirt trailed behind her, the color having been the first thing that caught his eye. He watched her, then swung his head to look at Zack.
"Did that just look like Kim to you?" He asked, and the Black Ranger just nodded.
"I know it sounds weird, but..." Trini started, "It kinda looked like he r to me too, even with the funky hair."
Billy nodded, and motioned with his head towards the drink, "Kiwi and strawberry as well." He was the only one close enough to be able to tell.
Jason was walking towards the exit before anyone could say anything more. He knew Kim was dead, and he knew that this wasn't her. Still, his heart told him to go look, and his gut seconded the idea; he's learned long ago to always follow his instincts.
"Kim?" He called, voice echoing in the alley behind the Youth Center. Nothing, except...
He bolted towards the slight flash of pink light, head turning around the corner. Nothing.
Shaking his head, he rolled his eyes at his own folly. Kim was dead, and no matter what he wanted to believe, even now, she would stay dead. Pushing open the door, he shrugged at his friends, looking sheepish.
"Sorry, guys. My body just got a head of itself, ya know?" He said, eyes a little downcast.
"Hey, man, not a problem." Zack shrugged.
"If you hadn't gone after the girl, I would have." Trini put in, then turned and took the shakes from Ashely, the girl that worked there.
"What did she say, Jason? Was she related to Kim? A cousin, maybe?" Billy asked, a little shaken. Normally, the fact a slender brunette was in the Youth Center wouldn't bother them, but between the fact the girl had been wearing all pink, drinking Kim's favorite drink, and wit happened to be a day after the anniversary of her death...Well, even he was a little spooked.
"No idea. She was gone by the time I got out there, totally vanished." Jason said, shrugging as he sipped the chocolate shake.
Zack blinked. "Am I the only one who thinks that's freaky? The day after the anniversary of her death, someone who walks like Kim, dresses like Kim and was drinking what she always got, shows up, then vanishes into thin air?"
"Just because we battle monsters and save the world and have seen out share of witches and demons doesn't mean that Kim's ghost is haunting us." Tini scolded, then stopped and blinked. She had pretty much made his argument for him.
"I'm in agreement with Trini. It seems improbable that Kim would become a ghost and haunt us after so many years." Billy said, nodding.
Jason, once again, just shrugged. "Maybe it was a coincidence. Who the hells knows?" Then he took another sip. "Can't let it get to us."
Trini nodded. "Just because she looks like Kim – and really, with that hair, she doesn't – doesn't mean she's Kim. Plus, we saw her once and we're jumping to conclusions."
Everyone lapped into silence, then Zack brightened. "So when is the purple hottie gonna show up? Aren't we supposed to meet them here?"
"The 'purple hottie' and her boyfriend are standing right behind you." A voice, female and rather irked, came from behind him.
Jason and Trini both held back laughs and Billy couldn't help the grin that came to his face. Zack froze and turned around slowly. "Uh, hi?"
Zhane merely shook his head at the Black Ranger. "Rule number one of Karone : She sees all, she hears all, she knows all."
For that, the blonde haired guy got an elbow to the stomach. He winced but said nothing more as Karone took a seat next to Trini. He took the other empty seat, the one across from Jason and next to Zack, who was looking sheepish.
Throwing an arm around the older guy, Zhane mock whispered, "No worries. In fact, I bet she's feeling flattered."
"Oh, shut up, Zhane." Karone hissed, blushing bright red.
Jason snickered at her, while both Trini and Billy rolled their eyes at each other. "You wanted to meet us here?" Karone said, ignoring the blush on her face.
"Just to hang." Zack said, bouncing back from mortification.
"Team building." Jason said, making air quotes by his head.
Trini laughed at that one. "Which basically means he wanted to welcome you to the group."
Ashley was waved back over by Billy, tucking a piece of light brown hair behind her ear. "Seems like you got two new guys on the team." The high school senior said, grinning as she watched them. "They know what they want, or is this just an introduction?" She joked.
Jason laughed, "Ashley, this is Zhane and Karone. Guys, this is Ashley, our own personal waitress."
"Oh, you only wish, bed head." She teased back, sticking out her tongue.
Scowling, the red ranger lifted his hand to his hair, running it over and realizing that he did indeed have bed head, or at least helmet hair. Zack snickered this time, then said, "How about two shakes? Chocolate or vanilla?"
"Chocolate," Karone volunteered at the same time Zhane said, "Vanilla."
Ashely shook her head. "Complete opposites," She muttered under her breath, then wandered over to the guy behind the stove to place the order.
"Sweet girl," Trini said lightly. "So you guys like in space, right?"
Karone smiled, knowing she would have to answer that one. Zhane had already turned to Zack and Jason, hands moving as he talked. She tuned him out as she looked at Trini, watching as Billy looked up with interest.
"Yeah, aboard the Megaship." She explained, "DECA pretty much runs it." She smiled at Billy when his eyebrows lifted, "That's our AI. We wouldn't be able to do anything without her."
"So you have an AI?" Billy said, interest written all over his face. "Who programed it? How exactly do you keep it powered?"
The rest of the group tuned in as Billy fired off question after question, laughing as their resident genius demanded to know all.
Jason smirked and leaned back, taking a sip of his now melted shake. God, it almost felt like old times...
A.N : Yes, Ashely as in the Yellow Space Ranger, though she won't be a Ranger in this story. No, she plays a very different yet similar role, one I hope you all love as much as I do.
Oh hey! I think I finally have nine thousand words. ^_^ YAY!