A/u : I have to keep reminding myself that the story is still new and I can't just pop out the endings. 'S harder than I thought.
Hewhoreaps ;; Well, she's had a while to deal with him. She found out he was PoE [Prince of Evil] a year ago, and Zhane is always there to help her. As for Kat? The spell weakened. She now has emotions and free will, and even though she isn't completely good or evil, she has enough loyalty in her heart to serve those that freed her (even if they don't know it). Ashely plays a pretty good if intention part. ^_-
Bahamut Slayer ;; I like the anti-hero thing, but is just so much more fun to write. 'Specially evil Kim and Tommy fluff. Hoped I got Zack right, and it seems I did. Zordon and his wave of goodness. Been toying with that, but...As for the romance part of their relationship, its the same as always, with blood and a bit of violence thrown in.
Also, I'm sorry that its taking forever to update. I have a life outside of OpenOffice, no matter how weird it sounds! ^_-
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Chapter Five – First Fight
–
Monday, Nov. 16, 1998
2.15 pm
Lunar Palace
She slipped into the throne room, her heels silent on the plush black carpet. Her robe swept with her, the sheer black almost blending into the carpet. A minute after opened the door, for that was how long it took to cross the room, the Empress of Evil threw herself into a plush throne. The dark black of the chusions only made her dark pink lingerie easier to see.
"I'm dreadfully bored." She stated, her full lips turning into a frown as her husband looked over at her.
"I know, darling, but there isn't much we can do yet." Tommy said, leaving the general who was giving him a report of another galaxy to sit on her chair's arm. He stroked her hair and let her lean into him. "If we show up now, they'll know that you aren't really dead and merely evil." He kissed her forehead before pausing to look at the general. "If the inhabitants show anymore rebellion, kill them all. We'll just replace them with others in a matter of due time." Ruling an empty planet was no fun, but not ruling was even worse.
"I don't care if they know!" She growled, face still pressed against his side.
"If they knew the pink power coin was still out there, then Zordon would stop at nothing to get it back and break the spell that keeps it evil." Tommy said, shaking his head softly as he ran his hands through her pink and black hair. "I can't risk you getting hurt, or worse, become powerless. You wouldn't last long in this court if you were, even with me protecting you."
She sighed and moved her cheek to his thigh, watching the door with glowing eyes. "Then why are you allowed to go out?" She asked suddenly, "And don't say you weren't planning to. I know everything that happens here, and I know you're planning to go out and fight the Rangers soon."
"I'm more powerful that any of them, or even you." He said assured. "I can kill them before they can even tell Zordon about the White Power Coin."
She grumbled but in the end, he felt her give way. "Can we at least send a giant monster out to fight?" She asked instead of continuing their argument. "You can see how they fight and I can have some fireworks."
He smiled and nodded, adding a, "Sure." in there, just in case she didn't notice his nod. "KAT!" Ge yelled for the second time in two days.
Kim frowned and glared as the blonde woman approached her throne. She didn't like another woman's name on the lips of what belonged to her. "Kat, we need a fast monster." She said breezily, "Give the Rangers a little fun."
Kat bowed, knowing her majesty was in a bad mood. "Fast in movement or the speed at which its summoned?"
"Summoned." Kim said, yawning. "I want it strong and deadly. Give the Rangers a bit to worry about, if you can."
Kat closed her eyes where they couldn't see it, and then said softly, "It will take an hour and a half to summon one of such high quality. Is that acceptable, my grand rulers?"
Kim nodded, not bothering to speak. Tommy smirked and said, "That's fine, Kat. Just make sure it gives them problems." There was no question on who the 'them' was.
"And be sure to tell us before you let it loose!" Kim called after her as the blonde backed out of the room, her blue eyes wide.
–
Monday, Nov. 16, 1998
3.07 pm
Youth Center
"Take a break, Ashely. You've been working harder than everyone here, and you didn't even take a lunch break," Adelle said, pushing the girl out of the kitchen. "Go eat or something. On the house."
She paused and looked around the place; the tables were full, the mats were in use and the balance beam was being used for actual gymnastics instead of seating. Shaking her head, she wondered when the Youth Center had gotten so god darned popular. When she had first started working at fifteen, it hadn't been half as full. Now, she would be lucky for a spare space against the wall.
Ashley leaned against the wall, waiting for the couple near the window to finish their meal. They were mostly done, which meant that they should be gone soon and that she could take the table. She kept from rolling her eyes as they started making eyes at each other, something she'd had enough of recently.
It seemed like everyone except her was hooking up. Her best friend, Cassie, had started going out with TJ, the local golden boy, all American, football playing guy. They were happily in love, and always holding hands. Carlos had finally asked out Tresa, and those two were way worse than Cassie and TJ were. Even Trini and Billy seemed to be together, though whether if was official, Ashely had no idea.
She herself had never had a boyfriend, and didn't understand the huge worry girls had over it. Sure, being loved and wanted was nice, but why couldn't you be happy by yourself? She'd asked Cassie this once, and the younger girl had been shocked that Ashley had never dated anyone. She was now setting up friends for the brunette, much to Ashley's displeasure.
Finally! She pushed off from the wall as the couple moved away, taking the seat that was across from the window as fast as she could. She didn't bother to order; she and Adelle had eaten here after closing often enough to know what the other liked. It was because of this that when Adelle slammed a plate of fries and a cheeseburger down in front of her that she didn't startle.
The older woman moved to lean a hip against the table, sliding a root beer to her more carefully. Cleaning up spills wasn't fun, and neither wanted to spend time with a rag on the floor. "Here ya are." She said loudly, "You just eat up, and 'member, its on the house. Get back to work, though, when you're done, or I might just take it out of your paycheck." With a wink and those comments, Adelle wandered over to take other orders.
Ashley laughed and shook her head. Adelle never deducted from her pay, if only because the older woman knew how much she needed it. Her mother had bought her a '64 Mustang, or at the parts and the body to it. She was still building it, and had to buy all the parts. Then there was the spare car that she was using, her father's before he died; she had to pay for the gas and insurance, and that took a lot of money, money she wouldn't have it Adelle took from her pay. The woman knew that and rather liked Ashley, or so Ashley had guessed, and was always very supportive.
She pulled a long french fry out off the plate, wincing as she popped it in her mouth. She had forgotten salt. She sighed and moved to get up for a salt packet when someone dropped some on the table. "Thanks, Ad.." She trailed off, looking up.
It wasn't Adelle; it was the guy the from last night. His two-tone hair was back in a ponytail and he wore a t-shirt, but she had no second thoughts as she placed him. He still looked like he could snap her in half with a hand, and she still had to stop herself from giving him a second glance over. Yep, he was the same guy, alright.
"You seemed to forget the salt." He said, and she wondered if he could read her mind.
He took a seat across from her and smirked, taking a fry for himself. "No, I can't read your mind." He paused to swallow. "But your face makes it so I wouldn't have to."
She shivered, eyes wide. "Who told you you could sit here?" She hissed, mostly from principle and a bit before he scared her rather than because she wanted him gone.
He shrugged, then raised an eyebrow at the salt. "You gonna put that on it, or should I?"
She picked up the packet slowly, glaring at him all the while. She sprinkled the salt over the plate, lifting the bun and adding the seasoning to the burger as well. Then she slowly put it under the plate. "Are you following me?" She asked slowly, taking a fry and chewing as slowly as she was talking.
He watched her, hazel eyes unreadable. "Because you interest me." He said after a second, taking the next fry.
"So you stalk me?" She demanded, her voice rising a bit. A few people looked over, but a glare from her mystery 'friend' told them to look away.
"I'm not stalking you." He said, his face giving nothing away. "I came here to meet someone and saw you."
"So you sit at my table?" She hissed at him, pushing her brunette hair back.
"I figure you owe me. I did give you a jacket." He pointed out, smirking when there was silence for a second.
"Fine." She said grudgingly, "But it doesn't mean you can do it again."
His smirk grew. "Of course not."
Monday, Nov. 16, 1998
3.37 pm
Angel Grove
A field outside of town
"I thought Alpha said that there was a disturbance," Jason said through through the comm. that linked all the morphed rangers.
"There was," Billy objected, knowing that Jason was basically saying that Alpha had been wrong. "I was there when the scanners picked it up."
"Maybe." He didn't sound convinced as he crouched to the ground in a flash of red. White gloved fingers whispered over the dirt. "But I don't see anything now."
"Just because you can't see it doesn't mean it isn't there," A voice boomed over them.
The Red Ranger stood without a thought, swinging into a back stance. "Who are you?" His demanded carried over the broken and barren land.
"Whoever you want me to be." The voice cracked, and the air rippled into a figure.
The sun glittered and bounced off something, and as Jason squinted and looked closer, he realized the sun was coming off the woman. Seven feet tall with silver hair cascading down her back, she looked to be made completely of mirrors. Her skin was one full mirror, showing the Ranger's their reflections as they stood in formation. Even her skirt was made of mirror type plate armor with a matching armored shirt.
"I am the Mistress of Illusion." She hooted, "The bringer of nightmares and dreams and fears come to life."
Zack rolled her eyes and muttered, "Didn't we already face something like this once?"
"Yeah, Master Mirror or something?" Trini said, wincing as she remembered the battle. It had been once of their hardest to date.
"Yes. He bounced our attacks right off his armor, and we had the hit him with everything at once to defeat him." Billy said, as always remembering the facts to perfection.
"Guys, concentrate." Jason said with a sigh, though he too was feeling that he had fallen in an exasperating time warp.
"I AM STILL HERE!" The enraged monster shrieked, upset over being ignored. "STOP IGNORING ME AND FIGHT!"
"Oh, stuff a sock in it," Zack snapped, the Power Axe hitting the ground and sending shock waves at their attacker to punctuate his statement.
The monster seemed to shimmer, and then, at the last second, threw herself to the side. Trini giggled, then swallowed it. "Wow, Zack. Wonderful aim."
Zack sounded indignant as he said, "I was just trying to get her to shut up."
"Well, it worked." Billy said, motioning over to the monster.
"I don't think so." Jason said, feeling his own eyes grow wide as the monster woman in front of him changed. In seconds, a mirror image of Zack stood across from them, a Power Axe, or at least a look alive, in the thing's hand.
"My prior experience with monsters seems to imply that she'll attack now." Billy said, his words blending together.
"You know, I actually understood what you said," Zack stated after a second, "And I totally agree."
Right as the words left his mouth, the mirror monster brought the axe down, sending an attack exactly the same as Zack's. Everyone threw themselves farther off, not wanting to be hit with the wave. They sparred together as a team once in a while, and everyone knew that the power axe was no fun when it was turned on you.
"Power Blasters?" Trini shouted out, and Jason nodded as he threw himself to the side again.
"On the count of three." He said, drawing his own.
"One..." Another hit from the Power Axe. "Two..." He lifted his weapon and waited for her to strike again. "Three!"
Golden bars shot from four different directions. The Zack look alike screeched and dropped the illusion as the thing's true form came back. The Power Blasters were small, but they packed a huge punch. The gun had three outlets, and channeled the power straight through the holder. In fact, the blast twas a pure laser of the Power, which was deadly to anything that hadn't been exposed to the Grid.
Jason turned his back as he heard the mirrors cracking, his Blaster already haltered. He felt the others move to join him. Zack threw an arm around his leader and Billy, the two closest to him, as they waited for Trini.
"You know, I would have expected our attacker to be harder to beat." Trini said as she picked her way from the field to her team. "Usually they are."
"Maybe they're just trying to get a read on our abilities." Billy ventured, while Zack snorted.
"More like they underestimated us." The black ranger muttered, yawning behind his helmet, smiling when Jason smacked him upside the head.
"Whatever if is...I doubt it'll be this easy next time," He changed statements mid sentence as he pressed a button on his morpher. A second later, there was a red streak in the sky, followed by yellow, blue and lastly, black.
Zack took one look around, though, and sighed. "And here I was, hoping these villains would be nice enough to not send down monsters." He joked to thin air, right before vanishing in a blaze of black.
Monday, Nov. 16, 1998
3.55 pm
Lunar Palace
She glared down t the viewing crystal, pink eyes spitting fire. "I really, really hate loosing," She growled, voice no longer human.
"As do I, my sweet." Tommy consoled, running his hands through her hair. He used to do it with his own hair, as a habit, but couldn't anymore. He had cut it and styled th brown hair to spikes. Now, instead of running his hands through spikes and gel, he ran his hands through her hair. "But we both knew we wouldn't win, not with that first monster."
She pouted, still glaring. "But they beat her easier than I had thought they would!" She complained, "They're stronger than we thought!"
"Only because of their weapons." He assured her, still running his fingers through the black and pink hair. He had liked the brown so much better, but she wanted the hair dye, and he could deny her nothing...So now she had fake hair. "Once we take away the command center, there will be nothing for them to fight with. Then we will kill them and take their world."
She arched back as he came to a sensitive spot, her glare fading. "Well, that makes sense." She muttered, though still a little peeved. "Did you think this all out beforehand, or did you just come up with it?"
"I'm a strategist. You, I believe, are the impulsive one." And thank god for that. Otherwise, she'd still be on earth, fighting against him instead of with him. She had impulsively followed him one day from the gym, and he had led her straight into a trap. A trap that had turned her into his only weak spot.
She didn't answer in the form of words. Instead, she turned and captured his lips with hers, throwing herself against him. A second later, nothing else was important except the other.
Monday, Nov. 16, 1998
4.00 pm
Lunar Palace
He teleported to his suite, running a hand through his long hair, growling as his hand was caught in tangles. Without thinking, he grabbed his comb and plopped down on the bed, muttering curses. Sometimes, he hated having long hair. He'd never cut it, though; there was no concrete reason, but he couldn't bear to cut it.
Tossing the comb to the side, he fell back against the plush mattress and glared at the ceiling. For a while now, ever since Dark Specter was killed, he'd been thinking of leaving his current life. Leaving behind the killing and making a life on some planet, becoming someone else. He just didn't want to fight anymore; he didn't want to be controlled, he didn't want to have to kill.