Ranger Tales

Chapter 14: Revenge of the Empire Part 2: The Infernal Chasm

Disclaimer: Power Rangers belongs to Saban/Disney, Carri Hillard and all things relating to Carri, including Jessica McClintock, belong to KJ with many thanks. Azazel belongs to Eric Kripke. Gol and Marx belong to me. Much thanks to KJ for helping me with the ideas for the planet Geeta and the name of the chasm.

A/N: This story is set in an alternate universe where the Alien Rangers arc never happened, although the Alien Rangers do exist. I used Phaedos as the source of the Ninjetti Powers, but Ninjor exists and is the acknowledged creator of Ninjetti. Also, this story has nothing to do with my previous two. The episodes in which Billy went to Aquitar did not happen in this fic. In this fic, Tommy and Kim have not broken up. This chapter will be a multi-chapter mission, ending maybe around chapter 15 or 16, maybe longer. I apologize in advance, updates for the next few will be always reviews are appreciated. Timeline wise 1997 is at an end and '98 is getting ready to begin. So since I had the Astro team get started early, therefore playing with the timeline, these will take place right before the episode where Zhane is introduced.

Rocky sighed, Christmas break had just started, and he couldn't be happier. He and Carri had gone back to Angel Grove for the vacation, to escape Jessica if nothing else. His ex girlfriend had been annoying him day in and day out, trying to convince him to leave Carri and get back with her. He found it hard to belive that they had been friends in New York, especially considering how they despised one another now. His first semster had basically been one big headache.

His relationship with Jessica had been great, but he never meant fo it to be anything serious, not like it is with Carri. But apparently Jessica never thought they broke up. Everyday she'd come up and throw herself at him, it didn't matter if Carri was present or not. Everytime she did though, Carri wanted to punch her right in her pretty little face. The only thing that kept her from doing it was expulsion. If she made the first move she'd be kicked out of school, but if she was defending herself then she wouldn't be.

He looked down at his girlfriend and smiled. So far the week was going great. Granted it had only been three days, but still. Those three days had been peaceful. Jessica was probably looking all around campus for him, and getting nowhere. The thought made him chuckle. Carri looked up at him curiously.

"What's so funny?" she asked, turning to face him.

"Just thinking about how peaceful the past few days have been." He paused before adding "And what's funny is that Jessica is probably looking for me all over campus, and in a painic." He coulsn't help it, he chuckled again.

Carri didn't know whether to be offended that his ex girlfriend, the little tramp, had crossed his mind, or whether to laugh at the thought. Finally she decided on the latter and let out a laugh. "You know, you're probably right."

He let out another chuckle and pulled her into him, kissing her cheek. She nestled her head between his head and shoulder and closed her eyes. A few minutes later she was asleep.

Kim sat in her dorm room, Rocky and Carri had left for Angel Grove over break and she didn't have a house to go back too. They both offered her a room at their houses, but she didn't want to impose. Tommy and Jason were both up in space somewhere, so Kim invited Emily over for the day since she was off work. Emily agreed and said she'd be there in a bit. She missed Tommy, she felt as though she should've gone with him, but Jason had stepped up first. She constantly reminded herself that they were both reds, that they could take care of themselves. The thought was comforting, but not a whole lot.

A few minutes later there was a knock at her door. "Come in!" she called, she already knew who it was. She turned and saw Emily come into view. "Hey," she greeted.

Emily smiled back at her "Hey." She walked over and sat down on Carri's bed. "So, what's on the agenda?"

Kim smiled mischieviously and said "The mall." Emily smiled back at her and stood back up, ready to go. The two girls walked out of the dorm room and out the building. As they were heading for Kim's car they ran into Jessica. Kim knew she was going to ask where Rocky was, and as much as she hated lying, she was going to lie through her teeth.

"Have you seen Rocky anywhere? I haven't seen him in a few days." Jessica said with a slight pout.

Kim straigtened up, this was it. She going to lie. "He took Carri up to Oregon for the break." Emily said before Kim could say anything.

"Why did he tak her and not me?" Jessica asked rudely, the poutyness quickly fading.

"Maybe because she's his girlfriend, and you are not." Emily replied, she didn't know this girl, but she did know about what she did. Jason and Rocky talked about her attempts to get Rocky to dump Carri. And from what she had heard, Emily had already decided she didn't like her.

"How can he still be with that bitch?" Jessica seethed. She couldn't believe that he would rather be with that snobby bitch than with her. It just didn't make any sense to her.

Emily snorted "Maybe because he loves her and not you?" Jessica rolled her eyes and stomped away. "Think she'll leave him alone now?" She asked as she turned to Kim.

It was Kim's turn to snort. "Please, she's been going after all semester. I don't think we did anything but make it worse. But let's not let her ruin our trip, come on." Emily nodded and the two girls headed on to Kim's car and took off for the mall.

The trio of space bound Rangers reached their destination about five days after taking off. Tommy spotted Mondo and Machina near a chasm as they landed. They did indeed have Zordon with them. Also the only clear patch that was close was at least days walk away from the them. Ashley landed the ship carefully and after checking the atmospheric condition to be sure they could breathe without morphing, they headed out.

The forest reminded them of Earth. The smells, the sounds, everything was the same. Tommy found himself enjoying the peacefulness. He couldn't really remember the last time he'd felt this at peace. It was at least five years ago. Before the feeling could completely set in he heard Ashley shriek. He quickly pulled himself back to reality and took a fighting stance, looking for what she she had shrieked at. He couldn't help but laugh when he saw it was a snake. He walked over to it and carefully picked it up, setting it out of their way.

Ashley looked at him with big eyes. "How can you stand to touch it?!" She hated snakes, and couldn't stand to be anywhere near one, let alone touch it.

"You face monsters and near death almost every single day, and yet your afraid of a little snake?" Jason asked as he laughed. "I'm sorry, but that's funny." Ashley glared at him and crossed her arms.

"Is not."

"Maybe I should tell Astronema to make a snake monster. It'd be worth it to see your reaction."

"Would not."

"Jason cut it out, we've got more important things to do." Tommy interrupted. "Mondo does indeed have Zordon, and we need to save him. Now come on." Tommy lead the two on, they continued to silently bicker though. Tommy sighed and shook his head, it seemed as though Jason could make a little sister out of just about anyone, without even trying. He briefly wondered if Kim and Carri would be jealous of that.

Deep in space upon the Dark Fortress Astronema sat in her throne, tapping her foot. She was beginning to lose her patience. Dark Specter was supposed to have contacted her and hour ago. She sighed, briefly wondering what her life would be like had the Power Rangers not killed her brother and parents. Would she still be evil? She couldn't imagine life any other way. She opened her locket and absently traced the picture of the young boy that it held. It was her older brother, she didn't know much about him. What she did remember was that they got along great, and that she missed him. She quickly put her locket away as Dark Specter came into view.

Ecliptor watched as his princess pulled her locket out. He hated lying to her about her family, but if he didn't he would be killed. And if he were to tell her the truth now she would either kill him or abandon him. He wasn't keen on either idea. He loved Astronema like a daughter and would never allow any harm to come to her. He especially couldn't tell her that Dark Specter had her parents killed, and that he lead the attack that killed them, or that her brother was really the red Ranger she was trying so hard to destroy. He couldn't take the chance of her returning to the side of good. He had worked so hard to mold her into who she is now.

Darkonda had kidnapped her, and Dark Specter had ordered Ecliptor to raise her. For months she cried for her parents and brother, wanting nothing more than to be rescued. After Ecliptor assured her that they were all dead and that she would never be rescued, she began to pay attention to his lessons. With her parents and brother dead she had nothing left, and slowly emptiness began to take her over. She became cold and ruthless, not caring about anyone or anything. When he felt she was ready he presented her before Dark Specter as Astronema. The monarch was pleased and announced that she would become his heir.

Ecliptor dragged himself out of his memories and saw Dark Specter appear, and he quickly left. He didn't want Dark Specter to think he was eavesdropping.

"Astronema," Dark Specter began "you must go to the planet Geeta. Two of the Zeo's are there, as is one of the Astro's."

"What're they doing on Geeta? That's more of a backwater planet than Earth." Astronema stated, crossing her arms.

"Mondo and Machina are there, guarding Zordon. But also the Infernal Chasm is located there. It is where I go to recharge my evil energies, if they destroy it then I'll have to use my energies sparingly from now on. Go. Protect the chasm."

"At once Dark Specter." Astronema said as she turned to give the orders. She'd heard of the Infernal Chasm. Supposedly it was just a normal hole in the ground, that is, until the evil monarch, Marx, was executed centuries ago. His capturers threw him into the chasm, and as he fell he chanted one last spell, filling it with his evil energy in the form of some unknown liquid. It has since been known as the Infernal Chasm. Anyone who has ever entered it has never returned, save for Dark Specter. He poured his own amount of evil energy into it, making it his power source. Much like Zedd has his Centennial Recharge, Dark Specter has his own recharge period. Astronema never knew it was the Infernal Chasm though. Some believed the story about Marx, others said it was always a place of evil, no one really knew.

Dark Specter had been wandering the galaxy one day when he stumbled upon it. He'd heard the rumors, but that didn't scare him. He jumped in, submerging himself in the liquid. When he emerged he felt more powerful than he ever had before. But it came with a price, he had to submerge himself in it at least once a decade, otherwise he would cease to exist. At first he didn't like the price, but then he found that every time he took the required dip he became stronger than he was before. The only thing that kept him from going in more than once a decade was that he knew too big of a power increase at once would spell disaster for him.

"Ecliptor," she said as she walked onto the bridge.

"Yes my princess?" he asked, turning to face her.

"Set a course for Geeta. But leave the Rangers a surprise for me, would you?" she asked sweetly.

"Of course." He nodded and turned back to set the course and to send a monster down to Earth.

A few minutes later the Dark Fortress was headed for Geeta.

Jason and Ashley eventually quit their playful fighting and the trio stopped for the night. They'd been walking for over half a day now. Tommy estimated another three or four hours before they reached their destination. Although he was eager to get in there and save Zordon, he also knew that they needed to get some sleep and some food before continuing on. Three Rangers were no good if they were too tired to fight, that was something Tommy knew first hand.

They set up a small camp and Ashley began unpacking the food she had stored in her backpack for them. Jason took the bag of chips, and Tommy took the pack of cheese crackers while Ashley took a bag of cheetos. Each of them had an apple with their snack food. It wasn't long after they ate that Ashley and Jason fell asleep, Tommy elected to stay awake a little longer and stand watch. A couple hours later he woke Jason so that he could take his turn at sleep. A few hours after that Jason woke both of them up and they continued on their way.

Zedd landed a few minutes after the Rangers, and unlike them he was able to land Serpentera close by, he just crushed a lot of trees with his Zord on the other side of the clearing where Mondo stood. Mondo saw the giant dragon decending upon him and immediately wondered what Zedd wanted with him. He was sure that Dark Specter hadn't sent him, so this wan't a business call, and it certainly wasn't a social call. He began to think that Zedd must want revenge for leaving his palace in ruins. He didn't see any harm done though, it was an ancient palace and it was in his way, therefore he had every right to destroy it. But if that's how he wanted to play, then he'd go along with it.

A few minutes later the red and chrome alien appeared from the forest, Z-Staff in hand. "Ah, Zedd, how have you been?" Mondo asked, feigning pleasantries.

Zedd grunted "You should know. I'm here for Zordon."

Mondo was a bit taken back by that. He had thought Zedd wanted revenge, but he was here for Zordon? Maybe Dark Specter did send him. "And what, pray tell, do you want with Zorodn? Dark Specter has entrusted him to me for the time being."

"If I told you it would ruin the surprise." Zedd said, smiling. He hadn't figured out a way to save himself from his plan, but he'd rather die than let Dark Specter rule. It was as simple as that.

Mondo looked at him curiously. Every gear in his body told him to attack Zedd, he was after all the one who destroyed him and his family. Because of that his empire scattered, General Venjix was nowhere to be found, and he had only been able to produce a limited amount of Cogs. But something told him not to attack, that he would be playing into Zedd's hands. "Well unless you tell me I won't hand him over."

"Well then I'll just take him by force!" Zedd shouted as he raised his staff, firing an energy bolt at the former machine king. Mondo waddled out of the way and retaliated by drawing his sword.

Zordon looked on, he knew what Zedd's plan was. Unfortunately he couldn't let him go through with it, it would have no effect on Dark Specter. Not unless it was executed by someone on the side of good. He watched as Zedd landed infront of his tube. "Zedd, I must inform you that your plan will only work if someone on the side of good executes it. If you shatter my tube then nothing will happen. It will have no effect on the universe."

Zedd rolled out of the way of Mondo's attack, he couldn't believe what he'd just heard. His plan wouldn't work if he executed it. And he knew that none of the Rangers would go for it, Zordon was too dear to them. Disgusted he left the battle and entered Serpectera, heading back to te moon. It appeared as though he would have to wait for Azazel's plan to come to fruition. Five beings that dould draw their power straight from Dark Specter, weakening him until he eventually died. What Zedd didn't know was that the chasm he just left would allow Dark Specter to simply recharge afterwards.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Back on Earth Carri and Rocky had headed over to his mothers house for dinner. Initially it was just going to be for the family, but when Rocky insisted she invited Carri as well. In a way she thought it was a good idea. They'd been dating for a year and a half now and she had never really had a chance to sit and talk with her.

Rocky and Carri swung by her aunt and uncles so that she could get ready for dinner. Once she came out Rocky stood and gave her a kiss. "You look amazing."

She blushed slightly "Why thank you." She smiled and kissed him back. "Shall we go?" She asked as she pulled back and grabbed her stuff.

"We shall." They linked arms and headed out the door.

Tommy lead Jason and Ashley to the edge of the forest where they found Mondo standing in a clearing, pacing back and forth. Just beyond him and Machina sat Zordon. Tommy turned back to the others and they began to formulate a plan for rescuing Zordon. After a few minutes they all nodded and Ashley made her way to the left side and Jason to the right as Tommy morphed and jumped out of the forest and into the clearing.