Return of an Old Evil
Disclaimer: Same as always.
A/N: I hope eveyone enjoys this chapter!
Chapter 16
"Morning, Tommy," Adam said as he entered the galley the next morning for breakfast and found Tommy already there, drinking coffee.
"Morning, Adam," he replied groggily. "Is everyone else still asleep?"
Adam nodded. "Yeah, I'm surprised you're not." He knew that Tommy liked to sleep late or he tended to be cranky for much of the morning.
Tommy rubbed his eyes. "I didn't sleep very well. I woke up about fifteen minutes ago and couldn't fall back asleep so I decided that some coffee was in order," he explained.
Adam was surprised. "You usually sleep like a log," he said and went over to the Synthetron to get some food.
Tommy nodded. "I know. I think it's because I'm on edge with everything that's been going on these past two days," he mused.
"I know what you mean. They have been anything but routine," Adam said.
"They've been downright chaotic," Tommy confirmed Adam's statement.
Adam came over with a plate of bacon and eggs and a glass of juice and sat down across from Tommy. "I wish Zordon was here. We could really use his help against Ivan. Plus, I miss him," Adam said wistfully.
"I know, Adam, I miss him too. In fact, I know we all do," Tommy replied. He got up to get another cup of coffee.
Just then Jason and Trini came in, followed by Billy, and then Rocky and Kat. Pleasantries were exchanged as the five of them got their breakfast from the Synthetron and joined Adam and Tommy at the table.
"Rocky, you're such a pig!" Kat exclaimed upon seeing his loaded plate of food.
"That's Mr. Pig to you! And besides, I'm a growing boy!" He responded, laughing.
"Yeah, except you're growing out instead of up!" Jason chimed in, causing laughter to break out around the table.
Tommy put a hand on Rocky's shoulder. "Don't worry, we still love you," he told him, and Jason guffawed at his expression.
Rocky shook his head. "The things I have to put up with," he said with a mock pout.
"Well, it sounds like everyone is having a good time in here," Andros commented as he entered with Ashley and headed over to the Synthetron.
"Yeah, and it's all at my expense," Rocky told him.
"We were teasing him about his enormous appetite," Jason put in.
Andros shook his head. "You haven't seen an enormous appetite until you see what Zhane can put away. Sometimes I wonder if he's got an extra stomach inside of him," he informed them.
"Don't you mean three extra stomachs," Carlos said as he and TJ came in.
Everyone cracked up and Adam spoke up. "Guys, I don't think that's physically possible," he said.
Kim and Cassie entered just in time to catch Adam's words. "What don't you think is physically possible?" Kim asked.
"For a person to have three stomachs," Adam explained.
"Huh?" Cassie asked, completely bewildered, and everyone cracked up again.
"Can someone please tell me what's going on, because I'm like, totally lost here?" Kim asked.
Tommy filled her in as she and Cassie got some food from the Synthetron.
When Tommy finished, she just shook her head. "You guys are all crazy," she said. As she took a seat next to Tommy, Billy and Tanya came in.
Adam got up and threw away his trash. He then went up to Tanya and hugged her. "Good morning, princess," he told her softly.
Tanya beamed at him. "Good morning, sweetie," she replied and the couple shared a long, passionate kiss, ignoring the cheers and catcalls of the others.
Rocky whistled loudly. "Whoo, go Adam!" He exclaimed.
Adam gave him a withering look. "Dude, grow up!" He told him.
"I think he's just upset that he doesn't have a girlfriend," Andros said, laughing.
"Hey, I happened to like playing the field!" He informed them.
At that moment, Trini noticed Astronema standing in the doorway, glancing uncertainly inside at the others. She smiled reassuringly at her. "Why don't you come in and get some breakfast," she told her.
Astronema stepped hesitatingly into the room. "I wasn't sure if I should come in or not. I mean, I know most of you probably don't trust me, not that I blame you or anything, but still---"her voice trailed off uncertainly.
"Of course you should come in," Trini told her. "We're all in this together here."
Astronema smiled. "Thank you, Trini," she replied.
"Hey Astronema, come get some breakfast!" Andros called out upon spotting her.
"Andros, how's Zhane?" She asked, walking up to him. "Is he awake yet?"
He shook his head. "He appears to be doing a little better, but we won't know for sure until he wakes up," he answered her.
"Do you know when that'll be?" She wanted to know.
"It should be within the next two or three hours."
She nodded and got some breakfast from the Synthetron and sat down at the table to eat. She was surprised when the others starting talking to her in a friendly way.
As they were finishing up, Andros suggested training on the Simudeck. They all agreed, knowing they all could use it, even Astronema, who joined them at Andros's urging.
To say Ivan was pissed of right now would be a gross understatement. There had been delays in finishing Tyrannotor due to some unforeseen problems. A bunch of captives lay on the floor writhing in pain, having received a barrage of high energy blasts from him. The others were working furiously to finish his machine, and thus avoid the punishment the others had received.
"Tyrannotor must be finished at once!" Ivan thundered loudly to his captives.
"My lord, the problems have been solved and it should be complete within the hour," the man overseeing the construction informed him.
"See that it is!" Ivan snapped. He then raised his hands and blasted about a dozen captives, sending them tumbling to the ground. "That's what'll happen to all of you if Tyrannotor is not finished within the hour! You will all be on the ground and begging me for mercy! But I will not give it. I will give you pain and agony instead!"
His voice was deadly serious as spoke one more sentence. "I will not tolerate any more time being wasted."
Andros, his hair wet from his shower that he took after they all had finished their training session, pushed open the door to the Medical Bay and entered. He wanted to check on Zhane.
He walked up to the bed and saw that his best friend was awake. "How are you feeling?"
"Not great, but I'm better than I was before," he answered. "The horrible pounding is gone from my head."
"Does it hurt at all?" Andros asked him.
"A little, and I'm sore and groggy," He said.
"You're groggy from the sedative and you're sore from your other injuries," Andros explained.
Zhane nodded. "Do you think it would be okay if ate something? I'm starving."
"Yeah, I'll bring you some food," Andros said. He turned and left the Medical Bay, returning several minutes later with a tray of food for Zhane, along with something to drink.
Zhane took it eagerly and began to eat as Andros sat down next to him on the bed.
Andros watched him as he began to wolf down his food. "Hey, Zhane, I think you should eat slower. If you don't you might get sick because the sedative's still in your system," he told him.
"Okay," he said and slowed down a little.
"Hey, Zhane, can I ask you something?" Andros asked a few minutes later.
Zhane nodded. "Sure, go ahead," he answered.
Andros shifted a little, getting into a more comfortable position on the bed beside Zhane. "Remember how you were so sad and withdrawn before all this mess with Ivan started?" he asked.
"Yeah, so," Zhane said.
Andros hesitated for a moment then went on. "Did it have anything to do with Astronema?"
Zhane blushed furiously. "What makes you say that?
"It's just a hunch. I know something happened between you two several weeks ago," Andros replied.
Zhane dropped his fork on his plate with a loud clatter. "What are you talking about?" He demanded. "I don't know where you're getting this stuff, but---"
"Astronema," Andros said, cutting him off. "She told me something happened between you two but wouldn't tell me what. She told me to ask you that. She didn't want to betray you by telling me without your okay," he explained.
Zhane's face softened at hearing this. "Really?" he asked.
Andros nodded. "That's what she said," he replied. "It sounds like she really cares about you."
Zhane blushed again. "I know. We had a talk yesterday before I went to sleep and woke up with a splitting headache.
"I care about you, too. So will you please tell me what happened?" Andros asked him.
"I want to, but I'm afraid you'll be angry at me if I do," Zhane told him.
Andros smiled reassuringly. "I'm not going to be angry at you," he said and meant it. He knew he wouldn't be angry at him. "Please tell me."
Zhane nodded and took a deep breath. He then proceeded to tell Andros the whole story, including saving Astronema from her own monster, what happened at the campsite after Astronema woke up, about their date that got messed up when Ecliptor sent that monster, and even how he couldn't stop thinking about her afterword and being miserable without her. He even told him about the part of their talk the day before that weren't private.
Andros was silent for a few moments, digesting everything that Zhane had just told him. "Wow, that's some story," he said, shaking his head in amazement. "That explains why you'd been so miserable lately. I just wish you would have told me about all this sooner."
"I was afraid to," Zhane said softly. "I knew if I did, everyone would hate me and no one would trust me. And they would every right to. I could've even split the whole team up, and it still can." His voice was tearful. "But Andros, I don't want to lose her. I don't think I could handle it if I did."
'Oh, Zhane," he said and hugged him tight. "I wouldn't have hated you then, and I don't now. Sure I'm surprised, but that doesn't mean I hate you, or distrust you. And she did save you and the rest of our asses in that last battle. She did that and even stayed here and remained by your side most of the time, as well as joined forces with us knowing what could happen if Dark Specter found out. And we all know he eventually will, one way or the other."
"But what about the others?" Zhane asked when they pulled apart. "What'll happen when they find out? And what about when this fight with Ivan is over and he is destroyed, what then?" His voice was filled with anxiety.
Andros shook his head. "I honestly don't know," he replied. "I do think you should tell them, and as for after this fight with Ivan, I say we wait and see what happens and deal with it then."
"If I tell them now, it could pull the whole team apart, and that's the last thing we need right now. I think it would be better to wait and tell them after all this is over with Ivan," Zhane pointed out.
"It's your decision, and I understand where you're coming from. I'll go with whatever you decide," Andros told him firmly.
A look of relief crossed Zhane's face. "Thanks, man," he said.
Andros hugged him again. "Don't mention it. You're my best friend and I'll always stand by you," he told him.
Zhane's eyes filled with tears. "That means so much to me, Andros," he said emotionally.
Andros smiled at him and moved the tray away from him. "Why don't you get some rest," he suggested.
Before Zhane could reply, however, the door opened again and Astronema came in. Her face lit up as she saw Zhane awake and alert. When Zhane saw her, his face lit up as well. She came up to his bedside and took his hand. "I'm so glad to see you awake," she told him softly. "How are you feeling?"
Zhane smiled. "A little better. Most of the pain in my head is gone," he replied. "I'm still really sore though."
Astronema stroked his hair tenderly. "That's good to hear. I was really scared yesterday when the swelling in your brain started to get worse," she said, her voice choking up a little.
"I was scared too. But with you here at my side, I felt safe," he replied, caressing her cheek lovingly.
Andros knew it was time for him to leave. "I'll let you two talk alone," he spoke up. "I need to find Ashley anyway, and have her help me do system checks on the ship." He picked up the tray and headed for the door.
"Thank, Andros," Zhane told him.
"You're welcome," he replied and left, closing the door behind him. He went to put the tray away and find Ashley.
"Outstanding," Ivan breathed, inspecting the now complete Tyrannotor. His last threat had worked; around thirty minutes later it was finished. And what a terrifying beauty she was. Like the others, it was titanium-armored and silver in appearance. With razor-sharp claws and teeth, it could tear virtually anything to shreds. Its powerful tail could whip about and level almost anything. It could fire powerful energy blasts from its fingers and eyes, as well as its mouth. Its roar was supersonic and its legs were powerful enough to level houses with just one kick. This was definitely the most powerful of his four Machines of Destruction.
Now all he needed to do was activate them. "Let the ooze flow!" he shouted and his captives turned on the pumps attached to giant tanks of ooze. The ooze flowed into hoses that were attached to all four of his machines. Then it flowed into the machines and a few seconds later, they came to life; their heads moves from side to side, wings, and limbs moved, and roars were heard.
"Yes!" He yelled loudly. "The time is now at hand for the rangers' demise! Let the fun begin!" He raised his arms and gestured at his machines. The vanished, only to reappear a moment later on Earth, in downtown Angel Grove, followed an instant later by Ivan himself.
With Ivan watching, his machines started demolishing the downtown area. It had begun!
A/N: I know this chapter is sort of boring(although their is some humor). But it was neccessary because the rangers needed some quiet time to relax because as you can see from the last part that all hell's about to break loose! And as always, please read and review!