A/N: You guys know the disclaimer. I don't own them, with the exception of Lady Chaos, the prophecy below, and Sarah of Eltar.
Ch. 12-Prophecies and Rescue Invasions
Moon Palace Dungeon
Unknown Time
"Do you think we're ever going to get out of this creepy place?" Kimberly Hart asked her friend, Adam Park, as they both sat in a cell awaiting their fate. For the last 48 hours that they had been imprisoned together, there had been neither hide nor hair from Lady Chaos, except the usual food delivery and intimidation tactics by Goldar or Rito. Lady Chaos was still asleep, still recovering from the brutal battle she'd had with Tommy. Adam was surprised that it was taking this long, but he figured Tommy had to have done a good job draining Lady Chaos of her magical as well as physical powers, leaving her exhausted.
"To be quite honest with you, Kimberly, I don't know. Archerina left 48 hours ago to go to the Power Chamber, where I assume she still is. I don't know what else has happened since she left. I only know that time's running out," said Adam.
"I know what you mean. There's nothing more that I want than to be in Tommy's arms again," said Kimberly. "I just wish he'd come, and I almost wish he hadn't accepted her challenge."
"You know there's the possibility that honor may overcome him and he may choose to attempt to break the spells that are going to be put over us," said Adam. "You know it couldn't have been easy for him to accept that challenge with you at stake."
"I agree. It was a hard decision. I just want him back."
"I feel the same way about Tanya. Ever since she came into my life, she's been my one and only," said Adam. "We just work so well together, and I helped train her, for goodness sake! There's no way in hell I want to have to fight her!"
"You don't know how hard it was for me when we found out Tommy was the Green Ranger shortly after Rita eclipsed the Dinozords," said Kimberly. "It was even harder to face him in combat…it was the first time we had to break an evil spell and it wasn't easy. Have you changed your thoughts on Sabrina?"
"You know, I just don't know about her…my thoughts on her are wildly inconsistent," sighed Adam. "I'd been against her until Archerina came and told me her story, and I was beginning to be willing to forgive and forget, but I can't get that 'Scorpina' image out of my head! I don't know what to think!"
"Adam, as someone who has faced her many times before, you've got to get that image out of your head, or at least try. The more that image remains, the more Lady Chaos will be able to twist your mind, and Sabrina isn't the villain you once knew. I had conversations with her while I was in Florida. She's had a hard life…kind of like me…and she at least deserves your respect," said Kimberly.
"Respect is earned, not given, Kim. That's the way we do things in Korea…respect and honor are valued most of all amongst Koreans," said Adam, "and she lost mine when she tricked me like that. She's got to earn it back."
"I 'sort of' feel the same way you do, but about Tommy," said Kimberly. "He certainly could have called me to ask me what the hell was going on in my head, but he never did. At one point I thought he just didn't care anymore. When I heard he was seeing Kat, I was furious. I wondered how he could go behind my back like that. He losing that battle recently also gives me some doubts. I used to think he was my unbeatable white knight who would always come to my rescue. Now, I'm not so sure."
"I know how you feel, Kim," said Adam. "A rescue mission, I have a hunch, could change both of our minds. Let's hope it happens."
And a faint voice inside Adam's head, that he didn't even know was there, said, 'If only you knew your destiny, Frog Prince. If only you knew.'
Thursday, April 10
2:15 p.m. local time
The Power Chamber
Angel Grove, CA
Inside the Power Chamber, the three teams of sixteen Rangers, their allies, as well as Ninjor, were discussing plans to rescue their friends. The teenagers had their last two classes with Ms. Appleby, so when the Rangers let her know of their situation, she had discreetly allowed them to go to the Power Chamber when she heard of their emergency, so they'd dismissed themselves from school shortly after lunch.
One of their newest allies, Sarah of Eltar, just simply sighed.
"Darling," she said to her husband, the legendary Zordon of Eltar, "your Green Zeo Ranger sure is being more stubborn than I'd like. He doesn't even know I'm in his head and know of his fate!"
"YOU MUST HAVE FAITH, MY LOVE," said the legendary wizard. "GREEN RANGERS TEND TO BE STUBBORN."
"Um, Sarah, could you speak English, please?" said Tanya.
"I am referring, Yellow Zeo Ranger," said Zordon's betrothed, "to an Eltarian prophecy relating to your current state. Only Sabrina, Zordon, Dulcea, Ninjor and I know of this prophecy. I am printing out a copy for you now," said Sarah, as printouts began to appear. One by one, the Rangers gathered around Sarah to read the text, which went as follows:
In time of great darkness
When the master of chaos and destruction threatens the universe
One warrior, with the might of Ninjetti
Shall emerge from the shadows of dark times past
To save the fate of the whole galaxy
Two mighty warriors, the Prince and Princess of Earth's skies
The leader, and the center of a team
Which always defeats evil, therefore saving the universe from anarchy
Shall be broken away by the mistress of destruction
The legendary wizard's flesh and blood, previously half-scorpion
Shall save them, and the universe
And in the process shall save her Frog Prince
Thereafter, they are bonded together forever-more
With the savior will be her father's chosen Earth heroes
Whose selfless deeds bring peace to the universe
The heroes, the savior's former rivals
Sixteen from four, will be protected by three separate power sources
The legendary Ninjetti, a powerful crystal, and the powers of thunder and water
Only when these events exist
Will the universe maintain its normal harmony, good vs. evil
And the galaxy be saved
From terror and anarchy.
When every one of the Rangers had finished reading the prophecy, they gasped.
"Does this say what I think it says?" said Aisha.
"Yes, Aisha," said Sabrina. "Adam and I are meant to be together. It is fate."
"INDEED, SHE IS CORRECT, POWER RANGERS. WHEN ADAM CAME ONTO THE TEAM, I FELT A STRANGE SENSE OF POWER WITHIN HIM, AND I HAD A SENSE IT WAS GROWING NEAR TO WHEN THIS PROPHECY WOULD COME TRUE. BY THE TIME I COULD TELL HIM, THOUGH, ZEDD HAD ALREADY SENT SABRINA, SO THAT SLOWED THE PROCESS DOWN," said Zordon.
"So…what you're getting at is…it's just as important to save Adam as it is Kimberly?" said Jason.
"Yes, He who wields the Tyrannosaurus," said Sarah. "The prophecy deems it so. What is written as a prophecy can never be changed."
Jason threw a quick glance over at Tanya, who swiftly nodded her head. Jason was stunned; he half expected Tanya to flip out over this revelation, but she seemed very calm and serene in the face of what she'd just learned. He reminded himself that he'd have to speak with Tanya following the planning.
"How well do you know the layout of the Lunar Palace, Sabrina?" said Jason as he contemplated what the strategy might be.
"I know it fairly well from my time with Zedd, which was short, but not as well as Katherine might. The Palace is quite a bit different when Zedd is running the show than is Rita's palace, and I was mainly allied with Rita. I mainly stayed in the lower parts of the Palace when I was under Zedd's command. Katherine, on the other hand, may know more than me. How much do you know, Katherine?" Sabrina asked.
"A lot," said the young Australian and former pawn of Rita. "Rita gave me an extravagant tour of the Lunar Palace when she first took me into her command. I should be able to find the dungeon rather easily. That's almost certainly where they're being kept as Zedd typically likes to keep his prisoners there. I tend to even know where the henchmen sleep and what places to avoid."
"THAT WILL BE AN EXCELLENT TOOL FOR YOU TO USE TO RESCUE OUR FRIENDS, KATHERINE," boomed Zordon. "AND YOU ARE RIGHT. WHEN ADAM FOUND US, HE WAS CERTAINLY IN THE LUNAR PALACE DUNGEON. THAT IS ALMOST CERTAINLY WHERE KIMBERLY IS BEING KEPT AS WELL."
"Now, the question is," said Rocky, "do we all go as one or do we stay together?"
"As much as I want to stay together," said Tommy, "I think we need to split up. The Alien Rangers need to stay and guard the city. Sarah, are the Thunderzords ready?"
"They are, Tommy," said the Eltarian sorceress as she punched some controls. "It took me longer to finish than I thought, for I had to adjust the Thunderzords to respond to the Alien Rangers."
"What Zords are we to control, Sarah?" said Delphine.
"You shall now know. Alien Rangers, observe!" said Sarah. All at once, the Rangers of Aquitar turned to look at the viewing globe. What they were staring at, more specifically, were five colossal machines, three of them ground, two of them air. The red one, the Alien Rangers noticed, looked a bit like Lord Zedd's flagship, Serpentera.
"These Zords are fueled by the Power of Thunder, and are far superior to your Battle Borgs. Whereas your Battle Borgs were more telepathically sound, these Zords are fueled by creatures of great mystique and power."
"Corcus, step forward," said Sarah. When Corcus did as told, and a black fighting machine came into view Sarah spoke again.
"Corcus, you shall be in command of the Lion Thunderzord," said Sarah.
Delphine was next to step forward, as she beheld her pink aerial fighting machine.
"Delphine, the heart of the Alien Rangers, much like a certain captive in Lord Zedd's palace. How fitting it is that you shall be piloting her Zord. Delphine, swift and full of grace, you shall be in control of the Firebird Thunderzord. Cestro!"
When Cestro stepped forward, Sarah began speaking again.
"Cestro, much like your friend Billy, you are wise and depend on the technical aspects of battle. It is appropriate you will be piloting his battle machine as well. You shall be in command of the Unicorn Thunderzord."
"Cestro, take care of my baby," said Billy. "I was heartbroken when Rito destroyed that thing. Don't let it happen to you too."
"I shall not, my good friend," said the Blue Aquitar Ranger.
"Tideus," said Sarah. "You will command the Griffin Thunderzord."
"And Aurico," said Sarah. "The field general of Aquitar's Rangers, much like a first Red Ranger was once upon a time. It is fitting you shall command his machine as well. You shall be in command of the Red Dragon Thunderzord."
"These Zords," Sarah said, "can combine to form the Thunder Megazord, one of the most powerful Megazords in existence. And Tommy, I think we all know which Zord you will be commanding," said Sarah as the famed White Tigerzord came into view.
"The Tigerzord," said Katherine. "I never got to see it up close. It looks fantastic."
Tanya was in awe as well. Adam had not been bashful about bragging to her of Ranger glories past, so she heard of Tommy's famed Zord from Adam himself.
Tommy could only smile. After a long year plus without his White Tigerzord, his baby was back and ready for action. Jason noticed this, and walked up to Tommy, giving him a brotherly hug.
"On behalf of our team, I thank you, Sarah of Eltar," said Delphine. "Hopefully, we shall be able to defend the Earth until the Rangers return with their friends."
"I know you will. Now, what were we talking about?" said Sarah. "Oh yes. Freeing our friends. You said we needed to split up, Tommy?"
"Yes. I would like to have us all together, but I think the five of us Ninja Rangers plus Ninjor would have the best chance of freeing our friends. However, I would like for the Zeo Rangers to come as well. They can provide a distraction and pave the way for us to get to the dungeon and get the others out," said Tommy. "Sabrina, can you at least find the dungeon?"
"Yes. This I can do," said Sabrina, "for I spent much of my time in that vicinity after Zedd took over. He always did prefer Goldar over me, so I was free to pretty much do what I wanted. I would spend much of my spare time in that area watching you Rangers whenever I could. It's actually fairly easy to find, as it isn't very far from the throne room itself. Besides, the prophecy maintains that I'm the only one that can rescue Adam."
"The prophecy says so, and so shall it be!" exclaimed Ninjor.
"Trey," said Tommy, "I think you should stay here. Pyramidas is a powerful fighting machine, and it will be necessary in defending Angel Grove if need be."
"I agree with you, White Ranger," said Trey. "Once again, your leadership skills shine through. Together with the Alien Rangers, Archerina, and Auric the Conqueror, Pyramidas shall be able to defend any attacks to Angel Grove."
Dimitria was smiling under her veil as well. She had been very impressed with Tommy's ability to think situations through and be able to come up with solutions. He'd been in total control from the minute she'd arrived, yet he didn't control with force as he let others have their say.
"Are we all set?" said Tommy.
"I think so," said Rocky.
"Good. Sarah, would you like to come with us?"
"Thank you for the gracious offer, White Falcon, but I'm afraid I cannot accompany you on this trip," said Sarah. "I am not Ninjetti, so I cannot hide myself from the scanners at the Lunar Palace. My presence would alert you to your presence. Maybe another time I will be able to."
"We can hide ourselves?" said Rocky. "Well, for a Ranger, anything's possible I guess."
Jason then reminded himself of what he wanted to do, as he walked over to Tanya and looked at her.
"You sure you're OK with the prophecy and everything?" he asked.
"Yes," Tanya said. "He never even looked at any one of us after Sabrina showed up. He just allowed himself to wallow in his own misery. He's very honorable, unlike my previous boyfriend Shawn, but he self doubts too much. He could have found me and I would have helped him, even though I gave him a few dirty looks after that. In my opinion, I don't feel I can help him. Sabrina's the only one that can. Thank you, Jason, for being there for me though."
The two, following a hug, walked over to their friends to morph.
"All right, let's kick it," Tommy said. "Is everyone ready?"
"You bet, bro! Whenever you are!" Jason said.
"Then let's do it! NINJA RANGER POWER! THE FALCON!" Tommy shouted. He had a grim determination on his face as he said it…that 'leader-look' as anyone on the Rangers past or present described it.
"THE COUGAR!" Sabrina shouted, with more force than she ever had.
"THE WOLF!" Billy shouted.
"THE BEAR!" Aisha shouted.
"THE APE!" Rocky shouted.
"IT'S MORPHIN TIME!" Jason shouted, as the five Zeo Rangers activated their Zeonizers.
"ZEO RANGER I, PINK!" called Katherine.
"ZEO RANGER II, YELLOW!" shouted Tanya.
"ZEO RANGER III, BLUE!" shouted Trini.
"ZEO RANGER IV, GREEN!" called Zack.
"ZEO RANGER V, RED!" bellowed Jason.
"Teleporting now," droned Alpha as the ten Rangers plus Ninjor vanished from sight.
Lunar Palace
Unknown Time
"Are the machines ready, Goldar?" said Lady Chaos, who had recently awoken from her nap, and was ready to turn her prisoners to the dark side. Lady Chaos had been referring to two machines which would create evil spells for both Kimberly and Adam, and both were in the far ends of the palace. She figured she would need to brainwash Kimberly, but she felt Adam's anger towards his former enemy, combined with the Sword of Darkness that she had instructed Rita to recreate shortly before her battle with Tommy, would be sufficient enough.
"Yes, Lady Chaos! And both prisoners are unconscious, I made sure of that!"
"Good! Take Adam to the machine in the east, and I'll grab Kimberly and go to the West end. And then you and the others need to stand guard to make sure those Power Twerps, and Tommy in particular, don't try anything. I know they'll be coming to rescue their friends at any second."
20 minutes later, the ten Rangers and Ninjor landed on the balcony of Lord Zedd's famed palace.
"OK, guys. This is it. Here's where we split up. You know your assignments," said Tommy.
"Right. Let's do it, everybody!" shouted Jason.
TBC...