Copyright: Power Rangers, the name and characters are owned by Saban Entertainment.
***That night at the Tree-house***
"Kim, you are amazing!" Tommy said as he gave her the biggest hug he could. "How did you ever manage to convince chief Leanbow to show us the way out?"
"We speak the same language." Kim modestly said.
"Excellent work, Miss Kimberly." Billy congratulated her. "Well done again!"
While the rest of the team was heaping praise on Kim's negotiation skills, Adam was sitting next to the window, editing his story on his laptop.
"Taking a last look?" Tanya quietly walked up to him, as to not disturb him.
"Yeah…" he whispered back. "…at least I will always have these." He said while showing her the photographs he had taken earlier. "Even if they aren't the real thing."
"Can I see?"
Adam was reluctant, but in the end showed her his work. "I hope you don't mind." He said as he showed his story, which had several pictures of Tanya in it.
"You are being thorough." she responded.
"Well…" Adam sighed. "...my readers back home would want to know everything, down to the last detail."
"Adam?" she asked.
"Yes?"
"What is going to happen when you tell the world about this place?"
"I don't know." he said and began to wonder. "I mean, if they believe it, they will probably want to see it for themselves." Adam then turned towards Tanya. "Would you… ever consider seeing my world?"
"I've thought about it…" Tanya nervously said. "...many times."
"But..."
"I can't!" She told him. "Not until I find my parents."
"I understand." A content Adam responded.
"Somebody is coming!" Tommy said as he heard several footprints approaching.
"It's probably my father and the bearers." Madison said. "Are you all ready to go?"
"All packed." Billy said with enthusiasm. " Though some of us seem to have more than others!"
"Weird…" said Tanya as she looked out the window. "I don't see any torches."
"Why did it get so quiet all of a sudden?" Adam asked as he looked around.
"Too quiet!" Jason concurred and readied his rifle.
"Hit the lights!" Tanya whispered and went on to blow out the lit candles.
They quickly made sure that the lights were off. Kim rushed to put out another group of candles on the other side of the tree-house. She was moving with great haste, both fast and quiet. Just as she was about to blow on the last candle, there suddenly appeared a hole in the roof and several creatures dropped from it. The ape-men had arrived. At the first sounds of Kimberly's screaming, Jason quickly rushed to her side. When he saw that one of the ape men was attacking her, he jumped at it and tackled it to the ground. The ape-man, however, managed overpower Jason and was ready to slit his throat when a shot was heard.
"That's the second time I've saved your life!" She told him, as Jason was getting up from floor.
"There won't be a third time, I assure you!" He responded, but was soon cut off by another ape man.
Not wanting to be outdone, Jason began to fight with it with his bare hands. He punched it once and it began to tingle. He hit it again and the ape man was starting to lose his balance. Finally Jason grabbed it and just threw it out the window to the ground.
On the other side of the tree-house, Tommy, Billy and Adam were doing their best to hold off the ape men, and were largely successful due their superior weapons. Tanya assaulted a few of the creature, but was unable to do much as good as the others without the aid of a sidearm. A few of the ape men finally managed to overpower her and knocked her down the stairs to the first floor. Upon seeing this, Adam quickly rushed to her side. One of the ape men tried to attack him, but was shot down by Tommy. Realizing that they could not win this battle, the invaders began to retreat. But the team was not settled and began picking them off from the window. When things finally cooled down Adam went to see if Tanya is all right. She was laying on the floor, clearly hurt by the fall.
"They are gone…" Adam told her softly. "Everything is going to be fine." However she didn't respond to any of his words. Tommy quickly went to check her pulse. "Is she going to be Ok?"
"She has suffered a severe concussion." Tommy explained as he felt her forehead.
"Is it serious?"He told him. "At least it's over for now."
"She is lucky to get the ought with just a concussion."
"Maddie?" Kimberly yelled. "Has anyone seen Madison?"
Realizing that the ape men must have captured Leanbow's daughter, Tommy, Billy and Jason quickly armed themselves and went on to chase the ape men.
"Shouldn't we wait till morning?"Billy asked. "We will be able to track her more easily…"
"We can't wait!" Tommy told him.
"Right!" Jason concurred. "There is no telling what they can do to her by then; what they are doing to her now." he finished getting his gear and went to the elevator. "Adam, let's go!"
"You better go…" Kim told Adam, who was refusing to leave Tanya's side. "I will look after her. The Repulsas are going to be here soon."
"Tell Leanbow's men to follow us, we may need their help." Adam nodded and went to join his comrades. "Take care of her."
"I will!"
***Later***
After searching through the bushes, the crew had already found their first clue as to where the ape men may have gone.
"Fresh blood." Jason said as he examined one of the leaves. "They couldn't have been gone for than half an hour!"
"How can we be sure that she is still alive?" Billy asked.
"Think positive, look!" Tommy said, while pointing to the ground.
"Footprints..." Jason explained. "Half dragged, half carried by the looks of it."
"This is hopeless, we can't see a thing!"
"I think there are still some flashlights back at the tree house…" Tommy said. "We should go back and get them."
"Why don't we just tell the ape men, that we are following them?" Jason asked sarcastically. "You know Tommy, maybe we should get our Pterodactyl friend, to come and provide air surveillance. How is that for an idea?"
"Wait a minute, that's it!" Adam smiled and went in their opposite direction. "Jason, you are a genius!"
"What are you talking about?"
"Just keep moving, I'll catch up with you later." and he disappeared into the night.
"Has he gone completely mad?" Billy whispered.
"No, he's got an idea." Tommy explained.
"He is saving his butt, I bet!" Jason stated. "Let's go!"
***That morning***
Tanya was lying in bed, still injured from the fight. As Kimberly was cleaning up her wounds she heard someone coming. It was Leanbow and his guards, who had just arrived at the tree-house. When they saw the ape men bodies, he demanded to know what had happened. Kim explained to him the events of last night. How they were attacked and how the team went after them after the ape men kidnapped his daughter.
"Are you going to do something about Maddie?" she asked him.
"No one survives from the ape men! If that is the will of Rita Repulsa, then we can't do anything about it!" he coldly responded.
"I see…" Kim reluctantly agreed.
"Kim…" Tanya murmured as she was fading away again. "What is he doing here?"
"It's Ok, Tanya." Kimberly told her. "Just relax."
When Leanbow saw that Tanya was lying in bed in a helpless state, he grinned.
"I see you kept our end of the deal!" he told Kim. " Take her back to my village!"Leanbow then ordered his men and they grabbed Tanya, who was coming in and out of consciousness. "We will begin the preparations as soon as possible!"
Kimberly was unsure as to what to do at this point but finally decided. "I'm coming with you!"
To be continued…