A/N: Here we are, with the code a bit expanded. Do you all remember the code, right? Bold= Tommy's thoughts, Italic bold= Rita's thoughts, Underlying= Emphasis. Now, you need to add: Italic= Zedd's thoughts (it's going to be used only once though :P) and '...'= Telepathically speaking. That's about it regarding the fic.
This chapter is a lot of especial for many reasons. We're heading towards the Climax, everyone. There are only 2 more chapters and this story will be completed regarding Dino Thunder timeline. I've listened to K-Braddock and everyone of you who wanted a long chapter. This is the longest I've written since I joined ffn. It has 5,723 words (not counting these lines). Though I'm not promising chappies 9 and 10 will be this long, but who knows? This fic surprised me over and over again. Anyways, Enjoy this for what it is. Oh, I almost forgot! This fic will suffer a drastic turn in the upcoming two chapters. This is Rita's last chapter! So, I'd love if some of the reviews would tell me about your thoughts over the way I portrayed her. Did you all enjoy this 8 chapters with her?
Oh, btw, I was not happy with the way a scene was written in Mighty Morphin' Power Rangers season 2. So, I decided to rewrite it.
Meeting and Understanding my Past
Chapter 8: Rescued Days.
"You don't need to be ashamed of your evil deeds" Rita started
"But I almost killed my son." Anton declared shamefully
"And I hurt my friends." Trent added.
"It was not your fault." Rita reassured them.
"Certainly it was. I wasn't strong enough to not give in to the evil power of the gem." Trent complained.
"Do you think you could have stopped the spells from taking over your mind?" Rita insisted.
"Definitely." Trent assumed.
"Oh, my." Rita pitied Trent. Poor child. He has no idea. "You're mistaken. I've seen experienced Rangers and beings giving in to powerful spells. If they couldn't stop evil from manipulating them, what makes you believe an inexperienced Ranger as yourself could?" Rita explained.
Trent was left speechless. He didn't know what to say to counter her reasoning. He knew deep down his heart she was right. Living with the scar had its hard moments but thanks to his chat with Dr. O, he was able to ease a bit from its burden.
"You talk that way because you don't know what it feels like." Trent accused.
"I know exactly what it feels like. I've seen Tommy at the verge of dying too many times." Rita stated.
"How many times, may I ask?" Anton requested.
"Too many. Can't remember the correct number though." Rita lied. She didn't want to speak further about subjects that had already been discussed; even if she hadn't discussed them with the teens.
"C'mon." Anton Mercer insisted. "Tell us about one of those times."
"Let's just say I was not the only one who put his life in danger." Rita pointed out.
"You mean other villains, right?" Conner suggested.
"Not only villains." Mystic Mother revealed.
"Can you expand on it a bit more, please?" Kira demanded.
"N-N-No" Rita stammered. "I'm sorry," she objected firmly.
The rangers, Hayley and Devin looked down, disappointed. They were eager to learn how many times Dr. Tommy Oliver had faced death. They were sure the latest one was not the most deadly experience he had to face in his long career as a Power Ranger. They were also worried because they didn't understand what Mystic Mother was trying to tell them.
"Do you have any anecdotes with Dr. O?" Kira asked, hoping to change the gloomy atmosphere.
"I do." Mystic Mother replied.
"I'm dying to hear some." Hayley urged.
"Do you know the story of Ravenator?" Mystic Mother mentioned.
"No." Everyone responded in unison.
Tommy face palmed himself; that monster has tortured him since then. He didn't look quite bright in other people's eyes every time Ravenator shows up in a conversation.
"Tommy was preaching about eating healthy, torturing a boy with it. Since he was always eating healthy and that always led my monsters to be turned into dust, I decided to slow his reflexes down drastically. I created a monster and sent him to Tommy's meal. He inadvertently ate it. Soon afterwards, he started to eat a lot of junk food: sandwiches, hot dogs, hamburgers, cakes, etc. It was something great to watch. Sadly, the fun ended when the rangers learned what happened." Mystic Mother started relating.
"What did the rangers do?" Devin asked
"They gave him a huge bowl full of ice-cream with every flavor available. They then proceeded to restrain him while yelling at the monster to come out if he wanted that food. The stupid monster came out asking them to give him what he wanted. That was the end of him." Mystic Mother concluded.
"By the way, thank you very much for intoxicating my body." Tommy complained. "I was sick for a couple of days." The Dino Thunder team and their allies giggled. "It's not funny guys. It took a lot of willpower to force that monster out of my body."
"Any more?" Conner requested.
"What about Katherine? Do you know her story?" Mystic Mother indicated.
"Yes. Kira, Conner and I know about hers." Ethan explained.
"Who's Katherine?" Devin asked.
"The second Mighty Morphin' Pink Ranger, Pink Zeo Ranger and the first Pink Turbo Ranger." Ethan revealed.
"That's correct, Ethan." Rita stated. "Basically, her story is the same as Tommy's."
"Something that shows you didn't have any brains." Zedd claimed. "See what I've been telling you, boys and girl. She knew pretty well that scheme was a total flop, however she tried it again." He was thrilled at the sight of the awed teens. "This has to prove my case." He bragged. "You're one to talk. Did you forget about Robo-Goat? And the Candles?" Rita boasted.
"Candles? What candles?" Tommy inquired, eyeing the former villain couple.
"Here your stepdad mimicked my Green Candle scheme but targeting Kimberly, Trini, Zack and Billy instead."
There it was again. Relating us as family. I seriously need to ask why she insists on keeping that paternalism of hers going.
Lord Zedd shut up, his plan foiled again by his wife.
"Back to the anecdote," Rita exclaimed. "While Kat was under my spell, she developed a crush on Tommy; a crush that mirrored Kimberly's. Well, this sooner-to-be Pink Ranger had more in store for him than anyone else he ever dated."
"Dr. O, do you remember some of those moments?" Trent asked.
"Not at this moment." He answered.
Rita shook her head. "I do recall two of them. Let's see…the first one that comes back to my mind is the car."
"The car?" Everyone said.
"What car? The one which Kat tricked me to fix and ended up using it to take me to another dimension?" Tommy recalled
Everyone was dumbfounded. "I thought you didn't remember anything of those moments." Rita teased. "I'm still trying to figure out why you passed out. It was your first time passing out when travelling to another dimension since you were a Ranger."
Tommy was silent. For the first time since he returned to Rangering, he looked like a liar to his students. "I blame a spell. I'm sure Kat cast a spell on me." Tommy accused.
"You always blame spells. I'm sure you passed out because of the bad memories she brought up." Mystic Mother retorted.
"No way. I had moved on already at that moment." Tommy boasted.
"I have to admit she used a spell when she kidnapped you while taking over the Falconzord, and I also need to recognize that I don't understand why she didn't use that opportunity to make you forget Kimmy ever existed." Rita admitted. Tommy thought about that up to this day. The only explanation he found was that her good nature took over for a split second.
"He surely appealed to Pink Rangers." Anton observed. Everyone nodded.
"What about your own anecdotes?" Devin brought up.
"My own anecdotes?" Rita mumbled.
"Uh-huh." Anton began. "In dealing with other enemies."
"I do remember a time I was scared to death." Rita noted.
"Tell us that one, please. When was it?" Devin pleaded.
Mystic Mother divulged. "It was back in 1996. Zedd, our minions and I were celebrating our victory. We thought back then, since the Command Center was gone and two of our minions, actually my brother Rito Revolto and Zedd's right hand henchman Goldar had the Zeo Crystal with them, the Rangers were no more." Everyone was listening very carefully. There was a spark of interest in Conner's, Ethan's, Devin's, Kira's and Trent's eyes. For Conner, Kira and Ethan this was something Dr. O's video diary didn't show at all. For Devin and Trent, it was all new. Trent heard of the video diary telling the history of the Power Rangers but he had yet to watch it. "Suddenly, the floor started moving abnormally. I looked through my telescope to find the source and saw a couple of Quadrafighters operated by Cogs shooting their energy waves towards our palace. Out of fear, because we knew how crazy Mondo was, we fled towards my dad's place waiting for a new opportunity to be back and get our revenge on everyone."
"Really?" Everyone asked.
"Really." Rita repeated. "In time, we got enough courage and decided to start a war against Mondo. And ultimately, we won."
"How did you win?" Conner demanded.
"Mondo, his wife, his younger son and his two retinues were blown up. They were already fleeing Earth, tired of being defeated each time by the Rangers."
"Under those circumstances it's not a real win." Conner stated.
"Of course it is. They gave up after a long year. I was around for 3 years already and didn't have the intention to give up. After that, Zedd came up with the idea of leave for the long postponed honeymoon and to restart our celebration. Anyways, considering the current unexpected situation, I would like to convey some rules." Mystic Mother changed the topic to a more serious one.
"Isn't it enough with the oath?" Ethan asked.
"I'm afraid it is not. Devin heard things he was not meant to. I only want to make sure he's fully aware of the risks and responsibilities that carry on knowing the Rangers' civilian identities."
"Responsibilities?" Devin called for.
"Yes, such as taking it to your grave even when you're captured by the Rangers' enemies and tortured. Otherwise bad things will happen to your friends."
"Bad things would happen to us?" Kira feared.
"Not just you but all of the teams out there."
"There's a government team. They'd be able to help us, right?" The only girl in the team prayed.
"You really think they will?" Ethan objected.
"They'd be the ones to be the first to save their neck." Trent emphasized.
"You're seeing it all wrong. The government, especially the ones not affiliated to the LightSpeed Rescue Unit would run painful invasive tests to know every tiny part of your body related to the Power." The former villain described.
"Mystic Mother," Mercer acknowledged. "Would you mind stopping please? You're scaring them."
"That's not my point. All I'm saying is that once you become an ally, you need to know what might be in store for you."
Devin began feeling uneasy. He started to dislike the idea of being an ally. He was courageous, audacious but the picture Mystic Mother was giving him was overwhelming him bit by bit.
"Devin, don't be a chicken now." Hayley advised.
"Can't help it." The teen babbled.
"See what you did, Ma'am?" The billionaire indicated.
"Now, he might look as a chicken but I'm sure that when time comes, he's gonna pull out some guts. After all, Devin reminds me of a special duo that did their best to save the rangers from their impending destruction."
"Are you talking about Astronema? Ethan asked.
"Yes, I'm talking about Karone." Rita admitted. "They led Angel Grove citizens into fooling her. In a way, the two worked together with Zordon to save Earth and Karone. For some time, they went after the Rangers ID'ed at that time. Ironically, they discovered it a few times. And to everyone's shock, especially them, they sacrificed their memory once in favor of the future and their friends."
"And what were their names?" Mercer questioned.
"Bulk & Skull" Rita replied.
"The dumb and dumber guys Dr. O keeps referring to Cassidy and I?" Devin noted.
"He does that?" Rita murmured. Devin nodded.
"They were always getting caught in Zedd's, mine or other villains' schemes. They run away scared most of the times. But they were of great help for them too."
"Yes, you already told us." Kira spoke.
"Oh my dear. I told you only of two examples but there were more."
"Are you serious? How many times were they able to help the Rangers?" Conner commented.
"Indirectly, since the beginning. More directly, since Zedd showed up."
"Rrrrrriiiiiggggghhhhttttt." The rangers grunted.
"Anyways, they became allies unconsciously. They helped consciously since the first time they learned the rangers' identities."
"Tell us one of those times," Devin instructed, wanting to hear some stories about the past of his personal heroes.
"They babysat a little boy when Zedd kidnapped his father, allowing Tommy to focus all of his attention on rescuing the boy's father and the sooner-to-be new rangers."
"Ok, that'd be a direct help. What about an indirect?" Ethan observed.
Rita thought for a couple of minutes, trying to remember an occasion where Bulk & Skull helped the rangers indirectly. It was a difficult task though, as these moments were almost scarce. The only moment that came to her memory was with her monster Dark Warrior.
"I know this is a horrible example, but I want to see it as a positive treat." Mystic Mother assured. "Bulk & Skull were always bullying the Rangers. Creeping out Kimberly, disgusting Trini and humiliating Billy. Their favorite target was the Blue Ranger. Their constant bullying attitude made Billy retake self-defense karate lessons. That helped his self-esteem and made him a stronger warrior capable of defeating a monster without his friends backing him up."
It felt like it was just yesterday for the four teenagers when their lives would be upside down. For Kira, Conner and Ethan to be thrown in in a video game world a few days after learning their Science teacher was a legendary hero. Their lives put in danger later on by a sooner-to-be comrade. For Trent, he was not alone with the evil past scar. His first fight against a monster alongside his friends. His life almost ended at the hands of his father, who ironically stopped himself and sent Trent to the only place he belonged to, fully understanding the consequences of his actions.
They all started to wonder silently what was ahead for them.
Mystic Mother mind-reading their thoughts predicted. "The battles are going to be more and more heated. Mesogog and his minions are going to start using their full force soon. You need to be prepared for what is going to come."
"Then, what would you call what we've been living so far?" Ethan asked in disbelief.
"Simply, a warm up." Mystic Mother mentioned. This shocked the rangers. "But fear not, you have the Power, Strength and Knowledge to succeed. You only need to do two things."
"Only two things?" Conner inquired.
"Yes. Number one: always listen to Tommy's advice regarding Rangering, he's the most experienced in your team. And number two: pay special attention to your enemies. There might be some who can be saved from their fate."
Hayley, Devin and the Rangers looked at each other confused. Anton Mercer, understanding whom Mystic Mother was referring to, nodded. She smiled.
Zedd looked at Tommy, pointing toward his back patio in an attempt to direct him away from the group and into a more intimate setting. He wanted to discuss some heavy stuff without Rita's interference. His pride was hurt when he learned he had switched sides, that every team made fun of him. He resolved to track down the source of that mockery. He opted to play his role as Tommy's stepdad and slapped Tommy.
"What did you do that for?" Tommy inquired. He took a deep breath, visible angered. None of the rangers he was with or his former enemies had ever slapped him. Even when he was under Rita's control, she wouldn't do something like that.
"You know very well the reason behind it." Zedd stated.
"I really don't know what you're talking about." Tommy claimed.
"You told everyone you've ever met that Lord Zedd was a whiny brat." The former villain explained.
"Why do you care now?" Tommy replied.
"Because it's a lie." Zedd responded.
"Are you really that angry because we called you 'whiny brat'?"
"We?"
"Yes, we. Rocky, Adam, Tanya, Kat, Billy and I came up with the nickname for you when Zordon told us you ran away from Mondo. I called Jason, Kimberly, Trini, Zack and Aisha later that night." Tommy revealed.
"You better forget about that disrespectful nickname." Zedd warned.
"In your dreams." Tommy taunted.
Zedd slapped Tommy again, this time harder.
"Stop slapping me! You have no right to punish me." Tommy shouted, defiantly.
"I do have all the right to punish you. I can't believe Rita was that easy on you." Zedd observed. "It's about time you learn a few truths."
What more truths do I need to know? Tommy thought.
Lord Zedd decided to reveal his share on Tommy's fate as a Ranger. He was sure this action would make things easy for Rita and him when the time to activate their plan arrived. He'd break the promise he made to his wife but that truly didn't matter right now. It was all for the greater good.
Lord Zedd started to rub his hands, unsure where to start. "Should I start from the beginning or pick up from where Rita left?" He mumbled.
Tommy laughed, seeing Zedd evoke him towards the first minutes after learning Rita was Mystic Mother. "You said there were some truths I needed to listen to," Tommy noted. "I want to hear it from the beginning."
"Ok. Do you remember when you were given the White Ranger Powers?"
Tommy nodded.
"Do you know why you were given those Powers?"
"I do. I was given the White Ranger Powers in order to make the team more powerful than already it was." Tommy taunted.
Zedd gave him a disheartening sigh, memories returning to him of his perfect plan for Tommy being completely shattered by Zordon. "No, Tommy. The real reason Zordon gave you those was to prevent me from capturing you and making you my heir."
"That's absurd."
"Why do you think so? Zordon saw through it since the beginning."
"Weakening the Green Ranger Powers?"
"Served as a cleansing in preparation for your new life on the side of evil."
"And Hallie's kidnapping?"
"Who?"
"The little girl you kidnapped and held for ransom in Venus Island."
"I was hoping you'd take her place. That was the plan. And it would have worked if it wasn't for Trini."
Tommy looked away from Zedd, fixing his eyesight in an old leafy tree. Thomas stared at it for a couple of minutes, seeing it come closer to him the more he kept watching. Suddenly, he closed his eyes preparing for the inevitable clash. However, he found himself in the old Command Center. He was not sure of the time of his arrival. He was hoping he wouldn't have to see the evil green ranger. Out of nowhere, two electrified colors arrived, revealing two people. They were Trini and a younger version of himself. Tommy knew they were returning from a battle. Trini was helping him to keep his balance, something he almost lost when landed in the Command Center. Tommy immediately recognized what time he was in: Zedd was trying to return him to be the evil green ranger willingly. He was about to witness part of that day.
"WE'RE RUNNING OUT OF TIME, RANGERS. ONCE THE RED FOG REACHES HALLIE'S HEAD, SHE'LL BE LOST FOREVER ALONG WITH THE ISLAND." Zordon pointed out.
"I'd fight alone." Trini said sternly.
"Alone? Are you out of your mind?" Tommy pleaded.
"There's no other option, Tommy." Trini insisted.
"Of course there is and we all know which one it is." Tommy retorted. Trini couldn't believe what she was hearing. Her friend was going to sacrifice himself in order to save her young neighbor. "Look, I'm going to try and resist Zedd as long as I can but if I ever come back to hurt any of you, tell them I'm sorry."
She must stop him. She was sure what Tommy and most likely Zedd were intending was not destined to happen. "Stay behind Tommy. You're too weak right now and you're a danger to us if you go. We don't want to lose you."
Tommy was taken aback. He hugged her with all his might.
"WE NEED TO MAKE A DECISION FAST, RANGERS. WE NEED TO PRIORITIZE." Zordon argued.
"Prioritize? What is it that needs to be prioritized?" Trini wailed.
"TRINI, YOU MUST UNDERSTAND. WE NEED TO GIVE UP SOMETHING IN ORDER TO GAIN SOMETHING ELSE." Zordon claimed.
"Zordon, I can't believe you. Are you serious?" Trini kept going. "You're willing to let Tommy go? Or worse, Hallie?"
"TRINI, I KNOW YOU'RE UPSET. I NEVER SAID ANYTHING LIKE THAT. I ONLY TRIED TO IMPLY WHAT ZEDD IS AFTER." The wise ally stated.
"We know what Zedd is after." Trini acknowledged. "Tommy's Powers."
"HE'S NOT AFTER TOMMY's POWERS, TRINI BUT TOMMY HIMSELF. AND THIS PLAN IS TOO FAR DANGEROUS THAN WHAT WE'VE SEEN SO FAR."
"Why do you say so, Zordon?" Tommy asked.
"BECAUSE HE'S MESSING WITH ALL OF OUR HEADS. JUST THINK ABOUT IT FOR A MINUTE." Zordon advised.
Trini and Tommy thought about it. Zordon was right, Zedd's plan was a twisted one and was working. Zedd captured Hallie only to lure the rangers out. Goldar was supposed to take Hallie to Venus Island. He was sure that when the Rangers found out about it, they'd rush towards it. And that was when the real plan would take place. Invenusable Flytrap would kidnap the most important rangers for Tommy. After that, the other two rangers would follow. Then Tommy, distraught and without anyone else to advice him otherwise, would turn himself in.
"Ok, what do you suggest then Zordon?" Trini questioned.
"WE MIGHT CONSIDER THE POSSIBILITY OF MAKING A DEAL WITH ZEDD."
"That's out of the question." Trini dictated.
"Trini, don't be stubborn." Tommy pleaded.
"I'm not." Trini thought about the choices they had. She really wanted to save Hallie, Billy, Kimberly and Jason. But at the same time, she didn't want to lose Tommy. She was aware Kimberly wouldn't forgive her if her choice were to tear apart the team. She was hoping Zedd would release the hostages once Tommy was in his hands. She figured out that once Hallie was safe, she and the rest of the team would be able to save Tommy. But the timing was the critical point; it had to be within the first five minutes after Tommy would be placed in that cell. "Ok, I get it. Prioritize. Very well, Tommy. I think the best choice right now is to save Hallie. I won't try to keep stopping you now." Trini expressed. Alpha 5 handed him his helmet and bowed in respect, now that Trini made up her mind.
"Thanks." Tommy sobbed. They hugged again.
"Aye-yi-yi-yi-yi!" Alpha announced. "There might be a way to save the Rangers and Hallie at the same time."
"Really?" Trini inquired, thrilled by this turn of events.
"Really, Rangers. Look at this analysis." Alpha indicated.
"THIS IS LEGIT." Zordon agreed. "THIS IS THE OPEN WINDOW WE WERE TRYING TO FIND."
Zordon, Tommy and Trini set up a plan in motion to free Hallie.
The 2004 Tommy Oliver felt he was flying backwards, noticing the distance was higher. Distinguishing who was who was almost an impossible task within seconds. Before he knew, he saw Zedd standing in front of him and realized he was back in the present.
"We fooled you." Tommy boasted.
"You truly have some evil essence, Thomas." Zedd acknowledged.
Tommy didn't like that. He always thought his past evil deeds were consequences from spells. The fact he might have some evil essence gave him chills.
"Do you know the true meaning of Trini's words?" Zedd kept going.
"What do you mean? Those words were encouraging." Tommy answered.
"Idiot! Those words meant what you were for them." Zedd claimed. "You were and still are a tool for any Power Ranger team."
"You're lying!"
"The only family you have is Rita and I." Zedd assured. "Even Zordon treated you as an expandable tool."
Tommy was shaking his head. He was determined to not believe anything Zedd said. After all, he was talking to Zedd. "That's not true. Trini and the rest of my friends were concerned about my safety."
"They were brainwashed by that almighty man you praise."
"You're saying this because you can't accept the fact I see Zordon and my friends as family." Tommy revealed.
"I wonder if you were their friend, like you claim." Zedd said.
Tommy grabbed both of Zedd's shoulders with intensity, his anger's rising course more than clear to Zedd. "They were my friends." Tommy spoke, his words both reassuring to himself and to Zedd showing him he wasn't about to think otherwise. "You hear me, Zedd? They were my friends. They were concerned over my self-esteem when I was losing to you. They were there when Kimberly broke up with me. They were there-" Tommy's eyes lost their usual colors. Both his sclera turned red while both his iris and pupils turned green.
"I heard you, I heard you." Zedd vowed, hoping to ease the now agitated Tommy. Lord Zedd was astonished. He had just witnessed for the first time since he and Tommy had met, the hidden powers Tommy withheld.
"To make a long story short, you intended to use the voltaic cell again." Tommy reassumed the original topic.
"Of course but I wasn't quick enough." Zedd self-reproached.
"If you're telling the truth, then I'm glad Zordon saw through it."
"Thankfully, I had my revenge by speeding up Gasket's plan's failure."
"You're saying it was you and Rita who teleported the rest of the team to save me and Jason?" Tommy asked, disbelievingly. He knew Billy was not the one who sent Kat, Tanya, Rocky and Adam to Gasket's Arena.
"Yes, it was us. Rita even passed out when I suggested helping the Rangers."
That piece of news was a shock to Tommy. He never imagined his former enemies were going to help the team to save him from another group of enemies. He was receiving a bigger shock with each passing hour, something he couldn't stand for much longer.
"Why did you do that?"
"We had our reasons. First and foremost, we wanted to annoy Gasket. At the same time we also needed you and Jason to destroy or at least debilitate enough the Machine Empire in order for us to have our chance again."
"To sum up, you wanted the Rangers to do your dirty work."
"It's nothing out of the ordinary for you. You'd been doing Zordon's dirty work for some time back then."
"Yes, but it was to get rid of your kind."
"And what exactly is my kind?"
"You know, the bad guys who wanna conquer Earth and slave humanity."
Zedd chuckled. Zordon really did a good job on each one of them. "Are you sure that's what we wanted during King Mondo's attempt?"
"I'm talking about in general, but yes."
"The look on Gasket's face when he saw the whole team and even more so when they finally made you snap out of that brainwashed state was priceless."
"I bet."
"We knew Jason and the others were going to do anything to help you. That's why we thought they were the best choices to rescue you. We only helped them a little."
"Is it possible what you really wanted was to help Jason finally move on from his guilt with the Green Candle?"
"Didn't he move on after I almost got rid of Zack and the others?"
"According to Kat, he didn't."
"Well… if after that experience, which in his eyes was successful, he was able to finally forget and move forward then I'm glad I was able to oblige in more ways than I ever knew."
Tommy giggled. Who would think Lord Zedd had a good side back then? This is turning out to be an interesting evening.
"Then, I need to thank you for saving me and helping Jason."
"You're welcome."
"Where you actually involved in Gasket and Archerina's permanent departure from Earth?"
"Let's just say I spread some rumors here and there. It was only a matter of time before those rumors would reach King Mondo's metal ear."
"Wow!" It was all Tommy could think of and say at that statement. "You really don't like competitors."
"I don't like usurpers. The entire Machine Empire had no need to come in this way."
"Why do you think that is?" Tommy then questioned, "They've conquered most of the worlds out there, it was a matter of time before they decided to try Earth."
"I'm sure they knew Rita and I were victorious at that time. Their intrusion complicated things."
"Are you sure about that? For all you know, we had the Zeo Crystal in our hands."
"I think we could have managed to pull a good fight against your new Powers."
"That's the spirit, Zeddy." Tommy said playfully.
Zedd slapped Tommy up across the side of his head.
"What about Divatox?" He asked as he rubbed his head for a second.
"What about her?"
"Were both of you involved in my rescue from her too?"
"Of course we were. With as big of a joke as her, our intervention was only natural. I mean, who in their right mind uses a monster that leaves goose which can be tracked down to where the captive is being held?"
"The only villain I ever fought who actually succeeded in what none of the others, including yourself, did."
"You seem to forget I destroyed the Command Center with a bomb."
"And you seem to forget that under the Command Center lied the Power Chamber, a new headquarter you were not aware of."
"Anyways after that, she was annoying as hell. Boasting over the entire place she was the only one who made the Rangers flee for their lives."
"How do you know she was boasting over the entire place?"
"Because Rita and I were her favorite targets. She kept bugging us all the time, reminding us we didn't achieve that when we were in charge of getting rid of Zordon and his Rangers."
"I have to admit she went overboard with the detonators when I was around."
"That's the main reason your mother loves to call her a stupid space pirate."
"I don't get it."
"Why set each of the detonators to blow up in one hour? That's enough time for the rangers to deactivate it."
"You're right about that. Though with one, we almost didn't make it on time."
"With that one, it was pure luck but that doesn't change the fact you foiled her plan at that time."
"True. So, who did the dirty work?"
"Dirty work?"
"You know, injure the monster so he'd leave the goose for the future Rangers to follow?"
"We didn't injure anyone. That amount of goose was released by the monster. Rita only highlighted them so TJ and Cassie were able to see them and follow."
"Wasn't she with you in your honeymoon at that time?"
"She was. Also, she can travel through time and space, especially if her first-born child is in danger."
"I see. She's willing to sacrifice anything for me then."
"Yes."
"Why would you always help the Rangers one way or another when I'm held captive by others?"
"Because no-one touches you except us."
"Come again?"
"You were the leader at that time and one of the most powerful in the group. Gasket and Divatox knew that. With you on their hands and if they could get another powerful ranger, the others would panic and that would lead to their demise."
"Divatox only captured me. Your point is invalid."
"That's because she underestimated the others. Gasket knew each of the Rangers' weak points. Knowing that, it was only a matter of time before his plan worked, putting him in charge in the end. That scared us… angered us."
"In short, you wanted that for yourselves."
"Pretty much."
"Yet, it was the space pirate who got that."
"Do not remind me, please."
"Is it really difficult to accept a silly person achieved what all of you desired?"
"It is because we don't understand how she was able to do that."
"I guess a good lesson for you to learn is silly villains are the most dangerous threat out there." Tommy teased.
Zedd face palmed himself with one hand while the other met the side of Tommy's head again.
'Zeddy, how's that going?' Rita asked telepathically
'It's going very well, Rita. We've been talking about some interesting concepts regarding our days.' Zedd responded.
'That's good, honey. Have you talked about the upcoming times too?'
'You mean Mesogog's?'
'No, I mean the imminent threat. You know, my outwardly enemy?'
'Oh, that one' Zedd noticed. 'No, I didn't mention it at all. I'm planning on waiting for the most suitable moment.'
'We don't have too much time to waste. I suggest you do it as soon as possible.'
'Why the hurry? We have almost two years before that happens.'
'Two years go by fast. We better start to prepare him in case he needs to defend himself from such an enemy.'
'I bet you already set up your portion of the work, right?' Zedd commented.
'Of course I have. Please do your part as soon as possible.' Rita begged.
'Okay, I'll do it in the upcoming hour. Let me talk to him before, I want him to come with me voluntarily.'
'Very well but do not hesitate to use force to make our plan successful.'
'Understood. Are you going back to Heavens?'
'I am. I'm going to start preparing everything up there.' Rita acknowledged.
'Good, have fun conditioning his room. See you later.'
"What was all of that?" Tommy inquired.
"Were you eavesdropping?" Zedd retorted.
"I couldn't help it. I don't know even how that was possible."
"We discussed something related to our time in Earth." Zedd answered, still hiding the truth. He was not going to be allowed to hide it for much longer.
"Do you have a relative time to be on Earth?"
"Didn't you listen to our conversation?"
"I couldn't listen to the entirety of it."
Thank God. His telepathic Powers have still not awakened enough.
Hayley, Anton, Devin, Kira, Trent, Conner and Ethan came looking for Tommy.
"Tommy, Hayley and I will be taking the teenagers to their homes now." Anton declared. "It's too late right now and they need to get up early tomorrow for classes."
"Indeed. Thanks for coming by, guys." Tommy told them.
"Before we go, Lord Zedd, do you know where Mystic Mother is? We'd like to say goodbye to her too." Devin pleaded.
"She left to take care of some situations that have arisen back home. But I'm sure she heard your goodbyes." Zedd reassured them.
The group headed toward the front door.
That's the last the group would see of the legendary couple.
Now, onto the final phase of the master plan. Zedd mentally noted.