Chosen
Disclaimer: Saban owns Power Rangers and the characters within, not I.
Tommy glanced out across the ocean in front of him. He focused on no spot in particular and got lost in thought. His gaze moved momentarily down the shoreline in the direction of Angel Grove. He blinked away a few thoughts about it and then turned his head back to the ocean in front of him.
Weak. Tommy felt weak. Unbalanced. For weeks. He had seen a doctor to no avail. His mom had fussed over him and told him it was stress. Maybe it was. But it was more than that. Tommy had been stressed before. Whatever he was feeling now went beyond that.
Tommy looked around for anything to lean on. He found nothing so he slowly sat down onto the sand and pulled his knees up. Maybe it was vertigo. Maybe it was some sort of inner ear thing. The doctor had ruled all of those things out but maybe they were wrong.
Tommy closed his eyes and tried to focus on anything but the way he felt. Even with his eyes closed, he felt his body wanting to sway to one side or the other. He would lie down but he feared in doing so he might black out again and it might not be the best place for it.
Tommy's hand moved instinctively to where his communicator once rested, strapped to his wrist. It was a habit he found he could not break. He found nothing but skin and clasped his hands together. He cursed a few times under his breath as he tried to will the way the feeling that had come over him.
It had to be something to do with his powers. It's all it could be. He should probably visit Zordon. He knew that. Truthfully, Tommy was really trying to leave that life behind. Not because he didn't care. But because he cared too much. Adjusting to life without the power had been far harder than he had guessed. To go back to Zordon would undo any progress he had made.
Black. Everything was suddenly black. Tommy blinked his eyes a few times to see he was lying on the ground looking up at the starry sky. He didn't remember lying down. He started to sit up but the blackness overtook everything once more.
"No."
(****)
"It's a nice night tonight," Zack commented as he gazed up at the stars from his position sitting on top of his favorite abandoned train car.
"Yep," Billy replied from his spot next to him. Zack turned to him just as he slipped his phone back into his pocket. Zack watched him for several moments before he glanced down at Jason who was sitting by the fire on the ground below them. Jason glanced up and gave him a half smile, to which Zack responded in kind before turning back to Billy.
"He seems to be in a better mood," Zack said with a nudge at Billy and gesture down to Jason.
"I think he's coming around," Billy responded as he glanced down at Jason who was absentmindedly stoking the fire.
"I'm glad, the whole group vibe has been off... since..." Zack paused.
"Yeah... but I think things are looking up," Billy said as he turned his attention up to the sky to study what constellations he could find.
"I hope things can finally return to normal," Zack stated, half to Billy and half to himself.
"I'm sure they will..." Billy responded without moving his gaze.
Zack pulled out his phone and saw he had a text from Trini. "How goes it?" Zack grinned as he typed out a response. "Quiet... but good... you?"
(****)
"So he sounded weird?" Kimberly asked as looked at Trini sitting in the passenger seat next to her.
"Yep..." Trini replied with a nod. "At first... but after a while... everything seemed okay."
"And he didn't say what was wrong?" Kimberly questioned.
"Nope, just that he felt funny," Trini answered before picking up a cup from the center console and getting a drink from the straw. After it made the sound to indicate it was almost empty she plopped it back into the cupholder and glanced outside the window to watch the sights of downtown Angel Grove go by her.
"What is it?" Kimberly asked from next to her. Trini just shook her head.
"Nothing," Trini replied.
"I don't know if I believe that," Kim countered. This prompted Trini to turn to her.
"It's not that," Trini said.
"That?" Kim reacted. Trini raised her eyebrows at her before squinting her eyes.
"Don't... you know what I meant... and what I meant was exactly what you were thinking," Trini said.
"I won't say anything then," Kim relented and the car fell into silence. Trini glanced back at Kim and to the road in front of them a few times before she cleared her throat. Kim's eyes moved over to her in response.
"Maybe I am just feeling... nostalgic," Trini finally broke the silence. Kim nodded.
"It's natural," Kim responded.
"I am not feeling things like that... feelings again... just nostalgia... and I worry about him, he is our friend," Trini elaborated.
"Got it," Kim said with another nod.
"I am not lying," Trini said.
"I didn't say you were," Kim countered with a half grin.
"I just hope he's okay," Trini said before turning her head and gazing at the passing scenery once more.
(****)
Tommy opened his eyes to see he was no longer looking at the stars. His view was now that of a grey and cracked ceiling. He felt sick all of the sudden as the realization hit him. He tried to stand but the vertigo was stronger than he had ever felt it. His head fell back to the hard ground and he closed his eyes in a grimace.
"Get up," the command harsh, the voice harsher. Tommy opened his eyes and turned to see Lord Zedd standing at the doorway leading into the small room he found himself in. Tommy glanced behind him to see Rita standing in the hallway. She was avoiding eye contact with him. "Now."
"What am I doing here?" Tommy questioned as he fought his way to his feet and fell over to a nearby wall.
"What is wrong with you?" Zedd asked as he watched the former Ranger with curiosity.
"Answer my question first," Tommy responded as he straightened himself up.
"I give the demands here," Zedd said as he stepped into the room and blocked out the doorway with his large frame.
"Whatever," Tommy replied. He was struggling to stay conscious and didn't have the strength or willpower to verbally spar with Zedd.
"Something is wrong with him," Zedd said as he turned to face Rita who had inched closer to the doorway.
"What are you doing to him?" Rita questioned. Zedd cocked his head slightly at her tone.
"I have done nothing but brought him here," Zedd replied.
"I'm fine... but why am I here?" Tommy questioned as he rested his back against the wall and leaned his head forward.
"It's your magic... you have been grooming him," Rita said as she moved to stand next to Zedd.
"It should not be having this effect on him," Zedd responded as he eyed Tommy.
"Well it clearly is," Rita said.
"Listen..." Tommy started to speak but everything went black again.
(****)
"You guys hungry?" Kimberly's voice rang out across the makeshift campsite, prompting the three guys gathered around the fire to turn in her direction.
"Always," Zack responded as he jumped to his feet and grabbed a couple of bags from her hands. Jason did the same with Trini as the two girls then found their spots around the fire.
"Did you get the stuff for smores?" Billy questioned eyeing the bags.
"Yep," Trini answered.
"Hershey's?" Billy continued.
"Yes," Trini replied again as she produced them from the bag.
"The large marshmallows?" Billy questioned as he peaked into the bag that had been placed next to him.
"The large ones," Kim answered as she tossed a bag of marshmallows in his direction. He caught them and grinned.
"Sweet," Billy replied as he opened the bag and prepared to make his treat.
"So what have you guys been talking about?" Kim asked as she sat down next to Jason and leaned into him. He put his arm around her.
"Girls of course," Jason answered with a wry smile. Kim just rolled her eyes and matched his smile.
"Well don't stop on our account," Trini said from her place across from the couple. Jason looked up to see her smiling at him.
(****)
Tommy felt a sense of deja vu as he blinked his eyes open once again. This time his surroundings did not shock him and he rolled over and began to get up from the ground. He found himself lying on a cot this time instead of the cold ground. He furrowed his brow in confusion for a moment before sitting up. To his relief, his vertigo seemed to have subsided.
"Hey," Rita's voice from the doorway prompted Tommy's attention to turn to her.
"What am I doing here?" Tommy questioned, dispensing with any pleasantries. Rita took a deep breath before moving to sit next to Tommy on the cot. Tommy instinctively tensed up and scooted away.
"He has plans for you," Rita answered.
"Plans?" Tommy prodded. Rita turned to him.
"He wants to make you a Ranger again... his Ranger," Rita said. Tommy immediately shook his head.
"Not gonna happen," Tommy stated forcefully.
"He... you can't stop it," Rita responded.
"I will... I can't go back to that," Tommy said. He started to stand but feared his strength leaving him again so he leaned his head back on the wall behind him. He moved his gaze over to see Rita watching him. "What?"
"Something is wrong with you," Rita commented.
"I'm fine," Tommy countered.
"No you are not," Rita replied.
"It's like you said... Zedd is doing something to me," Tommy said. Rita shook her head.
"Maybe," Rita said, her voice quieter. "It shouldn't be doing this to you... unless..."
"Unless what?" Tommy inquired as she had trailed off.
"There is no time," Rita said as she stood up and moved toward the door. She peered out in the hall and then turned back to Tommy. "We have to get you out of here."
"What?" Tommy was genuinely surprised. This time he found the strength to stand. "Why... why would you?"
"I have no choice... but you... I won't let that be your reality," Rita replied. She locked eyes with Tommy before turning back to the hallway. She motioned for him. "Come on."
"Where are we going?" Tommy asked he moved to her hesitantly.
"Just follow me," Rita responded.
(****)
"What's wrong Alpha?" Zordon questioned as he watched the robot move from console to console frantically.
"I can't find him," Alpha replied.
"How can that be?" Zordon questioned.
"I don't know... I had a lock on him and then he was gone," Alpha answered.
"This is not good," Zordon said. "The power... if we do not transfer it... it will be too unstable... the ship can't hold it."
"I know... I don't know what to do," Alpha said as he threw his arms up and turned to his mentor.
(****)
"Where are we?" Tommy asked as he steadied himself on the wall. He watched as Rita opened a door and suddenly Tommy couldn't breathe. He realized she had opened the door to the roof of the palace. He started to speak but in an instant, Rita's hand moved in front of his face and he saw a green halo form around his head.
"That will give you oxygen, now come on," Rita said as she grabbed his arm and led him out onto the roof of the palace. Tommy felt the weakness again and he used her arm to steady himself. Rita turned to him and helped him from falling.
"Why here?" Tommy questioned as he looked out over the surface of the moon.
"He is less likely to detect us and block it," Rita countered.
"Block what?" Tommy asked. Rita shook her head and raised her hand. Her staff materialized into it and she held it over him.
"Get to Zordon... quickly," Rita said. Tommy started to respond but a green flash overtook him.
(****)
Tommy moved through the trees. He recognized his location. Angel Grove park. He used all of the strength he could muster to find a path and began to jog down it. He knew the mines were not too far and he prayed he'd have the strength to make it. He stopped as a realization hit him.
Tommy reached into the pocket of his jeans and pulled out his cell phone. He pulled up the contacts and quickly pressed Jason's number. He started to move the phone up to his ear. But a blast hit the phone and it exploded in his hand. Tommy recoiled his now burning hand into his chest and looked around.
"Going somewhere?" Goldar questioned from the grass in front of him. He was lit dimly by the park lights and seemed even more menacing than usual.
"Why can't you people just leave me alone?!" Tommy shouted in frustration. He dropped into a slopped defensive stance as he battled the unsteady feeling in his body.
"If it were me... I'd just kill you where you stand and that would be that," Goldar replied. "But that's not what Lord Zedd has requested of me."
"You will have to kill me... cause I'm not going back," Tommy countered.
"Oh... don't put the thought into my head," Goldar said as he brandished his sword. He flung it at Tommy, who managed to barely roll clear. He found himself on all fours and tried to raise his head. It was not cooperating. He finally raised it in time to see Goldar retrieve his sword from a nearby tree. Tommy got to his feet just as the golden behemoth charged him. Tommy tried to block the incoming onslaught but he could not.
(****)
"Something isn't right," Jason said as he looked down at his phone.
"Maybe he didn't mean to call," Zack suggested.
"I don't know... I heard something and then it went dead... and he won't pick up," Jason countered glancing up at the black-clad teen.
"What should we do?" Kim questioned.
"I think we..." Jason began to answer but suddenly the group were overtaken by their respective Ranger colors and were teleported away.
(****)
Tommy crashed hard into the back of a park bench. The wood shattered behind him and Tommy was starting to question if the bones in his back had not also done the same. He tried to get to his feet but felt hand around the back of his neck. He was pulled forcefully off the ground and found his feet dangling above the grass. Tommy fought to break the grip around his neck but he could not budge it.
"I should just kill you... say it was an accident..." Goldar sneered as he turned Tommy to face him. "You don't deserve any power... you only deserve death."
"Then... do it..." Tommy stated as he locked his gaze onto the sword that Goldar brandished. "Because I'd rather be dead than have any power from Zedd."
"Foolish," Goldar said as he moved the sword up to Tommy's throat. Heat radiated from it and Tommy felt the skin on his neck burning. He swallowed the pain and gritted his teeth.
"Come on you coward," Tommy taunted him. He stopped struggling and accepted his fate. He felt the sharp blade touch his throat. He knew he was bleeding now. He was fine with this. He had accepted this fate as being better than a tool for Zedd. Suddenly the blade moved from his throat and Tommy found himself being tossed to the ground. He rolled over and saw five familiar silhouettes approaching.
"Tommy!" Trini called out to him.
"You okay?" Zack asked him as they moved as close to him as they could without engaging Goldar.
"I'm... I don't know..." Tommy answered before a white light flashed in front his eyes and he shielded himself from it.
"Where did he go!?" Kim asked as she pointed to the ground where Tommy once lay.
"What did you do?!" Jason questioned as his sword materialized in his hand and he charged Goldar. Goldar got his own sword up to block the blow. The two were locked in a test of strength and wills as they pressed against each other.
"I did nothing... what did you do?!" Goldar snarled back at the Red Ranger. Goldar brought his knee up to Jason's midsection and caused separation between them. He backed up and stepped into a black hole behind him. Jason charged it but it closed before he could reach it.
"What is going on?" Trini asked as she raced over to Jason.
"I... I don't know... Tommy..." Jason looked around frantically for him.
"He said it wasn't him... I heard him," Billy said as the rest of the team approached the Red and Yellow Rangers.
"Yeah... then what was it?" Jason questioned.
(****)
"I should destroy you..." Zedd snarled as he loomed over Rita. He had backed her up to a wall and the whole throne room glowed red with his anger.
"Do you what you must," Rita said as she straightened up. Zedd should his head and the red glow subsided.
"No... no..." Zedd began. "You won't get off that easy witch."
Zedd backed away from her and gestured out toward the direction of earth.
"Go... " Zedd growled.
"Go where?" Rita questioned.
"Find him... bring him back... and destroy everyone and everything in the process," Zedd commanded. Goldar entered the throne room and Rita looked at him. He started to move toward her but Zedd stepped in his path. He glanced back at Rita. "No... you do it alone."
Rita lowered her head for a brief moment before she took a deep breath and raised her staff. She stole one last look at Goldar before disappearing.
(****)
"We should get to Zordon... maybe he can tell us..." Billy began. A green flash to his right prompted him to stop. The Rangers turned to see Rita on a hillside next to them. She was backlit by the rising sun as she slowly lowered her staff.
"What do you want?" Kim asked as the team formed a line to counter her.
"Want has nothing to do with this," Rita answered. "I need Tommy... give him to me."
"Not a chance," Trini responded.
"Don't make me do this..." Rita said as she slowly began to raise her staff again.
"Do your worst," Trini said as her daggers materialized in her hand in response.
