A/N: Five chapters to go in this story, yes folks we are headed down the stretch. In this chapter, Adrianna attempts to play head games with our heroes, and our heroes attempt to fight this power.
A/N 2: I own nothing. Power Rangers once belonged to Saban, then they went to Disney, now they belong to Saban again.
Chapter 31: Head Games
Friday, January 7, 2005
1492 Valencia Drive
Reefside, CA
Those gathered at Dr. Thomas Oliver's residence wished they could say it had been a happy Christmas and a happy beginning to the year 2005.
Unfortunately, that was not the case.
Sure, Christmas and New Year's came and went, and the celebrations were fabulous, but in between there had been a whole lot of bad mixed in with the good.
Tommy knew how dire the situation had become. He knew what was happening, but right now, he was having a difficult time figuring out how to stop it.
And it hadn't just been the students he'd trained, had turned into some of the finest warriors this legacy of spandex had ever seen, although they had it the worst. The adults had it pretty rough too.
Every night when they went to sleep, their worst nightmares had come to life.
From the visions of Conner getting betrayed by Kira and taken prisoner once again by Adrianna, to Selena turning on Trent like she had Adam all those years ago and becoming Scorpina again, to Kimberly and Tommy's relationship falling apart (again) and walking out on each other, leaving their potential in shambles and everything else in between, Adrianna was hitting every possible avenue in torturing these legendary heroes.
This wasn't like the Crystal of Nightmares either, the artifact the early team had faced. This was a whole lot more sinister than that because Adrianna was starting to cross into more personal issues.
The worst part about it, was that no one knew when it was coming. It was rattling the Rangers between the ears; even when Adrianna was giving them a respite, the thought that she could activate their nightmares (however she was doing it) was a frightening thought. She was cherry-picking the time of her attacks at will.
She had the Rangers on their heels mentally, and, by extension, physically too. The Rangers, physically speaking, were worn out and looked like they'd been through the wringer even though Adrianna hadn't sent so much as a monster their way since she announced to Conner she was pregnant.
Tommy knew that wouldn't last though. At any point, she could send an attack that the Rangers, physically and mentally, would not be able to handle.
That's why Tommy had called this meeting today, as he saw everyone gathered before him in his lair.
He'd taken various avenues with the teenagers over time; he put his foot down when he thought the foot needed to be put down, been a calming, steady hand when the situation called for that too. Plus, Dulcea said she had some answers regarding what was happening.
Tommy sighed as he prepared to speak, Kimberly putting a consoling hand on his shoulder.
"OK, I think we all know what's happening, I'm sure pretty much all of us has been hit by this little attack that's been going on," Tommy said. "It's been frequent for the last three weeks, but I think we all look like we've pretty much been through a war, and I'm assuming everyone in this room's been hit by it."
Everyone nodded; even the Ninja Storm Rangers, they'd been hit too it seemed.
"The worst part about it is, we don't know when and where these mental attacks are coming from, although we can safely assume these attacks happen when we go to sleep," Tommy said. "I can tell you to just think positive thoughts, but that would be a load of crap because we all know that's only going to work to an extent."
"However, Dulcea says she has some answers for us," Tommy said, nodding as the Master Warrior of Phaedos stepped forward.
"Thank you, my Falcon, and indeed I do," Dulcea said. "Unfortunately, the situation is very dire because the power Adrianna now possesses to unleash these attacks comes from something she has which cannot under any circumstance be destroyed."
"Unfortunately, that object Adrianna is using to power these attacks is your future child, Conner McKnight," Dulcea said which made Conner's breath stop for a short moment.
"Dulcea what do you mean?" Kira said; the Master Warrior's comments had worried her quite a bit too, obviously.
"I can already sense this child is going to be very powerful. It is not often that I sense powers before a child is born, but I do this one. I have high suspicions that amongst the powers your child may possess in the future are psychometry, the art of aura recognition, ESP and more importantly for now, prerecognition. That is, prerecognition in the form of dreams."
"You're saying he's not even close to being born, and she's already channeling power from Conner's kid to use it against us?" Trent asked in shock.
"It is highly likely and it's exactly what I'm saying," Dulcea said. "Adrianna's mental powers are exceptional, like her or not, and Conner is smarter than one gives credit for. Her using this child's inner abilities is powerful enough that she can even break through the Ninjetti, as you've already seen."
Conner sighed. This truly was a no-win situation. Keep this up, and it would hurt the entire team. But if he went back to Adrianna's grasp, which may or may not end the Rangers suffering, he might never get back this time.
"The only thing I can tell you is do your best against this," Tommy said. "There's no shame in fighting and losing, but there is a lot of shame in not fighting at all."
No one saw, however, that Zordon was watching this and was the only one without a look of concern.
He had a plan, and now it was time to put that plan into action before everything spiraled out of control.
Later That Night
"You wanted to see me, Uncle Z?" Conner said, using the name that the Dino Thunder Rangers had recently started giving their mentor's mentor.
"Yes, Conner," Zordon said. "It's obvious that this whole thing and the mind games that Adrianna is playing with us every night has gotten out of control."
"Yeah and unfortunately it's us that's getting the worst of it," Conner said. "Us and Tommy's team, it's not good. Some of you older guys seem to handle it better though."
"I appreciate that, but it has nothing to do with age," Zordon said. "I handle it better because my mental powers have always been a major strength for me like they are for Adrianna. It's no issue for me. It takes great mental strength to accomplish some of the things I did when your mentor and his team were having to fight off Rita and Zedd's forces."
"So, in otherwords, what Adrianna does doesn't have much effect on you," Conner said.
"Correct," Zordon said. "Basically, my mental powers allow me to block most of the things Adrianna does, even though it is more difficult now that she is using your child."
"Which is why I brought you here," Zordon said. "Believe it or not, you have the potential to cancel her mental powers against not just you, but the rest of the team."
"You're kidding me, right?" Conner said.
"While your mental abilities are not on the level of the more experienced Ninjetti, and certainly Adrianna herself, you could get to that level some day," Zordon said. "Your son didn't acquire the genetic abilities he did by accident."
"Yeah but I'm sure a lot of it had to do with what that lady did to me," Conner said, shivering as he remembered her slutty behavior that got him into this mess quite well. "And she's got most of the mental abilities."
"Yes, but remember that your mental abilities have increased too thanks to your relationship with Kira," Zordon said. "With enough practice, you'll be able to help protect you, Kira and the rest of the team, even from your sleep."
"I remember we did some of that before we went to rescue Jen and some of Tommy's friends," Conner said. "We didn't need it then, and maybe we thought we wouldn't need it but as it turns out, we did need it. If I had practiced better..."
"It's water under the bridge, Conner," Zordon said. "She would have put you or someone else under her control regardless of how much practice you had, because she's just that good at it."
"The good news is that with some more practice, you can help keep yourself, Kira, your child and the rest of the team safe. What about it?" Zordon said.
"I'd do anything to keep my child safe and keep my team safe at the same time, Zordon," Conner said. "I know it will take a lot of work, but I'm looking forward to the challenge. The other thing is, I don't want this to ruin my schoolwork or Kira's schoolwork either."
"Yes, you will need all the rest you can when you go back to LMU," Zordon said. "My Falcon and my Crane already have some practice in this regard, but they can get better at shielding their minds from Adrianna's nightmare attacks too, so I will have Dulcea work with the three of you and the three of you can get better at that practice."
Conner and Zordon soon went their separate ways and prepared to go to bed, and, hopefully have a night where they wouldn't have to deal with the nightmares.
200 days since the Falcon and Crane's reunion, and there was still a lot to be decided and Adrianna had certainly raised the stakes with her head games on the Rangers.
February 26, 2005
2:30 p.m. local time
1492 Valencia Drive
Reefside, CA
Ever since that meeting 50 days ago, things had gotten back on track just a bit.
With intense daily practice on the concept of shielding their minds (a foundation which had briefly been laid before the rescue mission back in September), the Rangers had reclaimed the privacy of their sleep somewhat.
Sometimes Conner had it rough at school, but the 10 days of practice that he had before he returned to LMU helped him a great deal and because he had Kira with him, that helped too.
Even though the mental images that Adrianna put forth night after night were rough, because of the training the Rangers were able to block out most of the potentially awful nightmares that Adrianna was sending their way frequently.
By now it had become a nightly deal since Adrianna found out things had gotten a lot tougher. It was still tough, but at least she couldn't cherry-pick her spots anymore. Therefore, the mental attacks were easier to diagnose and the Rangers were able to combat her attacks much easier.
It was a beautiful, sunny Southern California afternoon in Reefside, and Tommy was hoping for a nice, leisurely Saturday after a heavy load of grading papers all week, and in particular 24 hours ago.
For the first half of his day, that hope held true. Unfortunately, the mood was about to change. Because that was when his communicator beeped.
"You don't think..." Kim said as she looked at Tommy; he gave her a knowing look without even saying a word. This just smelled like trouble. Both of their Ranger senses were tingling.
"Tommy here."
"Dr. O, we've got a massive problem. Last night they hit the both of us with the worst nightmare we've ever had. Con is completely rattled right now. She brought the baby into his dreams last night and he doesn't know what to do..."
Tommy sighed dejectedly. In the 10 days of mind shielding training before Conner went back to LMU, they had done their best to prepare him for a vision like that one.
Unfortunately, no matter how hard they tried, nothing could fully prepare Conner and Kira for the emotions they might have as potential parents, and especially Conner as a father. If they got that child out of there.
It was a low blow, but not completely unexpected. Technically, as much as it grossed him, and I'm sure Conner, out, Adrianna was the mother of that child. Of course she was going to raise the ante.
"What did she do?" Tommy was almost afraid to ask, but he needed to know.
"She gave Conner a vision of what it would be like if he went back into her grasp. Apparently in this vision, the rest of us are alive, but Conner and Adrianna conquer us and we're all their slaves," Kira said.
"And if he didn't go back?" Tommy asked.
"She...she threatened to kill the child. Abortion. Before it was even born," Kira said. "And she threatened to kill the rest of us too."
Tommy's eyes flashed green; Kimberly was still in the room and she collapsed against the wall, nearly fainting as she did so. It was the first time his eyes had flashed green since he was under Rita's control.
"He's not in a good way, Dr. O. The threat to abort the child really got him," Kira said.
"Do you guys have a day off Monday?"
"Thankfully, yes."
"Can I teleport you guys here? You guys are staying with us the next few nights until we get this straightened out. We've got to tell him and you not to blame yourselves. No one could handle something like this. It's normal to worry as parents. You wouldn't be good parents if you didn't worry."
"Get us here, please," Kira said.
"Get your things ready and I'll teleport you when you are. Tommy out," he said as he ended the communication.
Kim crept towards him when he was done speaking. He had calmed down somewhat, but the anger was still obvious.
"How bad is it?" Kim said.
"She went too far this time. I doubt the bitch will do this, but Adrianna in a vision threatened to abort Conner's child and kill the rest of us if he doesn't go back to her," Tommy said. "We have a delicate line to walk. If we can get them through this, I think that will be the worst of the nightmares she presents."
"Then let me go get ready for their arrival. They will be on their way here, correct?" Kim said.
"Yes they will. I'll be teleporting them back here within the hour. I don't want them to get stuck on LA traffic and have Adrianna ambush the two of them. We're going to teleport them here. They have a day off Monday," Tommy said.
"OK then, let's get ready," Kim said as she left the room.
250 days since the Falcon and Crane's reunion, they both made a solemn vow. Adrianna Repulsa could try, but she wasn't going to crack Conner, Kira or Conner's child.
Not if they could help it.
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