Part 2 - The Cynic's New Clothes
Daria struggled against Goldar's iron grip to no avail, as she was dragged through a palace on the moon, of all things. They were followed by Squatt and Baboo, who held Jane between them still wrapped up in a net. The group eventually stopped in front of a balcony where Rita Repulsa stood.
"The humans you wanted, Your Majesty," Goldar said as he made a sweeping bow.
"About time, you did something right." Rita snarled. As Rita made her way down the steps to the main floor, Daria watched her with trepidation.
"I'm going to give a great honor, girl. You get to be my Power Ranger." Rita said as she tilted Daria's chin up so they were looking each other in the eye.
"And if I refuse?" Daria snapped out, while thinking, "Why did I say that, oh god, I'm going die and Jane will be killed as well."
"You have spirit, that's excellent. But I'm not giving you a choice, Green Ranger." Rita snarled as she blasted Daria with a stream of magical energy.
Daria let out a scream of pain then collapsed. Jane shouted, "Daria", and struggled against the net, trying to reach Daria.
"Be careful, you're only here because I want to find out what is about you that caught my eye. I can easily dispose of you instead." Rita said as she glared at Jane. "Put this one in a cell, while we prepare our ranger." Jane slumped against her bonds, as she watched Finster and several putties picked up Daria and carried her away.
As the putties finish wrapping Daria with cloth bandages, Finster started pouring a wax-like substance over her. Once wax had cooled, Daria is then suspended in mid-air as if she was crucified. The Power Coin floats in front of Daria and green energy starts to arc from the coin to her. As the energy touches Daria, she twists and arches in pain, and her eyes can be seen flashing green through the wrappings covering her head.
Rita swept into Finster's workshop and screeched, "Finster". Finster peaked out from where he was working on the monster maker, and answered, "Yes, Your Majesty."
"I want to make sure my Ranger has the skills to defeat Zordon's brats. Bring me a device that will do this, Finster, or I will make our previous imprisonment seem like an afternoon nap for you." Rita ordered threateningly.
"I will not fail you, Your Majesty." Finster replied as he bowed. After Rita left, Finster sat down at his work bench rubbing his chin in thought. "Now, where did I leave that?" He mumbled to himself. Sometime later, we see Finster leaving the palace then disappeared through a portal.
Goldar approached Rita cautiously, stopping where he knew she hear him, before speaking. "Your Majesty, I have concerns about this human you have chosen."
Rita was apparently in a good mode, as she didn't screech at him or blast him with a spell. He already lost his wings as punishment, he didn't want to know what she would do next. Rita didn't say anything, but turned to look at him. Taking her silence as permission, Goldar started speaking, "This human has no fighting skill. While the morphin grid adds a certain amount of skill, I do not think it will be enough for your Ranger to defeat any of the current Rangers in combat. The previous wielders have all been skilled warriors, before assuming the position."
"Thank you, Goldar. It's moments like this, that I remember why I made you my General. Finster is retrieving an item that will address your concern. Until he returns, you will train my Ranger once she awakens. No lasting injuries." Rita commanded before turning her attention back to earth.
Jane figured it was around 4 days between when she last saw Daria and when the giant space monkey dragged Daria into the room. Daria was dressed in cloth wrappings that were extremely ragged and torn, and looked she had gone 10 rounds with Ali and Frazier at the same time. Her bruises appeared to have bruises. Jane tore a scrap of cloth off her t-shirt, dipped it into the bowl of water that she had been given earlier, then gingerly started to clean any cuts and scrapes she saw.
Daria woke slowly to a badly sung lullaby, and a gentle touch on one of her many bruises. Opening her eyes as far as she could, Daria saw Jane leaning over her dabbing at a sore spot. "Hey, you're awake." Jane said with a sad smile. "What are they doing to you?"
With a grimace, Daria forced herself into a sitting position, "Beating some kind of fighting skill into me. I'm going to fight the other Rangers soon."
"Why, can't you just refuse? You've always stood up when it has been important."
"No, I can't refuse a direct order. I might be able to circumvent an order if it might put you in harm's way. Whatever she did to make me the Green Ranger included a spell binding me to her orders. But I'll protect you while a drop of blood remains in my body. Please whatever happens, stay safe." Daria whispered.
With a furtive look around, Jane leaned down and whispered into Daria's ear, "Do what you have to get us out of here. I'll do my best to be available for a rescue, if I don't find my own way out of here."
Before Daria could reply, the cell door opened and Squatt and Baboo entered. "Oh, dear." Baboo fussed. "Goldar really worked you over this time. You'll need some extra time in the tank. Squatt, be careful with her this time."
"Ok, time to go." Squatt said cheerfully as he picked up Daria and slung her over a shoulder, while sending Jane flying to one corner of the room as he brushed her aside.
"I said be careful, you idiot." Baboo scolded Squatt as they left the room.
Rita looked down at the human girl as she floated in the recovery tank, healing from the injuries that Goldar had inflicted. While she rarely expended such effort on one her minions, Rita wanted her Ranger in top condition, so that the Rangers and that meddler Zordon would finally be defeated, than destroyed. At her signal, the human was yanked from the tank by some putties. Rita then cast a series of spells which culminated in her taking a crystal blade from Fenster and stabbing Daria in the heart before dropping her back into the tank. As they walked away, Rita questioned, "This will grant my Ranger the skills to defeat the Rangers and Zordon?"
"Of course, Your Majesty," Fenster said flatteringly. "The essence of a great warrior and assassin is bound to the crystal. This process and your spells will transfer his skills to the human."
"Which assassin?"
"The Eagle."
"Excellent choice, Fenster. Let me know when the Green Ranger is ready for action."
Of course, Your Majesty." Fenster said bowing, as Rita continued walking down the hall.
Rita leaned forward to contemplate the Green Ranger from her throne, then said, "Those brats and the old fool have interfered with my plans for the last time. You know who they are, and where to find them. Destroy them all, my Green Ranger. I want them broken and begging for mercy, before I end them for all time."
With a stiff bow, the Green Ranger acknowledged the order and turned to leave, when Rita said, "Bring the girl here, first." The Green Ranger bowed again and left the room. A short time later, the Green Ranger returned to the throne room followed by two putties that were carrying Jane. The putties stopped in front of the throne with Jane hanging by her arms between them, while the Green Ranger stood off to one side. At the same time, Fenster, Squatt and Baboo could be seen peaking into the room.
"Lets see what makes you special, girl?" Rita said as she stood up and waved her staff at Jane. Jane briefly glowed blue, yellow, pink, black, red then white. Fenster's exclamation of "Oh, Dear" echoed through the room, before Rita screeched, "A Morphing Grid Channeler! Putties, Kill her now!" As the putties dropped Jane's arms, the Green Ranger appeared between them and destroyed them with a flurry of kicks and punches. Rita screamed as she shot a blast of energy at the Green Ranger, "Impudent brat, how dare you disobey me!" The Green Ranger scooped up Jane and jumped away from the explosion. The Green Ranger landed next Fenster and shoved Jane into his arms, while she growled, "If she gets hurt, I'm going to rip your spine out." She then dashed at Rita, while drawing the Dragon Flute. Just before she reached Rita, Goldar appeared in front of the Green Ranger swinging his sword. The Green Ranger blocked the sword with the Dragon Flute, then spun into a kick that slammed her left foot into his jaw. As Goldar staggered back, the Green Ranger slipped past him and was in front of Rita pressing the Dragon Flute against her throat. The Green Ranger said harshly, "Jane will not be hurt or we'll see if you can breath without a throat." Rita gulped and said, "Fine, as long as the girl remains in the palace, she will not be harmed." As soon as Rita finished speaking, the Green Ranger was taking Jane from Fenster and left the room.
As soon as the Green Ranger was out of sight, Rita screamed, "You idiots! How could you let that happen? Goldar, as soon as the Rangers are done for, get rid of the brat. I've got such an headache."