A/N: Part I of my new series, entitled Project Phoenix. As a disclaimer, this series is inspired by Kctimes2's The Adoption (one of the best stories I've ever read here). It will be a Tommy/Kim/Jayden series eventually.

A/N 2: In the meantime, this part of Project Phoenix is what I think should have happened with Kim at the Turbo movie and afterward. This Kimberly was never brought back by Lerigot thanks to some decisions she made and now she is a cruel, violent, vicious conqueror. This chapter is the makings of her army, plus the way she conquered her first planet, Inquiris.

A/N 3: Usual disclaimer. Power Rangers doesn't belong to me.

Chapter 6: Building an Army, Inquirian Incident

June 2011

Eltarian Capital City

As Kimberly Hart's body had given the missive for another conquest that would strike at the heart of the Rangers, this one being Triforia, she further reflected on the days post Zordon.

The days when her evil half had begun to build an army capable of wiping out everything in the galaxy, and what was left of the real Kimberly could do nothing about it.

She still believed in her heart that even though the decision had come at the cost of millions of lives and would probably be the end of many more that she had made the right decision to help raise Nepa, Scorpina's child.

That didn't make things any easier though. For one thing, she had been very religious growing up so though her family was fragmented she learned of the ideas of heaven and hell at an early age. She could only imagine that when this whole nightmare was done and her body took its last breath, she'd be living with the devil himself...assuming that place did exist.

To make matters worse, not long after Zordon's sacrifice, as Ranger teams protected places such as Terra Venture, and Mariner Bay, Silver Hills and other places in California, Kim's evil half, along with Scorpina and her growing daughter, were slowly building plans to take over the entire universe.

Kim remembered those days, as the army her evil half was building kept getting bigger and bigger and bigger. The thing was also, Kim's evil half wasn't like Zedd and Rita. Zedd and Rita were great champions of evil, but didn't put a lot of thought into their plans. Perhaps it was because they were being watched by Dark Specter and his court, or perhaps it was them underestimating her, Tommy and the rest of her teammates. Whatever the case, Zedd and Rita's plans always seemed to fall short.

Unlike them, Kim's evil half answered to no one but her so she felt no pressure. She had also learned from the mistakes of evildoers past; she was beyond patient, smart, cold and calculating. It was what drew some of the most feared warriors and thugs of the universe to her side.

She also thought about her evil half's conquest of the planet Inquiris. That was one planet she did not feel sorry for. Dimitria to her was a terrible Ranger mentor and her sister Diana, as Dvatox, had pulled the trigger on the final event that had made her evil.

Flashback

November 1999

The Planet Titan

"They don't make bad guys wike they used to, do they Auntie?" Scorpina's daughter Nepa said as she said on her "Auntie" Flammia's lap watching the Lost Galaxy Rangers defeat Scorpius and Trakeena's army for the last time and thus, save Terra Venture.

"Those guys are a bunch of dumb dumbs, Auntie."

"Yes, sweetie, they are," Flammia responded, laughing as she did so. Not only because it made Flammia laugh at how cute Scorpina's child was when she talked, but that she was right.

It was ridiculous because even a four year old could see that the "new, post Zordon era" villains couldn't measure up to the old villains. Many of whom were dead or purified, by the way.

In the year since the death of the United Alliance of Evil, Flammia and Scorpina made an executive decision that they would step away from fighting the good guys for a good while. Scorpina did have a child to raise and there was no doubt the Earth Rangers would look for any remaining evil that existed. It was best, in their opinions, if they stepped away for a while.

Not to mention, they had no space ship like the old Dark Fortress, or Vile's Space Skull, etc and they had no allies to help them out. Any face to face meeting with the Earth Rangers or their allies and they would be pulverized.

So, for the last year or so, Flammia and Scorpina were living on Goldar's home planet of Titan. Flammia had been named Nepa's godmother almost from the time she and Scorpina had met, and the two did a wonderful job of raising her.

Deep inside, the part of Kimberly that still existed knew she could raise Jayden much the same way if she had the chance. Alas...

That said, as the three of them watched the Lost Galaxy Power Rangers beat their adversaries time after time, they couldn't help but wonder.

What could they do against an army of Rangers if they had their own army? How many planets could they conquer? How much destruction could they cause?

Some day, they vowed to find out.

"You know that any plan to get rid of Zordon's legacy may take many years, right?" Scorpina pointedly asked Flammia.

"Patience is a virtue, Scorpina. That is something your former employers lacked," Flammia said. "Including Uncle Specter as much as I hate to say it. He and Daddy were both too impulsive for their own good."

"A true warrior revels in every second of the journey, not just the destination," Flammia said. "The destination is important but as humans often say, it's the journey that matters. Take care of our house and the rest will take care of itself."

"What do you propose?" Scorpina said. "We have more than enough Zenematars."

"We need a ship, first of all," Flammia said. "It needs to be state of the art, up to date constantly and with the top machinery possible."

"Barvaria will help us. You remember them, right?" Scorpina said. Flammia nodded; she'd been able to get in really good with the Barvarians during the run-up to when Zordon died. "Not only are they indebted to the side of evil being from the M-51 galaxy, they are some of the best builders in the entire universe. That part of the M-51 galaxy also contains some of the toughest thugs the universe has to offer."

"That sounds good. We need some good thugs also, some good enforcers if you know what I mean. Enforcers to make sure no one touches your precious child."

June, Earth year 2000

The Planet Titan

Scorpina had been right all along.

It was about who you knew.

As a reminder, Kimberly's evil half had excelled in networking with various forms of evil while she was under Dark Specter's tutelage.

Because of the network she'd built, she was able to add the first piece of her army.

It had taken a while for Scorpina and Flammia to get anyone to join their army because at this point, without a real space-craft, they couldn't go anywhere.

That was being rectified with the building of the Dark Fortress Mark II, which was a nastier, more up-to-date version of the first Fortress...which had been evil enough. In the meantime, Flammia had done everything to try to get various members to Titan so she could build her army, but until they had a space-craft, it would be tough sledding.

However, they had managed to get a big piece to come out to Titan as the start of their army. And boy, was he a big piece.

He was considered by far the toughest warrior on Barvaria, and one of the toughest warriors in M-51 or any galaxy.

He was simply known as Draco, and the mention of his name quite simply put fear into people galaxies far and wide. He hadn't been heard from in many thousands of years, but the last time people remembered him he'd helped destroy Triforia's capital city and tried to destroy Aquitar.

When Mama D and Master Vile had helped Draco get in touch with Flammia, he was quite intrigued with the potential of the young, up and coming Earth warrior turned rising evil force. The two had become close and though it took some convincing, after all Barvarians rarely left their home territory, Flammia managed to win Draco's services from several other worthy challengers.

As a matter of fact, he was willing to work for Flammia and Scorpina for less Zenematars than Flammia's counterparts. He liked the idea of being the start of an army being built from the ground up which could eventually conquer Zordon's legacy; Barvarians had tried to conquer Zordon's prized Rangers long ago, but came up short.

"Welcome to our family, Draco," Flammia said; she smiled as she looked at the contract Draco had signed in green and gold blood. Contracts throughout most galaxies were not that much different from those on Earth, but the different, and more gory part for Earthlings was that when evildoers signed contracts, they gave their own blood to do it, no matter what galaxy they hailed from.

"The thing I want you to remember is that I am not most evildoers. I do expect a great deal, but I do not answer to past or current evildoers. I run this show and am completely independent," Flammia said. "What this means is that while you have great responsibility you just have to be you. I will never ask you to turn down an opportunity to brutalize a Power Ranger or anyone else associated with Zordon."

"Yes, if I just be me the rest will take care of itself," Draco boomed. "Part of the problem with past evildoers was that they didn't be themselves. They weren't on their own clock because Dark Specter was always watching. Master Vile from our galaxy came closest but he never could beat Ninjas. I shall help rectify that problem. No ninja can handle my strength or my foot soldiers, no one."

"We tried to conquer Zordon long ago, and came close, but he always had the best of us. It's a shame he's dead because we're going to shed the blood of his legacy," Draco rasped as his menacing footsoldiers the Flamers cheered in the background.

"Remember the two ground rules," Flammia reminded. "If Nepa dies, you will be the one held responsible and two, you can kill any of Zordon's Rangers that you wish but one. My disgusting ex Tommy...he's mine. I myself will shed his blood."

Ah, Tommy Oliver, Rita's prized Green Ranger," Draco said. "When we meet, I will show him what a real Dragon Warrior can do. But I will honor your request."

June 2002

Onyx Tavern

Over the next few years, Flammia and her growing ranks had mainly stayed on Titan, which allowed them to keep a low profile. Part of the reason they stayed on Titan was because it had become home to Flammia as she always felt welcome there, and part of it was due to the finish of the construction of the Dark Fortress Mark II.

That said, Flammia kept managing to add to her ranks. It was a surprise to some in the galaxy when Flammia offered Squalus, a shark bounty hunter from Aquitar who hated Rangers (particularly the Rangers of Aquitar and the close friend of Flammia's alter ego from Earth), a spot in her army and much to the surprise of many, he accepted. No doubt the allure of being able to conquer Zordon and his legacy had swayed him away, and much like Draco and his Flamers from Barvaria, he had taken less money to be a part of what he felt could be something special.

Aquitar celebrated the departure of Squalus, who was the second biggest adversary of the Alien Rangers next to Hydro Hog, but they suspected they hadn't seen the last of him.

A big turning point in her army though, and a move that turned some heads, came the same year the Rangers had gone into space to keep Serpentera from being unleashed. Flammia didn't know whether to be glad or mad that the Rangers had conquered Venjix...and of course that damned Tommy Oliver had led the charge although the Red "rookie" Cole Evans had finished the job.

Despite that, 2002 was considered a major success for Flammia because of one major move.

She had gone head to head with Lothor for another precious acquisition and again proved her superiority.

Four years after being embarrassed by Flammia, Lothor was once again back at the Tavern looking for additions to his army. He knew he was going to be going against Ninjas soon and felt he could use backup. He was here to hire Vipera, he hoped, and he believed she could be the missing piece to his world domination.

Vipera (no relation to Vypra from Lightspeed Rescue) would have been a coup for any race of evil to hire; she belonged to a race of evil called the Temptatonians, who promised a life of prosperity but in reality often brought sorrow and despair to those they met. They often didn't get hired because they didn't work cheap; their reputations preceded them so they were normally very expensive hires. Vipera and her dangerous foot soldiers that Rattlers were no exceptions.

Flammia frowned as she watched the conversation between the two; she knew Vipera wasn't as dumb as Lothor was making her sound. He was somehow trying to convince her that she needed him more than he needed her which wasn't true in her eyes.

"I need you more than you need me, is that right?" Vipera said.

Lothor nodded and Vipera snorted.

"Please, you get embarrassed constantly. You are a joke amongst all the galaxy and will continue to be such," Vipera said. "As I recall you've been embarrassed here before."

"Haha, who could have embarrassed me here?" Lothor goaded. Flammia laughed; this was just too good. He just didn't get it. It was then she decided to make her appearance, and Lothor's eyes widened.

"YOU!" Lothor said.

"Yes, me. Hello, Lothor," Flammia said. "I see you haven't changed your ways since we last met each other. I guess it's true what they say...losers lose."

"I am no loser, you novice!" Lothor hissed as he marched towards Flammia. Bad mistake.

The second he came within ten feet of Flammia she channeled her heat and Lothor had to step back five steps to keep from being singed.

"That's what I thought," Flammia said as she turned to her latest possible recruit. "Hello, Vipera."

"Well, if it isn't Lady Flammia. It is a pleasure to meet you," Vipera said; Flammia was surprised at the attitude.

"I see you have heard of me," Flammia said. "Sorry about Lothor, I guess he doesn't like treating ladies with the proper respect."

"If he did any research he knows that I don't work cheap," Vipera said as she shook her head in dismay. "He just has loser written all over him. He thinks I need him when it's the other way around."

"Unlike Lothor, I'm willing to overpay for you if you join my army. I have a state of the art space ship, and I have a greater goal than what you'd have if you serve that loser. He thinks he'll have accomplished everything he can if he destroys Kanoi and Omino. He is playing chess and I'm playing checkers."

"What can you offer me that he can't?" Vipera said. By now, the patrons had come out to watch what was going on. They sensed how pivotal this moment was.

"The destruction of Zordon's legacy, every last one of them. I might even let you have a plaything if and when we win. And we will win," Flammia said.

After a few moments, Vipera smiled.

"The chance to destroy Zordon's legacy is too good to pass up. He killed my mother many thousands of years ago but we never had an opportunity for revenge. Now, with revenge at my fingertips, it's time we take it. Rattlers, come here. We're going with her."

The patrons were shocked as Vipera, Flammia and the Rattlers left...and doubly so was Lothor.

Inquiris Capital City

Earth year 2006

'Perfect,' Flammia thought as the Dark Fortress Mark II rapidly approached a planet that had held great significance the two sets of Turbo Rangers.

She could see the sun was barely beginning to rise over the planet, and most of the residents would be asleep. Unlike Earth, where there were multiple big cities spread out over many continents, on Inquiris, the major cities were all fairly close together and there were about four or five of them. Other than that it was all farmland or desert. It would be very easy to conquer this planet and quickly gather any sort of monetary value.

She had been looking forward to this planet for a long time.

As much as she wanted to kill Zordon's legacy, because of what Zordon had meant in an earlier life she had a little respect for him. The mentor that followed him and her sister that hailed from this planet...not so much.

She could not wait to get her hands on Dimitria and her sister Diana and make Dimitria in particular suffer for what she had done to the honor of Ranger mentors everywhere.

It was fitting that this would be her first conquest.

Not too much longer they were on the planet itself and rapidly approaching the capital city.

"My Lady, the main city is within range. Your orders?" Scorpina said.

"You and I are going to the main palace to confront this planet's King while Draco and his army terrorizes everything in sight," Flammia said as she turned to Draco. "Any sign of Dimitria or Diana, Draco, you know what to do. Go, and show them no mercy."

"Vipera, you are to find any monetary value this planet has. Whatever it has, you bring it to me. Anyone gets in your way you know what to do. If Dimitria or Diana show their face, bring them to me."

"Squalus, you and your band of Landers are to terrorize all major cities you see. Any sort of crops you see along the way, destroy them. Cut this planet's food supply off. Now go."

"Marlotta," she said as she turned to another of her generals, who led a disgusting battalion of beetles, "your mission is to drain the life force out of each and every person you see and bring that life force back here."

"Yes ma'am," he said as he left with his army.

Even as she was giving out orders, she fired a few shots aimed at the city and designated spots. Already the capital city was lit up in flames and people were running for their lives.

Flammia grinned as she and Scorpina teleported directly into the palace shocking everyone.

"What is the meaning of this?" King Queary of Inquiris said as he watched in horror as his entire city went up in flames. "How can my city possibly be in such a terrible state?"

"Shut up, old man!" Flammia said. "Even now, your planet is under siege and at the mercy of my army."

Through her magic, she called up a visual. The attack was working like a charm. The other cities were being terrorized by Squalus and his army, Vipera and her Vipers were finding all treasure available (the Inquirians, not suspecting an attack had not hidden their treasure well enough), people across the planet were getting the life force drained out of them while Draco had found both Dimitria and Diana right away and had them by both their throats.

"How could this..." Queary started.

"SILENCE!" Scorpina bellowed. "If you want Dimitria or Diana to live again, then you will surrender this planet to us immediately! Your planet now belongs to the Great Flame of Destruction!"

"Oh God..." Queary said. "Maligore's influence isn't dead."

"That's right and I'm his last remaining child, enemy of all that is good and true. Now surrender this planet or they die!"

Queary at this point had no choice. Dimitria and Diana weren't perfect but they were his best friends.

"OK, I surrender, I surrender!" Queary pleaded.

"What was that you said?" Scorpina asked.

"I surrender, now let them go!"

"Draco, put them down, and bring them here. Throw them in prison and I'll have fun with them later," Flammia said.

"You said you'd let them go!" Queary pleaded.

"I said I'd let them live but I am not letting them go for everything they did to me and my former friends. I'm going to make sure my generals have lots of fun with them. Best part is, you can join them," Scorpina said. "Daughter, take them away."

"No, let me go!" Queary shouted as he was led away by Nepa and several of Flammia's body guards.

End Flashback

The part of Kimberly that still remains felt a little sorry for the people of Inquiris that day. No doubt they were a good, hard working, smart people.

And yet, when she thought about it, it felt so good to hear Dimitria and Diana begging for her evil half's mercy. Two of the most powerful beings in the universe were no match for a mere former mortal girl. Just the mere presence of her evil half terrified the two girls, which made her completely satisfied.

However, the conquests her evil half would embark on next would cut at her heart more and more as the years went by.

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