Hello everyone and welcome back to the next installment of Ninjas in Hiding. I appreciate all the reviews, likes, and follows for the book and me as the author. looking to take my talent for a real book so any criticism that would help me get better would be appreciated. Thank you.
NOW LADS AND LASSIES ON WITH THE STORY!
Chapter 12: Planning Stages of War.
As the Rangers slept on Zordetta plotted her next and hopeful final attack.
"I'll start with Rita's crystal of nightmares, once I add in a few of my own powers," Zordetta stated as she watched them through her vision portal waving her hands around, she summoned all the energy from every spell ever cast inside the lunar palace come to her. She then focuses to separate each spell into the object they were cast upon. Moments later each object appeared on the table, everything from the Sword of Darkness to the Energy spelled Rope.
"Goldar, Amelia get in here." Zordetta bellowed.
The two rushed into the throne room quickly not wanting to let their empress wait. They entered taking a knee, Goldar was the first to look their empress in the eyes. Just before Zordetta opened her mouth Amelia looked up at the woman she had come to understand as her mother.
"You wanted to see us empress," Goldar said as they were both standing to their feet.
"We are going to attack the rangers using the Artifacts on the table, the sleeping rangers are in a deep sleep I'll cast the spell then we watch and bring back their worst nightmare," Zordetta explained.
"How are you going to do that?" Goldar asked dumbfounded, not understanding how she could summon weapons he knew were destroyed years ago.
"They don't call me the "Dream Weaver" back home on Eltar for nothing," Zordetta stated as she started the spell. Moments later they noticed the spell started to take effect.
Down on earth, the rangers slept on as some of their worst nightmares decided to rear their ugly heads.
Trini's Nightmare
She is standing in the rock quarry all alone with none other than the praying mantis. Just as she remembered the first time this happened to her. She was alone fighting not only the monster but puttie patrollers. It was at this point that her memory changed suddenly around the time her friends were supposed to show up to help her. To Trini's surprise, she was left all alone to fight off a pack of putties and their alley the Praying Mantis.
Putting her Kung Fu training to good use she fought back as best she could before she became overwhelmed. The putties surrounding her surged forward attacking the yellow ranger. The swarm of punches came too fast knocking her to the ground. Then it was like they dog piled on her.
She shot up out of Jason's bed, quickly flipping on the bedside lamp. Still trying to calm down.
Angela's Nightmare
The team was in the battle of a lifetime as Zordetta attacked relentlessly. She watched as all her friends got knocked down. Taking longer to regain their footing being surrounded by the forces of evil she willingly chose to fight. Angela attempted to assist her friends however when she tried Zordetta moved and in the blink of an eye blocked all of Angela's attempts. As Zordetta took control and held her down as Angela was forced to watch her friends get slaughtered one by one. First, it was Jason being run through by Goldar, then Amelia dropped a large piece of earth on everyone else except Zack. He attempted to rush Zordetta but was harshly tackled by Goldar, as Amelia landed next to her empress. Goldar then dragged Zack over to Zordetta. The two grabbed Angela as Zordetta drew her sword and beheaded Zack then turned and swung her sword at her just before it could connect she shot up out of bed.
As she sits there on one end of the couch just staring around in the dark room however second later she was joined by the other occupant of the room.
Aisha's Nightmare
She found herself in the middle of an old-style farm. Looking around she notices the little furry creatures climbing all over themselves as they climbed they started to stack up until they resembled one giant rat. Cowering in what could only be fear the yellow ranger was frozen as the creature began to approach her. The young bear found herself unable to move the Giant Rat towered over her, then moved its leg upward as Aisha screamed as the foot descended towards her.
Shooting up from her place on the other end of the couch she soon was staring straight into the eyes of the newest team member. The two quickly turned for the lamp each breathing heavily.
Rocky's Nightmare
Walking into the youth center Rocky had seen Tommy sparring with Jason. Rocky quickly approaches them.
"Hey I got next," Rocky said.
Tommy then dropped down and swept Jason's legs out from under him. Descending a hand Tommy helped Jason to his feet before Jason stepped off the mats allowing Rocky to join Tommy.
"Good luck man he is on fire today." Jason boomed down as Rocky watched him grow a few feet.
Rocky nervously stepped onto the mats. Within minutes, Tommy knocked him on his ass. He got up and Tommy knocked him down again.
"Rocky maybe you should take a break I'll give it another go." Jason offered.
Bulk and Skull walked over telling Rocky how Jason was a better martial artist and Red Ranger. This took Rocky by surprise, turning to face two bullies turned police patrollers he was met with Zedd and Rita who had managed to turn both the sparring rangers. Jason charged Rocky as he said, "Let's see who the true red ranger is."
Before either could hit Rocky, he shot up out of his sleeping bag.
Zack's Nightmare
Walking into the high school Zack noticed his friends grouped in three different areas. Walking over to where Billy and Adam were standing.
"Hey guys what's shaking?" Zack said.
"I'm sorry who are you?" Billy asked not looking up from the science book in his hands.
"Can we help you?" Adam said looking up from his book.
Not waiting for a response, they walked away, mumbling about a science project. Zack felt a little strange after two of his best friends just bailed after snapping out two very rudely asked questions.
Zack then noticed Trini, Kimberly, Angela, and Aisha walking up the hallway. Approaching them he squeezed in between them. asking " Hey ladies can Zachman accompany you to class?" he asked.
"Why would I walk with you when I have my handsome to walk me?" Kimberly replied with a question of her own as she walked up to meet Tommy, Zack tried saying hi to him but got a scoff followed by silence. The other three ladies laughed before Angela told him to get a life. Something he had been told before from the same girl had not hurt nearly as much as the same word she just said to him.
Rocky and Jason walked up only to walk their girlfriends to class. Just as it was with Tommy when Zack said hi they as well scoffed and then laughed as they walked off leaving their teammate standing there. The room began to spin standing there he watched all of his previous fights only with a different outcome. They were not able to save Jason from the dark dimension causing them to go into an all-out war with the evil witch. The battle against Goldar, Scorpina, and Tommy (evil green ranger). This time Jason wasn't there and they fail and were forced to surrender. They were taken to the lunar place where he watched as his friends were killed one by one and as the sword of darkness came down at him he shot up out of his sleeping bag quickly noticing Rocky already awake.
Jason's Nightmare
Standing in a very familiar place Jason looked across the room with a smokey floor, he saw his friend standing looking back at Jason Tommy was in the Green Ranger suit. In a flash, the path of Tommy's Green Ranger powers went through Jason's mind and his friend was now facing the green candle that stripped Tommy of his powers. As the scenery changes and Jason was in the command center looking through the viewing globe at the newest threat. When Zedd kidnaps his friends after Tommy lost his green ranger powers for good. The villain had connected the other ranger's powers to a candle and once again he had to save them.
Again the scenery changed now they were fighting Zordetta all ten of them. His little sister Kimberly, his girlfriend Trini, two of his best friends Zack and Billy, and Himself were now facing the same fate. Now Jason was facing the loss of his power. It was now up to someone he calls brother. With that Jason sprung up from as fast as his animal spirit.
Turning to look to his left he saw the start of a chain reaction first it was Billy followed closely by Adam. Then Jason slowly looked to his right to see the other two occupants of the room already awake and breathing heavily.
Billy's Nightmare
As Billy slopped into the land of the dreams he found himself in the command center searching for the two missing individuals, Alpha 5 and Zordon. While six of his friends were paralyzed by a fish monster that didn't look earthly to him by any means. Billy would split his time between looking for the teams missing mentor and finding a cure for the paralyzed rangers. Before he could rest he had to find the antidote for Tommy, Kimberly. Zack, Rocky, Trini, and Adam while also continuing the search for their beloved mentor and his trusted assistant Alpha 5.
Aisha was helping Billy with his research or search while Jason was brooding, Angela just freaked out and cowered in the corner. Billy had watched his friends turn stiff and then turned stone signaling his greatest failure. Moments later the computer came back with an error Billy had never seen before. Without warning or nothing the building began to shake. Just then Billy shot up out of his sleeping bag noticing that Rocky, Zack, and Jason had sat up. The three sat motionless as they heard Adam talking in his sleep.
Adam's Nightmare
Adam found himself in the park facing the mirror of regret. However, holding the mirror was none other than the evil green ranger. As the images started to focus the green ranger smirked under his helmet. What Adam seen through the mirror shook him to his core. He sat there watching as Zondar fell to his mother's rule followed by his friends failed in battle and he was to weak to help them.
Then after the mirror was set aside the green ranger engaged in battle the two of them dueled back and forth as Adam found he was no match for the green ranger. Locked in a battle by himself with no backup coming to help. As the green ranger charged about to strike, Adam shot up out of his sleeping bag with a scream that would wake the dead. Staring at the other four occupants of the room they all sat there looking frightened and very skittish.
Tommy's Nightmare
Tommy found himself standing in the command center staring at the viewing globe watching Kimberly lie flat on a table having her powers drained. The difference this time is Billy was unable to find a way into the dimension. Then the team was called into battle they then failed in battle as Tommy watch each of his friends be destroyed one by one until they reached Jason Goldar swiped left as Amelia swiped right simultaneously decapitating the man, he called brother. With his two closest friends gone Tommy couldn't bring himself to fight.
His heart wasn't in the fight any longer, he felt he had failed not only his friends but his mentor and the world. He began to wonder if joining the side of evil was the right choice. As he sat there pondering his early life choices the evil henchmen both approached, he stayed still only as they started to swing at him, he woke up to stare into the eyes of a beautiful petite brunette.
Kimberly's Nightmare
She is downtown at the mall with Zack, Adam, and the rest of the girls. They were just sitting down to eat when their communicators beeped. Moving to a quiet hidden area, she answered.
"Come in this is Kimberly." She spoke.
"You guys should meet us at the command center, it ah..." Jason started to stutter.
"Jase what is it?" Kimberly asked, a little worried.
"I'll explain everything when you get here." Jason said before cutting the connection.
Once they reach the command center, Jason and Rocky are standing there.
"What happened?" Kimberly asked noticing one team member missing.
"We were ambushed by Zordetta's forces. Rocky and I were separated long enough for Amelia to not just capture Tommy but turn him against us, again.
Moments later Tommy teleports into the command center. The raw ferocity that he attacked was like nothing before he attacked them one by one until Jason and Kimberly were the only two left after running Jason through he turned to her dropped the sword of darkness, he then approached her.
"Come with me you can rule by my side." Tommy said as he removed his helmet.
After providing her hand in his as her response Kimberly shot up out of bed staring back at the dark brown eyes of her boyfriend.
The group of friends couldn't return to her slumbers everybody migrated toward the Scott's family room. Jason, Billy, Rocky, Zack, and Adam joined Angela, and Aisha whom were already awake in the living room. Everyone had sat down when they heard Kimberly scream and bolt into the living room yelling.
"Get away from me we know you're the evil green ranger." Kimberly finished the last of her bellowing as she entered the room.
Everyone cowered into their place as she ran over to hide behind her big brother when Tommy waked in saying
"Beautiful wait I need to tell you something." As he rounded the corner most of the occupants of the room cowered in their spot.
Billy, however, had taken the time to study the room about the same time Trini had been watching and listening to what was going on around her. Patiently they sat in closely watching their friends. The two sprung up slowly as to not spook the other occupants of the room.
"Guys listen up some of us have experienced a confrontation identical previously." Billy said to which he was met with confusion on Jason's, Zack's, Rocky's, Tommy's, and Angela's face as for Aisha she had started listening when she heard Billy speaking and understood what he said. Kimberly was still hiding behind Jason's chair. Adam was starting to piece everything together. The confused young adults all looked at Trini for a simple translation.
He means we have been in this situation before." Trini said
Now coming to understand what was said more started to settle down. Kimberly started to stand but wouldn't move or look toward Tommy. Noticing this Trini approached her life long best friend to comfort her. Seeing this Billy suggested that they all sit and discuss what they were experiencing. Trini walked toward the sectional Kimberly followed still fearful of Tommy due to the nightmare she had. They sat by Aisha, Adam, and Angela. Jason moved next to Trini as Rocky, and Zack took the other end of the sectional. Leaving Tommy to sit in the chair that his brother in all but blood had recently vacated.
"Why don't we go around the room and talk about what we are feeling right now." Aisha said.
"I'll go first, I had a dream well more like a nightmare. We were back at the farmhouse in 1794. The rats in the field kept climbing on top of each other as they climbed, they were stacking until it was one giant rat. It was about to stomp on me when I woke up to see Angela." Aisha explained, looking to Kimberly.
"Oh, no I don't want to say mine yet." Kimberly said leaning behind Aisha.
"Alright I was in the quarry again facing the praying mantis only this time none of you showed up to help. The putties kept me surrounded; they knocked me down then they all tried to reach for me at once. I fought harder than I ever had before in my life using all my kung fu knowledge, but it wasn't enough they overpowered me. Then I shot up and noticed I was at Jason's and safe." Trini explained what she considered her worse nightmare.
"I was forced to face the mirror of regret again, only this time it was the green ranger holding the mirror. As I watched the team battle Zordetta's forces one by one you all failed in battle. I was then in the park all alone with the green ranger and it was the battle of a lifetime for me. I couldn't hold my own against him. Just before he was about to deliver the final and possibly fatal blow, I shot up in the sleeping bag to find Jason, Zack, Billy, and Rocky all awake and panting still trying to catch their breath." Adam explained what he experienced.
"I was entering the youth center when I seen Jason and Tommy sparring, I walked over to them called next match. The next thing I know Jason was stepping off the mat on my left then telling me good luck Tommy was on fire today. It seemed as if I was staring at a giant version of someone I looked up to when I took over for him. Nervously I stepped on the mats, within minutes Tommy knocked me on my ass. I returned to my feet only to be knocked down again Jason then offered to take another turn after stepping away Bulk and Skull told me about how much better Jason was compared to me not only as a martial artist but as a ranger as well. This took me by surprise, so I turned to confront them when they turned into Lord Zedd and Rita. With a wave of their hands then Tommy and Jason both stalked towards me. Jason said "Let's see who the better red ranger is." Then I shot up out of a dead sleep and locked eyes with Zack.
"I was walking through the halls of Angel Grove High. Every time I approached any of you, I got the cold shoulder. It was like you never knew me. Getting asked who are you? Or can we help you? Then when I met the ladies in the hall, I get told to get a life or I have my handsome to walk me to class. To be ignored by people I've come to see as brothers scoff at me was too much. I shot up to lock eyes with Rocky seconds later. I hope you all understand how this made me feel, I see all of you like family. Going through something like that even in a nightmare like that is enough to break even the toughest of people." Zack explained.
"We were in the big battle against Zordetta I couldn't do anything to help. Every time I tried to counter; I failed the putties were to strong for me. As I struggled against them, I watched Jason fall to Goldar's blade then Amelia dropped a large piece of earth on all of you" she pointed to everyone. "After that Zordetta had Zack on his knees about to hack him to pieces when I shot up to see Aisha already awake." Angela explained her nightmare.
"I was dealing with remembering the green candle, then the time Zedd trapped the rest of you. The last thing that got me was the situation came back only this time I was part of the group being drained. The others Tommy and I served alongside were also suffering the effects of the colored candles. The only ones left to deal with the outcome of the problem were Tommy, Rocky, Aisha, Adam, and Angela. The whole situation forced me to wake up with a fright." Jason informed.
"I was in the command center looking for an antidote to unparalyzed most of the team from our encounter with the flurfy goo monkeyfish. While splitting my attention as I was also looking for Alpha and Zordon. Time after time I would come up empty handed; the antidote would not allow the rest of you that were paralyzed to stay free of the condition. Along with that Zordon and Alpha's signal was coming up blank.
I watched on as you all turned to stone, I felt that was my greatest failure. I also lost the signal for Zordon and Alpha, I then felt worse all alone. The thought of failing all of you and watching things happen caused me to arise from my slumber." Billy explained.
Kimberly's Nightmare
"I really wish I never had this nightmare; it was about Tommy being turned against us. Zordetta had put him under an even more powerful spell than it was before. He attacked us furiously, each of you one by one was slaughtered until it was just Jason and me until Tommy pushed his sword through Jason's chest. As if that wasn't enough. Tommy offered his hand asking me to be his queen and rule alongside him. "Kimberly said as she broke and couldn't continue.
This was when the girls rushed over to Kimberly, giving her comfort when she needed it as Tommy made to get up, he caught the flinch from Kim. Seeing her uncomfortable he didn't make another step closer and sat back down.
Once they got Kimberly calmed down she locked eyes with her boyfriend he knew everything even what she wasn't saying. Taking his unspoken cue to take the conversation over.
Tommy's Nightmare
I was in the command center watching the viewing globe. What I saw was Kimberly laying on a table as it was spinning. While another device drew her power along with her life. We were looking for a way to get to where she was. Billy read back the results of the last scan. "Negative" he told me.
We were soon called to battle; I couldn't focus on the fight with everything happening all at once. I lost every one of you. One by one. First it was Rocky, Zack, Aisha, and Angela who fell to Amelia. Then it was Jason, Billy, Adam, and Trini who all fell to Goldar. Once they were free of you, they both charged toward me. As they approached, I was contacted by Zordon, he then informed me of what happened to Kimberly. The words hit me so hard I couldn't… Tommy trailed off not being able to continue due to the raw emotion he felt for the group of fellow rangers he felt accepted by after everything he had done to them that had touched his heart.
"Bro what aren't you saying?" Jason asked he brother in all but blood.
"Tommy didn't say anything.
Approaching the young man Kimberly put her hand on his then looked into his eyes "What is it Tommy, you can tell us." She said.
"That's just it I can't bring myself to say it out loud." Tommy said.
By this time the group had been talking until the sun had come up, none of them noticed that they were being watched. Trini looked up to see Melissa Oliver standing there. Her quiet yelp brought the others' attention.
"Good morning." Melissa said to the group.
"Hey Mom, what are you doing here?" Tommy asked.
"Oh, just checking on the house for Preston and Alicia. As they asked me to before they headed out of town." She stated.
"What all did you hear mom?" Tommy asked nervously.
"I heard Kimberly, and you explain your recent nightmares." She explained to her son.
Meanwhile, up on the moon watching their nightmares.
As Zordetta watched Trini's slumber vision. She began to pull the monster out of the orange rangers' nightmare. Once the praying mantis was standing Zordetta pumped the power causing the monster to start changing into something more grotesque. It grew another set of arms and legs extending the body to resemble the mix of a mantis and crab.
Once she finished watching Angela's nightmare, she didn't find anything useful Zordetta quickly moved to watch Aisha's terrible dream she was quickly satisfied to find the giant rat. Waving her hands, she took the giant rat just before it stomped on the yellow ranger.
Collecting from every nightmare as she went. The toll this magic was taking on her was too great. She had Goldar and Amelia enter to allow her to siphon energy to complete her search for more to throw at the pathetic rangers. From Rocky and Zack's nightmares she again was unable to pull anything tangible. However, from Billy she was able to retrieve the Eltarian fish she knew well.
Moving along to Jason hoping to see something, what she found made her light up with renewed energy. A full set of candles matching each of the rangers' colors. She plotted to use them as a last resort tactic. She turned to the next nightmare quickly plucking the mirror of regret from Adam's slumber show.
It was the white and pink rangers' night fright double feature that gave her the best idea within a flash she pulled the evil green ranger from Kimberly's mind. From Tommy she got an idea she would use along with something else Zordetta was able to acquire.
Letting the magic dissipate Zordetta stumbled to her chambers where she fell into a deep rest. Goldar chose to escort the new corporeal allies to the throne room to inform them of the task his former ally would be facing. He also explained there were more rangers this time.
Powering down to reveal a slightly younger Tommy Oliver.
A/N From this point Tommy will be white ranger. Tom will be the evil green ranger. I would like to not confuse anyone including the writer. To all who have followed either the user or the stories I would like to say thank you. Also, to all my guest reviewers your comments mean a lot thank you for all your kind words it helps keep me focused. Thank you and sorry for the interruption now back to our story.
"What do you want me to do Goldar." Tom asked the gold monkey he knew as a general of Rita's army.
"Our leader is not Rita anymore we serve Zordetta she is the sister to that old fool the rangers follow. You also won't have to worry about school there is another you and he will be taking care of that." Goldar said informing the recreated ally.
"Another me, how did I get here, and what happened to empress Rita she left for her chambers when you pulled me out here." Tom questioned as he was looking around.
As he looked around the room, he saw his empress the woman that had taken control of his mind although he was loyal to.
Where Tom seen Rita Goldar saw Zordetta. With the use of the evil green ranger Zordetta knew the best way to keep him under her control, she would have to keep up the appearance of who he knew and trusted. She kept the glamour up if Tom was in the palace.
Angel Grove 9:00 Am
Melissa had sat with the young adults all morning giving them advice on what they could do to get back their confidence in themselves. All of a sudden the rangers communicators beep everyone looked around to compose themselves. Tommy lifted his communicator to his lips to answer.
"Go ahead Zordon." He said
"RANGERS TELEPORT TO THE COMMAND CENTER RIGHT AWAY." Zordon bellowed out of the speaker.
Settling on a decision they grouped together waved goodbye to Melissa before teleporting out.
Once they landed to find Zondar gone Alpha 5 ferociously searching for the location of all the disturbances.
"What's going on?" Tommy, as Billy and Kimberly noticed Zondar missing.
"Rangers there are strange appearances all over town." Alpha stated urgently.
"Why do you think this particular appearance is peculiar?" Billy asked as everyone else watched on in terror. On the viewing globe some watched their worse nightmares come to life. They were all in Angel Grove in separate locations.
"I retract my previous inquiry." Billy finally seen something he had only seen in his darkest of nightmares.
"Rangers as you have noticed the darkest of your worse nightmares you cannot let your guard down, I understand this is not easy for any of you however you all have never truly given up any other time and I have no doubt you will prevail again this time.
"Zordon is this the result of the crystal of nightmares?" Trini asked when the item responsible for this was mentioned four heads turned to hear Zordon.
"Yes, Trini this exactly as the first of you suffered before, the difference this time my sister has brought them out of your slumbers in an effort to defeat you in battle, once that was over she would take over the world." Zordon explained.
This helping the shock wear off the other five watching the viewing globe. Slowly turning after hearing what caused what they had been watching. The planning soon began as they worked on a plan to deal with the evil threats that had dare attack their home.
Down on Earth
The evil green ranger was trashing downtown. He tortured Angel Grove High students blasting his energy blast near them. After another blast he noticed Bulk and Skull, deciding to have a little fun summoning the mirror of regret.
(A/N 2) Zordetta has added her own tricks when she summoned each item or idea from the land of nightmares.
As the two numbskulls looked in the mirror, they saw a day without power rangers. The earth was ruled by the very person showing them the mirror. Once he felt the terror was enough, he continued blasting around the area.
Slobber fish attacked using his slime to cause the citizens to become stuck. The mantis used its front claws to slice open fire hydrants, power lines, streetlights. On the other side the Giant Rat kicked over mailboxes, fences, and phone booths.
Angel Grove Park
Zordetta brought her throne to watch Goldar and Amelia fight the shadow ranger. The two henchmen would attack Zondar together only to hit the ground instead of the shadow ranger. Each time they would attack shadow ranger would disappear into the shadows the reappear to kick the two of them. After watching and getting irritated Zordetta zapped Zondar allowing Goldar to take advantage.
Attacking so fiercely Goldar knocked the shadow ranger to his knees.
Command center same time
"We have to help him, he's out numbered and loosing energy fast." Tommy said the others nodding their agreement.
"Stay on your guard rangers my sister will do anything to destroy any and all that appose her." Zordon explained.
Wanting no other explanation Tommy stepped forward then hollered "It's Morphin Time!"
Once morphed they landed in the park five of them stayed while the other five teleported back out.
Across town the remaining rangers landed to find the evil green ranger along with two other monsters. Both sides rushed while the other rangers assisted Zondar.
Goldar charged along with Amelia just as Zordetta stood aiming her quarterstaff at the rangers, without thinking Zondar sacrificed his powers and possibly himself as the blast hit him square in the chest.
(A/N 3) Cliffhanger again please review I'll get to work right away on the next chapter. Until next time lads and lassies.