Green with Evil
Interpersonal – Part 3
The battlefield lay in disarray as the echoes of the intense skirmish lingered. Jason stood amidst the chaos, his gaze locked onto Scorpina, a formidable adversary with a bloodlust that seemed to intensify with every clash. The fallen forms of Zack and Kimberly in his mind only fueled the fire of determination within the Red Ranger.
Breathing heavily, Jason tightened his grip on his sword, the weight of the situation settling upon his shoulders. Smoke and debris filled the air, creating an ominous atmosphere.
Scorpina circled Jason with predatory grace. The intensity in her eyes spoke of a dark vendetta that Jason didn't understand.
"You can't escape, Red Ranger," Scorpina hissed, her blade poised for the next strike. "Rita has foreseen this moment, and you will play your part."
Jason, undeterred by the ominous proclamation, squared his shoulders. She was saying a lot of these things that just didn't make sense. He tried not to think about it. He didn't have time to unpack any of her crazy. The weight of leadership, responsibility, and the imminent threat pressed upon him. Every fiber of his being screamed to protect his friends and city.
"If you're gonna attack me then just attack me. Stop wasting your breath otherwise," Jason said, raising his sword and running forward. The clash resumed, the air crackling with the exchange of blows between them. Each strike resonated with a force that seemed to echo through the battlefield. Jason's martial skill was put to the test as he parried Scorpina's attacks.
As the battle unfolded, a mysterious energy surged within Scorpina. Shadows seemed to dance around her, and the air vibrated with an otherworldly power. Jason, sensing the shift, braced himself for whatever new challenge awaited him.
"You're just a pawn in a much grander game," Scorpina taunted, her attacks growing more unpredictable. "Rita's plan unfolds, and you'll witness the true meaning of power."
As the dim, ominous clouds swirled in the dark dimension, the air thick with an unsettling energy, the Green Ranger found himself standing alone amidst the desolation. The echoes of his last confrontation still resonated in his mind, the Red Ranger narrowly escaping with his life.
"Stupid, Stupid, Stupid," he said to himself – an anthem for his feelings. "He just…he got away. How did he get away from me," he said angrily. As a result of his failure, he had been trapped in this abyss of a dungeon.
Rita Repulsa, her eyes ablaze with fury, emerged from the shadows, her towering figure casting an imposing presence. She turned her gaze upon the Green Ranger, a sinister smile playing on her lips. The blame lay heavy in the air, and the emerald warrior could feel the weight of Rita's disappointment.
"You pathetic fool," Rita's voice echoed, sending shivers down the Green Ranger's spine. "You had one simple task – to crush the Red Ranger and eliminate him once and for all. Yet, here we are, with him slipping through your grasp."
The Green Ranger stood defiant, his helmet concealing any sign of remorse. He knew the consequences of failure in Rita's eyes were severe, but he also harbored a burning determination to prove himself.
Rita, her eyes narrowing, circled the Green Ranger like a vulture closing in on its prey. "I've decided, dear Green Ranger, that you need discipline. A punishment for your incompetence. You will learn not to disappoint me again."
Dark energy crackled in the air as Rita raised her staff, summoning the forces of evil to carry out her wrath. The Green Ranger steeled himself for whatever torment awaited him, his mind racing with thoughts of redemption and the looming battle against the forces of good. "I sense something within you – something that shouldn't be there. I will rid you of the burden of your humanity!"
As Rita's dark magic began to envelop the Green Ranger, the shadows closed in, and the twisted dimension echoed with the sounds of impending retribution. A bolt of energy struck him and for a moment, Tommy felt displaced from his body. He wasn't transformed, but his Green Ranger form stood in front of him like a reflection.
"I don't want to do this…" Tommy said. Thunder roared in his mind and he cowered at it. An internal battle raged within the Green Ranger. His consciousness fought desperately against the encroaching darkness that sought to consume him. Memories of his family, his friends – all of this flashed before his mind's eye, like a beacon of light in the oppressive gloom.
Amidst the struggle, a glimmer of hope sparked within Tommy's heart. He could feel the strength of his will pushing back against the malevolent force that sought to corrupt him. He saw the faces of his family – his parents. He saw his friends. He saw…her. Kimberly. He didn't know her well, but there was something refreshing about her. Something good. Her saw the light. And then all of them started fading away, leaving Tommy alone in the darkness.
"No!" he cried within the chambers of his soul. The internal conflict manifested in a dazzling display of light and shadow. But the darkness was relentless, a formidable adversary that threatened to snuff out the light within him. The Green Ranger's internal battle intensified, each surge of resistance met with an equal and opposite force from the encroaching shadows.
"You are mine," Rita's voice was insistent. It became apparent that, despite his valiant efforts, the darkness was gaining the upper hand.
In a moment of cruel triumph, the shadows within Tommy's soul overwhelmed the flickering light. His eyes, once filled with determination, now glowed with an eerie green hue, mirroring the corrupted energy that now consumed him. The internal struggle subsided as the darkness asserted its dominance.
Rita Repulsa, observing the spectacle with a malevolent grin, raised her staff high, amplifying the dark magic that bound the Green Ranger. The enchantment strengthened its grip on Tommy, reinforcing the spell that shackled him to Rita's will.
"Embrace the darkness, Green Ranger," Rita's voice echoed, satisfaction evident in her tone. "Your futile resistance only deepens your despair. The forces of evil course through your veins, and you will forever be mine."
Tommy, stood motionless, his visage an unsettling blend of the heroic Ranger and the corrupted puppet of darkness. The battle within him was lost, and he had succumbed to the insidious influence of Rita.
As the dark energy continued to pulse around him, the Green Ranger awaited his next command from the malevolent sorceress in her grand scheme to conquer the world.
The courtyard of Angel Grove High School was bathed in the aftermath of the intense battle. Principal Kaplan was going to have a field day with repairs. Trini and Billy stood with their weapons at the ready as Goldar struggled to regain his footing.
Goldar showed signs of wear from the combined assault. Trini's precision with her Power Daggers and Billy's calculated strikes with his Power Lance had taken their toll. The golden-armored adversary, however, remained defiant, his red eyes glinting with determination.
"I'm not going to lose to you two," he hissed between gritted teeth.
As Trini and Billy prepared for the next round, a sudden interruption broke the tense silence. Alpha's voice echoed through their helmet communicators.
"Ayi-yi-yi! Rangers, we've got a situation," Alpha sounded more distressed than usual. Goldar rushed forward and Billy used his lance to stall his advance, giving Trini an opening to throw a dagger strike into his abdominal area. The brute let out a cry and jumped back. "Scorpina's assault has overwhelmed the others."
"Are they okay?" Trini asked, taking a defensive posture.
"No! We need you to regroup and join the fight," Alpha said urgently.
Trini exchanged a glance with Billy, the unspoken understanding passing between them. Goldar, sensing the shift in the Rangers' focus, seized the opportunity to renew his attack. They swiftly evaded his strikes, deflecting blows with a synchronized dance of blades.
"Billy, Trini, we need you now!" Alpha's voice echoed urgently. "Zach is down. Kimberly is down. Putties have swarmed the outskirts. Only Jason remains against Scorpina! Ayi-yi-yi – I'm afraid he might not last much longer."
"No…" Trini said, "Don't worry Alpha – we're almost ready.
"Prepare the teleportation coordinates," Billy instructed. "As soon as we're done here – get us out of here."
With a final coordinated strike, Trini and Billy incapacitated Goldar, rendering him temporarily immobile. Their helmets displayed a holographic map indicating the location of their fellow Rangers, under siege from Rita's new threat.
"Let's finish this quickly," Trini declared.
Billy nodded in agreement, and with a swift motion, they initiated a finishing move that sent Goldar sprawling to the ground. As the golden-armored foe crumbled, Trini and Billy teleported away in streaks of blue and yellow light, leaving the courtyard behind.
Amidst the lingering smoke and debris, Zack groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. He blinked away the disorientation, realizing the dire situation as he saw Jason locked in combat with Scorpina. His eyes widened with concern for his friend and the urgent need to rejoin the fight. Putties were swarming around him.
"Jason!" Zack called out, pushing himself up. Despite the lingering pain from Scorpina's earlier assault, he powered through it. He quickly scanned the area, realizing a Putty was coming right for him. He picked up his Power Axe and ran it through the golem fairly easily, but he felt the pain of his encounter with Scorpina still affecting him. "Kim, are you there?" Zack said through the communicator.
Some distance back, Kimberly winced as she gingerly touched her side, feeling the lingering effects of Scorpina's unexpected strike. "Ouch…" she responded. She pushed herself up from the ground, realizing she had fallen from the top of the building. She was surprised she didn't de-morph. She raised her upper body and dusted herself off before getting to her feet, picking up her Power Bow.
There were the sounds of gunshots and explosions. The Angel Grove Rescue Squad was doing their best to repel this invasion. Kimberly felt like she had failed in her role. But she wasn't expecting Scorpina to strike her down from such a distance.
"Kim, where you at?" Zack said.
"I'm right where that Raven-haired freak left me," Kim spat out. Her eyes focused forward and she could see Jason still having it out with Scorpina. But she seemed as if she still had the upper hand. "Zack, we cant let Jason face her alone."
"I know, but these Putties…" Zack said, cutting down another golem.
"We'll take them as we go, but we have to make sure Jason doesn't get taken out. We just got him back," Kimberly said, running forward into the fight.
Together, Zack and Kimberly fought their way through the swarm of Putties, each movement causing a jolt of pain but fueled by the urgency to reach Jason. Zack swung his Power Axe with practiced efficiency, and Kimberly fired arrows with pinpoint accuracy, clearing a path through the relentless onslaught.
"Guys, be careful," Jason called out, deflecting another of Scorpina's strikes. "She's not like any enemy we've faced before." He said, feeling relieved to have their support but was fearful for them at the same time. He didn't want them to get hurt. He was their leader. He had to protect them.
As they closed in, Scorpina unleashed a flurry of attacks. Zack, his reflexes sharp despite the pain, blocked an incoming strike from Scorpina, catching her off guard. Simultaneously, Kimberly released an arrow that found its mark in Scorpina's breastplate.
"Nice shot," Scorpina said, slightly recoiling while the Rangers regrouped. She then threw her head back and started laughing maniacally. It was very obvious that she was having the time of her life.
"What is your deal lady," Kimberly spat out, rhetorically.
Scorpina, undeterred by the Pink Rangers commentary, launched herself back into the fray with renewed ferocity. Her movements became a blur.
"This is just going to be so much fun!" her voice sounded like it was everywhere and no where at once.
Jason, Zack, and Kimberly, their injuries apparent, formed a defensive line. Her attacks were relentless, each strike calculated to exploit any weakness. Zack swung his Power Axe. Each blow was met with a counterstrike from Scorpina. Kimberly fired arrows, aiming for the chinks in Scorpina's armor.
"Hold still!" Kimberly said, annoyed.
Jason faced Scorpina head-on with his sword but couldn't make any ground or headway. She just kept coming at them. Suddenly, Scorpina unleashed a barrage of energy-infused strikes, catching the Rangers off guard. The impact sent shockwaves through their armored suits, and they staggered, momentarily disoriented.
Zack, gritting his teeth, countered with a powerful swing of his Power Axe, diverting Scorpina's attention away from the momentarily vulnerable Kimberly. Seizing the opportunity, Kimberly fired an arrow directly at Scorpina's exposed flank. Scorpina hissed in pain, momentarily recoiling.
But Scorpina swiftly recovered. With a calculated maneuver, she disarmed Zack and delivered a forceful kick that sent him sprawling. Kimberly, determined to cover her fallen comrade, fired a barrage of arrows, but Scorpina agilely deflected each one with her blade.
"Remember this?" Scorpina taunted, about to swing down at her. Jason swung his sword forward just in time to stop her and then he lunged at Scorpina, seeking to disrupt her focus.
"Zack! Are you okay?" Kimberly said as she helped him onto his feet.
"Man, this girl is tough…" he said, shaking his head.
Helicopters descended from the sky, casting a shadow over the battleground, while heavily armed agents in advanced combat gear rappelled down. Trask, the enigmatic leader of the Angel Grove Rescue Squad, stepped forward, his stern expression revealing no hint of acknowledgment towards the Power Rangers.
"Oh no, this is not good," Kimberly said.
"Power Rangers, stand down!" Trask commanded; his voice amplified by the squad's advanced communication systems. "This situation is under our control." Trask pulled out two night sticks, that seemed to glow with a strange orange energy. His confidence – arrogance – was more dialed up than usual.
Jason, Zack, and Kimberly exchanged wary glances, uncertain of the intentions of the government task force.
"Why did they have to come all the way out here?" Kimberly whispered, her bow still at the ready.
"Project Restoration…" Zack said under his breath. "Kim, do you think he's going to…"
"Let's hope not. One uphill battle at a time…" she said.
Despite the chaos, Scorpina halted her attacks, her attention shifting to the newly arrived threat. Jason's gaze alternated between Scorpina and the approaching agents.
Trask, undeterred by the Power Rangers' presence, signaled for his agents to advance, blasting through any Putties that came their way. The heavily armed squad moved with precision, positioning themselves between the Rangers and Scorpina.
"Whoa! Their weapons couldn't do that before!" Zack pointed out.
"We've secured the perimeter of the city," Trask explained, his gaze unwavering. "We can handle it from here. Your interference is not required."
Zack clenched his fists, frustration mounting. "We're not interfering. We're protecting the city!"
Trask's response was cold and calculated. "Your presence only exacerbates the situation. Step aside, Power Rangers, or we'll be forced to consider you a threat."
As tensions reached a boiling point, Scorpina seized the opportunity. With a swift and unexpected move, she lashed out at the distracted Rangers, who narrowly managed to evade her deadly strikes. The squad's intervention had inadvertently created a window of vulnerability, and Scorpina wasted no time exploiting it with a relentless onslaught.
"Trask! Stand down!" Jason called out urgently. "Your men will get killed!"
"Fire!" Trask commanded, and nearly a dozen of his armed men opened fire on Scorpina. Bullets bounced off her armor as if they were nothing more than harmless nuisances.
"Trask!" Jason yelled, running forward. Sensing the Red Ranger's distress, Scorpina formed a lecherous smile. She raised her blade and charged forward in a blur, cutting through the squad members with chilling ease.
Undeterred, Jason continued his advance, but his progress was halted after two flashes of light – yellow and blue – materialized before him. Trini and Billy, having teleported into the midst of the chaos, widened their eyes as they took in the intense battle unfolding before them.
"Jason – you're okay!" Trini exclaimed, relief evident in her voice.
"No – I mean, yes, I am – but you guys, we have to stop her!" Jason pressed on, with Zack and Kimberly not too far behind.
"What happened?" Trini inquired, her concern mirrored in her eyes.
"Trask – he's made things worse!" Zack replied, frustration tainting his voice. Battle cries came from men who quick met their demise. "No! Damn it!" Zack said, feeling helpless.
"You're a real piece of work," Trask said, rushing toward Scorpina himself. He threw his weapon forward and it collided with hers. A strange energy interaction that wasn't anything the rangers had seen before occurred. Trask jumped back and readied himself to strike again. He didn't know what he was in for.
"You guys – help the Rescue Squad. Keep the Putties off of them – I'll help Trask!" Jason said, a directive he never thought he'd say out loud.
Jason jumped in and landed between Scorpina and Trask, with his sword in one hand and grabbing his Blade-Blaster with his other. "Trask, you have to stop – this one of Rita's strongest warriors. You can't take her down."
"Red Ranger, I told you to stand down," Trask said.
"Enough talking!" Scorpina, her blade poised to strike, launched herself at Trask. Trask, wielding his orange energy night sticks, countered with calculated strikes, the crackling energy leaving streaks of light in the air. Jason, his sword gleaming, moved in aiming for Scorpina's flank.
Scorpina sidestepped Trask's strike, simultaneously swinging her blade at Jason. The Red Ranger blocked the attack. Trask, undeterred, pressed the offensive, aiming low with a quick strike at Scorpina's legs.
Scorpina, agile as ever, leaped over Trask's attack, landing with a grace that defied her menacing appearance. She retaliated by driving her blade toward Trask's midsection. Trask, displaying surprising agility himself, twisted away, narrowly avoiding the lethal strike.
"I don't need your help, Red Ranger," Trask sneered, his night sticks crackling with energy.
"Save the bravado for later, Trask. We're not here to make friends," Jason retorted, his focus unwavering.
Scorpina lunged at Jason with a rapid flurry of strikes. Jason parried each blow, his sword meeting Scorpina's blade with a resounding clash.
Meanwhile, Trask launched a series of energy-charged strikes at Scorpina's back. Scorpina hissed in pain as she was momentarily caught off guard. Trask seized the moment, delivering a low blow that sent Scorpina staggering.
Scorpina retaliated with a fierce uppercut aimed at Trask's chin. Trask absorbed the blow and countered with a sweeping kick to Scorpina's legs.
Jason lunged at Scorpina with a powerful thrust of his sword. Scorpina, however, twisted away, narrowly avoiding the blade. She responded with a cunning low sweep of her leg, aiming to incapacitate Jason.
The Red Ranger, anticipating the attack, leaped over the venomous strike, landing behind Scorpina. In a split-second decision, he drove his sword into the ground, using it as leverage to deliver a sweeping kick that sent Scorpina sprawling.
The three combatants, now momentarily separated, stared each other down, with only Trask and Jason a mix of exhaustion and wear and tear. There wasn't a clear way out of this. Trask was never going to listen to Jason. And the three of them couldn't keep fighting like this much longer.
"Send it in," Trask said, pressing a button on his ear-piece. His posture became cool and collected, like he knew something the rest of them didn't.
"Trask…what did you do?" Jason asked. The ground began to shake. Parts of it started to separate under them. And it felt like something was moving.
Whatever it was, it couldn't be good for them.