Green with Evil

Salvation Part 1

Rita Repulsa stood on her lunar palace balcony, overlooking the Earth with a wicked smile. Her recent triumph over the Power Rangers had given her renewed confidence. She could feel the dark energy swirling around her, ready to be harnessed for her next move.

"Finster, prepare the ritual! It's time to summon the Dragonzord!" she commanded, her voice echoing through the palace.

Finster, ever the diligent servant, quickly set to work. He carefully arranged mystical artifacts in a precise summoning circle, muttering incantations under his breath. The air crackled with dark energy as Rita raised her wand, her voice rising in a chant that resonated through the palace walls.

"Ancient spirits, heed my call, awaken the power that lies beneath! By the force of darkness, by the will of evil, I command you, rise, Dragonzord!"

The sky above Angel Grove began to darken, storm clouds swirling ominously as Rita's spell took effect. Lightning flashed, illuminating the eerie scene with bursts of blinding light. Deep beneath the waters of Angel Grove Beach, something stirred and the waters surface began to bubble. The dormant Dragonzord, sensing its mistress's call, began to awaken from its slumber.

With a deafening roar, the Dragonzord burst forth from the depths, water cascading off its massive, gleaming body. Its eyes glowed a menacing green as it emerged, towering over the landscape. The ground trembled beneath its feet, and its tail swung with the power of a battering ram, smashing into the surrounding terrain.

Rita's eyes gleamed with satisfaction as she watched her creation rise. She turned to the Green Ranger, who stood ready, his eyes cold and determined. "Tommy, take this," she said, handing him the Dragon Dagger. "With this dagger, you can control the Dragonzord. Use it to destroy the Power Rangers once and for all!"

Tommy took the Dragon Dagger, feeling its power resonate with his own dark energy. In a flash of light, he appeared on top of a cliff in the distance, watching as the mighty Zord roared to life. He could sense the bond between the dagger and the Dragonzord, an unbreakable link forged by Rita's dark magic. Raising the Dragon Dagger to his lips, he played a haunting melody, the notes echoing through the air.

The Dragonzord responded instantly, its eyes flashing in recognition of its master. It let out another earth-shaking roar and began to move, its colossal form lumbering towards the heart of Angel Grove. Tommy watched with a sense of grim satisfaction as the Dragonzord advanced, its path of destruction clear.

From a cliff overlooking the water, Tommy commanded the Dragonzord, directing its every move with the Dragon Dagger. The massive Zord moved with terrifying grace, its every step causing tremors that shook the ground. Its tail whipped through the air, smashing buildings and sending debris flying.

Tommy's mind was focused, his thoughts consumed by the task at hand. He was determined to carry out Rita's orders, to prove his loyalty and worthiness as the Green Ranger. The Power Rangers were his enemies, and he would stop at nothing to see them defeated.

As the Dragonzord marched towards the warehouse district, the people of Angel Grove fled in terror. The streets were filled with chaos, cars screeching to a halt and people running for their lives. The news quickly spread, and within moments, the city's emergency broadcast system was activated.

"This is an emergency alert! A giant monster is attacking Angel Grove! All residents are advised to evacuate immediately and seek shelter. Repeat, this is an emergency alert!"

The Dragonzord's advance was relentless. It crushed everything in its path, leaving a trail of destruction in its wake. Buildings crumbled under its massive feet, and the ground itself seemed to tremble in fear. The citizens of Angel Grove could do nothing but watch in horror as the mighty Zord laid waste to their city.

Tommy's grip on the Dragon Dagger tightened as he continued to play, the haunting melody guiding the Dragonzord with precision. He could see the fear in the eyes of the people below, and it only fueled his determination. He was the Green Ranger, and he would not be stopped.

Back on the moon, Rita watched the scene unfold with glee. Her plan was working perfectly, and the Power Rangers were nowhere to be seen. She could already taste victory, the sweet satisfaction of finally defeating her greatest enemies.

"Yes, my Dragonzord! Show them the true power of evil!" Rita cackled, her voice echoing through the palace.

As the Dragonzord approached the heart of Angel Grove, its destructive power seemed to grow. It unleashed a barrage of missiles from its fingertips, targeting key structures and causing massive explosions. The city's skyline was soon shrouded in smoke and fire, a testament to the Dragonzord's might.

Tommy watched the destruction with a sense of grim satisfaction. He knew that the Power Rangers would soon appear, drawn by the chaos and destruction. And when they did, he would be ready. He would show them no mercy, just as Rita had commanded.

As he continued to play the Dragon Dagger, guiding the Dragonzord through the city, Tommy's thoughts briefly turned to his former life. He pushed the memories aside, focusing instead on the task at hand. He was no longer one of them. He was the Green Ranger, and he had a mission to complete.

The Dragonzord's rampage showed no signs of slowing down. With every step, it brought more destruction to Angel Grove, its roars echoing through the city like a harbinger of doom. The people of Angel Grove could only watch in helpless terror as their city was torn apart.

But Tommy knew that this was only the beginning. The true battle was yet to come, and he would be ready. With the Dragon Dagger in his hand and the Dragonzord at his command, he would ensure that the Power Rangers fell before him. And when the dust settled, Rita Repulsa would finally reign supreme.

As the Dragonzord continued its relentless march, Tommy stood tall on the cliff, his eyes fixed on the horizon. He knew that the Power Rangers would come. They always did. And when they did, he would be there to meet them, ready to show them the true power of the Green Ranger.

And Yet, as Tommy continued to play the Dragon Dagger, guiding the Dragonzord through the city, a conflict raged within him. Flashes of his dream with Zordon haunted his mind. He remembered the vision vividly, Zordon's calm, wise voice telling him, "No, Tommy. This darkness is not your destiny. Rita's spell is clouding your mind, twisting your desires. Deep down, you know the truth. You are not a destroyer. You are a protector."

These words clashed with Rita's commands, creating a storm of emotions inside him. He saw the destruction he was causing, the fear in the eyes of the people of Angel Grove. Was this truly who he was meant to be? Could he really destroy the city and the people he once cared about?

Rita's harsh voice broke through his thoughts. "Destroy them, Tommy! You are the Green Ranger! My Green Ranger!"

The internal struggle intensified. Tommy's grip on the Dragon Dagger tightened, his knuckles white with tension. He was the Green Ranger, but he was also Tommy Oliver, a person who wanted to protect, not destroy.

With a final, anguished cry, Tommy raised the Dragon Dagger to his lips once more. The haunting melody continued, but in his heart, a new resolve was forming. He had to find a way to break free, to save himself from himself. Or die trying.

The sun was low in the sky, casting long shadows across Kimberly's front yard. She sat on the old wooden swing, gently swaying back and forth, her mind heavy with the previous day's revelations. Her thoughts were a tangled mess of emotions, swirling around Tommy, Jason, and the daunting task ahead of them. She felt a pang of guilt, remembering how she had accused Jason of being paranoid about Tommy. Now, everything was different.

She glanced up at the sound of approaching footsteps. Jason was walking towards her, his expression a mixture of determination and uncertainty. He looked as if he hadn't slept, dark circles under his eyes and his usual confident demeanor replaced with a troubled frown.

"Hey," he said softly, stopping a few feet away from her. "Mind if I join you?"

Kimberly nodded, giving him a small, tired smile. "Of course not."

Jason took a seat on the grass beside her, leaning back on his hands and looking up at the sky. For a moment, they sat in silence, the only sounds were the gentle creak of the swing and the distant hum of the city.

"How are you holding up?" Jason finally asked, his voice gentle.

Kimberly sighed, her eyes fixed on the ground. "I don't know, Jason. It's all just so... overwhelming. Finding out Tommy is the Green Ranger... it feels like everything is falling apart."

Jason nodded, understanding her turmoil. He had his own feelings to sort through, feelings he wasn't sure he had the courage to voice. "I know. It's hard to believe that Tommy is under Rita's control. But looking back…it didn't not make sense. I just…I just think those things are hard to see. Hard to want to know."

Kimberly looked at him, her eyes searching his face for some semblance of reassurance. "Jason, I'm so sorry for doubting you. You were right all along, and I didn't listen."

Jason shook his head. "Don't worry about that, Kim. You had every reason to hope for the best. We all did."

There was another pause, heavy with unspoken words. Jason took a deep breath, knowing he had to tell her how he felt, even if it wasn't the right time. "Kim, there's something I need to say."

Kimberly's heart skipped a beat, sensing the seriousness in his tone. "What is it?"

Jason looked down, gathering his thoughts. "Homecoming was special. It meant a lot to me. More than I realized at the time. And since then, I've had these feelings... feelings for you that I can't ignore."

Kimberly's eyes widened in surprise, her heart pounding. "Jason, I..."

He held up a hand, stopping her. "Let me finish. I know things are complicated with Tommy now, and I don't want to make things harder for you. But I couldn't keep it to myself any longer."

Kimberly felt a rush of emotions, her mind spinning. She cared for Jason deeply, but her feelings for Tommy were undeniable, even though they didn't make sense. She barely knew him. She was caught in a web of confusion, unsure of what to say. "Jason, I care about you too. More than I can explain. But right now, everything is so confusing."

Jason nodded, trying to hide his disappointment. "I understand, Kim. I just needed you to know." Kimberly reached out, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I have feelings for you. You mean a lot to me and when you're by my side, I feel unstoppable. It's important that you know that, even if you don't feel the same."

Kim didn't know what to say, his words were both a warm blanket and a dozen sharp tendrils pulling at her heart. He deserved his sentiments in return, someone to receive his feelings and reciprocate. "Jason…I feel…" she tried to find the words, but nothing came.

They sat in silence once more, the weight of their conversation hanging between them. Despite the turmoil, there was a sense of comfort in each other's presence.

But as the quiet moments stretched on, the unresolved tension between them became almost palpable. Kimberly could see the hurt in Jason's eyes, and it pained her to know she was the cause of it. She wanted to say more, to offer some kind of solace, but the words wouldn't come.

"Jason, when I thought I lost you when you were in the Dark Dimension - it was unbearable. And knowing that it was Tommy that was torturing you... But yet, at the same time, does it make me an awful person for still wanting Tommy to be free from Rita's spell and saved?" Kimberly said, her voice trembling with emotion.

Jason looked at her, feeling a surge of conflicting emotions. He didn't share Kimberly's affection for Tommy, but he didn't want to upset her further. "Kim, it doesn't make you an awful person. Tommy is a victim in this, just like we are. Wanting to save him shows how much you care. It's one of the things that makes you so special."

Kimberly's eyes filled with tears. "When you transformed after fighting the Chimera and nearly died, I was so scared. I thought, I couldn't lose you again."

Jason's heart ached at her words, but he forced himself to stay composed. He reached out and gently took her hand. "You could never lose me, Kim. No matter what happens, I'll always be here for you."

Kimberly looked down at their joined hands, tears welling up in her eyes. "You are special to me, Jason. You do mean a lot to me. But right now, I just... I need time to figure things out."

Jason nodded, swallowing his emotions. "Take all the time you need, Kim. I'll be here."

Kimberly squeezed his hand, her expression a mix of gratitude and sadness. "I hope that's true. I don't really trust how I feel right now, and I just feel like I have the ability to hurt you. And you've already been hurt so much. We all have. I don't want to contribute to any more of it."

Jason tried to put on a brave face, but he couldn't hide the pang of rejection he felt. He wanted to comfort her, to tell her that everything would be okay, but he knew he couldn't force her feelings. He reached out to touch her cheek but stopped himself, letting his hand fall back to his side. "You won't hurt me, Kim. I promise."

Kimberly gave him a small, sad smile. "I wish I could believe that right now."

Their communicators beeped urgently, breaking the silence and pulling them back to reality. They exchanged a glance, the gravity of their situation pulling them back to their duties as Rangers.

"We need to get to the Command Center," Jason said, his voice tense. "Let's go."

Kimberly nodded. "Yeah, let's go."

He helped her up from the swing and they exchanged glances, holding each other's gaze one last time before their next fight. Jason smiled down at her, taking all of her and what she meant to him in. He exhaled deeply and nodded his head.

They activated their teleporters, disappearing in streaks of red and pink light. Their hearts were heavy with the weight of their unresolved feelings, but there was no time to dwell on them now. A new battle awaited, and they had to be ready.