Disclaimer: Saban not me
created the characters.
Author's Notes: This is an alternate take on Passing of the Torch. Rocky
and Jason are powerless but still hang with Rangers when they have down time.
And anyone whose held the Morphin Power retains some residual Power. They can't
Morph or call on Zords but they possess accelerated senses, strength and healing.
David is Tommy's half brother (same father, different mothers) but ironically
they were born at the almost same moment. Rated PG-14 for extreme angst and
mild cursing. This is my first attempt at fanfics . Please be brutal:)
The sun high in the sky reflected the heat waves rising up from the ground. The waves formed a giant lake forever seen in the distance. The shadow of the mountains provided the only shade as a red pickup truck drove along a dusty road. "Are you sure we're not lost, Tommy?" Kat questioned sitting in the passenger's seat next to her friend. "We've past that gift stand three times already."
"We're not lost Kat, I know where we are, and I know where we're going." Tommy smiled playfully.
"But do you know how to get us from where we are to where we're supposed to be?" Kat responded. "I think we're lost and you're too proud to admit it. Let's just stop at the gift stand and ask for directions, I'm sure somebody knows how to get there. We're late enough as it is! Rocky's probably already eaten all the food!"
"Oh, alright." He conceded. "But I'm sure Jason and Adam can keep him away from the food until we get there." He smiled. Just as Tommy was about to head back to the gift shop, the truck was jostled as someone rammed them from behind. "What the..." He checked the rearview mirror to see several Piranhatrons on motorcycles racing toward him.
"Oh great! This is just great!" Kat exclaimed between bumps.
"Kat! Try to contact the others!" Tommy shouted trying to remain in control of the truck. The Piranhatrons had begun firing at them and it was becoming exceedingly more difficult to stay in control.
Kat never had the chance to call for help. A Piranhatron had managed to pull up to the left side of the truck. Tommy swerved to ram him when the Piranhatron fired a shot aiming for the engine, but hit the front left tire instead. The truck fish tailed uncontrollably wiping out two Piranhatrons. He regained partial control and tried slamming on the breaks to take out a few more Piranhatrons riding his tail, but discovered the breaks had given out on him. "Damn!" he swore "That shot must've hit the brake line too!" Quickly looking at his options, he made a snafu decision. "Kat! Open your door!"
"What?!" Kat screamed, not believing what she just heard. "Are you crazy?!"
"Kat, I don't have time to argue, do it!" Tommy ordered, eliminating any further protests she was about to make.
She opened the door and looked back to Tommy hoping he'd do the same. When he didn't, she was suddenly more frightened than she'd ever been in her life. "Tommy. . ." Before she could say more, he shoved her out of the truck. Rolling to a stop Kat looked up as a few yards away from her, the front of the truck exploded. "NOOOO!!!" the pain filled cry ripped from her body. She tried to get up and run toward him, but her left leg was sluggish. She looked down and stared at the large gash in the side of her leg.
****
"Your name must be Visa, 'cause you're everywhere I wanna be." An intensely grotesque looking man spoke to a girl while riding on a bus. "Girl you must be tired, 'cause you been running through my mind all day."
Man! This guy has tried every pickup line in the book on me. Ugh, I wish he'd just go away! sighed Cassie as she tries to ignore the man sitting next to her. "Really. I'm not interested." She tried telling the man for the twelfth time in four hours. At least he'll be gone after the next stop. I can't wait to get to Stone Canyon. If for no reason more than to be off this bus! She thought as the next stop approached.
The bus pulled into a terminal at a large Bus Station for a twenty minute layover until the next departure. Cassie got off the bus to stretch her legs. She'd just started shopping at one of the little kiosks when she realized she didn't have much time to get back to the bus. Making a mad dash through the station she just made it time. All the seats were full except for one next to a young black man about the same age as her. God, I hope he's better than the last one.
Seeing her come his way TJ looked at the girl and thought to himself. Man, is she pretty! Seeing that she had a few bags in her arms, he offered to take them for her and put them in the overhead compartments. She thank him and sat down.
"Hi! My name is TJ what's yours?"
"Cassie Chan. Nice to meet you." She greeted him. Looking into his brown eyes she felt herself ease. His smile was genuine and he had an honest feel about him. Please, oh please don't let him be a jerk! Cassie prayed silently.
After a few moments of timid introductions. The two warmed up to each other quickly. Cassie learned that TJ was headed to Stone Canyon to meet up with a cousin who was in minor league baseball. She also learned that TJ practically ate slept and drank baseball and that it was his dream to play in the majors one day. TJ learned that Cassie's parents had died recently and she was on her way to live with her aunt in Angel Grove. He also learned that she loved singing, she even hummed a few bars of a song she'd been writing.
The two had become fast friends by the time the bus came to a stop at a gift shop along the way. Chatting away outside the gift shop, TJ heard an explosion in the distance. "Did you hear that?"
"Hear what?" Cassie asked. She to had heard the explosion but didn't want to get involved.
Searching the sky for the telltale smoke. TJ spotted it a little ways away. "I've got to see if anyone's hurt!" So saying, he dashed off in the direction of the smoke.
"Wait! You can't go! The bus is about to leave!" Cassie shouted after him. Frustrated, she returned to the bus. "Sir, please! Can you wait a few minutes for my friend?" She pleaded to the bus driver.
"Look," The driver voiced annoyed. "I've got a schedule to keep and I'm already behind schedule. Either take your stuff or get on the bus. I've got to go."
Cassie was torn, she looked back and forth between the direction TJ had ran off and the driver. Oh, what the hell. She conceded to herself and grabbed her things. She asked the owner of the gift shop if she could leave her things by the door and the owner told her not to take too long. She agreed and dashed off after TJ.
****
I've got to do something! Kat thought to herself. Come on Kat, you have to get up. If you don't, the Piranhatrons will find you and you'll be a goner for sure! She tried standing up again, but fell right back on her butt. OK, think Kat, think. You can't stay here much longer, they'll spot you. Trying the think of what to do she cursed. "Damn! If only I could Morph. . ." The lights went on in her head. Calling forth her Morphers, she Morphed. Yes! Just like I knew it would. Kat smiled to herself. Though her leg hadn't completely healed, she was able to stand and walk on it. Just in time too, for the Piranhatrons had just taken interest in her.
She noticed two young teens, a boy and a girl. The boy was dressed in red and the girl was dressed in pink. They had snuck up behind three Piranhatrons, edging their way toward Tommy. With surprise on their side, the pair made quick work of Divatox' footmen. The girl twisted and turned in smooth complex motions as the boy worked energetically against the footmen using his muscles and wit.
Rushing to Tommy's side the girl checked him over. Posthaste, the two lifted him up. Both carrying him on their shoulders. The duo put as much distance as they could between themselves, the Piranhatrons, and most especially the truck. No sooner had they begun to move away, the truck exploded in a huge fireball, knocking everyone to the ground with the aftershock..
****
"Ooh! My plan is working perfectly!" Divatox exclaimed as she watched the action from the viewer aboard her submarine. "Soon, Tommy will be out of the picture and those pesky Ranger Brats will be without a leader! This jamming device I've set up will make certain Dimitria won't be able to warn those. . ." she had so much disdain for the Rangers that she couldn't repeat their name again. Taking a deep breath, she continued with the most evil smile of sated delight. "Tommy will be out of the picture before Kat can get to the rest of her friends."
"I'd say he's pretty much out of the picture now Auntie D" Elgar bubbled with his usual goofiness.
"You idiot!" Divatox swatted her nephew upside the head. "Tommy is protected! Why do you think every plan to kill him or turn him evil has ultimately failed!" Licking her lips and rubbing her hands together she continued. "No, what I've got planned for the Power Brats' illustrious leader is much more insidious than turning him evil or even killing him. No. Not by a long shot!" She cackled loudly as she resumed watching the escapade on the viewer.
"What do you have planned Auntie D! Tell me tell me! ahh come on! You can tell me!" Elgar whined until he saw her whip her head around to stare at him with two furious eyes. "Uhh, never mind!" He said quickly, and then excused himself. He found the farthest place away from her on board the sub and hid there until her frustrated anger at him subsided.
****
TJ ran towards the sound of the explosion. Hearing the sounds of fighting as he neared his destination, he slowed up and ducked behind a dirt mound to assess the situation. A girl wearing a spandex costume and a helmet to cover her face was fighting off a dozen metallic fish men. It appeared she was trying to make her way to a young man lying unconscious next to the pickup truck near by. She must be Power Ranger. TJ thought to himself. He'd seen them on TV before but he always thought it was some publicity stunt or something. Now he realized all those monster attacks his cousin told him about and what he'd seen on TV were true.
Getting a closer look at the truck, TJ realized it wouldn't be long before the entire truck exploded. He was just about to jump up and run toward the truck to help the young man, when someone tapped his shoulder. He nearly jumped out of his skin. Turning around to see who it was, he relaxed. It was only Cassie. "I thought you went with the bus."
"I was going to, but this little voice in my head said you'd need help." she smiled as she crouched down beside him. "So, what's the plan? I hope you don't think we can take them straight on if that Power Ranger over there can't do it either." Taking a moment to get a better feel of the fight, Cassie said to herself. I wonder where the other Rangers are? I thought they usually fought as a group.
"Hey don't the Rangers usually fight as a group?" TJ queried echoing her unspoken thought.
"I was thinking the same thing." Cassie replied watching the Pink Ranger take a nasty hit to the side of the head. "Ouch! That's got to hurt." looking back at TJ she urged. "Come on, we have to help her!"
"But how?"
"I think she's got all of those . . .those things" Cassie pointed at the Piranhatrons "occupied. She's trying to get that guy by the truck. I think we can sneak over there and get him without being noticed." TJ looked at her incredulously. "OK" she conceded. "We'll at least be able to get him a safe distance from that truck. Once that fire reaches the gas line it's all over!"
"You've got a point." TJ said quickly, "Let's do this." and without further adieu. They snuck their way past the Piranhatrons. It seemed as if the Pink Ranger had spotted them, for she suddenly switched tactics. Instead of trying to edge her way toward the truck, she started to draw the fight away from it.
Cassie and TJ were almost to the young man when they were spotted by the Piranhatrons. Throwing stealth to the wind they mad dashed to the unconscious man and quickly pulled him up by the arms, both putting an arm around their shoulder and ran as fast as they could. They were nearly back to the mound when the truck blew up. The concussion wave from the blast knocked them all to the ground. The Piranhatrons were on them in an instant. "I hope you can fight." Cassie looked at TJ. Her only reply was a quick nod, and a strong kick to the nearest Piranhatron's jaw. Cassie kicked and punched her way to a standing position. They were grossly outnumbered but she wasn't going to give up without a fight. "Man, what are these things made of?" Cassie yelled after a solid connection to a Piranhatron's jaw with her fist. Every time she hit one of those things it felt like she was going to brake her hand. TJ and Cassie stood back to back as the Piranhatrons encroached closer and closer, taking turns at beating them up. When from out of nowhere, a streak of blaster beams took out the Piranhatrons nearest them. Looking in the direction the shots came from, the duo saw the Pink Ranger standing a few yards away blaster in hand.
****
Kat was out numbered with no way to reach Tommy. Although Morphed, she was still outnumbered and couldn't make any head way to the truck. Damn! I wish I could get enough breathing room to contact the guys! She cursed while dodging a blow from one of the Piranhatrons after her. That was when she saw two teens, a boy and a girl, trying to sneak their way to Tommy. Switching tactics, she tried drawing the enemy's attention from the truck. She nearly succeeded when one of them caught on to what she was doing. Most of them ignored her and rushed after the teens trying to rescue Tommy. A lucky shot sent her flying. Dazed, she shook off the pain to see the teens trying to help her, were in trouble. Standing up shakily she took out her blaster and fired at the Piranhatrons nearest the teens. She quickly closed the gap between her, Tommy, and the teens. Jumping in to the fight the tide of the battle shifted in their favor. That is, until more Piranhatrons teleported in and gave them a royal beat down. Before the three of them realized it. The Piranhatrons had snatched Tommy, and were gone.
"What?" The young girl looked around puzzled when the Piranhatrons suddenly left. "Did we win?" Looking to her companion for conformation. All he could do was shrug.
"DAMN IT!" Kat swore violently. The two teens looked at each other in shock.
"What's wrong?" the young man asked her timidly.
"They took him!" Kat yelled full of grief.
The duo looked around for Tommy. Sure enough, he was nowhere in sight.
****
"Damn! What's taking them so long?" Adam looked at his watch for the tenth time in as many minutes. He paced around the campsite where Tommy and Kat were supposed to meet them three hours ago. "Tommy's got a habit for being late, but he's never this late!"
Getting dizzy Tanya walked up to Adam and put her hands on his shoulders to stop his pacing. "I'm sure if there were any problems they'd of called or something."
Adam slumped his shoulders in defeat. "I guess your right." Conceding to his girlfriend's better wisdom. "And besides, if they couldn't, Dimitria would've contacted us."
Jason, Rocky, Justin, and David sat around a fire they'd built in the center of camp. Jason stood up and walked over to his friend to reassure him. "Adam, don't worry. They probably got stuck in traffic or something like that. Tommy can take care of himself." Then why do you have a sneaky feeling that Adam may be right? Jason refused to answer that thought and continued to pour out supporting words to his friend while trying to quiet the worry he himself felt.
Another hour later, even Jason felt the temptation to use his communicator to find out what was taking his friends so long. It was getting dark and they'd still heard nothing. Justin had went off to the hole they'd dug earlier to use the bathroom. Man! Something is wrong. I know it.
His suspicions were confirmed, at least partially when he heard Justin's startled yell. The whole gang dashed off to the potty hole. There, they were met by the ugliest monster they'd seen to date. It called itself Flamite while it kicked Justin's ass. Literally. Justin fell to the ground and got up almost immediately feeling extremely ticked. "OK, flame bucket. You're gonna get it!" He yelled at the top of his lungs in an extremely immature fashion. And kicked him in the back of the leg just underneath its right knee cap. That bringing his opponent a little closer to his level, Justin connected a solid spinning heel kick to the monsters head. Momentarily stunned, the Rangers Morphed. Jason, Rocky, and David did their best to put out the fires the monster was creating from missed attacks on the Rangers. Watching Jason splash a bucket of water on a burning bush, Adam got an idea. Over the internal comm. unit in Rangers' helmets, Adam spelled out his plan. Justin started taunting the monster with very childish insults. "Ya mama was Bunsen burner." He barely avoided a char broiled tush for that one. "You're so stupid you can't even avoid a bucket of water." He shouted out.
"Wha?" Was all the monster could get out before getting splashed with the buckets of water the Rangers, Jason, Rocky, and David had in their hands. "AGHHH!" He screamed as his torch went out and ran away as fast as he could.
"Man, that was too easy." Justin proclaimed with a grin on his face as he demorphed. When he saw the looks on the faces of his comrades he asked "What? What'd I say?"
"Why'd you have ta go an say that?" Rocky groaned.
"I don't get it?" Justin said.
"Every time someone says that. Something . . ." he didn't get the chance to finish his sentence for at that precise moment, Rygor appeared out of nowhere with Piranhatrons. "Damn!" He cursed.
"Here we go again! It's Morphin time!" Adam called out. Then three Rangers Morphed. and jumped into battle.
Jason, Rocky and David hung back from the battle. Jason tried to contact Tommy and Kat only to have it knocked from his wrist by a Piranhatron "It looks like we aren't sitting this one out after all." He mumbled. As David and the two ex-Rangers got into it with the Piranhatrons
With their accelerated strength and reflexes, residual effects from having held the Power. Rocky and Jason were more than holding their own against the rusted tin cans that called themselves footmen for Divatox. David, not having any special abilities other than his martial arts was holding out, but he was already showing signs of fatigue. "Damn! It feels like I'm hitting raw iron!" He yelled out after hitting a Piranhatron at a less than perfect angle with his fist.
****
"Alpha, please try to cut through the interference." Dimitria intoned, very concerned. Roughly twenty minutes ago, she suddenly lost contact with all her Rangers at once. Alpha had surmised Divatox had used some type of jamming device to disrupt the Power Chamber's tracking and communication systems. "We must get communications between the Rangers up. They need to know what is going on." Whatever that may be. Dimitria had a feeling that this plan the villainess had devised was at last going to be successful. Great Divine, please keep my Rangers safe. She silently prayed.
"I've almost hacked through it." Alpha exclaimed while running from counsel to counsel trying to hack through the jammed frequencies Divatox had put up. "Another minute or two and I'll have the system back up again."
****
"He can't be gone!" Cassie yelled as she looked around for the boy they had been fighting so hard to save. "He was just here! I saw him!"
"There was nothing I could do. I was out numbered and couldn't contact the others. I . . .I lost him it was me!" Kat said in a light voice that sounded like she was very seriously going to fall off the deep end at any moment. NO! You will not lose control Kat, she spoke to herself. This isn't your fault. We'll get Tommy back and everything will be perfect. Half convincing herself that everything was indeed all right, she proceeded to tell the two teens whom aided her just that.
"We will get him back. I promise." She spoke to them. The girl tried to speak, but Kat cut her off. "There were just too many. Even with The help of The other Rangers, we still would've been hard pressed to prevent The kidnapping." She forced herself to smile despite The fact The she knew The teens could not see her face. "I'm glad you were here to help me. You two really gave those Piranhatrons a run for their money." She was about to leave when she realized something. "Are two going to be alright? There isn't anything around here for miles."
"We'll be fine, Pink Ranger. There's a gift shop not far away. We'll catch a ride into town. Don't worry about us. Just find that guy those creeps took." The boy spoke up. "By The way, I'm TJ and this is Cassie." He stuck out his hand and The Pink Ranger firmly shook it.
"I wish I could say, Nice to meet you TJ. But under the circumstances, all I can say is a gracious thank you for all your help." Then she turned to Cassie. "The same goes for you too Cassie. I wish we could've met under better conditions but thank you." Stepping away from them she bowed. "Now if you'll excuse me, I have to find my comrades." With that she teleported away.
****
Kat arrived on the scene to see Jason flying through the air toward a tree. Acting quickly, she caught him in mid air. Had he actually hit the tree at the speed he was going, Jason would have been dead before he hit the ground. "Are you all right?" Kat asked concerned.
"Yeah, I'll be alright." Jason said groggily as she helped him regain his equilibrium. A Piranhatron came at them. The two quickly dodged the attack and joined the fray.
****
Rygog! Divatox yelled inside Rygog's head. I have what I wanted. Return! He gave a brief nod in acknowledgment. "See ya later, Rangers." With that, Rygog and the Piranhatrons teleported back to the sub.
Once there, they discovered Divatox wasn't there. "Divatox?" Rygog said as he looked around the sub their missing commander. He found a Piranhatron that had not went with him. "Where did Divatox go?" The Piranhatron shrugged and walked on. "Dammit! I hate being out of the loop!" He hurumphed and stalked off.
****
Inside one of the many caves located in the Angel Grove Mountains, Tommy lay unconscious on the rock floor. Four Piranhatrons and two Putrapod Warriors stood guard over him. On the opposite side of the cave Divatox yelled in an ear slitting tone. "Ma!" then in the sweetest voice she could muster said. "I'm ready." batting her eyelashes all the way.
A few feet away, a black mist formed and Big Mamma D appeared when it cleared away. Putting her finger in her ear to clear it out. She spoke to her daughter. "Daughter, you didn't have to be so loud." She sized up her surroundings. "You sure know how to get the choice locations, Dear." Her eye fell on Tommy. "Yum! I don't know why you didn't pick him to be your mate. He looks like a Grade A hunk to me!"
Diva rolled her eyes. "I thought about it Mom. But the fact is, he's just too dangerous. Look what happened to Rita, Zedd, and Mondo! Rita and Zedd have been reduced to blubbering idiots and Mondo's in the scrap heap!" Diva threw her hands up in the air. "I'm not going to end up like them." The determination in her voice was solid.
****
"I wonder what Diva's up to? That couldn't be it. It just couldn't be? Where's the big monster?" Tanya spoke as she demorphed. Getting evil stares from her comrades she stared back at them. "I know, I'm just asking for trouble by saying that. but It's true. There's got to be more to this than it looks." Then it hit her. Someone was still missing. "Where's Tommy?"
All eyes turned to Kat. Lowing her head, trying not to lose her composure. "Guys, Divatox' got Tommy." Everyone gasped, and then immediately asked what had happened.
"I don't mean to interrupt." David stepped up before Kat could tell her tale. "I want to find out what happened to my brother more than anything, but could we move to a safer place? Divatox could take advantage of the fact that you don't have a leader."
"David's right. Let's go to the Power Chamber." Jason suggested.
"I wonder why Dimitria hasn't contacted us yet?" Adam thought aloud. Shaking off his thoughts, "Come on, let's go." With that, Adam grabbed Rocky's arm, Tanya grabbed David's and Justin grabbed Jason's, then they all teleported to the Power Chamber.
****
As soon as Kat's feet touched the floor of the Power Chamber, "Dimitria, where's Tommy?" behind her, the rest of the gang had teleported in.
"I do not know Katherine." Dimitria replied a bit saddened that she could not give a better answer. "Divatox has set up a jamming device in the mountains. We, " she gestured to Alpha. "have been unable to penetrate the jamming. I was afraid the interference would disrupt the teleportation systems. I am glad it has not." Turning her attention once again to Alpha. "Have you made any progress, Alpha?"
"Aye yai yai yai, Dimitria. At first glance it appeared to be a rather simple technique. But every time I got through one layer of data, I'd hit another." shaking it's head. "Whatever Divatox has planned, she definitely wants to make sure she isn't interrupted.
"What happened?" David spoke up as he got Kat's attention.
Steeling herself, Kat told them what had happened. "When I left, the guy and girl were headed back toward some gift shop to find a ride back to wherever they were headed."
"Man! Why is it always Tommy?" Jason slammed his fist next to the display of the White Ranger uniform against the back wall of the main chamber.
Justin looked around. What did they mean, 'always'? He had thought of Tommy as the invincible older brother who was always there for you. He couldn't imagine him any different. "What do you mean? Has this happened before?"
Jason burst out in hysterical laughter. "Has this happened before? They go after Tommy like he's got some huge target on his back and a sign on his forehead saying 'TAKE ME!'" He was losing it and he knew it. He was itching to hurt something, anything, just to release the anger he felt for Divatox and all the others that had physically and mentally hurt his . . . friend.
"Maybe he does."
Everyone looked around to see Trey of Triforia walking out of the shadows from the opposite side of the large chamber.
"Trey!" Several of them shouted at once.
"Greetings, Rangers." Trey spoke as he looked at the gathered group of teens. His eyes fell upon a face he did not recognize. "I assume you must be Justin Stewart, Rocky's successor to the Blue Power." He inclined his head slightly. "I wish I could say it is a pleasure to meet you. Given the circumstances of my visit, I cannot." His vision fell briefly upon Jason as he spoke. It was very uncomfortable being in the same room with him. Only months before, the young man had nearly given his life to protect the Power. Later, he had learned that he had did something similar for his friend Tommy, which brought him back to the reason for his visit.
Stepping into the circle of Rangers and friends. He looked up at Dimitria. "Has Tommy begun to show the signs yet?" Dimitria mealy shook her head in response.
"What signs?" David inquired.
Instead of replying directly, Trey responded with a question of his own. "Where is Tommy?"
Lowering her head before speaking Kat spoke up. "Tommy's been captured by Divatox."
"She's set up some sort of jamming field to disrupt communications and it's also barring us from searching for him." Adam continued noticing, Kat could not.
"Then I am too late." Trey looked sorrowful. "I came here to warn him. A Triforian ship on it's way to Nefesta Prime, intercepted a transmission to Divatox. The message contained the identity of Tommy's birth mother." Pausing to draw in a breath. He was about to speak when the alarms suddenly went off.
"Damn! Divatox isn't taking any chances." Rocky exclaimed.
Everyone turned to the view screen to see what was up. They saw two giant monsters. One was attacking Stone Canyon, and the other Angel Grove business district. "We've got to stop them. but how?" Rocky proclaimed.
"Simple. We split up. Half of us go to Stone Canyon, and the other half to Angel Grove." Adam spoke up immediately taking control of the situation. He looked back at Rocky and Jason. "You think you're up to being on the active duty list again?" Jason and Rocky looked at each other and then at Adam and nodded in unison. "Great. We'll need all the help we can get." he looked at David. "How about you. Are you in?"
"You bet." David replied sternly.
Adam turned his attention back to his current mentor. "Dimitria, do you think we can use the Zeo Crystal to make Rocky, Jason, and David Rangers?"
"There should be no trouble returning Rocky's Powers to him. However, there is a risk that the Crystal may not accept Jason and David. The risk is yours in this dire hour." Dimitria somewhat hesitant, but she knew the Rangers would do anything to protect the ones they loved. "Alpha activate the Zeo Crystal." Alpha nodded in acknowledgment stepping up to one of the many counsels center around the massive Chamber and punched a few buttons on the panel. Within a few seconds, the Zeo Crystal formed in the center of the chamber. David, Rocky, and Jason stepped up to the crystal. "Please place your hands upon the crystal."
The trio looked at each other slightly hesitant. Then with a nod, Jason spoke firmly. "Let's do this." The others gave a laconic nod and together, David and the two former Rangers touch the Zeo Crystal at the same time. A bright light flashed and they were instantly powered by the Crystal.
David felt a powerful tingling sensation run through his entire body as it glowed an intense yellow. The tingling sensation increased until he felt every nerve of his body hyper-charged. Whoa! So this is what it feels like to Morph! No wonder the others seemed so addicted to it's Power! This feels awesome! "Amazing!" he said aloud. He looked down to see that he was dressed as the Yellow Zeo Ranger minus the skirt. Why yellow? He thought distantly.
Rocky felt the familiar return of the Blue Crystal. Man! I never thought I'd feel anything like this again after my accident. I can't wait to get back into action. He shouted aloud. "Wah Hooo!!" performing a flawless back tuck in the process.
The Power entered Jason and at first he felt a searing sensation coursing through him as if part of himself were being burned away. He could almost see the last vestiges of the Gold Power being burned away. He had never told anyone but Tommy, that despite returning the Gold Powers back to Trey he was still dying. The process had been slowed down but not halted. He was afraid that trying to take another set of Powers would kill him.
A second wave of energy blast through him and he cried out in pain. Although it felt just as intense as the first wave, the second brought with it the feeling of soothing liquid to quell the flames that burned him. This second energy glowed bright red. He had the feeling that if Alpha scanned him, it would discover that the deterioration caused by the Gold Power had been completely been reversed. For the most tiniest of moments he had a link with the previous bearer of these powers. He gasped for breath when he felt the pain of his missing friend. As suddenly as the connection was formed it disappeared back into the impenetrable mists of his mind. Before the connection completely vanished, he mentally cried out. Tommy! Hold onto the eye of the storm! All of this passed inside of him within the space of a few moments. Opening his eyes. Jason looked down to see that he was clothed in the uniform of the Red Zeo Ranger.
"Jason are you OK?" Adam asked noticing the pained look on Jason's face when he touched the Crystal.
"I'm OK." Jason spoke calmly. The others eyed him curiously. "Really! I'm fine! Just a little shaken that's all." He tried to distill their concern.
"Alpha will you run a scan just to make sure?" Dimitria spoke. She sensed that the Gold energy had been excised from Jason but she wanted Alpha to make sure. "While you are at it, please see to it that Rocky and David are scanned as well."
"Sure thing, Dimitria." Alpha replied. It quickly scanned the three teens. All three scans revealed that the Crystal had successfully accepted them.
"OK, here's the split." As soon as Dimitria okayed them. Adam went right to the strategy without pause. "Kat, Justin, Tanya, and I will go to Stone Canyon with the Turbo Zords Jason, Rocky, David, and Trey; you go to Angel Grove with the Super Zeo Zords and Pyrimadas to take care of the monster there. Everybody got that?" He looked around the group. They all gave swift nods of understanding. "Alright then let's do this! It's Morphin time!"
****
Cassie and TJ were headed back to the bus stop. "You think the Rangers will be able to find that guy?" TJ asked after the uncomfortable silence that had pervaded between them since the Pink Ranger had left.
"I hope so. He wasn't looking to good when we found him." Cassie looked down dejected. When she looked up, she saw a red flash of light emanate from a nearby cave. "Did you see that?"
nodding his head TJ replied. "Yeah, what do you suppose it is?"
Cassie just shrugged her shoulders. She didn't know either. Seeing the look that TJ had in his eyes she decided to put a stop to any action. "Oh no, no you don't."
TJ looked perplexed. "What do you mean?"
Cassie was more than happy to oblige. "We are not going to check it out!" shaking her finger at him. "Look what happened the last time! We almost got killed!"
TJ was about to answer when he heard sounds coming from the cave they were currently discussing. He put his index finger to his lips. "Shhh"
"Don't shush me! I..." TJ put his hand over Cassie's mouth to shut her up.
"Listen." Cassie was furious, but stayed quiet. "Hear that? It sounds like voices." TJ moved his hand away, preparing to be slapped, punched, or kicked by Cassie. But she stayed unusually quiet. She too was listening to the sounds from the cave. It sounded as if someone was being tortured. "Come on. They might need our help." He spoke in hushed tones as he edged his way closer up a hill where the entrance to the cave was located.
"Can't we talk about this?" Cassie kept her voice quiet hoping that whoever or whatever was in that cave wouldn't over hear them.
"You don't have to come along you know." TJ hissed.
She rolled her eyes in response. Why on earth do I bother? "Let's go, OK?" With that, the duo went up the hill as stealthy as they could, approaching the cave at an angle.
****
The cave, dark and ominous. Baleful stalactites reached down from the ceiling. Sinister stalagmites sprung up from the ground. The feel of doom pulsed out from the very walls. Flaming torches lit one of the many chambers. The light gave no comfort to an awakening prisoner. For even the light held the wickedness of those whom imprisoned him. Feeling pain in his arms, the prisoner looked up. He was not surprised to see his hands bound above his head. The rope that bound him had been wrapped securely around a stalactite. Looking down he discovered his feet also bound tight and the ropes secured to a boulder beneath him. Body stretched tight between the ceiling and the floor, his whereabouts uncertain, he began to panic. Pulling at his bindings only made them tighter. Breaths came in frantic spurts. This is no time to hyperventilate! Calm yourself. Get a handle on the situation and then you can . . . His thoughts were cut off when he heard a sound off to his right.
"Ah, I see the prisoner is awake." The voice was full of hatred and loathing. The prisoner shuttered slightly.
"What do you want Divatox?" The prisoner spat coldly. The villainess only nodded her head to someone at his back. Before he could figure out what was going on, he felt the sting of a whip across his back. Every nerve in his body felt the sting. Don't yell, Oliver. Don't do it. You can't let that . . . that WITCH win. His body jerked as he received another lashing. Again and again the figure behind him whipped him. The captive never said a word. Never screamed. He didn't even moan in pain. Only sharply inhaled breaths crossed his lips. As a matter of fact he bit down so hard on his lips, they actually bled. The prisoner gazed defiantly at his captor. Clearly saying without words. You think you can break me? I've survived worse beatings than this without so much as a whimper. You will never break me.
The captor, Divatox, Pirate Scourge of the Seven Clusters, stared back at him with equal defiance. "I will break you." She did not yell. She did not shout. For once, her voice was calm. Even. And deadly. "Piranhatron!" She snapped loudly over her shoulder, never taking her eyes off of her precious prize. "Bring me the electrodes. I want to see how long it takes until he screams like a little child." She noticed with delight, her conquest had flinched when she mentioned the electrodes. So you think you're so tough because you can take a whipping without crying out. But you will not be so brave when I dump a few thousand volts into your system. "You asked me what I wanted?" her voice was light and almost pleasant.
The prisoner just glared back at her, knowing that to answer would mean another whipping. Divatox smiled. "You learn quickly." She walked closer to him, circling her way around him until she was able to reach out and touch him physically. Running her fingers long one side of his face, the prisoner tried to pull away. She grabbed his chin forcefully digging her fingernails into his skin. Making sure she had his attention. "Believe me. You will break." Her only response was a loogy in the eye. The unmasked eye. Resisting the temptation to strangle him dead right then and there, she spoke with extremely forced calm to the nearest Piranhatron. "Strip him." Before the man could offer any protest, his clothes, what was left of them at least, were ripped from him.
Divatox walked around him, inspecting his form. She poked him a few times to test his reflexes. She sighed almost remorsefully. Almost. "If you weren't so dangerous to keep around, I'd make you my manservant." At last she tore her eyes away from him. "Just think. This is only the beginning of it. I thought I'd give you a little taste of what is to become of you. Your days as a Ranger are over!" Turning around to see what reaction she received, the was extremely miffed to find he only glared at her steadfastly. Speaking with anger, "I was going to wait until my mother arrived before the next stage in your torture began, but I see you're bent on defying me." Pointing at a Piranhatron with a hose dripping a clear fluid. "Hose him down." With that the prisoner was hosed down with the liquid.
The man sputtered trying to keep the liquid from his mouth. From the few involuntary swallows of it he took, he figured it was just plain old water. "What? Your gonna drown me with water from a hose?" he screeched. He wanted to laugh if his entire body didn't ache so much. He'd survived ten years of abusive foster homes, nearly a month in Rita's dungeons, a week in Lord Zedd's clutches, not to mention what the Machine Empire had done to him; only to give up now. No, if Divatox thought a few sessions with a whip and some water were going to break him. She had another thing coming.
Divatox answered simply. "No." Gesturing to another Piranhatron holding a bunch of bands connected to wires she ordered it to place the bands on the young man's body. Seven bands total. One for his neck, one for both of his arms, one for his torso, one for his groin, and one for both of his legs.
Understanding reached through the young man's clouded mind. The water was to help the electricity travel better. An idea flashed through his mind. If he could somehow manage to lure Divatox closer she might step into the current with him. That idea was immediately dashed as he noticed that everyone was grounded. The villainess' clothes were just about completely rubber made. Looking at the Piranhatrons he noticed that they too were wearing protective gear to keep them from being electrocuted. There goes that plan. He wasn't prepared for what happened next.
Most people start out small when they torture you. They start out with the low setting just to see how you react. and they work their way up from there. Slowly. It was a lot easier to build a resistance. Let the captors drag out the torture, and give your friends time to rescue you. That was the way it always went. Usually, the extra time allowed you to let your mind drift away so that you could disconnect your mind from the pain. Not this time. Pain beyond the most excruciating nightmares he had ever experienced in his entire being raged through his body. His screams were deafening to the ear, yet he could not hear them for the pain. Coherent thought went flying out the window the moment the switch flipped. In those moments all he knew was pain. Nothing existed before it, and nothing after it. White light seared his vision and gradually the light faded without an end to the pain. Just before he completely lost consciousness, it stopped. The raging fury burning through his body stopped, leaving only the remembered fire. His body twitched uncontrollably, and his throat was bloody and raw from his terrifying screams.
He'd received shock treatment before. But this . . . this was unlike anything he'd ever experienced before. He could usually retreat to a secret place in his mind. In the eye of storm you'll see a lone falcon. The experience of survival is the key. Over and over he would say this in his mind. He could picture a single white falcon soaring within the eye of a storm. Blocking out everything else around him, no tormentor could ever touch him. This time was different. His vision of the falcon burned away and the eye of the storm moved away from him. Electricity stormed through his body and he knew nothing else. When the pain had finally ended he wanted to weep right then and there. He had only to look into Divatox' eyes to regain his resolve.
"You like?" Divatox walked close to him after the current was turned off. Still, she did not touch him. Looking into the young man's eyes, saw the words conveyed in them, even though he couldn't possibly speak them aloud. You may break my body Divatox, but you will never break my spirit. Grunting with frustrated anger. She screamed out loudly. "Mamma D!!!"
****
Special thanx: I left out a few thanks in part one, so here's a belated thanks to Kathy Lord, Pam Marks and Starfire, who kept me going when the details got a little fuddled:) Thank YOU:) and The title of this thing is from the title song of Enigma's The Screen Behind the Mirror. If you can find anymore references from this album kudos to ya;)
On their way back to the gift shop, Cassie and TJ heard a pain filled scream emanating from a nearby cave. "Did you hear that?" Cassie asked. The sound filled her ears and made her want to cry for the being whose pain was voiced so loudly. My God, what could make someone scream like that? she thought to herself. Looking at TJ for an answer, all he could do was nod.
The two stood there listening to the bloodcurdling scream as it continued without seeming to end. Snapping out of his shock TJ grabbed his new friend by the shoulder. "Come on, let's check it out. It might be that guy the Pink Ranger tried to rescue." He tried to sound brave but inside all he could do was shiver. Above all, he had no desire to find out what could make a man cry out like that, but his morbid sense of curiosity needed to be satisfied.
Being dragged along toward the entrance to the cave Cassie voiced what the practical part of her brain was telling her. "Maybe we should just head to the gift shop and find someway of contacting the police or the Rangers or something. I don't think we should go in there." Silently another voice popped into her mind. Then why are you still allowing TJ to lead you into it? She had no answer other than she too had a morbid curiosity and a vague hope that she could help whoever was in that cave.
Upon entering the cave the scream had stopped. It wasn't a sudden stop, no. It faded as if the being's strength had left with every second until it was too weak to voice. The duo huddled together closely. Both at the ready to attack or flee at a moments notice. They could feel the evil in the place. The stalactites and stalagmites formed gruesome figures of grotesque proportions. Adding to the uneasiness of the place scones were placed at odd intervals and created monstrous shadows on the cave walls. Cassie looked at TJ, whom in the dimness of light could barely see. In the most quiet whisper she could manage she spoke. "I don't like this place."
"I'd have to agree with you on that one." TJ agreed in a soft whisper. Just then they came around a bend and saw a large cavern. In the center of the ominous chamber, a man stood bound with his hands above his head stretching him high. His feet were also bound tightly stretching him low. "That's him!" he hissed. His friend quickly pulled him back behind the bend. Looking back at her and obvious question on his face. She pointed up to a spot that was well out of view from those in the large chamber but they could get an uninterrupted view without having to worry too much about being caught.
Getting into place, they tried to hear what was going on, but the overlapping echoes was making it hard to understand what was being said. From this angle they could see that there were several of those things that had attacked them earlier along and a woman with a mask and a cape. It appeared that this woman was the leader. "What's she doing?" Cassie ask her friend mindful to keep her voice as quiet as possible.
There was a bright flash of light and another woman appeared. She looked older and it sounded as if she had called the first woman her daughter. The duo looked at each other and then to the scene that played before them. Straining to hear what was being said.
****
"Mama D!" Divatox yelled.
A moment later a bright flash of light appeared and took the form of Mama D. "Daughter, must you yell so loudly?" The woman spoke as she tried to clear her ringing ears.
"Sorry mom. I forgot how well sound travels in these caves." She said mock sheepishly momentarily forgetting her prey.
Looking at the young prisoner, Mama D looked him over with raised eyebrows. "New pet?"
Diva turned to the semiconscious Tommy. "Oh him? This is what is left of the once proud leader of the Rangers." So saying, she pulled out his Morpher. The device had been stripped from him when the evil villainess had him bound. "Remember this?" She held it up for him to see. He gazed at it with blank eyes. Slightly miffed that she could get no greater response from him she threw it into the ground and smashed it with her heel. "Where is your hope now?" she mocked. Still she got no response, just a blank emotionless gaze. Disgusted she turned back to her mother. "See Mamma? He won't do anything anymore. I think that last torture took too much out of him. I really wanted you to see how active he was. He screamed quite well when I gave him shock treatment."
****
Tommy wanted nothing more than to curl up into a tiny ball and weep in some dark corner. Unfortunately he was bound hand and foot partially suspended in a brightly lit, though ominous cave. Weeping was also out of the question. He'd die before he'd give into Divatox.
The first few moments after the electrocution were very hard for him. He barely knew who he was or how to control his body. But years of martial training and a strength and resolve hidden deep within him brought back his senses. He couldn't completely comprehend what was going on. All he knew was that an ugly woman was standing in front of him. Taunting him, trying to get him to show some type of emotion. She flashed something in front of him, a device of some sort. It looked vaguely familiar and supposedly this woman thought it must anger him to see it. She was wrong, and so she smashed it under her heel. Again she looked for a reaction, and again, she received none. But when she smashed the device, a few sparks of energy were released. He felt a sudden loss of power, but at the same time he felt rejuvenated. The fog in his mind cleared he could once again understand what was going on. He immediately regretted it. How wonderful it was to be ignorant. It was easier to frustrate your captors if you had no clue what they were talking about.
"Obviously there's nothing I can do that will break you." Divatox spoke in his ear very seductively. In the distance a ways, he could see another woman standing there. He couldn't remember when she appeared, but it seemed like she was making a circle in the sand around him. "Me and Mamma D have a surprise for you." She paused just long enough to raise his curiosity before stepping back. "We're gonna throw you into the Vortex of Eternal Doom and Sorrow, where you'll suffer a long long time." She cackled.
It took every ounce of control he had not to cringe at her glass shattering mouth. Guys! Where are you? I need you! I don't now how much longer I can hold out against this witch and her mother. He called out silently never expecting an answer.
Tommy! Hold onto the eye of the storm! A mysterious voice spoke to him from within.
Confused, he asked. Who are you? He received no answer. Must be losin' it Oliver! Get a hold of yourself! He decided that he should probably start paying attention to Divatox' prattle.
"My mother would like to see you scream. I told her it would be no where near as powerful as the first time, but she insists. What do you think?" Divatox spoke baiting him.
Tommy couldn't answer her even if he wanted to. His throat burned so horribly from the last "treatment" he received that it hurt to breath little lone speak. The best he could do was glare back at her. He had already begun to send his mind away from the pain in his body when the first torrents of water hit him. The storm raged around him, but he was at peace. He had found the eye and held his place within the maelstrom that surrounded him. Therefore, when the heavy jolts of electricity once again poured into his body, his mind felt nothing. His body however, was very much experiencing every watt of electricity being pelted at and through him.
****
Mamma D watched in pure delight as she watched the spectacle before her. From what her daughter had told her of the first electric torture the boy had went through, she seriously doubted the boy would do anymore than flop around a few times. She was quite surprised to see that despite a clearly bloody throat he still managed to vocally scream very well for at least a full minute and a half before his voice left him again, and the spasms from the currents of electricity burning through him were absolutely wild! His convulsions appeared as if he'd been turned into a human firecracker. But after another minute or so she saw that his eyes had rolled to the back of his head and a slight foaming of the mouth. "Daughter, I think that is enough. I don't think we want him to experience the vortex dead now do we?" She smiled. This was truly a great day to be evil.
Divatox visibly sighed almost dejected. She waved the Pirahnatron at the controls for the electrical machine to cut the current. As soon as soon as the spasms decreased enough to approach her prisoner, she had another soldier check his vitals. Good she thought when it gave her its results. The prisoner was unconscious but still alive. She was extremely pleased with herself. "OK then. Let's get to it." Her smile just couldn't get any bigger. "Let's begin the spell!"
****
When the second bout with the electricity ran through the prisoner’s body. Cassie and TJ shut their eyes tightly when they heard the man held captive in the center of the chamber's agonizing scream. Both of them could only sympathize with his pain. Soon the voice faded away again, and the duo opened their eyes to see the young man's body was still thrashing about in obvious pain. TJ began to rise from his crouched position in the small alcove they were hidden in. Cassie quickly grabbed him and pulled him back down. "Are you crazy?!" she hissed at him. "They could very easily to the same thing to us!"
"I can't just sit here and let them torture that guy to death!" TJ shot back angrily but quietly.
"I feel the same way! But look what rushing into a fight got us the last time?" Cassie pleaded for TJ to understand. "Those things captured that guy over there and now they're torturing him to death! There's too many of them TJ! We have to wait. An opening will happen. We just have to have faith that everything will work out. We just have to!" her voice rose slightly but she caught herself before she raised her voice any further lest they be discovered.
****
Kat, Justin, Tanya, and Adam were having a hard time defeating Divatox's latest monster Torquatron. They managed to call Tommy's Zord with a remote that Alpha had quickly rigged enabling them to form the Turbo Mega Zord. The monster kept deflecting every shot they sent at it. Most of the time the deadly fire bounced off a twenty-foot shield the monster carried sending the energy careening into nearby buildings. This is not good! Adam thought to himself. He quickly reanalyzed the situation. Brute force is not the winner of battles. Adam smiled inwardly to himself as an idea struck him. "This isn't working. We need to separate the Zords. He's wide open when he deflects the shots. If one of us could sneak in while he's deflecting shots at the other three, we might be able to cripple him enough to take out his 'reflective personality'." Adam was definitely beginning to sound like a leader of the Power Rangers, bad puns and all. Kat, Tanya and Justin groaned collectively.
"Let me guess. You're the one who's going to sneak in for the surprise attack." Kat was clearly ready to put up a standard argument on why he should not be the one to do it, when he surprised her by saying:
"Actually, I was thinking about Justin when I thought up the plan."
Everyone blinked at him. "Me?!" Justin didn't believe he'd heard correctly. Before Adam could reply Torquatron had delivered a viscous kick from the side to the MegaZord's torso region. The Zord tumbled to the ground, dazing everyone for a few seconds. Justin ran his fingers over his control panel assessing the damage. "Rerouting power couplings." After a few tense moments, Tanya was able to right the Zord back to a standing position. "Alright, we're at 80% max power. Are you sure you want to do this Adam?" Justin didn't want to doubt Adam's judgment, but he couldn't help it.
"I'm sure, Justin. Torquatron will probably figure you as the weakest link, but I know you're not. I have faith in you, Justin. We all do." Adam affirmed and the others nodded in agreement. Justin looked around uncertainly at them. He couldn't see their faces but the emotions were still there. " . . .Tommy believes in you." And that clenched it. Adam knew what he spoke was true and so did Justin.
Immediately the four Rangers separated their Zords. Tommy's empty Zord went back to the hangerbay near the Power Chamber.
****
Justin sat in his Zord with a look of pure determination on his face. I know I can do this. The others have put their faith in me. If I fail, it will mean that everybody in the city will die. Justin thought quietly to himself, pointedly ignoring the fact that if he failed his friends including himself would most likely be the first to meet their tragic ends. The others distracted Torquatron while he slipped up behind him. They were careful not to use anything but flares, lest more innocent lives were lost. I can't do this!!!! Justin screamed mentally. He had come up right behind the big creepazoid. The monster didn't seem to notice him at all.
He was about to chicken out when he saw a brilliant red flash of light dance across the sky above the mountains. Everyone stopped. The air seemed charged with an energy that had not been there previously. Justin felt as if he'd Morphed for the very first time. It was amazing and yet sad. He didn't know why the feeling of sadness would touch him so powerfully. It felt as if someone had made a great sacrifice and if he didn't do his part right now that sacrifice would have been wasted. So there he was, his Zord positioned directly behind Torquatron he'd already had his computer analyze the monster's weak point. All he had to do was shoot for dumb ol' creepazoid's hand holding on to the shield, then they could combine their fire and take'm down.
I have faith in you, Justin. We all do. . . .Tommy believes in you. The words echoed back into his mind. They all have faith in me. Why can't I have faith in me? Justin asked himself. His hand hovered over the trigger. Wait for it. The moment isn't right. He thought to himself. The moment is right! Go for it. This is your chance! Torquatron is distracted. Your target is locked into place. You can't fail! All you have to do is push a button! DO IT!!! a second voice yelled at him. Justin agreed with the second voice. Shutting his eyes and offering a silent prayer, he pushed the button.
****
All things told, everything was going quite well. The Rangers were actually helping him destroy the city. Torquatron was delighted to see that these young children posing as Power Rangers were such nincompoops. All too soon, however, he became bored and the Rangers were putting up a very pitiful resistance to his attacks. "You Rangers are such fools!" He said allowed. "Do you really think you can defeat me with that pitiful Zord of yours?" Much to his surprise the Rangers split their ultimate battle machine into its separate components. Before he got a chance to question the little brats' sanity, a brilliant flash of red light exploded across the sky. It's power amazing and also blinding. So distracted was he by the light that he was completely unaware that one of the Zords had slipped behind him.
The last moment Torquatron ever experienced, was that of the Brilliant Red Power, then total darkness.
****
"Justin, you did it!" Adam yelled triumphantly over the comm channel. "I knew you could do it." Despite the satisfaction of the end of this battle, All Adam had to do was look around him and know that the price they paid for survival might have been very high. Many lives were lost this day. He couldn't help the eerie feeling that crept over him. It was a feeling of great foreboding. As he looked toward the direction of the mountains one more time, he could see the gently fading red that had covered the sky so powerfully only moments before. Tommy you can't die on us now! He silently pleaded. His instincts as a leader however, prevented him from expressing it on his face. humph. A leader. What did he know about being a leader? Tommy was a leader. Jason was a leader. Adam? No he was no leader. He didn't want nor did he need that particular responsibility.
"Adam?" It was Kat's voice coming through the commstat
He already knew the question she was about to ask. "I know Kat, I know. I just pray that Tommy's alright."
Switching channels quickly he contacted the others in Angel Grove. "Jase how are things holding up on your end?"
After a few moments of static, Jason's voice came through in quick hurried breaths. "We're getting our asses pounded! How about you?"
"We just defeated Torquatron. We're headed your way now. We should be there in about two or three minutes." Adam shouted back at his commstat.
"Thanks, man!" There was a slight pause from Jason. "Adam? Did you see. . . ." Adam could tell that Jason didn't want to finish his sentence knowing that hope for their friend's safe return was all but washed away.
"Yea, I saw it Jase." Adam replied melancholy. "Look, Kat, Tanya, Justin, and I are on our way. After we defeat this last monster we'll start looking for Tommy. Hopefully it's not too late."
****
It was the moment of victory for Divatox. After nearly six months, the thorn in her side known as the Tommy Oliver would cease to be a problem for her. A circle of Pardoninan salt had been drawn around the boy to contain the width of the vortex. It wouldn't do for the vortex to suck everything into its dismal despair. The only thing left was to say the words that would spell the end for the little Power Puke. She felt it necessary to taunt him further. It was just too good a chance to pass up. One last taunt to wish him good-bye. "No last words?" Tommy only stared at her, consciousness only just recently returning. "No? That's too bad. I was going to let you go if you begged me loud enough." From some unknown depth of reserve, that she could not fathom, a huge wad of spit and phlegm mixed with blood landed smack in the middle of her face.
Mamma D laughed. "The little thing still has some fight in him!"
Divatox spun around and looked like she was about to spout some major pout when, a Pirahnatron walked up to her and whispered something in her ear. "It looks like the Rangers are giving my monsters more trouble than I thought. I need to get back to my ship and oversee the battle personally. Let's hurry up and get this party started!"
Divatox' mother shook her head slightly mumbling under her breath. "Kids these days. No patience at all!" she did a final walk around the circle to make sure it was unbroken and then began to chant.
The Pirate watched giddily as the circle started to glow. Its luminance continued to increase rising as a cylindrical column in the air completely surrounding her captive. Bright colors of red and white tinged with green swam around the wall of light until it settled down in a pool-like whirl on the floor. The ground surrounding the newly formed whirlpool jutted upward three feet creating a small lip around the vortex. Tommy's bound feet now hung mid air just inches above the swirling mass. The boulder that was attached to his feet was nowhere in site. Lost was it in the vortex below.
From the corner of her eye, Divatox noticed her mother stumble a bit. "You four!" She pointed to the four nearest Piranhatrons. "Guard the prisoner while I take my mother back to my ship." Then Diva and her mother disappeared.
****
"Guard the prisoner while I take my mother back to my ship."
Cassie and TJ looked at each other and hissed simultaneously to each other. "This is it!" They waited several moments after Divatox and her mother had gone before they decided to move.
"Let's go!" Cassie grabbed TJ by the the collar and they crept out of their hiding place and made their way down to the main floor.
Once the pair made it down to the main floor, they crept behind a large stalagmite.TJ stuck his head out from the rock to take a quick peak then ducked back down. "OK there's six of them in there all together. Two are standing right next to the guy that the Pink Ranger had tried to save. Three are over on the far side of the cave near some strange device. One is about ten feet right in front of us, and the other two are near the entrance." he paused for a moment. "You wouldn't happen to have a knife good enough to cut that rope, do you?"
Cassie looked at him exasperated. "NO!" she hissed as loud as she dared. "How the hell are we going to get him down?" TJ shrugged, not knowing what else to say. Suddenly Cassie jumped up surprising both TJ and the Piranhatron nearby. "Hey, I think I've got what you want right here." She spoke seductively, she quickly dashed behind the rock again when the Piranhatron gave chase. As soon as the foot soldier was out of site of the others, Cassie and TJ pounced on him. They quickly incapacitated it stealing the weapon in its possession in the process.
"Alright, miss 'we need a plan'" TJ spoke sarcastically.
"I had a plan, it came so suddenly I didn't have enough time to fill you in on all the details." She smiled. "Now we only have to worry about five of these things and try to figure out how to get our friend over there out of here."
"How..." TJ was about to continue when two Piranhatrons charged them. "Shit!" TJ grabbed the blaster they'd just stolen and fired blindly hoping to give them enough time to get away. They quickly hurled themselves out of immediate danger. TJ managed to knock out another Piranhatron and Cassie picked up its blaster. They both fired almost blindly while trying to find cover in another part of the cavern.
The duo somehow managed to get themselves trapped in the main cavern with no cover. Cassie barely managed to duck a blast at her head. "We've got to do something!"
"Yeah! Stay alive!" TJ shot back. OK, Einstein. We've got to get the attention off of us. Think fast. He thought to himself. Then he spotted the strange equipment that he saw earlier. He aimed his blaster at it and fired. The machine exploded taking out two more Piranhatrons. Four down, two to go. "Alright! there's only two left. Let's split up and draw their . . ." He had to duck and roll to avoid being hit."Fire." He finished. Cassie nodded and headed back toward their second hiding place, while he edged his way toward the prisoner.
Upon seeing his condition, TJ inwardly winced. The captive's face was a swollen and bloody mess. And the rest of his naked form was in much the same condition. Even though the young man was still unconscious, his body still twitched uncontrollably. TJ shook his head in sympathy. As a last ditch effort, he decided to rush the Piranhatron after him. The drone was momentarily startled by this bold move and thereby hesitating just long enough for TJ to get in under his guard. The Piranhatron managed to fire but TJ succeeded in deflecting the shot. He quickly disarmed it and took it out. He glanced over his shoulder in the direction that Cassie had gone and saw that she too had taken care of Piranhatron after her.
TJ turned his attention back to the young man they'd come to rescue. He heard a ripping sound and looked up to see the rope keeping the guy from falling into the vortex below. "Oh No!" Even as he exclaimed, the roped frayed quickly and he dashed forward to save the young man. Just before he reached him, the rope snapped and the young man plummeted toward the vortex. "NO!" TJ screamed and just barely managed to grab the end of the rope as the young man disappeared into the bright swirls of the vortex. Quickly wrapping the rope around his hand before the slack disappeared, TJ was unprepared for the sudden jerk that nearly sent him into the pit as well when the rope at last went taunt. Cassie grabbed on to his waist, preventing him from going over.
A few seconds after a bright red energy erupted from the vortex. It was so powerful, that Cassie and TJ were nearly wrenched away from the pit that contained the vortex. It's power was so great that it knocked a hole in the ceiling of the cavern clear to the sky above. They both screamed in pain as they fought to hang on to the rope. The blazing energy was so intense that they had to shut their eyes tightly, and still it was too bright. After what seemed like an eternity, the color changed to a less intense white but still the power was nearly all consuming. As the power continued to fade it changed to green and began to sputter out. the cave was almost pitch black except for the faint light emanating from the now calm vortex.
Amazingly the rope held, and the two continued to hold on to it for dear life. Without warning, the duo was thrown back a bit from a sudden lack of weight. For a moment they thought that the rope had snapped, yet they could still fill weight on the rope. Quickly they began to pull on the rope. Their hope rose when they saw a pair of hands bound to the rope. They continued to pull and then they saw a head and a neck and yes he was all there! Cassie and TJ pulled him over the edge. In the faint light TJ checked to see if the teen was still alive. He sighed with relief when he found a faint yet steady pulse. "We don't have time!" Cassie yelled at him. "That lady is going to be back and she's going to be mighty pissed off when she sees that we've ruined her plans. We have to get out of here!"
"We need a torch or something or else we'll get lost." TJ said absently as he searched around for a torch. Finding one on not too far a way that was still lit, he went back and helped Cassie carry the young man out of the cave. With TJ on one side holding the torch and Cassie on the other side of the former captive they made their way out of the cave and into the waning light of day.
****
Trey, Rocky, Jason, and David arrived in downtown Angel Grove to absolute pandemonium. Flamite was terrorizing the people on the street by setting their cars on fire. Many citizens were trapped in burning cars. The monster had even gone as far as setting some directly on fire. "Damnit! Doesn't this creep know when enough is enough?" Jason spoke as the quartet tried to rescue the burning people.
For every person they saved, three more were torched by Flamite's flame thrower. "This strategy is proving most ineffective" Trey grunted while knocking out the back window of a burning car to get at the trapped people inside.
"Your right," Jason shouted back after rescuing a child from the same car moments before it exploded. He thought quickly. "Rocky, you and Trey distract Flamite while David and I try and get these people out of here."
"Sure thing boss." Rocky saluted before he and Trey dashed off.
"Stay frosty!" Jason yelled back. He turned to David. "Come on. We have to find a way to get these people out of here." Surveying the destruction around him he cried out. "Where the hell is the fire department?!" He was mildly surprised when the little girl he'd just rescued answered him.
"Ranger sir, we heard on the radio that that monster guy set fire to Mercy Hospital a few blocks away. All the fire trucks in the county are trying to keep it under control. The radio also said something about Stone Canyon but we didn't get to hear what was said cuz that's when that monster set fire to my mom's car." The little girl said in a rush. "Where's my mommy?" She asked when she looked around and didn't see her.
Even though Jason knew the little girl couldn't see his face, he averted his eyes and looked away. When he'd crawled into the vehicle via the back window that Trey had broken, he saw a woman behind the steering wheel first, he checked his visor for her vitals and they came back negative. He had been about to crawl back out when he spotted the little girl curled up on the floor of the passenger's side. She was still conscious and quickly grabbed her and passed her on to Trey before the car exploded. How did he tell this girl that her mother was dead?
"She didn't make it did she?" the little girl asked trying to be brave and not cry. She only half succeeded.
Jason looked at down at her with a heavy heart. "I'm so sorry." He was about to say more when David spoke up.
"Boss, I think I see a tour bus we can get all these people in." David said softly.
Jason turned to him and nodded then turned back to the little girl. "Can you do me a favor?" he asked. She nodded wordlessly. "You see that bus over there?" He pointed to the tour bus parked on the side of the street. It was one of the few remaining vehicles still unscorched by Flamite's rampage. "I want you to get on that bus and help as many people get on as you can on your way there OK?"
"You can count on me Mr. Ranger." She said enthusiastically and ran off to the bus.
David and Jason found as many people as they could and quickly got them to the bus. "Is there anyone here who can drive this bus?" David asked the crowd.
A teen who looked to be just a few years younger himself dressed in a pink outfit stood up. "I can do it."
David waved her over, while Jason helped more people onto the bus. "OK, what's your name?" He asked when she got up to the driver's seat.
"My name's Ashley Hammond."
"OK Ashley, I need you to get these people to St. Vincent's Hospital on the other side of town. Can you get there without heading back into the center of town?"
Ashley nodded. "Not a problem."
David thanked her before grabbing Jason and stepped off the bus. They checked a few more cars and some of the buildings that had caught fire to make sure there were no stragglers. The ground suddenly shook beneath them as the comm units in their heads went off. "Jason! Flamite's just gone building size. Help, would be nice!" Rocky's excited voice came through.
"Alright, we're on our way." Jason answered back. He looked at David and he nodded. They called upon SuperZeo Zords 2 and 5 and quickly joined Rocky and Trey in the battle against the enlarged Flamite.
****
Trey and Rocky went about trying to distract Flamite from causing more damage. "This guy was a lot easier to fight when no one else was around to get hurt." Rocky said after he used a trash can he found on the street to deflect a direct blast from the monster in question. The flame consumed it almost instantaneously making him drop it before it burned his gloved hand.
"You've met this creature before?" Trey inquired. While dodging said monster's flame.
"The real Power Ranger's didn't wanna come out and face me? They had to send in the substitutes?" Flamite taunted.
"Oh we're the real thing alright 'Little Flame that Couldn't!'" Rocky shouted.
Trey and Rocky continued to distract Flamite, while David and Jason got the civilians to safety. "If only we had some sort of freezing device." Trey said aloud.
"Well why didn't you say so?" Rocky said stopping in his tracks.
"I did say so." Trey replied not realizing that Rocky was being sarcastic.
"Hey Alpha?" Rocky spoke into the comm located in his helmet.
'Yes Rocky' Alpha responded.
"Do we still have that freeze gun that Billy designed awhile back?" Rocky asked.
'I believe we do. I'll will teleport it to you momentarily." Alpha replied, cutting off the link.
A minute later, Alpha teleported the freeze gun to Trey and Rocky. It looked like a slightly modified blaster, which it was. "Alright halitosis mouth! Here's a tic tac!" Rocky yelled as he fired the gun at at Flamite. The monster chose that moment however, to grow to city stomping heights.
Craning his neck to see the top of the monster Trey uttered calmly. "I think we need a bigger gun."
"Ha ha funny." Rocky said sardonically.
"Maybe we should . . . what do you Earthers say? Call in the Calvary?" Trey spoke as he dodged being a pancake in the street by an inch from the flaming foot of Flamite.
"I think you may be right." Rocky made the call. "Jason! Flamite's just gone building size. Help, would be nice!"
"Alright we're on our way." Jason's voice come through the commlink.
A few moments later, Jason and David arrived in their Zords. Rocky and Trey had already called in theirs, trying to fend off the flaming monster until the others arrived.
Their combined efforts were still no match for Flamite. The best they could do was keep Flamite from completely burning down the city. There were two shelters nearby and Flamite had come close several times to annihilating them.
All fighting stopped as a bright red light filled the sky above the mountains in the distance. Jason felt a sudden emptiness inside. No! It can't be. He realized that Tommy had been where that emptiness. Ever since Tommy gave him the Green Power Coin that fateful day when Rita used the Green Candle to try and steal the Power back, he and Tommy had been psychically connected. It was a tenuous bond, but every once and awhile they would be able to call to each other and the other would answer. Jason felt his focus slipping. He couldn't concentrate, he couldn't take advantage of the situation. He just sat there transfixed by the light in the distance.
"That isn't what I think it is?" Trey and Rocky both said through the commlink at the same time.
Jason pushed the button to reply when his Zord was knocked flat by a flame burst from Flamite. His vision swam in and out of focus. Get focussed Jason! One thing at a time. First, Defeat the monster, then we can worry about Tommy. Jason thought to himself. He checked his energy readings and rerouted them to the essential areas. His comm unit went off. It was Adam. "Jase how are things holding up on your end?"
Jason spoke in quick hurried breaths while he struggled to right his Zord. "We're getting our asses pounded! How about you?"
"We just defeated Torquatron. We're headed your way now. We should be there in about two or three minutes." Adam shouted.
"Thanks, man!" Jason replied. He paused a moment. He didn't really want to voice his concern. "Adam? Did you see. . . ." He was unable to finish the sentence.
"Yea, I saw it Jase." Adam replied melancholy. "Look, Kat, Tanya, Justin, and I are on our way. After we defeat this last monster we'll start looking for Tommy. Hopefully it's not too late."
****
Divatox sat in her sub fuming over that events of the past few hours. The Rangers had managed to do it again. They had foiled her perfect plan. Not only had they managed to rescue two cities, they also managed to rescue their leader before he the Vortex of Eternal Doom and Sorrow swallowed him whole. She turned to her mother who was resting on a nearby chair on the bridge of the sub. "And what do you have to say for yourself, mother?"
Mamma D raised her eyebrow in disdain. "You act as if we lost daughter."
The pirate looked at her mother incredulously, "And you think we didn't?" her voice rose to screeching proportions. "Hello! Torquatron is ashes, Flamite might as well be, and they snatched their leader back right from under our noses! How can you say that we didn't lose?!"
Divatox' mother waited calmly until her over zealous daughter was finished ranting. "They may have rescued his body but they'll find out soon enough, that is all they have rescued."
Divatox looked questioningly at her mother. "What do you mean?"
Mamma D answered with an enigmatic smile. "You'll see."
****
Adam, Kat, Tanya, and Justin were greeted to the site of a burning Angel Grove. "Dear God," someone gasped. No one could say for sure who said it, but it was something that they all felt. The visage before them showed the Zeos taking turns fighting Flamite one on one in their Zords while the others desperately tried to contain the fires raging around them.
Adam was the first to recover from his shock. He opened a channel to Jason's Zord. "Jase! We're I've got you on visual. We're just south-southwest of your position and closing in." Shaking his head, "Man this looks bad."
Jason's comm was dead for a few minutes. "Welcome to Hell's Kitchen. It looks better than it feels."
Adam replied over the comm. "Jase this isn't the time for joking around."
"I don't believe he was joking, Adam." Trey inserted. "From the descriptions I have heard about your people's version of hell. I believe Jason was not exaggerating. Agghhh!" At that moment Adam saw Trey take a bad hit from Flamite.
"Trey are you alright?!" Adam couldn't believe that this was happening. His whole world was crashing, literally, down around him. "Trey! Can you hear me?" Still no answer.
"Trey!" The others chimed in immensely concerned that their new found friend did not answer.
A heart-stopping moment later, a very shaken Trey answered over his comm. "I am all right. Just a little shaken. There has to be a better way to fight this thing."
Suddenly Tanya came up with an idea. "Hey Adam! Remember that game we were playing a few weeks ago, on your computer?"
"Tanya this isn't the time to get nostalgic." Adam said trying to sound as nice as he could. He was fighting to stay in control of his emotions that were threatening to run wild. He had to keep it together for the team's sake. Now I understand what Tommy and Jason were talking about when they said that it's a lot easier to follow than lead because everyone else expects you to stay calm even though you want to break down right with them.
"No, I'm serious. Remember those flame thrower guys were very effective against tanks and single marines but a group of marines and tanks could take them out really quick. Maybe if we all spread out and concentrated our weapons on Flamite we could take him out. He can only concentrate his flame throwers on two of us at the most."
Adam's face lit up. "That's a great plan Tanya! If we rotate positions we should be able to minimize damage." He opened his comm channel to everyone. "Alright guys, we're following Tanya's plan. Everybody fan out and center on Flamite. If you get too damaged, rotate around so that you aren't too seriously damaged by Flamite's fire." He cut the connection and silently prayed. God, I hope this works.
"What do you little brat's think you're doing?" Flamite asked obviously very agitated.
"Just getting rid of the trash." Adam said smugly. "FIRE!" The SuperZeo and TurboZords aligned themselves in a semi-circle around Flamite and opened fire simultaneously.
Try as he might, Flamite was unable to get a fix on a single Zord. Everytime he picked one out, another took it's place to cover for it. "This can't be happ--" Flamite never got to finish his statement, for he disentegrated into flaming ashes.
The Rangers then aided the fire department in containing the more hazardous fires. The sun was two hours set before they managed to make it back to the Power Chamber.
****
Dimitria felt a great surge of power eminating from the nearby mountains. The scanners identified the Power as Red Turbo Power but that was all they were useful for. Whatever devices Divatox had in place to keep Dimitria and the Rangers from finding the Red Ranger were very strong. "Alpha, are you able to isolate the signal?"
"Ai yai yai Dimitria, I cannot!" Alpha ran it's machanical fingers across serveral counsels.
"Please keep trying Alpha, I fear time is running out." Dimitria hung her head and silently prayed for the safe return of her Ranger.
After endless searching, Alpha finally managed to get a lock. "Dimitria! The computer has a lock on Tommy's DNA."
"Are you able to teleport him, Alpha?" Dimitria inquired extremely concerned.
"Attempting now." Alpha's mechanical hands flew across the teleportation counsel.
****
Cassie, TJ, and Tommy emerged from the cave and into the waning light of day. And were imediately greeting with a group of approximately twenty Pirahnatrons. They tried turning around but they could hear the footsteps of more coming from inside the cave. "Great, from the frying pan into the fire." TJ sardonically as he and Cassie went on the defensive.
The Pirahnatrons were about to make their move when suddenly a light flashed inbetween the pair. Tommy was being teleported away. Or rather it seemed that way. When a red teleportation beam came to collect the young teen, he suddenly screamed out as his body began to disappear into the bright light. Cassie and TJ were so shocked that they let go of him. The beem seem to change to a slightly lighter shade of red then to white and flashed green before it finally disappeared. Only, Tommy was still there, crumpled on the ground sweating profusely small tremors reverberated across his frame.
****
"Ai yai yai, Dimitria! The computer doesn't recognize Tommy's energy signature! The system went into a continous feedback loop. It can no longer identify Tommy as a Power Ranger it won't let him through the sheilding.
"Are you able to put an image of him on the viewscreen?" Dimitria questioned.
"Yes, I believe so." Alpha replied as it quickly placed an image of TJ, Cassie and Tommy on the view screen.
Without hesitation Dimitria commanded. "Lower the shielding and teleport Tommy and his two companions here imediately."
"But we don't know what Divatox has done to him." Alpha replied.
"Please teleport him directly to the infirmary and his two rescuers in the main chamber. Time is of the essense we haven't a moment to lose." Dimitria commanded.
"Lowering shields now." Alpha spoke as it went about it's tasks as quickly as it could. "Shields are down, attempting to teleport now." A few moments later, the familiar hum of the teleportation beams filled the air. Double beams of white formed within the main chamber and coalesced into the two distinct beings of Cassie and TJ.
****
"What just happened?!" Cassie exlaimed after seeing Tommy nearly teleported away. She didn't have a chance to have her question answered, however, the shock of the moment had worn off the Pirahnatrons and they began advancing on the trio of teens.
They were grossly out numbered. TJ knew the deck was stacked against him, but he'd be damned if he didn't go down without a fight. He saw the look in Cassie's eyes and saw the same determination in her as well. The first group of Pirahnatrons advanced on them and suddenly TJ felt a strange sensation and found himself enveloped in a white light.
When his vision cleared he found Cassie and himself in a large room that looked right out of Star Trek.
"Where's that guy?" Cassie asked when she noticed that the young teen was not with them.
"He is save, as are you." a echoing feminine voice echoed in the large chamber. "Welcome to the Power Chamber, home of the Power Rangers."
"Gravity of Love" is next. I know I know I said that last time but I really mean it this time! :)