Pawns

Chapter Eight: Prelude to the Storm

Katherine carefully climbed the ramp leading to the deck of the Ghost Gallion. Her teeth chattered quietly as the freezing night air stung her arms and legs, yet she chose not to take refuge below deck.

She needed the cold. She needed the silence. She needed the darkness.

She needed to think.

Once Lerigot landed on Earth, the Rangers were swept into a whirlwind of events. Divatox had demanded Lerigot's surrender to preserve the lives of his family, as well as Kimberly and Jason. Of course, it was impossible to convince the stricken wizard of Divatox's trickery, for under no circumstance would he leave his wife and infant daughter in the hands of evil. So the Rangers escorted him to the beach at sunset, as was arranged.

Not surprisingly, Divatox wasn't about to give up her advantage. Her men dumped two bodies into the ocean, distracting the Rangers long enough for other soldiers to capture Lerigot. Only after the Rangers discovered the bodies were mere mannequins did they realize Lerigot was missing.

Divatox was yet another step ahead of them.

Now, Divatox had Lerigot's magical Key… the means to open the path to the mythical Island of Muiranthias. And that meant the Rangers had to prepare for the possibility that Maligore would be brought to life.

Zordon, in his characteristic wisdom, discerned that new Powers had to be developed… powers designed to handle the mutant army of Divatox, as well as the brutal strength of Maligore. The new foe was vastly different from either Zedd's empire or the Machines. Rather than creatures of magic or advanced technology, the monsters were simply supremely strong aliens from a variety of systems. A team of Rangers with enhanced speed and strength, rather than extensive magical defenses or machine-disruptive capabilities, were needed.

So, the Turbo Rangers were born.

Yet that wasn't the end to the surprises Zordon had in store. Clearly, Jason wouldn't be able to fill in for Rocky, as was previously determined. And with all the other retired Power Rangers inaccessible, the only option was to recruit someone new.

Given the limited amount of time, Zordon wasn't able to conduct an extensive search, which he utilized when he first approached the original five Rangers. Also, the Rangers didn't have any civilian allies who'd already proven their valor, as was the case when Jason, Zack, Trini, and Kimberly had taken their leave.

The only option was to abide by Rocky's own instincts. And Rocky had deemed Justin Stewart his successor.

Justin Stewart… a twelve-year-old child.

True, he was a surprisingly intelligent and mature boy. The loss of his mother had aged him quickly, and his reclusive nature led him to spend his free time reading and studying. In addition, he dabbled in the martial arts, usually under Rocky's own eye.

Rocky had a great deal of faith in young Justin. During his tenure as a volunteer "Big Brother" at the Little Angel's Orphanage, he'd developed a bond with the boy. And he genuinely felt him able to carry on as the Blue Ranger.

So now, the Power Rangers were in hot pursuit of Divatox's submarine. Traveling through the cold night in the magical Ghost Gallion, come morning they would reach Muiranthias. And face a challenge like no other.

Katherine shivered anew as fresh anguish assailed her. Never in her months as Pink Ranger did she have to face such a situation. The Rangers had to race to save their friends from certain death. They didn't even get the chance to adjust to their new powers.

New powers. New Blue Ranger. And their foe was a legendary evil so terrible, the heroes of old couldn't muster the strength to destroy him.

And just to make matters worse, their leader was so distraught he could barely think straight.

Kat couldn't deny that at least a small part of her stroll above deck was to check on the Red Ranger. He'd been hopelessly aloof throughout the entire ordeal as he struggled with an inner conflict his friends could only guess about.

Granted, two people he cared for tremendously were in dire peril. Yet, he was the veteran on the team- hadn't he faced very similar situations before? Why couldn't he keep his head?

* * *

Kimberly… his first love.

The girl that charmed him at their first encounter, with her genuine smile and endearing eyes. The girl that stole his attention with her beauty and grace… but stole his heart with her undying compassion, fierce loyalty, and endless optimism. The girl who stood by him through the extraordinary: power losses, evil spells, and painful trials of leadership. Who stood by him through the mundane: constant forgetfulness, often crippling lack of self-esteem… just trying to find himself, as every teenager must.

The girl that broke his heart.

Tommy's shoulders hunched just a little more. He'd never thought her capable of even disappointing him… much less sending the "Dear John" letter that tore a hole through his future dreams, not to mention his fragile opinion of himself. And for mixed reasons, he'd never confronted her about it.

Now, he raced to her rescue; not the Kim he fell in love with, but the stranger she'd become. It hurt beyond words, but he had to admit he didn't know her any longer.

Who could tell what the months in Florida had done to her? Or, perhaps how the side effects from losing the Power could have drastically changed her personality? It was possible… he'd experienced terrible depression when his coin was taken from him. And he'd only been a Ranger for a few months. She'd been the Pink Ranger for two years.

No amount of postulating could make him understand why she wrote him that letter; ergo, he simply couldn't figure her out.

But Jason was another story.

Jason… his best friend.

The young man that harbored no animosity toward the new kid in town that tied him in a martial arts competition. The young man that welcomed him into the Rangers, after nearly tasting the Sword of Darkness first hand. The young man that willingly faced Goldar in the Dark Dimension, risking his very life, just to spare the Green Candle. The young man that surrendered leadership of the Power Rangers, with no anger.

Never, in all the months of their friendship, did Jason do anything contrary to the character Tommy envisioned him to possess. Never did he do anything to earn Tommy's doubt.

But neither did Kimberly… until the letter.

Was it some kind of curse? Was it only a matter of time before all the people he loved turned against him?

Perhaps the fault was his own. Kimberly was always his angel… perfect in every way. Jason was always his rock… completely dependable and infallible.

Perhaps he'd made gods out of mortals. They were human beings, faulty by nature. Subject to the same insecurities, longings, fears, and failings as himself.

He had practically worshipped them! And perhaps, by setting them to such a high standard, he made it impossible for either to confess to him their true feelings for each other?

The Red Ranger leaned still forward, resting his elbows against the edge to steady his weakening frame. A hole in his heart opened… the gaping maw that all but swallowed him whole when he realized the damage he'd done as the Green Ranger. The pit that beckoned him when Kimberly slowly withered, her Power Coin stolen by evil. The black hole that mocked him when Jason's life force faded due to his use of the Gold Ranger powers.

Somehow, he always managed to rationalize any problem into one conclusion.

Were there signs he should've seen? Hints that Kimberly was unsatisfied with what he could offer her? Clues he could have picked up from Jason, had he but kept in better contact during the Peace Conference?

"Tommy?"

He didn't need to turn around to see who it was. "Yes, Kat?"

The Pink Ranger hesitated, her hand hovering inches from his arm. She so wanted to offer him comfort, only… how could she comfort him through this?

Instead, she drew her hand back, rubbing the goose bumps on her own skin. Why wasn't he looking at her? "Um… Justin, Tanya, and Adam are resting below," she reported, "It's a good idea, considering the day we have ahead of us."

"Right."

The pretty Australian frowned at his response. It sounded far too much like a dismissal. Slowly gathering the courage, she reached out again, weaving her arm through his as he leaned over the edge. "Talk to me, Tommy."

He turned his gaze from the black waters, and crossed the too-blue eyes of his teammate. His friend. His girlfriend.

He couldn't do it. He couldn't confess the feelings warring within… the storm of fury and hurt and confusion and loss… the sharp-edged contraries that wouldn't stop stabbing him. Frankly, he couldn't even put into words all that was racing through his mind, the insecurities whispering in his ear.

And despite the fact that she deserved to know… he couldn't bring himself to admit that his feelings for her predecessor were as yet unresolved.

He inhaled deeply, carefully preparing his words. "Kat… I really can't."

It pained him to see the flash of hurt in those deep blue eyes.

"It's not you," he was quick to add, "It's me. I've got to work through this, prepare myself for whatever we'll face on Muiranthias." He mustered a ghost of a smile. "Once this is all over, then we can talk about it. I promise."

She didn't say anything for a long time. Silence hung between the young couple, as heavy as the fog the Ghost Gallion sailed through.

Finally, she spoke. "I can respect that."

The implication was clear: she could respect his decision, but she couldn't understand it.

Then, she tightened her grip on his arm. "We'll save them."

With that parting assurance, Katherine left.

Tommy nodded slowly, listening to her soft footfalls grow distant. "Yes… we will."

They would save Kimberly and Jason. And once the nightmare ended, he would no longer run from the truth. They would work out all the issues raging between them, and finally understand what had happened, both between him and Kim, and Jason and Kim.

Without true answers, out of the very mouths of his estranged friends, he was certain the myriad of possibilities would slowly drive him mad.

Failure wasn't an option.

* * *

The warm tropical sun quickly dried the water beaded on her skin, leaving only the dry itch of salt and sand.

Kimberly drifted into consciousness, inhaling a sharp breath into pained lungs.

Aaa… to breathe again!

That breath helped startle her to full wakefulness, lending her the strength to pick her head from the surf.

It all came back to her in a whirl: Divatox's wicked scheme to sacrifice her and Jason to some demon named Maligore, Jason's plan to pry open the hatch, and swim to shore, freeing Bulk and Skull just when the bilge began flooding with water…

…getting stuck on a nail, struggling to free herself as her lungs burned for oxygen.

Somehow, she'd managed to wrench herself free, swim to the surface, and find the island, all in one breath. How was that possible?

Suddenly, the air in her lungs froze. "Jason…"

She didn't see him escape.

Panic flooding her, Kim jumped to her feet, desperately searching the blue-green waters for any sign of the man who once again saved her life.

"No…"

Her limbs grew numb, forcing her back onto the white sand. She hugged her arms to her chest, fiercely determining that she couldn't just jump to conclusions.

In her distraction, she didn't even hear the sound of sand crunching underfoot. She didn't see the shadows that lurched over her.

She had no warning as suddenly, half a dozen men pounced on her.

Kimberly thrashed against them, but couldn't find the strength to fight after her exhausting swim. After a few moments, she succumbed, and they eagerly began tying her hands and feet with rope.

Bewildered, the decorated gymnast stared at them.

They must be natives, she realized, taking in their wiry, tan bodies, sparse but colorful clothing, and painted faces. Their wooden spears further proved they weren't aliens.

Two men lifted her, and spilled her onto a wooden table. Wasting no time, one man lifted the pole extending from each corner, and the two others marched at the beginning and end of the procession.

Terrific… all I need now is an apple in my mouth, and I'm ready to serve! She thought dismally.

She rested her head on the hard wood, staring at the lush trees and rich blue sky passing overhead.

It would be beautiful… if only it wasn't home to an ancient evil.

After what must've been about half a mile of terrain, the group came to a clearing in the forest.

"Well, well, well… what do we have here?" came a mocking voice.

Kim's eyes widened. With all her strength, she pushed herself to her elbows, and watched Divatox saunter toward her, triumphantly holding the thin crystal that could only be the Key she needed.

Despite the gravity of her situation, Kim's eyes lit up when she saw Jason, cloaked in a black sheath, held in place by long twines of rope.

Alive… for the moment, at least.

The former leader of the Power Rangers met Kim's gaze with grim eyes.

"Perfect!" Divatox cried, lifting the key above her head, "Now, to woo my Maligore!"

Kimberly shut her eyes, despair overwhelming her as the natives carried her into the dark cavern. Blistering heat poured in waves from the hellish chamber, stinging her skin in seconds.

After a long, narrow tunnel, red light flooded through Kim's eyelids, alerting her that they had arrived.

The natives lowered the wooden table, letting Kim stand on wobbly legs. Jason was herded toward her, his sacrificial cloak falling behind him as Piranhatrons played with his ropes.

Incredibly, the former Gold Ranger offered a wry grin. "It could be worse."

Just then, a column of unnatural fire leapt from the stone pit, shaking the very ground with its force.

"Right," Kim sighed, "Sure it can."

Jason looked down at her, and managed to grasp her hand in his, despite the ropes. "Kim, we're gonna be okay," he assured her, "When have the Rangers let us down?"

A sharp retort flew to Kim's tongue, but she managed to bite it back. Now was certainly not the time to pick at old wounds.

"I love it," Divatox gasped, sauntering across the chamber, "Love it, love it, love it! The steaming skulls are perfect!"

The Pirate Queen giggled in delight, and approached the pit of fire. She then glanced over her shoulder, where her mutants had gathered around Lerigot and his family.

"Time to get this party started!" she roared, "Now its time to feed my future husband! Prepare the humans first!"

"You heard Auntie D!" growled Elgar, poking Jason with his dull word. Jason fell closer to Kimberly, gnashing his teeth as a group of Piranhatrons circled them, wrapping the pair together with heavy chains.

Once they were securely bound, Elgar led them towards the pit.

Kimberly and Jason were lifted nearly to the ceiling, only to make their plummet all the more dramatic. As they hung above the unearthly lava, the Muiranthians began a ritual chant.

"Maybe we should have gone to the amusement park," Jason intoned.

Kimberly swallowed a strained laugh, her doe eyes watering as the scalding heat dried them out. She kept her gaze toward the tunnel, stubbornly clinging to the hope that Jason's faith in Tommy was well-founded.

He always came to my rescue, she remembered, even before we began dating. Even before I knew his name, he stopped Bulk and Skull from harassing me.

Despite the recent disappointments she'd experienced, Kimberly found a surprising amount of confidence in that memory. Tommy Oliver may not have been a faithful boyfriend… but he was born to be a hero.

"Maligore, the Flame of Destruction," the Pirate Queen invoked, "it is I, Divatox, your one and only true soul-mate. This moment is long in coming, and now, I bring you two perfect specimens to seal our matrimonial pact!"

She glanced up, and smirked as Kimberly and Jason began to struggle against their chains. "Come forth, and feed upon their purity! Join forces with me!"

The crowd of villains gave a cheer as a Piranhatron began to lower Kim and Jason into the pit of lava.

Kim screamed as the slow descent began.

* * *

The terrified scream tore right through his body, freezing the air in his lungs. And suddenly, all the confusion that buzzed in his mind vanished, as old instincts took over.

Just like in the good-ole' days of White and Pink, whenever danger singled her out, his entire world narrowed into one thought: save her!

"Kim! I'm coming!"

Tommy's feet moved faster than he could've imagined. The four other Turbo Rangers were hard-pressed to keep up as they braved the dark, humid tunnel, bracing themselves for whatever was in store.

He skidded to a halt just within the sanctuary of Maligore, where dozens of natives danced in jubilation as Kimberly and Jason inched ever closer to the lava.

"NO!" he roared, breaking into a fresh run.

"Stop him!" Divatox screeched, her voice easily as shrill as Rita Repulsa's at her very worst.

Kimberly's entire body fell numb. She couldn't move. She could hardly breathe. All she could do was watch as the Red Ranger tore a path through a sea of monsters and natives, delving into a frenzied strength she never seen a man possess.

She knew in her heart it was Tommy under that helmet. His scream made her breath catch, hope swelling her soul as he hacked through mutants and Piranhatrons alike.

"Told you," Jason murmured, "The Rangers would never let us down."

Kim continued to stare, her vision blurred by standing tears. She'd heard him call her name… heard the raw emotion behind his feverish shout. Maybe he does still care after all. M…maybe there's something left we can salvage…

Her thoughts were interrupted by Divatox's mocking laugh. "Ha! You think you can save them?" Her face cast into a blood-chilling smirk. "Piranhatron! Drop them!"

The servant tending the lever obeyed, and jerked his hands away. Suddenly, there was nothing hindering their combined body weight from dropping them straight into the pit.

"Kim!" Tommy cried, racing toward the pit. However, a wall of Piranhatrons tackled him, keeping him away.

"Into the fire!" cheered Rygog, as Kim and Jason plunged further down.

Kimberly felt sudden vertigo as her body succumbed to free fall. Mindless panic setting in, she drew her feet closer to her body in an absurd attempt to buy a moment more of life.

Her heart lodged in her throat, she choked out one word. "Tommy…"

The Red Ranger released a wordless scream as they dropped into the stone well.

"No, no, NO!" Tommy roared, his voice jagged. He would have leapt into the pit after them, if it weren't for the endless mutants blocking his way. Helpless to do anything else, he watched the fire swallow the two people he loved the most.

The mighty leader of the Power Rangers sank to his knees, clutching handfuls of sand that sifted between his fingers. No no no no… this can't be happening… no! I won't believe it they're not gone they're not…oh God please help me this must be a dream it can't be real it can't!!!

The rest of the team slowly migrated to their leader's side, watching numbly as plumes of flames leapt from the pit.

Divatox wicked laughter put their nerves on edge. "Maybe if you're quiet enough, you can hear your friends shriek as my hubbie devours them alive!"

* * *

She felt the fire licking her flesh, but it didn't blister her skin, or even singe her clothes. Instead, it pressed deeper, saturating her body, invading her every pore and igniting her entire being from within.

First to burn away in the consuming inferno were the tears that slid down her cheeks. They evaporated completely, leaving no sign of their existence. It felt like the fire ate even deeper than the tears she had already shed, somehow burning away all the tears she had left. Burning away her ability to cry.

Then, her panic turned to ash. Instead, she felt a slow numbing of senses.

Fascinated, she searched further into her being, feeling out the changes.

The panic was gone. The fear was gone. The insecurities were gone.

The river of contradicting emotions, the thick frustration and persistent love that she'd been drowning in for months, suddenly evaporated.

Mesmerized, she took a moment to enjoy the perfect peace of feeling absolutely nothing at all.

Only, it didn't last. All too soon, a new sensation flooded her, as the dry riverbed of her heart was filled with something fierce.

A river of lava.

Suddenly, she shrieked anew, muscles tensing as the very Flame of Destruction itself, the essence of the dread Maligore, spread through her veins, roasting her blood, blackening her heart like a candle wick that served its purpose.

And as she felt her heart of hearts crumble to ash, only one reaction occurred to her.

She opened her mouth, deeply inhaling the liquid fire surrounding her… and laughed.

To Be Continued...