Mighty Morphin Power Rangers by Heather Ray (books to read in a lifetime .TXT) 📕

Deep beneath the surface of Angel Grove, a black drop of oil materialized within an expansive cave, barren with the exception of a full-length rectangular mirror, a cauldron suspended over a black fire, and a chair chiseled out of rock. The drop fell to the ground, and expanded into a puddle, which finally formed the creeping being called Invidious.

A scowl of pain still on his face, Invidious rose to his feet, and staggered to the earthen chair in the chamber. He sat down heavily, fingering the hole in his shoulder left from the silver arrow that struck him earlier. He pulled his hand away from the open wound, and smeared the crimson blood between his thumb and forefinger.

"Well?" hissed a powerful voice, as a black vortex appeared where the reflective glass of the mirror once was. Invidious glanced up at the mirror, slight annoyance crossing his features.

"I failed, that's what," Invidious said bitterly, resting his good arm on his knee and leaning forward towards the mirror, "I had a run-in with Lady Purity's newest lackey. Calls herself Artemis, Avatar of Purity."

There was silence for a moment. "That explains it..."

"Explains what?" Invidious asked.

"Earlier, I felt a tremble in space-time," the disembodied voice answered, "I dismissed it as nothing, yet it explains why Castimonia suddenly has an Avatar. I was certain I was the first to establish my power on Earth after all these years."

"How would Castimonia be able to warp space-time in any significant manner?" Invidious demanded.

"Fool," the voice growled, "she obviously received the aid of Lord Death. He is the only Servon with power over Time."

"Isn't that breaking the rules of the Conflict?" Invidious pointed out, "Something about interference?"

"Well, no more so than my sending you after her chosen prematurely," the voice responded, "Touche, Lady Purity."

"So what happens now?" Invidious asked.

"You must wait, until you can strike the Chosen freely. But be careful, for this new Avatar will surely get in your way. She will protect the Chosen at all costs."

Invidious grinned. "I can out-maneuver her, Lord Corruption. After all, she is only human."

"So are you," was the definitive response, "You seem to forget that from time to time. You still have human weaknesses. You just are now able to tap into Corruption to strengthen you."

Invidious shrugged, his hand passing over a black opal that blended so well with his slick black uniform, it was barely noticeable. Then, the blackness of his skin and uniform became a thick, inky liquid, and poured into the gem like water down a drain. Now in human form, Invidious opened his eyes, complete with natural pale blue irises surrounded by ivory white.

"Yes, I am human," he said, his voice less of a hiss than before, "but there is a great difference between us. As Avatar of Purity, Artemis has a conscience. She is self-sacrificing, honest, and predictable. I am Avatar of Corruption. I am sneaky, deadly, and silent. She may be the Huntress, but now, she is my Prey."

There was a few more moments of silence. "Do not fail me, Invidious. I can always find a new Avatar to replace you. I do not tolerate incompetence. There is too much at stake."

Wednesday, February 12, 1997

As she stepped through the doors of the familiar teen hangout, her breath caught in her throat.

It was just as she'd left it. There was Ernie, enthusiastically conversing with a kid at the bar, snacking on some popcorn with him. Familiar clusters of teens hovered around the arcade games, and chatted at round tables while sipping at the famous smoothies that put the cozy restaurant on the map. Included with those teens were Kat, Billy, Adam... and a young woman Kim didn't recognize. However, from her yellow attire, and her yellow and silver "watch," Kim easily determined that she was in fact Aisha's replacement Tanya Sloan Tommy had mentioned once or twice.

When Kim noticed her friends sitting in a circle, laughing at some joke, she unconsciously reached up and tugged at a lock of short rust-red hair. She nibbled her lower lip nervously, continuing to scan the Youth Center through her hazel eyes. Apparently, no one had seen through the illusory disguise, and recognized her.

Yet,

she reflected, walking across the room as naturally as she could. She continued to look around, her eyes searching the crowds with determination.

"There he is," she whispered, her gaze fixed at the corner housing exercise equipment. From her position near the Juice Bar, Kim saw Tommy lying on a bench, his tone arms glistening with the slight film of sweat due to the workout.

It was times like this... when she was so close to him, yet so far from him... that she realized just how much she had missed him.

I know I've never loved this way before
And no one else has loved me more
With you I've laughed and cried
I have lived and died
What I wouldn't do just to be with you

"Uh, excuse me," said a voice, and a finger tapped on Kim's shoulder. Kim gasped in surprise, and turned around slowly.

"Sorry," Ernie said, a weak smile on his face, "I didn't mean to startle you."

"No," Kim breathed, "it's okay."

"You seem lost, Miss...?"

"Phoebe," she responded quickly, flashing him her most natural smile.

"I'm Ernie, the owner," he greeted, "Are you looking for someone?"

Kim shook her head. "No, I was just looking around. Trying to get a feel for this place. I'm new to Angel Grove."

"Really? Where are you from?"

"Florida," she responded.

"Well, glad to have you, Phoebe," Ernie said, shaking her hand warmly, "We have a policy regarding new students, you know."

Kim's eyebrow rose slightly in surprise. "Really? And what would that be?"

"One of my specialty fruit smoothies... on the house."

Kim grinned. "Thanks! I'd love one."

Kim followed Ernie to the bar, and sat down at a seat which gave her an unobstructed view of Tommy and Rocky. After a short while, the rest of the gang surrounded them, cheering their friend and leader on as he struggled through his next set. She kept her eyes away from them, yet she managed to use her heightened sense of hearing, blocking out the noise of the rest of the teens, to focus on their conversation across the room.

I know I must forget you to go on
I can't hold back my tears too long
Though life won't be the same
I've got to take the blame
And find the strength I need
To let you go

"Okay," said Rocky, the young man spotting him, "you've got two more sets. You ready?"

"I was born ready," said Tommy enthusiastically. Kim then heard the clanging of metal and Tommy's voice as he counted aloud.

"Here you go, Phoebe," Ernie said, placing an orange colored concoction on the bar before her, "It's my special passion-fruit shake. It's famous all around Angel Grove."

Kim took a sip of the fruity drink. "Wow, Ernie, this is fabulous!"

Ernie grinned widely at the compliment. "Thanks. Now, I've got to give this to someone, so I'll be back in a minute."

Kim glanced at Ernie's hand, and almost choked on her milkshake when she saw the white envelope in his grasp. Wow... I estimated the mail arrival pretty well...

"Thanks again," she said, watching him cross the room. In the back of her mind, she pondered if she did the right thing by mailing the letter to the Youth Center, rather than Tommy's home. At least at home he'd be able to read the letter in private, and spare some of the embarrassment.

But there's no way to be sure he'd open up to the others about his feelings,

Kim reminded herself, At least this way, the other Rangers know he's in need of emotional support, and they'll provide it. They won't let him sit in his room and wallow in depression. That's how he always settled his problems. At least... until we started dating. Then he confided in me...

Just walk away
Just say goodbye
Don't turn around now, you may
See me cry
I mustn't fall apart
Or show my broken heart
Or the love I feel for you

Kim felt her stomach flip, and pushed away the shake slightly in response to the growing nausea in the pit of her being. Out of all the friends Tommy's had, none knew him like she did. She prided herself in the fact that she was the only person Tommy opened up to completely. He was never secure enough to tell his parents, or even Jason, his deepest fears. With his parents, there was always the threat of revealing too much about his secret occupation as a Power Ranger. With Jason, there was always the slight intimidation he felt when near him, considering the deep respect he had for the first leader of the Power Rangers. But he always knew he could confess his heart to Kim, and she'd never judge him, or make him feel inferior. And now... who would he turn to when she turned her back on him?

"Hey Tommy," Kim heard Ernie say, "a letter came for you."

"It's from Kimberly," Billy's voice added. Her anxiety getting the better of her, Kimberly turned around, and watched what occurred. She watched closely as Tommy's determined expression lightened into a wide grin of joy. Kim's heart ached at his response.

This is going to be bad...

"Cool! Hey Adam, could you do me a favor and read it?" Tommy asked, looking back at his friend in the green shirt, "I have one more set to do."

He's so excited to hear from me, he couldn't wait to hear what I said,

Kim reflected grimly.

"You got it," said Adam, taking the letter and opening it,

"'Dear Tommy,

everything is going great here in Florida. Coach Schmidt has me as ready as I'll ever be for the competition.'"

"Man," Rocky interrupted, "Kimberly is gonna do great!"

"What else does she say?" the new Yellow Ranger inquired.

Here it comes...

Kim thought, wringing her fingers nervously.

So walk away
And close the door
And let my life be as it was before
And I'll never never know
Just how I let you go
But there's nothing left to say
Just walk away

"'Tommy, this is the hardest letter that I'll ever write,'"

read Adam,