Turbo: A Power Rangers Movie by Heather Ray (beach read book .TXT) 📕

sure Tommy's a nice guy and all…but he lives in California, you live in Florida. You haven't even seen him since Christmas, and who knows when you'll see him again?"

"I'm moving back to Angel Grove after the Pan-Globals," Kim announced.

Renee blinked in surprise. "Since when?"

"Since my Uncle Steve offered to have me stay with him."

"And after that?" Renee pressed. "Your mother's in Paris, and you aren't exactly close to your father. You aren't planning on living with your uncle indefinitely, are you?"

"No, but I'll probably be receiving an acceptance letter from Angel Grove University any day now," Kim stated. "Then it's just a matter of living on campus and stretching that endorsement money as far as it can go. Piece of cake."

Her stubborn frown was instantly replaced by her trademark smile as she forcefully dropped the subject. "Have fun, 'Ne. Okay?"

Renee bit her tongue before a frustrated sigh could escape. She did her best to smile. "Take care, Kim."
Chapter Three

Millions of light years distant, circling an ancient star near the center of the daunting M51 galaxy, a gargantuan skull-shaped palace occupied nearly seven hundred square miles of the planet's largest continent. The monumental edifice, the envy of every would-be galactic conqueror in the past twenty two thousand years, was the headquarters of one of the most dangerous and feared villains of the cosmos.

Mastervile the Invincible.

Yes, his title went beyond mere presumption, yet no one could question it. During a lifetime that stretched beyond the beginning of written history, the famed Summoner of Ancient Evil had conquered every viable system in the central cluster of stars in his home galaxy, spanning over a hundred thousand light years of space.

Yet of course, the fierce dictator was not satisfied with owning more planets than he could visit in a century. The brilliant emperor of the entire galaxy sought to expand his stagnant holdings into the nearby Milky Way galaxy. However, his first attempt was foiled by a group of teenaged heroes known as the Power Rangers. His only daughter, Rita Repulsa, and her husband Lord Zedd had been trying to destroy these Power Rangers for some time. Millennia, in fact… when one includes Rita's long imprisonment in Zordon's space dumpster. Despite the oft-depressing failures, however, both Rita and Zedd stubbornly refused to concede defeat. That is, until a deadly threat arrived.

The Machine Empire, another absurdly powerful race of evil, had also set their sights on the planet Earth. They invaded first the moon, and drove Zedd and Rita away. Rita decided to bring the entire court to Mastervile's homeworld, where they could coordinate a joint attack against the Machines, and retake the Moon Palace, and dominance in the Milky Way's struggle for power. So for the past several months, they had taken refuge in Mastervile's palace.

However, while Rita was more than happy to briefly return to the planet of her birth, the domestic situation was entirely loathsome to her "better half."

Damn the Fates! I am Lord Zedd…twenty-eighth of the House of Zhept, Emperor of Phlegethon and a thousand systems besides! I will not

bow to that insolent mongrel!

Of course, by "insolent mongrel,"

the enraged sorcerer referred to his despised father-in-law, who had the gall to take command of Lord Zedd's palace during his brief stay in the Milky Way, and order him about like some errand boy.

That only compounded the growing irritation that boiled his blood at the thought of his wife. Though married a very short time, less than an Earth year, he found himself rapidly growing tired of her. In fact, his long-held disgust with her, that had moved him to banish her into the space dumpster again, that mysteriously evaporated after she returned to his palace, had turned his heart cold toward her once again. Her endless nagging, spoiled complaining, and impotent magic were embarrassing at best, nauseating at worst.

Little did Lord Zedd realize that the reason why his devotion to his wife withered was because the potent love potion, which Rita used on Zedd months ago, had finally begun to fade.

Why in the name of Evil did I marry that old witch? he wondered, absently staring out at foggy, murky planet stretching endlessly beneath the winding outdoor path that circled the entire palace, She has always been a second-rate witch, with powers I could easily outmatch by the time I was Heir. I banished her from my sight, condemning her to life in a dumpster; but the next time I laid eyes upon her, I declared everlasting love, and married her?

WHY??

Zedd stood rigid, folding his arms over his armored chest as his gaze drew ever inward. A being such as myself cannot feel "love."

I may desire power and infamy, and to be feared throughout the cosmos, but I do not desire Rita in any capacity whatsoever. Her very presence…her voice

…has come to sicken me. There was only one woman I ever desired...

The Emperor's thoughts strayed to another woman. Young and naïve, only existing for seventeen Earth years. Laughably weak physically, unless granted power from another source. Sickeningly sweet and pure… always dressed in pink and giggling with mindless glee.

Yet, the erstwhile Pink Ranger had a unique allure. She was attractive by Earth standards, and her short stature and golden-brown coloring made her even more so to any Phlegethonian eye. She was also graceful and lithe, even without the Power to augment her skills.

And despite her utter powerlessness, her large eyes blazed with strength. Strength, boldness, determination…spirit. Her spirit knew no bounds, despite her Human limitations.

She had potential.

But, she managed to escape when I sent Goldar to kidnap her, and make her my wife,

he reflected, his anger brimming anew. The spell I had Goldar cast on her didn't work, because her heart already belonged to someone else...

Zedd's visor began to glow scarlet as his thoughts turned to another subject: Tommy Oliver

. The fearless leader of the Power Rangers. The former Green Ranger, who stubbornly refused the pull of evil to fight against it. Time after time, Zedd and Rita before him aimed to destroy the thorn in their side. The Green Candle, Green crystal, an evil clone, countless mind-altering spells… and every time, Tommy stood up again, even more powerful than before.

I will have my revenge,

Zedd vowed. He was to be my champion…molded of Evil and set loose upon the galaxy. No one

will weasel his way out of my ultimate design! I will find his weakness…some way to destroy his spirit as I cannot seem to destroy his flesh. Perhaps the way to defeat the Red Zeo Ranger is not through combat...

The evil Lord froze, brilliance dawning upon him like the sun after an eclipse.

…but heartbreak?

At that moment, a smile pulled the raw lips hidden beneath his mask. His heart quickened and his mind raced, his spirits rising with a sinister glee he hadn't felt since before his regrettable marriage.

His plan began to bloom all at once, founded upon a strategy crueler than merciless battle, or even surprise attacks.

Deception.

Part Two: Call Waiting

Chapter Four

Wednesday, February 12, 1997

In the Gym and Juice Bar in Angel Grove, the teenagers who regularly saved the world as Zeo Rangers enjoyed some downtime after an arduous day at school. Tommy was the center of attention, bench-pressing while the others watched and cheered him on.

"Okay," said Rocky, "you got two more sets. You ready?"

"I was born ready," responded Tommy enthusiastically, rolling up his sleeves and lying back down on the bench. The Rangers watched as Tommy lifted the weights and counted aloud.

Ernie, the restaurant's owner, wove his way through throngs of students, carrying a small envelope with a Florida postmark. "Hey Tommy, a letter came for you."

"It's from Kimberly," Billy added with a smile.

The lines of focus instantly smoothed Tommy's young face, leaving a wide grin. "Cool! Hey Adam, could you do me a favor and read it? I have one more set to do."

"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," said Rocky, "Kimberly is gonna do great

!"

"What else does she say?" Tanya coaxed.

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

"

A frown crossed the Green Ranger's face, but he continued.

"'You've always been my best friend, and in some ways you're like a brother to me. But, something has happened here that I can't explain. It's both been wonderful and painful at the same time. Tommy, I've met someone else --'

"

Adam stopped short, and looked up from the letter, aghast. Tommy, who was in the middle of a lift, nearly dropped the weight. He set down the dumbbell and jumped up.

"What?" Kat murmured, horrified. "That can't be right!"

"Tommy," said Adam uncomfortably, "maybe you should finish this another time?"

"Let me see," he ordered, nearly snatching the letter from his friend. His gaze hardened as he continued.

"'Tommy, you know I would never do anything to hurt you, but I feel like I've found the person...'

"

His throat closed, forcing him to choke