Disclaimer: Power Rangers Zeo is owned by Mr. Saban! They are his possessions, they are created by him, he has a legal claim to them, they belong exclusively to him, he owns them….. any other ways I can say it?
Author Note: The vote was almost unanimous this week. You all wanted one thing to happen, but decided that the other thing should happen! I sure hope you made the right choice! And for anyone new, here's the deal. You read the story, then read the list of choices, then email me to say which choice you want to happen next week! That's easy enough isn't it!
Cube 8
By Matt
Everyone watched in anxious anticipation. Everything seemed to slip into slow motion. Jenzar was about to kill himself and they knew Tommy was the only one who could save the Trintan Leader. They were all thinking one thing, though – would he do it? Although it was actually Trinta Blue who had gone diving down the elevator shaft with Kat, Tommy still held Jenzar responsible. If it hadn't been for his plan, the two teams never would have met again after their first departure. In Zeo Red's mind, Trinta White was to blame for everything.
In that split second, Tommy seemed to have hours of thought. 'He did this to us, he followed us, gained our trust and all part of a plan set up by our enemy. He was actually going to let us walk across that room and die. I really don't know how any Ranger, especially a team leader could do that to other Rangers.' Tommy thought.
'But Tommy, you've imagined yourself in that situation, being trapped here for months, losing team members and then getting the offer. You have thought about how far you would go to save your friends, but you never came up with an answer. Think about that now before you make your decision. Would you have betrayed the Trintans if it meant getting your friends out of here, or would you have refused and ran the risk of having your friends die? You know the answer deep inside, you know exactly what you would do, so admit it to yourself and do as you see fit!' Another part of his mind explained.
'It's right, I would have done the same thing, but that doesn't make it acceptable. He knows he has done wrong and by trying to kill himself he is allowing his punishment to take place.' Tommy thought, deciding to let the White Trintan die.
'Yes, that would be redemption enough, but would it be justice? Would that be how you would wish someone who has wronged you to end?' the voice asked once again.
'Yes, he must die!' Tommy thought, expecting another comment from the voice in return, but when nothing came he thought about it himself. 'But that's not how we're meant to do things! If I let him die, I'm no better than he is! Damn, I know what I've got to do.'
Jenzar was just about to step into the path of the trap, Zeo Red had mere fractions of a second. Recalling the safe spots where he could stand, Tommy used all his Ranger enhanced speed to bound across the room and grab Jenzar clear. He may have saved him, but he didn't have to like it.
"Thank you!" Jenzar muttered.
"Shut it!" Tommy snapped, then punched the Trintan in the face, cracking the helmet and knocking him unconscious. The Red Ranger picked up the Alien and threw him over his shoulder. Checking carefully that he didn't activate the trap he made his way over to the others. "Come on!" he growled. The others could tell he wasn't happy, as a person, he had wanted to let Jenzar die, but as Ranger, he had a duty to save him, and not for the first time ever, Tommy wished he had not been a Ranger!
They walked cautiously through the next couple of rooms without event. The Trintans had said there were no more traps, but naturally, the Zeo Rangers didn't trust them. They stopped as they got to one of the doors. "Next room should have the exit in it!" Tanya reported.
"Alright!" Rocky said almost cheerfully.
Tanya reached toward the button to open the door, but just before she reached it, a blast of energy came from behind them. It struck the small control panel and it exploded in a small shower of sparks and scrap metal. It struck Tanya and she fell away, just avoiding the blast.
"What the…" Jason started, but another shot stopped him mid sentence. He was shot in the back and collapsed to the ground. The others span around instantly to see someone they hoped never to see again.
"YOU!" Tommy growled. He started running forward, drawing his Zeo Power Sword as he ran. As soon as he was within range he attacked Trinta Blue with it.
"How did he…" Tanya started.
"Who cares! Make sure Jason's alright and watch the other Trintans. Come on Rocky!" Adam ordered. The Green abd Blue Zeo Rangers ran forward to take on the murderous Trintan. He looked severely battered, his uniform ripped, helmet damaged, and his bright blue clothing stained with blood.
Tommy went flying to the ground and the other two Zeo's tripped over him. Trinta Blue stepped forward and picked Rocky up. He held the other Blue Ranger over his head for a moment, then threw him hard. He slammed into the other Trintans… hard.
Next, he kicked Adam so hard in the stomach that he actually flew several feet up into the air. To finish off, he pulled out something similar to a Zeo Pistol and fired it at near point blank range at Tommy. The Red and Green Rangers crawled back over to the others. Jason was starting to recover and the rest of them were standing up one by one. They looked over at the rogue Trintan and saw a massive weapon in his hands.
"Surrender now!" Trinta Blue ordered.
"No way!" Tommy snapped.
"I'd do as he says!" Trinta Black mumbled.
"Why, so you can trick us again?" Tommy sneered.
"They won't get another chance to trick you, I want them to surrender too!" Trinta Blue called out.
"Didn't you hear me the first time? I said no way!" Tommy called out.
"Look, human, you don't seem to understand. That weapon is the Atom Blaster, one shot will rip you apart at the cellular level. I know you really have no reason to trust us, but please, we've already seen enough death, don't let there be any more!" Trinta Black begged. Seconds later Trinta White, Silver, Yellow and Black all powered down and threw their morphers across the ground to their blue ex-comrade.
The others all looked round at Tommy, awaiting his order.
That's all folks (for this week anyway). Once again it's a slightly different vote. I don't want you to vote for what happens, I want you to vote for who you think should surrender. Could be none of them, all of them, just one of them, it's up to you Just email me the names of the Rangers you think should surrender (remember it's only Tommy, Jason, Rocky, Adam and Tanya left!)
Thanx