[See "A Power Beginning" for disclaimer]

The Brown Crystal
By Crusader Vega

Scene opens in the great hall in Zedd's Palace. Lord Zedd is in his chair resting his head in his left hand. Goldar is standing in front of him, confused.

Goldar: Hey, boss. How long are you going to stay like that?

Zedd: I'm just thinking, Goldar. Don't disturb me.

Goldar: Thinking? How do you do that?

Zedd: Nevermind. Wait, that's it!

Goldar: You're going to tell me how to think?

Zedd: Shut up, you buffoon! I've just had a great idea.

Goldar: Oh, do tell. Do tell.

Zedd: One of the rangers was once evil, am I right?

Goldar: Yes. The White Ranger.

Zedd: Then it's plain as day. All we have to is find a way to turn her evil again.

Goldar: Uh, boss. Once Rita has lost a spell, it cannot be revived.

Zedd: Do I look like Rita to you?

Goldar: You have a point there.

Zedd: I need a monster who can steal Theresa's power coin. If we can reverse the power flow, it can be ours once more!

Zedd's ocular beam activates, focusing on a forest in North America. One animal comes to his mind.

Zedd: Yes. A racoon. Nature's perfect thief. It will do just fine.

Zedd raises his staff toward Earth, releasing bolts of lightning from it. The bolts all strike the racoon. The racoon is energized and "grown". Its claws grow longer and horns grow out of its shoulder.

Zedd: Terracoon, go! Bring me that White Ranger!

Terracoon: I hear and I obey!

~*~

Keith and Theresa are seated on a park bench near a fountain.

Theresa: So, Keith, what do you look for in a girl?

Keith: Oh, many things. Long hair is great, but short hair is also good. I really want someone I can talk to, someone I can relate to. Someone who won't blame me when things go my way. I want someone…….like……you.

Theresa: Thanks, Keith, but you're not exactly my idea of the perfect guy.

Keith: What is it with girls being perfect?

Theresa: Perfection is the key.

Keith: To what?

Theresa: I guess it's really not important, but what I mean is that you seem a little, well, insultive.

Keith: What the heck do you mean?! You're a crazy freak!

Theresa: That's exactly what I mean.

Keith: I'm just playing when I do that. I don't mean any harm by it. I'm sorry if it offends you. If you'd like, I can watch out from now on.

Theresa: Would you do that?

Keith: Sure.

Theresa: Thanks, Keith.

Keith: No problem.

Suddenly, the fountain stops running. Keith and Theresa's suspicions are aroused and they walk over to investigate.

Theresa: What?

Keith: How did it do that?

A thud is heard behind them, as if a heavy object just hit the ground. They turn to see the aformentioned Terracoon standing behind them with a squad of putty patrollers.

Terracoon: Hehehehahaha. Two rangers for the price of one. Putties, attack!

The squadron surrounds Keith and Theresa, engaging them in combat. Keith and Theresa can keep the putties at bay, but more and more of them appear on the scene. Keith and Theresa eventually tire out, and the putties take hold of them.

Keith: What do you want from us?

Terracoon: Nothing important. Hehehehehehahahaha. Lord Zedd wants to see you.

The two try to resist, but they cannot in their present position. Terracoon punches the ground, teleporting all of them to Lord Zedd's great hall. Lord Zedd is sitting in his chair overlooking the events.

Zedd: Excellent, Terracoon. Make sure the rangers are comfortable.

Terracoon: Yes, sire!

Terraconn grabs both of them and pushes them into two chairs with lots of equipment around them. Terracoon forces their arms onto the rests and places the metal restraints over them, locking them in place.

Keith: This is not exactly my idea of comfort.

Theresa: What do you want from us, snake?

Zedd: Calm down, White Ranger. We merely want what is ours. We want you to be evil again.

Theresa: That won't happen.

Zedd: I think different. These machines you are hooked up to are capable of changing the power flow from good to evil.

Theresa: You can run that machine all day. It won't work.

Zedd: You sound sure of yourself, but we will see.

~*~

The other three rangers are in the Command Center trying to figure out where Theresa and Keith have gone to.

Alpha: Keith and Theresa's power signatures were in the park, but then they're gone! Without a trace!

Zordon: Alpha, scan the park for other energy traces.

Alpha: Right away, Zordon.

Alpha presses a few buttons and receives the disturbing news.

Alpha: Aiyiyiyiyi!

Jerry: What's wrong, Alpha?

Alpha: There is another reading from the park. It's one of Zedd's monsters!

Zordon: Now I see.

Matthew: Zordon, what's going on?

Zordon: Theresa and Keith were kidnapped by Zedd's monster.

Eugene: I don't get it. Why would Zedd just take them?

Zordon: Theresa was once an evil ranger. I believe Zedd wants to make her one again.

Matthew: But he can't.

Zordon: He will discover that eventually. That is why I am worried.

Alpha: Oh, no! Zordon, you don't mean……

Zordon: Yes, Alpha. Keith's life is now in mortal danger.

Jerry: Why, Zordon?

Zordon: Keith is one of the original four and therefore does not have a energy resistant power flow. I don't think he will give in to Zedd's command, but Zedd may be able to strip him of his powers.

~*~

In the great hall, Zedd is pacing the floor as a white glow surrounds Theresa's chair. Finster at the machine observing its behavior. Theresa's eyes are closed and Keith is in a cold sweat.

Zedd: Finster, what's taking so long?

Finster: I'm sorry, sir, but the current just isn't responding. It's like she has a natural immunity to evil.

Zedd: It's Rita's spell. They are so weak, that when they are broken, they work in the opposite direction!

Finster: I'm sorry, but I'm afraid this isn't going to work.

Finster flips a switch, causing the machine to shut down. The white glow fades from Theresa and her eyes open.

Theresa: What did I tell you?

Zedd: Is everything around here useless? Terracoon, take these two back to the Earth.

Terracoon: Yes, sire.

Terracoon approaches their position, but is stopped by another command.

Zedd: Wait! If the White Ranger won't convert, what about him?

Theresa: You mean Keith?

Finster: Hhhhmmm, I don't detect any kind of "immunities" coming from him. It might be possible.

Theresa: No don't! Spare Keith, please. He doesn't deserve it. I'll cooperate!

Zedd: You had your chance and you blew it! Finster, start the machine!

Finster: Yes, sir.

Finster flips the switch on the other machine, causing a brown aura to eminate from Keith. Theresa's eyes fill with tears as she sees the experiment being done. Keith returns her gaze for a moment before the machine increases in intesity.

Keith: Don't worry, Theresa. I'll fight as much as I can.

When the machine picks up, Keith's head is thrown against the back of the chair and his eyes shut tight. Keith screams in pain as electricity forces its way through his body. A few minutes pass. Keith is still screaming in his seat. Finster is at the controls again, as Zedd watches the sight.

Zedd: It's been too long. Why hasn't he changed yet?

Finster: We've never done this on a ranger before. He's resisting like nothing we've ever seen.

Zedd: How long can he keep it up?

Finster: I give him about another 10 minutes.

Zedd: Wait! What's happening?

The brown glow around Keith shines brightly, bathing the room in brown luminescence. All the wires connecting the chair to the machine are shorted out as this happens. Slowly, the brown glow fades, gathering itself into a small, round object which hits the floor. Lord Zedd picks up the object and Keith returns to normal.

Finster: What is that?

Zedd: I think I know.

Keith: I feel weak.

Zedd: You should, ranger.

Theresa: What have you done to him?

Zedd: You've done a great job resisting ranger, but I'm afraid you can't win. This crystal is a timer. Its light will eventually fade away and it will shatter. When it does that, you will be ours!

Theresa: No! That's not possible! You can't!

Zedd: Terracoon, take these two back!

Terracoon: With pleasure!

The monster teleports to the park, holding the two in his arms. He throws them to the ground then jumps into the fountain.

Terracoon: Ha! See you later, rangers!

Terracoon is gone as the fountain resumes again. Theresa faces the fountain, then looks down to see Keith lying on the ground, unconscious. She turns him over and checks his pulse.

Theresa: Keith, don't leave me now! Don't leave! Please. I was starting to like you. I need you, Keith! Please be okay.

A tear hits Keith's cheek as Theresa's eyes are once more filled with tears. The two are surrounded by light, and teleported to the Command Center. Keith is placed on a table where medical systems try to revive him. Theresa joins the other three and dries her eyes.

Zordon: Rangers, the worst has happened. In Zedd's futile attempt to turn a ranger evil, a timer crystal has been created. If Zedd is holding the crystal when it shatters, Keith's powers will be Zedd's.

Jerry: Zordon, is there anything we can do?

Zordon: Our only hope is to get the Brown Crystal before it is too late.

Matthew: But how can we get it?

Zordon: One of you will have to go to Zedd's Palace and retrieve it.

Jerry: Is that possible, Zordon?

Eugene: It's probable. If we can find the trace of that monster in the park, we could probably find the modulation rate on the magnetic field around Zedd's Palace.

Alpha: Yes, but who can we send?

Keith: I'll go.

Keith sits up from the table, attracting the attention of everyone in the room.

Keith: I got us into this. I should be the one to get us out.

Theresa: Keith, you can't. You need to rest.

Zordon: Theresa is right. You would only endanger yourself further if you choose to battle Lord Zedd.

Keith: I know what I'm up against. Please, let me do this.

Zordon: The call is yours. Eugene, you and Alpha begin working on a transport device to take Keith to the moon and back.

Alpha: Right away, Zordon.

~*~

Minutes later in the park, the five teens are seen standing in front of the fountain. Theresa is supporting Keith while Eugene and Jerry set up the twin devices.

Eugene: Just set them up facing each other. It'll only take two minutes to charge them.

Jerry and Eugene position them accordingly. Theresa sits Keith down on the familiar park bench and takes a seat next to him.

Theresa: Are you sure you want to do this, Keith?

Keith: It's not a question of wanting to, it's my duty.

Theresa: I know. Just promise me one thing.

Keith: Okay.

Theresa: Promise me that you'll come back safely.

Keith stares into her eyes for a minute. Her blue eyes bear genuine concern for his being. As the others work on the devices, Keith finds the one thing he feels has been missing from his life until this point. He has found love.

Keith: I promise. I'll return. Even if I can't get the crystal.

Eugene approaches the bench to inform them of their status.

Eugene: The devices are working. The portal will open shortly.

Keith: Thanks. I'll be ready.

Keith stands up and makes his way to the devices. The two motors on the devices spin rapidly as the antenae pick up the monster's trace. Two pinwheel-shaped objects also spin sending light in a circular pattern around the devices. In a few moments, a small vortex appears and Keith turns around to get one last look from the others. They all give him a silent nod of approval as he enters the dark opening.

~*~

The portal takes Keith to Zedd's great hall, where Zedd is seated in his chair holding the small, brown orb in his right hand. Goldar and Terracoon are standing beside the chair as if anticipating Keith's arrival.

Zedd: So, ranger, I guess it's obvious why you've come.

Keith: So let's cut the small talk, shall we?

Zedd: Agreed. Goldar.

Goldar swings his sword at Keith, backing him into a corner. Keith finds Goldar's moves somewhat predictable and can easily fight back. A few minutes pass. Both Keith and Goldar are evenly matched. This brings Lord Zedd off of his throne and down to Keith's level.

Zedd: Goldar's a little slow today, so you'll have to fight Terracoon.

Keith: I guess I'll lose my powers anyway. What the heck? Brachiosaurus!

Keith morphes to face the monster. Terracoon slashes at him with the claws on his hands. Keith delivers a swift kick to him to send him against the wall. Enraged, Lord Zedd raises his staff and hits Keith with the released bolts from it. Keith staggers to reach Zedd, but is knocked away by the staff. Zedd throws Keith to the floor, placing his leg on his back.

Zedd: The defeat of the rangers is at hand. I will have the have the glorious pleasure of seeing the Brown Ranger lose his powers.

Zedd reaches down and shows the Brown Crystal to Keith. Its glow is at its lowest. Keith's suit glows and flashes as the power is slowly drained from it. Keith eyes the orb struggling to get up. Zedd laughs histerically at his feeble attempts. Finally, furious at the sight, Keith hurls one of his power stars at Lord Zedd, causing him to lighten off of Keith enough for him to stand. Keith runs toward Zedd, frantically grabbing the crystal from his hand. Keith stumbles toward the balcony at the end of the great hall.

Brown: My powers will never be used for evil! No one will have them!

Time passes in slow motion as Keith brings his arm that holds back, only to bring it forward, hurling the crystal into deep space. The spheroid flys swiftly away from the palace as the brown glow fade completely. The crystal shatters into a myriad of shards which scatter themselves outward from the palace. Keith staggers even more as suit flashes rapidly, before leaving him altogether.

Zedd: No! I was so close! Curse you, ranger! Curse you!

Zedd points his staff at Keith, releasing a huge bolt of lightning. Keith is smitten by the blow and forced back through the portal from which he came. Zedd turns to see his monster standing behind him.

Zedd: Terracoon, go fight the rangers! And this time destroy them!

Terracoon: Oh, yes. Right away, sire. Hehehehehe!

~*~

Keith is pulled up from the ground by a familiar grip. When his vision is restored, he sees Theresa on the park bench next to him.

Theresa: How do you feel?

Keith: Disoriented, defeated, powerless, out of the usual.

Jerry: The Brown Crystal?

Keith: Destroyed.

Matthew: Then why are you here?

Keith: I threw the crystal far from Zedd's reach as it shattered.

Eugene: Why?

Keith: I will never allow myself to be ruled by evil. If I kept the Brown Power, Zedd would only hunt me down again. Believe me when I say this, it was for the best.

Theresa: We believe you, and we will try to understand.

Terracoon: Touching speech Powerless Ranger, but I'm, afraid it'll be your last.

The five turn to see Terracoon standing beside the fountain. No putties are with him, but he looks more dangerous than ever before.

Terracoon: One down, four to go.

Jerry: You won't get us, we'll fight back!

Matthew: Do you think we'd let you live after what you've done?

Theresa: You've only made us madder!

Eugene: Who's finishing who?

Jerry: It's morphin' time!

Theresa: Velociraptor!

Matthew: Iguanadon!

Eugene: Styracosaurus!

Jerry: Allosaurus!

The metamorphis is complete; the Rangers grab their weapons.

Terracoon: Hey! You didn't say anything about weapons!

Orange: You didn't ask!

White: Jerry, let me handle this one, please.

Orange: It's up to you.

Theresa holds the Raptor Spear in front of her and twirls it around as the thunderbolts gather themselves into it.

White: Raptor Spear, charge!

The Spear glows a blinding white as the last of the energy is stored into its tip. The attack is swift when Theresa throws the spear in front of her. The projectile soars toward the monster, gliding through its chest as if it were air. The now seemingly normal spear sticks its point into the ground as the monster behind it explodes.

~*~

Lord Zedd is somewhat disgusted as he watches the events transpire.

Zedd: This can't be possible! We had everything right!

Goldar: Sorry, boss. It's just another loss.

Zedd: But we haven't exactly lost yet.

Goldar: D'oh, I'm confused!

Zedd: The Brown Ranger's out of the picture.

Goldar: Yeah, so?

Zedd: The Phoenix Storm zord is the offensive zord. Without it, they won't be able to destoy large monsters.

Goldar: Oh, I get it.

Zedd: All we have to do is send a monster large enough, then victory will be ours!

~*~

In the park, Keith is again sitting on the bench facing the fountain. He stares longingly at the water's hypnotic pouring, wondering what will become of him. Soon, Theresa joins him on the bench.

Theresa: I'm really sorry about what happened.

Keith: It wasn't your fault.

Theresa: It just feels wrong, me being a ranger and you, alone.

Keith: I'll just have to get over it.

Theresa: But how will you go through life without us?

Keith: Life is only what you make of it. Right now, I need to try to be normal. And who knows, maybe someday I'll be a ranger again.

Theresa: I'm sure you will. I just came to express my condolences. I wish you the best of luck.

Keith: Thanks, Theresa. I'm going to need it.

They each stand, still looking toward the fountain.

Keith: I'll never forget this fountain. It changed my life.

Keith looks toward Theresa, surprised to see that she returns his gaze.

Theresa: It changed mine, too.

As their eyes meet, for a period of time nothing has ever been clearer to Keith. This girl has feelings for him. Keith feels that he could somehow return her feelings, although feeling unworthy of them himself. The silence is broken by something unexpected, yet totally predicted. The two reach out and embrace each other. Theresa rests her head on his right shoulder, weeping once again.

THE END

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