Devious One
08-08-2003, 01:51 PM
Like I said yesterday, here's the new chapter and yes, the fight between Zedd and Tommy is getting closer by the chapter, so be expecting it very soon. Not much is in this chapter, three scenes, but it's getting the Zedd/Tommy fight ready, and it's setting the stage for Billy & company.
I hope you like it.
I was hoping to ask this to CubeRanger in that other thread I posted, but I'll do it here as well as to anyone else. some of you may or may not know this but ChromiumRanger1 has been doing the official screenplay version of Countdown to Destruction the Novel.
He contacted me about doing it and I didn't mind. His version the same thing I'm doing, except he's adding a couple scenes here and there. I'm leaving it up to him mostly. He emailed me today, asking me if it's possible someone could make him a cover art for the screenplay, not the novel.
So, my question to CubeRanger and anyone else who would be interested, could you make a cover art for the C2D screenplay (not my novel). Thanks in advance.
Please check out my new message board at http://pub151.ezboard.com/bdeviousonesworld
Here's the chapter and remember, I encourage feedback, so feel free!
PS: I have a question for you to answer after the chapter.
With regards, Devious.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Lee Scott warily was able to open his eyes. A feeling of déjà vu seemed to come over him as his eyes took in the surroundings that he now found himself in. He was laying on his stomach, face touching the ground, but that’s not what alerted him to his sense of déjà vu. Rather, it was the fact that the floor was covered in a smoke like substance, strong and constant.
Slowly, he pushed himself up to his knees and looked around, feeling more and more nervous as he immediately recognized the place that had given birth to many nightmares after he had first found himself in this horrible place. Back then, he’d been forced to endure a very physical fight, not only with Goldar, but with his friend, Tommy, as well.
He’d come out of that alive and relatively safe, but he was wondering if he’d make it out of it this time the same way. He was, once again, in the Dark Dimension, a place Jason never wanted to have to go back to ever again. But yet, even with his nightmares and personal disgust of this place, it seemed fitting that he would once again have to come back here.
It was as if his life was coming full circle as far as his Ranger life was concerned. Then, his mind suddenly registered what had happened that led to his being back here and he leapt to his feet. “Emily!” he called out, hoping to be able to find her in this place.
“Up here.”
Jason looked upwards, breathing a sigh of relief at the same time. He saw a circular and cylinder shaped cage hanging high above him. Against the bars, he could make out Emily’s hands gripping the bar and he could see a wisp of blond hair near the bars, indicating to him that she was trying to look down, but not having a good enough time.
“Just sit tight, Emily…..I’m going to try to get us out of here.” he told her.
“Alright,” she told him, “but hurry.”
“Silly humans,” Goldar’s voice echoed through the Dark Dimension, “there’s no escape for either of you.”
Jason turned, to see Goldar standing on the other side of the room, holding his gold sword and just standing there, watching him. “So what, you’ve brought me here to kill me in front of Em, is that it?”
Goldar laughed, “something like that. See, while my master blames Tommy for what’s happened to him, I blame you. Not necessarily for ruining me….but for the very first battle we had in this place. I should have been allowed to destroy you then, but Rita was so picky!”
“Then, let’s get this over with, Goldar.” Jason said. “But why bring Emily? If this is just about me, why bring her here?”
“Because she’s important to you.” the warrior told Jason pointedly. “And that makes her important to me.”
“What?” Jason replied.
“What could give you the most pain to deal with, just hurting you?” Goldar said, “No…physical pain can be dealt with quickly….but emotional pain lasts lifetimes. If I were to say….flap my wings and fly up there…”
Goldar’s wings flapped and he rose off the floor of the room, heading upwards until he was even with the cage. He looked straight at the now nervous and scared Emily. “…and then if I were to grab here and break that pretty little neck of hers…”
“Goldar! I’m begging you….please don’t.” a note of desperation entered Jason’s tone.
Goldar looked back down at Jason. Then, a moment later, his body descended back to the ground level of the room, leaving Emily safe and sound for the time being. “Begging….that’s something I like hearing from you Jason. But like you said, let’s get started.”
Goldar stalked towards Jason, gripping his sword tightly. And as Jason began to carefully avoid the blade and Goldar altogether, it seemed to Jason that for him and Emily to survive this struggle, Jason would have to do what he did with Goldar the first time he was here, try to avoid him at all costs.
Jason just hoped he could do it long enough for him to figure out a way to get them out of this.
*****
The noise was deafening as they considered their possibilities. They now understood the severity of the situation they now found themselves in. If Master Vile and Prince Gasket got their hands on Billy’s Demon Transcoder, these parallel universes would be in grave danger. And they couldn’t let that happen, even if it didn’t necessarily involve them.
Billy was still sitting on one knee with the Phantom Ranger, who, Billy knew, was getting weaker and weaker as time went by. Billy knew he needed to get up there where Master Vile was and get the Phantom Ruby from him or Phantom Ranger would end up dying before too long. He was just wracking his brain for ideas of what to do.
And he also realized that they were looking to him to lead them out of this mess. It was a stretch of leadership he hadn’t expected to have, but one he would take. He wouldn’t let them down….no matter what. Billy moved around and pulled Phantom Ranger’s body over until he was resting near one of the walls of the arena. The others clustered around him.
“Billy, what are we going to do to get outta here?” Kimberly asked him.
Billy got Phantom Ranger as comfortable as he could against the wall, then he turned and regarded his friends. “Master Vile obviously wants this Transcoder and I have a feeling he’s fixing to start the attack to get it from us….so it looks like we’re fighting our way out of here. I can morph you three can….so Kim is going to have to stay near Penny.”
“Wait a minute,” Penny objected, “in case any of you have forgotten, I can fight real well, even without my sight.”
Rocky nodded. “She’s right. If we can get her a staff or something like that, she’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“But these aren’t just some regular thugs that might attack a woman at night, Rocky. These are monsters, vicious killing machines….I’m sorry Penny, but it’s a little different.” Billy told them pointedly.
Penny sighed. “I know.”
“Okay, we’ve got a reasonable plan mapped out…let’s just try to get out of here.” Billy told them as they walked back over and turned their attention back to Master Vile.
The monarch was watching them with interest, as he had been doing since he had Phantom Ranger brought out. “I think it’s time for you to just give me what I’m after.” He told them evenly. “Maybe I won’t harm any of you if you do.”
Billy shook his head. “This device is not going to be given to you or Gasket, Vile. If you really want it, your going to have to destroy us to do it.”
Master Vile laughed. “If that’s what it takes, then that’s what will happen. Tengas! Varox! Attack!!”
The wall opened again, this time permitting a group of Varox soldiers and Tenga Warriors to enter the ground level of the arena. They headed straight for the group of humans from Earth. Billy and the others all backed up as the would be attackers came closer to them.
“You guys ready!” he called out to his friends.
“Yeah!” Adam replied.
“Let’s do it!” Rocky agreed.
“Whenever you are!” Tanya gave her input.
“Let’s go!” Billy stated with urgency.
Billy took two steps forward and brought his left wrist up to his shoulder. He pressed two buttons on the keypad of the morpher. As he moved to press the buttons, his mouth opened and he spoke the command that had become his morphing call. “Demon Hunter Power!”
He felt the change surge through him. His entire body became alive with powerful surges of energy as the power of the Transcoder covered his body from foot to head in the power. The black suit glided to his body, with the gold armor coming over it. Within moments, he was no longer standing there as Billy Cranston. He was standing there as the Demon Hunter.
“Ready guys!” Adam said to his friends.
“Let’s do it!” Rocky and Tanya both said the words at the same time.
Adam nodded. He stood in the center, with Rocky to his right and Tanya to his left. Together, they took three steps forward. “It’s Morphin Time!” he called out.
“Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!” Tanya called the familiar words that she hadn’t said in over a year. The Zeo energy surged through her body, molding over her body the familiar yellow suit of the Yellow Zeo Ranger. Her helmet fitted itself back around her head perfectly and she was now the Yellow Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
“Zeo Ranger III, Blue!” Rocky chanted the familiar words that he’d thought would never be spoken again. The Zeo energy flowed into his body, molding into him and over his skin. The familiar blue suit of the Blue Zeo Ranger fitted itself around him, the helmet fitting perfectly over his head as he was now the Blue Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
“Zeo Ranger IV, Green!” Adam spoke the words, their familiarity clinking in his mind. The Zeo energy went through his blood and his skin easily with a sense of relief. The familiar green suit of the Green Zeo Ranger fitted itself around his body, it’s helmet with the rectangle shape fitting perfectly over his head as he now was the Green Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
The three Zeo Rangers and the Demon Hunter were now armed and prepared for the onslaught of Varox bounty hunter soldiers and the Tenga Warriors as they continued on their way to attack them. Within moments, the battle in the center of the arena on this still unknown planet was underway.
*****
Tommy drove the red Jeep through the mostly deserted streets at a speed that pushed even the vehicle’s limits. He was on his way towards the Lake, but he was making a stop first. After Zedd had taken his brother, David Trueheart, captive in an effort to gain some control over him, Tommy had decided what he would need before going to the Lake.
And, as it turned out, what he needed was at a spot right at the Lake, so it worked out fine for him. Tommy pulled into the deserted parking lot of the Angel Grove Marina and parked his Jeep. He turned the ignition off and took his keys, putting them into his pocket. He then reached over and grabbed the black bag that held the dinosaur handled sword and got out of the Jeep.
He walked to the Marina’s store and was going to bust in the window, but he noticed that just about every window was already busted in. He shook his head and climbed in the store through the already busted window. It had occurred to him as he was leaving the reservation that the portal was located at the bottom of the lake. He would have to dive to get to it and for that, he’d figured it would be better to just get diving equipment, rather than try holding his breath for that length of time.
He went inside the store and started browsing through the aisles, determined to find the items he was looking for. The minutes seemed to tick by as he went through first one, then two aisles, grabbing items and putting them into a basket he’d found. As he rounded the corner of the third aisle, he ran straight into a human form that tried to run past him.
Tommy reached out and tossed the human in front of him. And his eyes widened. It was a twelve year old kid standing there, looking wide eyed and scared. “What are you doing here, kid?”
“Trying to stay where no one else is and this is one of the only spots in town.” the kid told him.
Tommy shook his head. “Look, you need to get to a shelter immediately. Okay, get moving!” he urged the kid.
The blond haired kid gave him a look, but moved away, going out the window and walking away, looking back a couple of times and shaking his head. Tommy sighed, wishing this was all over.
He grabbed himself a wetsuit, some flippers, oxygen mask, a regulator, an oxygen tank, and a waterproof black bag, which he moved his sword from the other bag into. This bag had a shoulder strap as well, which is what Tommy wanted. Tommy took his shirt and pants off and put them into the bag. Turning, he grabbed an extra wetsuit and stuffed into the bag with his clothes, zipping the bag closed behind him.
Tommy grabbed his wetsuit and fitted it on, pulling it up and over his hips, chest, and arms. He zipped the material closed. Then, Tommy grabbed his goggles, regulator, and oxygen mask and put them in the bag, and re-zipping it closed. Then, he hefted the bag and his tank and left the store behind, walking down the wooden docks towards where there were some rented boats floating in the water.
Tommy knew the waters were not that deep where he was now, and he also knew the deepest part of the lake was way out near the middle, so he figured that’s where he’d start. He got on one of the boats, set his equipment down, and released the wire that held the boat to the dock. The boat itself was an old white painted boat with a good enough engine. Tommy yanked back on the handle, listening to the boat sputter to life.
Putting the engine underwater, the boat took off, heading deep into the Lake.
It took him about five minutes, but he finally drove the boat out into the deepest waters of the Lake. He slowed the boat to a stop, then turned the engine off. He wasn’t sure if he’d be back here anytime soon to retrieve the boat, but he’d be back with David. That was one thing he was going to make sure of.
Tommy looked back at the land surrounding the Lake and thought about Katherine. He thought about missing the opportunity to welcome his newborn into the world, but he knew he had to save his brother first. Family was important and David was part of his family now. Tommy shook his head. “I’m sorry Kat.” he whispered.
He put his black flippers on over his feet, then he pulled the black bag over his shoulder, settling the bag against his right hip. Tommy hefted his tank and pulled the straps tight against him, making sure it was nice and tight. He put the mask on over his eyes, then grabbed the regulator put it in his mouth.
He lifted his hand to cover his mouth, then he took one deep breath and exhaled. He plunged, back first, into the Lake’s water. It was a bit of a shock, he first realized, going from the light and breezy air into the dense, blue water. He sucked in his first breath off his tank, feeling his body adjust as the familiar above water weight of himself, and his equipment moderated in the water’s buoyancy.
Tommy’s ears popped a little, and he gently pinched his nose closed and blew out a little, clearing his middle ears. He swam through the Lake’s waters, feeling himself going deeper into the water and deeper, as he continued to near the bottom of the Lake. All around him, it was dark blue. Everything. He was simply amazed at the sensations at going diving for the very first time in his life.
He found it funny how his first time going diving happened to be because of Zedd, but he discarded the thought as he continued to reach the bottom. After about five more minutes of going down at an incredibly slow rate, he reached the bottom, his hands touching the sand there.
Patches of soft, creamy white sand that had a few, odd, stalks of seaweed poking up through it came to his attention as he planted his feet on the ground level of the Lake. He carefully started walking around and looking, searching for the cave.
In the far off distance, Tommy could make out a faint sparkle. He wasn’t sure what that was and he found it odd that at the bottom of a Lake, there was a sparkle there. He started swimming towards it, feeling the currents of the water going against him as he moved his arms and legs through the Lake’s water.
As he neared the sparkle, he saw that it was getting bigger and bigger the closer he got. He continued to move through the water, heading towards the sparkle. About seven minutes later, he found himself only two feet away from the mouth of the cave, the sparkle emanating from within it. Tommy knew this was it. He’d found the cave and now, he was about to find the portal.
Tommy entered the cave and carefully, he kept his hands along the cave’s walls, helping him move forward. And it wasn’t until after he’d entered the cave that he’d seen it. That circle of pulsing energy, constant and pure was shining in the water, floating there as if it was a boat or duck on the top of the surface of the water.
For a moment, all he could do was look at the portal, admiring the sophistication of the technology that had to keep the portal going this long. Idly, he considered that it might be something else that kept this portal going for as long as it obviously had. Maybe, he thought, it’s fate. What Mr. Trueheart talks about.
But as much as he considered it, he didn’t want to admit to that possibility for several unspoken reasons. The least of which meant his choices weren’t really his, not if they were all predestined to take place anyway. He moved his head into a shake, not really shaking his head, but giving the appearance of doing so.
It was now or never. He reached down, making sure his bag was still there. He felt the clothes, wetsuit within the bat and he felt the sword there as well. Tommy let his feet rest on the sandy floor, eyeing the portal with serious attention. Then, he started walking towards it. Closer and closer until he was only inches from it, it’s light right in his face.
He stuck his left hand into the portal, watching his hand disappear into the light, followed by part of his arm. Doing the same thing with his right hand, he continued moving forward. More of his arms entered the portal and now, he lifted his left leg and pushed his foot into the portal, followed by most of his leg. The same thing came for his other foot and leg and soon, the only part of him left was his head and chest.
He exhaled a new breath, bubbles heading upward in the water. He pushed the rest of his body into the portal of light. Seconds ticked by as more of him disappeared into the portal. Then, all that was left was his tank as it too, vanished into the portal. Tommy Oliver had gone through the portal.
He was through the portal, no longer on Earth. And upon entering the portal, he left one world and went into another.
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Next....
Demon Hunter and the Zeo Rangers fight for survival, Goldar and Jason collide, and Tommy uncovers the truth.
Question: How many can guess where Tommy's going to end up? ;)
I hope you like it.
I was hoping to ask this to CubeRanger in that other thread I posted, but I'll do it here as well as to anyone else. some of you may or may not know this but ChromiumRanger1 has been doing the official screenplay version of Countdown to Destruction the Novel.
He contacted me about doing it and I didn't mind. His version the same thing I'm doing, except he's adding a couple scenes here and there. I'm leaving it up to him mostly. He emailed me today, asking me if it's possible someone could make him a cover art for the screenplay, not the novel.
So, my question to CubeRanger and anyone else who would be interested, could you make a cover art for the C2D screenplay (not my novel). Thanks in advance.
Please check out my new message board at http://pub151.ezboard.com/bdeviousonesworld
Here's the chapter and remember, I encourage feedback, so feel free!
PS: I have a question for you to answer after the chapter.
With regards, Devious.
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Jason Lee Scott warily was able to open his eyes. A feeling of déjà vu seemed to come over him as his eyes took in the surroundings that he now found himself in. He was laying on his stomach, face touching the ground, but that’s not what alerted him to his sense of déjà vu. Rather, it was the fact that the floor was covered in a smoke like substance, strong and constant.
Slowly, he pushed himself up to his knees and looked around, feeling more and more nervous as he immediately recognized the place that had given birth to many nightmares after he had first found himself in this horrible place. Back then, he’d been forced to endure a very physical fight, not only with Goldar, but with his friend, Tommy, as well.
He’d come out of that alive and relatively safe, but he was wondering if he’d make it out of it this time the same way. He was, once again, in the Dark Dimension, a place Jason never wanted to have to go back to ever again. But yet, even with his nightmares and personal disgust of this place, it seemed fitting that he would once again have to come back here.
It was as if his life was coming full circle as far as his Ranger life was concerned. Then, his mind suddenly registered what had happened that led to his being back here and he leapt to his feet. “Emily!” he called out, hoping to be able to find her in this place.
“Up here.”
Jason looked upwards, breathing a sigh of relief at the same time. He saw a circular and cylinder shaped cage hanging high above him. Against the bars, he could make out Emily’s hands gripping the bar and he could see a wisp of blond hair near the bars, indicating to him that she was trying to look down, but not having a good enough time.
“Just sit tight, Emily…..I’m going to try to get us out of here.” he told her.
“Alright,” she told him, “but hurry.”
“Silly humans,” Goldar’s voice echoed through the Dark Dimension, “there’s no escape for either of you.”
Jason turned, to see Goldar standing on the other side of the room, holding his gold sword and just standing there, watching him. “So what, you’ve brought me here to kill me in front of Em, is that it?”
Goldar laughed, “something like that. See, while my master blames Tommy for what’s happened to him, I blame you. Not necessarily for ruining me….but for the very first battle we had in this place. I should have been allowed to destroy you then, but Rita was so picky!”
“Then, let’s get this over with, Goldar.” Jason said. “But why bring Emily? If this is just about me, why bring her here?”
“Because she’s important to you.” the warrior told Jason pointedly. “And that makes her important to me.”
“What?” Jason replied.
“What could give you the most pain to deal with, just hurting you?” Goldar said, “No…physical pain can be dealt with quickly….but emotional pain lasts lifetimes. If I were to say….flap my wings and fly up there…”
Goldar’s wings flapped and he rose off the floor of the room, heading upwards until he was even with the cage. He looked straight at the now nervous and scared Emily. “…and then if I were to grab here and break that pretty little neck of hers…”
“Goldar! I’m begging you….please don’t.” a note of desperation entered Jason’s tone.
Goldar looked back down at Jason. Then, a moment later, his body descended back to the ground level of the room, leaving Emily safe and sound for the time being. “Begging….that’s something I like hearing from you Jason. But like you said, let’s get started.”
Goldar stalked towards Jason, gripping his sword tightly. And as Jason began to carefully avoid the blade and Goldar altogether, it seemed to Jason that for him and Emily to survive this struggle, Jason would have to do what he did with Goldar the first time he was here, try to avoid him at all costs.
Jason just hoped he could do it long enough for him to figure out a way to get them out of this.
*****
The noise was deafening as they considered their possibilities. They now understood the severity of the situation they now found themselves in. If Master Vile and Prince Gasket got their hands on Billy’s Demon Transcoder, these parallel universes would be in grave danger. And they couldn’t let that happen, even if it didn’t necessarily involve them.
Billy was still sitting on one knee with the Phantom Ranger, who, Billy knew, was getting weaker and weaker as time went by. Billy knew he needed to get up there where Master Vile was and get the Phantom Ruby from him or Phantom Ranger would end up dying before too long. He was just wracking his brain for ideas of what to do.
And he also realized that they were looking to him to lead them out of this mess. It was a stretch of leadership he hadn’t expected to have, but one he would take. He wouldn’t let them down….no matter what. Billy moved around and pulled Phantom Ranger’s body over until he was resting near one of the walls of the arena. The others clustered around him.
“Billy, what are we going to do to get outta here?” Kimberly asked him.
Billy got Phantom Ranger as comfortable as he could against the wall, then he turned and regarded his friends. “Master Vile obviously wants this Transcoder and I have a feeling he’s fixing to start the attack to get it from us….so it looks like we’re fighting our way out of here. I can morph you three can….so Kim is going to have to stay near Penny.”
“Wait a minute,” Penny objected, “in case any of you have forgotten, I can fight real well, even without my sight.”
Rocky nodded. “She’s right. If we can get her a staff or something like that, she’ll be fine. Trust me.”
“But these aren’t just some regular thugs that might attack a woman at night, Rocky. These are monsters, vicious killing machines….I’m sorry Penny, but it’s a little different.” Billy told them pointedly.
Penny sighed. “I know.”
“Okay, we’ve got a reasonable plan mapped out…let’s just try to get out of here.” Billy told them as they walked back over and turned their attention back to Master Vile.
The monarch was watching them with interest, as he had been doing since he had Phantom Ranger brought out. “I think it’s time for you to just give me what I’m after.” He told them evenly. “Maybe I won’t harm any of you if you do.”
Billy shook his head. “This device is not going to be given to you or Gasket, Vile. If you really want it, your going to have to destroy us to do it.”
Master Vile laughed. “If that’s what it takes, then that’s what will happen. Tengas! Varox! Attack!!”
The wall opened again, this time permitting a group of Varox soldiers and Tenga Warriors to enter the ground level of the arena. They headed straight for the group of humans from Earth. Billy and the others all backed up as the would be attackers came closer to them.
“You guys ready!” he called out to his friends.
“Yeah!” Adam replied.
“Let’s do it!” Rocky agreed.
“Whenever you are!” Tanya gave her input.
“Let’s go!” Billy stated with urgency.
Billy took two steps forward and brought his left wrist up to his shoulder. He pressed two buttons on the keypad of the morpher. As he moved to press the buttons, his mouth opened and he spoke the command that had become his morphing call. “Demon Hunter Power!”
He felt the change surge through him. His entire body became alive with powerful surges of energy as the power of the Transcoder covered his body from foot to head in the power. The black suit glided to his body, with the gold armor coming over it. Within moments, he was no longer standing there as Billy Cranston. He was standing there as the Demon Hunter.
“Ready guys!” Adam said to his friends.
“Let’s do it!” Rocky and Tanya both said the words at the same time.
Adam nodded. He stood in the center, with Rocky to his right and Tanya to his left. Together, they took three steps forward. “It’s Morphin Time!” he called out.
“Zeo Ranger II, Yellow!” Tanya called the familiar words that she hadn’t said in over a year. The Zeo energy surged through her body, molding over her body the familiar yellow suit of the Yellow Zeo Ranger. Her helmet fitted itself back around her head perfectly and she was now the Yellow Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
“Zeo Ranger III, Blue!” Rocky chanted the familiar words that he’d thought would never be spoken again. The Zeo energy flowed into his body, molding into him and over his skin. The familiar blue suit of the Blue Zeo Ranger fitted itself around him, the helmet fitting perfectly over his head as he was now the Blue Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
“Zeo Ranger IV, Green!” Adam spoke the words, their familiarity clinking in his mind. The Zeo energy went through his blood and his skin easily with a sense of relief. The familiar green suit of the Green Zeo Ranger fitted itself around his body, it’s helmet with the rectangle shape fitting perfectly over his head as he now was the Green Zeo Ranger, ready for action.
The three Zeo Rangers and the Demon Hunter were now armed and prepared for the onslaught of Varox bounty hunter soldiers and the Tenga Warriors as they continued on their way to attack them. Within moments, the battle in the center of the arena on this still unknown planet was underway.
*****
Tommy drove the red Jeep through the mostly deserted streets at a speed that pushed even the vehicle’s limits. He was on his way towards the Lake, but he was making a stop first. After Zedd had taken his brother, David Trueheart, captive in an effort to gain some control over him, Tommy had decided what he would need before going to the Lake.
And, as it turned out, what he needed was at a spot right at the Lake, so it worked out fine for him. Tommy pulled into the deserted parking lot of the Angel Grove Marina and parked his Jeep. He turned the ignition off and took his keys, putting them into his pocket. He then reached over and grabbed the black bag that held the dinosaur handled sword and got out of the Jeep.
He walked to the Marina’s store and was going to bust in the window, but he noticed that just about every window was already busted in. He shook his head and climbed in the store through the already busted window. It had occurred to him as he was leaving the reservation that the portal was located at the bottom of the lake. He would have to dive to get to it and for that, he’d figured it would be better to just get diving equipment, rather than try holding his breath for that length of time.
He went inside the store and started browsing through the aisles, determined to find the items he was looking for. The minutes seemed to tick by as he went through first one, then two aisles, grabbing items and putting them into a basket he’d found. As he rounded the corner of the third aisle, he ran straight into a human form that tried to run past him.
Tommy reached out and tossed the human in front of him. And his eyes widened. It was a twelve year old kid standing there, looking wide eyed and scared. “What are you doing here, kid?”
“Trying to stay where no one else is and this is one of the only spots in town.” the kid told him.
Tommy shook his head. “Look, you need to get to a shelter immediately. Okay, get moving!” he urged the kid.
The blond haired kid gave him a look, but moved away, going out the window and walking away, looking back a couple of times and shaking his head. Tommy sighed, wishing this was all over.
He grabbed himself a wetsuit, some flippers, oxygen mask, a regulator, an oxygen tank, and a waterproof black bag, which he moved his sword from the other bag into. This bag had a shoulder strap as well, which is what Tommy wanted. Tommy took his shirt and pants off and put them into the bag. Turning, he grabbed an extra wetsuit and stuffed into the bag with his clothes, zipping the bag closed behind him.
Tommy grabbed his wetsuit and fitted it on, pulling it up and over his hips, chest, and arms. He zipped the material closed. Then, Tommy grabbed his goggles, regulator, and oxygen mask and put them in the bag, and re-zipping it closed. Then, he hefted the bag and his tank and left the store behind, walking down the wooden docks towards where there were some rented boats floating in the water.
Tommy knew the waters were not that deep where he was now, and he also knew the deepest part of the lake was way out near the middle, so he figured that’s where he’d start. He got on one of the boats, set his equipment down, and released the wire that held the boat to the dock. The boat itself was an old white painted boat with a good enough engine. Tommy yanked back on the handle, listening to the boat sputter to life.
Putting the engine underwater, the boat took off, heading deep into the Lake.
It took him about five minutes, but he finally drove the boat out into the deepest waters of the Lake. He slowed the boat to a stop, then turned the engine off. He wasn’t sure if he’d be back here anytime soon to retrieve the boat, but he’d be back with David. That was one thing he was going to make sure of.
Tommy looked back at the land surrounding the Lake and thought about Katherine. He thought about missing the opportunity to welcome his newborn into the world, but he knew he had to save his brother first. Family was important and David was part of his family now. Tommy shook his head. “I’m sorry Kat.” he whispered.
He put his black flippers on over his feet, then he pulled the black bag over his shoulder, settling the bag against his right hip. Tommy hefted his tank and pulled the straps tight against him, making sure it was nice and tight. He put the mask on over his eyes, then grabbed the regulator put it in his mouth.
He lifted his hand to cover his mouth, then he took one deep breath and exhaled. He plunged, back first, into the Lake’s water. It was a bit of a shock, he first realized, going from the light and breezy air into the dense, blue water. He sucked in his first breath off his tank, feeling his body adjust as the familiar above water weight of himself, and his equipment moderated in the water’s buoyancy.
Tommy’s ears popped a little, and he gently pinched his nose closed and blew out a little, clearing his middle ears. He swam through the Lake’s waters, feeling himself going deeper into the water and deeper, as he continued to near the bottom of the Lake. All around him, it was dark blue. Everything. He was simply amazed at the sensations at going diving for the very first time in his life.
He found it funny how his first time going diving happened to be because of Zedd, but he discarded the thought as he continued to reach the bottom. After about five more minutes of going down at an incredibly slow rate, he reached the bottom, his hands touching the sand there.
Patches of soft, creamy white sand that had a few, odd, stalks of seaweed poking up through it came to his attention as he planted his feet on the ground level of the Lake. He carefully started walking around and looking, searching for the cave.
In the far off distance, Tommy could make out a faint sparkle. He wasn’t sure what that was and he found it odd that at the bottom of a Lake, there was a sparkle there. He started swimming towards it, feeling the currents of the water going against him as he moved his arms and legs through the Lake’s water.
As he neared the sparkle, he saw that it was getting bigger and bigger the closer he got. He continued to move through the water, heading towards the sparkle. About seven minutes later, he found himself only two feet away from the mouth of the cave, the sparkle emanating from within it. Tommy knew this was it. He’d found the cave and now, he was about to find the portal.
Tommy entered the cave and carefully, he kept his hands along the cave’s walls, helping him move forward. And it wasn’t until after he’d entered the cave that he’d seen it. That circle of pulsing energy, constant and pure was shining in the water, floating there as if it was a boat or duck on the top of the surface of the water.
For a moment, all he could do was look at the portal, admiring the sophistication of the technology that had to keep the portal going this long. Idly, he considered that it might be something else that kept this portal going for as long as it obviously had. Maybe, he thought, it’s fate. What Mr. Trueheart talks about.
But as much as he considered it, he didn’t want to admit to that possibility for several unspoken reasons. The least of which meant his choices weren’t really his, not if they were all predestined to take place anyway. He moved his head into a shake, not really shaking his head, but giving the appearance of doing so.
It was now or never. He reached down, making sure his bag was still there. He felt the clothes, wetsuit within the bat and he felt the sword there as well. Tommy let his feet rest on the sandy floor, eyeing the portal with serious attention. Then, he started walking towards it. Closer and closer until he was only inches from it, it’s light right in his face.
He stuck his left hand into the portal, watching his hand disappear into the light, followed by part of his arm. Doing the same thing with his right hand, he continued moving forward. More of his arms entered the portal and now, he lifted his left leg and pushed his foot into the portal, followed by most of his leg. The same thing came for his other foot and leg and soon, the only part of him left was his head and chest.
He exhaled a new breath, bubbles heading upward in the water. He pushed the rest of his body into the portal of light. Seconds ticked by as more of him disappeared into the portal. Then, all that was left was his tank as it too, vanished into the portal. Tommy Oliver had gone through the portal.
He was through the portal, no longer on Earth. And upon entering the portal, he left one world and went into another.
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Next....
Demon Hunter and the Zeo Rangers fight for survival, Goldar and Jason collide, and Tommy uncovers the truth.
Question: How many can guess where Tommy's going to end up? ;)