Billy scowled as he replaced yet another broken gasket in the main communications console. Zordon gazed down at him from his tube, his bluish face blurred and obscured. BILLY, IS SOMETHING WRONG?
"Oh no, nothing's wrong Zordon. I'm only stuck here in this dungeon, fixing consoles they broke, while they're out playing frisbee in the park. Why would anything be wrong?"
Zordon looked vaguely taken aback by his venom. BILLY, YOU KNOW HOW IMPORTANT IT IS THAT OUR COMMUNICATIONS BE TOP-NOTCH. WE MUST BE ABE TO CONTACT THE RANGERS IF THE EARTH IS THREATENED.
Billy slammed his wrench into the console, sending sparks flying. "Screw the Rangers! Screw the Earth! I'm sick of being your goddamn mechanic!"
Zordon glared at him. THAT IS VERY SELFISH OF YOU, BILLY. DO YOU REALLY WISH TO HAVE THE DESTRUCTION OF THE EARTH ON YOUR CONSCIENCE?
Billy felt an intense hatred beginning to radiate from somewhere deep inside. "No, Zordon. I don't."
THEN IT IS BEST THAT YOU COMPLETE YOUR WORK.
"Yes Zordon," he replied, teeth clenched.
He went back to work, and was not surprised to see that his hands were shaking with repressed anger. There was a burning, uncomfortable feeling deep in his stomach, and he found it hard to concentrate on his work. He could feel Zordon's eyes burning into his back, his disapproval and annoyance permeating the room. Something inside him snapped.
"Zordon," he said, his voice dripping with sweetness. "I've had a thought, just a notion."
YES, BILLY?
"I wonder what would happen to the Earth if I were to, oh... send your sorry ass to hell."
PARDON ME?
Billy laughed. "Buh-bye, Zordon. It wasn't very nice knowing you." And with that, he keyed in the combination that would cut Zordon off from his time warp forever.
Zordon's eyes widened. BILLY... NO! STOP! YOU DON'T KNOW WHAT YOU'RE DOING!
Billy grinned. "Oh yes I do." His finger was poised above the final button. The one that would destroy Zordon of Eltare forever. "Any last words? One last 'May the Power Protect You' perhaps?"
Zordon gazed at Billy sorrowfully. I HAD SUCH HIGH HOPES FOR YOU... MY CHILD.
Billy snorted. "High hopes.... you never did anything but harp on me. You used me, just like you used all of us."
I NEVER MEANT FOR YOU TO FEEL USED....
"Anything to save your miserable life, huh Zordon? We risked our lives everyday to protect you, and what thanks did we get? We lost our childhoods, we lied to our friends and families... And all the while, you sat there in your time warp, cozy as you please. Well now you know what it's like to stare death in the face."
Zordon shook his head. I WAS A RANGER TOO, ONCE. A WARRIOR FOR GOOD. YOU DO NOT KNOW WHAT YOU ARE DOING, BILLY. YOU ARE OVERTIRED, AND IT IS AFFECTING YOUR JUDGEMENT. GO HOME, LEAVE THE REPAIRS TO ALPHA.
"Oh, now I can go. Before I was letting the Earth down, but now I need sleep. You're so full of-"
I DID NOT REALIZE I WAS OVERWORKING YOU, BILLY. YOU HAVE ALWAYS SPENT LONG HOURS HERE, VOLUNTARILY SACRIFICING YOUR PERSONAL TIME, TO MAKE SURE OUR EQUIPMENT WAS IN WORKING ORDER. IT DID NOT OCCUR TO ME THAT IT WAS TAXING YOU SO.
Billy paused, his finger still poised above the console. Zordon's fate hung in the balance, and possibly the fate of the Earth as well. His mind was whirling. How bad could it be if Zordon was dispatched? He and Apha knew the Power Chamber inside and out, and could easily run things in Zordon's... absence. On the other hand, Zordon was quite knowledgeable about villains and allies throught the Universe, and that knowledge had proven invaluable before.
Zordon was staring down at him, his hazy features unreadable. Billy stared back expressionlessly, trying to muster up some kind of empathy for the old wizard. His heart felt so empty.
"If I let you live," he said slowly, never letting his eyes leave Zordon's, "What will happen to me?"
NOTHING. YOU ARE A GOOD MAN AT HEART, WILLIAM CRANSTON, BUT DESPERATION AND ILLNESS CAN DRIVE EVEN THE PUREST OF HEARTS TO EXTREME MEASURES. NO HARM WILL COME TO YOU, AND THERE WILL BE NO FURTHER MENTION OF THIS INCIDENT.
Billy's eyes never left Zordon's face. They had reached a stalemate and they both knew it. Billy held both of their fates in his hand. He could kill Zordon and face whatever the consequences would be, or he could spare the old wizard and make a break for it. If he spared him, then Zordon would gain the upper hand. Would he keep his promise? Or was it merely a rouse to save his miserable existence?
"How can I trust you?" Billy growled, his entire body vibrating with tension. "How do I know you won't retaliate?"
YOU MUST TRUST ME, MY CHILD. YOU MUST KNOW THAT I MEAN YOU NO HARM. I AM TRULY SORRY FOR MISTREATING YOU, AND I ONLY WISH TO SEE YOU RECOVER YOUR HAPPINESS.
The Power Chamber was quiet- the only noise was that of Billy's heavy breathing. With brow furrowed, lips pursed and teeth clenched, he made his decision....
Zordon heaved a sigh of relief as Billy once again secured his place in the Earth's dimension. THANK YOU, BILLY. NOW GO, SLEEP. He hesitated, then smiled slightly. AND MAY THE POWER PROTECT YOU.