Riddle Me This
by Shadow RangerDisclaimer: The following story is a work of fiction and for entertainment purposes only.
Riddle Me This
The moon's cold, barren surface stretched endlessly, but the chill inside Rita Repulsa's throne room was far more biting. Shadows danced along the walls, cast by flickering light from the braziers that did little to warm the cavernous space.
Rita paced back and forth before her golden throne, her staff clinking against the floor with every sharp step. Her face was twisted with frustration, her green-tinged hair crackling with energy as though reflecting her mood.
"Why do those brats always win?!" she screeched, turning on her heel to glare at her minions. Goldar stiffened at the sound, but Finster barely looked up from the creature he was molding out of clay.
"My monsters are stronger, my plans are flawless, and still, those… those *teenagers* manage to ruin everything!"
Rita swung her staff in a wide arc, knocking over a pile of rocks Squatt had been stacking in the corner. The stout creature yelped and scrambled to pick up the scattered stones.
Goldar cautiously approached, kneeling before her. "My Queen, your strength is unmatched. But the Rangers… they're resourceful. Perhaps brute force alone is not enough to defeat them."
"Brute force?" Rita snapped, whirling around to glare at him. "Are you saying my monsters are too stupid to win, Goldar?"
"N-No, my Queen!" Goldar stammered, lowering his head. "I only meant… perhaps we need a different kind of weapon. Someone clever. Someone who can outthink the Rangers."
Rita's scowl softened slightly as the idea settled into her mind. She turned toward her throne, leaning on her staff as her lips curled into a calculating grin.
"Clever, hmm?" she muttered. "That's not a bad idea. Maybe it's time I found someone who can beat those Rangers at their own game."
She raised her staff and pointed it at Finster, who had been quietly inching back toward his workshop. "Finster! Stop fiddling with that little blob and come here!"
The wizened inventor sighed, setting down the half-formed creature he'd been shaping. He shuffled forward, wiping his hands on his apron. "Yes, my Queen?"
"I'm done relying on brute strength," Rita declared, gesturing grandly. "Find me someone brilliant. Someone smart enough to trap those meddling teenagers and crush them!"
Finster hesitated, his ears twitching nervously. "If I may, my Queen… should I remind you of your last attempt to ally with a human genius?"
Rita's eyes narrowed. "What are you talking about?"
"The Joker," Finster said cautiously, lowering his voice as though the mere mention of the name might summon the madman himself. "He was clever, yes, but also chaotic. When you parted ways, he nearly destroyed everything in sight. Do you really want to risk working with another Earthling?"
Rita's expression darkened, and for a moment, Finster thought she might strike him with her staff. But then she threw back her head and laughed, the sound sharp and menacing.
"Don't be ridiculous, Finster!" she said, waving dismissively. "This time, it'll be different. The Joker was a lunatic, impossible to control. But this one…" She grinned, turning toward her crystal ball. "This one, I'll twist into something *perfect.* Something that will obey *me.*"
Finster frowned but said nothing. Rita didn't notice, too busy swirling her staff over the crystal ball. The orb glowed with a sickly green light, displaying images of Earth's greatest minds.
"No… no… boring… ah!" Rita's eyes lit up as the ball settled on a thin man in a green suit adorned with question marks. Edward Nigma, the Riddler, lounged in a dimly lit hideout, twirling his cane and smirking at a holographic riddle that floated before him.
"Edward Nigma," Rita said, her grin widening. "The Riddler. A genius with a flair for games. Oh, yes, he'll do nicely!"
Goldar tilted his head. "A human genius, my Queen? Are you sure?"
Rita turned to him, her expression triumphant. "Not just a genius. Once I'm through with him, he'll be my most powerful monster yet!"
She raised her staff, its ruby tip glowing with power. "Finster, prepare a transformation spell. Goldar, fetch the putties. It's time for the Riddler to meet his match—me!"
As Rita cackled, her laughter echoed through the throne room, reverberating like thunder across the barren lunar landscape.
Edward Nigma, better known as the Riddler, leaned back in his plush chair in his dimly lit hideout. The faint green glow of a holographic riddle shimmered before him, illuminating the grin that stretched across his sharp features.
"Riddle me this," he muttered, twirling his cane as he read the puzzle aloud. "What has to be broken before you can use it?"
He snapped his fingers as the answer came to him. "An egg. Too easy!" He waved his hand dismissively, and the holographic riddle dissolved into digital mist.
He adjusted the cuffs of his question-mark-covered suit and stood, pacing in front of the complex wall of screens and gadgets that made up his lair. "No, no, that's child's play. I need something truly *devious.*"
He pressed a button on the cane, and another riddle appeared in shimmering text on the screen.
"What has hands, but can't clap?"
Edward snorted. "A clock. How pedestrian." He waved it away and pressed the button again.
A new riddle emerged, its golden letters twisting into shape:
"The more of me you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"
"Footsteps!" Edward said almost immediately, rolling his eyes. "Is that the best you've got?"
He jabbed the button with a bit more force, frustration creeping into his voice.
The next riddle appeared, its letters curling with an almost mocking flourish:
"I'm light as a feather, yet the strongest man can't hold me for long. What am I?"
"Your breath," Edward said, exasperated. "Obviously. Is it too much to ask for a challenge?"
Just as he was about to conjure another riddle, the room was flooded with an unnatural green light. Edward froze, turning toward the source. A swirling portal tore open in the air, its edges crackling with electricity.
From the portal stepped a figure cloaked in shimmering gold and silver, her staff glowing ominously. Her presence was otherworldly, regal yet menacing, and her eyes glittered with cruel intent.
"Who dares interrupt the Riddler?" Edward asked, spinning his cane defensively.
"I am Rita Repulsa," the figure said, her voice echoing with power. "Queen of the galaxy and ruler of all who dare oppose me!" She stepped closer, her staff tapping rhythmically against the floor. "And you, Edward Nigma, are about to become something far greater than you could ever imagine."
Edward tilted his head, intrigued despite himself. "Greater, you say? Do go on. Flattery will get you… well, not far, but I'm curious."
Rita smirked, enjoying his bravado. "You're clever, I'll give you that. But you're wasting your brilliance on petty riddles and games. I can give you true power—power to match that brain of yours. Together, we'll destroy anyone who dares to oppose us."
"Hmm." Edward tapped his cane against his chin. "An intriguing proposition. But let's make one thing clear—I don't *do* lackey work. I'm my own boss."
Rita's grin widened, revealing teeth that seemed just a little too sharp. "Oh, don't worry. You won't be a lackey. You'll be a king."
Before Edward could respond, Rita raised her staff, and a surge of green and gold energy shot toward him. He tried to shield himself, raising his cane, but the energy enveloped him, crackling and twisting around his body.
"What… what is this?!" he yelled as his form began to change. His suit morphed into flowing, regal robes of gold and emerald green, adorned with intricate hieroglyphics and glittering jewels. A golden headdress in the shape of a sphinx's head crowned him, and massive, shimmering wings unfurled from his back. His cane stretched and twisted, transforming into a long staff topped with a glowing ankh.
The transformation complete, Edward stood taller, his once-human features now sharper, his eyes glowing with a faint green light. He flexed his fingers, feeling the raw power coursing through him.
Rita clapped her hands, clearly pleased with her work. "Behold! You are no longer Edward Nigma. You are the Riddle Sphinx, master of riddles and banisher of fools!"
The Riddle Sphinx examined his new form, his wings spreading wide as he turned his gaze to Rita. "Interesting," he said, his voice deeper, resonating with power. "I must admit, the aesthetic is quite striking. But tell me, Queen Rita… what makes you think I'll serve you?"
"Oh, I'm not *asking* you to serve me," Rita said, her smile never faltering. She waved her staff, and a golden chain of energy formed around the Sphinx's neck, glowing faintly before fading into his form. "You *will* obey me."
The Sphinx snarled, gripping his staff tightly, but found himself unable to strike her. "What… have you done?"
"A little spell," Rita said smugly. "Just to keep you in line. You're mine now, Sphinx. And you're going to help me destroy the Power Rangers."
The Riddle Sphinx scowled, but as he felt the power flowing through him, a sly grin spread across his face. "Very well, Rita. If these Power Rangers are as clever as you say, perhaps this will be… amusing."
"Amusing, yes," Rita said, waving her staff to summon a portal to Earth. "But make no mistake—you're here to win. Go, my Riddle Sphinx. Show the people of Angel Grove the price of failure!"
The Riddle Sphinx stepped through the portal, his wings casting a shadow across the swirling vortex. Rita cackled, watching as her newest creation disappeared.
"This time, those Rangers won't know what hit them."
Angel Grove's bustling streets gleamed under the midday sun. People walked briskly between shops and cafes, enjoying the pleasant weather. Children played on sidewalks, their laughter mixing with the occasional bark of dogs.
All at once, the air grew heavy, charged with an otherworldly energy. A shadow passed over the crowd, and everyone froze, craning their necks upward. High above, a monstrous figure descended, his golden wings glinting ominously. His emerald robes billowed in the wind, and his staff glowed with a menacing light.
The Riddle Sphinx landed in the center of the street, his staff striking the pavement with a thunderous crack. Cars screeched to a halt, and people scattered, screams echoing through the air.
"Hear me, citizens of Angel Grove!" the Sphinx boomed, his voice reverberating like a clap of thunder. "I am the Riddle Sphinx, master of riddles and banisher of fools! Answer my riddles correctly, and you may live. Fail, and you shall be cast into a realm of endless puzzles!"
The crowd backed away, murmurs of panic rippling through the throng. The Sphinx pointed his staff at a man standing frozen near a fruit stand. The glowing ankh at the tip pulsed with power.
"You there!" the Sphinx called. "Step forward and prove your worth."
The man hesitated but stumbled forward under the weight of the Sphinx's glare.
"Riddle me this," the Sphinx intoned. "What has roots as nobody sees, is taller than trees, up, up it goes, and yet it never grows?"
The man's eyes darted left and right, his mind racing. "Uh… um…" He hesitated, sweat dripping down his forehead. "A mountain?"
The Sphinx's lips curled into a smirk. "Correct. You may go." He waved his staff dismissively, and the man stumbled away, tripping over himself in his haste to escape.
The Sphinx turned his gaze to a woman clutching a purse tightly against her chest. She flinched as his wings flared, and he pointed his staff at her.
"Your turn. Riddle me this: The more of me you take, the more you leave behind. What am I?"
The woman's lip quivered. "Oh… um… steps? No, footsteps!"
The Sphinx's grin widened. "Indeed. A correct answer." He paused for a moment, his gaze lingering on her as though weighing his decision. With a sudden flick of his staff, he snarled, "But I banish you anyway!"
"What?! No, wait!" she screamed, but it was too late. Golden light enveloped her, and she vanished in a flash. The crowd gasped in horror as the Sphinx let out a booming laugh.
"Correct or not, none of you are safe!" he declared.
He turned his attention to a young boy hiding behind a lamppost. The child's mother tried to pull him back, but the Sphinx's glowing eyes locked onto him.
"Young one," he said, his voice softer but no less menacing. "Riddle me this: I'm not alive, but I can grow. I don't have lungs, but I need air. What am I?"
The boy hesitated, his tiny hands clutching the lamppost for support. "A… a fire?"
The Sphinx tilted his head. "Correct." He waved his staff, and the boy's mother pulled him away, tears streaming down her face.
Next, he turned to a man in a business suit, standing rigidly near a taxi. The Sphinx's wings spread wide as he spoke. "What comes down but never goes up?"
The man swallowed hard. "Rain. It's rain."
"Very good," the Sphinx said, though his tone carried a hint of disappointment. "Run along before I change my mind."
The man bolted without looking back.
The Sphinx scanned the crowd, his glowing eyes landing on an older woman holding a small dog. "Your turn, mortal. Answer me this: I have keys, but no locks. I have space, but no room. You can enter, but you can't go outside. What am I?"
The woman frowned, her voice shaking. "A… keyboard?"
The Sphinx chuckled, a deep, rumbling sound. "Correct, though I expected you to fail." He stepped back, letting her pass, though his gaze lingered ominously as she hurried away.
Finally, he pointed his staff at a teenager wearing headphones who hadn't noticed the chaos until now. The boy yanked his headphones off, blinking in confusion as he realized he was the focus of the monster's wrath.
"You! Riddle me this: I have cities, but no houses. Forests, but no trees. Rivers, but no water. What am I?"
The boy stared at him blankly, then stammered, "Uh… I don't know. A… a desert?"
"Wrong!" the Sphinx thundered, flapping his wings. A golden beam of light shot from his staff, enveloping the teenager. With a final scream, the boy vanished, leaving nothing behind.
The crowd was in full panic now, scattering in every direction. The Sphinx stood tall, his wings outstretched as he let out a triumphant laugh.
"Pathetic!" he declared. "You call yourselves humans? You are but worms, crawling in the dirt, unworthy of your world! I shall cleanse this planet of your weakness, one riddle at a time!"
The sky above him darkened, green clouds swirling ominously. Just as the crowd thought the nightmare couldn't get worse, five familiar figures appeared on the horizon, silhouetted against the chaos.
"Hold it right there, Riddle Sphinx!" Jason's voice rang out, clear and defiant.
The Sphinx turned, his glowing eyes narrowing as he beheld the Power Rangers.
"Well, well," he said, his grin widening. "A group of challengers? How delightful. Let's see if *you* can match wits with me!"
The Power Rangers stood in a defensive line, their suits gleaming under the swirling green clouds. Jason, the Red Ranger, held his Power Sword at the ready, his stance tense. Beside him, Kimberly, Zack, Trini, and Billy each gripped their weapons, their resolve clear despite the chaos surrounding them.
The Riddle Sphinx loomed above, his wings spread wide as he peered down at them with glowing green eyes. He leaned on his staff, the ankh at its tip pulsating with power.
"Well, well," the Sphinx said, his voice a rumbling drawl. "The famous Power Rangers. I've heard much about you. Tell me—are you as clever as the stories suggest?"
Jason stepped forward, pointing his sword. "We're not here to play your games, Sphinx! Let those people go!"
The Sphinx chuckled, shaking his head. "Let them go? Oh, dear Red Ranger, you misunderstand. They failed my riddles, and they paid the price. The question is…" He leaned closer, his glowing eyes narrowing. "Will you fare any better?"
"Enough talk!" Zack shouted, spinning his Power Axe. "Let's shut this guy down!"
"Wait!" Billy interrupted, raising a hand. "We need to be careful. If he's banishing people with riddles, rushing in might make things worse."
Trini nodded. "Billy's right. He's already proven he's not playing fair. We need a plan."
"Wise words, Yellow Ranger," the Sphinx said with mock admiration. "But words won't save you. Actions speak louder. Riddle me this!"
The Sphinx raised his staff, and golden light shot toward the Rangers. They scattered just in time, the beam striking the ground where they'd stood.
"Time to test your wits!" the Sphinx bellowed, pointing his staff at Zack. "You there, Black Ranger! Answer me this: What has an eye but cannot see?"
Zack froze for a moment, his mind racing. "Uh… a needle?"
The Sphinx tilted his head, a smirk curling his lips. "Correct. Impressive." He swung his staff toward Kimberly.
"Pink Ranger! Let's see if you can keep up. I'm tall when I'm young, and short when I'm old. What am I?"
Kimberly stepped back, gripping her Power Bow. "A candle!"
The Sphinx's smirk faltered slightly, but he nodded. "Very good."
He turned his glowing gaze to Billy. "Blue Ranger. I am always running, but I never move. What am I?"
"A… a clock!" Billy answered, his voice confident.
The Sphinx narrowed his eyes. "Hmm. Correct."
He paused, his wings spreading wide as he addressed the group. "It seems you Rangers have some intelligence after all. But let's raise the stakes, shall we?"
The Sphinx lifted his staff, and the ground trembled beneath their feet. The energy swirling around him grew darker, more intense. Golden beams of light shot from his wings, creating shimmering walls around the battlefield.
"What's he doing?!" Trini asked, looking around.
"He's trapping us!" Jason said.
"Indeed," the Sphinx replied, his voice echoing ominously. "No more running. Let's see how you fare when the stakes are higher." He pointed his staff at Trini. "Yellow Ranger, it's your turn. Riddle me this: What can fill a room but takes up no space?"
Trini hesitated, her fists tightening around her daggers. "Uh… um…" She looked at Billy for help, and he mouthed the answer. "Light! It's light!"
The Sphinx laughed. "Barely made it. You're lucky your friend is here to help."
Jason stepped forward, brandishing his sword. "Enough of this! We're not playing along anymore. It's time to take you down!"
He charged, but the Sphinx's wings flared, and a wave of energy knocked Jason back.
"Patience, Red Ranger," the Sphinx said, his tone mocking. "You can't defeat me with brute force. You must *think.*"
"Guys, we need to regroup," Billy said, helping Jason to his feet.
Kimberly nodded. "He's using these riddles to keep us off balance. We need to find a way to outsmart him."
"Agreed," Jason said, gripping his sword. "But how do we do that without playing his game?"
The Sphinx watched them with amusement. "Go on, Rangers. Plan all you like. But know this—no one has ever bested the Riddle Sphinx. Your failure is inevitable."
Jason turned to his team, determination in his voice. "He's wrong. We've beaten worse than him before, and we'll do it again. Let's show this guy what the Power Rangers are made of!"
The Rangers formed up, their weapons at the ready. The Sphinx's smile widened as he lifted his staff.
"Come, Rangers," he said. "Let's see how clever you truly are."
The battlefield was encased in glowing golden walls, the shimmering energy cutting the Rangers off from the rest of Angel Grove. Above, the sky churned with green and gold clouds, crackling with the Riddle Sphinx's power.
The Power Rangers stood together, their stances resolute despite the odds. The Riddle Sphinx loomed before them, his wings spread wide and his staff pulsing with light.
"You've been clever so far," the Sphinx said, his voice echoing across the field. "But the end is near. Let's see if you can handle this!"
With a swipe of his staff, a beam of energy shot toward the Rangers. They dodged just in time, the blast leaving a smoking crater in the ground.
"We can't keep this up forever!" Kimberly said, readying her Power Bow.
"We need to change tactics," Billy added, his mind racing.
Jason nodded. "We're not getting anywhere by just dodging. We have to beat him at his own game."
The Sphinx laughed, shaking his head. "You think you can outwit me? Impossible! But by all means, try. Here's a riddle for you, Red Ranger. Answer correctly, or pay the price: I'm always there, some distance away. I follow you around, yet I vanish at night. What am I?"
Jason hesitated, his grip tightening on his Power Sword. "Uh… uh…"
"Jason, it's your shadow!" Kimberly whispered urgently.
"My shadow!" Jason shouted, looking back at the Sphinx.
The Sphinx tilted his head, his eyes narrowing. "Correct. But you relied on help. Disappointing."
He flared his wings and turned his staff toward Trini. "Let's make this more interesting. Yellow Ranger, riddle me this: The more you take away from me, the bigger I get. What am I?"
Trini stepped back, her mind racing. "The more you take away… uh… a hole! It's a hole!"
"Correct," the Sphinx said, though his tone carried a hint of irritation. "You're more resourceful than you appear."
Billy stepped forward, his hands clenched into fists. "You're just trying to rattle us, but it won't work. We've solved every riddle you've thrown at us so far!"
The Sphinx smirked. "Then let's raise the stakes. If you're so confident, try this: I have keys but no locks. I have space but no room. You can enter, but you can't go outside. What am I?"
"A keyboard!" Billy answered without hesitation.
The Sphinx's smirk faltered. He spun his staff, sending another wave of energy toward the Rangers. They scattered, narrowly avoiding the blast.
Jason regrouped with his team, his voice firm. "He's losing his cool. We've got to keep pressing him!"
"I have an idea," Billy said, stepping forward. "What if we give *him* a riddle? One he can't solve?"
Kimberly looked at him, surprised. "You think that'll work?"
"It's worth a shot," Billy said. "He's so confident in his intelligence, but if we trip him up, we can break his focus."
Jason nodded. "All right. Let's do it." He turned toward the Sphinx. "Hey, Riddle Sphinx! We've got a challenge for you!"
The Sphinx froze, his wings folding slightly as he regarded them with suspicion. "You… dare to challenge *me*? Very well. Speak your riddle, Rangers. But know this—if you fail, you'll all be banished!"
Jason glanced at Billy, who nodded and stepped forward.
"Riddle me this," Billy began. "What has cities but no houses, forests but no trees, and rivers but no water?"
The Sphinx's glowing eyes flickered as he processed the question. His wings twitched, and he gripped his staff tighter. "Cities… but no houses? Forests but no trees… Rivers…"
Kimberly crossed her arms. "What's the matter? Stumped?"
"Silence!" the Sphinx roared, his voice trembling with anger. "I… I know this…"
The Rangers exchanged glances, their confidence growing.
"It's a map!" Jason said triumphantly.
The Sphinx froze, his wings drooping slightly as the realization dawned on him. "A… a map…"
Jason stepped forward, raising his sword. "You're not so clever after all."
"Wait!" the Sphinx growled, raising his staff. "One more! One more riddle!"
Billy grinned, stepping forward. "Fine. Here's another: What comes down but never goes up?"
The Sphinx hesitated again, his glowing eyes dimming. He opened his mouth to speak but faltered, a low growl escaping instead.
"It's rain," Kimberly said, her voice sharp.
"No!" the Sphinx bellowed, his form flickering. The golden energy surrounding him began to waver and crack.
"Now, Rangers!" Jason shouted. "Power Blaster—fire!"
The Rangers combined their weapons, the glowing energy forming a single, powerful beam. The blast struck the Sphinx square in the chest, shattering his form in an explosion of golden light.
When the light faded, Edward Nigma lay unconscious on the ground, his monstrous form gone.
Edward Nigma groaned as he stirred, his body aching from the battle. He blinked his eyes open to see Angel Grove's skyline looming above him. He was lying in the middle of a scorched street, his green suit torn and singed, his mind still reeling from the humiliating defeat. The golden light that had encased the battlefield was gone, replaced by the steady hum of the city beginning to return to normal.
Around him, police officers moved in to secure the area. He barely had the strength to resist as they hauled him to his feet and cuffed his hands behind his back.
Not far away, the Power Rangers stood in a line, their suits gleaming under the midday sun. Jason lowered his Power Sword and exhaled deeply.
"That's it, guys," he said. "We stopped him."
Kimberly crossed her arms, her visor tilting toward Nigma as he was led away. "Do you think he even knew what he was getting into with Rita?"
"Probably not," Billy replied, shaking his head. "But he's still dangerous. His intelligence makes him unpredictable."
Trini sighed. "At least he won't be causing any more trouble for now. Let's just hope Rita doesn't try something like this again."
Jason turned to his team, his voice steady. "Let's get back to the Command Center. Zordon needs to know what happened."
The Rangers vanished in streaks of color, leaving Edward behind to face the consequences of his actions.
Days later, Edward Nigma sat on the edge of a narrow cot in Gotham's grim prison. His cell was small and bare, with nothing but gray walls, a steel toilet, and a barred window that barely let in light. He glared at the cracked floor, replaying his humiliating defeat in his mind.
"That witch," he muttered, his fists clenching. "Twisted me into some… puppet. As if *I* would ever take orders from anyone!"
Footsteps interrupted his thoughts. His cellmate, a burly man with tattoos snaking up his arms, leaned casually against the bars, a smirk on his face.
"Hey, Eddie," the man drawled, his voice sing-song. "Eddie, are you okay? Are you okay, Eddie?"
Edward groaned, rubbing his temples.
"You've been hit by—you've been struck by—a smooth failure," the man added, laughing.
Edward glared at him. "Enough! Do you have any idea who I am?"
The man shrugged. "Yeah. You're the guy who thought teaming up with a space witch was a good idea. How'd that work out for you?"
Edward huffed, sinking back onto the cot. "Unbelievable."
The man chuckled, sauntering back to his side of the cell, leaving Edward to stew in silence.
On the moon, Rita Repulsa stood at her telescope, peering down at Earth. The telescope's metallic rim glinted faintly in the dim light of her throne room as she watched the Rangers teleport back to the Command Center. She straightened, exhaling a frustrated sigh, and leaned her staff against the wall.
Goldar approached cautiously, his sword at his side. "My Queen," he said, his tone tentative, "do you want me to prepare the armies for another attack?"
Rita waved him off. "Not now, Goldar. This plan failed. I'll admit it."
Goldar tilted his head, surprised. "You're… admitting failure?"
Rita paced slowly, her gaze distant. "Yes. The Riddle Sphinx was clever, and he gave those Rangers a challenge. But in the end, humans are… unreliable. They're too self-centered and unpredictable to trust with something this important."
Finster shuffled forward, his hands clasped nervously. "If I may, my Queen, this plan did show some promise. Perhaps humans aren't entirely useless."
Rita stopped and considered his words. After a moment, she gave a small nod. "You're not wrong, Finster. Nigma proved that humans *can* be useful. He nearly had those Rangers beaten. But after this fiasco, it'll be a long time before I trust one to handle something as important as destroying them."
"An understandable conclusion, my Queen," Finster said. "Perhaps it's best to focus on monsters of your own creation for now."
Rita smirked, some of her usual arrogance returning. "Oh, don't worry, Finster. My monsters are more than enough to deal with those meddling teenagers. And next time, I'll make sure we win."
Goldar bowed. "Shall I prepare the putties, my Queen?"
"Yes," Rita said, her tone growing sharper. "But this isn't over. Not by a long shot."
She returned to her throne, gripping her staff tightly. Her lips curled into a smile as she gazed at Earth through the telescope. "Enjoy your victory, Rangers. You won't be so lucky next time."
End