DISCLAIMER: I do NOT own Power Rangers SPD or any of its characters.

Dark. Cold.

Damp. Foul.

Sky's wrists bled from the rough iron that bound them to the chair. Visibility only reached a few feet, and then nothing- in any direction. He craned his neck, looking for anything but the hard metal and the disgusting stone floor. He called out, and his voice echoed through the emptiness. He steadied his breathing. How did I get here? Doesn't matter. I have to get out. He tried to rock himself, but it seemed the chair was bolted to the floor. He tried to move his legs, but to no avail. A thin, high, scratchy voice laughed from the depths. "You think you can leave?" It asked. "No. There is no escape for you… grandson of Chanthum Tate."

Sky froze. "What are you talking about? What does this have to do with my grandfather?"

The voice laughed. "Sky. Sky. Sky. Sky…

"Sky! Sky!" Bridge shook his comrade and best friend awake. Sky jerk up and pushed Bridge out of the way. "Sky, you were shouting in your sleep…"

Sky rubbed his eyes. "Oh, oops." He laid back down and rolled over, hiding his shaking hands. "Go back to sleep Bridge."

Bridge frowned. "Are you sure? You were saying something about-"

"-Yes, I'm fine. Good night." Sky didn't want to let on that something as minor as a dream had rattled him as much as it did.

Bridge crawled back into bed, almost fooled that Sky was his mostly-grumpy self, except that Bridge didn't wear his gloves at night. And Sky's aura emanated the bright yellow of fear.

Sky woke up at his usual time. Or, rather, he got out of bed after a restless night at his usual wake-up time. Bridge was still in bed, snoring away, hands twitching. Sky dressed and set out for his morning run. He wished he could say that the cool air cleared away the terror from the night, or that he had simply shaken it off, but he couldn't because he didn't. Something about the voice stuck with him, rolling around in his head. He arrived back on schedule and continued smoothly into his workout, he let the routine knead the worry from his mind. He was showered and waiting in the command center before the other cadets arrived. Commander Cruger arrived shortly after, gruff as always.

"Morning Cadets. We've heard many reports recently of a Gingin causing trouble in the lower town." He pulled up a picture of the purple-skinned alien species. Seeing as how we can't just go around arresting every Gingin we see, today is patrol day. You'll cover more ground if you go individually, but never be more than three blocks from each other. We need to show the people that we are here and that we will protect them and prosecute perpetrators." The five saluted and exited the Command Center.

"That was a fast morning meeting." Z commented as they headed for their cruisers. "There wasn't even a mini-lecture on how to patrol...again." Jack nodded.

"He did seem like he was in a bit of a hurry to get us out of there." He paused. "Maybe something bigger is happening and he doesn't want us involved?"

Syd shook her head. "I doubt it. We're his number one team. If there were any threats, we'd be the first to know."

"I could try to go back and scan him." Bridge suggested, "It could be helpful, if I don't get caught, or if he doesn't ask where we are, or…" A look from Jack stops him. "But still, I could." Jack thought a moment.

"No, let's just get to patrol. I'm sure whatever it is, he'll let u know when he's ready." He finished as they got to the garage. "For now, let's keep watch on the city." The team nodded.

Syd and Z hopped into a Delta Cruiser while Sky, Jack, and Bridge mounted their Patrol Bikes. On Jack's signal, they sped out into the city. They split up as they enter the Lower city. Sky raced ahead, going to the heart of the Lower City, and not slowing until the others had been out of sight for sometime. He occupied his mind as he peered into the various alleyways and dark corners. He faintly heard something coming from his transponder, and he switched off the volume, continuing on.

He passed life forms from time to time, but he was not in a densely populated area and contact was kept to a minimum. Sky had almost reached outerlimits of the Lower City when a hooded figure with a face like a Gingin, disappeared into an alley. Sky immediately kicked into high alert. He pulled off and kicked out the stand for the patrol bike. He cautiously crept down the shadowy alley, but the Gingin had vanished. Sky grunted and turned back toward his bike, but stopped short as he heard approaching footsteps, followed by a high, thin laugh.

AUTHOR'S NOTE

Thanks for reading! This is just the first chapter, just trying to see if there is any interest at all in this story. Feel free to comment below.