There be a really long fic here!
Sorry. This fic is really long, though; even longer than Unexpected Ally, and I thought that was long. Again, not much action; there's a hint of a fight at the beginning, and another near the end. I just can't seem to write it for some reason…sorry…
Old Faces, New Souls
"Cole! Cole, wait up!"
Tara had to run to catch up with Cole; the Lion Ranger had a long stride, when he used it.
"Cole!" Finally, she was close enough to touch his arm. Cole turned, surprised.
"Tara. Hey-I didn't see you."
"No kidding. You walk fast, Cole. What's up?"
"Nothing. Just thinking."
"Anything in particular?"
"No." Tara nodded, accepting his silence, and glanced around them. "What's wrong?"
"Hmm?" She looked back at him. "Oh…nothing much. Wes is still after me about that job. With the Guardians?"
Cole nodded quickly. "Tell him you don't want it."
"I have. Many times. He doesn't seem to want to accept it."
"You want me to talk to him?"
"Nah, Merrick already tried. No offense, but he's scarier than you are."
"None taken. Can't you just…" he gestured. "Not be where he is?"
"Not any more." She looked around again. "I blocked all the Rangers out. I can't sense you any more."
"What?" he caught her arm, turning her to look at him. "Why would you do that?"
"Privacy."
"Privacy." he repeated flatly.
"Your privacy. I can track you anywhere on Earth…I can hear you talk, if I want. I think you and the others have earned the right to your privacy." When he didn't answer, she added, "I can track you, but not when I'm moving and only on earth, wood or rock. No concrete or water or anything."
"And…can you still talk to me?"
"Yes. I don't need to know where you are for that. And you can still talk to me. I just won't know automatically where you are."
Cole studied her for a long minute. "Thank you."
She shrugged. "Not a big deal." Looking around once more, she nodded. "OK-I'm going back to work now."
"Come to the Animarium tonight." Cole invited her.
"Sure. I'll let you know when I'm finished."
"Great. See you then."
"Later, Cole." She waved as she headed back towards the mall. Cole continued towards the park. He'd almost reached it when…
Toxica, Jindrax and a group of Putrids appeared in front of him, blocking his path. Cole jerked to a halt, dropping into a defensive stance.
"I knew today was too good to last." he growled.
"We want you to meet our new friend, Red Ranger." Toxica told him.
"No thanks! Your friends and I don't get on." He shifted as he spoke, trying to keep as many Putrids as possible in view.
"I think you'll like this one." Jindrax said. The Putrids swarmed Cole, who fought back as best he could. The numbers were against him, though, and he was soon on his knees, restrained. Toxica stepped behind him, twined her fingers in his hair, and pulled, forcing his head back. Cole stared wide-eyed at the newest Org to join the battle.
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When the others arrived a few minutes later, Cole was back on his feet, fighting off Toxica and Jindrax.
"Where's the Org?" Danny called, looking around.
"It vanished when you left the Animarium." Shayla told them.
"Cole!" Alyssa called. "Morph!"
"I can't!" he yelled back, half turning to look at her. The move cost him; Toxica smashed his side with her staff, and he collapsed, gasping for breath.
"Cole!" The Rangers flanked him, pushing Toxica and Jindrax back, and Alyssa knelt beside him. "Are you all right?"
"Yeah…just give me a second…"
"Can you morph?" Taylor asked, not looking at him; she was watching Toxica closely.
"Toxica's got some new weapon-pulled me right out of morph." He groaned, slumping slightly.
"Cole, you have to stand up at least." Alyssa said. He shook his head, but before he could say anything Danny was standing over him. The Bison Ranger got him on his feet.
"Toxica, what are you waiting for? Shoot them!" Jindrax said suddenly.
"You idiot! I told you, it only works on the Red Ranger so far!"
"Oh." Jindrax scratched his head. "Think they know that?"
"They do now, you…you…" Words failed Toxica and she attacked the Rangers.
"Cole, stay there!" Taylor ordered over her shoulder.
"But…"
"You can't fight that way." Alyssa reminded him. "Call Merrick." And with that she was gone, into the battle.
Call made, Cole prowled the outskirts of the battle, trying to avoid it while still watching. When Merrick arrived he came to Cole first.
"What's wrong?"
"Help them…I'll explain later." Cole promised, gesturing to the fight. Merrick nodded, morphed, and entered the fight.
With Merrick's arrival, Toxica decided she didn't like the odds any more; she teleported herself away, Jindrax following. The Rangers demorphed and came back towards Cole, who'd collapsed in a heap as soon as he realized they were gone.
"Are you OK?" Alyssa asked, kneeling beside him.
"Yeah, I think so."
"What happened?" Merrick asked.
"Toxica has this new weapon-it was like she was pulling energy right out of me. I couldn't hold my morph." He looked up at Merrick. "You got here fast."
Merrick frowned. "Tara called me. She said you had called her."
"Yeah." Cole pressed one hand against his forehead. "I did, didn't I."
"You sure you're OK?" Max asked.
"I'm fine." Cole said quickly. "Let's just get back to the Animarium, OK?"
"Sure." Alyssa said. "We'll get Princess Shayla to check you out, OK?" Cole nodded, following them towards the trees.
I'm going on holiday next weekend; should I post early or wait till I come back?
