REVIEWS ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!
Story Summary- Will has finally escaped Rita's prison and arrives on Phaedos. His wounds heal and the Ninjetti Sentinels are called to active service. The new team begins to train underneath Dulcea and Ninjor. But will the new trust between the Sentinels break as dark memories, lies, and anger rises? Or will it drive Will to the breaking point? And does he want to be saved?
Author's Notes- Takes place after 'What I've Done' and before 'The Valley of the Shadow of Death'. 'My Heart's a Battleground won't be worked on until this story is finished. Based on Evanescence's song 'Bring Me to Life'. Jason, Trini, Zack, Kim, Tommy, Rocky, Adam, Aisha, Kat, and Tanya will only make short cameo appearances in talk between Sentinels, memories, dreams, and flashbacks.
Rated M for language, vague and graphic violence, and vague references
Pairings- Billy/OC, other OC/OC pairings, Tommy/Kim (ref)
Ethereal Vision Prologue- Deep Sleep Dreaming
He was floating in something warm and comforting, a feeling of protectiveness filling his soul. There wasn't a care in the world that bothered him, no pain, no suffering; no more injury to what was left of his soul. He didn't want to leave. He just wanted to stay here forever.
But something called to him, called for him to wake up from this peaceful slumber.
Slowly, he opened his eyes.
His sight came back little by little.
That's when he noticed he was submerged in gel-like substance. He panicked. He tried to swim to the surface, to pull his head above the surface. The urge to breath overrode his mind and he breathed in. His lungs began to burn and he started to choke.
His hands grabbed the side of the side of what felt like a boulder. Heaving himself up, he pulled his body out of the water, throwing up, the thick water sputtering out his mouth and nose. He began to shiver, the air colder than the water.
Warm arms wrapped around him and he instinctively flinched. He tried to pull away but his body was tired from the exertion of leaving the pool. The second thing he realized was he was naked from his toes to the top of his head. He felt vulnerable, exposed. He shivered at the memories that were beginning to pour back into his mind. He was surprised when it stopped as if something had slammed between him and them.
"It is alright, young wolf. You are safe." The cold teen looked up, right in bright green eyes, a smile on the beautiful woman's face.
"Who are you?" He croaked out, throat sore and burning.
She smiled. "I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phaedos and Guardian of the Great Power. Come, you are cold."
He was surprised when she picked him up like if he was a small child, head cradled against her warm breast. The swinging movement of her body lulled him back to sleep.
(VvVvVvVvV)
There was white wolf watching him, amber eyes staring into his soul.
Warily he moved and the eyes tracked him. What it going to attack him. Should he attack it? He picked up a rock, moving slightly away.
"Don't run, little one." The wolf stood up on its legs moving toward him. He was about to turn tail and run when he suddenly dropped the rock. He was even more surprised when he dropped to his knees before the large animal.
The pristine white lord walked before him, eyes seeming to measure him up. The large head was an inch from his own face.
The wolf placed its head on his shoulder, snuggling into his neck.
He instinctively placed his arms around the powerful neck.
"Welcome to the pack, young cub."
(VvVvVvVvV)
He woke up.
He was in bed, thick blankets covering him. He moved, feeling himself still naked. A tingling sensation in his lower body told him he had to find a bathroom fast. Making sure no one was watching, he made his way out of the bed and heading to the closest door to him. He was relieved to find a simple bathroom even if it wasn't modern.
Relieving himself, he headed back to the main bedroom, wanting to search for clothes. He stumbled when Dulcea appeared out of nowhere. Scrambling to the bed, he pulled the covers off to cover himself.
Dulcea only gave a smile. "Here are your clothes. They will keep you warm while you are here." She placed a small bundle of clothing on the only available table in the bedroom. Once you are ready, I will come for you."
"Thanks." He watched as Dulcea left, quietly out the other door. Quickly, he dropped the covers and moved toward the bundle. Unraveling it, he separated the white clothing. He slipped on the white pants. The shirt was like a tunic, a cloth in a V- shape that went down to his waist, bordered by gold trim lines two inches from the edge. The belt went around his waist, holding the tunic in place. Once done, it looked like he was wearing a cross between a tunic and a gi. Pulling on the white moccasins, he tried out the clothes. He moved, the soft, warm cloth moving with him, not hampering any movement.
He moved back to the bed, fixing it so it looked like no one had slept in it.
"I see that you are ready, young cub."
Shocked, he turned around. He said the first thing that came to mind when he saw Dulcea standing there. "Why do you keep calling me that?"
"You will soon see." She turned around. "Follow me."
As they walked down a stone passage way, he noticed she was wearing what looked like a bikini. Confused, he continued following her. They ended up in what looked like a library, ancient looking scrolls and tomes that filled the large room.
"Take a seat, young one." Dulcea took a seat on the floor, crossing her legs Indian-style.
Unsure, he followed suit, sitting before her.
"What am I doing here?" He asked her.
"You came here by your choice." Dulcea stated firmly. She looked at him. "But first I must know your name."
He had a feeling that she already knew it but wasn't sure at the same time. "My name's William James Cranston. Or was." His face darkened as he said that.
"What is your name?"
He raised an eyebrow. Humoring her, he picked a new name for him as the old version of himself had died over eight months ago when his imprisonment began. "My name's Will."
"William." Dulcea nodded. "Do you now why you are here?"
"I thought you said that I came here by my choice?" He remembered the words he had spoken when he had teleported from Rita's palace.
"Yes, but why were you able to teleport here? Why did I know that I was needed that night when you arrived?" Dulcea stared at him, never flinching.
"I don't know!" Will was tensing, fists clenched on top of his knees.
"Do you believe in fate?"
Anger was beginning to bubble in him, shame, regret, red hot rage. "So it was fate what I had to suffer eight months of my life being Rita's slave, eight months worth of torture and humiliation?" He said tightly.
"No. But why were you sent here out of all places?" Dulcea leaned forward, hair moving slightly forward. "Have you heard of the Ninjetti?"
"No." Will replied leaning back from her.
"The Ninjetti were a legendary race among the stars, renowned for their knowledge of their skills in fighting and meditation. But greater still was what they guarded; the Great Power which resides in all creatures, only dormant." Dulcea held out a hand. Within her palm, a green fire erupted, the tongues turning a bright green, like a serpent. The fire went out.
"What was that?"
"The Great Power. You can be a Ninjetti, William if you allow me to train you in the ancient arts."
Will shook his head. "Yeah, right. I can't hold any more Powers. I destroyed the Grey Coin months ago." He stood up. Dulcea followed him, getting up more gracefully. "I have to go. Thanks for helping me." He made his way toward the other door.
Dulcea's hand shot out, catching him by the shoulder. On instinct, he grabbed her arm and was about to send a jab when she suddenly swept his feet out from under him. He landed on his back with a hard thump. Pain flared as she crushed her knee into his side, driving his breath from him. Will froze when he felt her hand closed around his throat.
"Why do you flee?" Dulcea asked of him.
Will gazed angrily back at her, his hazel-green eyes burning with an inner flame. "Because I'm evil. I was Rita's evil Grey Ranger. I almost killed my friend and my family and I have paid for it. Now, let me go." He struggled despite the lock she had him in.
"Because an evil witch chose you to serve her don't mean you are evil. Unless you accepted of your own free will."
Will let out a scream, trying desperately to get away. "I tried, god, I tried! I couldn't break free at first." His head slumped against the floor, his eyes closing in defeat, body going lax. "I tried but she was too strong. But the more she tried to make me hers, the more I fought. But it doesn't matter. It wasn't enough." Tears were streaming down his face.
He barely noticed her knee was removed.
"I see now why you were chosen." Her words brought him back.
"What?"
Dulcea stared at him. "You truly have the heart of the Ninjetti within you."
"That can't be true." He sat up, a hand on his side.
"It is." Dulcea walked to one of the shelves, pulling a book from the rest. "A long time ago, the Master Warriors created the Elite Guard, the finest warriors ever to serve in the Ninjetti ranks. Eleven were chosen to carry the Ninjetti Crests; Courage, Faith, Fortitude, Friendship, Honor, Hope, Justice, Love, Loyalty, Sincerity, Wisdom. They were trained in all forms of hand-to-hand combat, how to funnel the Power into projectiles, shields, weapons, or into their bodies for close combat. Their training includes the use of poisons, their antidotes, stealth tactics, and infiltration, realm-shifting, time-shifting, and shape-shifting. They were trained to be the most lethal human weapons possible."
She squatted before him. Opening the book to a page, she set it before him. The large hand drawn picture showed eleven symbols that he didn't recognize. One caught his eye. With a trembling hand, he traced it. "From the eleven, two were chosen to hold the rank of Commander and Captain, to lead the Sentinels into battle."
"They were watchers against the darkness, shadows in the night, guardians of life, true warriors." She said quietly. "They stood between the forces of evil and the intended victims, sometimes they were the only ones. But after the Battle of Rainier, the Sentinels became inactive and fell into myths. I believe you are one of them, William."
"What about the others?" He said distractedly tracing each of the symbols.
"They are being assembled. They should be arriving soon." Dulcea stood up. "I will go bring some refreshments."
Her words flew over his head as he started flipping through the book, catching a glimpse of the Sentinel's past.
(VvVvVvVvV)
Spyridon- So here's the bridge between 'What I've Done' and 'The Valley of the Shadow of Death'. Please leave a review, I want to know what you think, even it it is flames, eggs, candy, whatever.
Catch ya laterz!