Greetings everyone!
After much consideration, I have decided to continue this story through till the end. I hope you all enjoy it!
This is a Casy/OC pairing. Hope you all like it!
1 month after the events of RJ's secret
Through the lush plant life of the jungle, Casey, the tiger, prowled. His every step silent and barely undetectable. Up ahead he heard noises, unlike any he'd heard before though he'd lived in the jungle since his birth.
What was this then?
Grrrroowwwl! It was too soft and young sounding to be an adult, though it was definitely belonged to a tiger.
Curiousity getting the better of him, he crept towards the sound. What he saw astounded him. There, not 50 feet in front of him, stood a young tiger cub. Its striped hide bore several pin holes and the one over where his heart should be slowly trickled blood. It wasn't gushing blood…it was just a small thin steady stream of red staining its otherwise pristine fur.
"Where's its mother?" He wondered as he walked forward.
Hiissssssss. That made Casey stop in his tracks. The smell of venom wafted to his nostrils making a putrid stench. It made him want to puke and for a second he almost did.
Stalking forward he caught side of a black snake, definitely a viper. It wasn't very big to his eyes, but in the eyes of the cub it must be huge.
"Why is this cub wandering around on his own. Where is the mother and for that matter, the sire?"
Just as he moved to charge in and take care of the snake, the cub did the same, lunging at the viper only to be taken down when the snake struck the cub sinking its fangs into the cub's neck.
The cub mewled and whined as it limply sunk to the ground.
"NOOOOO!" Casey screamed though it came out as a furious snarl.
Casey woke up covered in sweat and his head pounding. His heart was racing and his breathing rapid.
Immediately he closed his eyes and took several deep breaths to calm himself down.
"It was just a dream. That's all it was. Just a dream."
But deep down in his spirit he had a feeling that it was a message, like a cry for help. In his mind he could see the final strike of the viper again and again, and then he heard the mewling and soft growl of the tiger cub.
His heart was still beating against his chest and his breath came in rapid pants. He tried furiously for several minutes to slow his heartbeat down, but he couldn't concentrate, all he could see is the tiger cub sinking limply to the ground still whining and mewling.
Casey opened his eyes and took another breath but his heart was still racing though not as fast as it had been before.
Maybe some meditation would help. He looked at his alarm clock. He still had two hours before he had to leave to teach.
Still a little groggy, he got up and took a minute to steady himself as he almost fell over. Then when he was sure he could walk straight he hurriedly put on his work out pants and a red tank top and went down to the work out mats.
It was quiet. Everyone was still in bed. Good. It would help him to focus better if there were no distractions. He sat down on one of the mat and closed his eyes taking a moment to try and regulate his breathing. This time it worked…slightly.
He had to work at it several minutes before his heart rate calmed down and his breathing evened out.
In the next minute the images of the dream he had raced to the forefront of his mind's eye and replayed themselves.
It didn't make much sense to him. A young tiger alone in the jungle…no mother and no sire to guard him. The viper would look huge to a cub. He instinctively reasoned that a young cub would run away once it was attacked, and yet this one was still there. Why would it linger where there was danger? The little cub was holding on to something. Where did such courage come from?
There were too many questions to answer. Casey opened his eyes to see Dom sitting across from him. Dom and Fran had only been back a month now and had taken up the slack left from Theo's departure.
The two rangers looked at each other for a minute. Dom had sensed the other rangers confusion and had come to see what was going on. Now he was silently waiting for Casey to talk.
"Sometimes, talking it out helps." he said prompting a response after another minute passed.
Casey sighed. "I had a dream. It was very disturbing and strange…and yet it didn't seem like a dream. My tiger spirit says it wasn't a dream…I don't understand it. How could what I saw be anything but a dream? It doesn't make any sense."
Dom gave him a very calm and mellow look. "Tell me the dream. Maybe a fresh look will help it become clearer."
Casey took another deep breath and told him the dream. Dom patiently listened as he rattled it out.
"It just doesn't make any sense. Why was the cub unguarded and facing the snake alone? Where was its mom or sire? Why was it alone?"
Dom turned it over in his mind for several seconds before speaking again. "I think the first step to is to disect the dream. I think the first question is the identity of the cub. It didn't act like a normal cub, so maybe since you were a tiger in the dream the cub was a spiritual representation of young person with the same spirit as you."
Dom stopped mid sentence as a look of recognition played across the younger ranger's face.
"Jimmy." Casey breathed before swallowing. He has the spirit of the tiger…he was the kid who helped me out when my tiger spirit was weakened. I saw it in him when the bully was picking on him."
"That's a good start." Dom said. "Now, that we have the cub pinned down. We should focus on the snake. The snake is a predator, very dangerous if it's poisonous."
"A normal cub would run away after the first strike. But this one didn't. Though it was injured, it didn't stop fighting. It kept fighting the snake."
If it was cornered it would turn and fight because it had no alternative. It has no other place left to run so it fights back.
"Either that or the babysitter is in danger. This is no mere cub were talking about. Remember that the cub in the dream is a representation of this student of yours."
Casey mulled it over in his mind. "That could mean that he's having a problem at home." At that moment, an uneasy feeling settled in his stomach. "It all makes sense now. He has really been pushing himself in class. Even when class is over, he still tries to train. I thought it was just a great work ethic to better himself, but now I wonder…"
"You have his class today, right?"
Casey nodded. "Yeah, I usually leave in about an hour to give myself time to do some stretches before the students arrive."
Dom nodded. "Good idea." Then he stopped and looked Casey in the eye. You mind if I tag along today? An fresh eye could pick things up that you won't be able to if you're teaching."
Casey nodded. What ever it takes to help him out. If he's in danger I can't stand by without doing something about it."
"Good. Why don't you get some breakfast. I'm gonna go shower and get ready for class."
Casey nodded again and then got up to make himself something to eat while Dom went back to his room.
Jimmy's house
Jimmy stood in front of the mirror with just boxers on. He grimaced as he took in the fresh bruise on his thigh. Things had changed dramatically now that he knew that he was dealing with a master of kung fu. This guy Mike not only held the spirit of the viper but knew more Kung Fu then him.
He then looked at the coordinating bruise that he'd received just after the one on his thigh. It still hurt a bit…every time he took a breath. He didn't know how much longer he could take Mike on. This guy still had his sister under his thumb and now easily dominated her and he hated and shamed himself for not being able to protect his sister.
The Red Ranger could, so why couldn't he?
As he turned away from the mirror to get dressed he grimaced as he felt a dull pang from the bruise on his back reminded him of yet another time he'd failed to protect himself.
He hated what had become of his homelife. His sister now held down two jobs. The one at the resturant and the one at that strip club as a dancer. Dakota had loved to dance before, he wasn't too young to remember a few recitals she had. He could remember the glow she had when she moved to the music and had seemed to be in her own world.
But this type of dancing, that he'd seen, was somehow wrong to him. He'd been forced to watch his sister perform for Mike.
"This are only three things women are good for." Remember that Jimmy. "All this independence for women shit is just that. Shit. The only things they are good for is cooking, cleaning and sex." He'd been forced to drink the beer that Mike offered him. It tasted bad and he'd thrown up not long after.
This had gone on for a long time. He knew that he was too young to drink but he'd been too scared to refuse. Things had come to a head the night before when he'd been forced to endure another performance. The sight had made him sick.
He knew that his sister hated him seeing her like this and had begged for her brother to be spared.
Mike had slapped her across the face. "Did I say you had any choice in this, Bitch! You're nothing but a filthy disgusting whore. You'll dance and you'll pleasure me in bed…and I'll take all I want. Keep whining and I'll make your brother watch that too!"
Jimmy had jumped up then and threw the beer at Mike.
"No! that's wrong! My sister is wonderful and was ten times better before you came along!"
The savage blow had come not long after…
Jimmy cringed again as the flash back over took him. That direct and savage blow to his rib cage hurt. He felt that blow over and over again.
He felt the spirit of the tiger jump out of him trying to fend off the aggressor. But it still didn't help.
The terrifying viper had come out at the same minute and had lunged at him. Even now, he could feel the spectral fangs sink into his chest. His tiger spirit had been to weak to protect him.
Jimmy shuddered as the flash back ended. He was ashamed of himself and wanted to cry, but that's not what the Red Ranger would do.
"Get a hold of yourself Jimmy." He scolded himself. "You think the Red Ranger would cry like a baby? No! He'd just train harder. Got to build up that muscle. Its up to me to stop him. I'll never give up! Never!"
These were his thoughts as he put his gear into his bag and finished getting dressed. Then he headed out to his bike when he'd cleverly hidden under an old tarp. He'd been afraid that Mike would destroy it if things got much worse. "I may need it to escape soon." He told himself.
Though he had no idea where he'd go if it came to that. Maybe he could find the Red Ranger and get him to help…but he didn't know if he could face the Power Ranger. He'd have to admit that he'd been unable to take care of his problems. But if it came to that, he'd have no choice. These were his thoughts as he climbed on made his way to class.
Casy clapped his hands together bring the class to attention. Beside him stood Dom in his white uniform.
"Good morning. I'm glad to see you all here. Today, we have a friend of mine visiting today. This is Dom. He's come to observe the class today."
As Casey spoke, Dom let his eyes wander and soon zeroed in on the young boy whom had been identified as Jimmy Scion.
I expect all of you to give him the same respect you give me." As if on cue they all bowed to him. Dom smiled at all of them and then heard a soft hiss that came from Jimmy.
Something was definitely up with Jimmy. He'd watch very carefully.
All this went through his mind as he bowed back to them.
As the class started their stretches Dom walked around the perimeter of the mats and then sat down not far from Jimmy and started doing the stretches himself; always watching from the corner of his eye.
His heart sank as he listened to the soft groans coming from the young cub as he persevered through each exercise. It seemed that the dream was right on. Something was very wrong at his house. If his suspicions were accurate and the boy was being abused then they sure as hell couldn't let him go home.
After stretches, they put on their protective gear and split up into partners. As the sparring began, Dom kept careful watch on Jimmy again as he walked with Casey around the mats stopping every once in a while to correct a stance or movement.
They were coming over to Jimmy who was facing off against a friend of his. Dom watched as they fought, Jimmy was getting more and more aggressive and his opponent was starting to tire. The taller boy twisted and kicked out landing a blow to Jimmy's mid section and watched in shock as Jimmy went down.
"I'm sorry! I didn't mean to hit that hard!" Jimmy hurried to get up refusing to be shown that weak in front of his teacher. "I'm fine. Don't worry." Even as he said this, he winced feeling the blow.
That was all the evidence Dom and Casey needed to see. "Why don't you sit out for a bit and rest. Jimmy. This isn't a battle, it's a class. He turned his attention to the other students and clapped his hands together again. When all the students turned to him he addressed them.
"You've all made excellent improvements since you started out. But the most important lesson is to take care of yourselves. If you should sustain an injury while playing, even if it's just a sprain or twisted ankle, you should not come to class. You only get one body to work with. If you try to train with an injury, you could make it worse. You should tell your parents or guardians so they can take you to a clinic or ER to get it looked at. I can't stress this enough. Believe it or not, I enjoy these classes as much as you do. The last thing I want to see is any of you get hurt. Now, class dismissed."
Jimmy once again didn't leave with the others. He knew he'd gotten in trouble. Even now the older male was walking towards him.
"I see you have lots of potential. Agression like yours needs to be delt with. Why not spar against me. If anything it will help you deal with your pent up stress."
Jimmy looked up at the Dom with uncertainty in his eyes. But as the man bowed to him and went into a defensive stance he changed his mind. If he couldn't take down this guy then he had no hope of ridding his home of Mike.
So he took the offensive and kicked out at Dom who grabbed his ankle. In a flash Jimmy twisted around and kicked out with his other foot catching Dom off guard. That was when the fight intensified. Jimmy lost all control and lashed out in a fury of attacks which Dom had to work hard to fend off. Still he never fought back. The whole point was to let the boy work off all his aggressiveness so he'd be easier to talk to when they went examine him.
It didn't take long, only about 10 minutes before the boy started to tire. As soon as he started tireing Dom switched to offense and had the boy pinned in no time. Even then, he didn't put his full weight on him.
That jarring moment was enough to send the boy into a flash back.
"No! Let go of me! I'll kill you, you Slimy Bastard Ass hole!" The boy was still struggling. Dom was surprised and nearly let go of the cub but Casey was there in an instant. Jimmy! Snap out of it." he said using a commanding voice. "Your in no danger here. Come back to me. We're not going to hurt you."
The boy still fought Dom's hold for a few moments, until he went slack and then as he came out of the flash back he reddened. How could he have shown such weakness in front of the two men.
When Dom let go of him he rolled over on to his side away from their sight shamed by his inability to win.
Casey then knelt in front of the boy. "Jimmy look up at me."
The boy looked at him still embarrassed but Casey took no pity on the boy. Not just yet.
"I think I've seen enough. It's time to come clean with me. If something is bad is going on at home, I want you to tell me. I have all night to listen and so has Dom."
As he said this the rhino ranger sat next to him and waited patiently.
"As I said before, you're perfectly safe with us."
The boy still didn't speak.
It was time to switch tactics.
"Jimmy, there's no point hiding anything from me, I already know that you're hurt. I heard you groaning through stretches and during the sparring session in class I saw you go down and heard the groans again. I won't let you train anymore with injuries like that."
"But I have to! If I don't I can't get Mike out of the house! I don't want to have to drink that disgusting beer anymore. He's hurting my sister and forcing her to dance and strip for him. He's making me watch! If I don't train he'll never leave us alone!"
Dom sent a look of surprise at Casey but neither said anything as the boy ranted on.
"I'm so sick of being beaten by him! I want him gone! The Red Ranger could beat him, why can't I?" Then the boy broke down and cried as all his anger and frustration gushed out.
Casey was speechless.
Dom then moved and lifted the boy's head into his lap and soothingly rubbed his back as they boy continued to cry.
Casey was in his own world. The cub was so hell bent on fighting someone he was no match for because he was trying to be like him?
Dom shared a grave look with him as he continued to soothe the boy.
Together they waited for him to release his pent up tears. Several minutes had gone by. Then the cub got very quiet. They waited for the hiccups but they never came. Concerned Dom gently tilted the boys face up to find out that the child was out like a light. He'd cried himself to sleep.
Dom and Casey looked at each other. "We can't let him go back to that place."
Lets take him back to JKP. He can relax there and get something to eat. Then we can plan his our next move."
"Good idea."
"I'll call his sister and let her know what's going on."
"What are you going to tell her?"
"I'll think of something, first let's get him somewhere safe."
What do you think of this chapter? For all of you who don't remember Jimmy, he was featured in the episode, "Tiger's Fall, Lion's Rise"
Up next, Dom and Casey plan their next step and Dom and Jimmy have a serious talk.
Please leave review. Non flamitory ones if you please!
