I do not own the Power Rangers or anything related to the franchise. I have also used abilities from the Final Fantasy games, most notably Final Fantasy 10, none of which I own. Warnings: Slash, Dillon/Ziggy, future character death.

Hymn to Fayth

Chapter 1

Ziggy wasn't sure this was the best position for him to be in. He watched the military personal work on clearing up the street, warm blanket thrown over his shoulders to ward off the shock, held there by his loose, slightly trembling fingers. He was sitting in the back of an ambulance, having already been cleared by the medics as having nothing more than a few scratches.

Just moments before the street had been flooded with Grinders and people and choking fear. The Power Rangers, still new, still inexperienced, had fought hard and tried not to be overwhelmed. They had managed to hold on just long enough for back up to arrive. He had been right in the middle of it. He had stood in the street, struggling not to fall down as people rushed past, pushing at his sides and urging him to stumble. Fear had tightened his throat, horror had widened his eyes, and terror had frozen him in place. A knot had formed in his stomach.

A hand dropped onto his shoulder, startling him out of his daze. He looked up, squinting against the bright, albeit fake, light. One of the Rangers stood before him, her brown eyes kind, her long hair the color of grain. A memory flash through his head.

He wasn't sure when he had started to run but suddenly his feet were pounding against the ground and the world was flashing by him. He looked up in to see, out of the corner of his eyes, the Yellow Ranger struggling against a group of Grinders, having been separated from the other two. She needed help, fast!

'Don't do it, Zig.' he told himself, even though he knew he would do it anyway. He had already turned to help her when she stumbled. In the seconds it took her to regain her footing, the Grinders were on her. "Hey Lady! Get down!" he shouted. He didn't think before he tackled her, sending them tumbling to the ground, out of the way of the Grinders. He looked up. The Grinders were surrounding them again. Gulping, he squeezed his eyes shut and thought as strongly as he could. 'Somebody HELP!'

Fire raced through his body, burning him from the inside. For a few seconds all he could feel was pain. Then the fire died down to a pleasant, almost comforting warmth. He threw his hand out without thinking just as something flared a bright white, blinding both him and the woman he had been trying to protect.

"Are you okay?" The Yellow Ranger asked. He offered her a weak, shaky grin and nodded. He was rewarded with a warm smile. "I'm glad." She whispered. "Thank you for saving me."

Summer smiled at the boy sitting in front of her. His hair was a chocolate brown color, curly and messy, which high-lighted his ivory pale skin. His eyes were wide and had lingering traces of terror but were otherwise kind and innocent, a depth-less brown color that drew her in. He was young and seemingly fragile and defenseless.

But Summer knew better.

Summer groaned when she hit the ground, immediately trying to push the young, unknown man's weight off of her. She was thankful for the help but she knew they needed to move or risk getting trapped by the Grinders. The boy moved off of her suddenly, looking up at the Grinders with wide, fearful eyes. Before she could do anything he threw his hand up.

There was a bright, almost violent flash of light, making her close her eyes. For a single moment she felt safe and warm and whole as the light washed over her, in a way she never had before. Then she opened her eyes. Both her and the young man were surrounded by a glowing, white-gold shield. It spun with energy and crackled where the Grinders tried to get in. She turned wide eyes towards the boy to see the hand he had thrown up was glowing the same beautiful color as the shield.

She sat down next to her savior, the young man whose name she still had yet to learn. He was trembling. She wrapped her arm around his shoulders automatically and drew him closer. Despite the amount of power she had seen him display, he felt small in her embrace; delicate and shaking and it made her want to protect him the same way he'd protected her. "I'm Summer Landsdown." She introduced.

He looked up at her with those wide, innocent eyes as he leaned into the safety of her hold. "Ziggy Grover." He told her. She smiled at him. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Ziggy." She whispered, trying to make her voice sound comforting.

Ziggy returned her smile, his softer and warmer than her own, before he shifted his eyes back towards the military helping the people clean. She stared at him for a while after he had adverted his gaze, taking in the child-like shape of his face, the innocence of his eyes, how young and breakable he seemed, and then tried to reconcile that image with the one of the young man who had saved her by somehow throwing up a shield the likes of which she had never seen. It seemed so unlikely that this skinny little kid could have that kind of power. "Back then... that shield. How did you do that?" she asked.

The brown eyes lowered to the ground and he curled slightly into himself. "I don't know." he whispered, his voice meek and hesitant. "I don't think I'd be able to do it again."

Summer felt something in her melt at his gentle hesitance, at the purity of his gaze. "Hey, it's alright." She assured, tightening her hold on his shoulders. "It's going to be alright." He looked up at her, fear in his eyes. "But what if it's not?" he asked.

Before she could say anything to reassure him, Scott called her over. She hesitated briefly, looking down at the young man resting beside her. He smiled sadly and waved her off, understanding written across his face. She offered him a kind smile of her own, leaning down to press a gentle kiss in his messy hair. "Take care of yourself Ziggy." She whispered.

Standing straight, she walked over to her teammates. Both men were eyeing Ziggy curiously, obviously interested. "That the boy that saved you?" Flynn asked, his accent as light and carefree as it always was at the end of a successful battle. She nodded, glancing over her shoulder at him. Ziggy's head was bowed and he was fiddling with his fingers, tension and fear evident in the hunch of his shoulders and the arch of his back.

"He looks like a twig." Scott said. Summer sighed at the words but found herself unable to deny them. Ziggy was almost scarily thin for his age. "He's scared Scott. I don't think he knows what happened anymore than we do."

The Red Ranger was silent for a moment, still staring at the oblivious kid. Then he said, "Let's take him back to the Garage. Have the Doc figure it out." She thought about it for a moment before agreeing and walking back over to what was quickly becoming her new best friend. "Hey Ziggy."

"I'm coming with you, huh?" he asked, his expression resigned. She smiled softly and nodded. "Yeah, Zig, you're coming with us."

---

Four hours later and Ziggy was sitting in their kitchen, nervously fiddling with the end of his sleeve. Their Doctor K had been far from accommodating and had had the Rangers poke and probe him in an effort to find out what and how he had done what he had done. If Ziggy was honest, a good part of him didn't want to know.

The Blue Ranger- Flynn, he thought- walked in slowly, staring at him. Summer had been nice and friendly but the other two were wary of him, unsure if Summer and him had lost it or if he really did have some sort of immense power locked away inside him. "'Lo Ziggy." He greeted awkwardly, his accent thick with tension.

He offered the man a small smile, a big difference compared to his normal wide, energetic grin. Flynn sat down across from him, trying to return his weak smile. "How are you feelin' lad?" he asked, his eyes freckled with concern.

"I've been better." He replied honestly. "But I've been worse." He turned his head to look in the direction of the lab. "How are things...?"

Flynn followed his gaze. "Tense." he said. "Very tense. Doctor K doesn' want to believe you can do what Summer says you can do, Scott wants to side with the Doc, an' Summer wants to believe in you."

"I see." he whispered. He looked back up at the Blue Ranger, noticing for the first time the cut on his brow. It was caked with dried blood but it didn't seem to be serious. "You're hurt."

Flynn turned his head to look back at the boy Summer seemed so enamored with. He could understand why. He was young and fragile-looking, with wild brown hair and wide brown eyes and an easy smile. He was sweet and innocent and something about him made Flynn's more protective instincts rise to the surface. He raised a hand to brush against the cut on his forehead. "It's nothin'. Doesn't even need a bandage."

Ziggy just stared at him, his expression open and his eyes filled with kind concern. He reached across the counter towards him and Flynn obediently ducked his head so Ziggy could run his fingers over the cut. The younger man's skin was smooth and warm, his touch gentle around the cut. Before Flynn could say anything about the nice concern he flattened his palm out over the wound. Warmth surrounded the cut, pleasant and gentle, and ghosted out across Flynn's skin like rose petals. He was tempted to jerk away from the calming touch of Ziggy's hand but the warmth felt really... nice...

The younger man pulled away suddenly and Flynn caught a glance at his hand as he did so, noticing the fading white-gold glow with shock. Ziggy blinked down at his hand for a moment before looking up at him, surprise playing across his face. Somehow already knowing what had happened, Flynn reached up, brushing his fingers over the smooth skin where the wound had once been. "That, lad, was amazin'." He said, meeting the warm brown eyes. "How did you do that?"

Ziggy was already shaking his head. "I don't know. I just... I just can."

Flynn stood quickly. "Well come on. We've got to tell the others." he said. Ziggy followed his orders in shock, standing slowly while still staring at his hand. He walked about two steps before stumbling, having to grab the counter to support himself. Flynn was immediately at his side, supporting him until he regained his balance. "You okay, lad?" he asked.

The younger man nodded slowly and Flynn suddenly noticed how his eyes were sliding to half-mast, rings forming around them. Gently, he guided Ziggy back to his chair and told him to wait there before he turned and walked quickly to the lab. Summer and Scott looked like they were caught in a fierce argument with each other but their heads were bowed and their voices were lowered. He didn't even bother to stop to hear what they were talking about. "I believe ye, Summer." he said, interrupting them.

They both stopped and turned to look at him. Scott looked bewildered at his change of heart but Summer looked relieved at his sudden support. Flynn glanced over his shoulder as he moved to join them, towards where Ziggy was resting, and touched a gentle hand to his forehead. "He can do things Scott." he whispered. "These weird, amazing things."

Scott shifted uncomfortably. He really wanted to believe his teammates, some of the best friends he'd ever had, but everything in him said that what they were telling him wasn't possible. Doctor K hadn't found any strange energy readings from him either. Scott glanced back to the rest of the building where the young man would be waiting, thinking about him. Thin, pale, with wild brown hair and wide, slightly elfish brown eyes. Innocent, a little clumsy, somewhat skittish but with a charming smile. And an air that made one want to protect him.

He was broken from his thoughts by the sound of shuffling footsteps. Looking up, he noticed that Ziggy was slowly entering the lab, dragging his feet and looking like it was a struggle to keep his eyes open. There were bags forming under his eyes and his skin seemed even paler than before, making him look tired and slightly ill. "Um guys?" Ziggy breathed into the suddenly silent room, looking nervous with all the eyes on him. "Is there somewhere I can lay down? I'm feeling really tired."

"Aye, lad. This way." Flynn said, walking forward. Ziggy smiled weakly and stepped further in to meet him. But before he could get far, his eyes slid closed and his knees buckled. Both Flynn and Summer jerked, reaching for him. But Scott was faster, having been inching forward towards him once he realized Ziggy was practically asleep on his feet, fearing such an event. He grabbed him under the arms, slowly setting him down to the ground. He frowned at the young man's sleeping face and, after determining that nothing was wrong with him besides severe exhaustion, leaned back. "Summer?"

Ranger Yellow looked down at him with knowing eyes. "One week." he told her. "I'll give you two one week to figure out how he can do what he can do. After that, well, that's up to you."

He glanced down at Ziggy and sighed. Somehow, he already knew what he was going to hear at the end of the week. "Welcome to the team, Ziggy Grover."

----

Roughly One Year Later

Music. For a long second, all he could hear was music. The soft lullaby wrapped around him, slowly dragging him from the present to a past he had long forgotten. For a long second, he forgot the sand, and the Wastes, and the total devastation that lay around him.

And then a soft, musical voice called to him. "It's a beautiful song."

He spun around, looking in all directions. There was no one there. Nothing around him to even make a noise besides his watch. He frowned, giving the area around him one more glance before turning back to the map spread in front of him, deciding it was nothing. But before he could even begin to plan where to go next, the voice came back, whispering across his ears. "Corinth is west. Go to Corinth."

Growling again, he looked around only to confirm the same thing as last time. He was the only person, living or otherwise, around for miles. "Who are you?" he demanded. "And where are you?"

"You'll see if you go to Corinth. I can guide you there."

"I don't need the help of a creepy voice in my head." he hissed. He spun back around, quickly gathering his things together and heading back for his car. He was not going to do something just because some voice asked him to. No way in hell.

"Please. I don't have much time. Go to Corinth." The voice was weaker than before, starting to fade slightly, and for the first time he picked up the exhaustion in it. And the voice was male. He ground his teeth together, trying to block it out. But it was still there.

"Aren't you tired of running?"

And then, it was gone. He could feel it disappear, like it had been an actual physical presence next to him. He frowned, glancing around one more time before climbing into his car. Corinth, to the west. And a mysterious voice waiting for him there. Either that, or he had finally gone completely insane.

----

It wasn't long before it came back though. He had been driving for about two hours when he somehow just knew it was back. "What?" he snapped in irritation. "You're close." The voice was an excited, breathless whisper, almost as if whoever was making it couldn't believe he had listened. There was a moment of silence in which the voice didn't say anything but was just there, before it suddenly shouted out, "Stop!"

He slammed on the brakes reflexively, growling as he came to a stop. Before he could say anything, the voice whispered, low and excited, "To your left, Corinth city."

He turned his head to stare at across the fields of sand to the domed city. A shining, isolated city on a ragged hill. Wonderful. He glanced down at the fuel gage. Not enough to shut off and wait for the sun to set. He had to go now. He gunned the engine, quickly taking off towards the dome.

Almost immediately there were protests. "No one has ever run the Venjix Barricade in broad daylight and survived!"

"Well, I'm about as close to no one as you're ever going to meet." he said, a slow smirk crossing his lips. He turned his head when he heard followers, his smirk growing.

----

Scott, Flynn, and Summer ran into the lab as the sirens rang around them. "Doc, what's going on?" Scott asked, staring at the young woman who had just recently revealed herself to them. Her dark blue eyes met his own before returning to the screen in front of her. "City sensors are detecting a vehicle approaching the Venjix Barricade."

"Any humans in there?"

"Sensors read... half a human." Doctor K told them, blinking in puzzlement. The three Rangers shared looks then looked back at her. "What do we do?"

She looked at them then glanced up at the ceiling and heaved a sigh. "It's your decision Ranger Red. You're team leader."

Scott glanced around at his teammates, both of which were waiting for him to make up his mind. He glanced up at the ceiling as well, really wishing Ziggy was awake. This was more his situation that his. "Lower the shield." he ordered. And hope we don't regret it, he finished in his mind. He turned to his team. "Let's go!"

They nodded, hurriedly following him. They all glanced towards the single closed door on the top floor. "Finish whatever you're doing soon, Zig." Scott whispered. "We'll need your help soon"

----

Dark brown eyes slowly slid open and a small, gentle smile brightened the pale face. The young man raised his eyes towards the sky and the single window in the room. "He's here." he whispered, his tone light with joy. His eyes slid closed again and he pitched forward, falling to the ground. Maybe he'd rest a little before they met. Just for a little while...

Then, then he'd meet the unnamed stranger he'd guided here. He couldn't wait.

----

The Next Day

Dillon, as he chosen to call himself, glared at the bars that surrounded him in annoyance. Why hadn't he just busted out of here all ready? He'd put up with the city's Colonel Truman interrogating him and the Yellow Ranger he'd saved questioning him about what he wanted to do. He wanted to get out of here. But something kept him here for just a little while longer, the only reason he hadn't fought his way out when the guards escorted him to the room where they'd questioned him again.

He was waiting for the source of voice to appear.

He closed his eyes, crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back in his chair. There was silence, a discomforting silence because a part of him was still waiting for the voice to come back.

"It was a beautiful song."

He jerked upright at the voice and looked around. This time he found the person it belonged to. A young man, younger than him, was standing in the doorway, staring at him with kind, gentle eyes. His hair was curly, a wild dark brown mess and it stood out brightly where it whispered across his pale cheeks and neck. There was a gentle, harmless smile on his face. The first thing he noticed about him was that he was slight, pale, and unlike everyone else that had talked to him, was not a fighter. The second thing was that despite childishness of his face and the innocence of his eyes, those same eyes were also old, older than they should be, and they possessed an almost ancient kind of knowledge. And the third thing was that he got the strange urge to protect him from harm.

He apparently wasn't the only one with that urge because the two male Rangers were waiting just behind him, watching him with cautious, wary eyes.

The young man walked forward with that same harmless smile and slid into the seat across from him. "You're Dillon, right?" he asked. His voice was soft and musical, a very pleasant sound that ghosted past his ears and teased his senses. And he recognized it. It was the voice that had led him here.

He hadn't thought it would be from this little kid who was barely an adult.

The young man stared at him, his gaze undemanding but still somehow unsettling. He was obviously waiting for an answer but Dillon didn't plan to give him one. He was done with corroborating. The soft brown eyes staring at him lit up in amusement suddenly and his smile got warmer. "I'm Ziggy." he whispered. "Ziggy Grover. I am a member of Team Ranger although I am not actually a Ranger myself." He tilted his head to the side, his mirth growing. "I am… support, I guess."

"So?" He asked, trying to hide his surprise at the fact that this slight boy before him worked with the two bulky, muscular men behind him. Both of which was staring at him.

Ziggy's smile didn't fade in the slightest at his question. "I have gifts Dillon. I'm sure you realized that I'm the one who guided you here." He told him. The two men behind him jerked in surprise and looked at Ziggy wide-eyed. They obviously hadn't known that.

Ziggy ignored them both as he continued, "I guided you here because we need your help. Venjix is getting stronger, getting smarter and we'll only be able to hold him back for a while later. We need another Ranger but no one in this city can handle the power of the suits."

"And you want me to be your new Ranger?" he asked, raising an eyebrow. Ziggy's amusement died away, leaving him looking at least ten years older. Dark circles formed under his eyes, his skin paled, and his eyes darkened. He looked both serious and exhausted, like he never got enough sleep. Ziggy reached forward, laying his hands down on Dillon's.

Dillon tensed slightly, meeting those dark brown eyes. "We need your help, Dillon. Please."

And staring into those dark, pleading eyes, he really didn't know how to say no.