Chapter 2: The Routine at Daybreak
The beeping of an alarm clock woke a man up from his dream. He yawned a moment and sat up rubbing the sleep from his eyes as he moved to put his feet onto the floor below the bed. He yanked them up quickly from the shock of the coldness of the floor.
"GOOD MORNING RED RANGER." A female computer voice called.
"Good morning." The man replied as he sighed. "What time is it?"
"7:21 AM." The computer replied
"Most have hit snooze again." The man said with a sigh. "Could you have that deactivated, please?"
"DONE." The computer replied.
"Thanks." The man said as he moved to his feet back down to the floor and stood up. He moved to the stairs. 'It's third time this week,' he thought with a sigh as he started down the stairs. He took a look around before moving to the bathroom. "Computer is there any news from the others?"
"NEGATIVE." The computer answered.
"Oh well." The man replied with a sigh as he walked out of the bathroom. 'So much for wishful thinking,' He thought as he sighed, got undressed and jumped into the shower.
He let the cool water rush over his body. He let out a sigh as he put his hands on the wall and leaned forward allowing the water to hit the back of his neck and fall under him. "Why won't they answer me? I don't remember telling them not to keep me posted on how they were doing. Could I have been so stupid in thinking it was a good idea to split up? Could I have doomed what little chance earth had to being restored?" he said to himself as images of what Earth had looked like in the past flashed before his eyes then those of what it looked like today. He let out a deep sigh.
~*~
The man stepped out of the shower and found clothes waiting for him on the hamper lid. He laughed a bit to himself as he put on his underwear followed by a pair of black shorts. He soon sat down and moved to put his socks on followed by a pair of red, black, and white sneakers, he followed up with tying each sneaker. He stood up picking up a white under shirt putting it making sure to tuck it into the shorts before putting on a belt lopping it around himself. He smiled a bit as he fastened the belt and fixed the belt buckle into place. He looked down at the silver square shaped box. A red circle was set into the face of the buckle. Within the circle was a shiny gold coin. A Tyrannosaurus Rex carved into it. He let out a sigh as he moved his finger over its surface. "Why was I picked to do this?" he asked sighing again as he turned to pick up the red and white sweatshirt. He pulled it on and flipped the hood back. He walked over to the mirror and looked at himself.
"BREAKFAST IS READY." The computer said making the man jump a bit.
"Thanks." He said looking up at the red sphere in the wall. He let out another sigh as he quickly brushed his hair before leaving the bathroom.
~*~
The man walked into the living room from the bathroom. He looked around the room and sighed. 'Sure is quiet here all by myself.' he thought. Moments later he could be sure he could see his four friends sitting around in living room talking about what had happened that day. He looked down quickly remembering that had been the last day he had seen them. It still hurt inside to not know how they were, or even if they were still alive. He shook his head for a moment before walking over to the table taking his normal spot at the head of the table he picked up the fork and knife that were laying there and started to eat his breakfast.
A little while later the man stood up, before picking up his plate and moving to the sink. He let out a sigh as he put the plate and the silverware away. He stood there for a few moments before turning and heading for the front door.
"WILL YOU NOT BE TAKING THE MOTORCYCLE AGAIN TODAY?" The computer asked.
"I haven't had time to fix it." The figure replied as he looked up at the red ball again. "Besides I suck at driving."
"UNDERSTOOD." The computer replied.
The man smiled a bit as he walked outside. He took a deep breath as he looked around at the building in the area. Glass was broken at the main level of all the buildings except for the one he had come out of. Magic made sure that the building he was living in was safe from damage, which he was glad for. He just wished that what protected the Haven as he and the others had started to call it, would block out the noise the creators made when they tried to get into the Haven. He sighed a bit as he started walking down to the street. "Which way should I go today?" He asked as he turned to look to the left then to the right. "Should head up to the school, did tell them I'd bring them some food." He said as he put his hand on his chin and tried to think. "Should I do that before or after my portal? I suppose I could do that first, don't know if that coolers going to hold up much longer." He said before turning and walking down the street to the left.
~*~
The man walked into the empty store. He laughed a bit as he looked around seeing that the magazines are missing. "Someone most have come by." He said softly as he headed down an ally. A noise from the next row made him step.
"Why did Bulk have to send me out here. Lt. Stone told him to look for food not me." A male voice said with a sigh.
"Farkus sending you out to do is duty work again I see." The man said.
"Hey Jason." Other man said. "How have you been?"
"Hey Eugene. I've been doing alright. What about you?" Jason asked as he turned the corner to see another man in black standing in the middle of the ally.
"How many times have i asked you to call me Skull?" Skull asked walking up to where Jason was standing.
"About fifteen times." Jason replied with a laugh.
Skull smiled a bit as he put the gun he was holding behind his back. "Been doing alright, rescued a few people the other day from the Krypzards."
"How many did you find?" Jason asked as the two started walking around.
"Twenty-five," Skull said. "Lt. Stone told Bulk to come and see if he could find anything that hadn't expired. But Bulk sent me instead. I swear he doesn't do a thing to help out anymore. Keeps sending me to do his work, knowing full well stay up and keep those things away from the hide out."
"He's still fat?" Jason asked.
"Yeah, I don't see how. We never have all the much food, and he doesn't eat all that much." Skull replied. "Come here to get food also?"
"No, I came here to pick some up and bring it to you." Jason replied as he walked to the area he had stashed the food he had taken from the Haven.
"Really," Skull asked hopeful.
"Yeah, I hid it here." Jason replied walking into the back where the cooler resided. "Hopeful it'll be enough to last you and the others for a bit. I'll keep hiding some food here, but can't do it too often, not sure how much I have stored up." he said as he opened the cooler and allowed Skull to see the food.
"Any help would be great. Don't need you and your group running out because of ours." Skull replied. "Would you mind helping me bring this to base?"
"Nah I don't mind." Jason replied. "I located a car behind the store we could use to transport the food from here to the School."
"Great." Skull replied as he went and got some bags to put the food in.
~*~
Soon the two men had loaded all the food Jason had hidden in the store into the car that had been left behind it. "I'll drive since I don't have a weapon." Jason said.
"Right, I'll keep the Krypzards off us." Skull replied getting into the passenger side. "You do know how to drive right?"
"Kind of," Jason replied as he got into the car and started it up before pushing on the gas lightly, the car started to move forward.
"Not doing too badly." Skull replied with a laugh. "Mind if I ask you a question?"
"Sure." Jason replied as the car moved onto the main street and started to travel down the street heading for the school that Skull and several dozen people called home.
"How many people live with you?" Skull asked.
"It's just me." Jason said sadly.
"So why don't you come stay with us, or let some of us stay with you?" Skull asked.
"I can't. It's not that I don't want to." Jason replied. "It's just hard to explain."
"Place not big enough?" Skull asked.
"No it's big enough." Jason replied. "It's just that the security system is a little weird and won't let anyone it that doesn't have the right item or blood."
"Damn that sucks."
"Yeah, a while back I had people staying with me, but they decided to split up and see if they could locate any survivors." Jason replied with a light sigh, as he started slowing down as he pulled the car up to the back of the school.
~*~
The two got out of the car. Jason waiting by the car as Skull walked up the ramp and started knocking on the door.
"I don't think anyone's going to hear this." Skull said with a sigh as he turned around to Jason.
"Why not head to the front?" Jason said.
"Good idea." Skull replied as he started moving away from the door, just as it started to open.
"Why are you coming the back way Skullovitch?" A tall man asked as he walked out of the now open door. He wore a fading police uniform, bits of it was torn off in several places.
"Hey Jerome." Jason replied smiling as he waved from where he was standing.
The man smiled as he looked at him. "Good to see you Jason. Thought something bad had happened to you when, you hadn't visited in a few weeks."
Jason laughed a bit. "Been a bit busy," He lied. "But I did bring what I promised I would. Skull helped me load the car here."
Jerome looked from Jason to Skull. "Least one of you two got off your asses."
"Yup," Skull replied with his trademarked laugh.
"Skull told me that you got some more people. Hopefully the food we brought will last a week or two." Jason replied popping the trunk to let Jerome see.
Skull walked back to the car with Jerome right behind him. Once the two got to the car Skull moved to stand next to Jason, while Jerome had a look inside.
"There's more in the backseat." Jason replied.
Jerome nodded as he walked to the side door of the car. He looked into the window for a few moments before walking back to where the other two men were standing. "That should last us a little more than two weeks."
Jason nodded. "I'll help unload the car, but a few more hands would be helpful. I'd recommend hiding the car when you're not using it. I'll bring what food I can back to the store I hid it in before. After two weeks have Skull and another person use the car to get the food."
Jerome nodded as he turned to look at Skull, who nodded and run back into the school. Once he was sure Skull was out of hearing range he spoke. "Krypzards been keeping you and your friends busy huh."
Jason nodded silently. "I haven't heard from the others in over four years."
"Have you tried to reach them?" Jerome asked.
"Yeah, I've sent broadcasts out using the Haven's satellite."
"How many of those Haven's do you have?" Jerome asked.
"In Angel Grove there are about fifteen. In total there are about six hundred and seventy-five." Jason replied.
"Why do you have so many?" he asked.
"We divided each city and town into several sectors. Each sector has one Haven, and watches over their sector. The information is then sent to the Central Haven for each city. Which is usually in the center of the city, if there is no one there to look over the data, it's sent to another haven where someone is staying at, or is sent to the main Haven." Jason replied.
"Where's the main Haven?" Jerome asked.
"Somewhere in the mountains," Jason replied. "I have no idea where thou. We used to teleport to and from it, but stopped since it was jammed five years ago. I haven't been able to go back. I'm worried about them."
"Your allies," Jerome asked
"Yeah," Jason replied with a nod. "You haven't told anyone, have you?"
"Nope, I promised you I wouldn't, and I keep my promises." Jerome replied. "If it hadn't been for you I'd have lost Arnie and Jenny."
"How are they?" Jason asked when Skull came back with four other man.
"They're doing fine." Jerome replied.
Jason smiled as he moved to help.
"We got this man." Skull replied.
"Are you sure?" Jason asked.
"Yup, you've done enough." Skull replied smiling, before handing him a white paper bag. "Miss Appleby's made these for you."
"Tell her thanks for me please." Jason replied looking into the bag to find two dozen chocolate chip cookies. He smiled a bit as he took a few out and passed them out, making sure to keep one for himself before closing the bag and putting it in his hoodie pocket.
"No problem." Skull replied smiling as he finished off the cookie he had been given by Jason.
"Thank you." The four men said as they finished their cookies and started unloaded the car.
"You're welcome." Jason replied smiling as he watched the five leave.
"She's teaching the kids." Jerome replied. "Teaches them for a few hours each day and helps cook for everyone."
"How's her leg doing?" Jason asked.
"Better, thank goodness there's a doctor living here with us. He's out at the moment with a few others getting medical supplies." Jerome replied.
"Well I should be going." Jason said.
"You should visit more Jason. Living on your own isn't healthy." Jerome replied.
"I know. I just don't want him coming after anyone here, because of me." Jason replied looking down.
"We can handle ourselves Jason. Maybe not that long. Even still, it's worth the risk." Jerome said. "If you keep yourself cooped up in that house by yourself for much longer, you might go crazy, and that might do more harm to you and us."
"I've never thought of it that way." Jason said looking up at him. "Everyone else paired up. Since there were only five of us, I volunteered to be alone."
"No one tried to talk you out of it?" Jerome asked.
"Nope, since I'm the leader they just followed that as an order." Jason replied seeing the four men along with Skull return to unload more of the food. "I'll try and visit soon."
"Why not come by this coming Friday." Jerome replied. "Make it an every Friday thing."
"I'll do my best." Jason replied with a smile as he shook hands with Jerome and started walking down the street.
~*~
Once Jason was sure he was far enough away from the school he let out a sigh as he reached into his hoodie packet and took out another cookie from the bag. "Wish I could get a hold of Zedd. I'm sure he'd be able to help them more then I can." He said as he removed the belt buckle from his belt.
He turned the buckle around to look at the front, smiling a bit, then before turning it back over and holding it in front of him. "It's Morphin Time! Tyrannosaurus!"
In a flash of red light, Jason was replaced with a figure in red spandex. His hands and feet were covered with white gloves and boots, both the gloves and boots had red diamonds around the top of each item. Covering most of the chest was a white shield that was attached to white shoulder pads. In the center of the shield was a large red diamond. Just below the shield were dark red metallic bracelets around both arms. Around his knees, a bit below and above, were knee pads, which, like the arm bracelets, were a metallic red. His stomach was protected with a piece of metallic red armor. Around the armor were several white bars that looked like ribs which covered his sides. The same armor that was around his stomach appeared to have traveled down, protecting his crotch. Lastly on his head was a red helmet. Where his mouth would be was a silver mouth piece that was carved into the helmet. The visor itself looked like two sideways ovals. Joined at the bottom around the visor were what looked like teeth, On the top of the helmet was what looked like a nose and a pair of small black eyes.
Jason let out a sigh as he looked himself over. He then pulled out his blaster and started on his portal. He stopped for a moment and looked up at a clock that had been built into a large tower. "Eight hours before the sun sets. Should be enough time to do a portal," He said to himself before heading down the street.
Jason stopped when he heard food steps behind. Jason turned around expecting to see a Krypzard. But instead he came face to face with another dressed like him. Expect he wore green spandex, and a gold shield, white shoulder pads could be seen under the gold shield. His arm bracelets and knee pads were the same gold color as his shield. His stomach and crotch armor were a darker metallic green. His helmet look similar to Jason's, expect green like his spandex. The eyes on the top of his helmet were red instead of black, with a red jewel set into the middle of the nose design. In his hand was a carved black sword.
Jason didn't have any time to react as the figure in green started to attack him. "Why are you attacking me?" he asked as he summoned his sword and blocked a few of the attacker's blows.
"Because you are the enemy," The figure in green said.
"You work for that bastard." Jason yelled as anger started to fill him.
"You work for a moron." He replied spinning around and kicking Jason in the stomach sending him flying backwards into a wall, smiling as he saw Jason's sword go flying out of his hands and landed several feet away from its owner. "He believes a group of children can defeat my master. You and your pathetic friends haven't done much of anything to free this world. It's best to join us." He added walking calmly up to Jason, who was having trouble getting back to his feet.
"I'd rather die than work for him." Jason spat.
"So be it." The men replied raising his sword into the air, and bringing it down.
Jason closed his eyes knowing that he wouldn't be able to do much to stop the other man's weapon while he was unarmed. A moment later the sound of metal hitting metal met his ears. He opened his eyes and looked up. He gasped at what he saw. Standing between himself and the figure in green, was a figure in red spandex, red diamonds could be seen on his gloves and also on his boots. On his back were larger white diamonds.
