Disclaimer: Again, I don't own Power Rangers Mystic Force.

Author's Ramblings: Hey again! Thanks to those of you who reviewed and even read my story. It was actually pretty encouraging for me to receive four or five reviews after the first day, and I hope I'll get more. Yay! Here's chapter two for you, and again, the red ranger does not, and never will, die in this fanfiction.

CURIOSITY KILLS THE RED RANGER - SUSPICION

CHAPTER TWO

BRIARWOOD TRAIN STATION

Chip grunted, lugging one of two suitcases that Madison had packed for her two-week trip to a filming camp. "Maddie, no offense or anything, but you're leaving for two weeks, not two months."The freckled boy panted slightly, leaning against a metal and rusted pole. "Let's rest for a while."

Maddie, who carried her other suitcase, laughed a little. "Sorry, Chip. You were so eager to help, I gave you the suitcase with all my filming equipment."She shrugged helplessly, her comment arousing chuckles from the group. "I'm going to go buy my ticket, anyone want to come with?"The brunette set down her suitcase with a thud beside Nick, who sat eyeing all the other passengers of the train around them. Hearing Maddie's voice, he bit the inside of his cheek, preventing him from saying anything.

The other female brunette with a green streak through her bangs piped up. "Yeah, I'll go." Darting a warning glance towards the trio of boys on the bench, her voice held a threatening tone. "Watch her stuff and don't let anyone steal anything. Got it?" Her dark orbs immediately darted to Xander, and an illuminating aura suddenly appearing around her in the eyes of her fellow rangers.

The male in question chuckled nervously, conjuring up the best smile he could under the circumstances. "Y-You got it, V!" He glanced at Nick and Chip, his eyebrow raised slightly, but the other two only responded in stifled snickers. Rolling his eyes, the Australian green ranger crossed his legs, leaning back on the bench.

Vida rushed to catch up with her sister, who was already in line. Looking about the train station, her protective and critical side became aroused.

There was a wooden, shack-like ticket booth. It was in desperate need of repair, with the paint peeling off and flaking to the ground. Not to mention the small holes through the walls, caused by the termites. Bird droppings were scattered all over the area, like the splashes of colorful paint in a paintball arena. Gum, now the color of the bottom of Vida's boot, stuck to the cement and pieces of trash littered the ground. Cringing, Vida hurried to Maddie's side, her arms folded.

"How come we couldn't just drive you there? Then we'd know you were safe!" The more rash of the Rocca sisters shook her head, gesturing around them.

"Sis, it would be a two hour ride! And besides, I'll be fine." Her smile didn't reassure her sibling much, but did enough to quiet and calm her down. Reaching the worn counter, she held out a five dollar bill, purchasing her ticket. Maddie took the piece of paper, returning to her luggage. "Thanks for seeing me off, guys. I'm going to board now." Before she could finish her good-byes, she was enveloped in a giant bear hug, courtesy of Chip, soon joined by Xander and Vida. Nick smiled a bit, shoving his hands in his pockets.

"We'll miss you, a lot. Don't worry about Udonna. Just take care of yourself. And call me if you need anything. Don't let anyone hit on you." Vida rambled on and on about what to do and what not to do, until Xander wrapped his arm around her shoulder, clamping his hand over her mouth.

"Don't worry about V, Maddie. We'll take care of her while you're gone. Keep her in line." He chuckled, winking a little until stumbling back when the pink ranger shoved him away rather roughly.

Glaring at the Aussie, Vida hugged her sister. "Just be careful, okay?" Maddie responded to a nod, taking both suitcases and waving a little.

"I'll write to you guys! Bye!" She boarded the train, sitting on a seat near the window. Smiling reassuringly, she blew a kiss and then laughed.

Nick, hands still out of sight, gestured towards the parking lot. "Let's go, guys. Maddie's old enough to take care of herself." With one last wave, the group of four walked off. But although Nick was the first to suggest they leave, he was the last one out of the parking lot. Jogging up to the side of the window, he slipped off his leather jacket with ease and let it hang from his arm, tapping on the window of Maddie's seat. The blue ranger, who had slipped on the earphones of her CD player, was oblivious to the fact that Nick was tapping on her window and hummed quietly with her eyes closed.

"Maddie!" The red ranger knocked on the glass louder, startling the female inside the train. Quickly pulling off her earphones, her eyes fluttered open and she casually opened the window, despite her heart beating twice its normal rate. One, because Nick had surprised her. Hadn't he already left? Second...well, because it was him!

"Nick...Hey!" Her brow furrowed in confusion, though she smiled a bit. "What are you still doing here? I thought you left with everyone else."

"Yeah, I wanted to give you something for your trip." Taking the jacket hanging from his arm, he held it out and pushed it through the open window. "It, uh, it might get cold over there. Wear that when it does." He once more stuffed his hands in his pockets, glancing towards the ticket booth to avoid Madison's eyes.

"Thanks, Nick. This really means a lot to me." Maddie beamed, but reduced it to a casual smile with a light shade of pink tinging her cheeks. Folding the leather jackets carefully, she gently set it on her lap, fidgeting with the sleeve a bit. "Here...Something to remember me by.." she murmured, looking down slightly. She paused for a moment, then stuck her hand out with window. Nick cautiously raised his hand to receive it, and a warm, silver chain necklace dropped into his palm. From it hung the letter 'R', originally standing for Rocca. "You don't have to wear it or anything. But, its yours." She shrugged a bit, her cheeks flushing.

The red ranger grinned a little, closing his hand around the glinting chain. "Nah, I will. Thanks, Maddie." He held the necklace up to inspect, then put it around his neck.

"No problem. But um..You should probably go now. Toby will kill you if you're late again."

"Yeah, yeah. I should probably get going." He gestured towards the parking lot where his motorcycle was parked. "Have a nice time." Nick saluted to her, then walked off, hoping he looked more calm than he felt. Much more.

"Did I just salute to her?" The departing teen mused quietly, groaning. Swinging his left leg over the motorcycle, he rode off, leaving Maddie in the train quite content and grinning happily.

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ROOT CORE

Daggeron paced in front of the four aligned teens, his face stern. "Today.." he folded his arms and glanced at the rangers, as if seeing if they were ready to hear the information he was about to disclose. "We go on a treasure hunt." He chuckled to himself, watching Chip quietly cheer and Vida sag over in disbelief.

"You each get a map," he continued, handing out a piece of paper to each ranger. "Each map is different and will lead you to an area where you will find a chest. Use your magic and your resources to open the chest. Bring back whatever is in it, and whoever brings their item back to Root Core first, wins." Daggeron paused, glancing back at the teens. First there was Nick, then Vida, then Xander, and lastly Chip. There usually was five rangers. Finally, it clicked. "Where's Madison?"

Chip scratched the back of his head nervously, giving a weak laugh. "So, wh-what do we get if we win?" He attempted to draw Daggeron's thoughts away from the blue ranger, though his actions came up fruitless.

"You'll find out if you win. Where is she?" the Solaris ranger answered shortly.

"Is there something wrong, Daggeron? Who's missing?" The voice of the sorceress Udonna floated towards them from the entrance of Root Core.

"Yea, who's missing?" Clare echoed Udonna, hauling a basket of herbs beside her.

"Madison is. Mind explaining, rangers?" The rangers' teacher folded his arms, eyes stern.

Sighing in defeat, Xander stepped forward. "Ah, we can't keep anything from you guys, can we." He shrugged helplessly, still smirking a little. "You see..." He paused before continuing. And for dramatic effect, no less. "Maddie's sick! She's at her house recuperating. Remember guys, there was that customer at Rock Porium who was sneezing and coughing. We elected Maddie to help him." The green ranger stated it matter-of-factly, nudging Vida for back-up. "Right, V?"

The pink ranger shot him a glare, then faked a laugh. "Oh yeah, I remember that. Y'know, if that customer comes back, I'm going to get him," Vida gritted her teeth, emphasizing the last two words as her dark orbs bore into Xander's. The only time he was actually good at lying was when he was talking to girls. Then, he spouted off lies, or as he likes to call them, 'small exaggerations,'as easily as he breathed, and his charming smiles made it all the more easier for most girls to believe him. Vida was one of those who didn't waver at the sight of his trademark grin or attracting accent. The green ranger laughed under her stare, waving his hand dismissively.

Udonna exchanged glances with Daggeron, both obviously not convinced by Xander or Vida although they said otherwise. "Send her my best wishes. Let's hope she gets better." The sorceress nodded to the rangers, sweeping past them with Clare in tow.

"Oh! I could help her get better! I know this great potion that I can make. It'll help her feel better in no time at all! Bring her here!" Clare happily bobbed her head up and down, convinced that she would be able to help the actually healthy Madison.

All four rangers shook their head, their voices overlapping in denial. "No! I mean...No, its alright."

"Yeah, she'll be fine!"

"She looked great, last time I saw her..."

"Perfectly fine."

Nick cleared his throat, looking to the others. "We should probably start on our treasure hunts, huh?" He held up his map, heading towards the woods. "C'mon guys."

The only female of the group at the moment turned swiftly, her cape rippling behind her. "Right." The last two rangers followed suit, leaving behind a slightly disappointed Clare and two highly suspicious teachers.

Outside the dragon head-like entrance, Chip leaned against a nearby tree in exhaustion. "That. Now that was close." He pointed back to where they had come from.

The green ranger rolled his eyes. "You're joking, right? They believed me completely." He folded his arms in defiance, then took his map and looked it over. "Shouldn't be too hard."

Vida narrowed her eyes at him, then turned her head to look at her own map. "I'll be seeing you guys later, 'cause I'm going to win that prize. "Striding off towards the north, the three males looked after her until her cape gave one last wave before disappearing from their sight.

"Doubt it. I'm going to get that prize," the Aussie boasted, walking towards the west. "Good luck, you guys! You're going to need it!" Calling over his shoulder, he waved and began jogging, confident of winning.

"Well, I want to see what the prize is...Maybe I'll win.." Chip looked thoughtful for a moment, then shrugged. "See you later, Nick!" Taking a quick glance at his map, he spun towards the same direction Vida had went, then paused. "North...South...West...East? Oh! East!" He laughed a little nervously, then followed his own map in hopes of being the first to divulge what the prize was.

"Later," the last ranger replied dryly. Without the loud chatter of his friends, the woods seemed a bit empty, but it was better to keep on his guard than be startled by something...like Phineas. Recalling the troblin's many startling appearances, Nick chuckled to himself before setting off towards the south, leaving only the west, which originally was for Maddie, with no ranger.

An hour and a half later, all returned to the same spot before, outside Root Core. Chip sighed, flopping on the ground. His face had scratches all over, and his cape was drenching wet. "I got lost..." He frowned, disappointed in himself, but then noticed that it seemed no one else had succeeded either.

The green ranger brushed spider webs out of his hair, then put his hands on his hips. "Look, my map was wrong. And then I dropped it into quick-sand."

"Uh-huh..." Nick coughed, picking leaves out of his own hair. "Trees attacked me. All of them."

Vida rolled her eyes, but was covered from head to toe in pollen. "Don't even ask."

Xander held up his hands in defense, stifling a fit of laughter at the sight of the pink ranger. "No, no. Never." Recovering his composure, he gestured to Nick, who was fingering the necklace Maddie had given him. "Nick, didn't know you had a thing for jewelry." He chuckled at his own joke.

"Wait a minute...That's Maddie's!" Vida stared at Nick in disbelief, who stepped back and hid the necklace.

"She gave it to me, when I was leaving, okay?"

"I don't know, V. He looks kind of suspicious to me," Chip chortled, patting the male in question on the back.

"C'mon guys, you don't trust me?"

"I'll trust you...for now. If you hurt Maddie in any way, I'm going to hunt you down." The pink Rocca sister pursed her lips, then stalked into Root Core.

Shaking his head, the Aussie nudged Nick. "Got a thing for Maddie, do you? You'd better watch out though. Let's go." Xander and Chip jogged to catch up with Vida, and disappeared into Root Core.

"No kidding..." Nick exhaled forcefully, then followed suit.

Author's Ramblings: Ack, I'm really sorry about the long delay. I hope you all liked this chapter! I really will try to update more often. xD And I apologize for the spacing errors. For some reason, when I save it, it just saves it with them. Gomen! Anyways, thanks for reading and review for me!