"Time didn't heal, but it anesthetized. The human mind could only feel so much."
- PD James
Then.
Breakfast had been a disaster at best. Fruit salads and teas thrown together haphazardly. Doc had his wonderful captain to thank for that. Biting the inside of his cheek, he glanced over at the oblivious red sentai; who'd occupied himself with a solo game of darts. GokaiGreen was pretty sure the destruction of his alarm clock had not actually been an accident. He sighed. Just another thing to add to the shopping list. Setting bowls and cups in their usual spots, Doc cleared his throat and all but ordered everyone to the table. It wasn't a hard task, really. Seeing how breakfast was nearly two hours overdue. As much as Doc wanted to point the finger at Marvelous, he knew better. They'd shared the same bed the previous night. But when Doc (finally) woke up the next morning, his captain was gone.
A sharp pain hit his chest. Sudden, and gone before he could react to it properly. Despite him wanting to believe different, Doc knew his words last night were true. Last night had been a mistake. A serious one. And it hurt. Deep down it burned, worse than any wound he'd recieved on the battefield. He had become Marvelous' dirty secret.
The fact that he was in love with his captain only made the ache worse.
Saying a silent prayer, Doc took his seat at the table. Furthest away from Marvelous, a blessing in disguise. Making idle conversation with Ahim, he let the less than comfortable meal pass without incident. Doc praised himself for not sneaking a single look to Marvelous. Not even when he'd collected plates for washing. For now, Doc just wanted to sulk. And his endless list of to dos only made that easier. Besides dishes, there was shopping, tune ups, the laundry. Doc was pretty sure it'd been a week since the floors had been scrubbed. Rinsing off plates, Doc listed off a dozen more things to do. All which required no socialization with Marvelous. Or any of the crew for that matter. Its not like they were oblivious.
Drying the last of the coffee mugs, Doc readied himself for his next accomplishment. That was, until a simple sound shattered his plans. The sound of a familiar man clearing his throat. Doc inwardly groaned. Not this. Not now. Putting away the last of the silverware, he turned quickly and made a break for his work desk. Their shoulders collided - red against green. But red reached out and grabbed green, gripping the thin arm tight. Almost painfully. Doc even winced as he tried to pry his arm free.
"Stop that." Marvelous snipped, tightening his grip. Seeing Doc wince once again, his face softened. "Sorry...just - you. Are you okay? I mean..." It was rare that Marvelous lost his train of thought. But it only flustered Doc more. Glaring hard, he started to wrentch his arm free.
"Go to hell."
Everyone in the Galleon froze, unable too process what just happened. Doc was never hot headed. Never temermental. Never raised his voice to anyone.
Until now. Marvelous took a moment to recover. Gritting his teeth, he pulled Doc away from his kitchen. A bit too roughly he shoved the engineer towards his work desk; letting go and allowing Doc to hit with a soft thud. Joe stood up from his morning regimine, ready to break up a feud if need be. Doc's sudden out of character actions were influencing Marvelous' own. If fists started to fly, the winner was obvious. Joe would easily step in to prevent their agitated captain from doing something he'd really regret in the future. Luckily, for the rest of the crew, that single shove was the end of it. Marvelous retreated to his chair, grabbing a slumbering Navi as he did so. The robotic parrot let out a squawk of protest. GokaiRed paid it no mind.
"Oi. Bird. Fortune." He snapped. Navi flutered its wings, shaking its head and claiming its name. Again he was ignored by the red sentai.
"Just do it."
Navi hesitated a moment, then took off, shouting its usual oneliner before slamming herself into the ceiling rafters. Everyone leaned in to hear what their next assignment would be. Navi spoke.
"Hold tight! Hold tight! Poseidon's lair will claim a color! Don't let go! Hold tight! Even if it isn't yours!"
Once again, the bird's fortune had thrown the crew for a loop. Somedays Marvelous wondered if the Galleon was a amusement ride. But the fortune had been given, and onto the next step. In fact, they usually had Doc look up the keywords in the robot's fortune. But with the way things were now, and the near brawl just minutes ago, nobody wanted to speak up. Everyone just turned their gaze towards the mechanic, who didn't need another hint. Clearing his throat, he took up his space by the main controls, pressing buttons here and there. It took less than a minute for his search to be complete, and Doc read aloud what he had found.
"Poseidon is the greek god of the seas, brother to Zeus and Hades. And-" Before he could go on any further, Mavelous had stood up and snapped his fingers. The rest of the Gokaigers turned to face him, knowing an order was about to be given.
"So what we're looking for is by the ocean." It was more of a general statement, than an order. But the others understood either way. GokaiRed exited first as always, and was soon followed by his crew. One by one they left the main quarters. Green stayed back for a few moments longer, hesitant. With his chest feeling heavier than lead, he gave Navi a thank you pat on the head and moved onwards. As always, Doc put his hand in his inner jacket pocket, gripping his Mobirate and Ranger Key tight as he said a quick prayer.
Just let everyone stay safe.
The promised shore was nothing really promising at all. In fact, it was a complete let down. The weather was dreadful. A cloudy overcast contrasting with the pale rocks outlining the raging sea. Even Marvelous cringed at the sound of the water crashing against the cliffs. It was almost if the liquid wished the rocks to shatter. Ahim stayed closer to her surrogate sister, her cute lolita dress not offering much protecting against the angry winds. Frowning, Marvelous shrugged off his trademark jacket and tossed it over to the pair. He didn't even bother listening to protests. Instead, he found himself approaching Joe; playing the role of lookout. GokaiBlue shook his head before his captain could answer. Nothing in sight.
Marvelous was just about to turn around, but the familiar sound of a drawn blade stopped him. He quickley looked back over to Joe, ready to do the same if need be.
Well; almost nothing.
His own sword was out in seconds, the rest of his group falling in behind him. They were ready to fight as well, or change if given the order. As much as he hated it, Marvelous could feel the cold running down his spine. It happened every time Basco ta Jolokia appeared. It was never out of fear, or worry. If anything is was simply the unknown. Just what the privateer was capable of, and what was running through his head. Even more when he had company like he did now. Mainly a small group of Gormins; but there was also one Marvelous had never seen before. Obviously a higher ranked Zangyack commander. Basco wore that same irritating smirk, stepping forward as if the Gokaigers would hesitate to strike him down.
"Ah. Marvey-Chan." He said, smiling like a child at the ice cream parlour. Marvelous tensed up a bit, earning a few tsk's from his rival. Chiding GokaiRed, Basco continued his game. "You shouldn't take things that arent yours. Especially things that belong to Zangyack."
Marvelous reached for his own Mobirate, practically growling. The rest of the crew mimicked him, pulling out their own devices.
"Those Ranger Keys are rightfully ours, and you know that." Luka snapped, holding her own key tight. Basco didn't even bother turning his gaze away from Marvelous, smirk only growing wider. Marvelous quickly got annoyed with the cat and mouse, and shouted for the alien make his point. That earned a pout from Basco.
"My comrade here tells me you have his property, he is here to reclaim it." Basco tapped his own sword on his shoulder, turning back to face the armor clad commader. Stone grey face, finally moved. Deep voice echoing.
"I am Rankaise. Commander of Zangyacks third finest calvary." The introduction was pointess to the Gokaigers. But it did earn a laugh from Joe.
"Third finest, is that all?"
Sarcasm seemed to be lost on the statue like alien, for he simply continued. "I am in charge of Zangyacks finest trades..." Thick arm raise up, one finger pointing at the six lined before him. "Your Green sentai is Zangyack property."
In and instant, Doc had frozen. While everyone else decided they'd heard enough. In a flash of various colors, the pirates went from their usual attire to battle armor. Red. Blue. Yellow. Pink. Silver. Doc couldn't bring himself to even raise his Mobirate. Too many thoughts clouded his judgement.
What did it mean?
Zangyack property? His heart started to race.
What if he was some sort of spy?
Sent to bring the crew down from the inside?
His crewmates.
His family.
Doc saw red - and not the Marvelous kind. Panicking, he raced towards the center of the fight. Not even bothering with suiting up.
Marvelous gaped - pushing two beaten Gormins off his sword. Despite the amount of strength shown, this wasn't Doc's usual show of courage. This was careless. Reckless. Doc wasn't thinking. He'd over analyzed a simple statement into a fight or flight frenzy. And GokaiGreen had chosen fight. Pushing his way towards the unarmored pirate, Marvelous cursed and shouted everything to get his attention.
"He's lying! Doc use your head!" He screamed, colliding with a Gormin Gai had knocked backwards. Rolling on the ground, he grunted and slammed his hand into the dirt. How suddenly a simple treasure navigate had turned into a clusterfuck. Pushing himself up, Marvelous glanced around the chaos. Doc was closer than before - destroying a pair of Gormins with heavy swings. Moves like that consumed energy fast. Doc was only putting himself into more danger. And quickly closing the gap between him and Rankaise.
Letting out a few more loud curses, Marvelous lunged forward; sword waving. He'd never raise a weapon to Doc, but someone wanting to hurt one of his crew was a different story. Still screaming, he put himself between commander and mechanic. Just in time for the Zangyack to bring down his weapon.
And for Doc to snap back.
Marvelous was sure he knew what had hit him. Once again, he'd hit the dirt. Harder than the previous time. Sliding on his side, he felt his armor dissapear. Leaving him back in his civillan clothes. Through gritted teeth he sat up. Confused. His arm burned like hell, but he didn't feel the familiar sting of a sword wound. Marvelous brought his other hand up to the wound - pressing on it a moment before moving it to eyeline. His eyes widened. No blood. But from that close...?
It was then he noticed the eerie silence surrounding him. Despite the ongoing fighting. Daring to look up, the red sentai found his answer. Just like he'd stood between them earlier, Doc had come between him and Rankaise. He'd regained his wits just enough to push his captain away, the heavy blade coming down upon his turned back. The blond's knees gave out on him, and he hit the dirt with a soft thump. It took only seconds for Marvelous to see the blood stain through the green jacket. And the commanders blade rise again.
Marvelous didn't have a second to hesitate. He scrambled to his feet, arms outstretched to grab Doc as soon as he got close enough. The second sword swing acted like a ticking time bomb. Inching closer to the pair as Marvlous' fingers found the edges of Doc' jacket. He pulled the semi consious blond closer to him, just as the great sword came down again. It hit the ground with plenty of force, sending both Captain and Engineer flying. Right over the cliffs edge.
Destroying the last of the Gormins, the rest of the crew found their way over to the rocky edge. A stunned silence fell over them. Forgetting that Basco and Rankaise still remained, they dropped their own armor and made towards the water. Finding a make shift path where the cliffs slopped instead of suddenly ended. Basco watched them go, no longer amused. Sighing, he looked at the very few Gormin that had stayed away from the fight. Snapping his fingers, he pointed towards the water.
"Find blondie. If he's alive, give him to Ran-chan here, and give me his ranger keys. If hes dead. Give me his ranger keys." With that order, the last of the metal heads scampered off, doing exactly what they had been told.
Marvelous choked, fighting hard to keep his and Doc's head above the thrashing water. Keeping an arm wrapped around the other chest, he paddled forward. Trying to fight gravity and the current. The water surrounding them went from a foamy blue to a deep red. Marvelous knew why. That wound staining his shirt was serious. Doc need help. And now. He continued to push against the waves, ducking and spitting water every time he lost. Each time he went under, he felt his grip slipping. Slowly panic started to creep in, as Navi's fortune echoed in the back of his mind.
Hold tight!
He couldn't. His strength was being zapped away. Oozing out of him like the blood from Doc.
Hold tight!
Marvelous wanted to scream, but the thrashing waves flooded his lungs. Tossing him around like a box during a windstorm. His arms were slipping. He could feel it. It was painful. And found himself begging and praying for him to not let go.
Poseidon's lair will claim a color!
Not green! The waters would not claim Gokaiger's green. Not his mechanic. Not today. He had to tell himself that over and over, despite the stacking odds. Another wave crashed over them again, prying the unconsious blond from his arms in one swoop.
Don't let go!
He'd let go. Despite his willpower, his arms remained empty. Defeated, he sunk under. Waving his arms around wildly, blindly trying to find his engineer amongst the waves.
Hold tight!
He didn't. He should have.
Even if it isn't yours!
That last part was a lie. Doc wasn't Zangyack property. Hell, Doc wasn't property period. He was a living being. His friend. His family. Doc belonged to the Galleon. To the Gokaigers. To Marvelous. He wouldn't fail him. This time, he dived into the water, reaching into the abyss for any solid form. It was too dark under the waters to follow a blood trail. But he still kept grasping. Hoping. Praying. Ignoring the agony rising in his chest. He'd search until his lungs exploded if he had to.
Unfortunatly, he didn't have the chance. Before his lungs could give out, a hand grabbed his own shoulders and pulled him to the surface. Taking in a breath of much needed air, Marvelous found himself facing the remainder of his crew. Joe being the one to drag him ashore. Gasping, he looked all around him. Blue. Yellow. Pink. Silver.
"Where is he?" Marvelous panted out, desperately looking around him. "The water...he's hurt. Bad. Did you get him. Is he okay?" He was desperate. Eyes practically begging for the answer he wanted. But silence was all he met. Heart pounding, he staggered to his feet. Ready to jump back into the water in a moment. But Joe kept his grip firm, forcing his exhausted captain back unto the ground.
Heart sinking, let out an agrivated cry. This was not happening to them! To him. He looked over at his crew, mirroring their greived faces. Joe remained stone faced, while Luka simply looked away from the others. Ahim and Gai wore their hearts on their sleeves. Tears leaked from the corners of her pretty eyes, while Gai just sank down. Hiding his face between his knees. This time, Marvelous managed to stand up. Looking at the red staining his shirt, he sniffled.
"Just. Just look around. He'll wash up somewhere. He..hes gonna need help when we find him. " He said simply, moving to walk the shoreline. Marvelous didn't even wait for an answer from anyone.
Marvelous needed a moment.
And to find his engineer.