A/N: Hello again! Well, here's chapter 4 but first I would like to say a big thank you to my first EVER reviewer- the Pink Lightspeed Ranger! So, thank you very much! As promised, you have a special mention this time. This one is for you!
Now, on with the plot!
Disclaimer: I own Power Rangers? Wow, I thought it all belonged to Saban/Disney/BVE! Wait, it does? Oh man! Still, at least I own my OC Sky and my plot. But I don't make any profit from this, just so we're on the same wavelength here.
Wes and Sky climbed the steps of the complex together, exchanging pleasantries and light conversation. The caverns were dark, lit by Destiny in her pendant form as they strode through the passages. Finally, Sky found what she was after and brushed her hand against the walls again. At once, the coloured rocks lit up in a specific order, lighting up the corridors and bathing them in a warm, comforting, multicoloured glow.
"Impressive." Wes remarked as he strolled through. Looking at the rocks, he felt a certain pull to a red strand. "What are these?" He asked. Sky smiled and carried on walking.
"Each strand is carved into the walls of the complex whenever a new Power Ranger shows up. That's why you feel a pull towards that particular red strand; it is directly linked to you and your powers." She told him. Nodding his understanding, Wes followed the teenage girl again. They travelled down the seemingly endless corridor until Sky turned and took a sharp left. From there Wes saw some kind of slide, a tunnel sloping downwards. "This will take us to the exit." She explained. As soon as she had spoken, Sky grabbed the top of the tunnel and swung inside, rapidly disappearing from view until Wes followed. The coloured strands of rock flashed by him creating a kaleidoscope of colours around him, almost making him sick as he rocketed down the slide. He flew out the end and landed on the ground with a thud.
"Ow!" He complained, rubbing his back.
"Pfft, and you're a Ranger?" Sky scoffed. From his position on the floor, Wes still didn't see an exit until a chink of light could be seen in the ceiling, miles away. They were on a low ledge with a gigantic rock face nearby, stretching up to near the ceiling.
"How do we get up there?" Wes asked, clambering to his feet. Sky raised her eyebrows at him.
"Simple. We climb this rock face," She explained, pointing to the one nearby. "Then we jump across to that one," She continued, her hand moving to point at another ledge, this one on the other side of a dark, gaping chasm. "Then it's a short climb and we're home and dry." She finished happily. "Come on, this way." She commanded, grabbing the rock face and hauling herself up. Wes watched, impressed, as she scaled the craggy wall with ease, then he jumped as she launched herself across a gaping abyss, making it to the other side by grabbing the ledge with her fingertips. She hauled herself onto the platform and vanished for a moment before her head reappeared. "Hurry up!" She hollered to him. "It isn't hard!"
"Speak for yourself!" Wes muttered, nonetheless starting the ascent himself. He scaled the rock face with a fair amount of ease before he readied himself for the jump.
"Oh, a word of warning," Sky called across to Wes. "You have to make this jump. The Nameless didn't want intruders so if you fall you will be sucked into a dimension where demons are kept." She cautioned. "It may be better to use your morpher." She advised. Thinking it through, Wes followed her advice and morphed, becoming the Red Time Force Ranger. Retreating to the back of the ledge, he ran and jumped, stretching for the other side. He fell just short and he felt a sinking feeling in his stomach until he heard a familiar voice shout. "Oh no you don't!" Sky yelled. He stopped falling and slammed into the side of the rocks. Looking up through his visor he saw Sky, straining to hold him. "God you're heavy." She grumbled, hauling him up. Grabbing a hand hold in the rock, he helped her and soon they were both on the other side. Sky was on her knees and panting.
"Thanks for that." He gasped out.
"No problem." She replied breathlessly. She started to get to her feet, but her legs wobbled and she sank back down again. Sky looked up with a weak smile. "Blood loss, it takes it out of you." She said by way of explanation. Wes was worried about this. Her forehead was still dripping with the liquid and he noticed that her jeans now had a growing scarlet patch on the calf. Walking over to her, he peeled the leg of the jeans up to reveal her large gash had opened up again, the crimson liquid coursing down her leg. Sky let out a breathy chuckle. "Oh that's great, just what I need." She muttered. With Wes' help, she used the rock face to stand unsteadily.
"Are you sure you're well enough to get out of here?" He asked concernedly. Sky sighed, looking down.
"I have to be. I've been strong enough to get this far." She reminded him. Limping across, Sky started to climb the last rock face, leaving Wes worried whenever she slipped or lost her footing. His heart jumped into his mouth when her hand hold crumbled away and Sky was forced to grab onto a rocky outlet, her arm getting scraped all the way from her wrist to elbow. Gritting her teeth, she continued to climb. She was in agony, her arms, legs and generally her entire body screaming in protest as she continued her upward ascent, but at last she made it. Climbing out of the hole, Sky emerged into bright sunlight. She staggered away from the hole until there was a good few metres between them before promptly passing out, head hitting the ground with a sickening thud.
Wes crawled out into the daylight again, squinting at the light after being cooped up in those caves for so long. Then he spotted the spots of red dotting the ground. As his eyes adjusted, he saw to his horror Sky, lying collapsed on the floor with blood pooled by her. Running over, he picked the injured teen up and, after getting his bearings, ran off towards the city. He was about to head for the hospital, then recalled her ability to make rocks explode.
"They'd never let her out if I took her there." He realised. As he panicked over what to do, a female voice rang out in his head.
"Too right there," The voice rang out. Before Wes could even begin to think where the voice was coming from, it continued. "I'm Destiny by the way, you know, Sky's pendant and guide. And, unfortunately, I can't heal her injuries. Not yet." The voice, Destiny, admitted reluctantly.
"Why not?" Wes thought, confused.
"Because I've only been bonded to Sky for less than a week, I need time to bond completely with her DNA and genetic structure so I can heal injuries. I can still do little things. Things like bruises, I can do. Whopping great gashes like she has, I cannot." She explained. "The best thing for her right now is to take her to your friends so they can patch her up." She advised. Nodding, Wes started running back to the Clock Tower, worried as he now saw red dripping from the side of Sky's head, as well as her arm and leg. Kicking the door to the odd jobs shop open, he pushed past a confused Katie and ran inside, yelling for Trip. The Xybrian was there quickly.
"What's wrong Wes?" He asked. Wes looked at him pointedly, then at the girl in his arms. Laying Sky down on the couch, he stepped back to allow Trip to examine the girl. A few moments later, the Xybrian rushed off and returned with numerous bandages and some sort of solution, along with some wipes, cotton wool, tape, and a cream of some variety. Silently, the green haired alien got to work helping the broken girl. A few minutes later, Jen came in.
"Wes what's...oh my god!" She cried, spotting Trip tending to Sky. "What the heck happened Wes?" She demanded, shocked.
"Right now isn't the time Jen." He said, walking around the couch as Trip called him over. "What do you need Trip?" He asked, crouching down. Trip was rolling up Sky's trouser leg, leading to more blood flowing steadily down her leg.
"Hold her still, I have a feeling she won't like this. And when I applied this stuff to her head last time," He held up the bottle of antiseptic solution for emphasis, "I almost got hit in the head." He said, a worried look in his eyes. With a brief noise of agreement, Wes held Sky in position as Trip poured some of the liquid onto a cotton wool pad, before placing it on the open wound. As predicted, Sky jerked and started thrashing around as he continued to treat the leg wound. Noticing one of her hands about to hit him, Wes pinned it down quick, only for her head to whack him in the arm, hard. Eventually, Trip finished cleaning the leg wound and, after administering some anaesthetic, stitched the gash shut. He then used the wipes to clean the skin of any remaining grime and filth before he applied some kind of cream to the stitched up area and wrapped the bandages around the injury, pulling them tight and securing them with tape. He did the same for arm and, much to Wes' surprise, an injury on her side that he hadn't noticed before. After around 10 minutes of work, Trip sighed and rocked back on his heels, running a hand through his vivid green hair. "There, all done." He sighed. "She'll be out for a while though; she's been through the mill for sure." He stated, then shook his head in bewilderment. "How she even got this way is what I don't get." He muttered, walking off. Jen slowly approached Wes, looking on as he kept a silent vigil over the young girl, now sleeping peacefully.
"Wes, what happened?" She asked again, putting a hand on his shoulder. "You can't just dive into the sea, disappear for nearly a whole day, then turn up with a half dead girl and expect me not to want answers!" Jen cried, looking at him. Wes sighed and looked at her.
"Look, Jen, I would tell you, but I can't."
"Why not?" She asked stubbornly.
"Because it isn't my story to tell." He replied simply, walking off. He could feel Jen's gaze on his back, but ignored it and went into the bathroom. Jen meanwhile remained where she was, staring at where Wes had been.
"It isn't his fault, you know." A quiet voice piped up. Jen whirled around and saw Sky was sitting up, although it was obviously not easy.
"What?" Jen asked, confused about the teenager's statement.
"The reason he won't say where he's been." She explained to Jen. "It isn't his fault." Sky informed her. Gingerly, she swung her legs out off the couch and patted the space next to her. Jen sat down. "It's mine." Sky admitted.
"How come?"
"When he came after me," Sky started slowly, biting her lip as she thought about how to proceed. "He found out certain things about me, my life and my past. Things I made him promise not to reveal. That's why he can't explain anything." She finished, looking Jen in the eyes. Jen raised an eyebrow.
"But you can explain things?" She checked.
"Yes." Sky responded affirmatively.
"Will you?" Jen queried. Sky looked at her coldly.
"No." She stated, firm. Her reply was short and cold, her eyes hardening. Jen was surprised. The girl she had met earlier was nervous, yes, but she wasn't this emotionless. She was so shocked that she could only watch as Sky pushed herself up from the couch and limped away, going out onto the balcony. Shaking her head to clear it, Jen joined her.
"Why not?" She asked, kindly this time. She even tried placing a hand on Sky's shoulder, only to have the teenager shrug it off.
"It's none of your business." The girl replied briskly. "It's my private life and that's exactly how I want it to stay- private." She snapped icily. Bringing her knees up to her chest, Sky stared out across the city, trying to make it obvious she wanted to be left alone. Therefore she was infinitely disappointed when Jen sat down beside her.
"Okay." Jen acknowledged, not pressing the matter any further. "But, listen, despite what you may think, we're worried." She confided in the girl. "You were beaten up pretty badly, just look at yourself!" She exclaimed. Sky shrugged.
"These things happen." She responded calmly.
"No, they don't." Jen shot back. "And we want to help."
"I don't need help." Sky said, firm. Jen laughed and looked away.
"I was like that when we first showed up here." She confessed. "My friends and I are from the year 3000." She informed Sky when the teenager looked bewildered. Sky nodded, tucking some hair behind her ear. "I didn't want help from anyone. I was determined to be alone and I didn't feel like I should have to rely on others." She admitted.
"Sometimes it's better that way." Sky whispered. "Less people get hurt that way."
"Yeah, I thought that." Jen agreed. "But, over time, I learnt that friendship is good. They're not there to pity you when you're down, instead they support you and help you work through your problems." She smiled, looking down. "Sometimes, you don't realise how good things are until something like this happens." She murmured. Sky acknowledged her statement but remained silent. "Who did you lose?" Jen whispered. Sky whipped her head round sharply.
"What?" She asked suddenly, startled by the question. Jen looked sympathetic.
"I can see it. You've lost someone, someone really special. Who was it?" She enquired. Sky laughed bitterly.
"Everyone." She replied cryptically. Jen put a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"Want to talk about it?" She asked. It wasn't pushy, just a friendly enquiry, and Sky respected that. Her thoughts drifted to her life back home. Did her family miss her? Did they even know she was gone? She thought of Natalie and Max. What would they do? Would they have a funeral in her absence? So many questions, so few answers. Her gaze fell to her morpher. She had given up her entire life for the good of Creation, but it was such a price. Never before had Sky felt so alone in the world. She looked out to the horizon again. Below the city of Silver Hills stretched out. Huge skyscrapers climbed towards the stars and below she could hear the horns of cars and the bustling of people going about their daily lives. She smiled sadly. There were families out there, wholesome and complete. Children with loving parents who would dote upon them and take good care of them. Sky had none of that. She had nothing, not anymore.
"Maybe." She said. "Doesn't mean I can though." She confessed, getting up and going inside. Jen followed.
"What do you mean?" She questioned. Sky laughed, the sound hollow and foreign to her ears.
"Do you ever stop asking questions?" She shot back.
"Not when there are things I want to know." The pink Time Force Ranger quipped, bringing a small smile to the young woman's lips, if only for a moment.
"Touché." Sky praised, then let out a sigh and wrapped her arms around her middle. "And I mean that my life has become very complicated very quickly. Even with your lives I doubt you'd believe my story." She explained. Then she smiled and looked up to the second storey. "It's a miracle Wes did." She admitted.
"You never know unless you try to explain." Jen coaxed, but Sky shook her head.
"Maybe someday I might tell you, but not today." She compromised. Even with her head turned, she could almost see Jen's confused and hurting expression. "I don't want to keep this from you Jen. You and Wes are the first people here who've actually cared about me, but it's hard. I don't want to say it yet, but I promise when I'm ready you'll be the first to hear the tale." She vowed. Jen nodded.
"Okay then." She agreed. "But until then, why don't you sleep on the couch for tonight. At least until we get you another mattress." She bargained. With a wry smile, Sky nodded and lay back down on the couch. She hadn't realised how exhausting the past couple of days- had it really only been that long? - had been until she relaxed. Her muscles were sore and aching and the experience draining, both physically and emotionally. Her eyes started to drift close and within seconds she was asleep. Jen approached silently and draped a blanket over Sky.
"You okay Jen?" Wes asked. She looked up, startled, to see him at the top of the stairs. She glanced at Sky, waiting as he approached. "How is she?" He asked.
"She's okay." Jen replied softly. "There's something about her Wes. Something I can't put my finger on." She confessed, leaning against him without thinking.
"I know; but like I said, it's her story to tell, not mine." He reiterated his earlier statement. Jen sighed and looked at him.
"I know. I'm just worried. She's shutting everyone out, closing off. I don't want to see her become like others I know." She admitted. Wes smiled.
"Then we'll make sure she doesn't." He reassured her. Jen nodded and Wes hugged her. "Anyway, I'm off to bed, it's been a long day." He informed her, a yawn punctuating his statement. Jen rolled her eyes and shoved him good naturedly.
"Go on then." She urged, pushing him lightly towards the stairs. "I'll be up in a bit, I want to run some last minute searches on some mutants that Ransik still has." She explained. Wes nodded and, with a small wave, departed. Jen turned and looked at the sleeping Sky. "I don't know how, but I'll help you Sky." She murmured. "You're not alone anymore." She whispered to the sleeping girl. And, with that comment, Jen went to the computer and started working.
Meanwhile, Ransik was furious. Even with the Red Ranger absent the Rangers had captured another of his mutants. He stormed across his ship, pushing past some Cyclobots, who stood there confused as what to do.
"Damn that Time Force!" He cursed, slamming his hand against the desk. Just then, a holoscreen began beeping. He strode across to inspect the data. A brilliantly evil smile spread across his face. As he started laughing, Nadira sashayed into the room, pausing at the sight of her delighted father.
"What is it Daddy?" Nadira questioned, filing her nails. Ransik grinned menacingly at his daughter.
"My dear, things have just started to look up." He declared, turning back to the screen with a fiendish smile. Nadira smirked. Things had just gotten a lot more interesting.
Well, there it is. Chapter 4 and we're finally getting into the action. Sorry it took so long but I'm trying to make this story the best it can be so please stick with it! As always, I will leave a plea for more reviews as I need them to encourage me to write more. Please take a couple of minutes to write one, I'm kinda desperate here!
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JJ x