Chapter 07

Guilty Pleasures


Avalon twisted her mouth to the side flicking open and closed the top of the lighter that she balanced between her palms. The light clink was the only sound in the room. Skye sat at the top of the lookout tower, watching the streets below him. Only the usual people were on the streets, it was a boring position to been assigned but he knew not to question it. He had other areas of interest that were his greater strengths and he had proven it time and time again.

And yet he had to continue to sit under Chase's thumb and listen to his every word and do exactly as he was told. Skye had been there from the very beginning and had been by Chase's side as the numbers of the Vipers continued to dwindle day by day. He could see Chase's grip slipping—why else would he want to start working with Tim—it was only a matter of time until it was gone completely.

Avalon turned away from Skye when she heard footsteps heading their way. Out of the corner of her eye, Avalon could see Skye poke his head out from underneath the railing and watched as Chase, Tim, and Summer appeared from around the corner, coming from one of the extra rooms of the warehouses. Avalon leaned back on the couch, placing her head on the headrest, angling her chin down to look directly at them, though so it didn't appear she was watching their every move. Crossing her legs at the ankle she placed her hands on her power morpher, wondering if there was any chance that a monster attack would happen that would get her out of there.

"Alright, we got some stuff we need to do," Chase said, clasping his hands together. "Though the police have caused us to hold back for a while, Tim,"—he angled his head back towards the High Flyer leader that stood by his side. His tattoos that were visible on his neck showed different tribal designs that, all together, appeared sharper and more threatening. "Has some intel that will keep us running for a while."

Especially now that he was standing in the middle of his rival gang territory.

Who knew if he was really trying to help them out or was just waiting for the perfect moment to strike back and destroy the Vipers from the inside out?

Not that it'd be that difficult to do right now, Avalon thought. She sat up straight, turning her attention back to Chase as he continued to speak. Tilting his head to the side, he scratched his lower jaw, the stubble that had formed over the past couple of days sprouting up around the harsh scar in his jaw.

"Speaking of…" Avalon sat up and reached into her pocket, pulling out a pair of brass knuckles. She juggled them in her hand for a moment before tossing them over to Chase, who shot out his hand and snatched the weapon out of the air. "Bay gave me those to give to you." Her eyes shifted over to Tim, who looked back at her. He even spat on the ground without breaking eye contact with her. "Someone from his crew gave it to my sister to give to you." Her eyebrow rose. "I thought you said you were going to leave Bailey out of this."

Tim shrugged as he spoke up, Chase stayed inconspicuously quiet. He had taken his gaze from Avalon and over to Summer, who had made a show of draping her arm around the gang leader's waist, leaning into his side.

"I wasn't aware that an arrangement had been made," Tim said, his eyebrows rising. Was there amusement in his eyes? No entirely sure, the orange ranger looked away, instead, tightening her grip around the power morpher. It was a source of comfort to her now. She had no idea when that happened. "Though now I'll be sure to keep your sister out of this." His tone was condescending; everyone in the room could hear it and feel it in the tension that had suddenly surrounded them.

Avalon lifted a hand and flipped him off.

"As I was saying!"—Chase's glare moved from Avalon to Skye, who continued to sit in the rafters, watching everything unfold. "We have a tip for a hit as well as to make some money. But we have to go into High-Flyer territory to get it done."

"How do you know you can trust it?" Skye questioned. He was now glaring back at Tim who appeared to be a little too comfortable with the conversation. Avalon knew the concerns he had; they were the same that she was quietly harboring. Why was Tim the only one of the High-Flyers that was doing anything with the Vipers? What had happened to the others? Yes a lot of both gangs had been nicked by the police when there was the giant drug bust, but did that mean that the purple clad gang affiliates were really trying to help?

"Are you questioning me?" Chase knocked Summer's tight grip off of his waist and addressed the whole room, his manic voice echoing off the rafters and around the metal. His facial expression had done a quick one-eighty, changing from a sense of neutrality to extreme anger. If looks could kill, they would all have been buried six feet under just by one glance. "When I've done nothing but help you by bringing you in—"

"Not this again," Skye murmured, shaking his head.

"Do you want me to fucking go up there and do something?" Chase snarled at him.

"If fucking Summer is going to help you feel better at all go ahead." Skye waved an arm back towards the stairs. "Do whatever you want, the rest of us will just sit back and do whatever it is you ask us to do, acting like your little sheep when it suits you." He slapped the metal staircase before walking down it, footsteps clomping loudly as he did so, as if putting an exclamation point on his words. "God dammit, do you not get what's going on out there?! We have nothing other than this and you're tearing it apart because you can't lead!" He crossed his arms. "If Dusty were here—"

"Fuck off!" Chase snapped. He grabbed the front of Skye's shirt and pulled him into his face. Chase's face had turned a nasty shade of magenta. He removed his hand from the front of Skye's shirt to around his neck, painfully pressing the tips of his fingers into the skin above his Adam's apple, his thumb pushing Skye's chin upwards. "If you have a problem with the way I run things, then you won't have to worry about it anymore." With his free hand, he pulled out a pocket knife and held it to Skye's throat, hard enough to draw blood from the point. Before anyone could move, Chase pulled the knife across Skye's throat.

Summer let out a scream, muffled behind her hands and Avalon sat up straight, eyes wide, heart starting to beat in her chest. Skye fell to his knees, holding onto the front of his neck, let out slight gasping sounds. No. Avalon swallowed thickly. Did she really just witness that in front of her? By her own two eyes? Her dark eyes shifted to Chase, who looked coolly down at Skye. Beside him, Tim merely glanced at Skye as if he were a gnat buzzing around his head. What happened to him? She never remembered him being like that before.

Not even when he had been beating her up, there was a bit of restraint on his end. The pressure must have been getting to him more than she originally realized. At the thought, she felt a slight twinge of guilt, much like she had when she was running back and forth to help them and the rangers. She knew now that the Vipers weren't good for her, but how easy was it to turn your back on people that had helped her when she had literally nothing.

"Oh relax you big pussy," Chase said. He rolled his eyes, putting the knife back in his pocket. "I barely did any damage." Reaching down with his large hand, he grabbed Skye's shoulder and heaved him to his feet. Skye moved his hands from his neck, revealing a tiny line, the blood already stemming. He shoved Skye away from him and reached into his bulging leather jacket pocket, producing a large bag of white powder.

Ignoring Summer's outstretched hand; he walked over to Avalon and pressed it into her hand. "Hold onto this for me, I don't need it for a few days." Avalon nodded and tightened her grip on the bag. Chase turned back to Tim and nodded, motioning for him to follow him. Skye obediently went as well. "You girls stay here, keep watch and take stock of everything."

"No problem," Summer said confidently.

It fell on deaf ears as the three boys left the warehouse, tires squealing that let the girls know the guys had left. Avalon turned to Summer and was met with a sharp slap to the side of the face. Avalon's eyes narrowed into a glare and she turned back to the other girl, ducking out of the way as another slap headed towards her opposite cheek. Avalon transferred the baggie to her other hand and instinctively punched Summer on the cheek. She could have used her extra strength to knock her out in one hit, but restrained herself or else she would have an arson charge on her as well.

It had taken her a while to get used to her enhanced speed and strength, but this time was one where she wanted nothing but to use them as she pleased.

Summer stumbled back, grabbing her cheek. "I don't know what you think you're doing," She hissed. "But you're ruining everything."

Avalon snorted, her fingers twitching at her sides. She itched to hit her again. "I haven't done anything that the rest of you lot have, if you're blaming me for the fall of all of us,"—she waved a hand around the warehouse. "Then you're even more of a boofhead than I thought."

"We wouldn't have this problem if Chase wasn't putting so much of his attention on you trying to make sure you know where your loyalties lie!" Summer spat, eyes flashing. She crossed her arms, starting to pace back and forth. "None of this would have happened if he didn't take you in the first place!"

Avalon nearly laughed out loud. She had the same thoughts, but towards being a ranger at the very beginning. It was ironic how those simple thoughts described two different parts of her life. At Avalon's struggle to hide her laughter Summer let out a shriek and got up in the orange ranger's face.

"We were fine before you got here—"

Avalon scowled and dropped the baggie to her feet. She grabbed Summer by the hair and twisted her fist in it, wrenching the girl's head back and pulling her to her shoulder at the same time. Summer struggled to get away, but the orange ranger continued to tighten her grip on her hair so that every inch she moved, her hair was pulled. "Touch me again and I swear I'll break your neck," Avalon hissed into her ear. "What I'm doing is none of you goddamn business and if you try to get into it again, you'll fucking regret it." She shoved Summer away from her, propelling her across the warehouse.

"You bitch!" Summer swore. She started towards the orange ranger then seemed to think better of it. Turning on her heel, she stalked towards her room. "Chase made a big mistake bringing you here," she repeated.

With a growl, Avalon turned and punched the wall behind her.

..

.

Avalon let out a sigh as she walked into the Cranston house later that night. The den was empty, the TV off, a light left on. Glancing at her watch, Avalon saw that she had come back in time for curfew. Relaxing a little, she shifted the bag of powder against her side, peeling off her leather jacket and draping it over her arm. Perfect. She started to go up the stairs when she spotted a form on the couch. Leaning over the banister, Avalon caught a glimpse of Billy and Trini sitting o the couch; Trini had her head resting on Billy's shoulder as the two of them looked over a textbook, reading quietly. Avalon gave a brief smile then went up to hers and Bailey's room.

She passed the bathroom, hearing the shower running and knew her sister didn't have much longer to go in there. Bailey had a habit of taking short showers. Avalon's nerves immediately skyrocketed and she zipped into her room with her enhanced speed, knocking over her guitar as it rested in the corner. Her fingers pressed into the plastic bag as her dark eyes moved around the room. Where can I hide this?

"Oh, Avalon, I thought I heard you come in," Mrs. Cranston's voice sounded behind her.

Startled, Avalon whirled around, the bag still in my hand. Her eyes widened. "What?" She blurted out before she was able to stop herself. Nice going, Av. Like she doesn't suspect anything from that lame excuse.

Mrs. Cranston chuckled as she entered the room, carrying a laundry basket. "I said, I didn't hear you come in," she said. "Billy told me that you went out to the library to study." Avalon lowered her gaze, immediately feeling a warm sense of gratitude for the blue ranger. Without having to ask he covered for her when he suddenly disappeared. She made a mental note to thank him for it later. "So how was school today? Are things getting easier?" She continued to look at Avalon with a level gaze and a sweet smile, and yet, Avalon started to sweat.

Numbly, Avalon started to nod. And…she couldn't stop. She nodded and nodded, like a giant bobble head that someone had flicked. Her hand tightened on the plastic bag, the palm suddenly filled with sweat. How much was she sweating? Did Mrs. Cranston notice? How could she not notice?

"Avalon, are you ok, sweetie?"

Avalon cringed as the word crashed into her brain. Sweetie? No! Any name but that.

Her stomach plummeted, burning a hole through her body. Mrs. Cranston's face took on a look of utmost concern; the burning hole expanded. Avalon's heart raced. Time slowed down around her like a candle flame in the wind. A deafening hum reached the orange ranger's ears as Mrs. Cranston's mouth opened and closed, the humming grew louder. Mrs. Cranston's mouth started to move faster and now she was pointing towards the floor. No, not at the floor, at the bag of cocaine in Avalon's hands.

Painfully, the world spun back to the dreaded moment I tried to block out. Avalon blinked at her. "Sorry, Lacey, what did you say?"

"What's that?" Mrs. Cranston held out her hand and started to walk towards her.

Avalon thought quickly, trying to think of the best excuse that would explain the situation. Why would she suddenly be holding a bag of white powder? "Its baking soda!" Avalon gave a small smile. "It's for a project at school."

"A volcano?"

"Maybe." Avalon nodded, moving the bag behind her back. "It's a surprise," she added, immediately squeezing her eyes shut. And now she was lying to one of the people that had gone out of their way and took her in. Some thank you.

"I hope things work out then," Mrs. Cranston said with a warm smile. She dropped the laundry basket on the floor by Avalon's bed and started towards the door again. "Though, if you need something stronger than baking soda, I'm sure David and I have a compound stronger than sodium bicarbonate that we can spare to help you out."

"No worries, Lacey," Avalon said quickly.

Mrs. Cranston smiled once more. "The offer still stands; let us know if you need any help."

"Sure." Avalon waited until Mrs. Cranston left the room, closing the door behind her, before walking over to her bed and shoving her arm down the back corner, where the headrest met the wall. Twisting her hand, Avalon pushed the bag of cocaine down in the small space. No one would find it there.

Avalon flopped face first down onto her bed. The burning hole in her stomach increased. Sighing, she pulled her arms up, resting them on the bed, burying her face in the blankets. Feverish shame filled tremors wrenched my gut and the orange ranger convulsed, shivering, squeezing her arms over her head. She let out a sound that was between a moan and a sigh, then the tears started to fall. Unable to turn her fears into words, Avalon started to cry.

A tiny tear rolled down her cheek at first, and then they came suddenly, unable to be stopped.

I'm sorry.

Avalon's arms left her head, weighted by her secrets and lies. After a few moments of silence, Avalon felt something crawl into bed beside her and the orange ranger twisted around to see Bailey lying beside her. Her twitching eyebrows were the only indication of seeing Avalon cry. Bailey reached out and brushed her older sister's tears away.

"Goober," she murmured.

"Booger," Bailey replied.

Reaching an arm behind her head, Avalon grabbed a pillow and swiftly brought her arm back down, hitting Bailey in the face. Bailey shrieked and rolled out of her sister's way, grabbing another pillow and hitting her back. Avalon laughed, pushing her disheveled hair out of her face.

Bailey placed the pillow in her lap and rested her chin in her hands, looking up at me earnestly. "Why were you crying?"

"Don't worry," I replied dismissively. "You wouldn't understand."

Bailey made a face of indignation. "Try me."

"Forget it." Moments like that were what drove Avalon forward every day. What, for her, made the sun rise and fall. What she looked forward to, being able to spend time with her sister and forget about the other things that she was doing. There was a quiet knock on the door and Avalon sat up, quickly brushing away the rest of her tears. "Come in," she called, after a moment.

The door opened and Billy stuck his head inside before walking in all the way. "I thought I heard you come in, I just wasn't sure."

"Too busy basking in the adoring gaze of a certain yellow ranger?" Bailey teased, laughing along with Avalon as Billy walked over and sat down on the end of her bed, crossing his legs. Instead of replying, Billy shrugged although there was a coy smile on his face.

Avalon brought her legs up to her chest, wrapping her arms around her knees. She rested her chin on her knees and studied Billy for a moment. She didn't understand how it was him that she ended up living with. In some ways she had expected Kimberly to be the ideal choice, as her house was bigger. Avalon had quickly dismissed the idea when the though came up, it would have been too awkward. Especially if the pink ranger had found out how many times the orange ranger and the Vipers had cased her extravagant house before having broken in to steal from them. As soon as Billy had offered her house, everyone around her had jumped on the bandwagon and before she knew it all of their stuff had started to get moved in.

Not that she was complaining being able to be in a stable home was a good change for her; she even started to see bits of herself that had changed. Though it didn't seem that all of her mannerisms and habit were going to go away anytime soon. She still had to get over the natural want to lie about something or keep it to herself when there wasn't a need to.

"Hey." Avalon reached out and placed her hand on Billy's knee. "Thanks for covering for me, Smurf. I didn't think I'd be getting back this late." She brushed her hair behind her shoulder. "Let's just be glad there wasn't anything important going on, yeah?" She carefully hid her bruised hand from sight, making a show of moving her legs into the Indian style position.

Billy ducked his head, shaking his fringe from his face. "Well, you already said that you'd be there to bail me out if there was ever a need for you to use your lifeguard training."

Avalon gave him a cheeky smile. "I said I'd give you a kiss too, mate. What are you trying to say?" At Billy's blush Avalon threw her head back and laughed. "I'm kidding, mate." She nudged his arm this time. "Seriously, thank you. You're a legend. Seriously. Thanks. You don't know how much it means to me."

"You're welcome," Billy said and the two rangers smiled at each other.

"Well, now that you're back and now that Billy and Trini are done studying I can tell you what I came up with," Bailey interrupted. She leaned over the side of the bed and reached under it, sticking out her hand. Steggy walked out from under the bed with a t-shirt draped over her heat. Laughing, Bailey removed the article of clothing and brought the stegosaurus zord up onto the bed. Avalon picked her up in her hands and gently nuzzled the zord. "You know how I've said to you before that destroying Rita's and Zedd's swords would be what would turn her back to normal?"

"Yeah," Avalon prompted her with a nod.

Bailey pushed her glasses up her nose then cracked her knuckles. She chewed her lower lip for a moment. "Well, after running lots of scans and test I've come to the conclusion that Rita's and Zedd's magic is much stronger when used together than by themselves. So how is it that Rita's magic alone was able to hold onto Steggy this long?"

Billy exchanged a look with Avalon and shrugged at Bailey. "Rita's magic has always had diverse effects on things. Her magic seems to have gotten stronger over the time we've been fighting them but not to the point where it's lasted this long." He drummed his fingers on his shin. "Do you think it has anything to do with the Healiodore?"

Avalon rapped her fingers not he side of her head. "Hello? I've been co-piloting your zord almost since I got mine." Her eyebrows rose. "We didn't even know about the Healiodore until now."

"Right, but how do we know that Rita and Zedd didn't?" Billy pointed out.

Avalon rested her chin in her hand and nodded. She looked over at Bailey once more. "So after the preliminary tests that I've been running, when not working on my science fair project—"

"—you mean making goo goo eyes at Fred," Avalon interrupted.

Billy chuckled. Bailey ignored her sister and continued. "I've come to the conclusion about Steggy." She reached out a hand and running her fingertips over the spikes on the zord's back. "What if Rita's and Zedd's magic already wore off."

Avalon snorted. "If that were the case, why hasn't she returned to normal?"

Bailey looked her in the eye. "Because you don't want her to."


A/N: I needed at least one chapter that focused on Avalon fully, so I hope you all don't mind really getting into her head for a bit. I said the personal lives of the rangers would take a bigger precedence in this story, but Rita and Zedd are bigger in this one than the last, so I'm working on the balance. Don't worry; I have some happy chapters coming up soon, especially considering I've been focusing on Avalon's angsting and path to getting out of the Vipers. The counterbalance to all of it is coming soon, I promise; especially as he you see her warming up more/allowing herself to become more vulnerable as the story goes on.

Also, is anyone confused as to where SGG falls in with ATB and MoG? I've had two people ask/express some confusion with it and I wasn't sure how everyone else felt.

~Avalon