Chapter 9
Sensei J had come in later telling me to pack my things, we'd complete our mission tomorrow night. I didn't pack that night. I woke up Saturday thinking of how today was my last day at the academy.
Part of me was glad. I love Volcano Academy, all of its teachers and all the other students, with my whole heart and soul. And I know I hate the Thunder Academy for what they did to my family. Josh made me realize that last night. But part of me understood it wasn't this place I had grown fond of, it was the people. But I just kept telling myself, 'I'm fonder of my own people.'
I made a point to avoid everyone all day. A bunch of people came asking me to hang out with a group that was going out but I just shook my head every time and said I needed to be some where else. By noon it seemed like every student had left to spend the day elsewhere.
I was taking a walk around the forest, taking one last look around the place.
"Hey you." a soft voice said.
I jumped at the sound before turning to see Hunter leaning casually against a tree. "I-I thought you and Blake were going to the track."
"We were. Then I heard you had been acting weird. So I wanted to know what's wrong?" he came over to me. He had at least four inches over me, and it felt like he was towering over me as he looked down at me.
I sighed. "Nothing's wrong. I just...have a lot on my mind. Upcoming stuff."
"Upcoming, huh? Is something I was unaware of going to happen?"
'You have no idea.' I thought. "Just some personnel stuff." I lied.
"Well, okay then." Hunter said. From his tone I knew he was confused. And I knew I had to get myself out of there before I did something stupid.
"I gotta go. My dad needs me for some stuff." I tell him. He nods, but before I turn to leave I take a deep breath. "Hunter, I know this sound weird, but, I just want you to know, I really do like you, a lot." I know I made him even more confused by my sudden confession, but I began walking away before he could ask. I could secretly kid myself into thinking that's the only reason, but I know I also couldn't stand if he said he liked me too.
I returned to the apartment and packed my things. I made my bed and braided my hair and kept my mind completely filled with the mission. Night came. Josh began making trips to an awaiting chopper with our bags. Soon mine were the only left. Sensei J left, and went to wait with the chopper. We knew our mission inside and out. It was simple, get in-get out. It was almost time to go, and I went to change. I stood by my bed, still as a rock. I could here the boys preparing for the mission right outside. I had been holding the Thunder Ninja Uniform, but I sighed and put it on the dresser, clean and folded.
"Hurry up Scarlet." Josh said knocking on my door. He had let go of our previous argument.
"I'll be there soon Cobalt." I responded. I pulled my Volcano Uniform out of my bag. Running my fingers up the distinct scarlet stripe, I thought of what the color stood for: Strength. Leadership. And Fire (of course).
My pointer lightly traced over the Volcano insignia. The Volcano was the only home I'd had known for twelve years. I know what others said about it, and I know I can't just fail them because my own personal feelings had gotten in the way, they had trusted me with the Scarlet morpher, so like it or not, I was going to finish this.
"Scarlet, if you are not dressed, and out here with your bags in two minutes, I will-"
"OKAY, Danny, I'm coming!" I interrupted. I hurriedly dressed and felt a familiar energy surge when I put my morpher on. I threw my remaining stuff into a bag and entered the living room. A second later my final bag was taken away by a cobalt-colored breeze. I rolled her eyes at Josh's way of getting their stuff to the awaiting transport.
I looked at the clock, it read five minutes until one. If we were going to move, it had to be now. We quickly moved through the hallways of the building and jumped from the window.
We had to proceed quietly. We moved as swiftly as we could while trying to blend in with the night. I really hope the small streaks of color of out uniforms weren't noticeable. We were so close when Danny stopped.
"Somethings wrong." He barley breathed.
"Dan?" Josh questioned.
"Co.. Wait, they know we're here! They set an alarm."
"How can you.." I was cut off by a screeching siren.
"Whats going on?" Numerous voices called. We could see lights go on and boarding students begin to head down stairs to the main grounds where they were. Panic began to set in.
"Scarlet, go finish the mission. Danny and I will keep the students busy." Josh said.
I could only nod and take off towards the underground base. I could just hear Josh and Danny as I left.
"Ready for this, Cobalt?"
"Danny, I was born ready."
"Volcano Storm, Ranger Form, HA!" I could tell two Cobalt and Amber colored rangers were standing back there. I reached the entrance. Locked.
"Of course it's locked." I muttered. No longer caring for stealth, I summoned a fire ball, broke the lock off, and descended into the base. I had lost time, and had to hurry. I found the box I wanted, and inside were the three morphers. They looked exactly like the Volcano morphers when we got them. I picked up the Gold morpher first. Suddenly, a screen flashed on. It showed me what the Gold ranger would look like. It was a darkish version of the color, with black too. And next to the ranger was a picture of the student who was currently planned to receive the powers. I recognized her as a graduating student named Le Ann. She was Omino's daughter, and actually, a really nice girl. It only took a moment for me too piece together the other Rangers, and sure enough, Blake's image came up next to the Navy Ranger, and finally the Crimson Ranger appeared next to Hunter's image. My grip tightened at the realization of what I was doing on a smaller scale. The metal of the morpher poked into my skin, making me look back at my fist.
I did what I had to.
My mouth turned to a tight, straight line. Sweeping my hand around the room, I used my power to light it ablaze. The computer and hardware exploded, ancient texts were ablaze and probably lost forever, and all the plans were turned to ash. To say the least, the Thunders wouldn't be able to build any more morphers. I looked at my hand. Igniting a fireball, I watched as the morpher fried and was destroyed. I tried to keep her face neutral as she dropped the ruined thing to the ground. I had only just picked up the Navy morpher when I saw two doors off to the side, one reading Armory, the other said Zord. I was about to go investigate when I heard the footsteps behind me.
Too late, I realized I shouldn't of disregarded stealth, and the Thunder ninjas probably came with an advantage. Then I heard the one voice I dreaded the most.
"Alexis?" Hunter's disbelieving voice said. I turned to see him with only Blake behind him. When his eyes widened further I knew it was because he was looking at the Volcano insignia. I could only remain quiet as he looked around the room at all the destruction I caused. Finally, his eyes focused on the morpher in my hands. His face filled with anger as he looked at me.
"You're a Volcano Ninja!" He accused.
I looked at him, then the morpher, then him again.
"Aww, screw it." I said, dropped the morpher, and streaked out of there before either brother could move.
The main grounds were a mess. The cobalt and amber rangers were each fighting numerous ninjas at a time. A few looked up to see that their friend was the enemy, and the shock was enough to let the Volcano's knock some of their opponents down. Others got over it much quicker, and attacked me. Since there were very few boarding students, and I had far more training, I held my own against them. The sudden change in air-flow made me look up to realize Sensei J was there with the helicopter. It was time to go. Most of the Thunders shied away at the thing and it got close enough for Danny and Josh to ninja jump in. But before I could make my way over, a crimson bolt of lightning almost hit it. The copter jerked back into the air, and I turned around to gape at Hunter.
"You can make lightning." I said stupidly.
"Guess your not the only one with secrets." he smirked.
Annoyance I had hidden for weeks flared up. "Maybe so, but I still have a few tricks up my sleeve." Pivoting to face the students, I raised her hand and a wild fire spread rapidly. The initial panic distracted the students, and I made a dash for the building. I could here thunder clouds rolling in to quench the flames. Leaping onto the roof, I saw the helicopter release a rope ladder. I would have to make a jump for it. It started to pour from overhead. I started to make my way across the roof when I felt someone behind me.
"Why Alexis?" Hunter yelled over the brewing storm. I turned back, and there he was. Hunter was drenched, and I most likely looked the same. "Why did you betray us?"
"We both know that I was never one of you."
"So did you lie about everything?" He asked as approached me slowly.
I was still for a moment. I didn't know how to answer him. Finally, I decided to just end it. "I have a mission Hunter. I need to complete it." I spun and kicked Hunter in the gut. He stumbled back a few feet before regaining his balance.
Unfortunately, at that same time Blake arrived with two sick-looking blaster. If I wasn't out of there soon it was over.
"And no, not everything." I shouted to him, and took off over the roof to the copter. O got to the edge and leaped. It should have been a smooth trip, until I felt the unbearable burning in my calf.
I had flailed through the air, and just managed to grab onto the last rung with one hand. I could here Josh above me screaming something, smell the fires below and my own burning flesh, and a simple twist let me know that Blake had his blaster pointed too me and had hit me where flesh now burned.
My eyes landed in Hunter, with his blaster pointed, but his eyes staring straight into me. I tried, but I couldn't bring myself to look away.
Hunter pulled the blaster to eye level, and terror took hold. Then, the feel of the rain, the sound of Josh's screaming all subsided as Hunter pointed, fired...
And missed.
The blast sailed clear past me. The world rushed back into focus as the rope ladder jerked up and Josh screamed at me. I could only look sadly at Hunter while Danny and Josh pulled me up into the helicopter. Soon we were far away, and the Academy had disappeared from sight. I was silent as Josh tended to my wound. One thought pounded and repeated in my head. Hunter had fired, And Hunter missed me...on purpose.
And so, that brings me back to the beginning. We're approaching the Academy now. I can see the buildings, and if I squint the little moving people, undoubtedly preparing for our arrival. I doubt anyone will read this. This is for me. It's me getting it all out. And now, I can move on with my life. I've decided to do what Josh said. I'm going to move on and do my best to forget those feelings.
