The Dark Cheetah
Summary: Lily's dark past is finally catching up with her. How will she cope when her two best friends find out her darkest secret? Casey/Lily, Theo/Fran.
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers.
Chapter 14:
Pai Zhuq Academy
Casey, Lily, RJ and Master Meow appeared in the Pai Zhuq Academy library in a flash of bright light. Casey had an arm around Lily's waist because he was afraid that she wouldn't be able to stand by herself. Master Meow headed towards the back of the library. When he reached the back wall, he pressed his palm onto the wall. The wall then slid open to reveal another room beyond the library. He then turned round and said to the others, 'come,' before disappearing into the room.
'RJ, what is that room?' Casey asked.
'I think that it the room where all Masters gathered to trap Dai Shi 10,000 years ago. I never knew that the school was built on the same spot as the great battle.' RJ replied. He then made his way towards the open wall.
'Come on Lil, let's find out why Peter really wants you and why he didn't just take you.' Casey said to Lily. She just grunted in reply and this is when Casey realized how exhausted Lily was. Slowly, Casey and Lily made their way towards the back room, where he then helped Lily into a chair.
The room was quite large, considering that not many people knew about its existence. The room had bare, grey stone walls that were created naturally, like the walls one would see in a cave. The room was bare, with the only furniture being a small table and four dining room chairs. The table was big enough for four people and it was set in the middle of the room, with all of the chairs surrounding it. RJ sat opposite Lily and sat facing Master Meow, who was looking at some carvings on the wall. Casey placed a chair next to Lily and she lay her head on his shoulder. Casey held her had in his lap, gentle squeezing it to let her know that he was still there for her.
'Master Meow, what are those carvings?' Casey asked, looking at what Master Meow was looking at.
'These carvings tell the story of the Rampark family,' Lily looked up when she heard Master Meow mention her family. 'They depict what they did for the school and the people who lived in the mountains. They show them using their powers and animal spirits helping people up the steep mountain paths. They also had the power to heal people who had serious illnesses and injuries.'
'If my family did good things for the local community, how did they turn Dai Shi into the evil guy that he is today?' Lily asked.
'They were cursed, Lily, by a local magician who sold help to people. When a Rampark entered the magicians large town and offered his help for some food, water and shelter during bad weather, the magician got jealous. This is because his business wasn't doing as well as it used to,' Master Meow explained. 'So he cast a curse on the young Rampark, forcing him to show his evil side. All of this happened 500 years before Dai Shi and the curse was passed down the family, with each generation becoming slightly more evil. That is, until you and your brother's were born.'
'What do you mean?' Lily asked, sitting upright and letting go of Casey's hand.
'I believe that the curse has worn of and you are the first generation to be free to choose their own destiny, whether it is to use their powers for good or evil.' Master Meow said.
'This explains as to why your brothers wanted our help to stop Peter,' RJ said.
'If they aren't evil because of this curse, then maybe they will keep their word and give us Fran back?' Casey asked.
'Yes, that is possible,' Master Meow answered, 'however, it may be different with Theo.'
'Why is that?' Lily asked.
'Because if Peter joins Dai Shi again, then Dai Shi may want Theo, because he is the Blue Ranger.' RJ answered.
'Does Peter know about the curse having ended after 10,000 years?' Casey asked, holding Lily in his arms.
'I do not think so, otherwise he would be suspicious of his sons.' Master Meow said.
'Then why does he want Lily?' RJ asked, looking at her silently crying in Casey's arms.
'Because the curse has never been as strong for the females of the family. This is because they aren't born very often in their family.' Master Meow said. 'This makes her very strong because she has a strong bond with her animal spirit. Also, she has been trained at Pai Zhuq Academy, giving her training on how to control her animal spirit and she is a Power Ranger.'
'Why is that important?' Casey asked.
'Because, Casey, because to have both morphed, at least once, gives you access to the Morphing Grid.' Casey and Lily looked at Master Meow with blank faces but RJ already knew about this.
'Let me explain this to the two cubs, Master Meow. You see, the Power is from the Morphing Grid and the Morphing Grid allows you two, and Theo, to Morph into Power Ranger Jungle Fury.' Casey and Lily just stared at RJ. 'This gives you your extra speed, strength and stamina, as well as protection from most attacks, for a short while anyway. If Peter had this power, even controlling the person who had this power, could mean that he could do a lot of damage to the world.'
'That is correct, RJ, but no one knows Peter's true intentions for why he wants Lily's power for he could not have known that she was going to be a Power Ranger.' Master Meow said.
'Ok, I think that makes sense,' Casey said, nodding his head. 'Now I think we should get back to JKP and wait for Lily's brothers to contact us.'
'Agreed,' Lily said, 'I would never be able to forgive myself if Fran, or Theo, got hurt because of me.' Casey helped Lily to stand and then all three of them left in a flash of light, leaving Master Meow alone in the room.
'My the Power protect you Ranger,' Master Meow muttered.
When they got home, they saw that Fran was sitting in RJ's chair. RJ ran over to her and checked here pulse. 'She is alive and breathing steadily,' he then checked her over gently. 'I can't find any serious injuries but there are marks from where she was tied up.'
After Casey had helped Lily onto the settee, Casey picked up a note that was left on the floor. It was signed by Zak and Jamie Rampark.
Well, that is another chapter done. I really like reviews so please leave me one!
Red Shadow Ranger