Alrighty... the final part of The Variation Changes, hope you're all looking forward to it... even if it was slightly ... outlandish...

Anyway... the Disclaimer...

Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers Ninja Storm or it's characters, or the songs in this chapter. all I own is Celea and a few other OCs... and the Academy she goes to, and it's moves.

Hunter

I groaned as I opened my eyes, not to Celea's singing, but to a radio turning on.

"Good... you're awake." A Nurse, MacIver I think, walked over to me, and helped me sit up. "Before you ask, you're in a hospital. Your friend brought you here last night after you get hit in the back with her board."

I nodded slowly, "Ow..." I hissed as I looked at my hand... and almost fainted when I saw the needle in it.

"Sorry... but it was the only way to make you fall asleep." Nurse MacIver apologized.

"It's okay." I assured, "Uh... what time is it?"

"It's..." She looked at her watch, "7:34 AM."

I smiled softly, as I breathed a soft laugh, "Heads up, Celea and Blake should be here soon..."

"Oh they're already here." Nurse MacIver gave a lopsided smile, "They just couldn't see you till you were awake."

"Oh... please don't tell me they're right outside the door?" I begged.

"You guys can come in." The old nurse called to the door.

My brother and best friend stumbled into the room. They smiled at me and rushed over, "How you feeling?"

"I've been better..." I admitted.

"And he's going into surgery, so that the doctors can heal that stop once and for all, in an hour so you may wanna hurry this up." Nurse MacIver advised before she walked out the door.

I looked at Celea, but she wasn't looking at me, she was looking at her shoes. I sighed, "Cel... I'm sorry-"

"Why didn't you tell me?" She murmured.

I raised a brow before I looked over at Blake, "You told her?"

"Just what I know." Blake shrugged.

I sighed and looked back at Celea, "Celea... it's the past... I didn't wanna tell you because I didn't want you to worry about me."

"I told you about my test... I told you about my darkness... I told you something I've never told a soul before." She looked up at me, and I saw tears in her eyes, "So why didn't you tell me about this?!"

I looked at Blake for support. "Sorry, bro, but I'm with her on this one."

I sighed, "Look... I don't wanna talk about it..."

"Hunter we tell each other everything." Celea noted, "Why's now any different?"

"Because it's... hard..."

"Hello!... Almost put into a psychiatric word here!"

"Okay, good point..." I looked over at Blake, "You two really wanna know?"

They stared at me before chorusing, "YES!"

I sighed, "Fine..."

They sat in some chairs, "Start now."

I looked ahead of me as I started, the memory becoming as fresh as the pain.

"I was three... a week from being four when I was playing in the backyard of my adopted parents house... the dad... he... normally was coming home sick or something... I'm not sure what..."

I was playing with a toy truck out in a sandbox when I heard a voice behind me, "Hunter... I need you to do something for me..."

"I wasn't really able to do much..." I added as the memory pained me still.

I was thrown into the sandbox, whimpering a little in pain.

"You should be more careful where your toys are." My adopted dad noted.

I cringed as I continued, "He kinda... sorta... threw me to the ground and threw a punch at my back before throwing me into a pile of sticks... one of which pierced my back..."

I whimpered a little as I felt the one stick make it's way into my skin. "Owie.."

"You need to be tougher too." My adopted dad walked away. Leaving me to cry for my adopted mom.

I shook my head, forcing the memory away, "It's not the best thing I'd like to remember."

"Hunter..." Cel's eyes watered a little, "I... I'm so-"

"Don't... Cel... it's nothing... it's the past." I assured gently, as I put a hand on her's then looked at the clock, "And I think it's time for that surgery."

They looked at the clock as Nurse MacIver walked in, "Time for your surgery, Mr. Bradly."

I nodded, "Right."

"You'll be fine." Blake assured, "Right Celea?"

"Right." Cel nodded softly.

Nurse MacIver helped me onto a wheelchair and started wheeling more into surgery.

5 hours later...

I groaned as I opened my eyes.

"Celea? Blake?"

Two figures jumped and got up to me, "Thank goodness you're awake!"

I smiled at them, "Of course I am."

They smiled... well... Blake smiled... I could tell Celea was faking it.

I sighed, "So... when can I go?"

"Well... if you're ready... now I'd guess... Sensei already signed the release forms."

"Sensei?" I raised a brow.

"Hologram, but still Sensei." They noted.

I rolled my eyes before I slowly got on the edge of the bed and Cel handed me my shoes, "Thanks."

"No problem." She cleared her throat.

I frowned softly before sighing, "Cel, you can stop blaming yourself for what happened?"

"No." She sighed, "I can't... I was so stupid... I should've paid more attention to the time..."

"It's not your fault, Cel." Blake assured, putting a hand on her shoulder.

I put on my shoes carefully, "Well... I'm ready when you guys are."

"Okay." They helped me up and we started walking out to the front desk.

"All ready?" Nurse MacIver smiled gently.

"Yep." We nodded.

"Okay..." She nodded then looked at me, "Take it easy for a few days... they told me about your little endeavors as a Rider so..."

"Let me guess? No riding?" I figured.

"Yep. But just for three days." She instructed.

"Got it. We'll keep an eye on him." My new watch dogs decided.

I groaned as they brought me outside and I frowned, "Wait... how are we getting home?"

"How do you think?" Blake smirked as we got in front of a 1970 GMC truck that was brownish-orange, with silver trimmings.

"Wow..." I smirked softly then frowned, "Don't the old trucks-"

"This one's a special cabin seat... now come on..." Blake helped me up after Celea got in the middle.

I smiled at her as Blake got in the front, "Hey guys... question."

"We couldn't decide on a color, we just got it while you were out too... so... haven't had a real chance to run it." Celea noted.

"It's still good." Blake noted as he turned the ignition on, "Though I still think that Navy blue one was better."

"So was the white one." Cel murmured as Blake headed back to the Motel.

3 days later...

"Guys! Come on!" I complained as Blake and Celea stood in front of the front door, "It's been three days! I can start ridding again!"

"No!"

"Come on!" I groaned and sat on my bed again.

"Hunter, you've got an hour before you're allowed to go out, there's no Moto today, and Lothor doesn't attack on Mondays."

I rolled my eyes, "Guys, come on. It's just one hour!"

"Exactly." Celea smirked, "So... we're watching..."

"Sports."

"The News."

The White and Navy Rangers glared at each other. "We are not watching sports again!"

"Well I'm tired of watching the news!"

They started arguing and I was just about to make my way out the front door when they chorused, "Get back in here!" Two sets of hands grabbed the shirt I was wearing, and pulled me back inside.

I groaned, "So close to freedom!"

"Not even." They smirked.

I sat on my bed, and closed my eyes.

1 hour later...

"So let your heart sweet heart, be your comfort when your lost, and can follow it wherever you may go!" I heard Celea sing as I woke up.

I smiled gently, "Hey..."

She turned to face me, and sat beside me, "Hey... Blake went out to get some groceries."

I nodded, "Okay." I sighed as I sat up before I hugged her, "Thank you."

"I don't see why..."

"Cel. Quite blaming yourself!" I complained, "It's not your fault! You didn't know."

"But I still-" I cut her off by putting my lips to her's.

I felt her jump, before she kissed back. I smiled gently before I broke it.

"You did that on purpose!" She groaned.

I smiled, "It worked, didn't it?" She rolled her eyes, before I hugged her again, "Cel... it really wasn't your fault..."

"But-"

"Cel!" I warned.

She groaned and leaned against me, "Fine."

I smiled as I held her close... man I wish I could tell her... but... how?

"Hunt?"

I looked down at Cel, "Yeah?"

"You spaced out for a bit... you okay?"

I nodded, "Yeah... I'm fine."

"Hunt..."

"Celea... I'm fine... I promise." I smiled.

Cel sighed, "Okay..."

I held her, trying to assure her, when the door opened and we flew apart.

Blake looked between us as he lugged bags of groceries in, "Did I miss-"

"No!" We interrupted him before we got up and started helping with the bags.

"So... what's for dinner tonight?" Blake asked as we got the final bag in and he closed the door.

"Depends on what you got." Cel smirked.

"Just some of this some of that..." He poured a bag onto the table.

Cel stared at it, "Blake..."

"Give me a running start." Blake ran out of the Motel room, right as Celea was grabbing and putting on her gear.

Once she did, she skated after him.

I laughed softly and shook my head as I sat on my bed. I turned on the TV, the news -I've gotta talk to Celea about that stupid obsession- turning on with it.

I smiled as the Sports section talked about my favorite soccer team, the Reefside Waves, winning another game.

It was only when it switched to breaking news that I panicked.

"No..." I whispered softly.

Celea

"...And... gotcha!" I smiled as I grabbed ahold of the back of Blake's shirt.

He groaned as we stopped, "So close!"

I laughed, "Not even, bro!"

We walked back to the Motel, laughing and talking about nothing important. Whatever had him so agitated with me the last few weeks disappeared when we hung out a little more this past week.

We walked up to our Motel room to find the truck that I had to beg Blake to agree on -even though I wanted the white one!- missing.

Blake looked over at me as I did him. We hurried into the Motel room and saw a note on his bed.

I frowned before I picked it up and read through it.

Blake... Cel... look I don't know how to explain... but I need to get out of town for a bit... if Lothor attacks... I'll be there... but... I... I just... I can't be there... I'm too scared... I'm sorry.

Signed, Hunter.

I looked over at Blake before we quickly Ninja Streaked just out of town.

We looked around before I hit Blake's arm, "Truck, five o'clock!"

Blake turned to where I saw our truck and we rushed over to it. When we got over to it, I frowned, "What the...?" I pulled out another note, "Oh I am so gonna get him!"

Don't follow me!

Blake took the note, "Inks still wet."

I looked around before I noticed an uneven pathway... clearly having been recently walked in, "Found where he was going."

We we instantly followed the path.

15 minutes later...

I wanted to seriously hurt Hunter.

"Are you kidding me?!" I shouted as we came to the forth fork in our path.

"Come on... he went this way." Blake dragged me to the right path.

"You sure this time?" I frowned.

"Just because I almost got us lost the first three times doesn't mean I'll get us lost this time." Blake assured.

"You said that the last two times." I noted.

Blake rolled his eyes before we came across another note on a tree, this time, having a bit of blood on it.

Why can't you two ever listen?

I bit back, both mentally and physically, my uncial retort and simply let a growl escape my lips.

"We'll find him soon." Blake assured, "I mean... come on? How much further could he have gone?"

30 minutes later...

"'How much further could he have gone?' You said..." I groaned as we continued to walk, "'We'll fine him soon' You said!"

"How was I supposed to know the woods were this large?!" Blake rolled his eyes.

I groaned before I heard something close by, "What was that?"

Blake and I rushed over and saw Hunter on the ground clearly in pain, "Hunter!" We quickly helped him up.

"Couldn't..." He hissed, "Stay away... could you?"

"You're my brother."

"And my best friend."

Hunter sighed before looking behind us, "No..."

We followed his line of sight and I growled.

A man that had brown eyes, short brown hair, and had a smug look on his face that almost made me want to hit him, ranger power or no.

"Hunter... good to finally see you grown up." He noted.

"And he's not going anywhere." Blake and I stood in front of him.

Hunter's first adoptive dad scuffed, "And what exactly can you do to stop me?"

"Hunt... we'll distract him..."

'No... I have to face up to my past...' He put a hand on my shoulder, 'Distract him... yes... but not so I can run... I'm tired of running... in more ways then one.'

"Okay..." I agreed.

"You don't know what Hunter's been going through!" Blake noted as I glanced behind me and saw Hunter getting behind a tree.

"I may have lost him once... but I won't lose him this time.. he was my son first." The man growled.

"Wrong!" I snapped, "He was never your 'son'! Blake and I know what it's like to lose parents we love... and Hunter loved the parents he got after you."

"But... they're dead." Hunter's first dad noted.

I growled, my muscles tensing, "So are my parents... but I've grown out of that... and Hunter's gotten over it too... and now I don't just think it was because of Blake."

"She's right." We looked up and saw Hunter high in a tree, "And I'm tired of running from my past."

"Really? You climbed up a tree to get away?"

"And no... climbing up a tree does not mean I'm leaving." Hunter retorted to my comment and the looks on the man's face.

"Then come down here." The man growled.

"Come up here." Hunt countered.

Blake and I looked at each other then up at Hunter, "Are you nuts?!"

'I know what I'm doing... don't worry.' Hunt assured gently.

Hunter's first dad snarled, but complied and climbed up the tree.

Right as he got to the branch bellow Hunter, though, the crimson ranger backflipped down to us.

Blake and I ran over to him, "Bro!"

"Dude!" I slapped his arm.

"Never do that again!" We hugged him.

He nodded, "Right..." He walked over to the tree before I saw crimson thunder surround him, then the tree. This caused his first dad to scream in pain.

Blake and I looked over at each other before we ran up to help. Blake used navy thunder to shock the tree, while I simply tried to control the dark undergrowth to cause it to fall.

This worked... because the tree caught fire and the tree finally fell down.

We looked at each other before we headed back the way we came.

We got to the truck right as a police car pulled up and I was almost relieved when I recognized one of them.

"Mr. Mitchell." I nodded to the one with a silver jacket over his shoulder.

He raised a brow at me before his eyes widened, "Miss. Palensa... what are you doing here?"

"Long story short... there's a man in the woods that was trying to take Hunter-" I patted my best friend's shoulder- "Away from Blake and I."

Mr. Mitchell nodded slowly before rushing with five others into the woods.

"Before you ask." I held up a hand, as Hunter and Blake opened their mouths, "He was the one that brought me to the Ninja Academy... I think..."

The brothers rolled their eyes before we got back in the truck, me beside Hunter on the right.

Blake started the truck up and we headed back to the Motel.

"...Thanks guys." Hunter sighed, "I'm sorry I was a total... I don't know..."

"You weren't an idiot Hunter." I put a hand on his knee, "You're heart was in the right place."

"But my mind wasn't..."

"Hunter? Do us a favor." Blake advised.

"Sure."

"Shut up!" The Navy ranger and I chorused.

Okay... finally got these three chapters done... great.

Hope you all liked them...

Anyway... Next week, next chapter.

In the meantime, please review, please no flames.