Hey, Aqua here ;) So...Honestly, I really wasn't planning on posting anything this early or short for that matter, but yet here we are!
So, this will explain how and why Kaitlyn came to Briarwood plus introduce a brand new character yay! ^^ Now for those who were really looking forward to Ocean Force...I really am sorry :( I was going through a really rough time and just didn't have the time nor the energy to come up with that level of creativity. But thankfully, Mystic Force happens to be my all-time favorite season so I was really eager to start this!
Now I really do hope to get both parts of Broken Spell up within the next week or so. But we'll just have to see.
Well, enjoy the show ^_^
Chapter 1: Setting the Stage
Stepping out of the gate terminal of the Reefside airport, Kaitlyn anxiously scanned the small group of people that stood gathered a little further ahead as some of the other passengers she had flown in with hurried to greet them. She watched as a tall, older man nearly got knocked off his feet by a squealing little girl, who the man then scooped her up with a laugh and hugged her as a beaming woman pushing a baby in a stroller walked up to them. Kaitlyn felt her chest tighten at the sight and she started stroking the silver gem that sat at the center of the bracelet she wore; it was something that strangely brought her comfort in the past few months.
"Kaitlyn!" Looking up, she broke into a bright smile and ran towards the young man in red. "Woah," he laughed when she nearly tackled him to the ground. Without a word, she reached up and captured his lips with hers in a passionate kiss, not caring if people were watching. They stayed like this with neither having any intention of pulling away. Finally, their lungs began to scream for air and the two were forced to break apart, breathing heavily.
"Wow, I'm starting to think that maybe you should go away to visit your friends more often," Conner managed to say, his tone teasing. Kaitlyn smacked his chest lightly. "Kidding," he chuckled. "So, how was Australia?" he asked.
"It was really wonderful, I had so much fun," Kaitlyn smiled. "We got to see some new parts we never saw before. It was just absolutely amazing," she told him, her bright hazel eyes nearly sparkling as she thought about all the things she saw on her trip. Conner understood the 'new parts' she was referring to, she, along with her three friends had been exploring the depths of the ocean as mermaids, which up until a year ago he didn't even think actually existed.
"I'm glad you had a great time. I might just have to tag along next time," Conner grinned, and Kaitlyn looked excited by the suggestion. He then wrapped his arms around her in a tight hug. "But right now, I'm just really happy to have you back," he whispered into her hair, and pressed a light kiss against her forehead. Warmth blossomed across Kaitlyn's face as she melted into him, curling her fingers around his jacket. He had a point. She was happy to be back too.
While she did love the few weeks she had just spent with her friends in the Gold Coast, there was always a part of her that kept drifting back to California, mostly Reefside, where she and Conner, as well as five others, fought to keep Mesogog and his army of monsters from returning the earth as well as it's inhabitants to the prehistoric era. It still sometimes boggled her mind that for a whole year she had been the Silver Dino Thunder Ranger. If she didn't have her Dino Gem power along with a scar or two, she probably would have just chalked the whole thing up to being a dream.
"Ok, that's enough soccer boy. I've still got bags to get," Kaitlyn finally pulled back a little with a laugh, his arms still wrapped around her. "Plus, I didn't really have anything to eat on the plane, and it was a long flight," she sighed, and went beet red when her stomach started to growl loudly as if emphasizing the statement. Her boyfriend laughed.
"Alright, let's go get you some food before you die from starvation," he grinned.
After retrieving her luggage, the couple managed to find a restaurant not far from the airport, where Conner started catching her up on things she missed.
"Was there really any doubt that Ethan wouldn't get into Reefside Tech," Kaitlyn shook her head with a laugh when Conner finished explaining what their tech-loving friend had been up to. "I mean with all that tech he helped Dr. O and Hayley build, it's no surprise," she added quietly.
"That's true," Conner nodded. With his expert level of computer skills, the former Blue Ranger had been responsible for helping build pretty much all of the stuff that essentially kept them alive while fighting against Mesogog's mutant creations. "So, have you heard from Demi at all?" he asked.
"I got to talk to her just before I got on the plane," Kaitlyn replied, and took a sip of her drink. "She says she's gonna stay in Dublin a few more days then stop by and visit the girls before heading to the academy," she grinned. Just before graduation, and after intense debating, Demi had decided that she was going back to the Pai Zhuq Academy to earn her Master Stripes.
"I'm glad she managed to figure out what she wants to do," Conner commented. He understood how hard the girl struggled with the decision. Kaitlyn's phone suddenly rang and she frowned when she saw the number.
"Hey, Callan. Everything ok?" Kaitlyn answered her brother-in-law's call. She was silent as she listened to him talk, before her eyes went wide. "She what?" she cried out, shooting up from her seat, and Conner, as well as the few other customers that sat nearby stared in alarm. "ok, just relax and take a deep breath. I'm on my way," she told him quickly, and hung up.
"Woah, what's wrong?" Conner blinked, watching his girlfriend as she began frantically grabbing her stuff. He didn't think he'd ever seen her this frazzled before.
"We have to get to Briarwood right now," Kaitlyn told him quickly, throwing on her jacket. "Daphne just went into labor,"
Meanwhile deep within the forest on the outskirts of Briarwood, a young dark-haired girl, who was no older than nineteen, stood with her arms crossed. The song of birds was the only thing she heard as she tapped the wand in her hand against her arm, her green eyes focused on the three wooden dummies that stood several feet across from her.
"Inlustris Inspiratione!" she yelled out, pointing the wand up. The black star at the tip glowed with grey, and light began to pour out and gather, forming a medium-sized star. With a wave, she sent the star flying, and it hit the ground beneath the middle dummy, bathing it in light before exploding. Burnt to a crisp, the dummy fell apart with a loud clatter and the girl blew out a breath.
"Rayla!" she turned around and grinned at the girl running towards her. Her long, blonde hair bouncing everywhere. "That spell was so cool!" Clare beamed ecstatically as she approached her.
"Thanks, Clare," Rayla grinned sheepishly, tucking a loose strand from her braid behind her ear. Her grin then faded. "But it still needs some work. It should have been a lot bigger than that," she stole a quick glance at the two remaining practice dummies that stood tall, as if mocking her somehow and let out a defeated sigh.
"Ah, so that's why you've been out here all morning," Clare accused with a smile. Rayla shrugged, not bothered by the statement. It was the truth after all.
"As they say, practice makes perfect. So, what's up?" she asked. "did you finally decided to get in some spell practice," Rayla teased, and the blonde flushed but laughed. When it came to spells, her cousin still had so much to learn.
"Actually, Udonna sent me to get some ingredients," Clare told her, and Rayla finally noticed the basket hanging on her arm. There were a few items in it, but other than that, it was nearly empty. Her smile faded. "She wants to make another protection potion but that's all I could get her to say," she sighed. "She's been acting so strange lately," she shook her head. Rayla couldn't help but nod in agreement.
"Yeah, Just before I left, she asked me if I could go patrol near the barrier again," Rayla crossed her arms. "It's almost like she's anxious about something," she pondered out loud.
For the past several days, Sorceress Udonna's strange behavior hadn't gone unnoticed by her two teenage nieces. She had been pouring over spell books, and sending Clare to collect ingredients for all sorts of defensive potions, while Rayla was sent to make sure there wasn't any trouble in any of the villages as well as to make sure the barrier that separated the magical realm from the human realm was secure. But when the two tried to find out what had their aunt so worried, she refused to tell them.
"I don't know, Rayla. But now I'm starting to worry," Clare confessed, a quiver in her voice. "What if it's something awful," she questioned. She watched as her cousin was silent for a moment with a strange expression before she shook her head and placed a hand on her shoulder.
"Everything's going to be alright, Clare. I'm sure Udonna would tell us if it was," Rayla assured, but it sounded more like she was trying to convince herself. "Hey, why don't I go with you to get the rest of the ingredients," she offered with a grin.
"But aren't you in the middle of training?" Clare tilted her head. Rayla shrugged.
"Like you said, I've been here all morning," she told her, sliding her wand into her belt. "So, I'm deciding to take a break right now, and spend time with my number one cousin," Rayla smiled, linking her arm with the blonde who laughed.
"I'm your only cousin," Clare reminded, grinning.
"Which means you'll always have the top spot," Rayla declared, which made Clare laugh more. "Now let's hurry and go get those ingredients. And hey, maybe we'll have enough time to go to the market," she said, and led her cousin away from the training area, and hopefully the bad thoughts as well. For both their sakes.
Tapping her fingers anxiously against the arm of the waiting room chair she sat in, Kaitlyn breathed a sigh through her nose. She wasn't really quite sure what was putting her on edge the most. The hospital or the waiting, which was all they had been doing since arriving at the Briarwood hospital hours ago.
"We should have heard something by now," she grumbled. Conner reached over and took her hand, squeezing it.
"I'm sure everything's fine," he soothed, knowing how impatient his girlfriend could get, especially when it involved someone she cared about. Kaitlyn took in a ragged breath.
"I know, it's just…" she pulled her hand away and got to her feet. "I hate how helpless and scared I feel right now," Kaitlyn confessed, glancing at her bracelet, and frustration started to bubble in her stomach. For an entire year, she had faced countless dangerous monsters who wanted to destroy or use her. But this, this was something that couldn't be fixed with morphers or Megazords. "Conner, if anything happens to her or the baby, I…" the former Red Ranger rose up and tucked her to his chest.
"It's going to be ok Kaitlyn," he said, resting his chin on the top of her head. Kaitlyn swallowed hard against the tears that welled in her eyes and pressed her face into him. "And hey, if there's one thing that I've learned about your family; it's that you're tough. They're both going to be just fine," Conner told her confidently. The mermaid couldn't help but let out a light laugh.
"This wasn't exactly the homecoming I imagined," she whispered, and lifted her head up. "Thanks for staying with me. I don't know what I'd do without you," Kaitlyn told him, smiling softly. When they had first gotten to the hospital, she had insisted he just drop her off and head back to Reefside, but he had refused.
"Don't mention it," Conner grinned, and leaned down a little to kiss her, only to be forced to pull away after a moment when Kaitlyn's phone went off.
"Sorry," she muttered, and gave a quick apologetic smile towards the two nurses who shot disapproving frowns as they walked by. "I'd better take this. It's Nick," Kaitlyn told him, when she saw the number. Pressing a quick kiss against his cheek, Kaitlyn walked away to answer the call. "Hey," she answered calmly as she could muster.
"Uncle Barry just told me. How is she? Have you seen her or heard anything?" Nick's panicked questions made the already tight knot in her stomach tighten more. Kaitlyn let out a ragged sigh.
"No, we haven't. But I did get to talk to Callan while on the way here and he said that Daphne's fine and the baby doesn't seem to be in any danger," she told him, and earned a relieved sigh from her brother.
"That's good. I'm heading for Briarwood right now," Nick said. "So, are mom and dad already with you?" he asked curiously. Their parents had ended their European archaeological trip early and had been home since learning that Daphne was pregnant
"No, but they're on their way," Kaitlyn explained, having been the one to call them. "Actually, Conner was picking me up from the airport when Callan called. So, how long is it gonna take you to get here?" she asked.
"I should be there by tomorrow on my bike," Nick replied. "and before you say what you're gonna say, I know the drill sis. I'll be careful," he cut her off before she could speak. Kaitlyn huffed. He knew her too well.
"Well, I wouldn't have to tell you if you weren't such a damn maniac on that thing," she grumbled.
"Hey, I am not," Nick defended, but didn't sound too insulted. Kaitlyn rolled her eyes. "Look, I gotta go. Keep me updated, ok?" he requested slowly.
"Sure, of course," Kaitlyn assured, and after the two said their goodbyes, she hung up and blew out a breath. She returned to the waiting room and found Conner reading a magazine.
"So, how'd it go?" he asked, looking up. Kaitlyn took the chair next to his.
"Fine. On his way right now from Pine Ridge," she explained, and then let out a wide yawn.
"Hey, why don't you try and get some sleep?" Conner suggested, watching her exhausted features. Having endured a sixteen-hour flight, topped with several hours of stressing about Daphne and the baby, he knew that she was running on fumes.
"I'm fine. Need to stay awake when my parents show or if we hear something," Kaitlyn insisted, only for another yawn manage to slip out. Conner rolled his eyes.
"Just go to sleep," he told her. Kaitlyn frowned at him.
"You do remember that you don't have the right to give orders anymore," she grumbled, and Conner chuckled.
"I know. But, it's not gonna hurt anybody if you slept for a little while," he said, and Kaitlyn huffed. "Don't worry, I'll wake you if anything happens," Conner promised, and tugged her closer to him. Breathing out a sigh, Kaitlyn rested her head on his shoulder.
"Just so you know—" a wide yawn cut her off. "if I miss anything, you're gonna be in a world of hurt, buster," she threatened, her breathing slowed as she started to drift off. Conner let out a low chuckle
"I'll keep that in mind," he grinned, and pressed a kiss on top of his girlfriend's head as she was already fast asleep.
And there you have it! Sorry that it's on the short side!
Actually, I was thinking about having it be a whole one-shot story but decided against it.
Well, I hoped you enjoyed it either way
Aquaprincess3 signing out ;)