Expect the Unexpected

by Twix3780

On the first day of her senior year, Anabel Brookes' finds a a medium-sized green gem that looks awfully prehistoric in her mailbox. Unsure of where it came from, she stores the gem in her backpack for safekeeping, unaware that strange and mysterious things are about to happen. (Complete). {Book Six in THU}.

24. Passion of Conner

I apologise for the confusion, but this chapter was supposed to be published before I published the team up. So, here is a Passion of Conner.

FallenArcana, this one is for you.

---

"Have you seen this?"

Anabel blinked as she looked up from her computer screen, slightly stunned to find Christopher Hayes standing in her door frame. He was brandishing a piece of paper in one hand and using the other to keep her door open. "Seen what?" she asked.

Chris strode inside the office and slapped the paper down on the desk. The first thing Anabel noticed was the pinprick in the centre of the sheet, and she knew it had come from the noticeboard outside. Her gaze slid down over the information provided, her brow furrowing further as she reached the bottom.

"When did this go up?" Anabel asked, looking up at Chris.

"I don't know. Must've been last night or early this morning," said Chris. "I just know it wasn't there yesterday."

"Have you been to Randall about it?"

Chris scoffed. "Like what I have to say is going to matter," he said, shaking his head. "Rathbone made sure that any principal after him hates me."

"They don't hate you," said Anabel. "They just don't know you."

"It doesn't matter either way," said Chris, shaking his head. "I don't care, at this point. I just care about doing the right thing."

"And you think saving a tree will do that?"

Chris shrugged. "Maybe," he said. "Besides, isn't your mother promoting Wildlife prevention as part of her campaign?"

"Marine Wildlife."

"So, land wildlife doesn't matter?"

Anabel sighed. "I didn't say that," she said. She considered the letter in front of her again. It was more a warning than anything. An information leaflet that let students know that there would be construction going on behind the school throughout the day.

"This tree is just as important to the ecosystem as the marine wildlife," said Chris. "A lot of animals depend on it. We depend on it. The more trees we cut down, the less time we have on this planet."

"You sound enthusiastic about this," said Anabel. "How long have you been an eco-warrior?"

Chris chuckled. "It's not like that," he said. "I don't go around hugging trees, you know. I just care about the environment. Besides, this tree has been on these grounds longer than any of us, and I don't see how digging it up and replacing it with concrete and a new parking lot is helping anyone."

Anabel considered Chris for a second. "Okay. Consider me convinced," she said. "It says here that construction is due to start tomorrow. I'll get an article out for the morning newspaper, and if you gather the squad on the pitch before practice later, we can brainstorm ways to get others involved."

"We could protest," said Chris. "Not a violent one, obviously, but a quiet, peaceful one. People always tend to listen if more people are involved."

"Randall's not going to like that."

"So?" Chris asked. "This tree is important, not just to the ecosystem, but to the school. How many generations has it seen pass through these doors? We could put out a mass text or something, see if Reefside alumni will get involved. Plus, there's your mother, she can stop construction, right?"

Anabel put her hand on Chris.' "I can tell your enthusiastic about this," she said. "I'll talk to Mum and see what she suggests, but for the time being, I think we should keep this as in house as possible. Besides, Mum has a grand opening in South L.A. today, and I don't want to distract her from that."

"South L.A.?" Chris asked. "That's a rough part of town."

"I know, but Mum wants to show them that they matter," said Anabel. "That's why New Beginning's hospital is being created to help their community, not ours."

Chris nodded. "So, about the tree?" he asked.

"We'll talk to the squad after practice," said Anabel. "We'll organise a rally or protest. Just something small, and I'll get started on the article and send it to print before the end of the day."

Chris smiled. "Thanks, Anabel," he said.

"You're welcome."

~X~

Anabel looked around as Cassidy and Devin headed towards her. "Hey, you made it," she said, "and your brought your camera?"

"Yeah. I thought I could record for Channel Three," said Cassidy.

"Sure, I guess," said Anabel. She wasn't hip to the idea of Cassidy broadcasting their little protest to the whole of Reefside, especially since a lot of people didn't agree to protests of any kind. She and Chris wanted the tree to be portrayed in a good light, not tarnished with people's criticisms and concerns about loitering.

"Great. This will definitely get me on the air!" Cassidy grinned.

Anabel stopped short and turned to her friend. "You're not here for the tree?" she asked.

"No," Cassidy scoffed. "I just want to make the news. Your little cause is just a means to an end."

"Look, Cass, I love your enthusiasm to be a reporter, but this cause is important to so many people," said Anabel. "If you're doing this for you, then maybe you should find some other cause to record."

Cassidy stared, slack-jawed at her friend. "So, wait, you can organise this whole thing for the Reefside Reject," she glared across the field at Chris, "but you refuse to let your best friend in on the action? That's cold, Anabel."

"This isn't about action or who is involved," said Anabel, shaking her head. "You're welcome to stay, as long as your story is about the tree and how important it is, and Chris isn't a reject, alright? He's just lost."

"Lost?" Cassidy laughed. "He killed someone, or have you forgotten?"

"He's trying to make amends."

"Saving a tree isn't going to make amends with anyone," said Cassidy. "He's still a screw up. Why you spend time together with him is beyond me. Does your reputation mean nothing?"

Anabel rolled her eyes. "If my reputation means that I need to be the stereotypical mean girl, then no, it doesn't mean anything to me," she said. "Chris is a great guy, once you get to know him."

"I don't want too," Cassidy protested. "I just want to do my job and report the news."

"Then go find another story," said Anabel. "The last thing this protest needs is posers."

Cassidy gasped. "Posers?" she screeched. "That's cold, Anabel." She flicked her hair over her shoulder and folded her arms. "Fine. Do you know what? I will give my publicity to someone who appreciates it. Devin, come on!"

Anabel looked over to where Devin had disappeared, watching as two Soccer players tied him to the tree using chains. "Looks like your cameraman is busy," she said.

"Urgh, whatever!" Cassidy huffed. She turned and stormed away.

Anabel shook her head and turned back to the protestors. She saw Chris waving and made her way to his side.

"This is a great turn out," Chris said, smiling around at the students.

"Yeah," said Anabel. "I guess the squad really did spread the word."

Chris smiled. "I saw Cassidy storming away, everything alright?" he asked.

Anabel shrugged. "Just telling her if she's not here for the tree then she needs to move on," she answered. She purposely left out the part where Cassidy shamed him for his incident, the last thing she wanted to was to upset him more. He and Cassidy didn't have much of a friendship, especially with Cassidy refusing to believe that what he had done was accidental.

"GET THOSE MEN WORKING! I HAVE A PERMIT!"

Anabel and Chris winced as Randall's voice echoed across the grounds. She was standing on the edge of the protest, a megaphone pressed to her lips, and a clipboard swaying in the air. She did not look pleased.

"Best get busy," said Chris, grabbing his sign.

"Can I help you?" Edward asked Anabel. He had made his own sign and was holding it tightly to his chest.

Anabel nodded. "Sure. Just be careful of the dozers," she said.

"You guys go on, I need to add one more thing to my sign," said Chris, reaching into his backpack for two markers. He knelt, pulled the wooden sign across his knees, and pulled the cap off a black marker with his teeth.

Anabel glanced at Edward and motioned with her head for him to follow her. The pair stood in the path of digger; their signs clutched firmly between their hands.

"Oi, kids, get out of the way!" the construction man called, flailing his arm in their general direction. "I got my orders."

"I'm not moving!" Anabel called back.

"Me either!" said Edward, firmly. "This tree is important. We won't let you cut it down!"

Anabel spread her feet slightly apart and tilted her head back, her eyes firmly locked on the digger. Her mother used to call this her 'stubborn pose.'

"God, I can't stand teenagers!" the construction man grumbled. He twisted sideways and pulled himself out of the cab, accidentally hitting the leaver at his side.

There was a scream, and Anabel looked up as the basket above her jostled on its rigging. She turned to Edward and shoved him sideways as she dodged to the left, narrowly avoiding being splattered like a pancake in the process.

"Anabel! Ed!" Chris called, racing over. He scooped up his brother, who was laying on his back, staring at the basket with wide eyes. Looking across the way at Anabel, he saw she was surrounded by other cheerleaders, all of whom were helping her back to her feet.

Anabel shoved away the frantic worries of her team and looked over at Chris. "Is he alright?" she asked.

"Yeah, no harm done," said Chris. He had checked his brother from head to toe but couldn't find any lasting injuries.

Anabel sighed in relief and looked back at the rest of her squad. "I'm fine," she said, reassuringly. "A little shaken. But fine."

"I'd be more than shaken if that had been me," said Laura. "You're lucky you weren't crushed."

"Are you sure you're okay?" Lawrence asked.

Anabel nodded. "Honestly, guys, I'm fine," she said, smiling.

"EVERYONE OUT OF HERE! GO ON! SHOO!"

Again, Anabel winced as Randall's voice echoed across the grounds. She looked around at her friends. "Go on, get out of here," she said. "I'll catch up with you all later."

"Okay. Call us if you need anything," said Laura. She linked arms with her brother and the pair walked away, following the dispersing crowds out of the grounds.

Anabel smiled as she met Doctor Oliver's gaze, nodded as he asked if she was okay, and then turned back to Chris and Edward. She rounded the basket and looked down at Ed. "You sure you're okay?" she asked.

"Yep," Edward nodded.

Anabel smiled and ruffled his hair. She then looked to Chris. "Come on, let's get you two home," she said.

"You don't have to," said Chris. "We can walk."

"Why walk when I have a car?" Anabel asked. She fished the keys out of her pocket and held them up. "Come on. We can stop for Starbucks or something on the way."

"Ooh. McDonalds?" Ed asked.

"Sure. Why not?" Anabel asked.

Ed whooped and made a beeline for the parking lot.

~X~

"I don't get how she can just do that?!" Chris ranted, walking alongside Anabel in the school lot. What had riled him up was Randall's blatant disregard for student safety.

Anabel glanced at Edward. He shrugged, awkwardly. He had never seen his brother so angry since the day of his hearing for Juvie. Sure, he had been nervous and anxious due to the verdict, but he was angry at their father for just walking his family out of the court, without so much as a look at his eldest son.

"I mean, Ed could've been killed if you hadn't have been there," said Chris, whirling around. He set his sights on his little brother. "Are you sure you're okay?"

Edward nodded. "A little shaken, but no broken bones," he said.

Again, Anabel nodded. She looked back at Chris. "I know you're angry," she said. "But losing your temper like this isn't going to help matters. Right now, Randall holds all the cards, and going at her in fully fury is going to do nothing but get you expelled again."

Chris sighed and dialled his voice down a notch as he spoke again. "I know, I know," he said. "I just… if anything had happened." He shook his head.

"What happened was an accident," said Anabel. "I don't think the crane guy intentionally meant to try and crush your brother. If anything, it was my fault. I was the one who stood in front of him and refused to move. Edward just so happened to be nearby when he got out of the cab."

"Don't you dare put this on you," said Chris. "You were doing what I asked." He huffed and run a hand through his hair. "All this was done because I made a complaint. So, everything that happened, is my fault. As per usual."

Anabel shook her head and linked her arm through Chris.' "It's no one's fault," she said. "Like I said, it was an accident."

"What are we going to do now?" Edward asked. "I'm guessing we don't just pack up and go home?"

"Of course not," said Anabel. "We just need to approach this from a different angle. But first, I need time to think of one. I could do another article on why this tree is important, but I would need to research into it, and the school, to find out how long it has been planted here. It could take a while."

"We may not have a lot of time," said Edward. "Randall told Doctor Oliver that she would commence the construction tomorrow."

Anabel sighed. "My only other option is that we get my Mum involved," she said. "But I don't want to keep running to her for every little thing. I mean, talk about abusing her position."

"You could always ask alumni for help."

"That was my idea," said Chris. He paused and stared at Anabel, realising that the voice he had heard hadn't been hers. It had been too masculine for Anabel, and much too deep for Edward.

Looking past Chris, towards where her car was parked, Anabel spotted a familiar long-haired brunette, leaning against the side of her Lamborghini. She laughed and launched herself across the remaining distance, her arms coming up and wrapping around the newcomer.

Chris and Edward shared a look and followed her over. Once closer, the two brothers noticed that the newcomer looked an awful lot like Conner McKnight but knew that he was still on the other side of the school.

"Who are you?" Edward asked.

"Ed!" Chris hissed.

Anabel and the newcomer separated with a laugh, each of them turning to Chris and Edward.

"This is Eric," said Anabel. "He's Conner's brother."

"I'm the more handsome twin," said Eric, slinging an arm around Anabel's shoulders. "I saw your post on Twitter and Facebook about the tree. I just knew that I had to come back, even if it was just to see what the commotion was about."

Anabel smiled and shook her head. Trust Eric to play her knight in shining armour. He always did it, even when she was dating his brother. It was the cause of half most of the arguments between her and Conner. But then, Eric was a sore subject for both.

"Speaking of my brother, where is he?" Eric asked. "Aren't you two attached at the hip or something?"

Anabel cocked her head in confusion, she then realised that Eric had left for Ninja school before she had discovered Conner and Sophie at the end of last year. "Oh, you don't know," she said. "Your brother and I -"

"You son of a bitch!" Conner yelled, arriving in the school lot with Kira, Ethan, Trent, and Doctor Oliver. He was speed-walking towards the small group, his face contorted with anger, his hand clenching into a fist.

Anabel started forward, but Conner pushed her aside, into Chris, raised his fist and swung it forward, straight into Eric's face. The second twin stumbled backward and crumbled against the side of Anabel's car, just as the lot exploded into cries and yells.

Ethan, Kira, and Doctor Oliver pulled Conner back, putting as much distance between him and his brother, as Anabel, Chris, and Edward checked on Eric.

Eric's nose was bleeding profusely, and a serious bruise was already forming across the bridge, and around the bottom of his eyes. Tears clouded his vision, and a few had leaked onto his cheeks; but he wasn't crying. They were tears of pain, and possibly confusion.

"What the hell, Conner?!" Ethan kept asking, but Conner ignored him. He was trying his hardest to break through those holding him back, his eyes narrowed at his brother. Hatred burning inside them.

Conner pointed at Eric. "You just couldn't manage the fact that she chose me!" he yelled. "All those times you were home. You hated seeing us together. Always trying to play her hero! Always hanging around her. Then last year, you -"

"Shut up, Conner!" Anabel snapped. She stood, helping Eric up with her and fumbling for her car keys. She opened the passenger side door and sat Eric down on the seat. He was pinching his nose and tilting his head forward, while her fingers threaded through the hair on top of his head.

Conner's gaze shifted to her. "Oh, why am I not surprised you'd choose his side?" he snarled. "You always choose his side! Always. Both of you are as bad for each other. You say I crossed the line with Sophie, how do I know you didn't already do Eric?"

"The extent of a physical relationship I have ever had with Eric has been a hug!" Anabel cried, tears in her own eyes now. She had been expecting this confrontation for a long time, but she didn't expect it to happen in the middle of the school lot, and in front of their friends. She and Conner had been getting on so well lately, she was stunned that the reappearance of his brother would throw them back to square one.

As Conner scoffed angrily, he tore himself away from the others and stormed towards his Mustang. Ethan, Kira, and Trent glanced at Anabel, but she shook her head at them. Offering small smiles of their own, the trio headed towards the Mustang, and once they were all piled in, Conner sped out of the lot.

Anabel run a hand through her hair as she turned back to Eric. She glanced to the side as Doctor Oliver caught her elbow and pulled her aside. She was took a deep breath, her hands shaking as she covered her face with them.

"Stupid question, but are you okay?" Doctor Oliver asked.

Anabel scoffed out a laugh as she dropped her hands. "Stupid answer, but my ex just punched his brother and accused him of something that happened over a year ago, and wasn't even Eric's fault in the first place," she said. "Maybe not as stupid, but definitely honest," she added.

"So, you and Eric?"

"No," said Anabel, looking up and meeting his gaze. "Eric and I did nothing with each other. Yes, we were close, we always have been, and sure, I'll admit that if I had met Eric before meeting Conner, I probably would've ended up with him. But I didn't cheat on Conner with Eric. I didn't cheat on Conner with anyone. I loved him!"

Doctor Oliver nodded and reached up to wipe away her tears. He wanted to pull her to him, to hug her and reassure her that everything would be okay. But he couldn't. Not here, at least.

Taking a deep breath, Anabel leaned into Doctor Oliver's touch and smiled. "I should get Chris and Edward home," she said. "And get Eric checked out at the hospital."

"You sure you're going to be okay?" Doctor Oliver asked.

"Yeah."

"Okay. Call me when you get home, alright?"

Anabel nodded, reached for, and squeezed his hand as he dropped it from her face, and then headed back to her car. Chris and Edward had squeezed into the back, while Eric still occupied the passenger seat. The blood had stemmed from his nose, splattered the sidewalk, but not the interior of her car.

"Alright," said Anabel, settling into the driver's side. She pulled her seat belt around her and glanced into the rear-view mirror. "Let's get you boys sorted out."

~X~

Once Edward and Chris had been dropped off at home, Anabel drove Eric to Reefside general. She explained that there had been an altercation at the school, and Eric had stepped in to defend her. The last thing either she or Eric needed were the police getting involved and wanting to talk to the McKnight's about their sons activities outside of the house.

As an on-call doctor led Eric away, Anabel headed towards the waiting area. She paused on the door, looking down as her morpher bleeped and flashed. She covered the gem with one hand and headed outside, slipping into a secluded place, and activating the call.

"What's up?" Anabel asked.

"Where are you?" Hayley asked.

"At the hospital with Eric. Is everything alright? You sound worried."

"We just got a report that Zeltrax has been seen."

"Zeltrax? I thought he was destroyed?"

"Apparently not. Can you come back to the base?"

"Eric has only just been seen; I can't ditch him." She heard Conner scoff and mutter something over the link, and her hand tightened around her wrist. "Besides, I don't think the base is the safest place right now."

There was a sigh.

"Alright. Just be careful," said Hayley. "Get back somewhere safe as soon as possible. Preferably home. You still have the spells up, right?"

"Yeah. Circe may have gone home, but Kali left the protection charms in place."

The sound of a door opening caught her attention and she glanced around to see Eric talking with a doctor. He had a white band aid across the bridge of his nose; and the bruises that still covered his eyes was enough to tell her that it was at least a little broken, maybe just a fracture?

"I have to run. Eric's being let go. You're lucky, Conner, it doesn't look like you did any serious damage!" Anabel hissed.

"Then I should've hit him harder." Conner replied. "This whole thing -"

"Anabel?!" Eric's voice cut Conner off.

"Over here!" Anabel called. She stepped out of her secluded spot and waved at Eric. "I'll catch you guys later." She dropped her arm and turned to Eric as he jogged to meet her. "What'd they say?"

Eric shrugged. "Nothing serious," he answered. "They want me to come back together. There is quite a bit of bruising so they can't do an X-ray to be sure if it isn't broken."

"I thought you said it wasn't serious?" Anabel asked. "Quite a bit of bruising sounds serious!"

"I'll be fine. However, I would like to know why my brother punched me," said Eric, raising an eyebrow. "What's going on between you two?"

Anabel sighed. "It's a long story," she said.

"Take the long way home and tell me," said Eric. He stopped at the passenger side door and looked across the roof at Anabel. "What do you - LOOK OUT!"

Despite Eric's yell, Anabel felt the familiar prickle in her head and whipped around, ducking at the sight of a sword swinging at her head. The tip of the blade screeched against the exterior of the Lamborghini.

Anabel narrowed her eyes at Zeltrax. "Hey! Watch it!" she growled, straightening up. "This car is worth more than you're whole body!"

"My apologies," Zeltrax replied, although he didn't sound at all apologetics. "But, you we meet again, Ranger."

Rushing around the side of the car, Eric helped Anabel stand. "What's he talking about?" he asked. "Does he mean Power Ranger? Are you a Ranger?"

"Eric, shut up and get down!" Anabel yelled, throwing herself into him and shoving him to the end of her car. Eric's arms wrapped around Anabel's waist and the pair of them rolled across the bonnet, falling to the floor on the other side.

Anabel shivered as Eric's hot breath hit her ear and neck. She twisted around in his arms, looking up at him. He was close, very close. "You have to let go of me," she said, wriggling to get free.

"But I'm comfy," Eric said, grinning. Trust Eric to put the moves on her. He always did, even when she was dating his brother. But even he had the sense to not push any further than flirting.

"I'm spoken for," said Anabel, pulling away from him.

"I'm assuming from the punch it isn't Conner."

Anabel shook her head and glanced over the bonnet of her car. She could see Zeltrax trying to get a better angle of her from the car across from them, but his bulky body was crammed into the full parking lot.

"Make it easier on you and your friend, Ranger!" Zeltrax boomed. "Just hand yourself over."

"You are a Power Ranger!" Eric exclaimed.

Anabel smacked his shoulder. "Shut up!" she hissed.

"Sorry. What colour?" Eric asked, excitedly. He paused, glanced at her car, and then rolled his eyes. "Oh, silly me! You're obviously Green."

"Can we talk about this later?" Anabel asked. "I have to get Zeltrax away from here before he does more damage. But he won't leave unless he gets what he wants."

"Can't you just morph?"

Anabel glanced around. There were people coming in and out of the hospital, oblivious to the cyborg that had terrorised their city for almost a year. "Not with this many people around, no," she said, shaking her head. "You're not even supposed to know."

"Okay. So, what do we do?" Eric asked. "I could distract him with an Earthquake."

"I thought you weren't supposed to use Ninja powers in public?"

"It's for the safety of civilians," said Eric. "Sensei would understand."

"I would rather you not get expelled for exposure," said Anabel, shaking her head.

Zeltrax's rumbled growl echoed around the lot. "You're not getting away, Ranger, give up, or I start attacking the hospital," he threatened.

"I have an idea," said Anabel. She shoved her car keys into Eric's hands. "Don't crash my baby. But, I need you to find Conner. Take this," she pulled her Dino bracelet from her wrist and handed it over. "He'll know what to do."

Eric frowned at the bracelet. "Why would Conner know what to do?" he asked. "Unless…" he trailed off, his eyes widening as he stared at Anabel. "No freaking way?! You're telling me, my brother is a -?"

"Shh!" Anabel said, slapping her hand over Eric's mouth. "You're my last hope, Eric. I need you to do this."

"Why would Conner believe me?" Eric asked. "He hates me. Obviously thinks I had something to do with you and him breaking up."

Anabel shook her head. "We can face that later," she said. "Just remind him that there is something more important at play here. Okay?"

Eric hesitated. "Isn't there another way?" he asked.

"No. If I don't do this then Zeltrax will attack the hospital," said Anabel. "He's already proven he isn't above using innocent people as shields to get what he wants."

Eric stared at Anabel and then nodded. "Okay. I'll find Conner. Any idea where he could be?" he asked.

"1992 Valencia Road," said Anabel. "The address is programmed into my GPS. Good luck." She squeezed his hand and stood, holding her hands up in surrender as Zeltrax pointed his sword at her.

Once Anabel was close enough, Zeltrax grabbed her wrist and pulled her to him, wrapping an arm around her waist. He chuckled, darkly. "The Black Ranger will be mine!" he said.

"Don't count on it," said Anabel.

Eric watched as both Anabel and the cyborg disappeared through a green and black swirl in the sky. Then, he was alone in the hospital parking lot.

~X~

Following the GPS, Eric pulled to a stop beside his brother's Mustang which was parked beside a Jeep Wrangler. Both of which were outside a cabin-like house in the middle of nowhere.

He got out of the car, checking, and double checking his surroundings, confused as to why someone would live in the middle of the Valencian woods. "Where have you sent me, Anabel?" he murmured, closing the door, and heading up the steps to the front door.

He knocked. Twice.

When he was sure that no one was home, he stepped back and turned to leave, stopping only as the door swung open and an older man stood on the doorstep. He recognised him from the school and could only assume he was one of the teachers there. But why were his brother and Anabel hanging out at a teacher's house?

"Eric, right?" the teacher asked. "Eric McKnight."

Eric nodded. "Yeah. I'm looking for my brother," he answered.

"I think you're the last person he wants to see right now."

"Valid reasoning," said Eric, nodding. "But Anabel sent me."

The teacher's brow creased, and he glanced over Eric's shoulder, his gaze spying Anabel's car. "Where is she?" he asked.

"She was taken by…Zeltrax?" Eric asked. "That was his name. She gave me this," he held up the bracelet that Anabel had shoved at him. "Then handed herself over. She said she did it to protect the hospital, that Zeltrax wouldn't hesitate to attack the innocents there. She's also a Power Ranger!"

The man looked surprised. "She told you that?" he asked.

"I guessed, actually," said Eric, shrugging. "Not hard to do when a cyborg is calling you it, and I know that it's not me."

"Fair point. I guess you should come in then. I'm Doctor Oliver, by the way," said the teacher. He waved Eric inside, closing the door behind him. "Follow me."

Eric followed Doctor Oliver into his kitchen and down a secret tunnel in the floor. He gaped, his eyes widening as he descended the stairs into an underground base.

"What's he doing here?" Conner growled, getting to his feet, and facing his brother.

"Anabel sent him," said Doctor Oliver.

"Where is Anabel?" Kira asked.

"Zeltrax has her."

The silence that descended, Eric noted, was cold and nervous. The group shared nervous looks, and even Conner looked scared.

"How do you know?" Ethan asked.

Doctor Oliver nodded at Eric.

"She gave herself up to protect innocents," said Eric. "She also gave me this…" he held up the Dino bracelet again. "Told me to come find you." He met Conner's gaze.

Conner scoffed. "Why me?" he asked.

"I dunno. Guess she thinks you'll save her," said Eric. "You guys may not be in a good place right now, but you still care about her. You wouldn't have punched me if you didn't."

Conner shook his head. Every time he looked at his brother, he still felt the intense hatred he had harboured for over a year. In his head, Anabel breaking up with him was all Eric's fault. Every time Eric was in town he would flirt with Anabel, and she wasn't miss innocent either, she would always flirt back. Which was why he had assumed the two had slept together when he had seen them together the night of the party.

"Look, I know you hate me," said Eric. "And I have a rather good idea why, but I swear to you, Anabel and I have never slept together. I won't deny that I like her, I did the minute I laid eyes on her, but she was always your girl. Why do you think I left the first time? I wasn't going to torture myself by sticking around and watch you be happy with the girl I loved. I only came back when you guys won state because I wanted to congratulate you both, I didn't think that coming back would cause you to break up."

"Well, it did," said Conner,

"Then I am sorry," said Eric. "But, if you don't do something now to save her, then all this fighting over her will be for nothing. She also said she was seeing someone else; I don't know who, but if you don't do something then he loses her, too. Can you live with yourself for standing by and doing nothing?"

Conner stared at his brother and then sighed. "We'll get her back," he said. "Then the three of us need to talk."

"Understandable," said Eric. He handed Anabel's bracelet over to Conner and shoved his hands into his pocket. He watched as Conner gave the bracelet to an older redhead at the computer, and then glanced around the base at the others present. "So, I'm guessing you're all Rangers?"

Ethan, Kira, Trent, and Doctor Oliver raised their hands.

"That's Hayley," said Conner, nodding at the redhead. "She's our brains."

Eric chuckled. "Were you ever going to tell me you were a Ranger?" he asked Conner.

Conner shook his head. "For the same reason that I'm not supposed to know you're a Ninja," he said. "Secret identity."

"We always did suck at keeping secrets," said Eric, chuckling.

Conner found himself smiling and nodding. Despite the animosity between him and Eric, he couldn't find it himself to stay permanently mad at his twin.

"You look like you could use that talk now," said Eric.

Conner shrugged and rubbed a hand over his face.

"You want to step out?" Eric offered.

Looking around at his team, Conner nodded and led his brother out into the tunnel. He leaned against the wall as Eric did the same opposite him.

"What's going on?" Eric asked. "Worried about Anabel?"

"I lost that right when I slept with Sophie," said Conner with a sigh. "This whole this is so messed up."

Eric pushed away from the wall and crossed to stand beside his brother. "Why did you sleep with Sophie?" he asked, curiously.

"Because I thought you were sleeping with Anabel!" Conner exclaimed. "I wanted to get back at you both for hurting me."

Reaching up, Eric slapped Conner around the head.

"Ow! Hey, what was that for?!" Conner demanded.

"Because you're an idiot," said Eric. "You literally had everything you could've ever wanted, and you threw it away on an assumption. You should've just asked us what was going on, or even better, interrupted if you thought I was getting too close. For crying aloud, Conner, I would never have done that to you. Yes, I like Anabel, but she loved you. Grandpa John could've seen that, and he was blind!"

Conner sighed and rubbed the back of his head. "It doesn't matter now," he said. "She's moved on."

"But you still need to talk," said Eric. "It's killing the pair of you if you just leave it fester. I mean, you punched me because you believed I was the reason she broke up with you. If you keep thinking that she cheated on you then you're going to lose her as more than just your girlfriend, you're going to lose her as a friend, too."

Conner slumped against the wall. "You know, it's more than six months since we became Rangers, and I still feel like the team can do better than me," he sighed, running a hand roughly through his hair. "I mean, who wants to follow someone who is an idiot?"

"You're not always an idiot," said Eric. "You're an idiot when it comes to Anabel, but you're a good guy the rest of the time. There's obviously a reason you were chosen as Red Ranger."

"I dunno," said Conner. "There's a chance the Gem made a mistake." He glanced at his own Dino Bracelet. "I know Doctor O said that the Gem wouldn't have chosen me if there wasn't something inside me already that couldn't manage the power, but sometimes I just feel…"

"Still the doubter, I see," said Eric, pushing bizarre. "Or, what's the word that Anabel likes to use? Oh, that's it. Self-Sabotage."

Conner rolled his eyes. "How am I self-sabotaging now?" he asked.

"Because you're getting inside your own head and letting your feelings pull you down," said Eric. "Conner, you're a good person, and undoubtedly a good Ranger. One little set back shouldn't cost you your self-esteem or confidence. Having doubts is a good thing, but you shouldn't let those doubts rule your life."

"He's right," said Doctor Oliver.

Both twins jumped and turned to the mouth of the tunnel. Doctor Oliver was standing in half in and half out of the base, his arms folded.

"It's just… everything that has happened so far makes me feel good about myself, but then I remember how much I screwed up with Anabel and I realise that maybe I'm not a good enough person to be a superhero," said Conner.

Doctor Oliver chuckled. "You crack me up, you know that?"

"What did I say?" Conner asked.

"You remind me so much of myself at your age. I had all this ability and raw emotion, but it took me a while to get the confidence I needed to believe in myself."

Conner smirked. "I've got confidence," he said.

"Confidence and Cockiness are two different things," said Doctor Oliver, shaking his head. "There is a whole world you haven't even tapped into yet. Beyond Triassic power and Super Dino Mode, but you've got to believe you deserve it, and when you do, you'll be blown away by what you can do."

"I think what he means is that even superheroes make mistakes," said Eric, nudging his brother's shoulder.

Conner glanced between his twin and his teacher. He pursed his lips and nodded.

Beep. Beep.

"That doesn't sound good," said Eric.

"It's not," said Conner. "Come on." He led Eric back into the lab and over to the computer where the others were congregated.

"What's up?" Doctor Oliver asked, inspecting the screens. "Is it Zeltrax?"

"I can't quite get a lock on him," said Hayley. "But, the closest I can get is the quarry outside of town. That's not all," she added. "I got Triptoid activity in the valley."

Ethan turned to Conner. "We can manage the Triptoids," he said. "You go get Anabel."

Conner looked around at the others. They each nodded.

"Now that's settled," said Doctor Oliver. "Let's -"

"I want to help," interrupted Eric.

Doctor Oliver turned to Conner. He may have been the teens mentor, but it was Conner's call if he wanted his brother there or not.

Eric turned to Conner also. "Zeltrax will be expecting you," he said. "But he won't be expecting me. I can help you get Anabel back."

Conner hesitated. He knew his brother could hold his own, but did he really want to put him in further danger?

~X~

Anabel struggled against Zeltrax. He had tied her wrists with a rope and was trying his hardest to haul her over his shoulder. "You won't get away with this!" she said, feeling the curve of his armour against her stomach. "You won't just face Doctor Oliver."

"Don't be so sure," said Zeltrax. "He'll do whatever it takes to get you back."

"So will the others," Anabel argued. "You don't know Conner. He and I may not see eye-to-eye now, but he wouldn't let anything happen to me!"

"We'll just see about that," said Zeltrax. With an almighty heave, he lifted her into the air and over his shoulder. He kept one hand pressed against the small of her back and started the long, hazardous climb up the side of a mountain.

Anabel gasped as she was jostled about. Her plaits bumping against the side of her face with each heave, and her eyes widened as the ground got further and further away. She wasn't afraid of heights, but she was afraid of getting hurt. If Zeltrax dropped her from this altitude there was no chance she'd walk away unscathed.

"Anabel!"

Zeltrax and Anabel both looked down into the valley. Conner was standing there, fully morphed.

"Let her go!" Conner yelled.

With a huff, Zeltrax fired lasers at Conner, causing the ground beneath him to explode.

"No!" Anabel called.

Staggering to his feet, Conner clenched his hands into fists and crossed them across his torso. He cried out, his voice echoing around the valley and then he threw his arms out, stretching them wide one either side of him.

Both Anabel and Zeltrax watched, stunned, as a plume of flame escaped his morpher, swirling into the air in the form of a dragon. It dropped, wound itself around both his arms, stopping at his shoulders, and transforming his ranger form into gold, blue, and red plated armour.

"Super Fire Power!" Conner called, smashing his fist into his hand.

"Whoa," Anabel breathed.

"Nice trick," said Zeltrax. "But you're too late."

"Try me!" Conner challenged.

Zeltrax scoffed. "With pleasure," he slid his arm from around Anabel, hooked in underneath her, palm pressed against her belly, and then shoved forward.

Anabel screamed as she felt her body lift into the air. She was suspended for a moment… then she was falling. The ground was coming up a lot faster than she anticipated. Closing her eyes, Anabel heard the whooshing of air in her ears. She tried to not imagine what it would be like to smash into the rapidly rising ground, tried to force away the pain that would surely rip through her as she made impact.

"Gotcha!"

Arms wrapped around her waist and under her legs. Eyes snapping open, Anabel followed the stretched arms all the way back to Conner, her mouth falling open as he pulled her back to him.

"Are you okay?" Conner asked, setting her down on her feet.

"I…" Anabel hesitated.

Conner placed a hand on her shoulder. "You should get out of here," he said. "The others are fighting the Triptoids in the Valley. Eric, can you get out of here?"

"Eric?" Anabel questioned looking around. One minute she and Conner had been alone, and the next Eric was at their side. He was decked out in his black gi with yellow accents, and a leather hood complete with a face mask over his head.

"You got it," said Eric. He wrapped one arm around Anabel's back, the other under her knees and scooped her up.

Instinctively, Anabel's own arms wrapped around Eric's neck, and she looked over at Conner. "What are you going to do?" she asked.

"Just make a point," Conner replied. "Get her out of here."

"We're not leaving you!" Anabel argued.

Conner sighed. He knew he couldn't shift her if she didn't want to be shifted. "I'm trying to save you," he said.

"You have done that. Very admirably, I'll add," said Anabel. "But we're not leaving you here alone. If you don't want me to fight, fine, but don't ask me to leave, either."

"Fine. But get back," said Conner.

Eric scooped Anabel up, one arm around her waist, supporting her back, and the other under her legs. Instinctively, Anabel wrapped her arms around his neck, and he Ninja streaked her away from the impending battle.

"This is a safe enough distance," said Eric, turning back to watch Conner chase Zeltrax up the mountain side.

"Anabel!"

Twisting around, Anabel spotted the others racing towards her. She struggled out of Eric's arms, and into Doctor Oliver's, allowing him to tuck her safely under his arm, as it sloped over her shoulder, down her back, stopping at her waist. She buried her head into his side, her own arms looping around him and hooking firmly together.

"Are you okay?" Trent asked, touching her shoulder.

Anabel nodded. She rolled her head to the side, met Eric's gaze. He offered her a knowing look, and she gently shook her head before glancing away.

An explosion rocked the area, and the team looked up to see Conner land a fair distance away. Deciding that it was safe, the others hurried over to their teammate, and he turned to meet them, his gaze finding Anabel's.

"Are you okay?" Conner asked, power down to his regular suit.

Anabel untangled herself from Doctor Oliver and threw her arms around Conner. Their argument from earlier the furthest thing from her mind.

Conner squeezed her, reflectively, and then released her.

"Uh, guys, I don't think he is quite finished," said Eric, watching as Zeltrax dragged himself out of the rubble and stumbled towards the team.

Conner turned, shielding Anabel with his body as Zeltrax narrowed his gaze onto her. His issue may have been with the Black Ranger, but he was determined to get to him through the Green.

"Want some more?" Conner asked.

"This is just a minor setback," said Zeltrax. "I'll harness more power, and then I'll be back. You can be sure of that."

"We'll be ready," Conner promised.

Zeltrax growled and then reached into the air, disappearing through a red invisiportal.

Anabel sighed, her body relaxing.

It was over… at least for another day.

~X~

The next morning, before school started, Anabel met with the others in the school parking lot. In the car beside her was Eric, Kira, and Trent while the Ethan arrived with Conner and Doctor Oliver was already there - something about needing to be in early to prepare for the day ahead.

"How are you feeling today?" Ethan asked Anabel, as they all met up on the edge of the school. "You look better."

"Nothing a hot bath and a good night sleep couldn't fix," said Anabel, smiling. "Mum, on the other hand, looks terrible. She spent the whole night watching over me, apparently. She hasn't done that since I was six and having nightmares."

"At least you're okay," said Conner.

Anabel met his gaze and smiled. "Yeah," she agreed.

"Hey, Anabel."

Looking around, Anabel smiled and waved as Chris and Edward made their way over. "Hey, I didn't think you'd make it," she said. "How you feeling, Ed?"

"Tired," Edward moaned.

"That's what you get for staying up until 2am playing video games," said Chris.

"Like you weren't next to him whining that he was kicking your ass," said Anabel, laughing.

Chris scowled. "I do not whine," he protested.

"He does so whine," said Edward. He laughed and high-fived Anabel.

Chris gaped at the pair of them. "You turned my brother against me," he said, looking at Anabel.

Anabel shrugged. "Apparently not the first time I've unknowingly pit brother against brother," she said, glancing between Conner and Eric. "Just like before, this is a total accident. But, I must agree with Ed, you seem like a whiner."

"He is," said Edward.

"I'm not talking to either of you," said Chris, folding his arms.

Anabel rolled her eyes and smiled, while Edward poked his brother in the ribs.

"You heading in?" Edward asked.

"We will be," said Anabel. "I'll catch up, okay?"

Edward nodded and shoved Chris away. The two brothers disappeared just as Doctor Oliver joined them from inside the school.

"Everyone ready?" Doctor Oliver asked.

The group nodded and headed for the other side of the school. Zoey Brookes' had stepped in and managed to shut down the contract that stated Randall could build a new parking lot over the area where the old school tree had once been planted. It may have been gone, obliterated by the Rangers when Zeltrax had created a monster from it, but the ecosystem it had inhabited for years was still precious.

Instead, a new tree had been ordered to be planted, to recreate that ecosystem, and allow new life to inhabit the school grounds once again.

"I just got to say one thing before we head in," said Conner, hanging back. He looked at Anabel and Eric. "I'm sorry. I'm sorry for what I did with Sophie," he said to Anabel. "I crossed a line and hurt you more than I meant too. When you caught me that night, I wanted to take it back there and then, but I was so angry at you and Eric that I didn't."

"Conner, you don't need -" Anabel started.

"Yes, I do," said Conner, cutting across her. "I shouldn't have jumped to conclusions that night. I should've come found you and asked you what was going on. Instead, I went behind your back and ended up hurting everyone, including myself." He sighed. "I'm not expecting you to forgive me, and I know you've moved on, I just…" he trailed off. Now that he thought about it, saying sorry didn't really cover what he had done.

Stepping forward, Anabel reached up and hugged Conner. "I'll accept your apology if you accept mine," she said.

"What do you have to be sorry for?" Conner asked, confused.

"The night it happened, you tried to explain, and I shot you down," said Anabel. "I let the girls' come between us, and then I run to France for the whole summer. I refused to return your calls and tried to block you out of my life. When I did come back, I didn't even give you a chance to say you were sorry. I just asked you to not rehash it because I didn't want to deal with it. I now know that was wrong. If we had dealt with it the night it happened, or even the day after, then maybe everything that happened yesterday could've been avoided."

Conner pressed his lips together.

"So, I'm sorry, too," said Anabel, smiling.

"Now that that's over," said Ethan, nodding towards the school. "Shall we do this?"

Anabel smiled and nodded. She looped her arm through Doctor Oliver's, tangling her fingers with his as they followed the others into the school. Everyone else was already around where the old tree had once stood, so there was no chance of anyone seeing them holding hands in public.

"The only downfall in all this was Zeltrax wiped out the eternity spring," said Trent. "You know, that could've done a lot of good for a lot of people."

"Eternity spring?" Anabel asked. "What exactly did I miss yesterday?"

"A lot," said Ethan.

"I'll tell you about it later," said Doctor Oliver. "But, like anything good, too much can be really bad," he added to Trent.

"I wonder what's going to happen to Zeltrax? Please tell me we're through with his ugly mug?"

"You and me both," said Anabel. "Sure, I did what I did to protect people, but I do not appreciate being thrown off a cliff side."

"Especially with your fear of getting hurt," said Eric.

"Unfortunately, I doubt it," said Doctor Oliver. "I'm sure Mesogog will be searching for him just as hard as we are."

Anabel groaned.

Doctor Oliver smiled and looped his arm over her shoulders, pulling the arm of her hand which was still tangled with his up to her opposite shoulder. He then hugged her too him as tightly as possible.

"You guys may want to ease off on the PDA," said Ethan. "People are starting to look."

Anabel sighed and detangled herself from Doctor Oliver. She met Chris' gaze from across the gaping hole in the ground, smiled and headed away from her friends.

"Where are you going?" Eric asked.

"I'll be back," said Anabel. She eased her way through the crowd, popping up beside the two brothers, and ruffling Edward's hair. "Good news about the new tree."

Chris nodded. "Yeah. At least it's better than a new parking lot," he said.

"I know this didn't go exactly as you had planned," said Anabel. "But, like you said, a new tree is better than no tree."

"Anabel, I can't thank you enough for everything you've done to help me," said Chris. "Not just with setting up the protest, but with trying to get people on my side and making them see that I'm still a good person and not some reject."

"That's because you're not," said Anabel. "Plus, everyone deserves a second chance. So, on that note," she knelt beside the potted tree and looked up at the two brothers. "Want to do the honours?"

Edward beamed and knelt, carefully scooping up the potted plant and setting it into the hole. He teetered dangerously on the edge, stretching as far as he could as Anabel held him by the bottom of his jacket, so he didn't fall completely inside. He then pulled back and handed a shovel to Chris.

Chris took the shovel with a smile. "To second chances," he said, leaning down into the hole.

"To second chances," said Anabel, looping an arm around Edward.