Chapter 4
Balance
The Power Center
It was the next morning. Last evening, after arranging their covers, Kai and a few others had made a meal and they had had supper. That didn't meant that they had to cook, but they noted what everyone wanted to eat and got it from the Synethron. They also set the table. After cleaning everything, they had been busy getting to know each other better.
The morning hadn't started really well. Joel had a certain mood and he had driven the girls crazy with his so called charming. Dana and Kelsey, who were used to it, only laughed. But Kimberly, who hadn't slept very well and had got up on the wrong side of the bed, became irritated, very irritated and flipped him over her shoulder. He didn't land very hard and after that the whole room was laughing. Kat looked attentive. Something was bothering Kim.
***
Now they were having breakfast. Three of them and Dinera had set the table. Kat noticed that. Trini and Aisha also looked at Kim. In general, the conversation had ended on material arts.
Dinera laughed. She had joined them. "We have a space where you can practice if you want. Taren just calls it 'the dojo.' There are also some others facilities. A pool, a room where you can lift weights, a dance studio and two gyms, one for general use and one with a balance beam, uneven bars and that kind of stuff. Everything there is set up permanently. You are free to use it."
Everyone had a surprised look at their faces.
Dinera chuckled. "The pool and the gymnastic stuff were already here when we came here. Montres his father had a sport center. When he died, Montres inherited the sport center. He was already married with Tantara and owned the Meander Crystal off Strength. He striped the place and set up the most over here. Then he sold the place."
***
"What is bothering you, girl?" Katherine asked from the door of Kimberly's chamber.
Kimberly looked up. "Nothing." she replied.
Kat walked into the room and plopped down on the desk chair. "I am not blind, Kim. Heck, even Trini and Aisha were looking at you with breakfast. So, again, what is bothering you?"
Kim sat down on her bed. "It's Clark. Since you aren't blind, as you just said, I think you have noticed it isn't going this well between us."
Kat just nodded.
"Clark is becoming a little bit too protective. He is always been protective since I told him what happened in Florida. He doesn't want me to do a lot of things I just need do. He also hates fighting and war. Since he came in Angel Grove he has become one of those people who think that Rita and the others just appeared because the Power Rangers were there. He even didn't see a battle. You can imagine how he will react when he hears I 'help' at Lightspeed. And when he discovers the truth he would be going crazy. He would demand I give up my Ranger powers."
Kat had listened intently. "Kim, you need your freedom. He can't keep you in a golden cage. Without it you will become crazy. And for giving up your Ranger powers… Knowing you, you would never do that. Once a Ranger, always a Ranger. That what everybody always said. You would even fight without powers if they had asked that. That is what we all would have done." Kat soothed.
"You are lucky with Alex. In any case he understands why you are doing this, if he would know. Better then Clark in this case." Kim replied.
"Yeah, I am. But you need to take your mind off it. How about a swim? I believe we have swimwear in our wardrobes." Kat proposed while standing up.
Kim followed her example and answered: "Good idea. But first I have to apologize to Joel. I will get my stuff and we see each at the hall."
"Ok. Shall I ask the other girls? Almost all the boys are sparring." Kat made another suggestion.
Kim nodded and turned to her wardrobe. Kat left the room smiling to get her own things.
***
The Black Castle
The live had also started in the castle. Marcian and Nork had spent the night in their own quarters. The other creatures had spent the night in a wing where everyone had an own room.
After everyone was awake, Arcia called everybody together. The woman was in her black robes again, completely with veils. "Ok, very simple. I have found some powerful stones in Europe. I want them. They are so strong that a little piece can penetrate Ranger suits. Also can they harness enormous amounts of energy. With one of them we can give Queen Bansheera her body, when the planets are aligned. But it means we have to keep the Rangers occupied. We need some monsters. Any monsters available?"
Diabolico spoke: "Yes, from our last attack I have Demonite, Thunderon and Falkar. With some extra power and some help of Batlings or something like them would keep those Rangers occupied."
Arcia nodded and asked: "Any other idea's?"
"Maybe Scorpina, Vypra and some other henchmen can also go. Some extra work for them." Lord Zedd said.
Arcia nodded her agreement and chose three off them to help her in Europe.
***
The Power Center
At the moment that Kat entered Kim's room, Trini knocked on the door of Billy's room. The most guys' had decided to go sparring and Billy hadn't been with them. Besides Billy, only Zhane and Ryan had declined. With her idea Ryan was in his room and she had seen Zhane working on a computer in the main chamber. Then she heard the soft reply that she could come in.
Trini pushed the door open and entered the chamber. Billy was writing, sitting by the desk.
When Trini entered he looked up. "What can I do for you?" he asked, not really interested.
Trini sat down on the bed and answered: "I want to ask you something. Why did you never contact us if you came back? Jason wrote me you went to Aquitar. What happened there?"
Billy turned his chair to her. "When I went there, I was aging very fast. On Aquitar they had a cure and it worked very well. In the mean time, Cestria and I had fallen in love and were a couple. We were happy and lived together. Then Divatox came with her attack. She attacked the Rangers on Gratha, but Piranhatrons also attacked the life pods on Aquitar. With an attack at our life pod, Cestria was killed. Then Zordons sacrifice came. In one day I had lost my beloved and my mentor, who was like a second father to me. I decided to go back to Earth. There I took another identity and lived calmly in Angel Grove."
"How did Justin found out who you were?" Trini asked.
"Justin was in one of the science clubs which I lead. A day he saw some blueprints I had in a file. They were things from the Power Chamber. Justin recognized them and then everything clicked in place for him." Billy told.
Trini was silent for a while after that. "But I still don't understand why you didn't contact us?" she asked.
"Back then it even hurt when I thought about it. Further, there was nothing."
Trini regarded him close during his answer. Then she stood up and said: "I think there is more. But only you can decide if you want to talk about it. I will be there if you want to talk." With that she left the room.
***
Twelve minutes later Katherine, Kimberly, Kelsey, Dana and Karone lay lazily in the swimming pool. Trini, Aisha, Tanya, Cassie, Ashley and Kendrix also entered.
The last two were pulling a hesitant Maya with them. "Come on, Maya. We also have a swimming pool on Mirinoi. This is nothing different." Kendrix said.
Nobody understood Maya's muttered complains. Karone climbed out of the water and helped Kendrix and Ashley to persuade Maya.
Three minutes later all the girls flooded peacefully in the swimming pool. Trini and Aisha swam in the direction of Kim. "What is bugging you, Kim?" Trini asked randomly.
Kim sighed: "I am having some trouble in my relationship. But the background behind that is a long story and I am not in the mood to tell that story."
Everyone swam for a little while, but then they played a kind off volleyball in the water. It was an Mirinoian game and Karone, Kendrix and Maya had explained it quickly. The girls split up in two teams, yellow and pink or in Karones case, former pink.
The girls where entertaining them perfectly when an alarm started blearing. Everyone sighed, but climbed quickly from the water and grabbed their towels, robes and communicators. Then they all teleported in pink, yellow and purple streaks of light.
***
Some of the guys raised their eyebrows when they saw how the girls were dressed. Especially Joel. But Kim threw him a glare and he quickly returned his attention to the problems.
Zhane was giving a quick summary: "Everyone is waiting. They have sent three monsters, Falkar, Demonite and Thunderon. They are with hundred, two hundred Mukro's and Goldar, Scorpina, Archerina, Elgar, Rygog, Ecliptor, Deviot, Villamax, Gasket and Vypra. Also is there a woman named Marcian with them."
Taren appeared in a flash and said: "She is really powerful. She is an excellent fighter and knows quite some magic."
Mike had absorbed the information quickly. The Red Rangers, Tommy and Mike put their heads together. The girls quickly grabbed some clothing from their chambers.
When they were back, Mike gave quick instructions. "Lightspeed team, you take on Falkar, Galaxy team, you take on Demonite and the Space team takes on Thunderon. Reserve team, you handle the Mukro's. Morphin team and Special team handle the henchman and Marcian. Everybody ready?"
The teams lined up and the air was filled with "It's morphing time. Pterodactyl; Triceratops; Mastodon; Tyrannosaurus; Sabertooth Tiger; White Tiger; Zeo Ranger II, Yellow; Zeo Ranger III, Blue." from the Morphin and Zeo Rangers; "Shift into Turbo. Mountain Blaster Turbo Power; Desert Thunder Turbo Power; Wind Chaser Turbo Power; Dune Star Turbo power." from the Turbo Rangers; "Let's rocket." from the Space Rangers; "Go, galactic." from the Galaxy Rangers; "Lightspeed Rescue." from the Lightspeed Rangers; "Magna-power." from Mike and "Titanium-power." from Ryan.
Three seconds later flashes of light were faded away, everybody was morphed and teleported.
***
Hungary, Europe; some caves
In a dark cave a yellow flash, two red flashes and a pile of black flames appeared. They concealed in the forms of Rita Repulsa, Lord Zedd, Divatox and Arcia, clad in black armor.
Arcia pointed at some black lines of stone in the wall. "This is the stone I have been looking for. It's so powerful it can penetrate Ranger suits. Also it can guide enormous qualities of energy. Tantara and her family know this also, so that is why we had to keep the Rangers occupied. I want so much as possible, but you can't chop it out of the stone wall. You must remove it by magic and the magic of the Black Crystals doesn't work. That's why I brought you here. You can remove it by your magic."
The three evil beings nodded went to work.
***
Stone Canyon, California: A local park
The park was filled with action. At a large field of grass was the battle going on and on.
In the farthest corner Adam, Katherine, Tanya, Aisha, Justin and Rocky were working their way through the mass of Mukro's. They looked a little like Putties with their gray bodies, but their chest and head was covered with armor. Also they had wings and shining, red eyes where they can fire lasers from. The Mukro's wield only a short sword, but they do that with an enormous skill. Rocky and Adam were back to back in the team they had perfected many years before. They used no weapons, but with a powerful flurry of punches and kicks they send the beings flying. Katherine was standing in a three, using Windfire with pinpoint accuracy, but out direct reach from the Mukro's. Aisha and Tanya were also back to back, Aisha with her Zeo Blade and Tanya with her Turbo Sword. Every Mukro who came too close received a nasty cut. Justin was on the edge of the battalion Mukro's, also sending them everywhere.
Nearby them the Galaxy team was fighting Demonite. And it wasn't going very well. He was sending them flying in all directions. Everybody scrambled up and they regrouped. Three seconds of talking was followed by a line up. Then they called: "Lights of Orion, activate." The golden light flashed and the decorations of the lights of Orion appeared. The battle continued at full strength.
On the other side the Space team was 'playing around' with Thunderon. Thunderon hadn't put any real effort in his attacks and defense, just enough so he wouldn't been hit to bad. Suddenly he launched an attack at full strength and also the Space Rangers were knocked back. Soon they were on their feet and this time they had their weapons ready. Cassie and Ashley started firing a steady barrage of lasers with the Satellite Stunner and the Star Slinger. This gave Andros, Carlos and T.J. the chance to hit him directly with the Spiral Saber, Lunar Lance and Astro Ask.
In the middle of the field was also a battle going on. Goldar was fighting Tommy fierily, Kimberly was whacking Scorpina with her Power Bow, Trini tried to find a opening in Archerina attacks and Elgar tried to hit Zack, but hadn't much success. Archerina's back was decked by her husband, Gasket and he was fighting Billy. Jason called on his Power Sword and he looked like if he wanted to get revenge on Rygog for the mess on Muiranthias. Zhane was going toe to toe with Ecliptor and Mike was going toe to toe with Deviot. Vypra was 'sparring' with Ryan and Villamax was enveloped in a battle with Karone, sword against Solar Fire Staff.
***
Hungary, Europe; some caves
Rita, Zedd and Divatox had already removed an fairly amount of the black rock. Arcia had been transporting the rock back to the Black Castle. They went on for a little while. Then Arcia gave the sign she had enough and they teleported back.
***
Stone Canyon, California: A local park
The fight had been going on about a hour now. And everybody was getting a little down.
Adam, Rocky, Katherine, Justin, Tanya and Aisha were almost finished with the Mukro's. Kat still had her position in a tree and no Mukro thought about attacking her or it would get an energy arrow for in his stomach. Adam, Rocky and Justin were circling roughly thirty Mukro's and Aisha and Tanya were chasing some Mukro's who were flying around, trying to shake the Yellow Rangers of.
The Lightspeed team was wearing Falkar out. His moves became slower and less precise. Yet he was still a very powerful opponent and it didn't look like if their fight was going to end soon. The Galaxy and Space Rangers were in the same condition with their monsters. Thunderon and Demonite were becoming slower and less precise, but also those battles didn't look if they would end soon.
The battle with the henchmen was going a little bit better. Kim had defeated Scorpina and she was helping Trini with Archerina. Jason had defeated Rygog and was helping Billy to defeat Gasket. Zack was still kicking Elgars butt. But Tommy's battle with Goldar wasn't going very good, not good for both sides. Zhane and Mike were in the same condition with their opponents. Karone had Villamax almost defeated and Ryan was doing it very well against Vypra.
Vypra had had it with fighting Ryan. She thought: 'This is enough. That witch Scorpina went away when she had broken a nail. But not before taunting him a little.' "So, here is Mister Traitor. Have you never heard that someone who betrays his family or friends once, will do that again? You betrayed me, the one who brought you to bed and protected you from Diabolico in his anger?" She could she that what she had said hit him and his movements became less precise. Suddenly she saw a wonderful opening. With her sword she hit his wrist and Ryans morpher rolled on the ground. He demorphed immediately. For he could get over the surprise and take a position to defense himself, Vypra was on him and was going to stab him in the heart. He could just roll away, but her sword hit him in the left shoulder. Ryan felt the stab just barely, because everything became black.
Kat was just going to fire at a persistent Mukro, when she heard a voice scream: "Ryan." It was Dana. She looked in the direction of the situation and her heart jumped for a moment. Vypra prepared herself to stab an unconscious and demorphed Ryan in the heart. Quickly she pulled herself together and raised Windfire. Carefully she aimed on Vypra and released a barrage of shimmering pink arrows.
Mike had seen also what happened, but he couldn't get away from Deviot. His heart ached when he saw Vypra standing and when the arrows hit Vypra he felt a great relieve. On the communication system in their helmet a message came in. It was Kat. "I am coming in your way. I am gonna take Deviot out for a moment. Keep Ryan covered for a moment." At that moment some pink arrows hit Deviot. Mike somersaulted backward and converged his sword in his blaster. Snapping some shots at Vypra, he caused her to stumble backwards. He also snapped some shots at Deviot. Somersaulting back he converged his sword again and started fighting Deviot again.
After the message she had given Mike and releasing her shots, she leaped from the tree and ran the direction of Ryan. While running she put her bow in her pocket dimension and called upon her Turbo Sword. Vypra had recovered from Kats arrows and Mikes blasts and tried to kill Ryan again, but Kat was in time to block her sword. But she didn't get the time to check Ryan, although she had seen his wound briefly. Then Tanya landed before her, taking over the battle with Vypra. Kat turned to Ryan and teleported away with him, at the last moment grabbing the Titanium-morpher.
Dana was enormously relieved when she saw the pink and silver mingled teleportation beam rising up from the field.
***
The Power Center
Mikayla had been watching the battle right after the start. Her heart jumped when she saw Vypra's actions. Then she saw the pink and silver mingled teleportation beam rising up on the screen. Just like the others on the field and the others watching she felt a great relieve.
***
Katherine landed in the MedBay with Ryan in her arms. She laid him down on a diagnostic table and yanked her helmet off. Not bothering to demorph completely, she started to work. First she flipped some switches and there sounded a soft humming when the table started monitoring Ryans vital functions. A second later soft bleeps filled the room and on the monitors above the table appeared the data on Ryan vitals. To Kats relieve they were all stable and only a little bit slow. This gave Kat the idea that Vypra's sword had a sedative or tranquilizer on it. She took a blood sample and put it trough the scanner.
***
Mikayla saw two dots appear in the MedBay on the internal scanner of the Power Center. She wanted to go in that direction, but Meret intercepted her and had something to talk about.
Finally Meret had what she wanted and headed in the direction of the MedBay.
***
Kat was just busy with a full body scan, when Mikayla entered.
"How is Ryan?"
Kat looked only up for a moment before answering and going back to her work. "His vitals are stable, but a little bit slow. I have the idea that there was a sedative or tranquilizer on Vypra's sword. I have treated his wound and now I am running a full body scan." she replied.
Studying the data on the monitors, Mikayla asked: "Do you need any help?"
"Not with the scanning, I am almost finished, but if you want to check if the computer has found anything in his blood?"
Mikayla did what she asked and said: "You are right. There is a tranquilizer in his blood. It's a mild one, but I don't think we have an antidote. And there is a fairly great amount of the in his blood."
Kat had finished her scan and came looking also. When she saw the name of the tranquilizer, she nodded. "I know this stuff. You are right. I think we should let him here. I can do it here on my own, but do you want to check if they need me in battle after I am finished here?"
Mikayla nodded and headed back to the main room. Kat transferred Ryan to a normal bed and hooked him up to some of the control equipment.
***
Stone Canyon, California: A local park
The henchmen and the Mukro's were finally defeated. Tommy ran up to Jason and the others. "Let's call the Power Cannon." he stated. "Right." was the answer from five mouths. They lined up and saw Thunderon. Facing in that direction they called the Power Canon and fired at Thunderon. He was hit in the back and stumbled forward. The Galaxy Rangers immediately lined up and called: "Power up Mode." They turned in a fireball and ran at Thunderon. Pas-sing right through him, three seconds later Thunderon exploded.
The Galaxy Rangers went to help the Space Rangers while the Morphin Rangers helped the Lightspeed Rangers. Soon Demonite and Falkar also exploded. The Rangers stood if they were waiting for something. But is didn't happen and everybody teleported away.
***
The Power Center
Twenty-nine beams of light landed in the Power Center. When Dana's form was solid again she headed directly to the MedBay.
But Kat came out and caught her. "Ryan is doing fine. First demorph, get something to drink and sit down. Then I will talk. I will warn your father. Back to action." she said. In a pink flash she was completely morphed and teleported away in a pink beam of light.
Dana headed again to the MedBay, but was stopped by Kim and Kelsey. "Kat said Ryan was fine. Come, let's get some clothes." Kim said and she and Kelsey pulled Dana with them. The other girls followed suit.
***
Mariner Bay; Lightspeed Aquabase
The Pink Turbo Ranger appeared in a pink beam of light. As soon as her form was solid again, a man approached. "What can I do for you, Miss?" was his question.
"I need to speak Captain Mitchell in private. I think Miss Fairweather should hear it also." the Pink Turbo Ranger requested.
The man nodded and guided her to the office of the captain and send someone else to call Miss Fairweather.
***
Captain Mitchell was sitting on his desk, when the man and Kat entered. Miss Fairweather followed a few minutes later. The man left the three alone. As soon as the door was closed, Kat removed her helmet and sat down. "Captain Mitchell, we have had a battle in Stone Canyon. I think you have heard this. My excuse for not warning you. But I also have to tell that… Ryan has been hurt in battle. Currently he is in MedBay, unconscious, but stable. If you want to come with me I can explain it further. I have to inform the whole group." The captain, who had paled, and Miss Fairweather stood up and teleported immediately with her.
***
The Power Center
Kelsey and Kimberly had forced Dana to change her clothes and then they leaded her back to the main room. On the center table were standing drinks and the guy's were already sitting around the table. The girls quickly took their places and three teleportation beams appeared, forming the bodies of Kat, Captain Mitchell and Miss Fairweather. The captain took a seat beside his daughter while Kat demorphed and also took her place.
"Ryan is fine now. The only wound he had was the stab wound that Vypra gave him. I have treated the wound and it is healing very fast. On Vypra's sword was a tranquilizer. It is a mild one, but Ryan has it in his bloodstream in fairly great amounts. There is no antidote. His vitals are monitored all time. They have been strong, maybe a little slow. I expect he will wake up in two or three hours." Her communicator beeped with an odd signal. "Or now?" she finished.
Kat went to the MedBay, followed by Dana, Kim and Karone, who signaled the captain. He also followed.
***
Ryan woke up with his head full with confusion. His vision was blurry, but every time he blinked, things became clearer. Soft beeps were all the sounds he heard at first, but then he heard female voices. He blinked a couple more times and then he recognized them. Dana was standing by his side, her hand on his left shoulder. Kim and Kat were waving scanners over him, in the mean time talking softly.
Ryan blinked again a few times and asked: "What has happened?"
Dana shook her head. "I will tell you later. How are feeling?"
"Fine, especially when I know how I ended up here. The last I remember is that I demorphed and the stab of Vypra's sword."
Suddenly Karone appeared on his left side. "Sorry Dana, may I for a moment? Ryan, I need to take a blood sample." Ryan nodded and Karone did her job. Ryan only winced a second when the needle went into his arm. Dana took her place again. Under her hand she felt that Ryan was trying to sit up straight. Softly she pushed him back and fixed his eyes with a stern look.
***
Karone looked at the scan of Ryans blood sample with big eyes. What she saw couldn't be possible. Running the blood sample through the scanner again, she shook her head. When the results came out, she checked them once again. It was still the same. Confused she called: "Come take a look at this. It doesn't make any sense."
As soon as the three women were with her, she pointed at the results and said: "Look, in less then a half hour all off the tranquilizer has disappeared from his blood. I don't know if the Lightspeed Powers have accelerated healing, but if they have it even then it couldn't have disappeared so quickly. That would have taken at least an hour. From what Alpha taught me I know that even the first Rangers Powers had the fastest accelerated healing a Ranger power can provide."
"Indeed this doesn't make any sense. With some kind of equipment is possible to accelerate the healing even faster, but that only functions at injuries, like open wounds, bruises, broken bones and that kind of things. I have used it on the stab wound, but that thing doesn't remove sedatives, tranquillizers or that kind of things out someone's body." Kat mused.
"We heal faster than normal people, but at which rates you should ask Miss Fairweather. Were you finished scanning, Kim? What are your results? We can research this also after we are finished." Dana stated.
Kim nodded: "You are right. Yes, I was finished scanning. Everything seems fine. Kat, did you find anything?"
"No. I have also made a scan before you were back. Everything looked good then and it does right now."
Karone looked at Ryan. "Ryan still seems sleepy. Everything is fine now. He can better sleep for a while. If we want to keep an eye on him, we let him sleep here." she said.
Dana nodded. "I rather keep an eye on him for now, certainly after what happened."
Kim, Kat and Karone agreed also. After that Dana headed to the bed and said: "The scans say everything is clear. There are no more tranquilizers in your blood. But it would be the best if you slept for a little while. If it's okay with you, we rather have that you sleep here." Ryan, who had been talking to his father, nodded. Karone,
Kim and Kat had already left MedBay. Karone had the results from the scan with her. Dana and Captain Mitchell also left the MedBay. Dana dimmed the light at the door.
***
Back in the main room, everyone had scattered. Only the Lightspeed Rangers were complete. Dana headed in their direction.
Billy was working on a computer, when Kim approached him. "Billy, I think we have something, where you should take a look at."
Billy looked up and asked: "What is it?"
"Something with Ryan. A half hour ago there was large amount of the tranquilizer in his blood. Now everything is gone. Even if he has the full accelerated healing what a Ranger power can give, it should have taken at least an hour." she explained everything.
He nodded and came with her. Kat had explained it to Miss Fairweather. Dana also came their way and the six sat down at a side table. Both Miss Fairweather and Billy looked at the readings.
After studying the readings a few moments, Miss Fairweather looked up and said: "The Lightspeed Powers have accelerated healing. But this isn't possible."
"You told us that Ryan was the only one who could hold the Titanium Power. Because of his demonic raising. Couldn't his also have some other side effect? If we want to research that, I think we should start with testing his blood further." Billy said after studying the results.
Dana nodded. "But can't do that without Ryan permission." her opinion was. They talked a little bit more and also consulted a moment with Captain Mitchell.
***
Three hours later Ryan woke up. Two minutes later Dana came in. The light turned automatically higher. "Have you slept well?" she asked. She didn't wait for an answer but tucked some pillows behind his back and got him a glass of water.
"Very well. Thanks for the water. Feels good to be taken care of." he said, after Dana had gotten a stool.
"Next time you aren't so lucky. Then I tell everyone to leave you there. You asked what happened. After you got unconscious, Kat and Mike kept Vypra away from you. Tanya fought with Vypra and Kat got you here. The henchmen and the Mukro's were defeated and the Morphin team helped with Thunderon. After he was defeated the other two weren't a problem. Vypra's sword had a tranquilizer on it. That was what made you pass out. It was a mild one, but you had a lot of it in your blood. Kat has also treated the stab wound." Dana told.
"I have one question left. When can I get out of here?" he asked.
"After I have checked you wound. It should be completely healed by now. Kat has used a special device to accelerate the healing further." Carefully she removed the bandage and indeed, the wound was healed. A small scare was all that was left. Then she shut the control equipment off and handed him some clothes.
When he was dressed, Dana sat down on her stool again. "Ryan, there is something else I have to talk about. I told you that you had a tranquilizer in you blood. This tranquilizer vanished in half hour. You know we heal accelerated, but even with that it wouldn't have disappeared so fast. We would like to test your blood further, but we don't want to do that without your permission."
Ryan thought a moment about that, but said then: "That's okay. I hope you can find something useful."
Dana hugged him and said: "Thanks Ryan. Let's get out of here." With that brother and sister left the MedBay.
***
Cassie approached Kendrix' chamber nervously. Softly she knocked on the door and entered when she heard Kendrix' voice saying: "Come in."
Kendrix lay on the bed, reading a book. When Cassie entered she put the book away and sat straight up, legs crossed. "Take a seat, Cassie. I already had the idea you wanted to talk with me." she said.
Pulling out the office chair she sat down. "Yes. I have been waiting to ask you something since you destroyed the Savage Sword. Why did you do that, even though you knew it could kill you?" It was indeed a question which was burning for a long time in Cassie, and she never had thought she could get the chance to ask.
"I became a ghost after the whole event. One of the things I learned up there was that everyone has a destiny. It was my destiny to destroy the Savage Sword. Somehow I knew this when I entered the energy storm." Kendrix explained after thinking for a few moments.
Cassie nodded and asked another question: "How were you able to come back on Earth?"
"When the Quasar Sabers were put back in the stone, there was a connection created between our world and the ghost world. The Elders gave me a choice, going back or staying up there. I chose to go back." she answered Cassies question.
"Maybe this is really nosy, but why did you decide to come back?" Cassies asked hesitantly.
"No, it's a logical question. I liked the things I did as ghost, helping the people. But more, I missed my friends and the things on Terra Venture. And there was Leo. Since I have met him the first time, I have been in love with him. Shortly after I came back we became a couple." She answered with a little smile.
"By the way, how have become Mike and Maya a couple?" Cassie changed the subject.
Kendrix grinned and answered: "That is like this…"
***
Ryan felt a lot better after he had taken a shower. Going back to the living room of the guy's living quarters, he sat down on one of the couches. Only Tommy was around.
Tommy sat down beside him. "Slept well?" he asked.
"Very well. Vypra must have thought I didn't slept well tonight." he joked a little.
Tommy regarded him for a moment and then asked: "Ryan, may I ask you something personal?"
"It depends on what." he answered cautiously.
"You have been evil. You have hurt your sister and your friends. No, I don't want to rub in. What I wanted to ask, do you talk about it with someone about it? I can see it is eating you." he asked.
Ryan hesitated for a moment, but answered then: "Not much. But you have seen it well, it isn't easy."
Tommy looked at him knowingly. "I know what you mean. I have been there myself. You have to talk about it or it will really eat you." Tommy stated.
"I know you are right, but it is still difficult. What did you mean with I have been there?" Ryan asked.
"Have you followed the things about the Rangers? Good. Do you remember you the evil Green Ranger? That was me. After I became good, I went through a depression. Jason pulled me out. This is with what meant with I have been there myself. I have gone through it myself. We aren't the only ones here. Katherine was also under a spell once and almost killed Kim. Karone also has been there. If you want to talk about it, you can always come to me." Tommy said.
"Or you can always come to me. And I think Kat will say the same." someone said.
Tommy and Ryan looked around until they saw Karone standing in the doorway. She walked to them and flopped down on a chair.
"I was looking for Billy, but I heard you talking. Should I tell my history or do you want talk further?" she said.
"You can tell your history if you want." said Ryan.
Karone nodded and told: "I am born on a planet called KO-35. I had one older brother, Andros. I grew up there happy. That means, until I was seven years old. I was outside, playing with Andros. We practiced telekinesis. I wasn't very good at it yet and the ball we practiced with floated away. Andros ran after and then someone named Darkonda appeared and kidnapped me. I called for Andros, but he was too late." That was the beginning of Karone's story.
***
The Black Castle
Arcia inspected the weapons her carver had made from some of the Hungarian crystals. The first was a bow with a crystal on each top of an arrow. The other was dagger with a blade of the crystal. Nodding satisfied, she signaled two servants to pick up the weapons and to follow her.
***
The round table in the throne room was again filled with the people on the side of Arcia. Morkan sat already on his throne with Marcian and Nork standing at his side. Arcia walked in the chamber with the two servants behind her. Marcian curtsied briefly and Nork bowed briefly and she took her place. The two female servants, just clad in a short black tunic, kneeled before her.
***
Diabolico stood, furious. "Milady. You had promised to help us with restoring Queen Bansheera's bodily form. The planets will align in a day."
Arcia smiled calmly. "That's the truth. But you will be able to do that tomorrow." She tossed him an object. "This will serve as a conductor for the energy. Nork will help you with the further preparations."
Diabolico sat down satisfied.
Nork made a movement if he wanted to walk to him, but Arcia's voice stopped him. "But first, my assistants, I have something for you."
Marcian and Nork came standing before her. Taking the bow and arrows from one of the servants, she stood up and said: "Marcian, hereby I give you this bow and arrows. The points of the arrows are made of a crystal that can penetrate Ranger suits."
Marcian took the weapon and made a curtsey.
Arcia then grabbed the dagger with the black blade and said: "Nork, hereby I gave you this dagger. The blade is made of a crystal that can penetrate Ranger suits."
Also Nork took his weapon with a bow.
***
The Power Center
Karone had told her history and both Ryan and Tommy had listened with interest.
"But with being a Ranger I have the feeling I can do something back and it helped healing my wounds. In fact, it still does." she concluded her story.
Tommy nodded. "I have had the same experience. It will always be difficult, but in time, things will ease. It will never be easy, but it will be better."
"I think you are right in that. Even I have just been a Ranger for two weeks, I can feel that." Ryan was silent for a few moments, pondering. "And although I have had some close calls already, I really like being a Ranger. But that is a part of it, that is not really important for me… If I die I know I will die for something good."
***
Dana had been listening in the shadows of the hall. She had come to see if Karone was here after she was gone looking for Billy. She had heard the most of Karones history and Ryans comment about being a Ranger making him feel better about what he had done. But the last what he said was something that created a stir inside her.
Stepping out of the shadows, she said: "Perhaps you should think of others. We would miss you." There was an angry tone in her voice.
Tommy, Karone and Ryan looked up in surprise. Ryan stood up. "What do you mean, Dana?"
"That you should think about Dad, the other Rangers, me! If you can't do that, maybe you should give your powers up." she said sharp.
Ryan still had an uncomprehending look on his face. "Where are you talking about, Dana?" he said while he approached her and laid a hand on her shoulder.
Dana pulled his hand of her shoulder and yelled: "I am talking about your selfishness. I have you back for two weeks and have lost you almost three times. You knew what the cobra did. And yet, you went with us and that stupid clone nearly killed you. Again with the Max Solarzord. You nearly died of that heart failure. And this time with Vypra!"
After that Dana cried only and Ryan, Tommy and Karone seemed perplexed.
***
Karone was not really surprised about Dana's outburst. First she was perplexed, but composed herself quickly.
She had recognized Dana's attitude against Ryan. Afraid to lose him, wanting to protect him. It was the same way Zhane and Andros acted against her for a long time.
Seeing that that Dana became more and more in tears, she walked to her and hugged her. Then she pushed a button on her communicator and she and Dana dissolved a beam of mixed pink an purple light.
***
Their molecules assembled again in Dana's chamber.
Karone released Dana for a moment and Dana sat down on the bed, franticly whipping her eyes.
Karone sad down beside her and said: "It's not forbidden to cry. You can better let it out. Like Tommy just said to your brother: let it out or else it will eat you."
With those words Dana started to cry again, with long, loud sobs.
***
Kim was studying. She had teleported her books from the place where she lived. Even if she was a Ranger again, she wouldn't let her study go lose.
Concentrated she read about Maria Montessori, until she heard loud sobs from the chamber beside hers. Sighting for a moment, she closed her book and headed outside. The sobs had come from Dana's chamber. When Kim stopped for her door she heard also Karones voice.
Softly she knocked on the door and Dana's voice said trough two sobs that she could come in. Kim softly opened the door and stepped inside. Dana sat crying on her bed and Karone had an arm around her, speaking soothing words.
She closed the door behind her and sat down on the other side of Dana while she softly asked what was wrong.
"She is upset about something that Ryan said…" Karone informed her further.
Kim laid also an arm around Dana's shoulders.
***
Ryan was still talking with Tommy. He wasn't mad at his sister. After a few minutes he sank deep in thought.
He was so lost in his own thoughts that he didn't hear Tommy's question at first. "Ryan, has Dana ever talked with you about this?" Tommy asked again.
Ryan thought again for a few minutes. "No, although she is always very worried about me. But she is always like that. At least, that's what the others told me. We still need to get to know each other further, but we haven't had much time for that."
After a little while Karone entered again. She sat down beside Ryan and said: "I think you should talk with Dana. She is afraid that you are mad at her. Kim is now with her."
***
After Dana sobs had become softer and stopped after a minute of ten, Karone stood up and said: "Dana. I am gonna talk to Ryan. Okay?"
Dana nodded and Karone left the room. Kim stood also up and walked to the washbasin. She filled a glass with water and wed a cloth. She gave both to Dana and said: "Drink some water and wash your face a little. Then we will talk for a moment."
***
After washing her face and drinking some water Dana actually felt much better.
Kim sat again down beside her and asked: "Dana, do you talk about what you feel? The impression I have got from you was that you don't talk about that so easily."
After being silent for a second Dana nodded. "Yeah, you are right. I just have found Ryan and I don't want to lose him again. Not to dead, not to evil again."
"That's something I understand very well. But I don't want to talk about Ryan. I want to talk about you. Have ever told anyone how it felt to be Ranger, except that you liked it? You haven't told anyone on the team how close it was with Ryan after the stuff with the Max Solarzord, have you?"
Dana shook her head.
"You will have to talk more about yourself. If you keep it bottled up inside it will eat you or you will get overstrained." Kim said. Dana nodded again.
***
Ryan knocked on the door. A few seconds later Dana said he could come in. Inside Dana was talking with Kim.
When Kim saw who had come in, she stood up and said that she would leave them alone.
After Kim had left the room, Ryan sat down beside Dana and said: "Is everything okay now?"
"Not okay, but it is better. I am sorry for what I just said to you." Dana said.
Ryan shook his head: "You don't have to be sorry. I am not mad or something. You just wanted to protect me. I know that. You won't lose me again. That is a promise I make. But you must promise me that you talk to me if you are feeling bad. Okay?"
Dana smiled and said: "Okay. Just one thing, I want to tell Carter and the others about what happened back with the Max Solarzord. Now only Karone, Kim and Kat know, but our teammates deserve to know."
Ryan nodded and the two siblings hugged each other.