Unexpected Ally Chapter 2: Questions

"Kite, I need to go talk to my friends." Cole said as he hurried along. "Come with me."

"Why?" Kite asked.

"Because I don't want you out here on your own."

"I do fine. I can take care of myself."

"I've seen you at our fights, Kite. Mandilock is always around the new parts of the city and sooner or later, he's gonna catch you." Cole stopped and turned to face him, hunkering so they were more or less level. "I don't want you hurt."

Kite stared at him for a long minute. "Why do you even care?"

"Why shouldn't I?"

"You don't even know me."

"You didn't know me, either, when I crashed my bike the other day, and you were worried about that. You didn't even know it was me then."

"That's not the same." Kite pulled away from him, backing up a few steps.

"Why not?"

"It's my home, Cole!"

"All right." Cole raised his hands in surrender. "OK, Kite. Come with me because I've asked you to. We'll sort this another time. All right?"

"I'm not leaving my home."

"Not forever, Kite, just…" Kite shook his head, spun, and ran away. "Kite!"

"Princess Shayla?" Cole looked around. Animarium seemed empty. "Dammit." He slumped into one of the seats.

"Cole?" He jumped and turned to see Merrick.

"Merrick! I wasn't expecting you."

"Princess Shayla has my flute." Merrick explained.

"She's not here."

"Oh." Merrick turned to leave.

"Merrick?" The Wolf Ranger stopped but didn't turn back. "Can I ask you something?"

"Yes." Merrick still didn't turn around.

"When we come to the Animarium. If someone…were nearby…would they see us?" Merrick turned.

"Has someone seen you?"

"I don't know." Cole turned away, frustrated. "I met this girl. And she said, When you leave the town you vanish. I thought maybe…" Merrick frowned.

"Vanish?"

"Yeah. I go into the woods, and then I'm gone." Merrick shook his head.

"She shouldn't be able to see anything, even if she is nearby."

"I don't think she's making it up."

"Who's making what up?" Taylor asked from behind them. "Hi, Merrick." Merrick inclined his head.

"This girl I met." Cole answered. "She told me I vanish when I leave town."

"You vanish."

"That's what she says. But…" he turned away, frowning. "She said Kite does it too."

"Kite?" Merrick repeated. "So it's not Ranger related."

"I dunno. It's a big coincidence if it's not." Cole said thoughtfully. He shrugged. "It probably doesn't mean anything."

"I thought you were looking for Kite." Taylor said.

"I was. He ran off."

"Who ran off?" Danny and Max had arrived.

"Maybe I should wait till everyone's here." Cole said, frustrated.

"Might be easier." Taylor agreed.

"Where did Merrick go?" he asked, glancing around. Taylor followed his gaze and shrugged.

"Must have left."

It was later that evening before anyone remembered Tara.

"Cole, what about that girl?" Taylor asked, leaning back in her chair.

"What girl?" Alyssa asked.

"I met this girl downtown today. Princess? She said I vanish when I leave town."

"Vanish?" Shayla asked.

"Yeah. She said Kite does it too. I go out of town and just vanish." Cole shrugged.

"You think she was telling the truth?" Danny asked.

"She said he vanished from the woods. It's a coincidence, if nothing else." Taylor put in. Turning to the Princess, she added, "You have Merrick's flute." Shayla nodded absently.

"Could she see me? If she was in the woods?" Cole asked.

"It's possible." Shayla said. The fountain bubbled suddenly, putting an end to the discussion. The Rangers skidded out of the Animarium, leaving Shayla to watch the fountain.