Tuesday night, I suppose.
Two more chapters after this one, and then the epilogue… This one's still taking it slow, but don't you worry; there's more than enough adremaline in the next two.
large puppy eyes Review, please?
8. It's Not Too Late
"A time to gain, a time to lose
A time to rend, a time to sew
A time to love, a time to hate
A time of peace, I swear it's not too late!"
Performed by "The Byrds", lyrics adapted from the book of Kohelet (Ecclesiastes)
"Almost everything required for daily life is on this level", said Melissa, as she, the five Rangers and Karone stepped down from the intertransport platform. "To reach the quarters section, we take the first turn left, and then the second to the right"
"This ship is huge!" said Ashley, turning her head to get a better look at everything. "What, it's at least ten times bigger then the Megaship!"
"It was meant as a long-distance explorer", agreed Melissa. "Superior shielding and cloaking, as well as enhanced sensing and hyperspace abilities, but very poor weapon systems"
"What about normal-space maneuverability?" asked Karone, in her strategist's tone.
"More than good enough to dodge asteroids and comets, but a far cry from any battleship of this size"
"Will it keep us out of the way, with a space battle raging around?"
"It will", promised Melissa. "There, we reached the quarters sections"
While most doors were white, three were colored: one door was colored red and yellow, another silver and violet, and the third was green and black.
"I suppose those are ours?" asked Zhane.
"Indeed", said Melissa.
"It's nice how you marked them for us", agreed Ashley. "Where're your quarters?"
"A little down the hall", said Melissa, pointing in the right directions. "The single apartments are that way"
"Right", said Andros. To himself, he thought: Single apartments? So what are ours?
"I assigned you standard quarters, like mine. If you need anything else, let me know." Said Melissa. "Now, I suggest we all take a little rest, and meet for debriefing in three hours' time. Meanwhile, the battle plans are accessible from your quarters' panels, as well as the ongoing status report"
"Great," said Zhane, "When are we due at Netherie?"
"Four hours. Take your rest. We're all going to need our strength"
"If those are standard quarters, I wonder what the first-class looks like," said Zhane, looking around in disbelief. He was surveying the living room of his and Karone's apartment, while Karone was walking around the bedroom they chose. "This place looks like a palace"
Karone shrugged. "It looks nothing like any palace I've ever seen, but I guess there's no base for comparison"
"No, I guess not", said Zhane. Frowning, he walked over to her and kissed her. "Are you okay?"
"I am", she said. "Reality is sinking in, I suppose"
"Explain"
She set down on the bed, and Zhane followed suit.
"So much happened", she said. "Almost too much: two days ago, I was still the princess of Evil"
"Time flies when you're having fun", said Zhane. His tone was light, but his face showed his concern.
"And this Crystal" Karone's hand rose to her chest. "It contains all his memories, up to the day Oshra died. The record is so complete that, in a sense, it is as if Zordon is really there, in my mind. I remember things he did and thought, as if it is I in those memories. It just keeps getting clearer and clearer. According to Melissa, when I reach full adaptation, I'd actually be able to hear his voice in my mind"
"Is it hard on you?"
"No, that's the strange thing. It's as if I found a part of myself that I was missing"
"In a way, you did. You were meant to be this way. If not for Darkonda, you would have grown up like that"
"Maybe it's better that I didn't. Melissa was still a child when she started wearing her Crystal regularly, and sometimes I can't tell if it's her speaking, or Oshra. They're intangible"
"And you're scared that it might happen to you, too?"
"No – yes… Not really. It's just, that I don't know who I am anymore". Suddenly, her eyes wallowed up with tears. "I'm not Astronema – she's evil. I'm supposed to be Karone, but she's a four-year-old. Zordon is someone else entirely. Where am I in this?"
Zhane hugged her, and stroked her hair gently. "You can start by giving up the age concept", he suggested. "You're not really this age or the other. Also, Astronema is just a name. Once you were called so, now you aren't. There isn't a separate person called Astronema, is there?"
"There isn't"
"There you go"
"So where's me in this mess?"
"Ehm, you may want to reconsider your phrasing", he said, rocking her back and forth. "You see, the way I get it, this mess is you"
"Oh". Her tears stopped, and then, slowly, she smiled. "I think I like it"
Andros has crashed down on his bed and fell asleep as soon as he entered his room. Ashley, however, was wide-awake. After several moments, which felt like forever, Ashley decided she should do something. Mentally, she ticked off her options: I have nothing to unpack, she thought, and to judge by the way Carlos and Shiera were standing close together, I'd better leave them to themselves. Same goes for Zhane and Karone – note to self, I should ask him how their affair started. Lastly, if I stay here, I'll go crazy. So, what's left?
"Computer?" she asked tentatively.
"Complying" came the soft reply.
"What are the recreational options available?"
"Music, literature and movie files are available on your terminal. The simulators are on-line and active. Workout facilities are available. The deep-space observatory is active"
Ashley's curiosity rose. "Can you show me the way to the observatory?"
"Affirmative. Please step out to the corridor"
Once in the corridor, Ashley saw that one of the decorative bands on the bulkhead was now glowing, showing her where to go. She followed it. After a few moments' walk, she found herself in front of a closed door, bearing no special marks.
"You have reached the deep-space observatory", informed her the computer. The band lost its glow.
"Thanks", said Ashley. She hesitated, not sure how to open the door. She didn't need to ask, though, as the door opened before her. Ashley held her breath.
She could see no walls, no floor. The open darkness of space opened up before her, lit only by the blurs made by the stars, as the ship passed them by. Ashley took one hesitant forward, and found solid – though invisible – footing. Feeling a little braver, she stepped inside. The door closed behind her and vanished.
It has to be some sort of illusion, she thought, like the Simudeck - but much better. She wasn't a stranger to the stars, but standing seemingly in mid-space in her everyday clothes was a far cry from speeding past constellations, protected in her Ranger's suit. Each step seemed to take her just as far as she wanted it too.
She was content to sit down and simply watch the stars, until her eye caught something that definitely wasn't an astronomical object. Ashley watched the faraway shape closely. Melissa, she realized. Probably couldn't stay in her room, too. She got up and walked over to Melissa, making sure the other girl had time to notice the yellow Ranger's presence.
Melissa smiled when she saw Ashley. The smile was warm and inviting but, like everything about the teenage Yuria, it was tinged with sadness too great to be human. Ashley set beside her.
"Couldn't sleep?" she offered.
"I hardly ever sleep", said Melissa.
"Don't you get tired?"
"Not really"
"How do you do that?"
"It's not really something I do. It just happened"
"What do you mean, just happened?"
"It once occurred to me that I remained awake for five diurnal cycles. I went to bed, and slept for eight hours. When I awoke, I was completely refreshed". Melissa shrugged. "It's been so ever since"
"Too much power?" guessed Ashley. "Sometimes, after I've been morphed for long, I have trouble falling asleep"
"So why force yourself to sleep?"
"Because if I won't, tiredness would catch up with me during school"
"Oh". Melissa thought it over for a moment. "I suppose my insomnia could be attributed to The Light's side effects"
"The Light? Don't you use The Power, like we do?"
"No", Melissa shook her head. "Only Power Rangers utilize The Great Power. I access The Light"
"What's The Light?"
"What's The Power?"
"I don't know", admitted Ashley. "But I know what's it about. It's about protecting – no, fighting in order to protect. Like Athena"
"Like who?"
"Athena. She was a goddess, in the greek mythology. Uh – the greek are one of the people of Earth. Anyway, she was a fighter goddess, but not the goddess of war. You see – she fought to protect her city, not because she got a kick out of it"
"That's The Power alright. It is the confrontational aspect of Goodness. It's Athena, ready to fight for the cause. The Light is whatever pointed her to the cause"
"Like values. Of course!" Suddenly, Ashley recalled several things she got Zhane to tell her, and things clicked into place. "The colors are values. But…" she frowned. "You said I'm a Bearer of Light too, right?"
"You still haven't chosen to accept", said Melissa simply. "To be a Ranger is demanding, but you may hand the Power down when you can't take it anymore. Bearing the Light is a lifetime commitment"
"When will I choose? And how?"
"I don't know"
"Oh, great"
Melissa patted Ashley's knee. "You shouldn't be worried. You'll know when it's time"
"Everyone else committed themselves already, haven't they?"
"No", surprised her Melissa. "Andros hasn't yet, and neither has the sixth"
"Who is the sixth?"
"I'll know when I meet him"
"Just perfect", muttered Ashley.
Melissa smiled wryly. "I couldn't agree more"
Ashley smiled, but her smile was forced as Melissa's.
For an unknown period of time, the two girls set and watched the stars in silence.
"There's something I'd like to know, if you don't mind me asking", said Ashley abruptly.
"Go ahead"
"Two days ago, at the mess… I knew what you were about to say before you said it". Ashley examined her nails, not daring to look at Melissa. "About Jessean… your sister"
Had Ashley looked at Melissa, she would have seen tenderness, and half-repressed hope, in the other girl's expression.
"You felt it". It was a statement, rather than a question.
Ashley shut her eyes as the memory of Melissa's fear and grief rose. "Yes"
It took time for Melissa to find words – just a few seconds, that felt like eternity for Ashley.
"I – I'm sorry", said Melissa abruptly. "I should have tried to protect you – should have realized it might happen. You are the yellow Ranger, after all"
"What?"
"All the Bearers of light are connected. The link is stronger with you and Andros, because you love each other. It's also stronger between you and I, because our colors resonate: you're the yellow Ranger, and I carry Yellow Light"
"But if you've got the Yellow Light, what color am I bearing?"
"Hope is Green"
"That's Shiera's color! Or Carlos's, for that matter: he used to be the green Ranger"
"The colors of Light and the colors of Power are related, but they aren't the same. You have the idealism and firm belief in people that are the trademarks of a yellow Ranger. As for Shiera – she's the first-ever Rainbow Walker"
"I'm really developing a headache here", muttered Ashley. "What's a Rainbow Walker?"
In reply, Melissa held up her palms tangent to each other. A small orb appeared between them – half made of light, half pure darkness. Melissa separated her hands, slowly, and the orb grew. Then, she let go of the orb, and it floated in midair.
"There's whole Light, and there's whole Darkness", said Melissa, pointing at the each half in turn. "The line separating them is called The Line Of Shadows, or Shadow Line. It can be crossed – but one cannot "stand" on it for more than a split second before stepping into either realm, unless that someone opens the Rainbow Path". Melissa prodded the orb, and it exploded into a band of colors. "You see, whole Light and whole Darkness appear white and black, like colors, but they aren't colors. They are made of colors"
Ashley stared at the floating band and then, carefully, held it between her hands. It responded to her will, and she bended and stretched it. Then, she tried to compact it, and it folded back into orb form. "I think I understand", she breathed. "I think I do. But – is Shiera really the first to open the Path?"
Melissa nodded. "Half of Oshra's prophecy depended on Shiera's ability to find the Path. Had Shiera failed, so would have the prophecy"
"What's the other half?"
"We are - the Bearers' ability to make up for our predecessors' mistakes". For the first time, there was bitterness in Melissa's voice. "I am not cut out to be a warrior, yet I was forced to fight – thus "correcting" Oshra's pacifism. Zordon believed that Wisdom must lead to peace and Goodness, and Karone was one of Evil's top military minds"
"Andros is one of the best warriors of Good, and Kaylan was one of the worst villains in history", continued Ashley, catching the pattern. "Zhane – his loyalty to Andros saved Andros's life, and helped bring back Karone, while Oshra and Kaylan's loyalty to each other failed. And I…" Ashley hesitated. "They didn't have hope, did they?"
"They didn't appreciate it like they should have. You brought Andros from outside his shell, after his two years of complete loneliness, in contrast to Zordon and Oshra's inability to bring Kaylan to the side of Good. As for the sixth… I'm not even sure what Purple stands for. Oshra didn't know. Zordon guessed it was honor."
Ashley shook her head. "No, it doesn't feel right", she said. "It's more like skillfulness, or perfectionism. Perhaps proficiency?"
"Proficiency… implementing knowledge" Melissa's face lit up with pure joy. "You're right! That's it!"
Ashley didn't know what to make of Melissa's sudden high. It was as if everything human in her dissipated. Then, just as suddenly, the glowing sage was gone, and a very exhausted 16-years-old set there.
"You should sleep", said Ashley.
Melissa shook her head. "I'm tired enough to sleep, but not tired enough to sleep peacefully"
"I'll stay with you", said Ashley, out of instinct. "You've been alone long enough. Don't you dare disagree," she added, as Melissa was about to speak. "It's not a suggestion; it's an order"
He was woken by a small movement. Andros opened his eyes, and saw that Karone was sitting on the edge of his bed.
"Time to wake up", she said. "We'll reach Netherie in twenty minutes"
Andros set up, wide-awake. "Where're the others?"
"Zhane is waking Shiera and Carlos now. I don't know where Ashley and Melissa are"
"We'd better find them. I'm surprised Melissa didn't wake us up herself" said Andros, getting up and walking to the living room. "Karone, was that door closed when you came in?"
"Yes"
"It wasn't when I fell asleep". He opened the other bedroom, poked his head inside, and motioned for Karone to come over. "Come see this", he said quietly.
Huddled close together under their separate blankets were Melissa and Ashley, both fast asleep.
Next Time: "To borrow a line… Let's Rocket!"