Pain
By: Jeanka

He ran, hard and far. His confusion brought tears to his eyes, but he couldn't stop running. Someone was chasing him. Branches grabbed at him, roots tried to trip him, and the trees closed in around him.

"Zhane!" he heard someone yell at him. It made him run faster. He felt a branch slap against his cheek before a stinging sensation ignited from it. He put his hand up to feel what kind of damage was done only to rewarded with a hand covered in sticky blood.

"Stop!" shouted the man behind him. By the volume of the voice, he knew he was getting closer. Both men ran until the Phantom Ranger tackled Zhane. They rolled on the ground as the Phantom Ranger tried desperately to pin his little brother to the ground. "Zhane, stop fighting me," he said.

Zhane had other ideas entirely. He managed to hit the ranger's head hard causing the ranger to hesitate and giving Zhane to perfect opportunity to break free. Once he was out of the others' grip, he got up and ran in another direction. The Phantom Ranger followed him.

"Zhane," a young teenager said appearing in front of him. "Please stop."

He did, only to pivot to the right and keep going. Suddenly, a fist came flying out of no where and Zhane found himself on the ground. "I do not want to do that again," growled the Phantom Ranger.

Zhane glared up at him. "You can't hurt me. I'm the Paramount," he said.

A strangled laugh escaped as the Phantom Ranger's armor disappeared. "They named you the Paramount? That's a new one," he laughed. Zhane looked up at him hurt and very confused. Zarkin's laugher died. "I'm Zarkin Silverman, Phantom Ranger. I'm sorry I laughed, but you would too after you hear... You know what, why don't I just tell you. I made up the legends about the Paramount. It was supposed to be me. Man, nothing ever works out."

"And I'm Zhane?" asked Zhane quietly.

"That's right. My little brother," agreed Zarkin. "You got a problem with that?"

"Do I have a choice?" muttered Zhane.

Zarkin smiled at him. "No," he answered confidently. "Listen, come back with me to my cave and I'll answer any of your questions as best I can. And we may even get your cheek to stop bleeding." He offered his hand.

Zhane took it reluctantly. They started to walk back to the cave when Zarkin gave him a funny look. "What?" asked Zhane a little nervous.

"What did you run into?" he asked.

"Why?" asked Zhane getting worried.

Zarkin looked straight ahead. "I'll put it this way. Don't excepted to date anytime soon."

Zhane remained quiet for the rest of the trip while Zarkin kept talking about this girl that he was getting serious with. He kept bring up their mother's opinion on mixed blood, but Zhane didn't concentrate on it. Finally, they arrived at the cave and Zarkin led him inside. "Okay, you sit here and I'll find something to clean you up," he told Zhane as he went to a distant part of the cave.

Zhane sat and a minute later Zarkin came back with some bandages and ointment. "Sorry this isn't Megaship quality, but I'm not Andros," Zarkin said kneeing in front of him as he twisted off this cap.

"Tell me about this Andros person," Zhane requested as Zarkin got ready to put the ointment on his face.

"Okay, he's your best friend, though I have no idea why. Our mother hates people with mixed blood and Andros is mixed. So, don't ask me how or why you met. Just accept that you did. Anyway, you both are Power Rangers. Two of the best Power Rangers ever, I might add. He lives on the Astro Megaship mark II. Um, honestly, I don't know that much about Andros," said Zarkin.

"Ow," Zhane jumped back at the stinging of the ointment.

"I'm sorry," said Zarkin as Zhane backed away. "I told you this wasn't the Megaship. Where is Andros when you need him?"

"In orbit," answered a voice.

Zarkin spun around to see Zineen standing behind him. "Since when?" he demanded.

Zineen blinked. "Wow, Andros was right. Two minds is much harder than one," she said breathlessly.

"Zineen," Zarkin said irritated.

"Not that long," she answered slowly. Mind touching of any kind was very dangerous. She had to make sure both of them could hear her without hurting either of them. "But, here's the problem. Gerri is in a cell in the main complex too far down for a teleportation lock. I'm going to get him out without any help from Andros. And Andros is going after Titian."

Zarkin looked at Zhane and made an executive discussion. "I'll help you get Gerri. Zhane, you get to help Andros defeat Titian."

Zhane nodded in agreement. "He'd better hurry. Andros just left the ship," said Zineen.

The Silver Ranger jumped up and ran out of the cave to get away from them. Zineen pulled out of Zhane's mind and focused solely on Zarkin. "What happened to his face?" she asked.

Zarkin laughed. "Don't ask."

TBC