Disclaimer: I do not own the power rangers.
Note: This is an AU set towards the end of ninja storm and will continue the story after Lothor is defeated. Writing in italics denotes thoughts. Do note read if you don't like slash (male/male relationships). It's rather long and is only the first part hope you enjoy.
We all have Shadows.
Secrets.
"What are you doing here?" a startled voice came from behind the dark haired man.
"Dustin are you ignoring me?" the voice said sounding annoyed.
"Earth to Dustin, Come in Dustin." Again the Yellow Ranger gave no indication having heard the voice. "If you didn't want to talk you could of just said." Came the voice as the person it belonged to turned to leave.
"Tori, I'm sorry, you know that I want you to stay" was the Yellow Rangers reply. His gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "I was in completely another place."
The Blue Ranger moved closer sand crunching under her feet as she walked. "Care to tell me what you were thinking about?" she said softly sitting herself down next to the Yellow Ranger. The sands still damp, how longs he been here? "Em. Dustin how long have you been here?" she inquired more out of curiosity than needing to know.
"Don't know. Why what's the time?" He said his gaze still fixed on the horizon the sun now just visible above the sea.
"It's coming up to six." The Blue Ranger replied glancing at her watch.
"Well in that case I've been here almost three hours." He gave a slight shiver. Has it really been that long? "I couldn't sleep." He offered as he saw the look on his friend's face. He shivered again this time much more noticeably.
"You cold?" inquired the Blue Ranger. Without waiting for a response though she moved closer putting her arm around him. His skin was cold to the touch so she instinctively pulled him in closer. He's freezing. This isn't like him. "Dustin what's wrong?"
"I told you I couldn't sleep."
"But why couldn't you sleep? What were you thinking about?" her concern growing even more as she looked at her friend.
"Just about everything." He said moving in closer to the warmth of her body. "I feel that I'm letting the team down. I always mess up and my friends end up getting hurt because of it. Are they even my friends? Everyone thinks I'm a goofball and completely useless."
"Dustin your being to hard on your self." Tori replied wrapping her other arm around him. "Do you think I'd still be here if I wasn't your friend." With this she ruffled up his hair causing him to pull back. "Besides there's more to this than you're telling."
"I heard that you were only being my friend because you liked doing charity work." He said hurt in his voice. "Is that what I am to you some charity project?" As the words came out they sounded more and more resentful. "Which charity is it? Be kind to doofusses or maybe help the airhead."
"How can you say that Dustin? We've been friends for years." Tori released her hold on him with a pained expression on her face. "Who told you that?" She demanded. "Was it Blake? Or maybe even Hunter?" She continued tears coming to the surface. "If that's how you feel then maybe I should go." A sound of finality in her voice tears now flowing freely.
As the Blue Ranger made to leave Dustin reached out and grabbed her wrist. "Don't go." He sobbed. "I guess I really am an airhead if I can't see when someone reaches out to me."
Tori hadn't until that point noticed that Dustin had himself start to cry. "Oh Dustin what ever am I going to do with you?" Was the reply that she gave him mock frustration in her voice. The bitterness, which only moments before had been so strong, fading away until it was forgotten. The Blue Ranger sitting herself back down wiping away her tears continued. "You do realize that after that outburst I'm going to need and explanation." She was now wiping away his tears as well. "It had nothing to do with me did it?"
"Would you settle for the clip notes?" Dustin offered with and cocky smile moving closer to Tori.
She again put her arm around him. "I think the long version will do fine."
Dustin settled himself on his side his head in her lap. "You know how I feel about boys." He said more as a statement than a question. "And more specifically him." He continued. "Well what if he finds out? What if he hates me because of it? What if he beats me up?" The Yellow Ranger stopped tears welling up again.
"Dustin. You know that I thought you might have feelings of more than just friendship for him. And that when you told me I wasn't surprised. Well I'm still your friend and I don't hate you." Came the answer of the Blue Ranger. "Maybe you should just tell him?" Tori began stroking Dustin's cheek. "Would it really be so bad if he knew?"
That got his attention. "What? Are you mad he'd probably stop speaking to me." He shifted uncomfortable at the thought of this. "It's easy for you to still be my friend you're not the one I fancy."
"If he does that to you then he doesn't disserve you as a friend. Hey if you don't say something you'll never know. He could even feel the same way?" She let her head fall back her hair catching in the sea breeze waiting for her words to sink in.
"You know maybe you're right?" he said sitting up again.
"I am right and don't you just know it." Tori replied with a grin spanning ear to ear.
"Things always seem better after I talk to you." Dustin said putting his arm round the girl sat next to him. She did the same and they sat and watched the sun rise together.
-
Dustin looked up from working on his bike when the bell on the door to Storm Chargers rang signifying that someone had entered. His face fell in disappointment when he saw that it was just another customer. Where's Shane? He was supposed to be here an hour ago. The blond haired man walked over to where the surfing equipment was keep and began looking at the boards. Fifteen minuets went by and when Dustin looked up the man was still looking at the boards.
"Can I help you?" Dustin called over the counter as he got up. He reached for the rag on his shoulder and wiped his hands on it walking over to where the man was stood.
"Do you do board personalization?" the man asked as he turned to face Dustin.
"Er. Yeah. Why what did you have in mind?" Dustin replied hesitantly. It was very often that someone would ask for that service and he was taken back a bit by the question.
The man reached into his pocket and pulled out a piece of paper, which he began to unfold. "Nothing to difficult." He said handing the paper to Dustin.
Dustin looked at the design on the paper before replying. "That is one sick design, man."
"Thanks. I think?" said the man with a bewildered look on his face and his hand scratching behind his head. "How long do you reckon it will take?"
"A couple of days." Was the answer Dustin gave as he began walking over to the counter, the man followed him a few steps behind. "If I can get a name and number someone will let you know when it's done." he said reaching under the counter to grab a pen and notebook.
"You can have my name and address, but the number might be a problem." Came the man's voice. "I'm still waiting for the phone to be connected." He continued. "I've just moved into town and there are a few things that need sorting out."
"That's cool man. If you want to come back in a couple of days that'll be fine." Dustin replied a welcoming smile appearing on his face. "I'm Dustin by the way." He said extending his hand towards the man.
The man accepted the offered hand and replied. "Arcalide, but everyone just calls me Arc." They shook hands and for the first time their glances properly met. Dustin then noticed that Arc had blue eyes with a slight hint of green to them. Arc was also taller than he was, not much, but a couple inches.
"Hey, if your not doing anything later you could come and meet some of my friends." Dustin blurted out.
"That'd be great. I don't really know anyone around here."
"You know the motocross track?" Dustin suggested. "Well I'll be down there later, so you could come by and I'll introduce you to my friends."
"Ok, cool." Arc said giving Dustin a nod of affirmation. "Well I'll catch you later." He said turning and heading to walk out the door.
Just then Shane burst though the door bashing into Arc and startling Dustin. "Where's the fire dude?" Dustin commented as the Red Ranger rushed up to the counter.
"You know." Shane replied pointing at his morpher.
When Dustin saw this he nodded in realization adding. "Is it that time already?" Together the two Rangers headed toward the exit passed several confused onlookers and unknown to them one suspicious gaze.
"You still up for later." Arc called after Dustin still in shock after what had transpired.
Dustin paused to reply but Shane grabbed his arm and began pulling him away. "Course. See you later." Dustin called back over his shoulder still being dragged by Shane.
-
"Ok Cam. what happened to the alien?" was Shane's comment bewilderment on his face.
"I don't know Shane. I was getting strange energy readings coming from storm chargers."
"Maybe he got scared and ran off?"
"Dustin I don't think that's what happened." Cam replied looking at the computer screen.
"Well if there's no monster then I'm going to the track." Dustin stated turning his back on the other two Rangers and walking towards the entrance to ninja ops.
"What so you can go and meet your new friend." Shane called after him moving from Cam's side to follow Dustin. "Look what happens when you trust people you don't know. You cause us so much trouble."
Dustin stopped in the doorway and turned to find Shane stood right behind him. "Right and of course you're a perfect judge of character. Besides I was going to meet Tori, Blake and Hunter there as well."
"Do what you want Dustin just don't expect me to pick up the pieces if it all goes wrong." Shane turned his back on Dustin. "I'm tired of you messing things up. Your such an airhead most the time it's ridiculous."
"So I take it that's why you keep standing me up." Said Dustin storming out.
"Dustin wait." Cam called after him but it came too late he had already gone running up the stairs. "Don't you think that was a bit harsh?" now turning to Shane. "What's gotten into you these days?"
"It's nothing Cam I just can't be dealing with him at the moment." Shane replied waving his arm dismissively. "I just don't want to be around him the way I feel at the moment."
"Shane whatever you feel you can't let it ruin your friendship with Dustin." Cam offered trying to comfort the Red Ranger. "You and Dustin have been friends for as long as I known you what's changed." The Green Ranger pushed hoping to get more from him. "You've been spending a lot of time here is it so you can avoid him?"
"Cam please don't." pleaded Shane. "I don't want to talk about it."
The Green Ranger moved over and placed a hand on Shane's shoulder. "Well if you ever feel like talking you know where I am." Cam pulled the Red Ranger into hug. "You know you'll have to tell us eventually."
"Thanks" Shane muttered under his breath.
Cam thought for a while then asked. "For what?" He loosened his hold on Shane and looked to him.
"For being there for me dummy." Came the reply that Shane gave as he pulled Cam closer into the hug.
"You know that I'm always going to be there for you." Cam held on as Shane sobbed into his shoulder.
-
The sound of bikes racing could be heard as Arc approached the track. He approached the largest group of people looking to see if he could spot Dustin in the crowd. Searching though the mass of faces he couldn't spot Dustin anywhere. He was just about to leave when the girl next to him shouted something that got his attention. "Go Dustin."
He turned to the girl and asked. "Do you know where Dustin is?"
"Yeah." She replied and pointed at one of the bike riders wearing yellow. "That's him there." The girl turned to Arc smiled and added. "I'm Tori by the way."
"Arc. So Dustin never told me that he raced." Turning his attention back to the track to watch Dustin.
"So how do you know Dustin?" Tori inquired her gaze back on the race.
"I don't really." Arc replied gaining an odd look off Tori. "I meet him in Storm Chargers earlier and he suggested that if I wasn't doing anything to meet him here."
With the race over Dustin brought his bike to a halt by the two blondes. "Hey man I see you made it here." He said removing his helmet and hanging it the handlebars of his bike. "Oh I see you've met Tori."
"Yeah, good race Dustin." Tori said patting Dustin on the shoulder. They began walking over to the van Tori and Arc on one side of the bike Dustin on the other. "So Arc I haven't seen you round before."
"I only moved to Blue Bay the other week." Arc replied to Tori's question. "I've only just finished moving my stuff into my apartment."
"Arc I don't mean to be rude but why did you move here." Tori asked as they reached the van.
"Tori why does it matter why he moved here?" Dustin interjected pulling off the bodyguards he was wearing. "Arc you don't have to tell us."
"I don't mind Dustin. You might as well know if you're trying to be my friend." Arc told him moving so he could see Dustin. "I came here looking for my family."
"What do you mean your family? Tori piped up with a puzzled look on her face. "Didn't you live with them before moving here?"
"No. I was adopted when I was a baby." Arc continued not noticing when two more people came behind him.
Dustin interrupted. "Hey man I'd like you to meet two more of my friends." He grabbed Arc by the shoulder and spun him around and nodded toward the two newcomers.
"Hi I'm Arc." He said offering his hand to the blond haired man.
The shorter man jumped in and shook his hand when the blond did nothing. "I'm Blake and this is my brother Hunter." He said hitting his brother lightly in the chest. "So I heard that you were adopted. Us too." Hunter hit Blake in the arm, turned and walked off without saying anything. "Sorry about my brother." Blake apologized before going after Hunter leaving the other three stood there bewildered looks on their faces.
"Did I do something wrong?" Arc asked shrugging and turning to Tori and Dustin.
"Look guys I think I'm going to leave you to it I've got homework to do." Tori said hitting Dustin playfully. "It was nice to meet you Arc." She smiled warmly and left Dustin alone with Arc.
"Your friends don't seem to like me?" Said Arc after a few minutes of silence.
"Don't worry about it. They just need to get to know you." Dustin answered trying to cover any disappointment in his voice that he felt toward his friend's behavior. Why do they always disapprove of what I see in people and how I feel about them.
"Dustin you don't seem too sure about what you just said?" Arc didn't seem put off by the way the others reacted to him. Instead he tried to comfort Dustin. "Dustin it doesn't matter to me what your friends think."
"It matters to me though." Countered Dustin. "They always do this, treat me as if I can't make decisions of my own."
"How about I meet you tomorrow and we go somewhere to talk." Arc offered. "I'll meet you at Storm Chargers around lunch time."
"Lunch tomorrow then." Dustin agreed.
-
"Tori, we need your help." Came Shane's voice over her communicator.
"I'm on my way." She replied pushing her chair back away from the desk she had been working at. She stood up and put her hand in the air. "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form, Ha."
"Dustin you alright." Shane called to his friend after the Yellow Ranger fell to the ground from the impact of the blow. The Red Ranger moved over to help his friend up but stopped in his tracks when the monster moved towards where Dustin lay.
"Leave him alone!" A voice called. The Blue Ranger appeared standing between the monster and Dustin.
"Who's going to stop me?" The monster burst out. "You. Just get out my way."
"We can't do that. We've defeated Lothor's goons before what makes you think we can't beat you." Hunter yelled at the monster taking a fighting stance next to Tori. Blake took up position on her other side closely followed by Shane. Cam pulled Dustin to his feet before joining the others.
"I don't work for Lothor I serve a different master. So do you still think you can beat me." Replied the monster. "You Rangers are so pathetic. I've observed you and you can't even support each other as friends let alone a team."
"We'll show you how good a team we are." Cried Tori as the six rangers charged at the monster. Tori and Cam were the first to reach the monster. The Green Ranger charged in swinging his sword, which was promptly dodged. He was then grabbed and thrown into Tori, who was unable to avoid due to the fact that she was in mid jump. Blake and Shane reached the monster next. Blake grabbed its waist with the navy antlers as Shane lunged for it with his sword. The monster simply phased out so Shane ended up cutting Blake. The monster then materialized behind Shane hitting him in the back causing him to land on Blake.
Hunter was next, he charged in thunder staff aimed at the monster. The monster grabbed the staff and used it to hurl Hunter over onto his back.
Dustin hung back from the monster seeing how easily it had just beat his friends. "Why are you doing this?" He asked. "What do you want and who are you?" He circled the monster keeping his distance sword drawn.
"I am Miasmus and what I want you cannot give." Came the reply Dustin received from Miasmus. "Not even your powers are worth taking." Miasmus phased the gap between them and caught Dustin around the neck. "Where are your friends now?" He said lifting the Yellow Ranger off the ground. "I saw you down at the track today, and earlier at Storm Chargers."
"What?" Dustin managed to mutter under his breath.
"It's so pathetic you getting worked up over your friends behavior." Miasmus taunted. "They always do this, treat me as if I can't make decisions of my own." He recited to Dustin. "You're not worth my time."
He said finally throwing Dustin to the ground before teleporting away.
Tori rushed over to Dustin's side. "Are you alright?"
"No I'm not." He replied.
-
It was a busy day at Storm Chargers and it was showing no sign of slowing. Arc entered the shop and stopped. He looked around and couldn't spot Dustin in the crowd. He walked up to the counter and found Hunter standing there. "Hunter right, is Dustin about?" Arc asked.
"He's in the stock room, he should be out in a minute." Hunter replied
"Hey, about yesterday, I'm sorry if I said anything to offend you." Arc told Hunter leaning on the counter.
"I should be the one to apologize." Hunter told him. "I was kind of rude and I'm sorry. It's just when I saw you and heard you were adopted..." He stopped short of finishing his sentence.
"What?" Pushed Arc hoping for an answer.
"I... just... thought that maybe we were related." Hunter finally managed his cheeks turning slightly red.
"It's OK. that's kind of cute." Arc tried to make Hunter feel better. "I came here looking for my family but I don't have any idea who they are." Turning back to face Hunter, Arc continued what he was saying. "We could be related."
"I guess so." Hunter said uncertainly.
"Would it really be so bad if we were?" Arc reached out and patted Hunter on the shoulder.
"I guess not." Hunter said returning Arc's gesture and patted him on the shoulder.
Just then Dustin came out of the storeroom. "Hey man." He greeted Arc. "I'm going to have to talk to you some other time." He continued. "It's pretty busy here as you can see so I can't get off."
Hunter went to say something but Dustin swiftly stood on his foot. Arc looked at Dustin, a little disappointment in his eyes. "I guess it can't be helped." He said sounding a little hurt. "Well here's my number give me a call when you have some time." Arc handed Dustin a small card with his number printed on it. He then turned and left the shop.
"What was all that about?" Hunter questioned his friend. "We could have managed fine without you for an hour or so. It's not like your much help, you've been moping about all day anyway."
"It's nothing, would you just drop it already." Dustin replied not wanting to get into an argument with Hunter. "Now if you don't mind I've got work to do." He tossed the card onto the counter and went back to the storeroom.
Hunter picked up the card Dustin had left and pocketed it. What has gotten into you Dustin that's not like you. Then I'm not exactly being myself either am I, but I do have a reason.
-
"Cam could you check something for me?" Dustin asked walking into ninja ops.
"Sure Dustin what is it?" Cam replied.
"That monster we fought yesterday was its power signature the same as the one you detected earlier near Storm Chargers?" Dustin asked walking over to the console where Cam was sat.
"Give me a sec and I'll tell you." Cam turned and began typing at the keyboard. "That's odd. You were right Dustin the power signature was the same but the power levels were different."
"Er, dude I only got half of that but what about at the track yesterday as well?" Dustin asked sounding as airheaded as was possible.
"I'll just check." Cam hit a few more keys before turning to Dustin. "Are you going to tell me what's going on."
"Can you check one more thing, what about today at Storm Chargers?" Dustin asked.
"Fine but then I want some answers." Cam turned back to console, typed some more then turned to Dustin again. "No, while it was present in both places yesterday it has not been to Storm Chargers today. So are you going to tell me what's going on?"
"I've made a big mistake that's what." Dustin told Cam as he rushed from ninja ops.
Cam turned back to the computer. It's strange that a monster can change its power level. There's no telling how strong it is if its power level can increase. He began reviewing the data he had recorded form the Rangers previous battle with Miasmus.
"Is something bothering you my son?" His father's voice startled him. "I haven't seen you this bothered since the puzzle with thunder megazord."
"It's just something that Dustin might have discovered." Cam told his dad looking at the guinea pig stood on the table behind him. "What if this new alien can disguise itself as a human?"
"My son worry only when it has been proven fact." His father told him. "It is pointless to concern yourself with something trivial when there is a much larger problem at hand."
"And what might that be father?" Cam shot a glance at his dad that spoke volumes to the ninja master.
"Cameron did the monster not say that it was looking for something?" The guinea pig pointed out to his son. "And did he also not tell you that he was working for someone different to Lothor?"
"Dad what does it matter if we get what he's looking for. It might even help us to defeat Lothor and his goons." Interjected the Green Ranger.
"How can you attain that which you do not know?" The ninja master rebuked his son.
"Good point dad. So what you're saying is that we need to find out what he's after, and once we have it, then we can worry about the other things." Cam said a look of understanding coming to his face.
To be continued...
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