Disclaimer: I don't own the power rangers.
Note: I really suggest that you don't read if you don't like slash. Has fluffy moments as well.
We all have Shadows.
Battles.
Cam sat at the computer working at his latest invention. "This just isn't working!" The word error flashed up on the screen. "No mater how hard I try. I just can't get it working". The word error appeared again. Cam leaned back in the chair and stretched out and closed his eyes.
He didn't notice when the Red Ranger entered the HQ. Shane walked up quietly behind the Green Ranger and placed a kiss on his forehead. "Hard day's work." He said putting his arms around the smaller man. "I went to find Dustin and talk but he's nowhere to be found."
Cam sat up in the chair. "What do you mean? I haven't seen him since the other night."
"Cam I can't find Hunter!" Blake burst in and stopped when he saw Shane. "I'm sorry I didn't mean to interrupt you."
Cam stood up breaking from Shane's grip. "What do you mean? I haven't seen him since the other night either."
"Well I was with him yesterday but he didn't come home last night."
"What happened? Did you two fight again?" Shane asked sitting down in Cam's vacated seat.
"We didn't fight exactly but then we haven't been speaking much either. The last time I saw him he burst out of the shop in a mood." Blake perched on the large table. "Arc went after him."
"Well then maybe Arc took him." Shane said spinning round on the chair. "We need to blame him for it. Maybe he's got Dustin as well."
"Shane why are you blaming Arc again. You beat him up so I doubt that he could hold two ninjas." Cam pushed the Red Ranger off his chair so he could sit down. "We go over this continually Arc isn't an evil space ninja sent to destroy us."
"Besides who's to say that Arc isn't missing as well. Who ever has Hunter could have Arc." Blake helped Shane get to his feet. "Does this have something to do with what happened between you and Dustin?"
"That's none of your business." Shane crossed his arms defensively.
"What ever. I'm going to look for him some more." Blake walked out of ninja ops. "I'll let you get back to what you were doing." He called as he walked up the stairs.
Cam waited until Blake had gone before he spoke. "Shane I don't think you should come here and show your affection like that." He turned back to the screen and began running the simulations again.
"What brought this on?" Shane sounded wounded.
"Look Shane I just don't think it's a good idea. Anyone could catch us." Cam had to restart the program again after yet another error message appeared.
"Are you ashamed of me. I thought that you wanted me to be more affectionate." Shane walked to the entrance. "But if you're not happy then maybe we should stop seeing each other."
"Shane that's not what I meant and you know it." Cam turned from the screen. "I'm just a bit unsure about, are things moving too fast."
"If you want to slow things down." Shane turned. "Just say."
-
Before the rangers was a pool of water. Large white marble pillars rose from the platform they stood on and formed a ring. Exotic plants spiraled their way up the pillars. Trees grew all around their branches reaching into the azure sky. In the canter of the pool stood a clear crystal that glistened as the golden sunlight reflected of it's perfect surface. Several aqua ducts supplied water to the pool as channels ran with the water into the forest.
"This place is so perfect." Tori exclaimed in awe as she took in her surroundings. "Could a place like this even exist on earth?"
"I don't care. Right now I want to save Arc, how do we do it?" Hunter carried Arc forward towards the pool. "He'd know what to do."
"Hunter you really care for him don't you?" Tori went up to the man's side.
"I value him as a friend, nothing more." The Crimson Ranger laid Arc by the side of the pool. "No one has every really stuck around me like him. I never really made friends and the people I did..."
"What Hunter?" The Blue Ranger put an arm around the taller man.
"I used to feel like me and Blake came as a set. I wondered if they would have been my friends if they weren't his." Hunter knelt by the unconscious man. "I even wondered if you and the others liked me for who I was."
"Why wouldn't they?" Both rangers jumped when Arc spoke. He sat himself up and looked at Hunter. "If people can't see what a great person you are then they're blind."
"How?" Was all Hunter could say still in shock, he backed away from the other blond man.
"When you put me down my hand fell into the water."
"But how did that heal you?" Tori got closer so she could inspect Arc. "Even the cuts on your arms are gone."
"This water brings life to every thing. It heals wounds and refreshes the body." Arc dipped his hand into the pool and drew it out again watching the water run from his fingers. "The crystal purifies the water which then gives life to this place. The elixir you had was water from this pool and sap from a special plant."
"So are you cured of the life drain?" Hunter asked looking hopeful.
"No Hunter the crystal still needs to do that. The water can only bring life to living things, it doesn't give life." Arc stood up and looked at the crystal.
"But I don't get it. Aren't they both the same thing?" Hunter stood up as well looking rather dumbstruck.
"No Hunter." Tori said. "If you were dead then all the water in the pool couldn't revive you. Right?" she looked to Arc for conformation that she was right.
"You got it. The water I guess just extends life." Arc replied stepping onto the surface of the water. "It can't remove the curse so we would still die once we stop using the water." He turned to face the others. "Come on, all you have to do is touch the crystal."
Tori stepped onto the water and began walking up to the crystal. Hunter on the other hand hesitated at the edge of the pool. "Hunter what's wrong?" Tori held of touching the crystal. "You know that Arc can be trusted so why hesitate." She put her hand on the smooth surface of the giant stone and felt a wave of warmth pass though her.
"Hunter come on." Arc stretched forth his hand. Hunter didn't accept it so Arc grabbed him. "This is for your own good." He told the surprised man as he was dragged along the water. Arc took Hunter's hand and placed it on the crystal he then put his on. "It doesn't hurt." He mocked.
"Why'd you hesitate? What aren't you telling me?" Tori gave Hunter a critical look.
"Miasmus has Dustin. He took him before the fight with Venator." Arc told Tori, as it seemed that Hunter wasn't. "They want to use him as an evil ranger."
"Shut it Arc!" Hunter broke his silence. "This is my fault and I'm going to make it right. I don't want yours or anybody else's help." Hunter turned his back and began walking to the portal. "You don't know how I feel."
"I know more than you think. Guess what, it wasn't your fault and blaming yourself doesn't help any one." Arc easily caught Hunter and whispered in his ear. "Neither does being dead. So what happened between you and Dustin to make you fell this way?"
Hunter lent back and replied. "He kissed me." His cheeks reddened. "But I pushed him away. How do you know how I feel?"
"Well it would be no fun if I told you." Arc gave Hunter a little shove.
"Um guys can we go? I think we should tell sensei about Dustin." Tori sprinted to catch up with them. "As much as I like this place I do want to go home."
-
"Venator you know how I hate waiting. How much longer do we have to wait?" Miasmus sat on the floor of the cave of time tapping his finger's impatiently.
"If they went to get healed by the crystal then they should be back very soon. Besides our little surprise for them can wait patiently for them so why can't you." Venator glanced over his shoulder at the figure stood in the shadows. "Here they come." He looked back at a wall that shifted and warped.
"So like I was saying. Venator wanted to turn me into one of his evil rangers just like they're going to do to Dustin." Arc said appearing first from the portal.
"I still do!" Venator interrupted smirking as the rangers appeared. "So nice of you to join us."
"There's someone we want you to meet." Miasmus motioned toward the figure stood in the shadows.
The figure stepped forward revealing him self to be another ranger. His outfit was similar in design to that of the thunder rangers. He had an amber chest piece with silver symbol. Black legs with amber boots and silver kneepads. Silver shoulder guards and a claw strapped to the right hand and wrist. "Now are you going to come nicely or do I have to drag you?" He began walking towards the others.
"I'm not going to help you so just forget it." Arc backed away taking a defensive stance.
"Take me instead." Hunter stepped forward boldly. "If you want to use anyone then use me."
"Fine. If that's the way you want it. Leave those morphers behind and come with me." The Amber Ranger watched as Hunter did what he was told. He first removed the one strapped to his belt and then took the one off his wrist. Hunter placed them on the ground next to him before walking to the Amber Ranger.
"Hunter! Don't be so stupid. Going with them doesn't solve anything." Arc ran forward but the Amber Ranger motioned with his hand and a wall of fire blocked his path. "Hunter it's not going to bring Dustin back!"
Hunter turned a looked at Arc. "I know." He replied hoping Arc would understand the rest.
"Now that we have what we want, we'll leave you alone." Venator said disappearing.
"For now." Miasmus added. Then he too vanished
"But we haven't forgotten about you." The Amber Ranger said taking Hunter and teleporting away.
Once they had all gone the firewall disappeared and Tori went to retrieve the morphers. "This doesn't look good. You will come with me to explain this to the others?" She looked hopefully at Arc who nodded but didn't say anything.
-
"Guy's we have a problem." Tori bounded into ninja ops and tossed the morphers onto the table.
"Tori...Where'd you get them?" Cam asked looking at the objects. "They look just like Hunter and Dustin's."
"That would be because they are theirs." Tori replied. "Venator and Miasmus have them. But I have someone who can help get them back. He helped me." She ran up the stairs and then back down dragging Arc.
It didn't take Shane long to react seeing who she'd brought with her. "What's he doing here?" He erupted glaring at the blond man. "How could he possibly help us? He isn't even a power ranger."
Arc stood still not moving not speaking. "He is a ranger. In fact he's the one that wiped the floor with us a couple days ago." Tori defended the other man. "He was the one who saved my life."
"If that's the case then how come I beat him up so easily yesterday?" Shane spat moving closer to the other man. "He doesn't even talk to defend himself. I guess he just lets every one else do that for him as well. Where was he when they took Dustin and Hunter? If he's so strong why didn't he stop them?"
"I didn't know they had Dustin and I tried to stop them taking Hunter! If you weren't so wrapped up in your own little world then maybe Dustin wouldn't have gone with them." Arc held his ground against Shane's advance.
"Why you." Shane lunged at Arc, who dodged the blow and caught his arm.
"You only get to beat me up once." Arc threw Shane across the room where he landed unceremoniously on his ass in front of Blake. "I don't have to stay here and take this." He then proceeded to walk out but Tori grabbed him and held on firmly. "It's clear your friends don't want my help just let go."
"I don't care what they want. I want your help and that's all that matters." The blond girl protested battering her eyelids and trying to look cute. "I know Shane can be a jerk sometimes but he means well."
"Look Tori, I know that you want to help your friends. Do you really need me to do it?"
"Yes." She continued tugging at his arm. "If I have to I'll get down on my knees and beg."
"Tori you don't have to do that... it's just Shane is right in that I did cause the problems to begin with. I could make things worse." Arc pulled free from the girl's grip. "Maybe I should just go."
"You can't!" it was Blake who called out. "We should have given you a chance. I found that I didn't want Hunter to hang with you cos I was jealous."
"Why? You're his bro. even if you were adopted he has childhood memories of the things the two of you did. Nothing could change that. You'll always be his little brother."
"But what if you were related, I thought that you'd take him away from me."
"Look I can tell you now that we're not related. Besides even if we were there was no guarantee that we'd get along." Arc gave up the idea of leaving because it didn't look like it was going to happen. "Blake you're his family and nothing will replace that."
"You know. You're not that bad a guy after all." He smiled and kicked Shane in the back of the foot. "We should give you a chance to help us get the others back."
Shane went to speak but remained quiet when Cam kicked his other foot. "They'll turn up sooner or later and when they do we'll get them back." Cam made his way over to the computer console. "I'll check the satellite for any disturbances."
"Well I'm glad that you have sorted that out." The rodent dressed like a ninja master said from his perch on the table.
"Did that hamster just talk?" Arc jumped in surprise.
"That's our sensei." Tori whispered in his ear. "Lothor made him that way, and he isn't a hamster he's a guinea pig."
"I'm sorry." He bowed to the guinea pig.
"That's ok you weren't to know." The rodent turned and looked at Shane. "Now I suggest that you all learn to get along."
"Well we don't have the luxury of time." Cam said turning from the monitor. "They've just shown up at the quarry."
"Well rangers go, but be careful." The ninja master dismissed them. The rangers turned to leave. "Arc would you please stay behind I wish to speak with you." The rodent watched as the other rangers left before speaking. "You know more then you are telling."
"No disrespect, but you are not my master and I don't answer to you." Arc replied defiantly.
"Just remember that withholding information can be a dangerous thing. I sense that you are a good person so why don't you tell me the truth." The ninja master paced the table. "You have learned to control your emotions well. It is hard to read your thoughts like I can the others." Sensei Watanabe stopped and glanced at the man. "You've encountered the monsters before haven't you?"
"Yes. They are or more accurately were fire ninjas. This wasn't the first time they've come for the crystal." Arc knelt down so he was at the same height as the guinea pig. "I was only young but they came to the shadow academy demanding that the crystal be handed over."
"It is impossible for them to be fire ninjas. That academy was destroyed over two thousand years ago." The rodent watched Arc's expression trying to detect if he was telling the truth.
"I did say were. They're not any more, my farther said that they had been corrupted by evil and were no longer the same people that they used to be."
"It is a shame that we don't have the scrolls of prophecy and legend. So what happened when they came before?"
"Sensei Tenkowa, my farther, refused and they just left. Guess they didn't want to take on a whole school of ninjas." Arc gave a half grin. "So can I go?"
"No. Stay here and watch the battle with me. I will tell you when the time to join the battle comes."
"But they don't..."
"It is not for you to decide. I feel that your presence may do more harm than good." The ninja master interrupted.
"I don't understand. What have I done, I've only done what I thought was right." Arc tried to hold back his anger. "I only want to help. Surely you understand I only want to be there for my friends."
"It may be hard to watch, but stay." The guinea pig consoled. "Your intentions may be pure. But your presence is a source of conflict between the rangers. If you go now it might only increase the divide between them. First we must let them try and solve their differences." The ninja master turned to watch the battle on the screen.
-
"Dustin I don't want to fight you!" Tori called across to the Amber Ranger. "Can we talk, please? Look I'm fine and what happened wasn't your fault."
"It's to late for that Blue Ranger. He's withdrawn completely into his own little world, he doesn't hear your words." Miasmus laughed folding his arms. "Nothing can get though to him."
"Where's Hunter? Give me my brother back." Blake called to Miasmus. "What have you done to him?"
"I'm right here little bro." The Jade Ranger stepped out from behind Venator wearing an outfit to match Dustin's in all but color. "Don't' you recognize me? I'm so hurt." He jumped down into the quarry to stand next to Dustin. "This'll be over quickly. No Shadow Ranger to help you?"
"We don't need his help!" The Red Ranger spat charging at the two new rangers.
"Shane wait." The Green Ranger called but it was to late. The Amber Ranger grabbed the sword by the blade and picked him up by the belt. "Shane hold on." Cam called and went to move but couldn't.
"Where do you think you're off to?" the Jade Ranger had a firm grip on the Green Rangers arm. "Your not helping anyone." He threw the helpless man into the quarry wall causing a small rockslide that buried the other ranger. "Who's up next?"
"Sensei please. We need help." Tori pleaded into her communicator. "Why won't you let Arc come?"
"It is not yet time." Came the ninja masters reply.
"They already got Cam." She begged.
"I know. I am watching the battle from here." He responded calm in his voice.
"He's your son. Don't you care what happens to him?" she was desperate as Blake had just been thrown over her head. "Please."
"Very well, he is on his way." The sensei sighed and gave in to her request.
She surveyed the battle Dustin now held Shane in a chokehold and Hunter was approaching her. "Hunter stop this. Stay back!" She backed away from the advancing ranger. "Why are you doing this we're your friends."
"Super Samurai mode." Could be heard coming from under the rocks. The Jade Ranger stopped advancing as he watched the rocks move and the Green Ranger emerge from under them. "Hunter, get a grip." He called as he charged at the shocked man.
"You should have stayed down." Hunter called back as he summoned a wall of fire between them. Cam jumped over the fire but was knocked out of the air when an unconscious Shane collided with him. Tori and Blake rushed over to where their friends lay. "Isn't that convenient all our foes in one place." Hunter brought his arms together and started concentrating. Balls of fire began appearing around the rangers. "Good bye rangers." He said looking at them.
"Not so fast." A voice echoed around the quarry. "You haven't fought me yet." The sky grew darker and a pool of black formed between the sets of rangers. Lightning began to strike the pool as a shadowed figure emerged. "Did you really think you could win?"
"Yes!" Hunter unleashed his attack the fireballs homing in on Arc instead of the weakened rangers.
Arc turned to Hunter the fireballs exploding on an energy field. "You'll have to do better than that." He pulled a bow out. "Now it's my turn." Aiming into the air he fired an arrow of dark energy.
"You didn't even hit us" Hunter smirked.
"Didn't I?" Arc replied as black bolts of energy rained down on the two fire rangers. Dustin took the worst of the hits falling to the ground. "Look just remember who we are."
"I don't think so!" Venator hurled an energy ball at Arc.
Hunter used the distraction to jump on Arc and pin him down. "Good bye Shadow Ranger." He raised his clawed fist over Arc's helmet. He hesitated unable to strike the finishing blow. "I can't do it. I can't hurt you." He smashed his fist into the ground by Arc's head.
"Why..."
"I can't do it." He said again the suit shattering away. "I can't hurt you." He repeated collapsing onto the chest of the other man.
"Hunter..." Arc pulled the sobbing man hesitantly into a hug. "It's alright."
"Dustin your friend has betrayed you. Kill them all." Miasmus called. Dustin responded by drawing his hands together charging for an attack. He unleashed a beam of searing heat at Hunter and Arc.
"Arc watch out!" Tori cried looking on in horror.
Arc rolled over putting himself on top so that he would take the hit instead of Hunter. He shut his eyes and waited for the attack to hit but it never came. He dared to glance over his shoulder and saw that it had impacted on a dome of light that had encompassed the two men. "What... Hunter stay here and I'll get Dustin." Arc stood up and the barrier faded. "I'd like to see you do that again." He cautiously approached the Amber Ranger. Dustin didn't reply and smashed his fist into the ground. He stood up again raising his hand above his head. Fire dragons rose out of the ground and snaked their way towards the Shadow Ranger.
Arc stood his ground and began charging his own attack. Energy began swirling around the Shadow Ranger. The dragons continued making their way towards the man but were swallowed up in the energy vortex. "Arc don't!" Hunter called to the other man.
"I sorry Dustin, Hunter." He launched his attack hitting Dustin in the chest. The attack generated a massive shock wave that demorphed both Arc and Dustin. The power generated was so much that both rangers and monster alike were knocked to the ground. Arc landed on Dustin and pinned him down. "Dustin snap out of it. We're your friends."
"I don't have any friends!" Dustin replied breaking eye contact with Arc. "All my friends abandoned me. I'm weak and helpless. Because of me Tori nearly died. The man I love didn't even look twice at me. Hunter pushed me away all because I foolishly kissed him." Dustin wriggled under Arc. "Get off me! Just leave me alone. I don't need you as a friend." Dustin looked back at Arc hoping that the other man would leave him alone. "Would you just..."
Dustin was cut off when Arc pressed his mouth onto the dark haired mans. The kiss continued as Hunter looked on in shock. Arc finally broke the kiss and stood up. "So Dustin what do you want me to do?" The other man remained quiet and motionless where he lay. "Dustin what's wrong? Dustin..."
"Dustin your all right." Tori came running over closely followed by the other rangers. At the sound of her voice Dustin jumped to his feet. He backed away as she closed the distance. "Dustin what's up." She again tried to get closer to the man. He dived behind Arc grabbing his arm. "Dustin it's me Tori." He released his grip on Arc but made no other move.
"Dustin shall we go back to ninja ops?" Arc offered turning around to face Dustin. "It's alright we're all friends." He put his arms out motioning to the other rangers stood around. Dustin saw the opening and grabbed the other man. "Dustin... Cam teleport us to ninja ops."
-
No sooner had they reached ninja ops then Dustin collapsed. "What's going on?" Arc laid him on the floor before looking at Cam.
"Dustin!" Tori knelt down taking one of the man's hands. "Hold on everything will be fine."
"Tori, he's only tired." Cam reported. "After he's had a good rest he'll be fine."
"That battle was brutal." Blake exclaimed.
"Your right there man." Shane added. "And that attack of Arc's. Man it was lethal."
"You're telling me. At least we weren't on the receiving end of it." Blake sat down next to Tori. "Speaking of Arc. Where'd he go?" Blake looked around. "I didn't see him leave."
"He left saying he didn't belong here." Hunter looked at the floor. "I just let him leave."
"Why Hunter? Because of him we got you and Dustin back." Tori's sudden movement caused Dustin to stir. "Did he say where he's going?"
"Tori keep your voice down." Shane whispered pointing at the sleeping figure. "Maybe it's for the best that he's gone."
"Shane what did I tell you about getting on." The up until now silent ninja master spoke. "It will be difficult to find him if he used his shadow walk to leave. Now rangers I suggest that you go and look for him. He could be in great danger if Miasmus and Venator decide they want revenge. Leave Dustin here, I will look after him."
"Yes sensei." The ninjas bowed before leaving.
"Dad I'll see if I can locate him using the satellite." Cam said sitting down at the computer and bringing up screen. "Besides I could do with talking to you."
"What is it that troubles you my son?" The guinea pig jumped onto the Green Rangers shoulder.
"Dad do you ever feel like things are out of your control? That it doesn't matter what you do nothing works out." Cam removed his glasses. "That it's your fault."
"Is this to do with Dustin and Hunter?" Sensei Watanabe jumped down next to the keyboard to get a better look at his son.
"It's not just about that. It's Shane as well."
"Cameron, you have to understand that you can't please everyone. I know that you are gay and I accept it. I could feel that it's my fault you're that way, because of the way I brought you up, and blame myself for it... but it still won't change it. You're my son and I love you unconditionally."
"But dad, if I wasn't having a relationship with Shane then Dustin wouldn't have gone off."
"You love him don't you? It wasn't because of you that Dustin left. Neither was it your fault that Hunter did what he did. My son, stop blaming yourself, things happen and for a reason and that can't be changed."
"But I could have been a better friend. What if I had taken the hit instead of Tori."
"Don't dwell on the what ifs. Remain focused on the path you walk."
"You're right dad."
"Besides Cam." He spun around at the sound of Dustin's voice. "I'm over Shane anyway."
"You heard that? Don't tell anyone what you heard."
"Tell them what? So have you managed to find Arc? I kind of need to thank him." Dustin wiped the sleep from his eyes. "He made me realize what fool I've been."
"Well I can't find him on the scanner. He's not any where on the planet." Cam looked critical. "I can't find his power signature. I'll call the others back."
-
Hunter had decided to check the bluffs for any sign of Arc. Tori had taken the beach and he hadn't objected cos she knew the area better then him. Shane had taken the park and Blake the racetrack. He was unsure why he had come here there were other places he could have gone. His thoughts were interrupted when his communicator went off. "Yeah Cam." He raised his wrist to his mouth.
"I was just gonna say to return to ninja ops. I haven't been able to find Arc's power signature." The voice responded. "And before you ask it means that either he's not on the planet or he has a very good masking device." Hunter pictured Cam sat at the mainframe looking really annoyed cos he couldn't solve a problem.
"Em... Cam can I get back to you." He terminated the comm. link abruptly when he noticed a figure in the distance.
He began walking over but his pace quickened as he got closer to the figure. Before he knew it he was at a jog. As he drew closer he realized that it was Arc. "What are you doing here?"
"I could ask you the same question. But why bother asking when you already know the answer." Arc's gaze remained fixed on the sea view in front of him.
"Arc. Why did you leave?" Hunter started and before he could stop himself he began rambling. "And what did you mean 'I don't belong here'? And why can't Cam find your power signature? Why did you help Dustin and me? Why did you even come to blue bay really? Why aren't you answering me?"
"If you shut up and let me answer I will!" Arc turned to the shocked blond. "I left because I don't belong there because I'm not a power ranger."
It took a while for the words to sink in. "What do you mean not a ranger? You looked like a ranger when I fought you."
"Hunter... you know that attack I did. Well... it kind of used up all my power. That's probably why Cam can't find a power signature. There isn't any power to find."
"What! You knew that would happen didn't you? Why'd you do it, I mean there must have been another way?" Hunter reached out for the other man. "Arc..."
"Don't! Just don't touch me." Arc hit Hunter's arm away. "You just don't get it. Did it ever occur to you that I never wanted to be a ranger."
"And you think I did. It was something that I was meant to be and I learned to accept it." Hunter wasn't going to let Arc win this. "If I wasn't a ranger then I couldn't protect the things that I care about."
"That's just it every thing I cared about is already gone."
"So what! You're just going to give up. Look the crystal of life could restore your power." Hunter was growing more frustrated. "I don't mean to question your motives, but you must care about something because you helped both me and Dustin." Hunter decided to hug the other man regardless of how hard he fought. "Arc even if you won't admit it I know you care. People that don't care about things don't act the way you do."
"Hunter why do you care?" Arc leaned into the hug knowing he wasn't going to win. "You could have walked away. You could have left here and never seen me again."
"You just don't get it do you? I, we need you. You know that I want to be your friend if you just let me." Hunter was glad that he finally got his point though. "Look lets go and get your power back."
"No." Arc replied pushing out of the hug.
"What?"
"I said no. If there were no consequences for actions than the world would be chaos. Just imagine if I could use that attack every time things got tough and never worry about losing my power." Arc was putting forward a convincing argument. "With power comes responsibility. I made a choice to save a friend at the cost of my power."
"And that was a commendable decision. But you must remember that your powers are need." The third voice startled both men.
"Dad?"
"Yes son. Your destiny is not complete yet. You must continue to fight." The ghostly figure of a man appeared before the young ninjas. "Now go and in time you will come to understand what you must do."
"But I can't. I'm not as strong as every one thinks." Arc replied.
"No son, you are stronger, as is your friend here."
"Dad, I don't understand. There's so much more I want to know. I have so many questions I want to ask."
"And when the time comes you'll have the answers you need." With those final words the figure faded.
"Well you heard the man." Hunter nudged Arc in the ribs. "Lets go get those powers of yours restored."
"Fine, but on one condition. You don't go telling anybody about this." Arc nudged Hunter back. "Besides who'd believe you anyway."
-
To be continued...
Note: I finally finished this part even though I had a serious case of writer's block. These parts seem to be getting longer. Please read and review and I might get the next part done quicker.