"Power Rangers: Psycho Matrix"
Book One: "Twisted Rebirth"
Chapter 3: "Friends and Foes"
Disclaimer: Zordon, Dimitria, and the Psycho Rangers are not mine. Everyone and everything else belongs to me.
Author's notes: The Psychos won't have it easy at all in the chapters to come. And it's not just fighting Kanika and her forces. They're also going to have to learn that the same brutal tactics they used as villains won't cut it in their new profession. In future chapters, you will see them learn to care about others and unlock greater power than they've ever experienced.
Now for a little vocabulary. Due to my fascination with Japanese culture, I've decided to use a derivative form of Japanese for the Kirai. "Kirai" is the Japanese word for "hate." "Ha" is Japanese for "wave." "Hime" is Japanese for "princess." "No" in Japanese is a possessive term, applied like this: Kirai no Hime means Kirai's Princess or Princess of Kirai.
Kanika: black, dark
Kokure: black
Tsukimaru: Moon Circle
The next day, the Rangers were still reeling from the battle with Kanika's lieutenants. Once again, they were sitting together at lunch. Sure, they all came from different social circles but they now had a common bond.
They had all been chosen to host the essence and powers of the Psycho Rangers.
"I have never been that sore in my life," Kieran said. "My dad's a piece of cake compared to those guys."
"Your dad probably never aimed to kill or injure you when you were sparring," Faith said.
"Yeah, those freaks mean business," Darien added.
"We're going to have to be supremely careful from now on," Kaitlyn said. "The lieutenants have already seen us. Kanika was most likely watching everything from some remote location. If she finds out who we are, we're finished."
"Not just us," Liam contributed. "The whole planet will be finished. Everyone we care about will be finished."
"You know, I just noticed something," Kieran said.
"What?" Liam asked.
"We all look very suspicious sitting together," Faith replied. "I mean hello? Dare and I don't look like the kind of people who'd be sitting with the rest of you."
"And why is that?" Kieran asked coolly.
"I don't fit in with people," Faith replied. "Never have, probably never will."
"Besides," Darien added, "Faith and I are 'Goths,' if that's the label you wanna use. That means we're pretty low on the school food chain, down there with the geeks and the punks."
"And what's that say about us?" Kaitlyn asked, her voice slightly perturbed.
"Kieran, the first thought anyone will have on seeing you is, 'What a nice-looking young man,'" Darien explained. "Of course, if anyone sees me, they'll brush me off as some punk and give me odd looks when they don't think I can see them."
"The point is," Faith said, "people like me and Darien don't tend to get along that well with people like you. No offense."
"And why don't people like us get along with people like you?" Liam asked.
"Because you're the pretty, semi-popular types," Faith replied. "Darien and I are the freaks who everyone either looks down on or tries to shove around."
"So you're saying that you don't think it's okay to sit with us because we're 'higher' on the social ladder than you?" Kieran asked.
"That's just stupid," Kaitlyn said. "I don't care about our backgrounds. I don't care that because of a few stupid kids, you think we're somehow unfit to sit together. We're all Rangers now, so we have to stick together."
"Kaitlyn's right," Liam said. "We need to be united, not divided just because of our social status."
In Earth's orbit, Kanika watched the exchange between the Rangers.
"So the Rangers are conflicted because of petty high school snobbery," she said. "This could work to my advantage very well."
"It is very foolish how the humans divide themselves," Kokure said. "Especially the teenagers, who are apparently the most divisive of all humans."
"They're teenagers, Kokure," Yuna said. "At this point in their development, they are struggling to find a place where they belong, and they obviously do not like anything that causes them to question that. So they push aside anyone who they feel does not fit their standards."
"It's all stupid, if you ask me," Xaran said. "The most intelligent and knowledgeable of their kind are ostracized simply because some idiots think being smart makes you 'uncool.' Meanwhile, they elevate the athletes and cheerleaders and pretty girls to godlike status, despite the fact that any number of them would be paupers if brains were money. Ironically enough, the so-called beautiful people of the human high schools are hated and despised by nearly everyone."
"Like they say, 'It's lonely at the top,'" Kanika commented.
"The 'popular kids' always get swelled heads due to their status and therefore look down on everyone else," Tsukimaru added. "Utter foolishness."
"Still, it may work to our advantage," Kanika said. "The seeds of conflict are already planted. We just need to add water."
After school, Kieran pondered the dispute he had had with the others. "Just what is wrong with this world?" he asked himself. "What could actually drive people to think they shouldn't associate with each other just because they're different?"
Just then, Psycho Red appeared in front of Kieran, transparent.
"Psycho Red?" Kieran asked. "How can you be here?"
"This is my spectral form," Psycho Red replied. "Since I am only a spirit, I can only manifest myself physically through you. We are bonded now, so you will be the only one who can see me, except for those who host my four compatriots."
"Why?" Kieran asked. "Why can't people just forget that they're different and be friends?"
"The problem with humans is that no one wants to be different," Psycho Red replied. "No one wants to stand out. That's why no one tries to stand up for anyone else in your schools. Ever heard the phrase 'guilty by association'?"
"Yeah," Kieran said.
"The point is, my soul partner, no one wants to suffer the so-called 'stigma' of being different," Psycho Red replied. "For being different leads to being ridiculed, to being hated, to being scorned. That's why so many of your schoolmates follow the crowd. They want to fit in; they want to be the same so they will not be noticed. So they will not be rejected."
"For someone who spent his days trying to destroy Earth, you have a lot of insight into the human condition," Kieran said.
"With hatred comes understanding," Psycho Red explained. "When you seek to destroy something, you must first learn about it. 'Know thy enemy.'"
"I just hope Darien and Faith see that Liam, Kaitlyn, and I can be their friends," Kieran said. "If they'll let us."
Meanwhile, Faith was pondering as well. "Just as well," she said to herself. "I don't need them."
"Perhaps the truth is that you believe you need no one," a familiar female mechanical voice said.
Faith looked around and saw Psycho Pink sitting next to her on her bed. "Psycho Pink? How?"
"Astral projection, honey," Psycho Pink replied. "The only way I can take physical form is if I take over your body. You and you alone can see me, except for the other Rangers."
"Why's that?" Faith asked.
"Because they host Psycho Rangers as well," Pink replied. "Now, why do you not wish to be near the others?"
"Darien's ok," Faith said. "But I don't fit in with the others. I'm not like them."
"No one is ever truly like anyone else," Pink stated bluntly. "We are all different. No two people are the same."
"People like me can't associate with people like them," Faith stated just as bluntly.
"Just like paupers are unfit to associate with kings?" Pink asked.
"It's not the same," Faith said.
"You're conforming," Pink said.
"I do not conform," Faith denied.
"Yes, you do," Pink replied. "You're letting what others will think of you for trying to associate with the other Rangers color your own reasoning. If you truly do not conform, then do not let anyone stop you from being your own person. Do not let anyone stop you from being friends with those you wish to be friends with."
Faith paused, looking into Psycho Pink's visor. Then she smiled. "Thanks."
"You're welcome," Psycho Pink said, a smile in her voice.
Darien was lying on his bed, listening to more Korn songs.
I tell my lies, and I despise
Every second I'm with you.
So I run away, and you still stay,
So what the fuck is with you?
Your feelings, I can't help but rape them.
I'm sorry I don't feel the same.
My heart inside is constantly hating.
I'm sorry I just throw you away.
"Is that what you are going to do, Darien?" the voice of Psycho Black asked. "Throw away a chance to make new friends?"
Darien tilted his head slightly and saw a transparent Psycho Black sitting on the chair of his computer desk.
"What do you mean?" Darien asked.
"I mean that you are willing to reject the others because they aren't like you," Psycho Black said. "You're no better than those you despise if you are going to do something like that."
"Look, Black, that's the way things have always been," Darien said.
"Is it because of your friends?" Black asked. "Is that why you are so hesitant to associate with the other Rangers?"
"Look, we've been tight for a couple of years now, and I don't want to lose that," Darien said.
"If your friends are true friends, then any friend of yours should be a friend of theirs," Black said. "If not, then you must rethink your choices of friends."
"I'll think about it," Darien said. "Thanks for the advice, Black."
"You're welcome," Black replied.
The next day, Darien talked to his friends. "You know, guys, Kieran and the others aren't that bad. If you get to know them, they're really nice."
"Yeah, especially Kieran," Raye said. "He's fine."
"So's Faith," Wayne added.
"You actually wanna hang with those guys?" Devin asked.
"I just think they're nice people," Darien said. "At least they don't wear that brand-name crap."
"Thanks," Kieran said from behind Darien. "Didn't know you liked us that much."
"I do," Darien said.
"Wanna sit with us, cutie?" Raye asked.
Kieran smiled. "Sure." He sat with them. "On one condition, though."
"What is it?" Raye asked, smiling.
"Can my other three friends sit with us?" Kieran asked.
"The more, the merrier," Raye replied.
Liam, Kaitlyn, and Faith came over to the table, sitting with them. The eight soon began to strike up a conversation. Even Faith contributed a few bits, monosyllabic as they were.
"I'm glad you guys can all get along," Darien said.
"Why wouldn't we?" Devin asked. "They're kinda cool. So, Kaitlyn, you're in a band?"
"Yeah," Kaitlyn replied. "We just perform in clubs, never gotten a record deal yet."
"Why not?" Faith asked. "You're good enough, from what I heard of you last night. And girl bands and girl-fronted bands rock. There aren't enough of them."
"Yeah, but there're too many poser male bands," Raye added. "Not that I've got it in for all male rock bands. I just think some of them aren't that good and shouldn't be as popular as they are."
"Who you talking about, Limp Bizkit?" Devin asked.
"The whole rap-rock thing has gotten old," Raye explained. "I like the good old-fashioned heavy metal. And you wanna know what's even better? Goth rock."
"True that," Faith agreed.
"Hey, Kieran, you do karate, right?" Wayne asked.
"Yeah," Kieran confirmed. "Been practicing the martial arts since I was a kid."
Raye smiled flirtatiously at Kieran. "Probably got a killer bod under there, don't you? All trim and graceful."
Kieran blushed slightly.
"Don't worry, Ki," Devin said. "Raye's not the kinda gal who'd try to proposition you without a serious prior commitment. She's just not the shy type."
"Damn right," Raye confirmed. "I like a guy; I say it to his face."
"And Liam, you like winter sports, right?" Wayne asked Liam.
"Yeah," Liam replied. "Been competing for the last two winters now. Even though it's pretty warm now, my uncle's got a ski lodge up in the mountains. I go there whenever I get a chance."
"What do you like, Faith?" Wayne asked.
"I like to go out to the clubs whenever I get a chance," Faith replied. "Shake it on the dance floor and all."
As Kieran walked home from school later that day, he smiled to himself. His team had come closer together, and he'd even had the pleasure of making new friends.
"So, Kieran, how was your day?" his father asked him.
"Great," Kieran replied. "I made three new friends: Wayne, Devin, and Raye. They're cool people to hang out with. Though Raye kinda makes me nervous."
"Why?" his father asked.
"For the entire time we were talking at lunch, she flirted with me," Kieran replied.
"So?" his father asked. "Girls have gotten a lot bolder since my time. Don't sweat it, Kieran."
That night, Kieran was cruising the Internet, checking out animé web sites when an Instant Message popped up. It wasn't from anyone on his Buddy List, so it asked if he wanted to accept the message. He looked at the screen name: "blackfaith17." Kieran clicked "yes" to accept.
Blackfaith17: Hello there, Kieran.
CrimsonKatana009: Hi, Faith.
Blackfaith17: You wanna go to the club with us tonight?
CrimsonKatana009: What club?
Blackfaith17: Crimson Tears.
CrimsonKatana009: Why would someone give a club that name?
Blackfaith17: Vampires cry blood tears, don't you know? The club owner must be a real vampire fan.
CrimsonKatana009: I'll come with you. Just let me clear it with my dad, and I'll see you there.
Blackfaith17: Good. The others, including Darien's pals, will be there, too. You know what that means.
CrimsonKatana009: Oh, you mean Raye?
Blackfaith17: Uh-huh. See you.
CrimsonKatana009: See you, Faith.
Blackfaith signed out at 7:32:23 PM.
Kieran logged out as well, and closed his laptop. Then he looked through his closet for suitable clothes. In the end, he picked out a red-stitched black denim jacket with a red shirt and red-stitched black jeans. Satisfied with his choice, Kieran dressed and went downstairs.
"Hey, Dad, do you mind if I go out to see my friends tonight?" he asked.
"No," his father replied. "Have a good time. Just don't do anything stupid like coming home late."
"I'll do my best to be on time," Kieran promised. "Bye, Dad." He walked out the door.
Crimson Tears was going to take some distance to walk, so Kieran decided to drive. He got into his car, a comfortably-sized Mazda convertible, and drove to Crimson Tears. Once it was within sight, he parked his car a short distance away. Close enough for him to get to quickly, yet far enough away not to be noticed by thieves. He got out, locked the doors, and entered the club.
Once Kieran stepped inside Crimson Tears, his ears were assaulted by the sounds of loud techno-rock. Specifically, a remix of Rob Zombie's "Living Dead Girl."
Crawl on me.
Sink into me.
Die for me.
Living Dead Girl.
He walked through the throng of dancing bodies, looking for his friends. To his surprise, he felt a pair of arms wrap around his waist from behind and heard a voice in his ear.
"Hello, Kieran. I'm glad you could make it."
Kieran moved slightly so he could get a better look at the owner of the voice. "Hi, Raye."
"Wanna dance?" Raye asked.
"Ok," Kieran replied, and turned around to face her. Then they started dancing.
"You're pretty good, Kieran," Raye said.
"Fighting and dancing are based on the same principles, more or less," Kieran said. "Both require grace and good timing." He gave Raye a quick once-over, noticing that she was dressed in a black leather mini-dress that showed off her curves. Then he looked over her shoulder, searching for his friends and saw them. Darien, Faith, Wayne, and Devin were dressed in black, as usual: Darien in black shirt and jeans; Faith in a tight black leather shirt and pants, the shirt tight and accented with red silk fringes on the sleeves and neckline; Wayne and Devin in clothes similar to Darien's, only with red or white designs on the shirts or pants. Kaitlyn was wearing a yellow tank top and white capris. Liam was dressed in a light blue T-shirt and darker blue jeans.
"You look good, Kieran," Raye said.
"So do you," Kieran replied.
"Glad you noticed," Raye said, smiling.
After the song was over, Kieran and Raye joined the other six members of their group. "'Living Dead Girl' is a kick-ass song to dance to, never doubt that," Devin said.
"You especially loved dancing to it with Faith," Darien said to Wayne snidely.
"Can I help it if she looks drop-dead sexy in all that black leather?" Wayne asked.
"Speaking of that, isn't that shirt kinda tight on you, Faith?" Kaitlyn asked.
"Of course," Faith replied. "It actually has a corset built into it. And here's a little tip for you: If it weren't for all this silk on my neckline, you'd be seeing a lot of my assets." This was said with a sly smirk.
Kieran turned a faint shade of red, though it was hard to tell in the flashing lights. Raye flashed a ghost of a glare at Faith, as if to say, "Back off. He's mine; I saw him first."
"Smooth, Ki-man," Darien whispered to Kieran. "You already got two girls about to go at it over you."
Kieran rolled his eyes.
Kaitlyn was sipping her drink when a boy in his late teens walked up to her. She didn't know him, but she noticed that he had long violet-accented dark hair and golden eyes. His hair was tied into a long thin ponytail that reached down past his knees and he had spiky bangs framing his face. And there was one other thing about him she noticed.
He was strikingly handsome, perhaps too much so to be human. He smiled at her.
"Do you want to dance with me?" he asked, his voice low, smooth, and alluring.
Kaitlyn found herself mesmerized by his voice and eyes. "Yes, I would love to dance with you."
She took his hand and went onto the dance floor with him. The song playing then was a rock song with a beat that was suitable for head banging or dancing.
"You're a very good dancer," the boy said to her.
"So are you," Kaitlyn said.
Kaitlyn's dance partner did not escape the notice of the Psycho Ranger vessels or their new friends.
"Who is that guy?" Wayne asked.
"I don't know, but I think he's kinda hot," Raye replied.
"No doubt," Faith agreed.
Darien smirked. "Man, that new guy's stealing your honeys," he whispered to Kieran.
Kieran again just rolled his eyes.
Kaitlyn continued dancing with the boy and he held her close, perhaps a little closer than necessary. Kaitlyn continued dancing, high on the beat.
"Something about that guy just doesn't feel right," Liam said.
"And familiar, now that I think about it," Faith added.
Deep within Kaitlyn's psyche, Psycho Yellow watched through Kaitlyn's eyes. Who is this boy? And why does he feel so familiar? Hell, why does he seem to have such a powerful hold on Kaitlyn?
The boy tilted his head closer to Kaitlyn's, looking straight into her eyes. Kaitlyn tilted her head up . . . and their lips met in a slow, smoldering kiss. The boy held Kaitlyn in a tight embrace and deepened the kiss, sliding his tongue into her mouth. Kaitlyn's response was to suck on his tongue and reciprocate.
"Whoa, check out Kaitlyn and the new guy," Raye said.
Psycho Yellow felt herself being overwhelmed by Kaitlyn's emotions, the dominant ones being near-uncontrollable attraction and desire. The truly overwhelming thing, she still had the rationality to think, was that these emotions were completely new to her. The only thing she had really felt passionate about was destroying the Yellow Space Ranger.
Then she felt something else. It was a feeling of complete surrender, like she was giving all she had to the one who was kissing Kaitlyn. And not just that, it also felt like she was being absorbed into him.
It took her only a second to realize that the draining feeling was quite real. This boy was some kind of vampire, and he was draining Kaitlyn's very life into himself!
Kaitlyn she screamed. KAITLYN! Pull away from him! Now!
Kaitlyn could barely think, so entranced by the "boy" she was. His kiss had her utterly weak in the knees. Who knew a kiss could give so much pleasure? she mused.
Kaitlyn, pull away! Psycho Yellow screamed.
Psycho Yellow? Kaitlyn asked.
That boy, he's draining you! Yellow replied. Pull away from him!
But it feels so good. . . . Kaitlyn protested dreamily.
He has you under some kind of psychic influence! Yellow protested more vehemently. And he's draining your very life energy!
That sparked something inside of Kaitlyn and she pulled away, gasping for breath.
"Who . . . are you?" she asked.
The boy smiled, this time revealing tiny yet sharp fangs. "You don't remember me? Of course, you don't. I was dressed quite differently when we last met." He grabbed Kaitlyn's arm.
"What the hell's going on?" Devin asked.
"That's what we're going to find out," Kieran said, moving to Kaitlyn's side with the other Psycho vessels. "Who are you?"
"That's what this pretty girl here just asked me," the boy replied, smirking. "You want to know? Follow me." That said, the air warped and the boy stepped through it, carrying Kaitlyn with him. The warp lasted long enough for the others to follow.
The six emerged in a deserted area of the city. "There are only three people I know who could use that technique," Kieran said.
"Exactly," the boy said. "And I'm one of them." His form shimmered and faded, replaced by a familiar black-armored visage.
"Tsukimaru!" Liam shouted. "Let her go, now!"
"Why should I?" the now-revealed Tsukimaru asked. "Her energy is very beautiful, so it's only fair that such beauty should be part of me now."
Kaitlyn stomped on his armored foot with her heeled shoe-encased foot, surprising Tsukimaru enough (if not hurting him in any way) to loosen his grip. Kaitlyn then flipped Tsukimaru over onto his back and rejoined the other four.
"You're going down, Tsukimaru!" she shouted. Then with the others, "Psycho Spirit Exchange!"
The Psycho Rangers faced down Tsukimaru, who simply got up and drew his sword. The Psychos drew their weapons.
"Please, Psycho Rangers," Tsukimaru scoffed. "You couldn't handle me and my comrades the last time we fought, and any one of us alone could have defeated you. Allow me to prove it."
Warping the air once again, he disappeared and reappeared just in time to strike down all five Psycho Rangers with brutal attacks. They got up.
"That's enough!" Psycho Red shouted. "I refuse to take this any longer!" Green lightning gathered in his hands and he channeled it into his sword. "Psycho Sword, Jade Lightning Strike!"
In a blur of motion marked with green electricity, Psycho Red slashed Tsukimaru.
"Perfect!" Psycho Yellow shouted. "Psycho Sling!"
"Psycho Arrow!" Psycho Pink shouted.
"Psycho Axe!" Psycho Blue shouted.
"Psycho Rod!" Psycho Black shouted.
Then as one, the four Psychos shouted, "Jade Lightning Strike!" Blue and Black slashed Tsukimaru with their weapons, then stood with their arms spread out as Pink and Yellow used their shoulders as a springboard to fire their weapons. Pink's arrows glowed with an aura of green electricity and Yellow's sling fired blasts of green electricity.
"I have an idea," Psycho Red said. "If the Kirai lieutenants could combine their weapons, why can't we?"
"Precisely, Psycho Rangers," Dimitria's voice said in their helmets. "I am sending you data on just how to do that."
Suddenly, the Psychos found themselves awash in a sea of data on the new weapon they could form together. "Perfect," Psycho Yellow said.
Psycho Pink held out her bow and Psycho Black attached his rod to its underside. Psycho Blue added his axe to the back of the rod and Psycho Yellow attached her sling to the axe's underside. Psycho Red completed their combo weapon with his sword, attached to the top of Psycho Pink's bow. He took the new weapon in his hands, the other Psycho Rangers flanking him.
"Psycho Striker!" they shouted. Green electricity collected in it, preparing to be unleashed. "Fire!"
A blast of green lightning shot out of the Psycho Striker. Another warp in the air formed in front of Tsukimaru, trying to absorb the blast.
"Keep pushing!" Psycho Red shouted. The Psycho Rangers poured more power into the Psycho Striker and the blast eventually pushed past the warp, striking Tsukimaru.
"That'll teach you to try to seduce Kaitlyn and steal her energy," Psycho Yellow sneered.
Tsukimaru rose, battered and with visibly damaged armor. He chuckled through the pain. "I did nothing that she didn't want me to do on some level," he said, smirking. "The darkness can be so seductive, can't it?"
"Get out of my sight," Psycho Yellow snarled, and it was hard to tell whether it was really Psycho Yellow or Kaitlyn projecting her feelings through her.
"I will come back for you," Tsukimaru said. "Once I get a taste, I always want more." The air warped in front of him, and he stepped into it, disappearing.
"Let's go back," Psycho Black said. "Raye, Devin, and Wayne will start to worry soon, if they haven't already." The Psycho Rangers used their speed to return to the club in only a minute or two.
"Exchange!" they shouted, surrendering control to their human alter egos. The Psycho vessels entered the club again, doing damage control to ensure that no one would be asking too many questions. Kaitlyn didn't really have the heart for it, as one thought kept running through her head.
No one plays with my heart and gets away with it. Tsukimaru, you will pay. Dearly.
To be continued . . .
Next: Kaitlyn deals with conflicting emotions over Tsukimaru and the Psycho Rangers discover new powers.