A/N: Thanks to the people who reviewed again. I need it. Inspires me.

Chapter 3

Jack stood frozen in front of Cruger. He tried to move several times, but all were failed attempts. All of them stood looking for Jack's reaction, expecting him to go bezerk. Tears ran down his golden cheeks.

Finally he said, "I need to see her." in a low voice. Cruger nodded.

"Cadet Tate, you shall go with Cadet Landors and make sure he gets to the hospital safely."

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Valdix turned the corner as he saw the sun rise. He was given a message that instructed him to meet him at the ally of New Tech Way. He noticed a short figure in the shadows of the alley. He kept up his pace and continued. As reached the shadows, he began to feel a dark presence from the figure who he knew now was a little girl, no older than 10.

"Are you Valdix?" She said in a reasonable manner. He clenched his fist in anger.

"Little girl, I really do hope you aren't the one who sent that letter, because you're wasting my time, and I don't like having my time wasted!" The girl giggled, amused at his quick temper. He let out a quick growl.

"Don't worry. This is real business. You don't have to have a cow! Now, the great Emperor Gruum to has personally selected you to destroy the rangers. He heard about you're little bout with them yesterday." Valdix was now interested. 'Emperor' anything would mean he was rich.

"How does Gruum know that I'll work for him?"

"Because he's willing to pay any amount to have those hell rats destroyed."

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Jack sat in the chair next to Z's bed. He caressed her hand as he watched her lay, wishing she would wake up. The doctors had told him that she equal chance of living as she had of dieing. The only reason he joined the team was to protect her. To make sure that she stayed safe. But he failed and now she was on the brink of dying. He grabbed his hair, not letting go of her hand. The tears began to fall again.

"Don't leave me Z. I swear I wont ever let anything happen to you again, just, please, don't leave me. I'd be lost without you." He laid a heavy kiss on her hand. "I swear, Valdix will not get away with this." A nurse walked in silently and put a hand on his shoulder.

"I'm sorry, but visiting times are over. You'll be able to see her later in the afternoon. Say around 3:00?" Jack gave her a smile. She was a Kaltronian. They were some of the best healers. He got up from his chair, not wanting to let go of her. He turned to the nurse.

"Please take of her. She's the only person I got left in this world." The nurse gave him a reassuring smile.

"I promise I'll do my best to make sure she recovers." Jack nodded and walked out the door to find Sky reading a magazine. He lowered the paper.

"You ready?"

"Ye…Yeah. Sure."

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Valdix followed the little girl through the tunnel. She introduced herself as Mora, Gruum's 'best friend'.

"Are you sure you know where you're going?" Valdix asked, still very skeptical of the young one.

"Of course I know where I'm going! Now shut up!" That was it. Valdix gathered a handful of energy and thrusted his fist through the back of Mora's head. She slid off of his fist and onto the ground.

"Annoying little bitch." He stepped over her body and continued to walk until he came upon a green-lit room. Skeleton's covered the walls. The stench would have killed him if he were a normal person. He noticed a throne in the center of the room, turned away from him.

"Welcome."

"The Infamous Gruum. I must say it is your honor to meet me."

"I would laugh, but I have no time for jokes. I need you, and you want me. If you can do this job for me, I'll pay you any amount of money. You name the price and I'll give it to you." Valdix walked over to Gruum's throne. He leaned over to his ear.

"Usually, I would have given you a straight no and killed you, but your offer," he laughed, "is to good to refuse. You got yourself a deal" He put his hand out. Gruum returned the handshake.

"Deal." Valdix began to walk away when Gruum suddenly noticed Mora hadn't returned. "Where is the girl?"

Valdix stopped in his tracks and smiled. "She tripped on the way over." Gruum was silent for a moment.

"I didn't like her anyway."

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Jack gave the rest of the team the day off while he stayed and worked out in the training facilities. He gave the punching bag a flurry of straight punches and then gave it a couple of roundhouse kicks. Sky, who was lifting weights, watched Jack with a close eye. Although he resented Jack for being red ranger, he still cared for his teammate. He knew how it felt to loose someone that close. His own father had died a couple of years ago. Ever since then, he blocked everyone out of his life and made it his sole mission to become the best red ranger ever. He dropped the dumbbell and walked over to Jack who was sweating like a snowman in hell.

"Need a partner?" He asked as he got behind the punching bag. Jack stopped punching.

"No…I'm…ok." He picked up his water bottle and sprayed his head.

"Look, I know how you feel." Jack eyed him.

"No you don't."

"Yes I do and…"

"Have you ever felt like murdering someone without second thought, Sky, hmm? Have you ever felt like if the slightest thing pissed you off, you would go absolutely insane?" Sky was silent. "I didn't think so."

"Look, I was just trying to help!"

"Well don't!" Jack yelled pushing him to the ground. The gym grew silent and their attention was on the two of them. Sky quickly got up and tackled Jack to the ground………………………………………………………………………………………

A/N: Review!