Chapter Five: Tragedy and All Bets Are Off
Disclaimer: I don't own them and even if I could afford to own them I would only want Jason David Frank (Tommy), Jorgito Vargas Jr. (Blake), Adam Tuominen (Hunter), and Daniel Southwood (Eric). They are just too good looking for their own good...sigh, But alas I don't own them Disney and Saban do. I only own the idea of Serenity, her design, and that's it. Her powers are taken from the show sailor moon, that's where I got the idea from, when I was babysitting a six year old. P.S: Any and all songs used from here on out I DO NOT OWN THEM, NOR DID I WRITE THEM, they are just being used for the story; I am not making any thing from them. Thank you Bunny.
Set about three to four months after the ending episode. Few changes though the rangers still have their powers, Marah is on the side of good dating Dustin, Blake and Tori are still going strong. Kapri and Vexacus are now in control of Lothor's ship and are trying to take over the universe. The academy's are back along with all the students.
A few quick notes on a few things through out the story:
(((())): are scene changes
"....." speaking
...: telepathic thoughts
'...'thinking
[[[[[[[]]]]]]: Time Skipping
AN: There is a bit of violence and some swearing in this chapter, I am warning you about this now, so that if you feel uncomfortable about reading violence you don't have to read this chapter, and I will completely understand. I in no way condone violence or any violent actions taken by people. Thank you, Bunny.
It was a very sleepless night for both our beloved crimson ranger and our beloved sister of a certain yellow ranger. Both were plagued by dreams of the other and ended up getting little to no sleep. Serenity was the unlucky one of the two, and did not get any sleep that night, instead she just sat on her bed with a guitar and an old worn out note book, writing songs and singing. Hunter at least was able to get a few hours of sleep before he had to go to work, but it was a very restless sleep, every time he closed his eyes all he saw was Serenity looking at him with those passion filled eyes.
Beach House:
Serenity looked at the clock on her night stand and noticed that it was 5 in the morning now; only 15 minutes had passed since she last checked the time, and she was now finishing up the song that she had been working on since she woke up at 3 am. She made a few more adjustments to the lyrics and notes, then picked up her guitar and began to play out the notes and sing the lyrics.
I know I'm kinda strange, to you sometimes,
Don't always say, what's on my mind,
You know that I've been hurt, by some guy,
But I don't wanna mess up this time,
(BRIDGE)
And I really, really, really care
And I really, really, really want you
And I think I'm kinda scared
Cos I don't want to lose you
If you really, really, really care
Then maybe you can hang through
I hope you understand
It's nothing to you
(CHORUS)
My heart's at a low
I'm so much to manage
I think you should know that
I've been damaged
I'm falling in love
There's one disadvantage
I think you should know that I've been damaged
I might look through your stuff, for what I don't wanna find
Or I might just set you up, to see if you're all mine
I'm a little paranoid, from what I've been through
Don't know what you got yourself into
And I really, really, really care (And I care about you so much)
And I really, really, really want you (I really do want you)
And I think I'm kinda scared (But I'm scared with every touch)
Cos I don't want to lose you (Cos I don't want to lose you)
If you really, really, really care (If you care for me like you say)
Then maybe you can hang through (Then maybe you can hang through)
I hope you understand (I hope you understand)
It's nothing to you (It's nothing to you, you)
My heart's at a low (low)
I'm so much to manage
I think you should know that (I think you should know)
I've been damaged
I'm falling in love (I'm falling in love)
There's one disadvantage
I think you should know that I've been damaged (I think you should know that)
My heart's at a low
I'm so much to manage (I'm so much to manage)
I think you should know that (I think you should know that)
I've been damaged (I've been damaged)
I'm falling in love (I love you so)
There's one disadvantage (I love you so)
I think you should know that I've been damaged
And I really, really, really want you
And I think I'm kinda scared
Cos I don't want to lose you
If you really, really, really care
Then maybe you can hang through
I hope you understand
It's nothing to you (It's nothing to you)
My heart's at a low
I'm so much to manage
I think you should know that (Ooh I think you should know I've been damaged)
I've been damaged (I've been damaged baby)
I'm falling in love (Falling in love with you baby, yeah)
There's one disadvantage
I think you should know that I've been damaged
My heart's at a low
I'm so much to manage
I think you should know that
I've been damaged
I'm falling in love
There's one disadvantage
I think you should know that I've been damaged...
Serenity finished the last line, and continued to play a few more cords before setting her guitar off to the side of her bed and leaning back into the pillows she began to think to herself. 'I hope you can understand Hunter. I have been damaged, I think I am starting to fall in love with you and the disadvantage to that is I have been hurt by some other guy.' Serenity sighed to her self and sat back up, she ripped the lyrics from her note book and placed them in the envelope with the note that she had wrote to Hunter earlier. She sealed it, set it on her night stand and then went to go take a shower and get ready for the long day she knew it was gonna be.
Storm Chargers 12 that afternoon:
The group was gathered in the alcove of Storm Chargers with the exception of Hunter who was somewhere in the back hiding. They were talking with Blake and discussing what happened this morning.
"I'm telling you guys something happened last night; Hunter was home before I was. And this morning he was in a foul mood, when I asked him how his night went, he just glared at me and muttered 'fine'" Blake said.
"Just because he was home before you and in a foul mood this morning, doesn't mean that something happened." Tori said
"Your just saying that because you lost the bet" Dustin said "I knew my sis, wouldn't do anything and I knew that Hunter would be home early. So pay up chumps." Just as Dustin was about to go around and collect his money, Shane spoke up.
"Hey look its Serenity, why don't we ask her what happened last night"
"Hey guy's" Serenity greeted the group.
"Hey Sere" was the reply like on Cheers.
"Have you guys seen yet today?" she asked
"Yeah he's in the back; he's been dark and broody all morning." Blake replied
"So he's angry, damn it! I knew this would happen, I never should have let him leave upset last night" Serenity sighed as she sat down on the couch and leaned her head back, closing her eyes.
"What do mean Serenity, what happened last night?" Kelly asked.
"I kissed him" was all she said.
For a minute no one spoke as the statement that she made sunk into their heads. When it did the questions all of sudden started to fly "You did what?", "Are you serious?", "When did this happen how did this happen?", "See I knew it, you lost he bet too Dustin." This last statement was made by Marah.
"What bet?"
"Hugh, you must be hearing things sis, no one said anything about a bet" Dustin said quickly covering for Marah's slip up.
"I must be hearing things which is entirely possible; I haven't gotten any sleep since Hunter left last night."
"Why haven't you gotten any sleep?" Cam asked.
"Because I have been up all night trying to figure out how to salvage any chance I might have of a friendship with Hunter." Serenity said.
"Why don't you start from the beginning sis" Dustin suggested.
"Ok, last night when you called Dusty, I had to lean over Hunter to get the phone, that's why I said I was laying in his lap. When you and I got off the phone I turned around on my back and laid down with my head still resting in his lap. We talked for a few minutes then the next thing I know we're kissing. When the kiss ended we just stared at each other, then we're kissing again, and the next thing I know I'm on the floor and Hunter is already half way across the room, apologizing to me and sprinting for my front door. I just sat on my basement floor staring at the stairwell door, wondering what the hell I did wrong and I finally came to the conclusion that Hunter must have been disgusted with the fact that I kissed him. So I have spent the last 14 and a half hours, trying to figure out how to fix things and I still don't know what I am going to do." Serenity finished up her story of last night, and laid her head back on the back of the couch. No one knew what to say; finally Tori put her hand on Serenity's shoulder and smiled softly at her, when Serenity turned her head to look at her.
"I'm sure that there is a really good reason for Hunter's reaction, and I'm sure that it's not what you think it is." Tori said softly, finishing just as Hunter walked into the alcove. He was met with solemn looks of disappointment.
"Um... hey guys." He said. Serenity's head snapped up at the sound of his voice, and the two of them just stared at each other before Kelly's voice broke them out of it.
"Why don't you sit down with us Hunter, we were all just talking."
"Naw, that's ok Kel, I've got to get going, I have a lot of stuff to do before tomorrow. I just wanted to let you know that I was heading out." With that he turned and walked away, never noticing the hurt that flashed across Serenity's face, but every one else in the alcove did.
"Sis you ok?"
"Yeah, I'm fine Dusty, look I'm gonna go, why don't one of you call Hunter and tell him that he can come back and hang out with you guys, and be sure to tell him that I have left, because I know that's why he did. He doesn't want to be around me and it's not fair to you guys, that I am the reason he won't hang out with, so I'm just gonna go." Serenity said and walked out of the alcove and the store before anyone could say anything.
"Blake", "Yeah Dustin?", "Call your brother and get him back here, he and I need to have a little talk." "I'm on it man." Blake said and pulled out his cell phone, dialing Hunter's phone number.
Down the street with Serenity:
'God, last night was such a stupid move. I can't believe I was so stupid! What was I thinking kissing him like that?' Serenity continued to ponder to herself as she walked down the street. She really didn't know where she was going all she knew was she had to get away and be by herself for a little while. After 20 to 30 minuets of walking Serenity finally came across Blue Bay Harbor Park. Seeing no one around Serenity decided to go for a stroll. She walked about aimlessly for what seemed like hours, until she decided to take a seat on a bench near the lake. For a long time Serenity just sat and enjoyed the solitude that the park provided her with at the moment, but what Serenity didn't realize was that she was not as alone as she thought. About 5 feet from where she sat a dark figure stepped out from behind the trees and made their way toward an un-expecting Serenity.
Serenity felt the hand on her shoulder and thinking it was Dustin turned around with a smile on her face, but that smile quickly faded when she saw how it was.
"Hello princess, did you miss me?" Serenity just stared in shock at who she was seeing. "What no hug for your daddy sweat heart?"
"What the hell are you doing here? How did you even find me?" Serenity asked, you could hear the hatred and fear in her voice.
"Now, now princess is that any way to talk to your father?" he asked while placing a hand on her cheek.
Serenity slapped his hand away from her, "You are not my father! You are nothing but a sperm donor, the Brook's are my family and Allen is my father not you! You have never been my fa...." Before Serenity could finish her sentence a fist connected with her face.
"You watch your mouth you little bitch!" Her father yelled. "You show me some respect I am your father!" He said standing over Serenity and picking her up by the front of her shirt.
"You...don't deserve...shit!" Serenity said, spiting in his face. For this she receives another back hand to the face, splitting her left cheek open.
"You little slut, you listen and you listen well, I know what your mother left you when that bitch died and I want it" Another fist to the face, a cut was open across Serenity's right eye. "Now are you going to give it to me or not?" he asked picking her up and looking her in the face.
"N....n....no" was all Serenity could get out.
Enraged by this Serenity's father dropped her to the ground and started kicking her in the ribs, in her back and chest. This merciless beating went on for a good 20 minutes, before he stopped and picked her up again by the shirt. "Alright you little bitch, you listen to me, if you don't give me what I want, then you are going to have to pay the consequences. And I won't take it out on you, well not physically anyway. No I think I will pay your friends a little visit." The only reaction from Serenity was a moan, whether it was of pain or protest he didn't know. "Yes, I think I will start with that brother of yours, then maybe the pretty little blonde; she looks like fun. Oh and lets not forget the bastard that you are seeing." Serenity started at the mention of Hunter. "What, princess, you didn't think I knew? Of course I know all about your little boy toy, and I must say unless you give me what I want, he will suffer the most." With that said he started to beat her again, but before he got many more shots in some yelling stopped him.
"HEY! What's going on over there?" Serenity's father stopped what he was doing and ran into the shadows, while the mysterious person jogged up to where he had last seen the man standing, when he arrived he was shocked to see a young women lying on the ground surrounded by what appeared to be her own blood. "Oh my god, young lady can you hear me?" He asked carefully turning Serenity over onto her back, all he heard was a moan. Checking for a pulse he asked her if she could talk and what her name was, but getting no response from her, he pulled out his cell phone and dialed 911.
911 Conversation:
"Hello 911, what is your emergency?"
"Yes hi, I am in Blue Bay Park and I have just come across a young woman who appears to have been beaten pretty badly with the last 30 minutes from the look of it."
"Ok sir does she have a pulse?"
"Yes, but its weak and she is losing a lot of blood"
"Alright sir, just stay with her; I have alerted the police and paramedics, they should be arriving shortly."
"Ok, I hear the sirens now. Alright I see the police they are heading this way. Thank you"
End Conversation.
"What happened here?" the sheriff asked.
"I'm not sure I was just jogging bye when I saw a man, leaning over something and continually raising his hand, and kicking at something. When I yelled out to him, I must have scared him, because he took off running that direction." The jogger said.
"Alright thank you, please go with this officer down to the station to file your statement." The sheriff said, while turning toward another deputy who approached him.
"Sir, we have the K-9 units searching right now, but so far nothing and we also found this near the victim." The deputy hands the sheriff Serenity's purse "nothing appears to be taken from it or the victim, wallet, jewelry its all still there, so we have ruled out a mugging." The deputy said.
"Have you contacted the family of the victim yet?" the sheriff asked.
"We have someone doing that right now sir." The deputy replied.
"Good, keep looking and inform of anything you find."
"Yes, sir" with that the deputy walked away.
Storm Chargers:
This takes place at the same time Serenity is in the park. Blake had called Hunter and he was just coming back through the doors of Storm Chargers. The group motioned for him to come into alcove with them and to sit down on one of the couches, which Hunter did while calling out a greeting to every one.
"Hey guys, what did you need me to come back for."
"Well actually we didn't need you to come back" Tori said. Hunter looks at her weird
"Serenity asked us to call you and have you come back, because she decided to leave and for some strange reason she felt that the reason you didn't stay to hang out with us is because she was here. Now Hunter why would she think a thing like that?" Marah said.
"I don't have any idea why she would think that do you?" he asked.
"I think that it might have to with what happened last night at her house." Dustin said. "What did happen last night Hunter, and remember this is my sister you are talking about, plus she already told us what happened, but I want to hear it from you." He finished.
"Well we watched he races, you called Dustin, she had you head pillowed in my lap and I took advantage of her and kissed not just once but twice. I was so disgusted with my self that I ran out, and I can't face her now after what I did."
The group was stunned into silence by what Hunter had just told them. It was the complete opposite, yet the same as what Serenity had told them, the only difference being Hunter blamed him self this time.
"Wait a minute...let me get this straight, you kissed her first, she didn't kiss you?" Shane asked.
"Yeah, why" Hunter asked.
"And you ran out because you thought you had taken advantage of Serenity and you were disgusted with yourself?" Cam supplied
"Yeah, again why do you ask?"
"Dude are you an idiot or are you just plain dumb!?" Dustin cried out.
"Dustin what are you talking about?" Hunter asked
"Bro, Serenity left today and had us call you because she thinks that you are disgusted with her, for her kissing you and she thinks that she has lost you as a friend and everything." Blake said.
"What, I'm not disgusted with Serenity, it's quite the opposite really." Hunter said.
"Dude, all I know is that my sister is taking you running out like that really hard and you..." Before Dustin could finish what he was saying his cell phone rings. He looks at it strangely before answering.
One sided conversation: "Hello, (pause), Yes this is Dustin Brooks, (pause), Yes I know her she's my sister, (pause), WHAT! Oh my god, when did this happen, (pause), Oh god, where is she right now? (pause), Yes I know where Blue Bay General is, (pause), Yes alright I'll be right there." Dustin hangs up the phone and sprints for the door, but stops when the others, (who are now extremely worried, especially Hunter), ask him what is going on.
Dustin stops really quickly and turns back to the group "That was a nurse at Blue Bay General, Serenity was found in the park beaten up pretty badly" Gasps where heard and all the guys stood up. "I have to get to the hospital immediately!" Dustin said and turns back to the door.
"Dustin wait" Tori yells, "We can take my van come on" she says and the group heads for Tori's van, but Kelly says she has to close up the shop and that she will be there as soon as she done, the others nod and take off.
Blue Bay General Hospital 20 minutes later:
The group of rangers burst through the door of the emergency room with Dustin leading the charge. He immediately ran for the front desk, speaking so fast that the nurses had to ask him to repeat what he had just said. So taking a deep breath Dustin tried again.
"My name...is Dustin Brooks...I was called about my sister...Serenity Brooks, she was just brought in." Dustin got out this time at a pace where the nurses could fallow.
"Oh yes, she was brought in no more the 30 minutes ago I believe Dr. Lei is with her right now if you would like to take a seat I will see if I can find him." The nurse at the counter said.
"No, I would not like to take a seat, I would like to see my sister and I would like to see her NOW!" Dustin said forcefully, while slamming his hand on the counter. A hand on his shoulder told him to calm down, that getting upset wouldn't help anything, and before anyone else could say anything, an elderly Asian man came through the door.
"Mr. Brooks?" he asked
"Yes, that's me. I'm Dustin Brooks, how is my sister doctor? Can I see her now?" Dustin asked in a hurry.
"If you will please come with my Mr. Brooks I will take you to see your sister and explain on the way."
A tug on his shirt sleeve had Dustin looking behind him at the group who had been standing quietly until now. "Oh doctor can they come too? Their the closest thing to family Serenity and I have?" Dustin asked.
The doctor just looked at the group who all had worried expressions on their faces, and nodded his head for them to follow also.
"Mr. Brooks, your sister was found in the park, she was severely beaten by someone. Now you have to understand that your sister received an undetermined number of blows to the head, abdomen, chest and back. She has a very bad sprain to her right wrist; she has contusions to the face and torso. She has three broken ribs and is developing some very bad bruising, but what is most worrisome is that fact that you sister is in a mild comatose state." The doctor said as he came to a stop outside a door.
"What...what does that mean? A mild comatose state?" Dustin asked getting chocked up.
"It means simply Mr. Brooks that your sister is unconscious and we do not know when she will wake up. We have preformed a serious of cat-scans and there is no swelling of the brain at all, and we have not as of yet found out the reason why your sister will not wake up. We have her hooked up to a breathing apparatus, a heart monitor and a brain wave monitor. She will be monitored around the clock to make sure that there are no complications, you have my word that every thing is being done to help your sister."
"Thank you doctor can I see her now?" Dustin asked
"Of course, please follow me."
Dustin turned toward the group "Guys...I...um...I want to go in alone first ok? I just need to have a sec by myself."
"Sure, Dustin go a head." Tori said placing a hand on his and giving him a small smile. Dustin smiled back at her and turned to follow the doctor into the room.
Dustin had faced many disgusting and horrible things in his career as a ranger, but nothing could have prepared him for what he saw when he walked into that hospital room. He immediately went to Serenity's bed side and carefully took her bandaged hand into his, softly stroking the right side of her face. "Oh god sis, who ever did this is going to pay. I never should have let you leave the shop, or I should have gone with you" Dustin said, the tears he had been holding back ever since he got the call burst forth. "I'm so sorry sis, I'm so sorry" Dustin cried laying his head on the bed next to Serenity.
Mean while back out in the hall no one had spoken yet. Blake was sitting in a chair holding Tori on his lap as she let silent tears fall down her face and onto his shoulder. Shane and Cam had gone back out to the waiting room, Shane to wait for Kelly and Cam went to go and call his father. Hunter was leaning on the wall with his head down, his hair falling to his shading them from the view of others. Marah cautiously walked up to him and placed a soft hand on his shoulder.
"Hunter...are you ok?" she asked softly.
Hunter slowly lifted his head and Marah was able to see a few tears escape his eyes as he shook his head no and proceeded to sink to the floor and barring his head in his needs. Marah sank to the floor with him and put her arms around him.
"God, this is my entire fault, it's my entire fault" was all that Marah heard from hunter before his word became to mumble to understand, and he started to cry. All Marah could do was rub his back as tears of her own fell, she cried for her boyfriend who was hurting, for Serenity who was unconscious, and she cried for the man in front of her who never showed emotion, now openly weep, for the young women lying in the bed just on the other side of the wall they were sitting against.
AN: Ok, there's chapter 5. I hope it wasn't to dark or violent for anybody. I will try to get chapter 6 out soon, I leave for school at the end of the week, so I've got a ton of packing to do. Please review it just such great motivation for me to write. And thank you to garnetred, YellowCrimsonforever, Blake-Tori88, Aneesha 1119999, Advice-1o1, and Tricky Storm for all your reviews, I really love them. Bunny
Quote: "Violence is the last refuge of the incompetent."
Issac Asimov