"A Sea of Blood"

Disclaimer:
Hasn't changed. Chapter One.

More Bloody Mayhem

Meanwhile, back on the Mega Ship, Andros and Karone (as well as Ashley) had begun looking for Zhane. Suddenly, they were all startled when they ran into each other. As he bumped into her, Andros immediately took a defensive stance only to let it back down upon discovering it was just Ashley.

Startled, Ashley stated "Andros, it's just me, Ashley." Sighing in relief, Andros replied "Sorry, Ashley, you just took me by surprise." Smiling relieved, Ashley added "Sorry, I didn't mean to startle you." Realizing what had happened, Andros continued "Wait a minute. I thought I told you to stay back in Reefside with the others." Coming clean, Ashley confessed "I know, it's just...I couldn't stand just waiting around, not doing anything. Plus...well, honestly, I was worried about you. I had to make sure nothing happened to you."

Suddenly, they all heard Zhane yell down the hall followed closely behind by a loud explosion which sounded like thunder. Fearing what they might find, Ashley, Karone, and Andros took off down the hall and quickly found Zhane lying face down on the floor in a puddle of his own blood.

Unable to believe to what she was seeing, Karone just clasped her hand over her mouth as she gasped in shock and screamed "Zhane!" Seeing him like this, Karone didn't even try to hold back her tears as she just let them flow freely while Andros turned Zhane over onto his back as he pressed two fingers gently to his neck.

Looking back up at the girls as Ashley had her arm around Karone, trying to comfort her, Andros commented "He's alive..." Eyes slightly widened, Ashley turned to him and asked "What? Are you sure?" Nodding slowly, Andros continued "Yeah. He's got a pulse. It's faint, but it's there..."

Listening to the exchange of conversation between her brother and Ashley, Karone turned to her brother as well and asked "Really? Are you sure?" Looking up at his sister and seeing the fear and concern in her eyes, Andros replied "Yeah..." Lifting the unconscious Zhane into his arms as he stood from his position on the floor next to Zhane, Andros added "But we gotta get him down to the Infirmary and fast."

With that, Andros began making his way down the hall as Ashley and Karone followed close behind. After what seemed like a century, the trio finally made their way into the Infirmary. The entire way down there, the only audible sound was that of Karone's dwindling tears and sobs. Once Andros had finished cleaning and bandaging the wound, he turned to his sister.

Drying the remainder of her tears, Karone asked in a small voice "Is he gonna be okay?" Resting his hand on her shoulder, Andros replied "Yeah...I think so..." As Karone slowly approacked Zhane, Andros and Ashley watched as she took his lifeless hand in her trembling hand while she used the other to gently stroke some loose hair off his face and caress his cold, pale, cheek. Realizing she most likely wanted to be alone with him, Andros wrapped a comforting arm around Ashley's shoulders as the young couple made their way out of the room.

As Andros and And Ashley left, Karone softly whispered gently in Zhane's ear "Don't leave me. I need you t pull though this. ... I love you." Silent tears began streaming slowly down her face as she tok in the sight of his lifeless form. How could somebody do something like this! Just attack someone and then just leave them for dead... Karone thought to herself as she attempted to comprehend all that had just happened.

Meanwhile, Andros and Ashley made their way to the control room and contacted Tommy and the others back in Reefside. "Tommy. Are you guys there?" Ashley once she had established a connection.

Turning to the computer, Tommy answered "Yeah, Ashley. What's goin' on?" Seeing that they had a connection, Andros added "We got some bad news..." Finishing the announcement, Ashley added "Whoever's doing all of this-hunting us all down-got to Zhane before we could."

Over hearing the conversation, Tori asked "Oh my God! Is he all right?" Calmly, Ashley explained "Yeah, he's okay. He's resting right now in the Infirmary. Karone's in there with him." As all the other rangers sighed a sigh of relief, Andros explained "I think it'd be best if we stayed up here with him. Make sure whoever did this doesn't come back for more." Nodding his understanding, Hunter added "Yeah, I think that's a good idea..." The rest of the group in the Dino Lab nodded and sounded their agreement. With that, Andros concluded "See ya guys later..." As they signed off, Andros added under his breath "I hope..."

After the connection had broken, Cam commented "Man, I can't believe how quickly all of this is happening..." Though they didn't actually come out and say it, Cam knew everyone else felt the same way. Suddenly, something dawned on Trent.

Looking around the lab, Trent asked "Hey...shouldn't Cassie, T.J., and Carlos be back by now?" Realizing he had a point, Blake looked around the lab as well as he added "Yeah...Yeah, they should have been." Turning to face the computer, Hayley tried to get a lock on their life forces in order to pin point their location.

Realizing what had happened, she turned to face the group. "Guys...I can't get a lock on their life force energies..." As her words began to sink in, a frightened yet solemn silence fell over the large group and hung in the air. Finally, the silence was broken. Looking up, Ethan asked "You mean...?" Knowing where he was going, Shane added "They can't be..." Sighing solemnly, Tommy replied "I'm afraid so, guys..."

Coming to terms with what they had just been told, another silence fell over the group. Noone could believe what was happening. Man, what I wouldn't give for all of this to just be some horrible nightmare and to wake up right about now!...Kira thought to herself. Though noone actually said it, she knew they all felt the same way.

Breaking the silence, Hayley tried to change the subject. "I'm gonna go check on the Cybercafé..." Turning to her, Trent, Conner, Kira, and Ethan exhanged glances as Kira replied "We'll go with you..." Looking at Kira uncertainly, Cam asked "Are you sure that's such a good idea? I mean, it could be dangerous..." Turning to face Cam, Kira replied "I'd rather go out and meet whatver's coming to me head on rather than just wait around for whatever it is to just happen..." Though nobody said anything, they all knew they felt the same way.

With that, Trent, Conner, Kira, Ethan and Hayley all made their way down to the Cyberspace. As Hayley and Trent took their usual places behind the bar, Conner, Kira and Ethan took their usual seats at the bar. After a short silence, Hayley spoke up. "You guys, I'm sure this'll be over soon."

Looking up at her, Kira replied "I know you're right...I just hope we all live to see the end of it all..." Understanding her fear, Ethan assured her "Kira, don't worry...Everything's gonna be fine..." As she rounded on Ethan, it became apparent to everyone that the stress of their current situation was getting the best of her. "Oh really! Well, was everything okay for Kapri! Was everything okay for Zhane! And what about Cassie, T.J., and Carlos! Was everything okay for them!" Kira shot at Ethan, one question right after the other.

Trying to comfort her, Conner wrapped an arm around her petite shoulders as he gently replied "Kira, relax, okay? Just because something unfortunate happened to them doesn't mean it'll happen to us...Besides..." Gently grabbing her chin easing it upwards to make her look him in the eye, Conner added "I'll be damned if I let anything happen to you..."

Tears stinging in her eyes, Kira replied "Conner, that's what I'm afraid of!..." As her sobs began causing her voice to crack and tremble, Kira continued "I don't wanna see you get hurt or...or..." Just saying it even proved impossible for Kira. Knowing what she meant, Conner assured her "Kira, nothing is gonna happen...I'll be fine, okay?..." Just then, some more of the creatures that had attacked the others appeared in the otherwise deserted café.

Getting up, the four teens took defensive stances. Taking in the sight of their appearance, Kira commented "Man...and I thought Mesogog's freaks were ugly..." With that, the creatures attacked fiercely and silently, taking down all of their opponents easily. As the rangers and Hayley struggled back to their feet, one creature grabbed Hayley by the throat from behind as another creature did the same with Ethan.

As they tried to help their friends, Conner, Kira and Trent were thrown effortlessly hard against the wall. Struggling back to her feet, Kira screamed out "Hayley!...Ethan!" With that, the fight continued as they were thrown around brutally and effortlessly. Finally, Conner, Kira, and Trent were thrown head first into the counter; knocking them out.

As he moved to help his friends, Ethan felt the grip on his throat tighten sharply a razor sharp blade slid slowly across his ribs. As the blood slowly seeped out of the wound, Ethan felt himself growing gradually dizzier and dizzier from the blood loss. Finally, the creature attacking him thrusted the blade sharply into his chest as he released his grip on Ethan's throat. As the grip on his throat was released, Ethan fell back against the wall as he gripped his chest in pain while blood also began seeping from his chest and mouth. As he hit the floor, a trail of blood could be seen on the wall where he slid to the floor.

Just as she tried to help him, Hayley was pushed back against the wall by her throat-just as Ethan had been. Slowly, the creature taunted her by gently pressing the cold metal of the blade against her warm throat then moved it down to her chest where he thrusted it sharply into her skin. As blood began seeping from her mouth and wound, she too slowly slid down the wall to the floor in a bloody heap. With that, the creatures just vanished.