Disclaimer: I don't own any part of the Power Rangers. I only write about them.
Note: In contradiction to Thunder Struck Part 2, the Dino rangers still have all their powers and zords.
Well, ladies and gents. This is the first chapter to the NS/DT fic I promised. So there she goes and hope you like it.
Chapter 1
Gifts and Curses
Hunter Bradley threw his arms up in triumph, a broad, exuberant grin splashing across his handsome features. Straddling her pale blue surfboard a ways away, Tori Hanson reveled in the delight of her boyfriend. Hunter threw his head back and unleashed a wild yell, standing confidently on his own crimson board, having just conquered a massive wave.
"I am the King of the Waves! Poseidon fear my greatness!" As if the famed Lord of the Sea heard the thunder ranger's bold exclamation, a towering wave crashed behind Hunter. Taken by surprise, the crimson-clad surfer wobbled unsteadily atop his board, struggling to maintain his balance. Hunter's efforts proved fruitless as he toppled from the board, plunging in a heap into the deep blue waters, spraying liquid everywhere.
Tori howled with laughter. The water ninja doubled over, clutching her sides as the bout of mirth threatened to split her ribcage. As her laughter subsided, Tori watched the waters, waiting for her boyfriend to emerge. With each second that passed, the water ranger's panic heightened another decibel. Tori's fear crashed into its pinnacle as Hunter's body floated to the surface. He was still. Unmoving.
Frantic, Tori splashed to her boyfriend's side. As she approached, terror gripping her heart, a muscular arm snaked around her waist. The water ninja could only draw in a breath before she was submerged under the cool, salty waters of the Pacific Ocean. Spluttering to the surface, Tori glared as Hunter's grinning face swam into her vision. Growling, the blue ranger launched herself at her crimson counterpart. The quick movement startled the thunder sensei, and soon, his head was forced down under the water. As he surfaced, Hunter sent a stream of liquid towards Tori, who retaliated. A furious water fight ensued, with Tori gaining the upper hand, sneaking her elemental powers into the battle.
"Hey, no fair!" Hunter choked through a mouthful of water, the result of a particularly brutal attack, "You can't use your powers!"
With a final flick of her wrist, Tori flung a barrage of water at Hunter.
"Serves you right, scaring me like you did." Lashing out, the surfer smacked Hunter hard on the arm and scowled heavily.
The thunder ranger chuckled, sliding an arm around Tori's waist and drew her close. The ninja gasped slightly at the intimate contact, and Hunter quirked his trademark lazy smile.
"Aw, Tori, you do care."
The blue wind ranger's anger dissolved immediately and her angry expression softened, as she gazed tenderly into the depths of Hunter's blue eyes, slipping her arms around his neck, her legs wrapped around his waist.
"Damn straight, I do."
Leaning in, Hunter captured Tori's lips in a kiss ripe with torrent passion. Fisting her hands through the thunder ninja's dirty-blonde hair, matted with the seawater, Tori parted her lips to allow his tongue access as their lips hungrily sought each other. As Hunter tightened his arms around the surfer's shapely body, the kiss deepened, their lips fused together, igniting the spark of love lying dormant within. The ardent kiss escalated, and Tori felt another, different spark. Almost like a spark of…thunder?
Alarmed, both rangers broke away, and Hunter's eyes widened in shock.
"Did-did you feel that?"
Mutely, Tori nodded, "Uh huh." She frowned slightly.
"That was too weird."
Hunter's concerned eyes expressed a glint of slight amusement, "Normally, I'd make a crack about having that effect…"
"But this isn't normal, even for us." Tori finished, her own blue eyes showing apprehension.
Hunter nodded in agreement, confused over what just happened. In that spark of his powers, he had felt the normal rush that came when the thunder within him surged, but he also felt something else. A sensation of pain, almost. The thunder ranger shook his head. Glancing out into the vast distances of the ocean abyss, gazing at the sun slowly beginning its descent into the horizon, he sighed.
"It's getting late. We'd better get in."
Tori nodded, still slightly preoccupied with what had just transpired. Scooping up her pale blue surfboard, the water ninja reached down and took Hunter's hand, linking her fingers through his. Joined by hands and love, the rangers exited the water, curious about what just occurred.
Late at night, Hunter and Tori lay in bed together. The water ninja's chest slowly rose and fell as she slept, curled into Hunter's torso, escaping reality for the comfort of her dreams. But the thunder ninja lay awake still, an arm draped across Tori's waist. As he looked down at his love, peacefully tranquil in her slumber, a look of worry crossed his attractive features. What if that spark had harmed her? Hunter tightened his arm around his surfer girl, drawing strength from her passive form. A slight shiver ran down his spine, almost a premonition of the danger he was sure that lay ahead.
x x x
Conner McKnight leaned back against the counter at Hayley's Cyberspace Café. The establishment had already closed for the night, but the team of now-retired Dino rangers stayed, as usual, just to hang out. It was over, finally. Mesogog was defeated, Zeltrax had been destroyed, Elsa returned to a human form, and Dr. Mercer was free from the abomination he had created. The last concentration of their powers to defeat Mesogog did not drain the gems as Dr. Oliver had predicted so the Dino rangers still wore their morphers on their wrists…just in case.
The jock surveyed his team situated around Cyberspace, a slight smile playing across his face. He spotted Dr. Oliver by the stage chatting animatedly with Hayley, the minds behind their team and friendship. Even though the team fulfilled their ranger duties, they still remained close, spending the majority of their time together before they departed to their respected universities in the fall.
Conner glanced at the blue ranger, hunched over a computer module, the screen casting a light glow across his dark features, no doubtedly chatting with his new girlfriend, Angela. Ethan would be attending MIT in the fall, the computer whiz excited to be surrounded by technology. At the beginning of the school year, the jock wouldn't have been caught dead hanging with the school-proclaimed King of Geeks. But that was then, this was now. Ethan was a great friend, filling the role of mediator between Conner and Kira, often quelling the two strong personalities, and calming the fiery red ranger when his anger at Trent got way out of hand.
At the thought of the formerly evil white ranger, Conner's amber eyes burned furious fire as he stared at the artist who was spending his last two days in Reefside before departing for an art university in New York. Sure, now Trent was good, but Conner never really could forgive the artist for his betrayals during their time as rangers. Trent used to be their friend, used to be a nice guy, and wanted to destroy them all. Conner couldn't get past that fact. And Trent had tried to kill Kira.
The red ranger's gaze shifted to the yellow Dino ranger, curled up on a couch, a notebook splayed across her lap. Conner couldn't comprehend why the musician had ever harbored feelings for the formerly evil ranger. Granted, he couldn't comprehend many things, but this particular issue was especially out of his reach. Sure, whatever feelings Kira possessed for Trent had since dissolved, but the red ranger figured that anyone who tried to kill you on a daily basis should not stimulate romantic feelings.
Conner's heart warmed as he gazed at the musician, her nose scrunched up in concentration as she tapped the eraser of her pencil against straight, white teeth. Kira tucked a stray lock of her wavy, light brown hair behind her ear, pondering the next line to a new creation. As the red ranger looked on at the beautiful musician, feelings of his desperate crush bashed him over the head.
His crush on Kira. Now that was way some thing way beyond his comprehension. Somehow, over the course of their duty as rangers, romantic sentiments for the stubborn yellow ranger had snuck up on him, scaring the wits out of Conner. The red ranger couldn't pinpoint the exact moment when his feelings beyond the category of friendship. All Conner could figure was that, through their time together, he enjoyed their heated arguments and clashing of wills, felt himself flush with passion whenever she touched him, whether it was to slap him upside the head or grab his arm in alarm, and became slightly dizzied when she focused her brilliant, electric smile at him.
"Hey there, stranger." Conner was shaken from his thoughts at the softly whispered greeting. His breath caught in his throat as he smiled weakly.
"Kira, hey."
Kira plopped down next to Conner, "It's not like you to be off by yourself. Is something wrong?"
If only you knew. Conner shrugged.
"No, nothing out of the ordinary." Remembering something suddenly, Conner's eyes lit up.
"Oh, wait. I almost forgot." The red ranger reached behind the counter and withdrew a large package and a bouquet of yellow roses. Placing them before the yellow ranger, the jock spread his arms wide.
"Happy birthday."
Kira smiled, and turned shy eyes towards the red ranger, flattered he had remembered, "But my birthday's not until Saturday."
Conner flashed his patented McKnight grin. "Duh, I know that. But I figured you'd put your present to good use before then." The soccer player gestured eagerly at the package.
"Open it."
Smiling at the red ranger's boyish enthusiasm, Kira slit open the tape. Parting the packaging styrofoam, Kira gasped at what lay inside.
"Oh my…" Reaching into the box, Kira withdrew a gleaming acoustic guitar. Lovingly, she ran her hands along the midnight-black wood, glinting in the dim light of the café. Marveling at the beautifully made instrument, the yellow ranger looked closely at the neck. Miniscule pterodactyls adorned the frets, and her name was engraved around the output hole near the base. Kira strummed the strings. A rich, vibrant sound resonated through the room, and the musician stared at the red ranger, wide-eyed.
"Conner, this is way too much." Kira protested, her voice breathless.
The jock grinned, "C'mon, Kira, I saw you ogling this guitar when we went to the mall a month ago. Besides, a friend owed me a huge favor. I got it at a bargain." Conner took his counterpart's hands in his.
"Even if I had paid full price, you would so be worth it." Still sensing the indecision in his friend, Conner pouted in mock hurt.
"If you don't take it, I'll think you don't like me anymore."
Kira's hazel eyes rolled in exasperation as she playfully cuffed the jock's arm. Smiling broadly, the yellow ranger threw her arms around the soccer star, surprising Conner thoroughly. The yellow ranger hugged her companion tightly, her arms locked around his neck.
"Thank you, Conner. It's beautiful."
Conner closed his honey brown eyes, enjoying the sensation of holding Kira in his arms. The jock could feel the heat of his passion slowly rise up as if the warmth were to expel from his fingertips.
Suddenly, a plant nearby the pair ignited into flames, the delicate leaves engulfed with hot fire. A thick aroma of smoke drifted in the air. Thinking quickly, Dr. Oliver grabbed a nearby fire extinguisher and quelled the scorching flames. Five pairs of eyes swung to focus on the red ranger. Bewildered, Conner shifted his gaze from the smoldering remains of the plant to his hands, sure they were the source of the flames. Without a word, the jock spun and bolted for the door, leaving in his wake four extremely confused teammates and the café owner.
"What just happened?" Hayley voiced her confusion; her eyes shifting over the remaining rangers, each faced a mask of shock.
"I don't know," Kira murmured, concerned for her best friend. Whipping around, the musician strode through the exit doors.
"But I'm gonna find out."
Kira ran through the doors of Cyberspace, swiveling her head, looking for Conner. In the distance, the yellow ranger could make out the faint outline of her red teammate huddled under a tree, the mini soccer ball absently tossed from hand to hand. Cautiously, Kira approached.
"Don't come any closer. It might happen again." Kira's brow furrowed with worry, hearing the anxiety in Conner's voice.
"I'll take my chances." Sitting beside the red ranger, Kira tentatively touched Conner's arm, "What happened back there?"
Keeping his gaze focused on the ground, the jock shook his head ruefully.
"I wish I knew. You were hugging me, and then I felt my body grow warm. The heat felt like it was rising through me and out my fingers." The red ranger glanced at his hands. Slowly the fingers clenched into fists.
"I could have hurt someone." Finally, Conner raised his honey brown eyes to meet Kira's, the amber orbs cloudy with emotion.
"I could have hurt you." The whispered words escaped from the red ranger's lips, tinged with fear.
Wordlessly, Kira drew Conner to her. The jock took comfort from the embrace, burying his face in Kira's neck, clinging to the yellow ranger, the last link to his sanity. The musician, who had often drawn strength from the red ranger in her own times of strife, felt their roles reverse. Stroking his chocolate locks, Kira murmured soothing words of reassurance to the soccer player.
"Kira, what's happening to me?" The haunted inquiry hung in the air. "And don't say it has anything to do with puberty."
"I don't know Conner." The yellow ranger admitted, scared for her friend.
The next admission chilled the musician to the bone: "I'm scared, Kira."
Together, the two Dino rangers rocked under the confines of a tree, seeking solace from one another, unsure of whether Conner's new gift would prove to be a curse.
x x x
In Blue Bay Harbor, Sensei Kanoi Wantanabe sat peacefully in the gardens adjacent to his Wind Ninja Academy, deep in meditation. Suddenly, the mentor's eyes flew open as a vision hovered in his mind. Sensei Wantanabe vividly recalled what he had seen. A single flame burned along a midnight background, the fire glowing a bright red and gold. The flame retracted to form an eye of an ancient creature, dark and menacing. A phoenix soared over the creature, its tail alight with merry flames, and came to rest behind it. The academy's sensei was unable to recognize the creature but the vision reminded him of a symbol his sensei has shown him long ago that depicted an ancient prophesy. Being young and naïve, Kanoi disregarded the prophesy as an ancient myth. But the vision disturbed the mentor.
Kanoi crossed to his study and withdrew an ancient scroll from its fellows. Carefully unraveling the delicate parchment, the sensei read over the dated writings. His eyes widened as he began to decipher the meaning, and a tinge of fear flooded through his veins. A day of dark terror was coming not only for his wind rangers, but for the Dino ones as well.
x x x
From the distant mountains in Blue Bay, in the confines of a rock palace, a spark of purple lightning permeated through the air. Two blood-red eyes flashed menacingly behind a veil of darkness and surveyed its surroundings. A cold, cruel laugh resonated through the structure, and a low growl emitted from the throat.
"Finally, I am freed! My day has come to rule the world. And no worthless prophecy or foolish, chosen rangers will stand in my way. The apocalypse has come!"
Coming Up:
The reason for Hunter's spark of thunder
Ninja Storm and Dino Thunder reunion
Well, there you go. The first chapter. Hope you all like it. Don't worry, Trent will be back soon as well as Blake and a surprise visitor. So let me know what you all think!
Roxie
