Disclaimer: The usual…I don't own Power Rangers…blah, blah, blah. I do own Maxeen Shaw.
Note: Sorry, I kinda lied. Blake only appears in this chapter half a world away. Max is in this story as well and plays a mediocre part for what's to come…I hope this chapter isn't too angsty or sappy for all y'all. I really wanted to mirror the action with Conner's thoughts about his mission. I also reposted the other chapters…didn't change anything, I was just so frustrated over the glitches in the text…
As usual, thanks for all the reviews!
MzDany: You jumped the gun on me! Well, in response to your question, Blake was scheduled to make an appearance in this chapter anyway. And, yeah, couldn't think of an accurate description of CyberCam's state of appearance…yeah, holographic could have worked but it didn't fit the way I needed it to. Ah, the beauty of artistic licensing…
And everyone else, thanks a bunch. I love all your imput!
Chapter 4
Walking Along an Unknown Path
Blake Bradley slept soundly, forgoing reality for the alternate world of dreams. At two in the morning, Australian time, the navy ranger was jarred from his blissful state by the ringing of the hotel phone. Groaning, the younger Bradley disentangled himself from the sleeping form of Maxeen Shaw. Rubbing sleep from his eyes, the motocross pro lifted the phone to his ear as he swung his legs over the side.
"'Lo?"
"Blake?" Dustin's voice drifted over the earpiece, slightly harried.
"Dustin! Do you have any idea what time it is!" Blake croaked, his mind still cloudy from sleep. Scratching his chest, the younger Bradley fought to stay awake.
"Um…no, considering you could be anywhere on the globe." The earth ninja stated flatly. Blake groaned, irritation prevailing over his normally extensive patience.
"Look, bro, if you called just to hassle me, now's not the right-"
"It's about Hunter." The statement doused Blake with cold water, awakening the navy ranger immediately.
"What's wrong?"
Dustin hesitated, "Listen, Blake, have you been feeling weird at all? Like different than usual?"
The thunder ranger frowned in thought, "Now that you mention it, yeah. I've been feeling funky this whole week. Not like a sick funky but like…"
"Like your thunder powers are gonna go wacko on you?" Dustin supplied.
"Yeah," Blake furrowed his brow in confusion, "But what does this have to do with my brother?"
"That's what's happening to Hunter." Dustin explained, "His thunder powers went totally madcap on him and he basically performed shock therapy on himself." The wind ranger drew in a deep breath, "There's a new evil hell-bent on conquering the world, and we need to get you down here to make sure your thunder powers don't go ape-wild on you."
"Yeah, no problem. I'll catch the first flight there." Blake rubbed the back of his neck, the anxiety eating at his insides.
"Okay, see you then. Be careful, Blake." The navy ranger laid the phone in its cradle. Running his hands through his dark hair, tousled with sleep. Blake sighed, his mind wracked with worry over his older brother. Lost in thought, the motocross pro jumped as he felt Max's arms snake across his back.
"Is everything okay?" The auburn beauty's eyes sought Blake's. He had told Max everything about his past as a ranger but was still a bit reluctant to explain to her what happened. Feeling the need to vent, Blake pushed aside all the qualms for the moment as he pressed a kiss to her forehead.
"Another mutant freak decided he wants to rule the universe and something's wrong with Hunter's thunder powers." Blake expelled a deep breath.
"I need to get back to Blue Bay to make sure nothing's wrong with me."
Max felt the anxious tension as she gently rubbed his back, "Well, I'm coming with you."
Blake shook his head. Although he would desperately appreciate having her there lending her support, the threat of evil was too much, "I can't ask you to do that."
Max clambered onto his lap and straddled the navy ranger's legs, facing him.
"Hey, Thunderboy, we're in this together. Besides, we've already qualified for nationals and there aren't any major races coming up." Blake opened his mouth to protest, but Max silenced him with a kiss.
"C'mon, you need this vacation."
Blake rolled his eyes, "Well, I'd hardly call this a vacation." Inside, his heart started to soften. Hunter needed him there, and he needed Max to lean on.
The female racer grinned, "You know, there's no point in arguing."
"That's because you're so damn stubborn." Blake growled, "All right, you can come. We have to clear this impromptu 'vacation' with Jackson and catch the first flight to Angel Grove." Max smirked and gave him a quick kiss.
"Knew you'd see it my way." Sliding off Blake's lap, Max plopped back on the bed. "Now get some sleep, we have a flight to catch tomorrow."
"Yeah…" Blake murmured, sliding back under the covers. Even as the veil of sleep closed the thunder ranger's eyes, his mind stayed awake, immersed in troubled thoughts about his brother.
xxx
The Dino rangers, Dr. O, and Hayley were busy at work, unloading their belongings into the McKnight summer home splayed across the shores of Blue Bay Harbor's Tsunami Beach. Conner gazed out into the distance, watching the sun disappear into the confines of the horizon.
"This place is amazing."
Conner smiled at the awe in Kira's voice. "Yeah, my family spent a lot of great summers here."
"How did you get your mom to let us stay here?"
Conner chuckled, "It wasn't that hard. I told her I wanted to spend the summer with my best friends before we all head off to college." The jock shrugged and flashed his trademark grin, which had been noticeably absent until that point.
"Considering she was so happy I got into UCLA, I didn't even have to pour on the famous Conner McKnight charm. Plus, I assured her Dr. O. and Hayley were chaperoning us." Conner laughed softly.
"She still doesn't trust hormones."
Kira smiled, "Well, it's nice we get to spend time with each other before the fall, in spite of what's happening."
The jock raised an eyebrow, "You're kidding, right? I would think you'd be avoiding me since we're both going to UCLA."
Kira nudged Conner playfully, "Spending time with you wouldn't be a bad thing." Conner's head perked up at her words, and the jock felt his heart soar a little higher, "Besides, I couldn't avoid you if I tried."
Conner smiled shyly, his eyes lowered to the ground. Standing close together, the two rangers rested contentedly on the shores, stealing glances at each other, the affectionate feelings beginning to bloom between the two.
"Hey, Jerk-Off!" The tender moment shattered as Conner whirled to find his twin brother striding across the grass, arms spread wide in greeting. Conner grinned broadly as the two shared a manly embrace.
"How's it hanging, Ass Wipe?" Kira rolled her eyes in exasperation at the antics of the McKnight twins but smiled at the drastic change in mood Conner expressed at the arrival of his twin and saw the genuine happiness radiating from the red ranger. Eric drew away and punched his brother lightly on the shoulder.
"Heard you were in Blue Bay. Apparently it's on business, right Red Ranger?"
Conner went slightly on the defensive, "Where did you hear that from?"
Eric grinned, "Shane." The soccer player relaxed.
"Did you really think you could keep something that big from me? When were you planning on telling me you were a ranger?"
Conner shrugged, his hands stuffed into his pockets, "Like I could slip that tidbit of information in between saving the world and trying to pass twelfth grade?"
Eric shook his head, "Man, why do you get to do all the kick-ass things?"
Conner grinned, "Once second best, always second best."
Eric groaned, "Just because you were born two minutes earlier…" Looking over his twin's shoulder, Eric spotted Kira.
"Whoa, there. Aren't you gonna introduce us, bro?"
"Uh, yeah. Eric, this is Kira, the yellow ranger. Kira, my twin brother, Eric." The younger McKnight twin flashed a grin, shamelessly checking out the petite musician.
"Yeah, dude, I'm definitely liking the perks of being a ranger if you get to work with this babe."
Kira's hazel eyes flashed warningly, and Conner recognized the dangerous look. Stepping back, the red ranger bit back laughter as he watched his teammate bear down on his twin, fury in her eyes.
"Look, 'dude', the name's 'Kira'. And if you have an ounce of whatever intelligence Conner has, it shouldn't be all that difficult to remember." Conner straightened slightly, unsure of whether to be incensed or delighted at the backhanded compliment.
"Well I resent that." The jock muttered.
"No offense, Jockboy." The musician added as an underside to her friend. Turning back to the other McKnight, the yellow ranger poked a finger into his chest.
"'KIRA.' Four letters,two syllables. Not that hard." Kira crossed her arms over her chest and tossed her head in disgust.
"What is it with you McKnight men and calling girls 'babe'?" Conner snorted with laughter at the befuddled look on his brother's face.
"Whoa, feisty, isn't she?"
Conner smiled as he gazed affectionately at the musician, an adorable scowl adorning her face, "Hell yes, she is. Awesome, huh?"
Eric raised an eyebrow at his twin who gave Kira a playful shove. "Sorry, bro. Didn't realize I was treading on territory here." Conner and Kira whirled toward Eric.
"I'm not-" Conner stammered.
"He's not-" Kira began.
"We're not together." The two flustered rangers babbled almost incoherently in unison. Eric shot them a skeptical, almost amused, look.
"Riiight…Okay, whatever you guys say."
A deep blush tinted Conner's cheeks. Turning his brother around, the red ranger pushed the ninja student towards his Mustang, "Hey, bro, since you're here, make yourself useful. Go help Ethan, the dude in blue, with those boxes." Eric stumbled away, not before tossing a self-satisfied smirk over his shoulder. The red ranger gave a slight shake of his head before turning back to Kira.
"Sorry about that."
Kira smiled, amused. "It's okay. Now I know where you get your charm." Conner forced out a laugh, which didn't go unnoticed. The tension lay heavily across the jock's shoulders.
"So how are you dealing?"
Conner grunted, "Considering I am responsible for preserving the universe as we know it…not bad." The red ranger shook his head.
"Five days ago, I was worried how we all were going to keep in touch during college." Conner sighed, "It all seems stupid now."
The soccer star looked out into the ocean, searching for the answers to the abundance of problems he now bore the weight of in the gently rippling waves.
"Destiny sure brings a lot of baggage."
Kira stared at the red ranger, deep in thought. In stark contrast to his normal state, the yellow ranger caught a glimpse of the growing maturity in the jock as he accepted the weight of his burden, drastically changing the frivolous jock's disposition. The two stood together, looking out into the ocean abyss, curious of where Conner's destiny would lead them.
xxx
From the highest window of the two-story house, Dr. Oliver and Ethan peered down at the two rangers standing despondently on the shores.
"Do you think he can do it, Dr. O?" Ethan inquired, appealing the veteran ranger. Tommy sighed, his faith strong in the red ranger, but sensing his doubt.
"Yeah, I do. But it doesn't mean anything if Conner doesn't believe in himself."
xxx
Tori sat at the edge of the bed at the Ninja Ops infirmary, looking forlornly at the still form of Hunter Bradley. The thunder ninja's breathing came in ragged gasps, the convulsions ceased for the moment. Tori grasped his hand, their fingers threaded together. It saddened the water ninja to think that this was all she could do to comfort Hunter: hold his hand. Reaching up, she brushed a lock of his dirty blonde hair off his clammy, sweat-soaked forehead. Just that morning, she had run her hands through the soft strands as his eyes glinted, alight with happiness. The blue ranger longed for those sea-blue eyes to open again and gaze upon her with the unconditional love he felt in his heart. Hunter lay motionless, the only movement in his chest as the ninja struggled for air. Tori wished he would move. Lift a finger, twitch an eyebrow, quirk that lazy smile that made her heart flutter, anything to show he was going to be okay. Sighing, the surfer laid her chin on her arms, exhausted from worry.
"C'mon, Hunter. Wake up, Dirtmonkey." Tori pleaded softly, calling Hunter the pet name she knew he hated, "We need you now." Tori drew in a deep breath, the tears threatening to spill down her cheeks.
"I need you now."
The blue wind ranger jumped slightly as a hand fell upon her tense shoulders. Turning, Tori's gaze rose steadily until it met Sensei's kind eyes.
"Tori, I'd like to speak with the team in the air dojo." Reluctantly, Tori wrenched herself from Hunter's bedside. Pressing a kiss to his moist forehead, the wind ranger followed Sensei to the upper level.
xxx
The four Ninja Storm rangers gathered together as their mentor paced in front of them.
"Rangers, I am sure you are aware that Conner is relatively untrained in the martial arts, although, his brother, Eric is an air student here." Sensei surveyed the group.
"According to Dr. Oliver, Conner is an exceptional fighter, yet lacks proper instruction. I am requesting that each of you help instruct him in the method of our ways in order for him to be truly prepared for his task at hand." Kanoi appealed to his wind rangers.
"Will you help him?"
Shane spoke up for the group, "Of course, Sensei. Will we be training the other rangers too?"
"No, Dr. Oliver will be educating the rest of the team for the time being. Conner's journey is difficult and dangerous, and he will need every one of his skills to be at peak form for his mission to be successful." Sensei glanced at each of his rangers in turn.
"Each one of you will be honing a certain facet of Conner's skill. Cam, you and Hayley must find the exact location of the Inferno morpher and the Orb of Lightning. Many of the ancient texts in my possession will aid you." Cam nodded in affirmation.
"Shane, you will enhance Conner's physical qualities. You must increase his strength and endurance in both body and mind." Sensei turned to the water ranger.
"Tori, you will train Conner to increase his agility. Give him the ability to move as quick as a dolphin swims through water and just as effortless."
Kanoi averted his attention to the earth ninja, "Dustin, teach Conner about armed combat. Make him confident with a weapon his hands. Fuse them together so they move as one. Is Blake able to come?"
Dustin nodded, "Yes, Sensei. He's flying in tomorrow morning."
"Excellent. He will educate our Chosen Ranger in hand to hand fighting."
"And you, Sensei?" Shane inquired.
"Naturally, I will be instructing our young apprentice on how to harness his elemental powers." Sensei bowed to the rangers, a gentle smile on his weathered face, "Now, get some rest. We begin training our protector in the morning." As the teens turned to depart, Sensei called Tori back.
"Tori, a word please?" Curious, the water ranger looked back to her friends.
"I'll catch up." The water sensei frowned at Kanoi's troubled face.
"Tori, I am going to ask a favor of you. It is dangerous and trying to your inner strength, but I believe you will succeed." The wind sensei sought out his student's brilliant blue eyes as they looked inquisitively at him.
"You will need to accompany Conner on his journey to retrieve his morpher and the Orb."
A concerned expression flashed across Tori's face, "Why me, Sensei?" Kanoi smiled.
"In ancient texts explaining the uses of the Orb of Lightning, it also states that the power of water is essential for the Orb to be obtained. Without your powers, the Orb is unable to be touched. Only water will counteract the energy emitted from the Orb." Sensei gazed at the water ranger, his concern evident.
"Tori, I know this is a lot to ask of you-"
The surfer cut him off, "No, Sensei, don't apologize. There is no question about it. This is what I've been waiting for. I mean, I've spent day and night at Hunter's bedside, torn with the hopelessness I've felt unable to help him. Now I can do something to ensure he is returned to me, to all of us. I'll do it."
Sensei inclined his head in gratitude to the water ranger, "Thank you, Tori. Now, go home, get some rest. We have a busy day tomorrow." As the water ranger departed, the mentor walked outside to the patio of his academy and gazed up at the night sky. Tomorrow would be a trying day, not only for Conner but for the wind rangers as well. He only hoped that the Chosen Ranger would rise to the occasion.
xxx
As Sensei looked out into the darkness, a few miles away, his Chosen Ranger reclined in a hammock in his back yard, staring idly into the same night abyss dotted with multitudes of stars. It was astonishing to the red ranger to think that the fate of all life known and unknown inhabiting the endless obscurity would be judged by his actions.
"You know, you're getting into this habit of being off by yourself." Conner looked up and smiled weakly at the approaching yellow ranger, clad in a form-fitting yellow and black baby tee and black sweatpants, her golden curls falling softly across her shoulders. His breath hitched in his throat amazed that clothed in the simplest of garments, Kira could make his head spin. He shifted over to allow the musician to sit with him.
"What are you doing out here?" Conner shrugged almost imperceptibly at the inquiry, a tender look crossing his face.
"When I was little, before my parents split, my dad and I would come out here and sit and just look at the stars. He used to tell me, 'Look close at the stars.' Somewhere out there, a boy and his father are also looking out and wondering if there was any life out there. He always said we we're never alone. There's always someone out there to listen, even if it's only a star." Kira glanced up into Conner's golden eyes, millions of miles away with the stars in his thoughts.
"Kinda funky to think I'm their protection. I mean, what if I can't do it?"
His companion raised her eyebrow, "C'mon, Conner it's not like you haven't saved the world before."
The jock shook his head dismissively, "That's different."
Kira tilted her head in disbelief, "How?"
Conner grunted, "How about there's a hell of a lot more lives at stake?" He shifted in the hammock and turned to face the musician.
"I mean, with Mesogog, it was just Reefside. Now, it's the whole frickin' universe." Kira laughed slightly at the red ranger's choice of words. Conner fisted his hands through the chocolate strands of his hair, "What if the power chose wrong? What if I'm not cut out for this?"
Kira turned her hazel gaze on the red ranger, "The power chose you, Conner. It could have chosen anyone. Obviously it means you're worth something."
Conner shook his head, "How can you believe in me so unfailingly?"
Kira smiled, affection for the red ranger radiating from the expression, "Because you have done this before. Conner, Reefside's mutant freak-free because of you. You led us in defeating Mesogog."
Conner remained silent, pondering the yellow ranger's words, his heart pounding for her strong faith in him. If only he had the same faith in himself.
Coming Up:
Blake's real return…This time, I'm serious.
Conner's first day of training
A not-so welcomed visitor… well, in Conner's point of view.
So there it is, Chapter 4. Once again, I'm sorry for all the sappiness and stuff. I hope it doesn't make anyone lose interest…this will get better, I swear. Hope you all like action because the next chapter promises more…and a bit of tension between two unnameds…until I post again, read, tell me what you think, and wait with some form of anxiety!
Roxie
