Disclaimer: I don't own anything

Okee day, here you go. Another chapter for your viewing pleasure. Just as a note, the dream is in third person but Hunter is seeing it from Khyuss' eyes.

As usual, thanks to the reviewers

Titanium Gold: Haha! I love it when you review! It gives me a chance to explain the story and give you a better insight! Keep those inquiries coming! Anyway, in response to your question, the grudges are simply used to build the tension. Trent's grudge with Conner is obviously to push the red ranger into telling his feelings to Kira. The grudge between Conner and Blake is because Blake feels guilty that he isn't suffering with Hunter and resents Conner because he is the one who will save Hunter. You gotta understand that Blake plays a huge part in healing Hunter but his part isn't getting the Orb but what happens after...does that make an inkling of sense? So thanks for the kind words.

Anyway, thanks again to everyone else! On to the story!

Chapter 8

Flight of the Phoenix

The dark midnight sky burned a velvet black, and Conner lay back against the hammock swinging softly, idly manipulating a ball of flame in his hands. Closing his eyes, the jock was aware of every emotion coursing though his body: fear, anxiety, doubt. But as he sensed Kira's presence near him, the fire within surged with his passion.

Slowly, the yellow ranger crept forward on the seemingly unsuspecting red ranger, ready to scare the daylights out of him. Leaping, Kira pounced. Conner's honed reflexes kicked in, and, in one fluid motion, the jock caught the musician around the waist. Rolling over, he pinned the yellow ranger under him, bracing his forearms on either side of her head. Kira blew a strand of wavy hair away from her face to find Conner's honey eyes laughing down at her, his mouth quirked upward in the trademark McKnight grin.

"Nice try but I felt you the moment you opened the screen door."

Kira shot him her standard look of exasperation, the expected response to his statement.

"What? I forgot you aren't the oblivious, air headed jock you used to be."

Said jock's face registered a teasing hurt, and his amber eyes flashed mischievously, "Oblivious, huh? Wouldn't an oblivious person not know your most ticklish spots?"

"Conner, don't you-" The yellow ranger's command was cut off as Conner's nimble fingers sought out her sensitive areas, and she squirmed, fighting to extricate herself from the red ranger's digits.

"Say 'Conner, I love you'!" The jock demanded as the tears of laughter started to flow from Kira's hazel orbs.

"Conner, I love you!"

The red ranger grinned even wider, "Scream it!"

The musician obeyed, her desperation to be rid of the sensations prevailing over her dignity, "CONNER, I LOVE YOU!"

Abruptly, Conner stopped and shook his head in mock disgust, "Now, now, Kira. There's no need to throw yourself at me, I already love you back."

Growling, Kira shoved the red ranger off her, sneaking in a hard sock to his arm. Laughing, Conner pressed a fierce kiss to her lips, dissolving her disgruntled thoughts and his misgivings for the moment. As they broke away, Kira snuggled into the crook of his am, laying her head into his chest, threading her fingers through his. Relaxing into his embrace, she could feel the tension wringing his strong shoulders.

Kira looked into his open honey eyes and saw every emotion plaguing his conscience, "So, you gonna tell me what's bothering you or are you gonna hide it and continue crushing my fingers?"

Conner pressed a kiss to her forehead and eased his grip, glancing down at their joined hands, "It's nothing. Just the normal, 'I'm either gonna come back in total triumph or end up dying a horribly decapitated death' paranoia."

Kira rolled her eyes, "Lovely." Shifting, she raised herself up on one elbow to gaze up at the red ranger, "You'll do fine."

Conner grunted, "For the sake of the universe, I sure as hell hope so." He sighed, "Just promise me you won't let my brother sweep you off your feet while I'm gone."

The musician grinned, "Don't worry. I'm pretty sure I fell for the right twin."

The jock huffed a short laugh, "Yeah, that's reassuring."

The two rangers snuggled closer, swaying softly from the hammock. Conner forgot his troubles for the moment, the sensation of Kira in his arms providing him with the peace he needed. Time was slowly creeping closer to his destiny.

xxx

The next morning shone bright and luminous in stark contrast to the grim and anxious atmosphere of the rangers. Both teams stood in Ninja Ops surrounding Conner and Tori, a motley crew gathered for an unconventional send off. The two rangers stood opposite each other in their uniforms, their respective teams around them, and packs carrying necessities at their feet. Conner stepped toward his twin brother.

"Make good use of this, bro." Removing the bracelet from around his wrist, Conner placed it in his brother's palm.

"See, you do get to do some kick-ass things." Conner smirked, "Just after I do." The jock couldn't help but chuckle.

"You are so lucky we share the same DNA." The younger McKnight grabbed his brother in a fierce hug.

"Be safe, Conner. And don't worry, the world is secure with me as the red ranger."

Conner smiled, "I know. Do me a favor and watch over her." The target of his statement scowled as she advanced him.

"I'm perfectly capable of kicking ass, thank you." Even with her defiant stance, Kira threw her arms around Conner, clinging to him tightly, and pressed a kiss to his lips.

"If you don't come back, Conner, heaven help you. I will hunt you down in the after life and personally shove your Tyrannostaff down your throat."

Conner grinned, "Don't worry, babe, I'll keep that in mind." He grunted as Kira's hand came into contact with his stomach, and the yellow ranger glowered at him.

"What have I told you about calling me 'babe'?" Conner chuckled at the affection veiled in the statement as he leaned down to catch Kira's lips in his.

Across the room, Tori removed her own morpher and handed it to her water student, Tally. The younger ninja looked down at the bracelet in awe, her eyes also conveying slight trepidation. Tori placed a comforting hand on her student's shoulder.

"You'll do fine," The water sensei assured Tally, "Just remember what you've been taught." Tori turned and locked eyes with Hunter. The crimson ranger advanced on her and engulfed her lips in a kiss that sparked with the throes of love. Breaking away, Hunter brushed away a strand of hair that had ventured onto her forehead.

"Come back soon," The thunder ninja winked roguishly, his sapphire eyes twinkling with mischief, "We have a lot of catching up to do."

Billy strode to the center of the room and motioned to the two rangers about to depart, black cases in his hand. Opening them, Billy revealed two original-style silver communicators, color-coded in red and gold for Conner and blue for Tori.

"These are your communicators. I've coordinated them to work on Phaedos, and they will be able to give us a video feed. Push the orange button to contact each other and us." He gazed uneasily at the two rangers, "Since you don't have your morphers, you will be extremely vulnerable. Be careful." Billy moved to behind a computer module.

"When you're ready, we'll begin the teleportation sequence."

Shrugging on their packs, Tori and Conner moved to the center of the floor and stood side by side. Conner glanced toward Tori and forced a weak smile.

"Ready?"

Tori nodded faintly, "Yeah."

The red ranger stretched out his hand, and Tori clasped it tightly while the two shared a look of trust. Billy poked his head out from behind the computer and smiled gently at the two.

"May the power protect you." Pressing a button, the group of ranger watched as Conner and Tori dissolved into tiny particles of red and gold and blue, flying out into the sky towards their destination.

xxx

Khyuss observed the color-coded streaks fly pas his mountain palace. Crossing over to an ancient hearth, the sorcerer threw a handful of dust into the center, conjuring up a bright green flame. Muttering mystical words, Khyuss concentrated his hands and shot a ball of purple energy into the fray.

"Arise, Cryorgs!" From the depths emerged a group of creatures with the appearance of being carved from stone, their faces blank as marble. The sorcerer turned to the minions and dismissed them with a casual wave of his hand.

"Destroy them."

From the Cryorgs' backs sprouted leather like wings, and they departed in hot pursuit behind Conner and Tori. Khyuss looked on from the balcony, and the smallest of smiles played across the corners of his mouth. The odious stench of evil was beauteous in the morning.

xxx

The two streaks landed on the shores of Phaedos where the Ninjetti rangers stood years before. As the bodies of Tori and Conner materialized, the red ranger tottered unsteadily. Staggering towards the nearest boulder, Conner plopped himself down and groaned, looking a bit green around the gills. Tori raised an eyebrow.

"Teleportation not your thing?"

Conner shook his head weakly, "Not the method I prefer." Shuddering, the Chosen Ranger held out an arm, "Hand me the water, will you?" Taking a swig from the canteen, Conner spat, ridding his mouth of the vile taste. Tori rolled her eyes.

"Ladies and gentleman, the protector of the universe."

Conner's head snapped up in annoyance, "Sorry if my stomach doesn't sit too well after being broken down into tiny particles and flown to another galaxy. Ever heard of airsickness? Well, this is teleportation sickness."

Tori didn't respond, looking up into the sky, "Well, I hope your stomach is sitting pretty now. We have company."

One by one, the Cryorgs swooped down from the sky to land on the shores. Conner and Tori regarded their new companions with curiosity.

"I don't know whether to be freaked out or sick." Conner commented.

"We're about to be shish-kabobed if we don't move!" Tori retorted as a sword from one of the Cryorgs whistled though the air. Rolling away from their attackers, Conner raised the communicator to his mouth.

"Billy, you seeing this?"

"Affirmative." The blue ranger's voice crackled over the device, "They are Cryorgs, another one of Khyuss' divine creations." Billy's voice was laced with sarcasm.

"Any weaknesses?" The jock inquired.

"Uh...How 'bout I get back to you on that one?"

Conner groaned, "Peachy." Turning to Tori, he shrugged, "Rock and roll?"

The two rangers broke away as the Cryorgs attacked. Conner was flung backwards. The red ranger whirled in anger and called up his elemental powers. Shooting a ball of flame towards the offending group of Cryorgs. The flame weakened the minions but failed to destroy them.

A short distance away, Tori was having the same luck. A wave of water pushed back the advancing creatures but still they charged. The water ranger was pushed back to back with Conner with the Cryorgs surrounding them.

"Any ideas?" Tori muttered over her shoulder.

"I'm the dumb jock. Apparently, we lack intelligence and aren't supposed to have the ideas." Conner responded, wary of their predicament.

A wild yell wafted to the rangers, and a mysterious figure leaped from the cliff over head to land in front of Conner and Tori. Swinging a staff clutched tightly in its hands, the figure launched a ball of white energy in the direction of the minions. Three dematerialized with an explosion of dust. Grunting incoherently, the remaining Cryorgs took flight. Conner gazed in awe at their rescuer.

"Hey, thanks."

The person didn't answer, only whirled, lashing out with the staff, attempting to swipe the jock off his feet. Conner leaped over the flying weapon, flipping over the cloaked figure. As the person turned to face him, Conner held his hands out, a gesture of peace.

"Whoa, hang on there. I'm Conner McKnight, and this is Tori Hanson. We're not looking for trouble."

"The Great Power you have come for has already chosen its bearers. There is no point in searching for it. Leave while you are still alive."

Conner shook his head, "We're not here for that power. And we aren't leaving until we get what we came for."

The hooded figure scoffed as it removed its hood, revealing an exotic woman, her tanned face framed with wild red curls, "I am Dulcea, master warrior of Phaedos. Even more people have been destroyed in their search for the powers of the Inferno and Lightning. What makes you think you will succeed?"

Conner's amber eyes gazed in determination at the warrior before him, and his mouth split into a grin tainted with irony, "Having a prophecy state you're the Chosen Ranger depicted to save the entire universe kind of boosts the confidence."

Dulcea cocked her head and stared quizzically at the young man, "You are the Chosen Ranger? Who has sent you to Phaedos?"

"My mentor, Tommy Oliver and Tori's, Sensei Kanoi Wantanabe." Conner answered.

"Tommy sent you?" Dulcea echoed, "I wouldn't dare to believe a man as noble as Tommy would send me a charlatan." Turning her gaze to the two rangers, Dulcea motioned to them.

"Come with me." Swiveling, she strode towards an outcropping of rocks. Conner and Tori shared a glance before following.

xxx

Kira flew backwards, hitting a stone wall behind her. Groaning, the yellow ranger staggered to her feet just in to roll away from Ivanox's sword crashing down. The cyborg bore down on her relentlessly, and soon, Kira slumped to the ground, exhausted. Ivanox advanced, his sword raised in anticipation to fulfill the vow he made to his master. Just as the weapon was to connect with the yellow ranger's helmeted head, Eric swooped in and caught the blow with his Tyrannostaff.

"Kira, move it or lose it!" The McKnight twin shot over his shoulder, his limbs shaking as he fought to hold off the weight of Ivanox's sword. Forcing the blade upward, Eric slashed the general off his feet in a shower of sparks. Brandishing his weapon, the ninja student glared down at the fallen Cyborg.

"Dude, the only thing worse than messing with a brother's girlfriend, is messing with a twin's girlfriend. Not to mention a McKnight twin! That was just asking for a beat down."

The cyborg did not answer as a wave of purple energy cascaded over him and the remaining Dryads. Kyuss' latest monster grew to enormous proportions, the rangers called upon the Zords, destroying the monster. Exiting the cockpit of the Megazords, the teams powered down. Kira wavered for a second collapsing, oblivious to the cries of panic elicited by her team. Eric reached out and caught the unconscious musician moments before she hit the pavement. The McKnight twin looked at the comatose girl in his arms to the team in front of him, worry splashed across his face.

"It's okay, guys." Cam reassured the gathered group, different forms of concern adorning each face as they gazed down at the fatigued Kira, "She's just wiped out." Ethan nodded.

"Yeah, Ivanox was totally hounding her. He seemed like he was really out to get her and was pretty much ignoring everyone else."

Cam frowned, "Any idea why?"

"Yeah." All heads swiveled to Hunter as the thunder ranger stood framed in the doorway. Slowly but steadily, the recovering ninja approached the group.

"I had a weird dream a few nights ago. Khyuss told Ivanox to go after Kira. If she gets weakened, it might lure Conner back."

Hayley cocked her head, "Are you sure?"

Billy grinned from the other side of her, "Well, we do have a way to find out." The three geniuses lay Hunter down on a chair and hooked electrodes to a computer module.

Billy typed in a few commands at the keyboard and nodded to Hunter, "Okay, Hunter, concentrate and think about the dream." As the scene played out in the crimson ranger's mind, the group watched on the monitor.

Khyuss paced, the tension evident in his quick stride and faltering steps. His blood red eyes glowed beneath the hood shrouding his unknown features as he regarded Ivanox before him.

"We cannot allow the Chosen Ranger to retrieve those powers, Ivanox. I will not tolerate the possibility of defeat."

The general bowed his head, "Please, master. I have noticed the Chosen Ranger has developed feelings for his yellow teammate. This may prove to be an advantage towards us."

The sorcerer halted in front of the cyborg, "Yes...yes." Khyuss nodded approvingly, the thoughts formulating in his sinister mind.

"The best way to defeat a Ranger is by destroying his heart. Make him suffer in torment." Khyuss turned to Ivanox.

"Pursue the yellow ranger, Ivanox. Wear her down to the threshold of her power. Concern for his beloved will surely draw the Chosen Ranger back." The sorcerer grinned with the evil of his plan, the slow, ominous cackle knifing through the palace throne room.

"Love weakens the defenses, and when he is at his weakest, we will destroy him."

The image on the screen faded to black, and the group glanced around at each other in apprehension. Ethan raised troubled eyes and voiced the question resonating in everyone's mind.

"So what do we do now?"

All eyes turned to Tommy, the most experienced of them all. Dr. Oliver ran a hand through his short, dark hair and sighed.

"I don't know. We can't keep something like this from Conner, but telling him will drive him crazy with worry." Tommy shook his head.

"We might have to let time play this one out." He glanced down at the peacefully sleeping Kira.

"For his sake and hers."

xxx

Conner and Tori followed Dulcea to the remains of an ancient temple. She led them to a hearth and motioned for Conner to join her.

"Now, Conner, close your eyes and feel the power within you. Use it to light the hearth."

Allowing his eyes to drift shut, Conner shot a small ball of fire into the center. Dulcea threw a handful of fold dust into the midst of the flames. The dust swirled and permeated the thick, dark sky. The wisps of powder intertwined to form a phoenix, its soft, haunting song echoing through the night and flames spouting from its tail and wings. The mystical bird took flight, soaring around the temple ruins, singing its mournful melody. The phoenix perched itself on Conner's shoulder, the warm glow from its flames and noble weight bringing comfort to the Chosen Ranger. The bird placed something in Conner's hands before vanishing, the melancholy tune still resounding through the silent jungle air.

The soccer player opened his golden orbs to find an ancient scroll clutched tightly in his fist.

"That is the map that will lead you to the temples of fire and lightening. What you seek is there."

"Are you coming with us?" Tori asked, and the warrior smiled in reply.

"I cannot. One step from this platform, I will begin to age rapidly." She smiled reassuringly at the pair.

"As I told Tommy when he and his team came here, the strength is inside you. Trust it. Your animals will be your guides. They will watch over you." Dulcea transformed into a snowy white owl and flew away.

Conner glanced down at the scroll then out into the rapidly darkening sky, "It's too late to get going. We should camp out here for tonight." Tori nodded in agreement, and the two began unpacking the small tents and sleeping bags.

xxx

Tori sat quietly by the raging fire, watching as Conner juggled his mini soccer ball idly to pass the time. The water ranger glanced quizzically at the Chosen Ranger

"Did you have to bring that thing?"

Conner laughed, stalling the ball on his foot, "Yeah. It's like my security object, the thing I always have with me. Funny, the whole team has something like it. With Kira it's her guitar or her notebook, Ethan, it's his laptop." Conner plopped down to sit beside Tori.

"What about you?"

Tori shrugged, "I denno, my surfboard...It's hard to say." The water ranger turned to her companion.

"Do you know why I really wanted to come with you?"

Conner grinned, "Because I'm so damn handsome?"

Tori laughed, "Keep dreaming, McKnight." Shaking her head, the surfer answered seriously, "Because this was the best way I could help Hunter."

The soccer player to her left nodded, "Understandable. Must be hard watching his life placed in my hands. Made you feel kinda helpless, didn't it?"

Tori cocked her head, "Not bad for a dumb jock."

Said jock chuckled good-naturedly, "Hanging out with a rocket scientist and a doctor in paleontology kinda smartens you up." He glanced at Tori as if he knew a big secret.

"We're gonna make it back, you know."

The Chosen Ranger's reply was a simple raised eyebrow, "And you're sure of this because...?"

Conner smiled a slow, solemn smile, "Look, I've pined after Kira for over six months, and I sure as hell didn't wait that long to tell her my feelings for our relationship to last ten days. Tori, we're both in love. Apparently, love make you do crazy things and inspires the impossible. Let's face it; what we're doing is both insane and impossible. But I don't think we have it in us to leave Kira and Hunter alone and heartbroken." Conner focused his gaze on the water ranger.

"That's how I know. I finally have Kira's love, and I'm not letting her go that easily." Conner stood and placed a hand on his companion's shoulder.

"'Night, Tori."

The surfer placed a hand over Conner's and gave it a reassuring squeeze, "Good night, Conner." Staring at the dwindling flames of their bonfire, Tori took strength from the warmth as she took strength from the one who controlled the smoldering element.

Coming Up:

Kira finds out about Khyuss' plan

Conner and Tori's first test in the jungle

Wellup, that's the latest chapter. We're finally getting into the action. Hope you all like it, and as always, tell me what you think!

Roxie