Disclaimer: I think we have already established the fact that I own nothing. Disney owns the Power Rangers, and I don't know who owns Indiana Jones, but it sure as hell ain't me... The song used in this chapter is sung by the lovely Emma Lahana, and don't know who wrote that either...

Haha! Another chapter posted. My Internet has been down for the last few days, but if I am correct, this chapter has been updated more or less according to my normal posting schedule...haha Titanium Gold...So here you all go!

As always thank you to all that reviewed!

Titanium Gold: I was wondering when you'd pick up on that...Predictability makes things so much easier, huh?

kEss-2717: Haha!Yep, death threats definitely speed up the updating process...hope I haven't kept you waiting.

And of course, thanks to all you who have loyally reviewed. Gotta love the reception this story is getting...

Song Used: Patiently

Chapter 9

The Inspiration of Inner Strength

At the crack of morning light, Conner and Tori rose, both tousled and doe-eyed. After a quick breakfast from their limited provisions, they packed up the tent and sleeping bags. Conner eased himself down by the extinguished fire and drew out the scroll. Opening the ancient document, the jock's brow furrowed, and he glanced at Tori.

"Um, I may still be out of it from just waking up, but this thing looks like it's blank."

Frowning, the water ranger sat next to him and took the scroll, "You're right. It is blank..." Conner reached over to reclaim the scroll and turned it over, searching for a way to unlock its mysteries. Scanning down the parchment, he spotted a short phrase inscripted on the bottom corner.

Look inside to light your path

The jock sat quietly, pondering the words. His ninja uniform itched, and Conner reached over to scratch the irritated spot. His fingers brushed the emblem on his upper breast. As the red ranger looked from the fire crest to his fingers, his mouth quirked upward in a smile of recognition, and he raised two fingers to the front side. Tori caught the jock's movement, and her eyes widened in alarm.

"Conner, what the hell are you doing?"

The fire ranger transferred his stare to his companion, "I have an idea."

"Whoa, wait, you said it yourself. You're the dumb jock. You aren't supposed to have ideas!" Tori's voice rose in panic, and the water ranger made a move to snatch the scroll away.

Conner grinned and shook his head, "Tori, trust me."

The surfer hefted an irritated sigh but relented, "Okay, Jockboy, but God help you if you're wrong."

"Amen," muttered the jock. Closing his eyes, Conner allowed a small spark to brush the fragile parchment. The spark flared, igniting a trail of fire that wove and intertwined across the document. As the flames died down, Conner and Tori gazed down at a distinct path formed from the ashy remnants of the flame. Running a thumb over a corner of the parchment, Conner was surprised to find the black contour of the map did not smear. The red ranger pointed to a small depiction in the lower left corner of the scroll.

"We're here." Conner remarked. Allowing his finger to travel along the paper, the jock stopped a drawing near the center.

"We need to get there."

Tori glanced off into the distance, greeted by an endless stretch of jungle vegetation and wildlife, "Okay then, let's get going."

xxx

Kira stirred in her bed, groaning as she awakened, welcomed to the land of the living with a massively pounding headache. Rubbing the sleep from her eyes, she found herself not in her room at the McKnight summer home but situated in the infirmary at Ninja Ops. Surveying the unknown surroundings curiously, Kira was vaguely aware of the fruit and yogurt being pushed into her hands.

"Here, eat this."

The yellow ranger managed a mumbled, "Thanks," before looking at her supplier.

"Conner?"

The face across from her broke into a laugh, "Nope, Eric, but nice try."

Kira managed a sheepish smile, "Sorry, wishful thinking on my part..."

Taking a bite from the banana, Kira glanced at the other McKnight twin, "Thanks for the food."

Eric shrugged, "Anytime. When you're done, take these for that headache." Kira's eyes flickered over to the pills and glass of water placed at her bedside, and she nodded appreciatively at the ninja.

"Good call, I feel like Woodstock's being held in my head."

The younger McKnight twin grinned, shaking his head, "Well, considering you got yourself thrown into three different forms of building support, namely the wall, railing, and pillar, not to mention nearly getting your head chopped off by the Deranged Tin Man, I couldn't really think up a reason you wouldn't have a headache."

Kira chuckled, taking the pills offered. Lowering the glass, the yellow ranger found Eric staring at her, concern etching his McKnight features.

"Eric, are you okay?"

Embarrassed, the ninja averted his eyes and coughed, "Uh, yeah. I'm good."

Kira shook her head, one thing both McKnight brothers shared was their unwilling stubbornness to admit when something was bothering them; she caught a glimpse of the characteristic many times in Conner, and the openness his honey eyes expressed was identical to his twin's. She could see the pain radiating from Eric's own amber orbs.

"Please, Eric. You're just as open as Conner. I can see something's bothering you."

Eric groaned, conceding defeat, "Okay, but Dr. O's gonna have my head for this. Apparently, Khyuss sent Ivanox after you so they can lure Conner back. That's why you're lying on this bed with a drum solo set on repeat in your head." Eric shrugged, "We don't know whether we should tell Conner or not."

"No!" Kira's vehement exclamation startled the younger McKnight twin, and the musician's hazel orbs flashed with defiance, "We can't tell him. I am not gonna allow the fate of the universe be threatened on my account."

Eric raised an eyebrow and tried to reason with the musician, "But what if something happens to you? That's not gonna help Conner either."

"Nothing will happen to me. I'm not gonna let anything happen to me." Kira crossed her arms across her chest, her face a mask of her trademark stubbornness. Eric shook his head, seeing it was pointless to argue.

"I'm guessing you're not gonna budge on this." Eric mused, "But I'm gonna keep an eye on you. God knows what Conner'll do to me if something does happen to you. He can be pretty creative when it comes to methods of torture..." Rising, the ninja student clasped a hand on Kira's shoulder.

"I'll catch you later. Dr. O's taking me through the finer points of rangering. I'm doing something with the Raptor Riders, whatever they are. Do you know where I can find a helmet? The good doctor says I need one..." Kira giggled as Eric swiveled to depart. Pausing at the doorway, he turned back.

"Hey, Kira?" As the yellow ranger looked up at him, Eric smiled, "Thanks."

The musician frowned in confusion, "For what?"

Eric shrugged, "For loving Conner back, duh. I mean, look how much you've changed him. He's not as much jackass anymore. He's still pretty much an airhead, but that's never gonna change..." Eric grinned, "I think it's your love that gives him the strength to go on."

Kira's gaze withered at the doorway long after Eric's footsteps faded away. If her love gave Conner the strength to go on then his gave her the hope the jock would come back.

xxx

Conner and Tori trumped their way through the foliage of the jungle, stepping over plants and pushing aside branches. Their journey from the temple ruins to their present location had taken the two rangers almost halfway to their destination. The brisk jungle air echoed with the idle chatter of the pair. Pushing aside a curtain of low hanging shrubbery, the fire and water rangers gazed at a tranquil clearing with two walls of stone, vine winding their way across, on either side, surrounding the shrubbery in the middle. Suspicion swelled in the two rangers, and Conner glanced at his companion.

"Does this scream Indian Jones to you?"

Tori frowned as she nodded, "It would be way to easy to walk across." Observing the vine walls, the water ranger thought out loud.

"Something has to happen when you do..."

Conner's brow furrowed as he stared intensely at the clearing, the gears turning in his mind, "There's one way to find out." Reaching up, the red ranger plucked a fruit hanging from the tree above him. Conner drew back his arm and rearing back, propelled the fruit through the clearing. In the blink of an eye, hails of arrows shot from behind their veiled locations, assailing the pellet. The fruit's directed path diverted considerably, colliding with the side wall, impaled by a barrage of darts protruding from its succulent center, its juices dripping down the wall. Conner and Tori gaped, momentarily stunned, at the brutal end result.

"Ooookay..." The Chosen Ranger whistled through his teeth, "Seeing that definitely puts this whole 'no one ever comes back alive' into perspective," he muttered, gesturing to the mutilated fruit.

Tori snorted in disbelief, "Yeah, this makes things a bit more interesting."

Her attention shifted to examine Conner. The red ranger paced back and forth, his nose scrunched up as he pondered, calculating their situation and forming a plan. Halting his progress, Conner whirled to his partner, "I got it."

The water ranger cocked her head and smiled teasingly, "Wow, two ideas in one day? I'm about to die with shock."

Conner let out an impatient huff, "Well, I resent that...you wanna wait till after I tell you what I've got?" Still grinning with amusement, Tori stared up at the red ranger.

"Okay, so it's obvious that those arrows are triggered by movement," The jock stated as he resumed his pacing, his brow creased in concentration, "But most of the arrows passed by at an average person's waist to head level, aiming for the kill. None of the arrows were near the ground." Tori frowned, wondering where Conner was going with his observation.

"So here's what we're gonna do. I'm gonna attract the arrows by sending a fire stream across the clearing. You crawl under at ground level till you reach the end."

Tori nodded. The plan seemed logical enough, "Okay, but what about you?"

Conner flashed his trademark grin, "I'm just gonna walk across."

The surfer shook her head, "I'm not gonna even try to fathom what you mean by that." Looking towards the Chosen Ranger, she drew in a deep breath.

"Okay, Sparky, let's roast some marshmallows..."

Conner set his stance and raised his palms. The jock concentrated his elemental power and shot a stream of fire across the clearing. As expected, the vine walls opened, unleashing a torrent of arrows into the air. Tori crawled slowly underneath the scorching blaze, carefully pushing their packs in front of her. Droplets of sweat began to form on Conner's forehead as the fire continued to spew from his fingertips. After what seemed like an eternity of anxious wait, Tori reached the end.

Calling up a fire shield that engulfed his entire body, Conner ventured his way across. Again, arrows flew from their locations. The shield around the jock incinerated the projectiles as Conner concentrated, allowing the inferno around him to swell to a higher temperature, staving off potential injury. The jock gritted his teeth, his height of focus permitting the shield to continue to pulse around him. Crossing the other side, Conner stumbled, his energy spent from the intense concentration of his powers. Tori steadied the ranger.

"Are you okay?"

Conner managed a weak nod, "Yeah, I'll be fine. Let's keep going for another ten minutes then find a place to camp out." Together, the two rangers embarked, prolonging their journey, each step taking them closer to the mysterious power that awaited their arrival.

xxx

Kira backed away on the defensive, turning away every one of Ivanox's advances with her ThunderMax sabre until a swift backhand from the cyborg sent the yellow ranger reeling. The general stood above her, his dark armor ominous in the summer light. His sword wavered above her, taunting the position she was in.

"Pray to your God, Yellow Ranger, and hope that he has mercy for your pitiful world. For with one stroke, I will bring the Chosen Ranger back, destroy him, and this worthless universe will be under my master's control." The cyborg gave a malevolent chuckle.

"I shall enjoy watch him and you beg for mercy as you watch the annihilation of your world before destroying you both."

A white-hot fury burned its course through Kira's veins upon hearing Ivanox's words. She brought up her blade to intercept Ivanox's moments before the kill. Underneath his visor, the cyborg's eyes widened at the strength radiated from the yellow ranger's petite stature. With a growl, Kira knocked the blade away and slashed across, connecting with the general's chest.

"I refuse to be some bargaining chip at your disposal." Kira snarled, the anger smoldering in her hazel eyes. Charging on Ivanox, the yellow ranger rained furious blows on the cyborg. Startled and overwhelmed by the barrage of blows, Ivanox stumbled backward unable to evade the stabs and thrusts coming from Kira's flashing sword. Slash after slash permeated the general's defenses, and Ivanox lay sprawled on the ground, his sword out of his reach, smoke wafting from his injured torso. Their roles reversed, Kira loomed over the fallen general.

"C'mon," Kira taunted through clenched teeth, "Beg for mercy."

Ivanox didn't respond, his chest heaving. A cloud of purple energy engulfed the general and his minions, calling them away. Kira continued to stare at the speck in the sky, the rage still resonating through her body, long after they had vanished.

xxx

The warm hues of red and orange merged with violet, splashing the dusk sky with a warm glow. Conner reclined on his sleeping back, staring up at the gently setting sun while Tori busied herself with tending their fire. A steady beep caught the jock's attention, and Conner fished through their packs to dig out the vidphone Billy had given them in case of an emergency. Flicking it open, the red ranger smiled as Ethan's face appeared on the screen.

"Hey, Jockboy." The gamer grinned at his best friend's disheveled appearance, "Wow, you look like hell."

"Sorry, if I'd known I had to primp myself to talk to you, I'd have broken out the gel and comb." Conner retorted. Gazing at his teammate, Conner smiled, "So what's up?"

Ethan shrugged, "Well, Dr. O.'d probably have my laptop for using this thing for personal uses, but I figured it's nothing compared to the hiding Kira would give me if you missed this." The blue ranger grinned, "She bagged a show tonight at Blue Bay's Seaside Café and made me swear I'd try to get a hold of you." Ethan shook his head.

"I know it isn't the same as watching her but considering you're galaxies away, this is the best we got. She's on in five."

Conner sat up, staring attentively as he watched Kira mount the stage, his birthday gift to her hanging from a strap. His heart swelled with pride and love as she approached the microphone, looking radiant as ever, her golden curls falling softly across her back. Kira beamed out at the audience, taking in the unfamiliar faces.

"This song is for my boyfriend, Conner, who is away from me right now. I didn't get a chance before he left to really tell him how I felt so I decided to in the best way I know how, in a song." Taking a deep breath, Kira smiled.

"I know those of you who know me will recognize this one..."

Looking back, I don't regret
One single day.
Memories will keep me close
When you walk away.
It's harder than I could imagine.
I guess I should have known that.
Close your eyes, I'll be there.
I'll come running anywhere.

Tori observed as Conner's gaze held steady on the screen, a goofy grin plastered on his grime-stained face. The water ranger smiled, seeing the light and happy disposition the jock was in, staring at Kira's image on the screen. This was the first time Tori had seen him truly happy since they had embarked on their journey and knew the petite musician was the cause.

Say goodbye, I'll be okay.
I will wait for you, 'cause
True love will never fade.
When it's real, you can feel it.
And I know, that you know
That I will keep on waiting
Faithfully...
Patiently...

For you.

Stormy Tuesday afternoons haven't been the same.
I used to stand outside and taste
The sweetness of that.
It's harder when it really happens.
Oh, I wish I'd know that.
Close my eyes, and you're there.
But I can't find you anywhere.

The words drifted from Kira's mouth in the form of a harmonious melody. But as the musician sang her emotions to the audience, the lyrics took on a different meaning. Sure, the verses and choruses came easily to her and her fingers aptly manipulated the strings of her guitar to produce the soulful sounds, she had penned each line of each verse and each measure of the music herself. She had felt the emotions that inspired the words, and this song was a common occurrence in the repertoire of sets. But this time, the vocalized verses hit a different chord in her heart, and the musician felt a strong connection to the song, for the words rang eerily true in light of everything transpiring in their present. Her love for Conner was true, real, and she would wait for him, however long it would take.

Say goodbye, I'll be okay.
I will wait for you, cause...
True love will never fade.
When it's real, you can feel it.
And I know, that you know
That I will keep on waiting
Patiently..
Patiently...

For you.

Patiently...
So patiently..

When I'm lost, I try to find you.
Turn around, I'm right behind you.

Say goodbye, I'll be okay.
I will wait for you, cause...
True love will never fade.
When it's real, you can feel it.
And I know, that you know..
That I will keep on waiting..
Patiently..
Patiently... for you.

Conner closed the vidphone as Kira's set ended, and rubbed his chin deep in thought. Gazing fixedly at the red ranger, Tori found herself taken aback at the torrent of love and affection he held for the musician. She hadn't seen that many interactions between Conner and Kira, and was surprised at the Chosen Ranger's fierce devotion to the petite singer, knowing his reputation as a self-centered Golden Boy. Conner glanced up at Tori, a newfound determination flashing in his amber eyes.

"We're gonna make it back, Tori." The Chosen Ranger whispered softly, the words veiled with a fiercely quiet conviction, "I refuse to keep Kira waiting."

Although Tori had heard him state that phrase many times in the duration of their journey, the unwavering glint in his honey orbs sparked a fresh feeling of belief in the water ranger. She believed him; they were gonna make it back.

Coming Up:

Conner and Tori's arrival at the temple

Receiving the Orbs of Lightning and the Inferno morpher...not without a little resistance of couse...

Healing of Hunter/Blake's destined calling

Ah...the thrill of another chapter completed. I really wanted to put a Conner and Kira scene in this chapter, hence the reason for a sappy moment, hope you all like it. As you can see, this story is almost over...only four or five chapters to go...depending of course. And for those of you who are waiting for Blake's big bang, expect it in the next chapter. As always, drop a line, and until next time...

Roxie