Disclaimer: I own nothing!
Sorry for the delay in posting. I was held captive by kEs-2717 for ransom and have just been released. Haha, just joking. Actually the reason for the delay can be summarized in one simple word: grounded.
Thankie to the reviewers!
kEs-2717: Haha. I hope the excuse of being grounded will negate any plans of torture!
Titanium Gold: Thanks as usual for the review. That chapter was short so this one could be long. Enjoy!
Lucy E: Unfortunately, I don't know if I can prolong this story for more than fifteen chapters, but it may if I can think of another plot twist. We'll see...
the real vampire: One order of more Hunter coming up!
And everyone else: Muchas gracias!
Chapter 10
The Bond of Brothers
Blake looked down at Hunter sadly, unable to come to grips at the image before him. The man lying still on the bed was not his brother, at least not in appearance. The tan, rugged face of the Hunter Bradley he knew was replaced by a pale, clammy color. His sapphire eyes, always glinting with mischief and love for life, were closed, and some of the spark had faded. Hunter always had a strong, commanding physical presence that drew people to him, but now, he lay waning on a infirmary bed.
"Hey." Blake jumped at the softly whispered greeting, and he looked down at Hunter's lackluster eyes.
"Hey, yourself. How're you doing?"
Hunter drew in a raggedy breath, and shrugged, his voice raspy, as he replied, "Not bad. Kinda tired."
Blake nodded, despondent, "Tori and Conner should be back soon."
His brother nodded, a vestige of the old Hunter apparent in the smirk he wore on his face, "I hope so. I'm planning something big when this is all over."
A raised eyebrow was his reply, "You're not going to..."
With what energy he had left, Hunter allowed his head to bob up and down, "She's the one, bro. I can't see myself living without her. When all of this chaos is over, I want to do something normal for a change."
Blake chuckled, "Hate to break it to you, bro, but when have our lives been normal?"
Hunter's laughter was cut short by a hacking cough, and Blake placed a hand on his brother's shoulder as the crimson ranger drifted off to sleep. The motocross pro fought back the tears that threatened to spill down his cheeks to no avail. The hot, salty symbols of his pain flowed down his face. There he was nothing he could do for Hunter, and he couldn't understand why.
xxx
It was midnight when Kira padded through her summer lodgings, the only sound in the night sky the soft crashing of the waves. Worry for Conner provided little comfort for the peace she needed in order to sleep, and silently, she crept through the spacious house to the kitchen. The yellow ranger turned the corner and jumped glimpsing Dr. Oliver raiding the fridge. The teacher spotted Kira and straightened, smiling in greeting.
"Oh...um. Hi." The musician stammered sheepishly, "I didn't think anyone else was up."
Tommy chuckled and sat at the center island, offering up the food in front of him, "Well, I do find that midnight snacks are always better with company." Kira shot a grateful look at her mentor and teammate as she slid onto the stool across from the black ranger.
"So what's on your mind?"
Kira's head shot up at the inquiry, and the musician frowned, "What makes you think that?"
Tommy raised an eyebrow, "Kira, with my extensive experience, in this business, late night hunger pangs are not the result of sugarplums dancing in your head."
The young woman across from him gave an exhausted smile, "I don't know." Kira shrugged, a helpless look crossing her face, "I love Conner, really I do. It's just..."
"You don't know if you can balance being a ranger and being together," Dr. O finished, his head bobbing in recognition. Seeing the defeat on Kira's face, Tommy placed a reassuring hand on hers.
"Kira, I understand where you're coming from. I had to do the same thing." Catching the surprised look on Kira's face, Tommy smiled.
"Kim, the original pink ranger, and I dated when we were rangers. I had the same misgivings you do now." The black ranger sighed, "There were times I couldn't stand watching her take a hit in battle, and the day she almost lost her powers, I don't think I've ever been more scared."
"How did you deal?" The yellow ranger questioned, fascinated as her mentor revealed more of his mysterious past.
Tommy shrugged, "It was hard, but I just really had faith in Kim's abilities. I knew she could take care of herself."
Kira frowned, "So what do I do?"
Her mentor smiled, "You follow your heart. If it makes you feel better, rangers who have dated have an excellent track record for staying together. Andros and Ashley and Leo and Kendrix are a few...they're all married."
The yellow ranger tilted her head, "And you and Kim...?"
The smile on Tommy's face faded slightly as a wistful look crossed his features, "Yeah, uh, that really never worked out. We were the only real casualty. But I still have that hope..." The black ranger locked eyes with his younger teammate.
"If you love Conner as much as I think you do, you'll find a way for it to work out. In the end, it always does."
Kira smiled in gratitude at her mentor, his words easing the anxiety aching her heart. Standing up, the yellow ranger stretched and yawned.
"Thanks Dr. O. That really helped." Kira flashed her teammate one more smile before departing. Tommy watched her leave, and shook his head. Her and Conner were so much like himself and Kim at that age, and the veteran ranger smiled at the promise of their flourishing relationship. Conner and Kira definitely had the potential of something amazing. Hopefully this one would last.
xxx
Conner and Tori clambered onward, stepping over protruding plant life and ducking under low hanging branches. According to the map, they were extremely close, a source of relief for the exhausted pair. They had been walking for days in the jungle, the confirmation of their journey apparent on their grime-stained faces. Up ahead, a sliver of light peeked through the break in the trees. Exiting the dense vegetation, Conner and Tori found themselves at the edge of an elevated cliff, the Inferno temple visible just beyond the obstacle before them. A rickety bridge lay across the two cliffs, suspended an extensive amount in the air between their present location and their desired destination on the other end.
Tori and Conner inched to the edge and looked down. Conner gulped at the long drop, the end not discernible from their position.
"Oy vey..."
Tori glanced out at the rope and plank bridge, questioning its stability, "There's no way that's gonna hold the both of us."
Conner nodded in agreement, "Okay, you go first and take the stuff. I'll go after."
Tori frowned, "Are you sure?"
Conner nodded again, the nerves eating at his courage, "Yeah. I'll find a way to get across."
Tori took a deep breath and slowly make her way across while Conner waited with bated breath. With each step she took, the bridge trembled under her weight. After what seemed like an eternity, the water ranger made it safely to the other side.
Conner gathered his wits and took his first step out on to the first plank. The surface beneath his feet quivered unsteadily, sending shivers down the Chosen Ranger's spine. As the jock ventured on, the bridge quavered more violently, and Conner's fear escalated to another level. Every step taken seemed to last an infinity, and Conner was aware of the dangers. The next step proved to be fatal as the wooden board beneath his foot shattered while the rope railing severed. The bridge collapsed, each side swinging downward. Conner launched himself through the air, grabbing onto the half of the bridge closest to the temple. Helplessly, the Chosen Ranger dangled, unable to go either up or down. Time slowed as Conner hung, feebly. Sweat rolled down his forehead, the only sound his heavy, ragged breathing, the rough texture of the rope and the steady ache in his arms his only feelings.
Conner glanced to his left, and his eyes widened as he glimpsed one strand after another separate from the rope. The final piece snapped from the center, plunging the Chosen Ranger down into the endless abyss. Conner's body hurtled down into the infinite darkness, the desperate thoughts flashed through his consciousness.
No! It can't end like this!
I won't let the universe down!
I have to fulfill my destiny!
I promised Kira I'd come back!
Kira...!
Kira...!
KIRA!
As his body plummeted down into the chasm, Kira's beautiful face encompassed his vision. Defiance resonated through his perception, and he refused to die without seeing her face one last time. The phoenix song resounded through his ears as his passion flared, tapping into a deeper facet of his elemental power. Conner felt his power surge, engulfing his body in a pure white fire. His amber eyes glowed ivory, and the sphere of flame encasing his body propelled him upward. Tori gaped as a ball of unadulterated fire that was Conner floated upward. As soon as he reached the top, the flames flickered from his body, and his eyes reverted to their normal honey shade. Conner dropped from his elevated state to land hard on the shrubbery floor, an agonized "whumph!" floating from the red ranger's lungs. Tori gathered the fallen jock, hauling him to his feet. Conner blinked, his eyes bleary, and Tori's face swam for a moment before coming into focus. Conner wavered, disoriented as he tried to sort out his thoughts, and he turned groggy gaze to the water ranger.
"Wha – what happened?"
Tori shook her head in disbelief, "You got me..."
Conner shook his head, trying to clear the fog in his head. Glancing around, the Chosen Ranger spotted the temple in the distance and tossed his head in the direction.
"C'mon. We're here."
The pair approached the temple, studying the massive structure before them. Conner reached up and felt the door, looking for a way to open the entrance. His hand traveled over a handprint, and his gaze held onto the indention. He could hear the phoenix guiding him and placed his hand within the grooves. Conner concentrated his power and allowed the fire to flow from his fingertips. The pair watched with fascination as the fire spread from the handprint to snake around conduits engraved in the stone, forming the figure of a fiery phoenix. With a loud groan of protestation, the locks that had been idle for centuries sprang into motion, parting the door. Conner turned to Tori.
"Stay here. I need to do this alone."
Taking a deep breath, the Chosen Ranger strode through the doors. The entrance slowly sealed behind the red ranger, impeding the jock from the outside world. A wall of fire flared up, blocking Conner's progress. With a wave of his hand, the jock extinguished the barrier. A narrow trail led to an elevated altar, and Conner ventured across, his path illuminated by the low flickering flames that danced along the temple walls. At the end of the walkway, an ornate hilt of a sword protruded from an elaborately carved stone. Conner stepped around the stone and approached the altar. The Inferno Morpher floated in the air at the center of the altar, an orb of pulsing flame encased in a glass sphere, glowing from its resting place, suspended by a leather cord. Tentatively stretching out his hand, the Chosen Ranger make a move to retrieve the sphere when the fire around him flared. Conner jerked back as the flames surrounding the altar flared. Conner jerked back as the fire swelled higher, and a figure materialized among the depths.
"Who are you that dares to take the Inferno Morpher?"
Conner stepped forward, "I do."
The female looked downward at him, clad in robes that flowed with fire, her eyes a scorching orange glow, "I am Dynah, keeper and priestess of the fire. Many have attempted the retrieval of the morpher. Tell me, human, what makes you different."
Conner straightened, "I am the Chosen Ranger."
The priestess smiled, gazing down at the confident young man, the determination flashing fiercely in his eyes, "Numerous beings have staked that claim before. What do you intend on using the morpher for?"
"The evil sorcerer Khyuss has risen again." Conner stared up defiantly at the priestess, "It is my destiny to defeat him."
"Well then, Chosen Ranger, we shall see if you are worthy of this morpher and your chosen destiny." The walls surrounding the altar opened, revealing foot soldiers that flipped out, surrounding Conner. The fire ranger surveyed his new situation with interest.
"Okay, plunging down two hundred feet than fighting off temple cronies was so not in the job description."
Out of the corner of his eye, Conner spotted a foot soldier rushing towards him. Quickly, the Chosen Ranger sprung into a back flip while the foot soldier ran right underneath him, crashing into his fellows advancing on the other side. Conner sat his feet, moving his body to the left as a fist whizzed past his head. Forcing the arm down, Conner countered with a right cross, and a roundhouse kick sent the guardian down. Whirling, the fire ranger conjured up a fireball and sent the sphere hurtling towards a group of soldiers, rendering them into dust. As another guardian rushed, Conner sprinted towards a nearby pillar. Running up the side, the jock pushed off, and back flipped over the soldier giving chase. The Chosen Ranger ducked under a punch, retaliating with two quick jabs and a tornado kick. Conner shifted to the defensive, staving off his attackers. One blow permeated the jock's guard, sending him crashing backwards. Slamming into the rock at the end of the walkway, Conner gazed up at the hilt protruding from the center. Rising to his feet, the fire ranger grasped the handle and wrenched the sword from its holding place. At his touch, the weapon flared to life, radiating a warm orange. The grooves on both sides of the blade, looking suspiciously like flames, pulsed with energy as Conner marveled at the weapon.
With a renewed vigor, Conner rushed at the foot soldiers, the sword brandished. Minions fell with every swipe of the sword, and Conner stood among the remains of the temple guardians littering the floor. Dynah's voice resonated through the air to the ranger.
"Well done, Ranger. The inferno has found you worthy of its power." With a wave of her hand, the morpher flew from its place on the altar to rest around Conner's neck, settling at the base of his throat. The Chosen Ranger tilted his head at the temple keeper.
"Just like that?"
Dynah smiled warmly, "Yes. Just like that." The priestess gestured at the sword held captive in the jock's fist. "Only the Chosen Ranger would have been able to pull the Wildfire Sabre from that stone." Dynah raised her hands, the silhouette of a zord expelling from her fingertips.
"Your guardian spirit has guided you well, and now, you will guide it in battle. The phoenix zord with serve you well." Again the priestess waved her hand. The Inferno Morpher glowed, and flames snaked over Conner's body before engulfing him in its depths. The flames flashed before dying down, revealing Conner outfitted in his ranger costume. The primary torso spandex shone a deep red, and the leggings a gauzy black with the armbands, gauntlets, belt, and boots a prominent gold. The light reflected on the Chosen Ranger's dark scarlet helmet, the visor surrounded with an emblem of a golden phoenix. The sphere that was the Inferno Morpher sat surrounded by a crimson fire crest, embedded in the center of the ranger's golden chest shield. Dynah looked down proudly.
"Use your gift well, Chosen Ranger. I have faith you are the one who will finally rid the galaxy of Khyuss." As the phoenix song echoed through the temple, Dynah began to flicker like the flames around before leaving one final message with the inferno ranger.
"Listen to the song of the phoenix. It will guide you to your chosen destiny."
As Dynah faded into the darkness, Conner looked at the sword clutched in his gloved hand and grinned in triumph. He had done it. The power was his, and he was alive. Now there was one more obstacle to overcome before he returned to Kira. Turning, the red ranger sprinted out the door.
Tori stared in amazement as she stared at the imposing figure framed in the entranceway. Letting out a whoop of exhuberation, Tori launched herself into Conner's arms, hugging him tightly.
"Ha! You did it!" Tori pulled back, admiring the impressive costume that her companion was outfitted in and whistled softly, "Wow, they really bring it out for the Chosen Ranger."
Chuckling, the jock powered down and began walking off around the temple, "C'mon, the Lightening temple is behind this one." As the two rangers approached the temple, they gazed up at the heavy stone doors. Similar to the inferno temple, the pair could not find a visible method to open the entrance. Conner let out a growl of frustration and threw his hands up.
"Open sesame!" Tori looked quizzically at her counterpart, and Conner shrugged.
"What? It worked for Ali Baba."
The water ranger shook her head, turning back to survey the door. Running her fingers across the ancient carvings, Tori's hand paused at a circular groove surrounded by depictions of flames. As her brown furrowed, the surfer's gaze shifted to the pendant now resting around the base of Conner's throat.
"Conner, let me see your morpher." Wordlessly, the Chosen Ranger unhooked the leather cord around his neck and handed the orb over, creasing his forehead.
Tori lifted the sphere to the groove and pushed it in. The locks securing the door creaked and moaned as the entryway parted. Cautiously, Conner took back the sphere, and the two rangers entered. There was a calm tranquility about the temple, while the pair gazed in wonder at the statues surrounding the altar. As was the case with the Inferno morpher, the Orb of Lightning hung suspended in mid air, hovering over an elaborate platform. As the two rangers approached the altar, both sensed something was amiss. Turning back towards the entrance, Conner frowned.
"Wait, what happened to the statues?"
From out of nowhere, an ax came crashing down between Tori and Conner, just missing them as they drove away. Rolling to a knee, Tori gazed at the Lightning guardians that had vacated their posts, their blank stone faces bearing down on the pair.
"Does that answer your question?"
Rolling away, Conner ducked as a mace whizzed over his head, "Damn, this routine is getting tired." Morphing, the Chosen Ranger felt the power surge and brandished the Wildfire Sabre.
"What I would give to face a Tyrannodrone right now..."
Tori whirled and took down two guards with a split kick. Calling up a wave a water, she sent the swell of liquid cascading over a large group of foot soldiers, succeeding in dousing Conner in the process. As the last guardian was dispensed, Conner powered down and shook his soaked hair out of his eyes. Airing out his uniform top, Conner spewed a stream of water from his mouth.
"Dude, you are so lucky these things aren't dry-clean only."
Tori rolled her eyes as they stepped out to the altar. Conner stretched out his hand to take the Orb. The energy field around the sphere crackled and sparked, shocking the inferno ranger. Conner drew his hand back, shaking it to rid the stinging sensation.
"Okay, I'm guessing I'm not the one who's gonna get it."
The water ranger frowned as she mind reverted back to a time that seemed so long ago, remembering Sensei's words.
"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."
Calling up her ninja power, the surfer surrounded her hand with a wall of water and reached into the force field. The lightning encompassing the Orb bounced off the liquid barrier. The lightning sphere permeated through the guard wall around Tori's hand, and the blue ranger grasped the sphere. Pulling her hand away, the water ranger beamed down at the prize held captive in her hand. Conner grinned.
"Well, that was easy."
As if on cue, a rumbling tore through the temple as it started to collapse. Tori whirled the Chosen Ranger accusingly.
"Did you really have to say it?"
Grimly, Conner grabbed her hand as they streaked across the crumbling temple. Stopping at the entrance, Conner blasted the door with a ball of fire, and the two rangers dove through. Landing hard on the ground, the pair turned to survey the remains of the two temples. Conner groaned.
"Was that supposed to happen? Because I am not going to explain how I single handedly destroyed a six billion year old monument to an insurance company."
Tori grinned, "Well, look on the bright side. We got this." The water ranger smirked as she dangled the Orb of Lightning in front of the jock's face.
"Somehow, I don't think that will help my case." Conner joked as they reached their packs. Raising the communicator to his mouth, Conner laughed.
"Billy, come in. It's Conner."
The former ranger's voice floated over the device tinged with excitement, "Conner! Good to hear from you. You got it?"
The Chosen Ranger's grin grew wider as he beamed down at Tori, "Hell yes we do! Beam us back, Scotty!" The pair gave hoots of elation as the familiar colored glow engulfed their bodies, preparing to send the team back.
xxx
Ivanox dashed into the throne room, winded. The cyborg skidded to a halt and motioned frantically to his liege.
"Master!"
Khyuss' hooded head shot up, and he rushed to the balcony, following Ivanox. The blood red eyes widened in horrified anger as they glimpsed the color-coded streaks shot through the afternoon sky.
"Impossible!" The mysterious sorcerer spat. Whirling, he bore down on his general who shrank back slightly in fear.
"Send down a monster!" The beady eyes shrouded by the head covering narrowed, glowing a fierce purple, "Make sure they don't return."
xxx
The group watched with bated breath as the streaks of red, gold, and blue shimmered to reveal Conner and Tori both swathed in grime, exhaustion playing on their faces, but otherwise no worse for the wear. Their respective teams gathered around the pair, offering up their congratulations. Tori found herself swept up into Hunter's arms, lost in the jumble of arms of hugging her, the din of excited conversation wafting over Ninja Ops. Conner reached out in time to catch the yellow-clad bundle that flew into his arms, knocking him to the ground. Kira pinned Conner down, straddling the red ranger around the waist, raining kisses on the jock's face. The yellow ranger abruptly pulled back and smacked the soccer player on the stomach. Conner let out an agonized "whumph!" as he stared up at the musician, winded. Kira glowered down at the jock.
"Don't you ever fulfill another prophecy again! Do you have any idea how worried I've been?" Conner grinned, chuckling, and he pulled the yellow ranger down for another kiss.
A wail burst through the room, interrupting the reunions, and CyberCam looked up from his place by the computer, "Rangers! We have a monster and Ivanox downtown!" The mood shifted as the team transitioned into business mode. As Conner scrambled up from his position, he stumbled, and Hayley grabbed him.
"Whoa, hang on there, Sparky. You don't look so hot."
"C'mon, Hayley, I -" As the jock opened his mouth to protest, the café owner and Billy both silenced him with identical death looks. The Chosen Ranger plopped down on a seat grumbling and scowling heavily.
"Fine."
Tori grinned as Tally handed her back her morpher, and Shane took his place at the front.
"Ready?"
"Ready."
"NINJA STORM, RANGER FORM!"
"THUNDER STORM, RANGER FORM!"
Tommy raised his wrist, "Ready?"
"Ready." Conner smiled with pride at the sight of his brother taking his place behind Dr. O.
"DINO THUNDER, POWER UP! HA!"
"WHITE RANGER, DINO POWER!"
Conner watched, each second agony as the team battled Ivanox and the monster, Aragonis. The team fought well, but Aragonis has gotten the better of them. Both teams fell in an explosion of sparks, many struggling to get up. Pushing away his chair, Conner stood.
"That's it! I'm not gonna watch them be destroyed!"
Standing in the middle of Ninja Ops, Conner threw out his palms on either side of his head. Bringing in his fists to cross at the wrist, he slowly separated them as the fire energy snaked across his body.
"BLAZE OF THE INFERNO, IGNITE!"
The flames engulfed over the ranger, and the outfit cascaded over his body. Nodding to Billy, Hayley, and Cam, the inferno ranger teleported out of Ninja Ops, speeding into battle.
Aragonis and Ivanox laughed at the exerted rangers, "It seems the galaxy's defenders have met their match." Both minions howled as a scarlet blur sped past them, connecting with a fierce strike, sending them back in a cascade of sparks. Ivanox and Aragonis staggered backward, clutching their injured torsos. The two lackeys stared at the impressive figure clothed in a deep scarlet, the sun reflecting off the golden chest shield.
"Not yet."
The team hefted themselves up, as they gazed upon the Chosen Ranger. Conner whipped the sword up, beckoning to the creatures.
"Care to take me on?"
With a growl, Ivanox and Aragonis charged, swords raised. Conner parried the first thrust, and struck back, slashing Aragonis across the midsection. The monster stumbled away, leaving Conner and Ivanox to continue the battle. The two warriors engaged in a heated exchange, their weapons clashing. The two swords locked and sparked, bringing the Chosen Ranger and his foe face to face.
"You're lucky you came back when you did, Chosen One." Ivanox sneered.
"Oh yeah? And why is that Bucket Head?" Conner spat back.
"Because, this time, I would have destroyed your pathetic yellow ranger."
Conner's eyes widened in surprise, and his guard lowered for a moment. Seeing the advantage, Ivanox darted in and slashed the fire ranger across the chest. More taken aback than injured, Conner stumbled away as Ivanox vanished. Upon seeing Aragonis grow, the rangers called upon their zords.
Khyuss slammed his fist against the railing of the balcony, witnessing Aragonis' demise at the hands of the rangers. A low, menacing grow erupted from the sorcerer's throat as the rage tore through his body. Hunter jerked as the crimson thunder pulsed again. Hurriedly, Cam called the rangers.
"Rangers! Come back immediately! Hunter's in trouble."
Ten multi-colored blurs teleported in, and Hayley rushed in to meet them, "Hurry! Hunter's having another bout and this time may kill him." Tori stuffed the Orb of Lightning into the café owner's hand while the group dashed to the infirmary. Hunter's body lay shaking in profuse agony as sweat ran rivers down his features, his breath coming in rough gasps. Hayley pressed the mystical sphere into the thunder ranger's hand.
Slivers ofenergy overwhelmed Hunter's body, encasing the crimson ninja completely in its glow. The crimson waves mingled with the soft yellow as the lightning power weaved across Hunter's form. Suddenly, with an agonized howl, Hunter's face twisted in pain, and his body spasmed more violently. Billy's eyes widened in alarm.
"The Orb's energy is too strong for his system. At this rate, it might kill him. We need some kind of buffer."
Blake's head snapped up, and he remembered Hunter's words.
"You'll get your chance to help me, Blake. But right now, you have to teach Conner."
Pushing forward, ignoring the protests of his teammates, Blake grasped his brother's hand, capturing the orb between their joined palms. The Orb's energy snaked across the link joining the two rangers to Blake. The navy ninja's body shuddered as he absorbed some of the lightning. A dull roar escaped from his lips and the Ninja Ops infirmary was bathed in the glow of a light amethyst as the navy of Blake's power entwined with Hunter's crimson. Seconds passed, the only sound in the profound silence, the crackling of lightning and thunder. With a surge of energy, the radiance intensified, engulfing the entire room in its blaze, and Blake and Hunter's voiced united in a loud scream of anguish that echoed, resonating though the room. Gradually, the glow receded, retreating back into its source. The thunder brothers wavered a moment before slumping down, Hunter back to his pillows and Blake back into Trent's arms. Worriedly, Ethan helped the white ranger haul the motionless navy ninja onto a bed while Dustin eased Hunter back into a more comfortable position. Max and Tori broke away to stand beside the brothers.
"Are they okay?" The auburn-haired motocross pro questioned, her eyes cloudy with worry. From behind the computer, Cam nodded while Billy performed a bioscan on Hunter.
"Yeah, Blake's fine." The samurai ranger reassured. "He's just a little wiped. He'll be fine in the morning."
"And Hunter?"
Billy's face split into his calm gin, "It's amazing, but Hunter's fine. All traces of the virus are gone from his system. We were lucky Blake stepped in." The genius glanced in turn to Tori and Conner, "You guys did it."
The room erupted in a roar of joyful cheering. In stark contrast to the exuberance around him, the Chosen Ranger closed his eyes and breathed a silent thank you to whatever divine spirit aided him. Opening his honey spheres, Conner spotted Kira to his right giving Ethan an exuberant hug. Ivanox's earlier statement resonated in his mind, and the jock found himself wondering what the cyborg meant.
xxx
Khyuss reclined in his throne, still seething, his silent rage echoing through the empty room. He grew weary of the constant defeats, and rubbing his chin in thought, the sorcerer called to his general.
"Ivanox!"
The cyborg rushed in, gazing in fear at his master, the sorcerer's face shrouded in the dim light. Genuflecting in reverence, the cyborg raised his head.
"Yes, master?"
Halt all creations of any more monsters. We will direct all our energy into the creation of one all-powerful monster that will crush the pathetic Power Rangers. Once they are destroyed, the universe will be mine for the taking." Khyuss dismissed his general with a wave of his hand and strode to the balcony.
"I have not waited fifteen thousand years to meet my defeat. I will rule this universe." Gazing down at Earth, he glimpsed the jubilant rangers, "Yes, enjoy your mirth for it will not last long." Throwing his head back, Khyuss' sinister laugh echoed through the palace.
"With one swift stroke, all you know will cease to exist and chaos will reign again. The end is nearing rangers."
Coming Up:
Lotsa fluff!
Conner's reaction to Khyuss' foiled plot
A tender moment between Conner and Kira
Okay there's the next chapter. Warning, to kind of slow the pace down a bit, the next chapter is relationship-centered that contains a lot of fluff and little action to kind of build to the next obstacle. I thought it would be a good transition for the next chapter...but oh well if you don't like it. Until next time drop a line,
Roxie
