Disclaimer: I don't own anything but Khyuss, Ivanox, the Dryads, and Caleb.

Okay, I know, I took a really long time to post. But don't say I didn't warn you. Please see Chapter 12 if anyone has any doubts about that assertion. Once again, I will warn everyone. School is kicking my butt so updates will be erratic.

Thanks to ye loyal reviewers! I'm pleased I knocked you all silly with that little twist!

Titanium Gold: Oooh! Confusion is good! I'm keeping you on your toes, am I not?

Jenna Summers: Well, first off, let me say welcome to this humble abode of reviewers and thanks for the kind words. I couldn't agree with you more!

the real vampire: Ouch! That hurts! Well, when the final battle comes, I swear I will make it up to you!

fenestrae: Yes, slow and painful may be what I have in mind...

Again, sorry for the delay. All apologies aside, on with the story!

Chapter 13

For His Pain, Part I

The atmosphere surrounding Ninja Ops was grim to say the least, devastated to say the most. The rangers paced, restless in the confines of Ninja Ops as they pondered their next course of action. Various expressions of shock and worry adorned every face while they sat in despondent silence. At one point or another, each pair of eyes flicked over to Kira, regarding the yellow ranger with concern. She wasn't doing too well. Huddled in the corner of a couch, the musician was pale, her hazel eyes shadowed with unease and anxiety, leaning onto Tori and Eric for support. Perched at the base of the couch, Ethan voiced the inquiry left unsaid.

"So what do we do now?"

All eyes swiveled to Dr. Oliver, the most experienced of the active rangers. Straightening from his post against a computer console, the science teacher shrugged helplessly, his hands jammed in his pockets. Even with all those years of Ranger experience, nothing could prepare him for the situation presented, where the entire universe rested on the shoulders of a single teenager whose location and predicament, for the moment, was entirely unknown.

"There's nothing we can do for now." Tommy surveyed the team before him, "For all we know, Khyuss has already killed Conner."

"He hasn't." Heads whipped to Kira, her whispered assertion echoing loudly through the silence. Frowning, Eric turned his gaze to the musician at his side.

"How do you know?"

His reply was an almost imperceptible shrug, "I don't know if I can explain it, but it's like Conner and I have some sort of connection. He knows when something's up with me, and I can tell the same with him." Kira stared at Eric but not really seeing him, a faraway look in her eyes.

Eric shook his head, "I don't know Kira. I mean I've heard of this kind of thing, but how can you be sure it's true?"

"Because you feel it too, Eric." The younger McKnight twin frowned at Sensei, the mentor's quiet presence left unnoticed until then. The wind sensei approached his student and current red Dino ranger. Placing a strong hand across broad shoulders, Kanoi smiled.

"I have told you often, Eric, look inside and feel. Do not think. Listen to your inner ninja."

Eric concentrated his mind on Conner's life force, reaching out to his twin. In a distant place, he could feel the warm glows of his brother. The energy pulsed weakly and wavering, but pulsed nonetheless. Conner was alive. In excruciating pain but alive. Slowly, Eric nodded.

"Yeah. He's alive, alright."

Billy gazed thoughtfully at the red and yellow Dino rangers, "Okay. So we know that Khyuss has Conner but not what for. Now the question is, how do we get in and get him back?"

xxx

Conner groaned, slowly regaining consciousness. His head pounded, threatening to escape though his skull and every part of his body ached a furious fire. Clearing the fog from his brain, the jock surveyed his surroundings. The dark gloom of Khyuss' dungeon loomed menacingly around him as the jock shifted from his position, held captive on a platform. Metal cuffs secured him to the platform, binding his wrists and ankles. His shirt stripped and discarded, Conner felt the cold metal of electrodes piercing his skin, connecting to a central machine. Beside the apparatus, the ranger spotted his morpher and communicator encased in a container surrounded by a force field.

"Ah, I see you are awake." Conner jumped at the menacing hiss of a voice permeating through the empty air. Peering into the darkness, the jock gazed inquisitively at the shadowy form emerging from the depths, the face veiled with a long hood, billowing black robes trailing behind.

"Well, Chosen Ranger. We finally meet."

Conner inclined his head in mock reverence, finally being able to place a façade to the ambiguous villain they had fought for so long, "Khyuss, I presume?"

The sorcerer radiated with satisfaction, "You presume correct, but I assure you, Ranger, soon you will be calling me 'Master.'"

A derisive snort flew from Conner's mouth, "I can call you a whole bunch of names right now, none of which would be too flattering."

Khyuss chuckled, shaking his head dismissively, "Ah, yes, the famous bravado. You rangers seem to have an abundance of that."

Conner glared, contempt flashing in his stare, "So are you going to tell me what you want with me or shall I take a wild guess?"

The jock could sense the smirk on the sorcerer's face, "Well, Ranger, your assumption would be that I would destroy you but that would be too easy." Khyuss leaned closer, his face still indiscernible even with the oppressive proximity.

"No, I want to watch you suffer." Pacing before the inferno ranger, Khyuss' red eyes flashed appraisingly.

"You see, I need you, Inferno Ranger. My creation requires your inferno power in order to function properly. The reaction between your element and my power will produce a power almost indestructible. So I am distressed to say I cannot kill you quite yet." Khyuss paused, "Oh, don't misunderstand me, Ranger, you will be destroyed after watching your pitiable team and world annihilated right before your eyes."

Conner struggled fruitlessly against his bonds, his jaw clenched, fury washing through his veins, "You're even more delusional than I thought if you think I'm gonna help you."

Khyuss chuckled in amusement, shaking his veiled head, "Oh, I don't. You Rangers are far too noble for me to assume that. But I do, however, have a method to extract your fire power." The smallest of smiles flashed from behind the shroud, "Allow me to demonstrate."

As Ivanox reached over to push a button, Conner could hear the low hum of the device. Without warning, an agony unlike anything he had ever felt coursed through his veins. His eyes squinched shut, praying for the torment to subside. A pained howl tore through his throat, echoing like the pain assailing his body. Conner writhed in anguish, his body beginning to glow a white fire. The radiance receded, traveling through the electrodes to a container attached to the machine. Ivanox released the button leaving Conner trembling and exhausted, his breathing labored, a steady ache assaulting his body. Khyuss leaned in to the Chosen Ranger's drooping head, delighting in his conquest.

"The beauty is, your life force will automatically replenish your fire energy. And I can take all the power I need." Khyuss gloated, unable to detain his glee.

"Imagine that, the Chosen Ranger, destined to save the universe is aiding in its destruction instead."

With the last remnants of energy, Conner raised his head. Through the haze of pain providing the continuous throbbing in him, his amber eyes shone with fierce rage, his jaw set in fury.

"Go to hell."

A harsh laugh floated from Khyuss' throat, and Ivanox's finger hovered over the button. Cackling madly as Conner's body jerked and spasmed at the horrible torture, his lungs screaming for release, the sorcerer scoffed.

"I already have."

xxx

"No, that won't work. How are we going to get a semi close enough to Khyuss' fortress?"

Another idea was tossed aside as the rangers pondered their situation. Billy and Hayley leaned against the central computer, and the café owner spoke.

"So we know that it is impossible to teleport inside the fortress, something about Khyuss' energy scrambling the process. So how do we get in quickly and undetected?"

"Trent." The group turned their attention to Kira, her huddled form vulnerable and small against the massive couch cushions. Uncurling her legs out from under her, the musician straightened slightly, "We could use his camouflage power and Dr. O's invisibility to get in."

"But how do we know how to get to Conner? Khyuss could hold him in tons of different places." Cam interjected.

Hayley smiled, "Well, we could ask our resident link to the insane inner workings of our wondrous villain." Turning to the Bradley brother, Hayley tilted her head, "How about it, Hunter?"

The thunder ranger perched on the edge of a table shrugged, "From what I've seen, there's a dungeon in the lower level of the fortress. Our best bet is that he's in there."
Tommy nodded, "Okay then. This is what we're gonna do. Billy, you, Hayley, and Cam try to get a lock on Khyuss' fortress. Try to trace Conner's fire energy. Hunter, you, Blake, and Tori map out what you know about Khyuss' palace and find us the quickest route to get to Conner. Shane, Dustin, and Ethan, you guys check the weapons, vehicles and gadgets we have stored, see if you can find anything we may need. Eric, you and Kira check the teleportation grid and find the closest we can possibly teleport to without setting of some kind of alarm." As the team split into their respective tasks, Tommy turned to the white ranger beside him.

"Hey, are you okay with this?"

The artist smiled, "Yeah. Conner did a real decent thing making peace with me. I guess this is kind of my way of returning the favor."

xxx

Conner shook himself awake. His body groaned in protest as a shockwave of pain assailing him, rocking through his sensitive joints. He could feel the dried blood on his face from the cuts on eyebrow and lip, the burning sensation from Khyuss' drain pounding against his chest. Looking down, Conner could see the scars from the machine already forming, running in a shatter pattern across his chest. The jock blinked, attempting to clear the stupor from his brain and jumped as Ivanox's dark helmeted head loomed over him.

"Excellent, you are awake. My master will be most pleased."

"I'll bet." Conner muttered under his breath. Ivanox strode over to the center console and casually leaned up against it. Wordlessly, he extracted Conner's morpher from its chamber, taunting the inferno ranger as he twirled it through his fingers.

"I wonder how an insignificant, useless teenager could be worthy of such a power." The general murmured, swinging the sphere before Conner's eyes. The jock raised his eyes from the swaying orb to stare at the cyborg in defiance.

"For the same reason an 'insignificant, useless teenager' can succeed in defeating you many times before, Tin Head." Conner spat back, attempting to rise the lackey. Ivanox shifted slightly, Conner's comment striking a nerve.

"Ah, yes, Ranger. But it is not I who is hanging from shackles." The cyborg taunted, making an effort to hide his discomfort.

"At least I'm not some lowly lapdog out to do Master's bidding." Conner retorted, sensing the growing frustration in the general.

"But you can't even do that. You couldn't even capture the weak, pathetic yellow ranger." The jock winced inwardly hoping Kira would never find out he had uttered those words, knowing full well aforementioned yellow ranger would kick his butt from here to the next generation of rangers. Hiding his inner turmoil, Conner smirked, urging the general further.

"I bet Khyuss is able to bend you around his little finger."

The fine thread linking Ivanox to his composure snapped abruptly as the chair toppled to the ground. The cyborg rose, unsheathing his sword, the wicked blade flickering under the dim glow. Storming to the captured ranger, Ivanox raised his weapon to lie against the jock's neck. Conner gazed up into the empty visor of the cyborg's helmet, his stare steady and unflinching, aware of the cold metal of the blade pressed against his collar. The general leisurely ran the blade down the column of Conner's skin, inducing a thin river of blood to flow.

"I bend to no one." Ivanox raised his weapon, the sword whistling through the air as he struck down, aiming to fall the Chosen Ranger. A force field of purple further halted the weapon's progress as it crashed into the barrier of energy. A large ball of power blasted the general off his feet, and Khyuss materialized from the shadows.

"Fool! What did you think you were doing?" The blood-red eyes flashed menacingly, the sorcerer's rage radiating from his aggressive stance. Ivanox hefted himself to his feet, bowing hastily to his master.

"My apologies, my liege. I was hoping to teach the swine a lesson."

Khyuss brushed away the cyborg's uneasy ramblings with a wave of his hand, "Yes, I seem to be hearing that phrase frequently from you, Ivanox. Do not despair, my general, the Chosen One will feel his pain soon enough. However, for the time being, we need him alive and breathing." Turning to depart, the sorcerer gestured with his hand, an unseen force sending the cyborg flying up against a side wall, leaving with a final command.

"Do not do that again."

Ivanox staggered upward. Watching the sorcerer depart, the general remained silent. Slowly, he swiveled to face the Chosen Ranger, his expression hidden behind the dark helmet. The voice beneath floated to the fire ninja, expelled in a low growl.

"Soon, Chosen One, you will meet your demise. And I swear to you, it will be at my hands."

The phoenix song swirled around Conner while his eyes trailed after the cyborg. He sagged down, the truth shrouded in the general's statement falling heavily across his weary shoulders. The cyborg was right in one sense: the end was nearing.

xxx

Hunter allowed the pen to slip through his fatigued fingers and rubbed his temples. Blake and Tori had long since retired for the night but the thunder ranger urged himself to keep working, the least he could do for the man who had basically saved his life. Retrieving the discarded writing utensil, Hunter sketched out another component to his map of Khyuss castle, the faint scratching of his pen resonating through the otherwise still Ninja Ops. Surveying his handiwork, Hunter drew back slightly in surprise. The depiction was extremely detailed, not to mention extremely accurate, considering his art skills were non-existent and in the same category as an emu's. Hunter shifted in his chair to study Ninja Ops. The headquarter's number of inhabitants was dwindling as each member of their team withdrew to rest their tired minds, save for Eric and Kira huddled over the computers. Straightening, Hunter stretched, ridding his back of the cricks sustained from hours of being hunched over the drawing, before heading up the stairs to satisfy the emptiness in his stomach.

xxx

"I'm gonna get going." Kira acknowledged Eric with an absent nod of her head. The red ranger placed a gentle hand on the musician's shoulder to catch her attention. Tearing her gaze away from the computer, Kira turned her focus to the other McKnight twin.

"C'mon, you should get some rest."

Kira gave a vehement shake of her head, "Don't worry about me, Eric. I'm gonna stay down here a few more minutes." The red ranger shook his head.

"Just don't wear yourself out."

Kira treated Eric with a vicious glower but softened as she glimpsed the air ninja's genuine concern. Smiling kindly, she patted the hand lying on her shoulder, "I'll be up in twenty."

Satisfied with the response, Eric gave her shoulder one last squeeze before departing. Passing Hunter on the stairs, the younger man shared a meaningful look with his crimson counterpart. The thunder sensei nodded in understanding at the glance shared between them and wordlessly made his way back down to Ninja Ops.

Kira stared a moment after the red Dino ranger before returning her gaze to the computer screen before her, rapidly becoming engrossed in the monitor, her eyes determinedly scanning the coordinates displayed on the screen.

"Here, this might help you stay awake." Kira glanced up and gratefully accepted the steaming mug of coffee offered to her. Hunter moved to place his own mug on the computer console but thought better of it, resting it on the adjoining desk.

"Just don't spill on the computers. Unless you want to see Cam physically have a cow, that is. It's actually quite amusing."

Kira gave a small laugh in response as the thunder ninja slid into the seat beside her. She could feel his intense blue eyes studying her. Hunter frowned at the shadows clouding her hazel eyes and the stress lining her face.

"So how are you holding up?" Kira shot Hunter a look that the crimson ranger easily recognized as her death glare after constant descriptions from Conner. Holding his hands up in surrender, the crimson ranger sighed.

"Okay, okay, yeah, stupid question. What I meant to ask you is how you're feeling."

Kira shrugged, "Okay, I guess. I don't know." Drawing in a labored breath, the musician shook her head, looking down at the mug clutched in her hands.

"He's really hurting, Hunter. Khyuss is doing something to him that causing him so much pain. I can feel it." Tears began to flood her hazel orbs as the musician struggled to keep her raging emotions under control.

"I can almost hear him scream..." A helpless sob escaped from the yellow ranger, her tough façade crumbling. Hunter drew her to him, supporting the musician as she cried into his chest.

"Hey, c'mon now, Kira. We'll get him back. Then we can all take turns using certain parts of Khyuss' decapitated body as piñatas when we defeat him."

Kira's face twisted in slight disgust, "Okay, that did not help me feel any better."

Hunter chuckled.

"Sorry." Locking eyes with the Dino ranger, Hunter grew serious, "Just don't forget, he is the Chosen Ranger for a reason. We'll get him back." Kira nodded, as they returned their attention to the computer, searching for a way to get their Chosen Ranger to them.

xxx

The next day, Trent and Tommy stood at Ninja Ops, ready to depart in a scenario similar to when Conner and Tori left for Phaedos but with the atmosphere drastically different. Billy stood by a computer, glancing over the coordinates provided by Eric and Kira.

"Okay, guys, with the coordinates I have, we should be able to teleport you to a cliff that's overlooking Khyuss' palace. You are going to have to find a way to get in from there. Once you actually get in, Hunter will give you directions via these earpieces. Your morphers might be overheard." Billy handed the devices to the black and white rangers.

"Get to Conner as quickly as possible then contact us. Go back to where you started, and we'll teleport you back." The former blue ranger gave a grave nod, "Be careful, and may the power protect you."

With a glance at the musician standing at his left, Trent shot her a smile, "Any messages?"

Kira forced out a laugh, "Nothing I can say in front of Dr. O."

Said doctor shot her a look as his body dissolved into a multitude of black particles. A moment later, Trent's body did the same, and the two rangers streaked away in a stream of color. Gazing up after the pair, Kira sent a silent prayer to Conner.

Hang on.

xxx

The two streaks of black and white landed on the cliff surveying the palace. As their bodies materialized, Tommy and Trent straightened. Both men observed the ominous fortress just visible beyond the edge with skepticism, wary of the unknown horrors that indubitably awaited them inside.

"Yeah...that's creepy." Trent murmured, gazing out at the wicked palace, its sinister points protruding upward to the sky. It was the quintessential villain's center of business. Sharing a glance with the veteran ranger beside him, the two climbed down the steep hill, hacking their way through the forest trees to the entrance of Khyuss' fortress.

Reaching the side of the castle, Tommy and Trent hovered on a rock platform jutting from the side of the mountain where the palace was situated. Tommy activated his invisibility and peeked around the side to the entryway. Two hulking Dryads guarded access to the castle, squawking in a conversation that made sense only to them. Reappearing as he retracted his head, Tommy glanced at Trent.

"Okay. Two Dryads at the entrance. The plan is to quickly dispense then get in."

Trent grinned, "So basically we're playing a bit dirty?"

Tommy grunted, "Hey, they took Conner. That's as dirty as they come."

With a nod of affirmation, the two rangers disappeared, Tommy into oblivion and Trent into his surroundings. Hauling themselves up to the overhang of the entrance, the two rangers creeped to the front as not to disturb the guards. In a wave of surprise, Tommy and Trent suddenly became visible. A swift jab to each beak obliterated the two minions, and the black and white rangers deferred back to their respective powers as they entered the fortress.

"Alright. Hunter, are you seeing this?"

"Yeah." Hunter's affirmed reply floated over the device, "You see that hallway straight ahead? Go through it." The two rangers complied, stealing silently through the shadowed halls, the only sound their steady breathing. Without warning, an agonized howl knifed through the air. The heavy sounds of pain and torture mocked the black and white rangers as both emerged from their states of imperception to send each other looks of trepidation. Hunter's voice cut through their momentary lapse.

"Okay, guys, you should see some kind of gate-like door on your right. Go through that; it's the passageway to the dungeon." Hastily, the two rangers ventured onward, each second draining away another ounce of Conner's life force.

xxx

The Chosen Ranger slumped down as Ivanox pulled away the electrodes. Khyuss sealed the container, holstering the pulsing energy extracted from their captive. Smirking beatifically, the sorcerer inclined his head to the confined Conner.

"My gratitude to you, Chosen One. I am delighted in your contribution to my domination of the world."

Conner raised his head, the sweat glistening from his forehead, his body beaten and broken. Turning exhausted eyes to the villain, the soccer player managed a glare, "All gratitude must be made in checks made out to Conner McKnight. Though, I wouldn't say no to your very slow and very painful demise." The cyborg beside him seethed, striking the jock square in the stomach.

"Silence, swine. You are not worthy to address the master!"

Staring after the master and general as they departed, Conner was left alone with only the constant pain in his body for company. Unable to soothe the sting made from the cyborg's unnecessary assault, Conner groaned.

"I really need to learn to keep my mouth shut."

"Yeah, I would say that."

Conner jumped at the intrusion of another voice as the phoenix song echoed lightly in the silence of the dungeon, yet glancing around, he saw no one. Returning his gaze to rest before him, the inferno ranger jumped again as a ghostly phoenix floated down to settle on the table positioned in front of him. The silhouette flashed a bright white to reveal a young man no older than Conner himself dressed in a ninja uniform. Perched casually on the end of the table, one elbow relaxing on an upraised knee, the man shot Conner a smile.

The jock's eyes narrowed in suspicion, "Look, dude, I don't mean to be rude, but, who the hell are you?"

The ethereal figure of the ninja cocked an amused eyebrow, "Now, now, Conner. Is that any way to talk to your guardian spirit?"

"'Guardian spirit?'" The fire ninja echoed in disbelief. Casting a furtive glance upward at his metal bindings, the ranger treated his companion to a sardonic smile.

"Good job." Gazing upon the figure of the handsome ninja, Conner's brow furrowed, "Again, I ask you. Who the hell are you?"

With a grin that could rival his own, the man stuck out a hand, "Caleb, your predecessor." Conner inclined his head in greeting, raising a sarcastic eyebrow at the proffered gesture.

"So you're the dude who got rid of Khyuss the first time? Aren't you supposed to be all Obi-Wan Kenobi wise and serious?"

Caleb threw his head back, letting out a raucous laugh, "Do I look that much older than you? I mean, besides the whole fifteen thousand years thing..." He added hastily. Still chuckling, the other man shrugged, "I wasn't like that when I was alive, don't think it would help to change now that I'm dead. Besides, you have plenty of mentors to pull that."

"So what are you doing here? Please tell me it's to bust me out."

Caleb shook his head, "Sorry. Considering I'm not exactly solid, releasing you isn't an option. I'm leaving that to your team." The ghostly spirit gave a flippant toss of his head, shaking the translucent strands of unruly hair from his eyes.

"I'm here on more pressing matters." Caleb sobered, reluctance flashing in his transparent eyes.

"Do you remember the last few lines of the prophecy depicting you were the Chosen Ranger?"

Conner nodded slowly, "Yeah, something about victory being a heavenly reward coming at a devastating price..."

"'Relying on one to make the ultimate sacrifice.'" Caleb finished. Shooting his successor an inquisitive glance, the image of the man cocked his head, "Have you thought about the meaning?"

Shifting slightly to relieve himself of the ache in his shoulders, Conner shrugged, "Not really. It kind of confused me. I mean, how can victory come at a price. Do we have to exchange something to destroy Khyuss?"

Silence hung thick in the dungeon air as Caleb paused, averting his eyes, and Conner narrowed his own, "Caleb, what's the price for defeating Khyuss?"

The other man remained quiet, each moment of hush passing allowing Conner's unease to raise another level. After a moment, Caleb raised his head, his weary eyes boring into Conner's.

"The ultimate sacrifice, Conner. One of you must die."

Coming Up:

The rescue continues

More of the Inferno Morpher's mystery is unlocked

Conner deals with this new development

More lives are placed in the Chosen Ranger's hands

Well, friends, we are nearing the final battle and the Chosen Ranger's destiny. But who is to die? Well, I'll leave that up to your imaginations until chapter sixteen or so...

Oh, and as for Caleb's story, I'm going to post a prologue after I finish...

Roxie