AN: First of all thank you to all of you who reviewed. Also, very big thank you to Weesta for being my beta-reader. I really, really appreciate it.
ZzZzZ
Only a matter of time roughly translated to three hours. Hunter had been avoiding Shane and anywhere Shane might be, but inside Ninja Ops there were only so many places they could go. Shane had been snacking in the kitchen when Hunter walked in. For a long moment two stared at each other. Actually, Hunter glared and Shane fidgeted under its intensity. When Hunter turned to walk out again Shane called out to him. In retrospect Shane wished he hadn't. It probably would have been better for both of them if he had just let Hunter go. Hindsight is twenty-twenty.
"Are you going to avoid me forever?"
Hunter paused with his back to the other ninja. He measured his words carefully and decided on a simple answer. "As long as I can."
"Wouldn't you feel better if you, y'know, talked about it?" Shane kicked himself mentally. What possessed him to say that he would never know. He knew exactly what was bugging Hunter. He was trying to seem more like a leader to the Thunder Ranger and it was obvious he was failing.
"No, I'd feel better if you weren't here at all." Hunter replied, spinning on his heel to glare at the air ninja once more. "Actually, I'd feel better if Dustin was sitting there instead of you."
Shane gaped at him. The deeper message behind Hunter's statement wasn't lost on him. He was a little startled that Hunter's subtle message hurt. "You wish I was in Dustin's place."
Hunter realized that was a level of cruelty he didn't want to reach ever again. He was mad at Shane yes, but he could never wish harm on any of his teammates.
"I just think you should have been brave enough to take the attack meant for you." Hunter said. "You probably would have withstood it better than Dustin. He was already hurt."
"I didn't have time to push him out of the way."
"That's bull and you know it." Hunter snarled, his anger beginning to rise. "You froze."
"I didn't freeze." Shane snapped. He knew he had, but having the other ranger throw it in his face made him defensive.
Hunter rolled his eyes. "Deny it all you want, but if Psycho Crimson hadn't had a hold of me I would have had enough time to shove Dustin out of the way."
"About that. How did Dustin, who was already hurt, manage to get away from Psycho Yellow and you couldn't get away from yours?"
"Hello, he can sink into the ground." Hunter snarled. "Besides, in case you forgot I went into that fight with a head injury."
"Now you're making excuses. Just admit that you couldn't do anything anymore than I could have."
"You didn't have a Psycho Ranger pinning you down!"
"I think you're just losing your touch!" Shane bit his lip. He hadn't meant to say that and his anger quickly deflated. He couldn't take it back and by the look on Hunter's face he couldn't apologize either.
Hunter growled. He knew his ability as a ranger had just been insulted. The ice in his eyes was so cold it burned. He might have physically done something about it if Blake and Tori hadn't chosen that moment to enter the kitchen. Instead he threw Shane a fierce look before storming out of the room. Blake watched him go and then turned an accusatory look toward Shane.
"What'd you do?" Blake demanded.
"I didn't do anything! Mr. Moodypants started it." Shane replied defensively. The truth was he had asked if Hunter wanted to talk about it, but he hadn't expected things to go bad so quickly. Things between Hunter and him had been strained even after the battle for leadership had been resolved. They just never were going to be buddies, but he had hoped things were getting better between them.
Blake didn't look completely convinced, but didn't want to argue. "Just give him some space. He'll cool down."
"Why is he so mad about it anyway? We're closer to Dustin than he is." Tori asked. "He's kinda taking it to the extreme."
Blake shrugged. "Hunter doesn't do anything halfway."
ZzZzZ
The monster wasn't the usual joker who smart mouthed more than fought. This one was serious and meant business. It had eight arms, four eyes, white skin, muscular features, and two horns on its head. It had called itself Hinderkin and had made the standard threat on the rangers' lives. Unfortunately, it seemed capable of fulfilling those threats if they weren't careful.
He wasn't impressed and neither were his teammates.
"He smells worse than a vanglash." Kordiin commented.
He looked at his green clad teammate. "Probably dumber too."
"You two quit fooling around." Jakol barked. "Now isn't the time to get arrogant."
"Yeah, Amias is still under the Red Amulet's influence." Lyliea added.
He nodded, understanding their sentiments completely. He knew Amias was a danger whenever they were out of their headquarters. They had no choice but to fight whatever Kalix sent. The monsters were after them, but if the rangers didn't show then the monsters turned their attention on helpless citizens. The rangers wouldn't allow that. Their duty was to protect the helpless citizens of Jidkin from Kalix and his evil horde no matter what.
Before they could make a move on the monster a horde of Lizarians appeared. They were reptilian with four fingers and for a thumb they had two-foot long claws. They also had little dragonfly like wings that they could use to hover but not really fly. They were quick too and very aggressive. The team had learned quickly that their bites were venomous as they had almost lost Lyliea in the beginning.
"You ready?" Jakol asked his team.
"Ready!"
"Hyper Force, power up!"
He looked down at the now familiar dark blue suit and smiled beneath his helmet. He never got tired of morphing or forgot how proud he was when he was chosen. He never thought that he, the youngest of all the ranger hopefuls, would get chosen for a position on the team. He had earned it though. Through trials, tests, and hardships he was chosen to be the Navy Hyper Force Ranger. He had earned his spot and he had never had to prove it to his teammates.
"Niko, Kordiin, handle the Lizarians. Lyliea and Qual you're with me." Jakol ordered. "Everyone keep an eye out for Amias."
He nodded and followed Kordiin into the horde of Lizarians. The beasts snarled and hissed as they attacked. He dodged huge claws and took out the angry foot soldiers two and three at a time. Pretty soon he and Kordiin had taken care of all the Lizarians and moved to help their teammates with Hinderkin. He was a tough monster and he was giving them the beating of their lives. Pretty soon they were all reeling, trying to regroup to beat their new foe.
But things went from bad to worse. The monster didn't let up and before he knew it Lyliea had fallen and wasn't getting back up. Qual was by her side, sobbing at his love's death. Jakol and Kordiin were furiously battling Hinderkin and he was frozen, unable to do anything. Until a pain flashed in his chest and he looked down to see a Lizarian claw sticking into him. He kicked the creature away and stared down at the gaping wound left behind. He never thought the end would come like this.
"Look out!"
He spun, but never would have moved fast enough. He saw the energy blast coming at him and knew it was over. Then there was a body blocking the path. He saw a black suit and cried out in despair just before the energy struck his teammate, propelling the older boy into his arms. He caught his teammate but was bowled over by the weight.
"Jakol, no!"
Niko jerked awake breathing hard. What did the dream mean? It couldn't have been real. He was a Psycho Ranger. Kalix was his master not his enemy. Was it the future? Would something happen to turn him against Kalix? It couldn't be. He had sworn himself in the service of Kalix. He certainly didn't remember ever fighting him. Did the dream mean anything at all? He didn't remember any of it. He didn't know anyone named Jakol, Qual, Kordiin, Amias, or Lyliea. Though for some reason they struck a cord deep inside him. He may not have remembered them, but something deep inside told him that he did know them - or had known them at least. If the dream was any indication, then that had been the end of the team. Jakol had saved his life, but he couldn't remember any of it when awake.
He got out of bed and went across his room to the computer console at his desk. He activated the database, but found it locked to the casual viewer. No Lizarians, Kalix's foot soldiers, or guests could access the database. He and the other Psychos hadn't been able to for a long time before they earned the right and were given user names and passwords.
User: NavyFire
Password: xxxxxx
Welcome NavyFire.
Niko ignored the greeting and went straight to the folder labeled Power Rangers. He delved inside, searching through hundreds of ranger teams both past and present. He knew that Kalix desired knowledge, but he never thought the reptile would have every ranger team on file. There was everything from the very first ranger in the universe up to the Quantum Rangers who formed on a planet six galaxies away shortly after the Ninja Storm Rangers. There were simply too many teams for him to search through. He backed out of the folder and went to a search inquiry.
Search for: Hyper Force RangersZzZzZ
"Master."
Kalix hissed and rolled over.
"Master."
No response.
"Master Kalix."
Kalix bolted up in his bed and looked around as his mind slowly woke up. He yawned, revealing razor sharp teeth, then glared toward the one that had interrupted his sleep. The armored being bowed respectfully as Kalix climbed out of his bed and approached him.
"What is it Deder?" Kalix demanded. "And it had better be good."
"Master, you asked to be informed if anyone attempted to access the Hyper Force Ranger files." Deder replied with a calm and emotionless voice. "The user name NavyFire attempted to do so only moments ago."
Kalix frowned. "Was he blocked?"
"Yes master, the sentinel program recognized the user name and locked him out." Deder confirmed.
"At least that's good news." Kalix said. He rubbed his eye ridge thoughtfully. "Block the Psychos user names from access to other files. If they inquire tell them the system is having a problem and it will be fixed."
"Yes master, it will be done."
ZzZzZ
Blake ducked and rolled away from Hunter's advance and as his feet came to the ground again he launched himself into a forward flip that put more space between them. Hunter followed quickly kicking at his brother's midsection. Blake caught his foot and ducked as Hunter kicked up with the other one and then immediately backed away from any attempts at a trip or takedown. Hunter flipped to his feet and fell into a fighting stance. The two Thunder Rangers faced off for a few minutes before Blake rushed in with a flurry of movement. Hunter blocked and dodged all attacks while throwing back his own. It was only after a few minutes that Blake found the breath to speak.
"You should give Shane a break, bro."
Hunter growled, but made no other verbal reply. His actions spoke volumes as his furious pace picked up another notch. Blake had to continually block and didn't even get a chance to throw any of his own attacks as Hunter backed him across the mat.
"It wasn't his fault."
"He froze." Hunter snapped, whipping a sidekick straight at Blake's head.
"So what? Don't you think he's probably beating himself up enough without you helping?" Blake replied, dropping below the kick to try a leg sweep.
Hunter jumped over his brother's foot and kicked down at his head, but Blake blocked. "He's not getting any sympathy or support from me."
"Hunter, did it occur to you that we are in the most trouble we've ever been in? Did the thought cross your mind that what we need now is teamwork and not you holding a grudge that isn't yours to hold?" Blake said as he finally got fed up with Hunter's attitude. "We're all in this together, can't you see that? Dustin got hurt and the only one at fault is Psycho Red. The only one who has the right to be mad at Shane is Dustin and somehow I doubt Dustin will blame him."
"If he wakes up..." Hunter retorted.
At that Blake grimaced and Hunter could tell he had hit a nerve. Blake was closer to Dustin than he was and he was being pretty callous about it. He needed to be strong and positive so that Blake could feel strong and positive about things. If Hunter thought things weren't going to work out then that would influence Blake's attitude.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean that." Hunter said. "He's going to wake up it's just a matter of when."
Blake nodded, though many negative emotions flickered behind his dark eyes. "Yeah, we all hope."
"But I'm not going to just let Shane off the hook until he proves himself to me." Hunter continued as if Blake hadn't said anything.
"So, your death glares aren't going away anytime soon?"
"Not toward him."
Blake sighed. "Well, can't blame me for trying. Just remember that Dustin is Shane's best friend and vice versa. Think about what this is all doing to Shane."
ZzZzZ
"But Sensei I visited him this day every week." Shane argued as respectfully as he could.
"It is simply too dangerous for you to leave Ninja Ops." Sensei replied. "I know your wish to see Dustin is great, but you will have to wait."
"But Sensei I have to."
"My answer is still no."
Shane looked like he might argue more, his mouth opened to speak, but he caught himself. There was an audible click of his teeth and he relented though he didn't look happy about it. He moved to a corner of the room and sat down to meditate. It was difficult though, he couldn't clear his mind. His need to check on Dustin was too great. He felt a duty to watch over his injured teammate both as a leader and as a friend. Dustin was hurt because of him after all. A fact he couldn't let himself forget.
He had no sooner cleared his mind and settled down than Cam announced that the Psychos were back, minus Psycho Yellow. Obviously the Psychos knew Dustin was out of commission. The remaining rangers morphed and went out to face their enemies. The Psycho Rangers were patiently waiting the arrival of the rangers, not even messing with civilians.
"Haven't you learned your lesson yet?" Crimson mocked.
"If memory serves me, the last two times it was you guys that were sent packing." Tori retorted.
"Mere flukes. I can't help but notice you're missing a ranger."
"Enough talk." Shane snapped. "You want a fight, you've got one."
Shane streaked toward Psycho Red, but his target was ready. Psycho Red blocked Shane's wild attacks and mocked his efforts. Shane's fury was clouding his mind. All he could think about was making Red pay for what he did to Dustin. He didn't care about his own well being and even though Psycho Red was landing more blows he didn't let it faze him. He was beyond pain; the adrenaline gave him the strength to keep going at a furious pace.
Hunter and Blake stayed together as usual forcing Navy and Crimson to try and work together. The two Psychos repeatedly tried to separate the brothers, but their efforts failed. Hunter would fight Navy whenever he could while Blake would take on Crimson. It was obvious the tactic worked best on Navy, who was definitely a little weaker than Crimson. However, they couldn't stay swapped long before the Psychos matched up again and the battle took a turn for the worse. Psycho Crimson was determined to make Hunter suffer for the humiliating defeat he had suffered the last time they fought.
"I'll make you beg for mercy little ranger." Crimson hissed as he blocked Hunter's staff with his shield.
"I don't beg." Hunter growled in reply.
Tori tried to use her Sonic Fin against Psycho Blue, but the female warrior just knocked the attacks away. Psycho Blue threw her own energy attack in reply and Tori was thrown across the battlefield. She managed to flip to her feet only to be slashed multiple times by Blue's cutlass. She tried to dodge and get away to have enough time to pull her sword, but Psycho Blue was relentless. It was obvious that she, like Crimson, had something to prove. There was no taunting and no messing around. Blue meant business.
Navy was almost literally beating Blake into the ground when a wave of pain rushed through his head. He grunted and faltered long enough for Blake to lock his antler around Navy's midsection and send a powerful jolt through him. The attack only added to his pain and Navy quickly tried to back off. Blake followed the advantage using his staff in a quick flurry that had Navy's suit sparking. That only caused him further pain and he was hardly able to defend himself as Blake continued his assault.
ZzZzZ
Kalix frowned as he watched Psycho Navy taking a beating at the hands of the Navy Thunder Ranger. He could tell something was interfering with his Psycho's performance. It wasn't a good sign. He hoped that Lothor didn't notice anything, because he couldn't really do anything about it until the Psychos returned and he wasn't going to pull them out of the battle.
"That runt is losing to his ranger." Psycho Yellow commented as he watched. "Maybe I should go help him."
"You don't even care if he loses." Kalix said, wondering what prompted the idea of helping. He wondered if it was some of the old teamwork coming back.
Psycho Yellow hesitated. Losing would probably mean death. Yellow wasn't sure how he felt about that. He was getting confused about his feelings toward his teammates. Everything had become clear after Jaldia. It had become easy to hate the others and not care about them. But something was changing in his feelings toward Navy, old emotions were coming back. Maybe Jaldia hadn't killed them off completely.
"I'm bored." Yellow finally replied. He didn't want to give anyone the impression that he actually wanted to save Navy.
Kalix eyed him. "Fine, get down there and help him before he gets himself killed."
"Finally, some action!"
ZzZzZ
Psycho Navy grunted as he was kicked firmly in the back. He tried to use the momentum to roll away, but the pain in his head caused him to falter and instead he ended up faceplate down on the ground. When he started to get up someone jumped onto his back and something hard jerked backwards against his throat. Navy gasped and struggled to pull the object away, but his strength was failing him. Between the beating he had taken from Crimson and the one Blake had just doled out he couldn't find the power to get away.
"Hey Psychos! If you don't want to lose one of your own you'll back off!" Blake called out.
The Psycho Rangers paused in their attacks. Red stood over a downed Shane with his saber to the ranger's neck. Crimson had Hunter pinned to a wall with his shield while Blue had Tori by the throat. The three Psychos looked at each other as if silently conferring. Navy sent out a brief mental plea and that was all it took. The three older Psychos began to laugh and laugh at Navy's expense.
"Nice mess you got yourself into Niko." Psycho Blue taunted.
"Maybe we should let the ranger finish you off and be done with your weakness." Crimson added.
Navy couldn't believe what he was hearing. His teammates were going to let him die. He would have given his life for any one of them and they were going to stand by while the Navy Thunder Ranger killed him. The pain in his head increased until it was an intense throbbing made worse by the lack of air.
Yellow energy struck Blake in the back with enough force to dislodge him from Navy's back. With Psycho Yellow's appearance the battle picked up where it had left off. Yellow hadn't scanned Blake's mind, but he was enough of a warrior to more than hold his own against his teammate's foe. He used his scythe with expert precision and had Blake reeling rather quickly.
Crimson used his shield to sandwich Hunter against the wall, pushing with great force against the Thunder Ranger's ribs. Hunter's Crimson Blaster was out of reach as was his Thunder Staff. The shield kept him at just enough distance not to be able to hit the Psycho Ranger. He was helpless and it was not a feeling he liked. No matter how hard he struggled he simply couldn't match Crimson's strength. Crimson slammed him against the wall to knock him senseless and then stepped back several feet.
"Now, this is what happens when you humiliate me." Crimson announced. He hoped the other Psychos were watching so he could send a message. "Psycho Force Rush!"
Crimson surged forward, energy crackling around his shield, ready to deliver a painful blow to the Crimson Thunder Ranger. He was moving faster than his normal streaking ability and he barely noticed that he hit the wrong shade of red. When he became aware of the world again Crimson couldn't believe his eyes.
"You idiot that's my ranger!" Psycho Red roared. "That's the last straw!"
"Déjà vu." Yellow remarked.
Psycho Red was just getting ready to charge when the whole team vanished. Hunter kneeled beside Shane where the red ranger lay moaning in pain. Shane had his arms wrapped around his chest and Hunter feared that was a sign of broken ribs, though if that was all it was then they were going to be lucky. Hunter gently lifted Shane's broken form off the ground and streaked away to Ninja Ops without a word to Blake or Tori.
ZzZzZ
"Well, you're really lucky Shane. Your ribs aren't broken, but they're really busted up." Cam announced. "Your ranger healing abilities should take care of that easily enough, but you still have to rest and take it easy."
Hunter stared down at Shane with a million emotions flitting through him. The main one was annoyance. It had been so much easier to be mad at Shane, but how could he be mad at him now? Shane had just taken an attack meant for him, which he was grateful for, but it threw a wrench in his whole brooding angrily at Shane plan. But more importantly he now owed Shane an apology and everyone knew that wasn't his strong point.
"I'm sorry." Shane said before Hunter could say anything.
Hunter blinked, but showed no other reaction. "What?"
"Well, I don't know what I've done now, but you're glaring at me." Shane elaborated.
"Oh." Hunter murmured. He looked over at his shoulder at Tori and Blake, who took the hint and left the room. Cam rolled his eyes and left as well. Hunter looked back at Shane. "Look, I-I might have been wrong before. You don't have anything to apologize for. Actually...I'm...I'm sorry for what I said. What happened to Dustin wasn't your fault. You were probably hurt and couldn't move."
"No." Shane said. "I did freeze up. I was surprised to see Dustin suddenly in front of me and in the moment I could have saved him I froze up."
"I guess I shouldn't blame you for that either. Psycho Red is the only one to blame. And we'll make him pay."
ZzZzZ
"Another ranger goes down." Lothor laughed triumphantly. He looked at Kalix as the reptile stood before the assembled Psychos. "One in a coma and one seriously hurt. The odds are starting to turn in my favor."
"They've failed to destroy the rangers. I don't see what the big deal is." Zurgane grumbled as he glared at Kalix.
"The rangers are strong. If attacked as a team the rangers would most likely win. They've proven their strength time and time again." Kalix said. He could feel the Psychos bristling at his implication. "However, if we weaken the team one at a time then we have a much better chance at success."
Lothor smiled approvingly. "And that is why you are my second in command, General Kalix."
"What? Sir, that snake has already tried to betray you once." Zurgane argued.
"I realize now the foolishness of my actions. I could never be as great a leader as Lothor." Kalix replied. His eyes glinted with something Zurgane didn't like. "I will do what I can to earn the honor of General once more."
Zurgane made to reply, but Lothor cut him off with a scathing look. The evil space ninja then turned his attention back to Kalix and his assembled warriors. "Keep doing what you're doing. You're doing a great job."
"Thank you sir." Kalix said with a bow. He led the Psychos out of the room.
Zurgane watched them go, feeling jealous rage overtake his senses. He couldn't believe what was happening lately. First Choobo was made General, which ended with enormous failure and the Thunder Rangers working with the Wind Rangers. He knew they should sent the two pests into space to drift for eternity…or maybe into the sun, whichever happened first. Then, Kalix, a traitor from the past showed up with a team of his own, the Psycho Rangers, and they were tearing the rangers apart. He knew it wouldn't last thought. I didn't know exactly what the reptile was up to, but he knew Kalix had some plan to overthrow Lothor. Some things never changed.
"Relax Zurgane. I still don't trust him, but he doesn't need to know that." Lothor said. "Once he and his little pets destroy the rangers I'll turn his own creations on him and then destroy them as well."
"Why destroy them sir? They're powerful warriors."
"Too powerful and too power hungry." Lothor replied. "It won't be long before their internal struggle for leadership turns Crimson and Red into complete power hogs. They'll want more and they'll turn their eyes on me. It's how it always happens. Power corrupts."