Author's Note: Well, I'd wanted to write each chapter of "Blues" with an individual narrator for simplicity's sake, but this one just worked much better from two perspectives: the boys in Red. The first scene is in Hunter's voice, and the second is in Shane's. Expect liberties to be taken with canon events. © June 2004.

Blues

Part Six: Seeing Red

I wake up in a room I've never seen before.

Alarm snaps me to full attention. My eyes scan sophisticated equipment in the minimal light, with charts, graphs, vials and flasks.

It looks like a laboratory. And judging from the screen covered with strange symbols that look nothing like any language I've ever seen, I think it's safe to say this isn't an Earth lab.

I swing my legs over the edge of the cushioned platform, leaning much of my weight against the bed as I my knees buckle.

Dizziness fogs the edges of my vision, my head suddenly throbbing. I can feel a vague burn in my stomach, and strained muscles refuse to move with their natural flexibility. I was in a fight recently. And I was wounded.

But… I don't remember it.

"It's about time you woke up."

I look up, startled by the simple fact that I didn't notice her presence before. Usually that eyesore of a hairdo makes her hard to miss. I must really be off balance. "Kapri."

Lothor's niece offers a plastic grin as she files her fingernails, but she gives no explanation. So I demand one. "Why am I here?"

She shrugs absently. "You were wounded, so Uncle Lothor brought you here for treatment." A flash of white teeth gives a certain edge to her grin. "Those Winds got you good down there."

Huh? The Wind Rangers? Managed to hurt me? Yeah… right!

But… I can't deny the ache in my chest. I definitely was injured. Somehow.

"I don't remember any fight."

Her eyebrow quirks, and she pauses her filing. "You don't? Well, what do you remember?"

My response surprises me. "Blake and I were at the beach. It was after we found the Winds when we trashed their Megazord." I frown deeply. Something's not right with that -- as if there was something… fuzzy afterward.

Flashes of rubble, fighting wraith-like creatures, a green crystal, an argument with Blake… but nothing concrete. Weird.

I look up, and notice Kapri's more-confused-than-usual expression. "That was two weeks ago."

I blink. And blink again. "That's impossible."

She approaches me, daring to reach her hand to my forehead. I level my most lethal glare at her, and she wisely steps back. "They obviously hit you harder than we thought."

My fingers trail through my messy hair, searching for bumps or clumps of blood that would support her theory. But while I can't find any physical evidence, I do have a killer headache, and my legs just don't want to keep me upright.

Something is wrong with me.

I scan the lab one more time. No second bed, and no chair other than the one Kapri had occupied. No sign of any other patient or visitor.

I keep my voice even with great effort. "Where's Blake?"

She winces visibly. "We should see my uncle…"

I grab her arm before she can turn away. "Where. Is. Blake?" I enunciate each word as if she were deaf and dumb.

Her cool blue eyes meet mine, trying to stare me down. My grip doesn't loosen.

"He's on Earth," she finally reveals, breaking eye contact.

But that doesn't satisfy me, as my tightened grip can attest. "We left him on Earth? Alone?"

It doesn't make sense. If Blake knew I was hurt, he'd stay by my side like a hawk. Unless, he couldn't…

"What happened to him?"

"He's not hurt!" Kapri squeaks, insistently tugging against my steel grip. "He's with the Wind Rangers."

My entire body tenses, only aggravating bruised organs and freshly-knit ribs. "The Wind Rangers captured him?"

She glances away. "No. He joined them willingly."

That's not possible. Blake would never abandon me. I know he has doubts about our plan to infiltrate Ninja Ops, but he'd never just leave me. We're family.

"We should go see Uncle," she states, her tone insistent. "He has a plan to repay the Wind Rangers, and to get your brother back."

A smart-ass comment leaps to my tongue, but I bite down against it. This isn't the time to get angry; not until I know who I should direct that anger toward. Right now, all I can do is cooperate… until I figure out what kind of game Lothor is trying to play.

I silently stalk behind the girl as we approach the throne, all the while concentrating on the scraps of memory that seem just out of reach.

I remember arguing with Blake, though I can't get a hold of the context or content. I remember frustration and impatience, and a touch of resignation. Like… I'd given up the fight? That's definitely not my style.

I try to bring that memory it into focus. How long ago did that happen? Is that the reason why Blake isn't here? Did it have something to do with the Winds?

"Hunter, so good to see you up and about!"

I glare at Lothor, folding my arms contemptuously. I can hear the rumbling growl of Zurgane, probably annoyed at my habitual lack of respect. He should know by now; I don't bow to alien psychos.

I cut right to the chase. "Where's Blake?"

"It looks like some of his memory has been lost," Kapri interjects. "He doesn't remember what happened with Blake or the Winds."

I grind my teeth, glaring at the pink-headed girl through the corner of my eye. She shuts up, and backs away.

Lothor shakes his head, grimacing. "Such a sad story, really."

"Cut the melodrama," I snap, stepping forward. "Where is Blake?"

Lothor lifts his hand, and an image slowly forms. "He's on Earth. And he's not alone."

I stare in confusion as the ball of light begins to clear. Green blurs take the shape of trees, and two blue-toned blotches come into focus in the center.

Blake. And the Blue Wind Ranger. And they're… laughing?

"What is this supposed to be?"

"Your brother's loyalties have been tangled, it seems," Lothor responds, waving his hand. The image fades from view, but not from my mind.

"You're wrong," I state firmly. "The plan was for Blake and I to befriend the Winds, so we can find Ninja Ops and get their Sensei. If Blake thinks the Blue Ranger is the easiest target, then so be it."

I trust my brother; I trust him with my life. And if Lothor thinks he can shake that trust… he's more a fool than I thought.

"That was the plan," Lothor concedes, "but much has happened that you probably don't remember. Blake has been manipulated by the Wind Rangers. They are more devious than we initially thought. They must be dealt with."

I grimace. "That's not part of our deal, Lothor. We target the guinea pig, period. If you want to kill the Wind Rangers, do your own dirty work."

"Oh, I don't think that's such a good idea." Lothor rises from his throne, walking past me at a leisurely pace. "You see, Hunter, your brother has betrayed me, and I do not take such disloyalty lightly. If I send Zurgane, or my other servants, to destroy the Wind Rangers, I fear Blake will get caught in the crossfire."

He turns to me, a smug smile on his masked face. "You wouldn't want that, would you?"

Teeth bared, I lean closer to the space ninja. "You're threatening me?"

He slowly shakes his head. "Not at all. I'm merely giving you… an opportunity, if you will. You help me destroy the Wind Rangers, and perhaps I can show some leniency."

At first, red-hot rage makes it incredibly difficult to hold back from leaping at the mocking freak. But I manage to stay in control; I have to figure out how much of what Lothor's saying is the truth.

How much danger is Blake in? How do I get him out of it?

I decide to negotiate. "I'm not your attack dog, Lothor. I don't kill just because you say so."

The amused smirk returns. "Then don't kill them just yet. Draw them into my trap, and then see how far you are willing to go to stay in my good graces."

His hand emerges from his cloak, revealing a narrow circlet. "This will open a portal to Vertical Island, my own piece of real estate on Earth. You will deliver the Winds an invitation for me." His smirk becomes exceptionally mocking. "And since Blake will most likely try to help his new allies, I suggest you consider joining them on Vertical Island. If you can't persuade him to see reason and stay out of my affairs, I'm afraid he won't be spared."

My grip tightens on the magical ring. "Swear to leave Blake alone, and I'll do it."

"Oh, I could give my word… but it's so hard to control monsters in the heat of battle." A toothy Cheshire smile appears, giving me a strange sense of déjà vu. For some reason, I'm… disturbed by that expression. I itch to take a step back, to get away from that sinister smile, but something roots my feet in place.

I refuse to back down from this maniac.

I do catch his drift, though. I don't have anything particular against the Winds (at least, unless what Lothor said about them manipulating Blake is true), but if it's a matter of protecting my little brother, I can live with some collateral damage.

I take a breath, and lay out my terms. "Fine. You and your goons stay out of it. I'll send the Rangers to Vertical Island, and I'll deal with Blake."

His dark eyes watch me for a long moment, before he finally inclines his head. "A deal. However, if I see that you're not dealing with the Rangers to my satisfaction, I will provide reinforcements."

"Your flunkies cramp my style, Lothor," I growl. "They'd do well to stay out of my way."

"If you efficiently eliminate the Rangers, or at least restore your brother to his senses, then you'll be long gone when I send the clean-up crew," he answers.

He then pauses at the wall, and pulls two narrow objects down from display. When he holds them out to me, I can't keep my stony mask. My jaw drops in surprise.

It's… my Thunder Staff. Broken in half?

What the hell?

"You were injured in your last battle against the Wind Rangers," Lothor continues, "Unfortunately, Blake was unwilling to harm the Blue Ranger, which, of course, meant you were occupied fighting Red and Yellow while keeping an eye on your wayward brother." He leaves the broken pieces in my startled grip.

I swallow to moisten my dry throat, staring at the broken staff in disbelief. The Winds broke my staff? That's impossible!

But who else could've done it…?

Lothor then steps closer, definitely invading my personal space. I glare at him, but once again I don't back down.

His hands guide the broken staff together, until the frayed edges are touching. Then, with a flash of energy, the broken steel is mended.

"Don't underestimate the Wind Rangers, Hunter. They will kill you if given the opportunity. Don't let them get an opening."

I give a curt nod as I turn to leave. I trust Lothor about as far as I can throw the Megazord, but I can't deny it's good advice.

I glance down at my renewed Thunder Staff with a strange sense of dread. If the Winds did break it, then they're definitely stronger than I anticipated. And if… if Blake really is starting to be swayed by Tori -- and that's a big "if" -- then I don't know how he'll act if I confront her.

There are just way too many "ifs" floating around. I don't know what is going on.

But there's one thing I do know for sure: Blake's in danger. Definitely from Lothor, and from the looks of it, probably from the Winds, too.

Blue Bay Harbor, here I come.

We step out into the afternoon sun, and I take a deep breath of the outdoors air. After spending half an hour waiting for Dustin to finish repairs on a leaking dirt bike, I can't wait to get the smell of gas out of my nose!

"Sorry that took so long, Dude," Dustin excuses, absently picking the grime from under his fingernails, "I couldn't leave Kelly hanging. She really needs to hire more help."

I shrug, glancing at my watch. "Don't worry about it; I was able to get some homework done, so it's no big loss." I then turn to Dustin, my gaze serious. "What we should worry about is Tori. She should've been back by now."

Dustin nods his agreement, casting an anxious glance down the road. Still no sky blue van in sight. "Definitely."

I grimace, stuffing my hands into my pockets. "Why the heck did she decide to go bike riding anyway?" I grumble, trying as hard as I can not to panic. "At least when she goes surfing, we know where to look for her."

A small grin crosses Dustin's lips. "I think she misses Blake."

I stop dead in my tracks. "Excuse me?"

Dustin shrugs. "Okay, she didn't come out and say it, but this dude from Factory Blue came into the store asking about Blake and Hunter, and then Tori got all quiet and moody, and then asked to take my bike."

My frown deepens. "I hoped she'd gotten over… that."

"That" being the whole touchy "Blake thing" that's had me walking on eggshells around my friend for two weeks.

She's definitely gotten better. She's not as cold and withdrawn as she was when the Thunders first left. But still… she doesn't talk to me anymore. And every so often she gets quiet and distant.

And now this weird brainstorm to go dirt biking. Where did that come from? She's been gone too long without even a call, and she's not really used to riding those things…

"Maybe we should call her, or ask Cam to track her down in Ninja Ops…"

Whatever Dustin says in response is drowned by a loud explosion, and suddenly I'm thrown off my feet.

I crash into a bush lining the sidewalk, coughing on dust as small specks of broken concrete and bony branches scratch my skin. I hear Dustin coughing to my left; he's conscious, at least.

Then my vision clears, and all I see is red.

"Hunter?"

"So the cat's out of the bag, is it?" the elder Thunder brother remarks, folding his arms.

His answer definitely confuses me… but I shake it off as I stand up.

"Hey!" Dustin wheezes. I take a second to watch him climb off an overturned bench, fixing the Crimson Ranger with a shocked stare. "What's your beef, Dude? I thought we were all cool!"

"Did you?" I can hear the smirk in Hunter's voice. "Now, what made you think that?"

"Forget it, Dustin," I call, holding out my hand. "Obviously, we misjudged these guys." My eyebrow quirks, and I carefully look around the area for a streak of navy. "Striking solo, I see. Where's your little blue friend?"

A snort. "Where's yours?"

And a sudden, bone-deep horror makes time stand still. Dammit, I shouldn't have waited so long! I should've asked Cam to keep an eye on all of us 24/7!

Stiffly, I lift my communicator. "Tori? Tori, answer me!"

Dead silence.

"Dustin," I command through clenched teeth, "Find Tori. Get Cam to help you. Do whatever it takes."

He doesn't argue. I feel the wind stir as he Ninja Streaks into the distance.

Iimmediately activate my morpher. "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!"

The rush of red energy augments my strength, speed, and endurance, filling me with the power to face my foe. When the transformation completes, I glare at my opponent through my visor. "You'd better pray Tori is okay," I snarl, drawing my sword. "If you and Blake hurt her in any way, I will find you no matter where you hide!"

He responds with a low chuckle. "Nobody's hiding today, Shane. The masks are off, and now…" A flash of electricity stretches into the Thunder Staff "..so are the kid gloves."

Sparks fly as steel meets steel.

To Be Continued…