Author's Note: This chapter is in Hunter's voice, and it's fairly short, even by "Blues" standards. © October 2004.

Blues

Part Ten: The Hunt

I can hear my pulse beating in my ears. A steady rhythm of frustration and outrage, a battle drum keeping time with my feet as I race along the coast of Vertical Island, searching for some sign, any sign of my stupid, naïve, headstrong little brother.

I can't believe him. I just… can't! I told him to stay out of it! I told him to go back to the Thunder Academy! When did he stop trusting me? He always followed my lead! He always knew he could count on me to take care of him. Why did he pick now to stop listening to me!

I was trying to be quick about it. Beat the stuffing out of those irritating Winds, take them down a notch or two for being such a hassle. Then, it was simple to send them packing to Vertical Island, where Lothor could do with them what he pleased. My part of the deal would've been complete. Whatever mess Blake had gotten himself into would've been cleaned up. Then, we could've focused on their murdering sensei without interference.

But no… Blake had to show up at just the wrong time!

The last moments of the fight play over in my head, and I still don't believe it. He jumped into the portal after the Blue Ranger! He ignored my warning; he didn't hesitate for a second. I don't know what he was thinking. He just threw his lot in with the Winds. With her.

And Lothor's earlier taunts haunt me, like knowing laughter carried by the breeze.

"Your brother's loyalties have been tangled, it seems."

I didn't put much stock in his rambling at the time. I mean, how could I take Lothor's word that my own brother was a traitor? Still, I wanted to keep Blake out of it… as far away from the Winds as possible. For his own safety… and just in case. I don't know… for some reason, the sight of Blake and Tori together in the woods stirred something in me. Some almost-memory that I just can't reach.

Frustration. Resignation. And with that came a bit of fear… fear that there was some truth to Lothor's snide remark. That Blake really does feel something for the Wind Ranger. That our plan to infiltrate the Wind team's base and kidnap their sensei had taken an unwelcome turn.

"Blake has been manipulated by the Wind Rangers. They are more devious than we initially thought. They must be dealt with."

Snarling, my gloved fist pounds the nearest rock. I didn't want to make this personal. I wanted to keep it simple: toss them to Vertical Island and wash my hands of it. But then Blake jumped into the portal without even asking me where it went, or what I had planned. And when I watched in open-mouthed shock as my little brother disappeared, it felt like a battle line had been drawn.

Completely disregarding my instructions, he'd followed me into battle. And he didn't come to back me up, like the dependable little brother he's always been. He came to help them. To save her.

Now, there are five of us on Lothor's private property. And I don't know what else might be waiting here…

"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."

I have to find him. I have to snap him out of this. I have to make him remember our mission, our parents. That's all. I know where his loyalties truly lie. At worst, he's just… confused. He's always had too big a heart. It'll take more than a pretty face to break the bonds of family, dammit!

I have to find him before he gets into more trouble. Before something else finds him.

I continue my search, slowing my near-jog as I approach a small opening nestled at the base of a cliff.

I frown in confusion, staring at the cave's mouth. I can almost remember… another cave - ancient, hallowed ground - and misty shapes of green ether welcoming me…

"We're always looking after you."

"Make us proud."

Mom? Dad?

I shake my head, trying to grasp that faint memory with all my might… but it slips through my fingers like sand, leaving me feeling incredibly hollow. Alone.

What was that? Some fading vestiges of a dream?

"Ah, Hunter. Our paths cross again."

My fists clench with a will of their own as I step back, glaring up at a ledge near the top of the cave's mouth. "Choobo. I thought I told Lothor that I was handling this."

Lothor's stooge shrugs. "And Lothor told you he would take action if he was unsatisfied with your performance. And as it happens, he is very disappointed with the Navy Ranger. Your plan to infiltrate the Wind Rangers by winning their trust has backfired."

"I said I'm handling this," I snarl at the alien, my anger flaring remarkably fast… even for me. "I'll have Blake out of here in no time. Then, I don't care what you do to the Winds."

"Unlikely." Choobo's tone is unusually mocking, or maybe I'm just hypersensitive. "Blake can't bring himself to betray them… betray her."

I bite back a hot retort, trying to ignore how disconcerting it is that his argument so closely reflects my own worries. "You're wrong, Choobo. Blake would never turn his back on me." I fold my arms contemptuously. "He's my brother."

Choobo responds with a slow shake of the head, as if he were talking to a stubborn kid. My blood boils at the condescension. "He is almost your brother."

"Blood isn't everything," I growl, oddly… defensive.

"Of course it isn't. Life experience is so much more important, is it not?" Choobo rubs his chin in mock-thought. "He only knew you for… what? Half his life, more or less? He knew your dearly-departed parents even less than that. You though, you knew them and loved them with all your heart since you were an infant. They were the only parents you've ever known. Perhaps… his love for them doesn't run as deeply as yours? Perhaps he isn't quite as dedicated to avenging their deaths as you?"

Choobo's words hit with all the impact of a physical blow.

But like any other blow, I shake it off quickly. I lift my Thunder Staff, pointing it at Lothor's lackey. "I won't let you, Lothor, or anyone else hurt Blake. Got it?"

Choobo holds up his hands, waving away my threat. "I'm trying to help you, Hunter. If you can snap your brother out of whatever enchantment the girl has placed on him, then Lothor will be merciful." A chilling grin appears. "But, you must be realistic. Pain is better than death, Crimson Ranger. You may have to slightly hurt him in order to save him from our master's wrath."

I can actually hear the growl rumbling in my throat. "Lothor is not my master. Not now, not ever! We have an agreement… one which I can cancel at any time if I choose to."

"Don't be naïve, Hunter. You and Lothor have a mutual goal: vengeance against Watanabe, the man that murdered your beloved parents in cold blood. It would be unwise to break that alliance now, when your goal has not yet been achieved."

With a deep roar I pounce, fully intending on splitting the talkative bastard's head from his misshapen shoulders. From somewhere deep inside me, a bottomless well of hate suddenly opens, directed squarely at this creature, his façade of sheepish timidity hiding a cunning mind…

But instead of meeting plated armor, my Staff collides with the spandex-covered form of a Kelzack.

My fury-crazed mind finally notices the swarm of alien foot soldiers that materialized out of thin air, squirming around and between Choobo and me like a class of hyperactive grade schoolers.

"Fighting me now will only waste time," Choobo points out, probably trying to be the voice of reason. "Your goal should be to find your brother, and get him under control and off this island. Lothor's patience is not infinite."

I still feel a rolling hatred for this creature in the pit of my stomach, though for the life of me I can't quite piece together why. It's like grabbing at wisps of smoke… just impossible. So I forcibly put it out of my mind. There's no point dwelling on it now. I have more important things to worry about.

I fix a cold glare at the alien, and nod briskly.

"Take these Kelzacks with you. They can provide a distraction in case you should find the Winds first." That mocking smile returns. "Or, should you find Blake and the Winds together. That wouldn't be too surprising, since he jumped into the vortex specifically to find them, now would it?"

I decide not to waste any more breath on the bastard as he disappears in a flash of ionized light, leaving me with the swarm of Kelzacks.

I will find my brother, and I will save him. And the Wind Rangers even try to come between us… they will regret it.

To Be Continued…