Summary: Vertox confronts the Rangers about the Truce. Meanwhile, the Ninja Rangers work their magic…
Author's Notes: This will be a somewhat short chapter and I apologize if it turns out so. But the next chapter will be longer. Promise.
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He'd seen the whole show.
And what a pathetic show they had put on. Vertox sneered and shook his head at the retreating rangers. If this was the strength and power of the rangers, then things just got a whole lot easier. For past Rangers they didn't seem to threatening. He glanced at Merios to see him rather bored with the whole affair. Who could blame him? The current teams of Power Rangers were just as pathetic as their predecessors.
"Come, it's time we call the truce." Vertox said, stepping out of the bushes. He peered at Tommy's back and raised his head.
The White Ninja Ranger had stopped in his tracks and looked over his shoulder. His eyes went a deadly serious and he turned to face the Evil Lord. Vertox bowed almost respectfully and threw the mantle around himself a bit further.
"Thomas Oliver?" Vertox said, taking a few steps forward. The White Ranger hadn't even flinched under the man's approach. "I've come to speak with you."
"Why would I want to hear anything from you?" Tommy hissed, looking ready to attack. Merios lurched forward, but was stopped by a boney, clawed hand.
"You have no fear, I see." Vertox said, peering into the falcon-alert eyes. "And you have acquired the power of the Ninjetti. Most unexpected."
Tommy stared fearlessly back, squeezing his fists tightly. "How do you know of the Ninjetti?"
Vertox's face contorted into a sneer and he threw his head back in laughter. "Oh please, that Ninjor was even less of a problem then that brat, Conner." Vertox's hand shot up, catching Tommy's thrown fist. Their arms shook from the sheer strain and force. "Though I d-do admit, that R-Red Ranger put up m-more of a fight…"
"LET HIM GO!" A voice called from the side. Vertox glanced its way, seeing Adam Park and Rocky DeSantos crouched down, ready to attack. To his other side was Aisha Campbell and Billy Cranston. Somehow, behind him, Kira, Trent, Kimberly and Ethan had snuck up on them. "You're severely out numbered. Don't try anything."
Vertox could only sneer at their empty threats. He looked at Tommy again, seeing his body shaking with anger. Reluctantly, he let the Falcon Ranger go and took a step back.
"I have no come here for a quarrel." Vertox began, peering deep into Tommy's eyes. He could see a twinge of fear present now. "I've come here for a temporary truce between the likes of us."
"A truce?" Trent had nearly shouted, his eyes widening in surprise. Suddenly it switched to a deadly glare. "What makes you think we'd give you that satisfaction?"
"Because if you don't accept, Mercer, I could just as easily destroy you all now." He hissed, throwing a glance over his shoulder. The two locked eyes for a moment; one glared icy daggers at the others while one burned with a hidden, fiery rage. Vertox glanced at Tommy, grinning. "Do you accept, Doctor?"
Tommy lowered his gaze to the ground and let his shoulders sag with a sigh. "It's not like we have a choice." He glanced at his comrades, receiving only blank stares back. Many couldn't believe he'd said that. "Fine, we accept your terms. Now take your general out of here, Vertox."
Visibly, Tommy seethed with anger and his muscles twitched from the strain. Kimberly watched her love with alert eyes, hoping he wouldn't suddenly spring forward and attack the man. Conner had already tried that and paid with his life. But Tommy held his ground as Vertox turned away and disappeared through an Inviso-portal.
Almost instantly Tommy raised the bracelet. "Andros, this is Tommy, do you read?"
For a moment there was silence, but suddenly the bracelet burst forth with static and then a clear, smooth voice answered. "Andros here, Tommy, go ahead."
"Andros retrieve the Space Rangers and get over here now." Tommy said and glanced at Kimberly. "I've got a mission for you…"
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Kira leaned against the stasis chamber and closed her weary eyes. Within side of it was the love of her life, Conner McKnight. He wasn't alive; no, not alive. The Chamber was merely there to ensure his body remained in perfect condition. She ran her hand along the icy cold chamber, peering down at her love.
He looks so pale…She thought, the tears threatening to spill. They'd been a team for nearly a year and half, but were only a couple for a few days. Their love had only begun to bloom and it had started strong. But now…she looked in the chamber with tear scared eyes and buried her head into her arms. Conner was dead now and the love they had experienced came to a disastrous halt.
"He's in a better place, Kira." She heard, a soft hand rested gently on her shoulder. "Never forget him and the love you shared…"
Kira glanced over her shoulder, seeing Trent standing there. She looked away again, peering down at Conner again. Trent sighed and directed his gaze upon Conner as well. The stasis chamber was working its magic well. Conner seemed perfectly preserved, void of any decomposition. But still…even with a plan it pained everyone to see their best friend like this.
"Tommy's plan will work, Kira." Trent reassured, squeezing her shoulders tightly. "Then you'll be with Conner once more."
She glanced back at the teen in white and nodded lightly. She looked back at Conner and sighed. "It's just so hard without him, Trent." She whispered, the tears threatening to spill again.
Trent wrapped his arms around her protectively and pulled her close. "Listen to me, Kira…I know I can never take Conner's place; none of us can. But if you need someone, anyone to talk to, please, don't hesitate to come to one of us."
Kira leaned back against Trent and rested her head on his shoulder. She sighed heavily and closed her weary eyes. Before she knew it, her eyes had become heavy and she drifted off into a peaceful slumber. Trent held her tightly as he looked on at Conner. In his mind, he half belittled his friend in red, but half envied him as well.
"Goodnight, Kira…" Trent whispered as he rested his head against hers. He found his eyes closing as well, drifting off into a peaceful slumber…
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Tommy sighed as he looked out into the setting sun. It had been several hours since their run in with Vertox and everyone was just as shaken up as he was; if not, them more. His thoughts drifted as he stared out into the horizon. Since Vertox's timely arrival, school had been postponed for another week. That meant he had to go over the strategies incase an monster attacked the school. It was just more information he had to add to an already long lecture in store for his students.
"Thinking about school tomorrow?" The voice asked.
Tommy glanced back to see Kimberly and gave a fractional nod. "Yeah…it's going to be tough trying to fill in for Conner's absence."
Kim rested a soft hand on his shoulder and kissed his cheek lightly. "Don't worry too much about it, Tommy. I've got his class covered until your able to finish whatever it is you've got in mind."
His hand rested atop hers as he smiled lovingly at her. He didn't know why he deserved such a woman, but apparently God thought he did. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and suddenly pulled her into his strong embrace.
"Thanks, beautiful." He whispered in her ear, kissing lightly at her neck.
She cooed softly, melting in his strong, warm arms. "N-No problem, handsome." She said while struggling to maintain her balance. She smiled, resting comfortably in his arms. Every time he seemed to hold her, or kiss her, her knees became shaky and her pleasure sensors went into overdrive. She nuzzled against his arm lightly and relished in the time they had together.
"Aw…isn't that just sweet!"
Tommy shot a glare over is shoulder, but calmed seeing Aisha, Rocky, Billy and Adam standing there. Unlike the others, Billy seemed rather anxious, almost on the verge of worry. Tommy ignored Aisha's comment and stood up, keeping Kimberly close.
"Billy, what's wrong?" Tommy questioned, raising a brow. Everyone turned to Billy, seeing him staring at the floor.
After a moment of silence from the whiz, he turned to face everyone. "Alright, I'll be as simple with this as possible…" He took a deep breath and sighed. "Conner isn't dead…at least, not yet."
Gasps.
"He went into a coma…sure, he stopped breathing, but somehow by putting him in the stasis chamber, he…I guess, came back to life." Billy glanced at the shocked and utterly bewildered faces, minus one, and shrugged. "That's the only way I can explain it. I mean, he's not dead…he has brain activity and he's…breathing. Well, to an extent. Inside the stasis chamber, he'll live; he'll breathe, he'll have brain activity, but he can't wake up. Outside of it, he'll be dead to us."
"And that's the reason I called you here." Tommy said, alerting every one's attention. "Well, one of the reasons."
"What's the others?" Rocky asked, a bit confused by his friends words.
"…well…I'll leave that for another time." He grinned but groaned, feeling Kim punch his arm. "Our main focus right now is Conner and getting him healed."
"Yeah, but how? That'll take days…months…maybe even years to heal." Adam protested and shrugged absently. "I looked him over a few hours ago and he's pretty banged up."
"Our Ninjetti powers will speed up the healing process." Tommy explained and then pulled out the Red Dino Gem. "See? The gem is glowing faintly…that means he's still alive." He tossed it into Billy's hands. "Can you find a way to power it back up?"
He shook his head, peering into the heart itself. "No. Not unless Conner is in full health. He's the only one who can power it up. He has to morph."
Tommy nodded and sighed. He glanced at Kimberly, gazing into her chocolate brown eyes. Since Conner's apparently death, they hadn't had much alone time and he knew they both needed it. They had issues they needed to get cleared up and a lot of questions existed between the two. He glanced back at the other Ninja, knowing they'd need a place to stay.
"Well…I guess you can all crash here. Down in the lab I had some beds set up for you guys." He said and pulled the jaw of the T-Rex. "So you guys can stay here the night."
The others gave a gentle smile and bowed.
"And thanks for coming guys…it really means a lot." Tommy whispered, looking away from them. They hear the pain his voice – he didn't want Conner to die just as much, if not more then, anyone else. The obvious exception would be Kira.
They all made they way into the lab with tired and weary eyes. Though it was still early, tomorrow they felt was going to be a good day. Tommy gave one last look at the house before pulling the trap door shut. Now, it was all up to time and fate…
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Gak! I'm so sorry people TT I haven't given up on this story so please don't think that :'( I will finish this. I just took an unexpected hiatus due to something called WRITERS BLOCK! In return for this long hiatus I am going to try lengthening the chapters. I also have quite a few big plans coming up; this includes former rangers, the Space Rangers, a certain somebody's wedding and other's. I should be updating with another chapter soon…
May the Powers Protect You.