Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers.
Dissension within the Ranks
Chapter 12
Broodwing had his hand extended. "So, do we have a deal?"
"Nope you're on your own," Sky said walking past Broodwing.
Broodwing was shocked but not surprised. He called out to the blue ranger. "It won't be long until Gruumm finds you again. You can't run away from him forever!" Broodwing shouted.
It wasn't clear whether or not Sky had heard what Broodwing said. If he did, he certainly didn't acknowledge it. Sky just kept walking.
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Back at the Academy, Cruger had called the rangers to a meeting in the command center. He paced back and forth for awhile before finally speaking.
"I want you to separate into two groups and search for Sky. He couldn't have gotten very far. Jack, you, Bridge, and Syd will form one group. I want you to search New Tech Center. Sam and Z, you will form the second group. I want you to search the City Plaza." Cruger stated.
Syd stepped forward. "Why are you putting me in the same group as Jack? I want to be in a different group," Syd commented.
Cruger walked over to Sydney and looked at her. "I am fully aware that our team isn't getting along. I plan to change that by forcing you to work together with those whom you don't get along with," Cruger replied. "Now go!"
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Over in Gruumm's ship, Morgana and Giganis had just told him that Sky had escaped again.
"So you have no idea where he is?" Gruumm asked.
"No. After he released his force field, he left," Morgana answered.
"How is that possible? I thought Broodwing gave Sky his shot? His mind should've been controlled unless…" Gruumm started to say.
"Unless what?" Giganis asked.
Gruumm let out an evil laugh. "They both thought they could get away with it," Gruumm said.
"Who?" Morgana asked.
"Broodwing made me believe that he had given Sky his shot, but in actuality he didn't. Sky made me think that he was under my control by putting up his force field, but really he wasn't. That was very clever of them, but now they both shall pay," Gruumm remarked.
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Sky kept on walking when he felt something tug on his jacket. He looked down and saw the orphan boy and girl.
"Please don't leave us alone," the boy said.
Sky knelt on the ground so he could look at them eye to eye. "You shouldn't be here. It isn't safe to be around me. People are looking for me, and I don't want to put you two in any danger," Sky said.
Just then, a tall man about seven feet tall and nearly 300 pounds stood before them. He looked over at the boy and girl and said, "There you are. I've been looking all over for you!"
The boy and girl hid behind Sky.
"Don't let him take us!" the girl pleaded.
"We don't wanna go back!" the boy exclaimed.
Sky stood up on his feet. He looked at the man. "Look, I don't know who you are, but these two don't want to go with you," Sky said.
The man walked over to Sky so that he was face to face. The man easily towered over Sky who was not by any means short in height. "Oh yeah? Well what are you going to do about it pretty boy?" the man asked shoving Sky.
"You have no idea who you're dealing with! You picked the wrong guy to mess with!" Sky said his fist connecting with the bigger man's jaw.
The bigger man stumbled back a couple of feet and put his hand to his jaw massaging it. "On the contrary, I know exactly who you are. You've been all over the news a lot lately. You've been portrayed as both a hero and a criminal. If you want to play like that, then I'll have no problem rearranging your face!" the bigger man said punching Sky on the bridge of the nose.
Blood started trickling out of Sky's nostrils. He put his hand to his nose and saw the blood. Sky turned so that he was facing the boy and girl. "Go on. Get out of here! I'll take care of him," Sky said. The little boy and girl ran for cover.
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In the City Plaza, Sam and Z were searching for Sky. Sam saw that Z wasn't speaking to him and that just broke his heart.
"Come on Z talk to me!" Sam begged.
Z spun around to face Sam. "I have nothing to say to you," Z said.
"Look I know you're worried about Sky, but…" Sam started to say.
"You have no idea what I'm going through!" Z yelled before he could finish.
Sam put a hand on Z's shoulder. With his other hand he lifted Z's face so that she was looking at him. "So tell me," Sam said softly.
Z brushed Sam's hand off of her shoulder and turned away from Sam. "Stop doing this!" Z exclaimed.
"Doing what?" Sam asked.
"Coming onto me," Z replied.
"I can't ignore my feelings Z. Maybe you can, but I can't," Sam said.
Z threw her hands up in the air. "God Sam, for the last time, I don't have any feelings for you!" Z yelled.
"Yes you do. I know you care about me," Sam said.
"Not in the way that you think," Z commented.
"I think you do. I don't see why a relationship between the two of us couldn't work. Sure we couldn't kiss or have sex, but none of that matters to me. All that matters is that I have you." Sam said.
Z spun around to face Sam. She pulled back her hand and slapped him across the face. "Damn it Sam! I told you my heart belongs to Sky!" she shouted.
"Yeah, well Sky's probably not coming back. I think it's for the best. He's a criminal now. You deserve better," Sky said.
Z's eyes were filled with hurt. "I can't believe you just said that! You seem to be forgetting one thing. I'm a criminal too! I'm only a power ranger because I wanted to be a part of something bigger, something that makes a difference. Besides, my only other alternative was to serve my sentence in prison for who knows how long. So, if you're going to judge Sky because he's a criminal, then you're going to have to judge me the same way!" Z screamed.
"I'm sorry Z. I didn't know," Sam said.
"Are you still interested in me or do you not want to be in a relationship with a criminal?" Z asked.
Sam stuttered out, "Z, I…I…"
Z continued speaking. "You know Sam, not all criminals are bad people. Some criminals are good people that have just made a few bad decisions or a few mistakes," Z said.
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At New Tech Center, Jack, Bridge, and Syd were searching for Sky.
Jack noticed that Bridge was staying away from him. "What's your problem?" Jack asked.
Bridge ignored Jack's question and continued to stay a safe distance away from him.
"I can't believe Cruger placed us with you!" Syd said to Jack.
"Are you still upset about…?" Jack started to say before being interrupted by Syd.
"Upset? How could I not be upset? You ruined my life! How could you stoop so low? You're so pathetic you won't even accept responsibility for your actions. Instead you're blaming it on your being mentally unstable because you were in prison. If I turn out to be pregnant, what am I going to tell my son or daughter? Am I supposed to tell him or her that I was in a loveless relationship with their father? That their father raped me and their existence is a mistake?" Syd asked with a voice full of rage.
Bridge and Jack were both shocked at Syd's outburst.
"I can be a good father Syd," Jack said.
"I don't love you Jack! I never have and I never will! I'm never going to forgive you for what you did to me!" Syd yelled.
Bridge finally worked up the courage to say something to Jack.
"I'm never going to forgive you either! Do you want to know what my problem is with you? My problem is that I've lost complete respect for you! You're a loose cannon Jack. I have no idea when you're going to go off on me or anybody else. You attacked me. You attacked Sky. You raped Syd. Those are not the actions of a leader, of a ranger!" Bridge shouted.
Jack couldn't believe that Syd and Bridge were ganging up on him. He wiped the surprised look of his face and replied, "What about Sky? I suppose you still think he is the best! Fortunately, none of the civilians suffered serious injuries from being trapped beneath his force field. Is that the type of action of a leader, a ranger?" Jack asked.
"His mind was being controlled Jack!" Bridge yelled.
"What's your problem Jack? I thought you and Sky had settled your differences! Come to think of it, you never really liked him or got along with him did you? You never even gave him a chance! Deep down you know he's the better man!" Syd screamed.
"Oh please! Better man my ass! Sky's not fit to be leader! Sky's made much more mistakes than I have! First, he disobeyed my order and left his post allowing Gruumm to steal a stash of diamonds. Then he let an assassin into the Academy which resulted in Cruger nearly getting killed. Then, he allowed Mirloc to escape prison because he wasn't able to control his emotions. More recently, he nearly killed a bunch of civilians by trapping them under a force field!" Jack retorted.
"Sky risked his life to allow Z and me to get out of the warehouse. He would've died if it wasn't for S.P.D.'s state of the art life support machine. He put the needs of others before the needs of his own which is more than I can say about you!" Bridge retaliated.
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Sky was pinned up against a wall with a hand wrapped tightly around his throat. He was gasping for air and tried desperately to pry the hand from his neck.
The bigger man had a huge grin on his face. He was enjoying the feeling of windpipes crushing beneath his hand. "What's the matter pretty boy? Can't you breathe?" the man asked tightening his grip.
Sky was kicking and squirming but he couldn't maneuver much because the bigger man's body weight was pressing him against the wall. He managed to get an arm free and waved it around in a circle creating a force field that broke the grip and sent his attacker flying to the ground. Sky fell to all fours. He was coughing up blood. Blood was running down his neck from where his attacker's hand was.
His attacker got up to his feet. "What the hell was that you freak?" he hollered. He ran over to Sky and kicked him in the ribs. Sky groaned and clutched his ribs.
Just then, the little boy and girl ran in between the attacker and Sky with their arms extended they said, "Leave him alone!"
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Back at the City Plaza, Sam and Z were still arguing.
"How can you even be attracted to Sky? He's so stubborn and strict and…" Sam started to say.
"He's also caring and selfless," Z said. "He sacrificed himself in the warehouse to save Bridge and me not caring what happened to him!"
"What does he have that I don't have?" Sam finished saying.
"Aw, is Sparky the nightlight jealous?" Z taunted.
Sam denied it. "Jealous? Me? No way!"
"That's so cute!" Z commented.
"Stop calling me Sparky the nightlight. Wait, did you say cute?" Sam asked.
Z averted her gaze so she wasn't looking at Sam. "Yeah um, don't read too much into that," Z said.
"So you do like me?" Sam asked hopeful.
Z rolled her eyes. "I thought I just told you not to read too much into that?" Z asked.
"Come on Z, answer the question," Sam begged.
Z sighed. "Of course I like you. I've felt a certain connection with you from the moment we first met each other. Granted, you were a kid then, but now that you're an adult, it gives me hope," Z said.
Sam was shocked at what he just heard. If he wasn't wearing his helmet, Z could see that his jaw dropped. "I thought you said that we can't be together because you wouldn't be able to kiss me or have sex with me?" Sam asked.
"I only said that because I thought that was important to you, but since you told me it's not important to you, maybe we could give us a try," Z said.
"I thought your heart belonged to Sky?" Sam asked.
"It does, but like you said we may never find him, so maybe it's best for me to move on," Z answered.
Sam was smiling beneath his helmet.
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At New Tech Center, Jack, Bridge, and Syd were still going at it.
"I know you two and Sky have been through a lot together, but damn why must you always treat me like an outsider?" Jack asked.
Bridge calmed down before speaking. "The three of us share a bond with one another, much like the bond that you share with Z," Bridge said.
Jack walked over to Bridge. Bridge took a couple steps back.
"Bridge, I won't hurt you," Jack said. Bridge stopped retreating. Jack put a hand on Bridge's shoulder. "Look, I know you two care about Sky and believe it or not, so do I. We'll find him," Jack said.
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"Out of the way you little brats!" the man screamed at the little boy and girl.
"No!" they shouted back.
"Listen to your daddy and move it!" the man yelled shoving the little boy and girl to the ground.
Sky got to his feet. He checked to make sure the kids were ok. "That was uncalled for!" Sky exclaimed.
"You're not our daddy!" the little boy hollered at the man.
"Daddy or not, you two are coming back to the group home!" the man hollered.
"Not if I can help it!" Sky said punching the man in the gut. The man doubled over. Sky punched the man in the side of the face. Sky threw another punch except this time his fist was caught. He threw a punch with his other hand, but the man caught that fist too. The bigger man kicked Sky in the chest sending him flying backwards into the wall.
Sky's attacker laughed evilly. "Ha! Some ranger you are! You're not so tough!"
Sky's morpher started beeping. Sky answered, "Cadet Tate here."
Cruger's voice came through on the other end. "Where are you at Sky?"
Sky was about to answer when his attacker knocked his morpher out of his hand sending it skidding down the alley. Sky's attacker pulled out a knife from his pocket.
"Oh great," Sky thought to himself.
Sky's attacker lunged at Sky with the knife. Sky sidestepped. He swept his attacker's legs out from under him. Sky pulled out a set of handcuffs and reached down to put them on his attacker when his attacker stabbed him in the stomach. Blood started pouring out of the knife wound.
"No!" the little girl shouted. The two kids ran over to Sky.
The attacker grabbed them by the wrists. "You're coming with me!" he shouted walking away with them.
The two kids squirmed and tried to break free from his grasp, but to no avail. "Let me go!" they shouted.
Sky pulled the knife out of his stomach and got up and stabbed his attacker in the back. The bigger man fell to his knees and then fell to the ground face down.
The two kids ran over to Sky. Sky knelt down so he was at their level, and they hugged him.
"Are you ok?" the little girl asked.
Sky looked into her eyes and could see the worry. He had no clue why the two of them cared about him so much considering how he nearly killed them when he had them trapped beneath his force field. He knew that they were afraid of their foster parent and didn't want to go with him and was glad that he stopped him from taking them.
"I'll be fine, how about you two?" Sky asked smiling.
The little boy pointed to a scrape on his knee. "I have a booboo," the boy said.
The little girl tugged on Sky's jacket. "Can you be our daddy?" she asked.
"Yeah, we never had a daddy before," the boy added.
Sky looked over at his attacker who was still lying on the ground face down. "I thought he was your daddy?" Sky asked pointing over at him.
"No all he did was yell at us and hurt us," the little boy answered.
Sky felt so bad once he heard that. "How could someone be so mean to two innocent little kids?" Sky thought to himself.
"So, can you be our daddy, please?" the little girl asked.
Sky laughed when he saw the two children were giving him the puppy dog face. Then a frown replaced his smile. "I don't know if you two should be seen with me. People might think I've kidnapped you or something," Sky said.
"But you would never do that," the little boy said.
Just then, they heard sirens approaching. A jeep pulled up and out stepped Cruger. Cruger saw Sky's bloody nose, the blood trickling down his neck, and the knife wound on Sky's stomach.
"My God, what happened to you?" Cruger asked.
The two kids hid behind Sky.
"Who is that?" the little girl asked scared.
"Don't worry. He's my commander. I got into a fight protecting these two," Sky answered.
Cruger contacted the other rangers. "Rangers, I've found Sky, return to base," he ordered.
"You're a power ranger?" the little boy asked Sky.
"That's right," Sky answered.
"That's a pretty nasty wound you got there Sky. Let's get you back to base so we can get it treated. We need to talk as well about a lot of things, but that can wait," Cruger said.
Sky and the two children got into the jeep after Sky had retrieved his morpher, and the four of them drove back to the Academy.
The children's foster parent stirred on the ground. He rose to his feet. He managed to reach the knife and pull it out of his back. Staring at it he said, "Mark my words pretty boy, I will get those children back!" His hand tightened around the knife as he clenched his fists.
To Be Continued…
Note: So I realized I had been spelling New Tech City and Gruumm incorrectly, so I fixed that. Better late than never I suppose. I also realized that my story is not completely accurate in that Sky lost his father (which Mirloc is believed to be responsible for his death) when he was young and in my story, Sky lost his father after Dru had left for the Nebula Academy, but this is a fanfic so oh well. Thank you for reading and reviewing my story. 1601 hits? Wow, I never expected such results. Granted, I know that a hit doesn't necessarily mean that my story (or chapter as the case may be) was read in its entirety, but still. Not to sound rude or anything, but remember if you don't have anything nice to say or you don't have any constructive criticism to offer me, then don't review because I don't care to hear from you. I'll try to update soon.