Summary: Hayden wanders the forest alone when he is attacked by Darius. Little does Hayden know, Darius houses an usual surprise…
A/N: Yes, to let you all know right now, these next couple chapters WILL deal with mainly Hayden. Why just Hayden? Simple: He needs character growth and I figure this was the best way to give it too him. Bare with me and I hope you enjoy these next couple chapters because it's about to get interesting.
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He didn't know what to think right now. Jason's death had impacted the ranger's a great deal, Conner had explained, and now Eric's death? Hayden ran a shaky hand through his long, golden locks and sighed. So far, they had attacked two ranger's who still had their power. Why was it the Time Force Morpher's couldn't stand up to the Beta Ranger's but the Dino Gem's could? Was it because the Morphing Grid no longer sustained the Time Force energy? No, that couldn't be as the Time Force power's drew off the Morphing Grid in the future, not the current one. He looked down at his morpher with a heavy frown and then to Wes for a moment. He had calmed down now; eagerly sipping at one of Hayley's famous Vanilla flavored Ices.
"Dragon, why can't the Time Morpher's stand up the Beta Rangers? Their almost a thousand year's into the future and their technology surpasses the power of the Dino Gems." Hayden asked, staring at the door. He didn't expect Dragon to have an answer.
"I don't know, Hayden. Perhaps Darius has found a way to neutralize Ranger energy after all." Dragon responded silently. Hayden frowned as his brows furrowed. Wasn't that just a lovely little thought? Your enemy found a way to neutralize your power's and you're defenseless against them. That certainly was a cheery thought. "You asked, Master."
"Cursed Morpher…since when could you interpret feeling's as well?" Hayden thought for a moment and squinted harder. "You know what, don't answer that. I'd rather not know."
Not a second later the door's to the café opened and Tommy rushed in with Conner and Ethan at his tail. Hayley moved around the counter to lock up the doors – she didn't want any unexpected visitor's while the ranger's discussed their situation. Hayden nodded graciously at Hayley and then leaned against the counter again.
"Wes!" Tommy shouted and opened his arms. He hugged his old friend and sighed, looking him over. "Wes, what happened? We came as soon as we got the call…"
Wes' eyes glanced between Conner and Ethan with all intent's to attack. Tommy waved his hand and shook his head. "Conner McKnight, Ethan James, blue and red rangers respectively. Guy's, this is Wesley Collin's, Red Time Force Ranger."
Wes' fear died away and he smiled happily at Tommy. "It is good to see you again, Old friend." He glanced at Conner and Ethan. "Protégé's?"
Tommy nodded sternly. "Indeed. There are two other's but they are at home right now. Kira Ford, Yellow Ranger and Kimberly Hart-Oliver, Pink Ranger." He shot a glance at Hayden. "I'm sure you know him by now; Gold Dino Thunder Ranger."
Wes let out a breath and nodded. "Yes, I do indeed know him. He was here when I first arrived." He looked up at Tommy sadly and sighed. "Why did it have to be Eric…"
Tommy sighed and wrapped an arm around his friend, drawing him to the chair. "Why don't you explain to me just what happened?"
Hayden pushed off the counter and moved down a bit as Ethan and Conner took their seats. Hayley handed out the smoothie's, receiving a gracious nod from each and turned away to prepare for when she could open. Hayden stared at the floor as Wes spoke. However, unlike his counterparts, his mind was not on Wes or Eric…no, his was centered on his dreams.
It clawed his mind like rapid dog's itching for a taste of meat. Why, after six years, was he finally getting nightmares? His trip couldn't have done this, despite the fact he'd seen many horrific images. The tiles of the floor blended together seamlessly as his wandered through his thoughts. Even now, after six years, he could still remember the sweat fragrance of his long hair; he could still remember the sweet, bliss taste of her lips. His head throbbed from the thoughts, but he only moved deeper.
Then he felt it. His entire body went absolutely rigid and his mind focused on that one, single thought. He could see it, clearly, as if it was happening right in front of him. He could see Anton Mercer sitting next to the worn woman as they enjoyed their conversation. He could see the blackness of the walls, void of any life. His mind's eye shifted and he saw the steel bars and the dimly lit hallway of…of somewhere. His head twitched as he heard a soft, slow, but steady rhythm of footsteps. Every second that went by, the footsteps drew closer and closer.
What he saw next made his blood run cold and his heart cease.
Darius stood behind the bar's, peering in at his captives, eyes flicking back and forth between the two. Hanging loosely at his side was his personal blade, but his clothes were different then the last time Hayden had seen him. This time his clothes were much more regal, more extravagant then before. Hayden watched as he drew hand from his side, ran it through his hair and then turned away.
He said something Hayden couldn't made out and then Darius disappeared down the hall. And so did his vision. He let out a breath of hair and panted lightly, eyes wide with wonder and horror at the same time.
"…and that was all." Wes said and looked away. "Eric's dead…and I'm a coward."
Hayden didn't hear the replies of his comrades. He was still frightened, but happy, by the vision he saw. He looked down at the morpher and Dragon's blood red eyes stared up at him. "She's alive, Dragon…she's alive." Hayden thought happily, a smile coming to his lips for the first time in a long time.
"I presume we are going to retrieve her?" Dragon asked, eyes flashing with each mental syllable.
Hayden was silent for a moment and stared at the floor. "No, we couldn't even if we wanted. We have to wait for Darius to make his next move." A thought came to him and he looked towards the window. "Unless…"
"That is a very dangerous idea, Master. You understand just what kind of power he possesses…and just how thoroughly he defeated us on Aquitar." Dragon reminded, it's eyes falling silent.
"All to well, Dragon." Hayden thought and slipped off the chair. He didn't hear his comrade's calling for him either. His face was contorted in a thoughtful frown and was off in his own little world. "But we were weak back then from our near constant use. We were war torn and exhausted…three years of space life is hard on even someone as strong as us."
"Point Master. Then, may I suggest we tread carefully? I feel even at our full power, and rested, Darius will be more then a challenge. After all, he also defeated Trent Mercer and he is our only equal." The Dragon suggested dryly. Hayden nodded crisply and threw open the door café doors, leaving stun, speechless rangers behind.
"Then let us prepare, Dragon. Our time of retribution is at hand." Hayden said as the warm glow wrapped around him like a blanket. When the light disappeared, he stood in his full powered form and with a simple shrug of his shoulders, the mighty, golden dragon-esc wing's expanded out wide. A simple, powerful flap was enough to crack cement and he lifted into the air.
"Prepare, Darius…" Hayden thought, sneering beneath his mask. "I'm coming for you…"
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The wind wisped angrily through the forest as Hayden stood at the base of the water fall. His golden dragon wing's folded into his back and shattered into a shower of golden energies. His entire suit radiated a piercing, golden glow that drew all the fish of the pond to him.
"DARIUS!" Hayden screamed to the air, throwing his head back. "DARIUS! COME OUT AND FIGHT ME YOU COWARD!"
He was answered with only a harsh howl of the wind. Hayden looked around through the tree's, at his reflection in the water and then finally to the sky. His hand burned with a golden glow and slowly it expanded into a long, slender rod. As it faded away, he choked the Dragon Staff in his mighty grip. Again, he threw back his head in an angry roar.
"DDAARRIUUUSSS!" He screamed, the water rippling as the aura around him grew brighter. Raw energy began to ripple across land and shifted through the tree's as his rage peeked. "DARIUS, YOU COWARD, COME OUT AND FIGHT ME! ARE YOU SCARED OF A POWER RANGER?"
Finally, he got the result's he wanted. He could feel the simple change of temperature in the air and heard the spark's of cackling energy behind him. His anger simmered to a boil and Hayden turned to face the new comer. One hand was stroking his white goatee while the other rested on the hilt of his sword. "Perhaps you didn't learn your lesson on Aquitar, young one." Darius said and reached forward his blade. With a snap, it cut through the rock and came to rest at his side. "Are you so eager for another defeat?"
Darius gasped, watching as the Hayden before him turned into golden sprinkles. He had no time to act as the real Hayden burst through the waterfall behind him and drive the hard, wet staff into the back of his skull. Darius lurched forward and fell face first into the small lake; Hayden standing arrogantly in the same spot. The small staff expanded into a much larger one and Hayden twisted it through his fingers.
"This time Darius…" Hayden said, drawing the staff high. "I don't plan to lose." He jammed the staff into the rock and ripples of energy expanded outwards from the tip. The water was bathed in a soft, golden glow and suddenly, it exploded in a maelstrom of golden fire and water. Darius, unable to react, was caught up in the attack and screamed, feeling the waves of white-hot fire splash against his body. It burned like fire and felt like hot magma.
As quick as it began, Darius slashed his sword at Hayden and the ranger was forced to defend himself. The cyclone of fire vanished and the two blade's met halfway. Golden Dagger of Hayden's struck the White Sword of Darius and the two split apart.
Darius landed on a rock and angled his blade down, deflecting the first stab and whirled his blade up to his face, deflecting the sweeping slash. Hayden launched his leg into a vicious side-kick that struck home into Darius' gut and the sword master found himself flying through the air and skidding across the ground.
"What!" Darius thought wide eyed as he scrambled to his feet. Hayden was already charging with his blade raised. "That was entirely too close…and entirely to good…" Darius side-stepped, letting the dagger slip by and stabbed at Hayden's exposed chest, but he cursed angrily as it passed through the image. He felt the golden glove mesh with his jaw and he spun from the savage blow. A thunderous knee cracked into his stomach and Hayden finished with a downward chop so power, so brutal, the rock's three meter's away shattered into tiny pebbles.
Darius fell to his knee's, coughing up blood as Hayden took a few cautious steps back. He raised the blade to face Darius and glared at him from beneath the mask. "You have my girlfriend…" Hayden hissed against barred teeth. He seethed with anger at the very thought of this creep laying a hand on her. He could feel his blood boil in his veins and the dagger began to whine from the choking grip.
Darius coughed and sat back on both knees and wiped away the blood. "This is what it's about? A simple woman?" Darius gripped his blade again and stood up. He drew his sword to ready position and smiled. "If you want her ranger, then come and get her." Darius took a step back and the air around them ripped apart. The swirling blue-white portal sucked Darius into it and waited patiently for Hayden.
The Gold Ranger's blade fell and let out one long, angry hiss and moved towards the portal.
Trap or no trap, Amanda was waiting for him…and he was not about to disappoint.
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A/N: DUN DUN DUNNN! MWAHAHAHAHA! Aren't I just the eeeevvvviiillllsssss? MWAHAHAHAHA! cough, sputter, hack Anyway, I hope you are enjoying this story so far and this Part 1 of Gold's Revenge.