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CHANGING THE STARS
By Etcetera Kit
Chapter Seven: Troubled Waters III
"Good morning, starshine!"
Sky groaned and blinked. If that was Bridge's idea of a wake-up call, then he needed to seriously kick his roommate's ass during training that afternoon. He stretched, reaching towards his alarm clock… but all he hit was another pillow and more expanse of mattress. What the… He sat up quickly, a voluminous comforter falling away. A king-sized bed? Since when did he have a king-sized bed at the academy?
Ethan was standing near the edge of the bed… and everything came tumbling back to him. He wasn't at the academy, so that would explain a few things. Bridge also wouldn't have been waking him up. Most of the time, he had to wake Bridge up. For as long as Sky could remember, Bridge had intermittently taken sleeping pills. Consequently, Bridge hardly ever heard his alarm clock in the mornings. But that didn't matter and thinking about the people he had left behind wasn't going to help.
"Tori says get up," Ethan informed him in a matter-of-fact voice.
"What time is it?" Sky asked, letting out a long breath and rubbing his eyes.
"9:14."
He glanced over at the travel-sized, battery-powered clock Cam had loaned him last night before they all turned in. Not knowing the time had been driving him crazy, to the point that he checked Ethan's watch every few minutes. He didn't normally wear a watch at SPD, simply because there was a clock in the morphers… and he managed to break every watch he had ever owned just by creating a large force field. Cam had blandly suggested last night that he go buy a watch, but keep it in his pocket. There was an obvious thing he hadn't thought of before…
"Apparently, Cam's making breakfast," Ethan added. "Something about there not normally being this many people around here at breakfast time."
Last night, Ethan and Tori had decided to stay at Tori's parents' house in Blue Bay Harbor. Since the Wind Ninja Academy was now Sky's permanent address, he hadn't gone with them, preferring some solitude and a long, hot shower. Of course, they hadn't sifted through any of the information they had been given yesterday. Ethan had been training with Dustin most of the afternoon and Tori, rather than going through the Wild Force folder, had taken him into Blue Bay Harbor, so he could get some extra clothing and toiletries. He hated the idea of taking charity from anyone, but Sensei—Kanoi—had told him that, as a ninja, the resources of the Wind Ninja Academy were open to him at any time.
"Come on," the former Dino Ranger continued. "There's bacon!"
Sky blinked. "That's incentive?"
Ethan shrugged. "I don't know—do you like bacon?"
"Maybe."
"Just get up and come eat when you're ready."
With that, Ethan left the room. Sky stayed still for a moment. This was the exact room from his dreams. God, he hoped he wasn't going to start having erotic dreams about Syd and the nature of what had gone on in his other dreams. He stretched. The bed was really nice though—reminded him fully of how hard and narrow the beds at the academy were. And he wasn't entirely sure why everyone kept calling him a ninja, since, as yet, he had not done anything that would grant that classification.
Although… there was that really distracted, running his finger through a candle flame at dinner last night. Sensei seemed to have thought that meant something. Sky was pretty sure it was just a reaction, since he had done that frequently as a child.
With a groan, he got out of bed and padded into the bathroom. Bright sunlight poured from behind the curtains over the balcony. It amazed him that, in twenty years, nothing had really changed about bathroom facilities. Even the kitchen, while it didn't have a food replicator, had all the conveniences that a full kitchen in 2025 would have.
After getting dressed and brushing his teeth, he went downstairs to the kitchen. Cam was moving around the stove quickly. Tori and Ethan were sitting at the island in the kitchen, both with various papers spread out between them.
"Read this," Ethan said, shoving a piece of paper at him.
Sky took the printed page, the tantalizing smell of pancakes and bacon wafting through the large kitchen. It seemed like it had been ages since he had a breakfast like this. Meals at SPD were specifically chosen for nutritional balance.
"If an element falls to the Shadow or lies sleeping, chaos of the elements ensues," he read aloud. "What does that even mean?"
"Shadow," Ethan said. "Balance point between Light and Dark."
"What?" His stomach rumbled. This state of mind was not unfamiliar to him—he had taken to completing chores and tasks before breakfast and then joining the others when they dragged themselves out of bed.
"Forces of Light and forces of Dark," Cam said from the stove. "The Shadow is the point in between. They follow their own codes—if they happen to align with the Light or Dark in their quest, then all the better."
Sky sat down at the island, next to Tori, just as Cam pushed another plate of fresh pancakes and bacon towards them. He filled a plate and began to eat. Someone also had a pitcher of pineapple juice on the island. This was kind of nice, he reflected, leisurely mornings with home-cooked breakfast…
"Okay," Sky said slowly. "But what does that have to do with us?"
"We were hoping you'd have some insight," Ethan replied.
"I'm with SPD—we're cops, not mystics." He paused. "Besides, if all of this is myths, wouldn't you be able to find it in a textbook?"
Ethan and Tori exchanged a glance. "That's not a bad idea…" Ethan said in a musing tone of voice.
English roundtable… Tori rested her cheek on her palm as she focused on a spot somewhere above the professor's left shoulder. Ethan had his laptop out and connected to the school's network—he took notes on his computer, so it came to all classes. This was their last class on Monday before they could ninja streak to Blue Bay Harbor… or, she could ninja streak while Ethan held on for dear life.
The weekend information had come to a stand-still. Nothing new on the Faerie or Animaria came up. Ethan had tried to contact the Wild Force Rangers, but none of them had any information on how to reach Princess Shayla. She had a feeling that this princess was key to figuring out what was going on, but no one knew how to find her. And none of them had any more dreams over the weekend. Sensei had told them to be patient and concentrate on singing to their elements. For Tori, that meant hours of meditation. For Ethan, that meant spending large amounts of time with Dustin that ended up in mud fights. Cam had given Sky a box of matches and Tori could see fledging control over the element.
Sky was in Blue Bay Harbor, attempting to organize their information and participate in some basic level one ninja training. He'd learn general things like how to levitate and ninja streak, plus a few katas and meditation techniques. Sensei would keep him busy, Tori knew that much. And if Sensei didn't, Cam would. The samurai hated people underfoot.
Ethan nudged her and nodded towards his computer screen.
The former Dino Ranger was in an IM conversation with Sky. His screen name was simply his real name. Tori grinned, reached over Ethan and typed, This is Tori. Really original screen name there.
I didn't know screen names had to be original.
Ethan shook his head. Tori stifled laughter. It's Ethan again, the former Dino Ranger typed. What are you doing on IM?
Giving you hints on the novel. I had to read it in English my senior year of high school.
Tori and Ethan exchanged a glance. Neither of their high schools would have dreamed of assigning the Handmaid's Tale, because of the controversy. Their professor, however, felt that all of them were mature enough to handle the themes presented therein. If the giggling in the current discussion attested to their maturity level, Tori hated to think what would happen if they studied really controversial material.
Ecology? Ethan typed.
The next spiel made Tori gape at the screen. For someone who worked for a police organization, Sky knew a lot about literature, which made his comment on textbooks begin to make more sense. That was totally at odds with his tough-guy exterior.
"Mr. James, Miss Hanson, the giggling and staring at the screen is making it very hard for me to pretend that you're not paying attention."
Tori snapped to attention, focusing her gaze on her notebook. She hadn't taken any notes this class and she normally, at least, outlined what had been said. This particular professor posted his outlines on the school website so she copied them later. Tori scribbled Ethan a note on the corner of her notebook and nudged him.
Sky should come to class with us.
Ethan nodded, smiling. Maybe Sky could give the professor a run for his money with some of the upcoming novels.
Take him to Shakespeare, Ethan wrote back.
Tori grinned, shaking her head.
It amazed her that, while all of them had dreams that scared them enough to take drastic measures (or Sky, at any rate), they could still function on an every day level, arguing about school and dumb screen names. Ethan's fingers were still flying over the keyboard, which meant he was still instant messaging Sky. Cam probably had something to do with that one, as Cam thought technology was next to godliness.
No go, Ethan scribbled in the margin of her notebook. Says he doesn't know a thing about Shakespeare.
She shook her head, sitting back and doing what the rest of the class was doing—staring off into space and asking for questions to be repeated since no one heard them the first time. Their information was sketchy at best. The one piece of information about that Faerie referred to the elements falling into chaos. Sensei had said that fire ninjas were of the Shadow, so it made sense that fire had fallen to the Shadow. It also made sense that the moonlight was sleeping, since the ninjas had stopped communing with the Faerie.
The turtle in her dream had said that air and moonlight were coming. That meant that two others were probably getting the same dreams and being called. Sensei had said that it would probably be best to wait for them, but do some elemental training in the meantime. She wondered which others were being called. It was likely that both would be former rangers. She, Ethan and Sky were Blue Rangers… she was not sure what that meant to their mission, but she hoped that the last two had also worn blue. That would tie them together in a way that just having been rangers wouldn't. What way, she didn't know…
Ethan, she scribbled. What does the color blue mean?
Ethan glanced at the note and nodded, his fingers flying once more. He had probably put it into a search engine and was bringing it up. After a few moments, he picked up the pen and began to quickly write some information.
Calming—natural, universal color; brings peace, keeps bad spirits away.
Universal color? She blinked. The last bit about bringing peace and keeping bad spirits away was interesting, but the fact that blue was universal color intrigued her. The color was seen worldwide in the skies and oceans. A blue sky had to be the one image that each human on the planet could identify with… is that why they were all Blue Rangers? Blue was the one color that brought the entire earth together. And the places all peoples had seen blue was natural, nothing synthetic or forced.
She quickly wrote that down, watching the frown grace Ethan's features. He met her gaze, those brown eyes revealing so much. It made perfect sense.
And, now, all they could do was wait.
"Why are we here?"
Ethan fought the urge to snicker as Sky looked at the storefront with apprehension. This was one of the larger gas stations on the edge of Blue Bay Harbor—it also doubled as a truck stop and sold just about everything within reason.
"Because I am tired of the matches," Tori said. "You need a lighter and this place sells some really good ones."
Sky didn't look convinced and glanced toward Ethan for help. Ethan shrugged and waved him in after Tori. He had learned in the tenure of his friendship with Tori that one didn't really question her once she decided something. Besides, at least this was just going to a gas station to buy a lighter… and nothing too weird. And, he had to admit, the popping matches had been getting old. A lighter would encourage him to start thinking of other ways to manipulate the element aside from keeping it confined to the matches.
The store was fairly empty for an evening. A few trucker types milled around near the coffee bar, but no one else was about except for the employees. Tori marched straight to the section carrying the various lighters.
"Pick one," she told Sky.
He looked around helplessly. "I don't know."
Ethan shook his head, deciding to intervene. "Zippo," he said.
"What?" Sky was starting to look truly lost.
He pulled a lighter off the display rack and handed it to Sky. "There," he said. "Decision is made and you're not allowed to have anymore matches."
Sky rolled his eyes. Tori patted his arm. "See? That wasn't too hard."
"I kind of liked the matches," he grumbled.
Ethan looked through a bin of DVDs as Tori picked up drinks and paid for everything with the ninja school's credit card. The teachers and Sky were allowed to put charges on it for school-related items. Apparently Tori had decided that a lighter and soda for them fell under that category. Sky looked a little appalled at that, but kept his mouth shut.
Outside, they sat on a bench near a pile of firewood. Sky got into the lighter, striking the flame and then extinguishing it. "I think I liked the matches," Ethan said to Tori.
She grinned. "You have to switch," she told Sky. "So neither gets annoying."
The world seemed to zip past them as they lolled in front of the store, sipping their sodas, lost in their own thoughts. Ethan had to be back at the school by four so that he could sit in on Dustin's level three class and then get some private lessons. He was a far cry from doing anything that Dustin could do, but he was able to manipulate small amounts of dirt. Dustin seemed to think that his progress was amazing.
"Hmmm," Tori said after a while. "I think nap time should be a class."
"Hey, I tried to pitch that to the academic dean," Ethan replied.
"Sleep research?" Sky asked idly.
"Yeah—he didn't seem to think it was a good idea."
They were silent for another long moment. "Ever wonder if we're going to figure out what's been going on with us?" Sky asked softly.
"All the time," Ethan replied.
Night had fallen. He was back in the field that he had been in earlier. The moon was full and shone brightly. He drew in a deep breath, letting the nocturnal beams shine on him. The light felt like a warm bath, something he could bask in and draw energy from. The moonlight soothed his shot nerves and stressed mind. Since the first dream, things had been hectic and he had never felt homesickness more acutely than he did now. But the moonlight acted as a balm and he felt calmer and at ease.
Taking another deep breath, he felt the moonlight renew his energy and his very soul. Leather creaked as he stretched his hands towards the glowing orb. He was wearing the same uniform as before. The white trim almost glowed in the light of the night. What was this a uniform for? Black leather, white trim… a symbol on the left breast that matched the symbols on the flags fluttering around the field? It all meant something, but he didn't know what.
Lowering his arms, he looked at the sky. It was not black, as most people perceived the night sky to be. Instead, the sky was a dark navy blue. He had not worn a ranger color other than blue and, seeing it passed to another had hurt, but why did he see blue in the sky. Something about these colors was also significant, but he did not know what. He stared at the moon, eclipsed by trees swaying in the breeze.
A short, feral growl cut through the silence.
He jumped, his heart hammering. Perhaps he was going crazy since he felt like the growl had been a simple hello, rather than a prelude to him becoming lunch. Turning slowly, he tried to find the source of the noise. There were swinging gates to the practice field, looking flimsy enough to be torn through by a child.
A tiger had pushed through the gates and was striding towards him. Unlike most, this creature had black stripes that were tinted blue. Orange and navy blue… the beast came towards him with a calm, amber-eyed gaze, assessing him and accepting him. The tiger stepped close to him and nudged his hand. Without thinking, he began to stroke the animal, reveling in the feel of silky, warm fur beneath his fingers.
Moonlight ninja, the tiger said without actually making a noise. I am at your service
"You're at my service?"
He had various animal spirits before, but none had come to him in this form and pledged loyalty. This was amazing… he dropped to his knees, running his hands over the graceful, feline form. The tiger purred in response.
Yes. The others have already arrived. Go to them.
"Where are they?"
You know where to find them. They are waiting. They need you.
The tiger nudged him one last time in a goodbye and strode out of the practice field and into the night. He stared after the tiger. What others had already been called? They needed him? He was nothing more than a has-been ranger, who couldn't even bear new ranger powers.
"Billy…"
That was not the voice from before. Instead, it was feminine, lower and more mysterious. This was enchanting, but innocent and powerful.
"Can you awaken the moonlight, Tiger?"
"I don't know," he replied.
The presence faded away into the night. He frowned. As soon as that odd spirit left, someone stepped into the practice field. The woman from his first dream… She was wearing a yellow tank top, her long black hair loose. A lump lodged in his throat. Trini… but she had died. What was she doing here? It wasn't possible… but as much as he didn't want it to be, he did. He wanted to hear her voice, tell her what he never could in high school…
"Billy," she whispered, stepping close to him, one hand going to his cheek.
"Trini," he replied, a tear falling down his cheek. "But how? You're—"
"Dead?" A sad smile graced her features. "Yes, but I am always with you. I know that you loved me… I loved you as well, but too much came between us."
"I would have done anything."
"I know… you always were my one true love." She paused. "But you need to move on and live. Those others need you. You can help them." Trini pressed a gentle kiss to his cheek, unlike anything he had ever dreamed he'd receive from her in real life. He had always just been her best friend, the nerd she defended. "Bye…"
"Wait!" But she was gone… He stared at the place where she had been, aware of the damp tears on his face and the despair ripping through his heart.
Three others came into the practice field. One was a tall guy with spiked hair and a red uniform. The other male had a green uniform and was African American. The girl had blonde hair and a blue uniform. Without knowing them, their names came to him… Sky, Ethan, Tori…
"I'll get there," he said, feeling like he was babbling hysterically. "I want to help. I didn't want to leave the rangers like that… I didn't!"
One last plea came to him before waking intruded upon sleep.
Hurry…
To be continued...
