Chapter 4
THE SKY IS FALLING
-
silence is golden
but I think it's gonna kill me

-

The Master stood motionless, he had removed his armor and was wrapped in a blood red cloak that dragged a little the ground whenever he moved around. His face hidden behind a hood and the only visible feature of his face that could be seen were his eyes. A faint gleam of gold light up in his eyes when he finally moved from where he stood.

"Power…" The word was said slowly, every letter pronounced severely in a voice that sounded ancient and not of this world.

The Master was picking up resonating forces of power being used near by in The Woods.

"Udonna, I so look forward to seeing you…" His eyes now glowing a golden color as he slipped back into the shadows.

------

Most of the rangers were downtown picking up supplies for Toby's party at the Rock Porium.

A posh, sophisticated party being thrown at the Store at Toby's request. After getting a call from one of his old buddies from school, he invited a bunch of people over and decided to throw a party for the occasion. Perhaps with some insistence from Chip who was already plotting and planning what it was going to be like. For some unexplained reason, Toby wanted something completely opposite to what he'd normally want at a party. The rangers later assumed he was playing the sophisticated card with this party to impressive his old school buddies who were coming out later that day.

Food and drinks were on Xander and Vida's to-do list and judging by how productive they've been so far that day--Nothing was gonna get done. Chip turned the corner and saw Vida drinking her third milkshake while she sat on the hood of her car basking in the sun.

Xander was chatting with some chick at the traffic lights, flashing his toothy smile every 5 seconds being his overly charming self.

"Hey! Where's the food and drinks? It's almost 2pm and we need to get back and set up." Chip had a bunch of boxes in his arms as he stumbled over to Vida's car and dumped them in there. She slid off the hood and ran in to the shop without a word, but Xander didn't seem to hear Chip and continued flirting with the girl at the traffic lights.

Vida came out with an arm full of bottles and placed them gently into her car.

"Xander get your ass over here!" She screamed as she walked back into the shop to get more supplies.

Xander sighed and waved goodbye to the girl he spent a good half hour talking to.

Chip smiled and relaxed in the car feeling really excited for the party they were having later that evening.

"Now, what am I gonna be wearing…?" He wondered out loud.

He flipped open his morpher and called Madison, "Just checking in. Are the gift bags in order?"

"Yup, got everything we need. I'll see you in about an hour back at the store." Madison's voice was surprisingly energetic today. A nice change from the way she's been the few days, which was pretty much doom and gloom.

Vida and Xander put the last of the supplies into the car and they all drove off back to the Rock Porium to set everything up for the party.

"Guys, I think I need to go shopping. All my capes are either in the laundry or misplaced. I've got nothing to wear tonight." Chip said in a matter-of-fact way.

Vida and Xander exchanged frustrated looks as Chip started giving them directions to his favorite costume shop.

-------

Later that afternoon all the rangers gathered at the Rock Porium to help bring everything together. Toby was out getting his hair cut and suit cleaned.

The store was completely rearrange to make room for all the people. Vida was putting her music together for the party. She had a whole 5 or 6 hours worth of music to play and was just buzzing with excitement.

Xander and Chip slipped out to change for the party. Vida and Madison brought all their stuff from home and were gonna change later on.

Nick was working on the food and drinks and setting everything up in that corner of the store.

Some time later, Madison finished putting up the lighting with her magic and the whole place lit up beautifully. She turned it off and decided it was time to change and get ready for the party. She called out to Vida, but all she got as a response was, "Later! I'm in the 'zone' sis!" Madison smiled and shook her head, wondering why she even bothered. Her sister was lost in the music dancing in her cute little way.

Madison didn't have time to shop for a new outfit so she asked Vida to pick something up for her when she went earlier that day. Madison still wasn't sure she wanted to wear what Vida bought her. She should have known better than to send her wild sister out to shop for her.

A few minutes later Madison walked out of the bathroom in the back of the store and stood in front of the mirror as she did her hair. She swept it up in a French twist and stuck a few pins in it. A small strip of hair fell loose across the right side of her face. She applied some eyeliner and light pink lipgloss. She looked out the window quickly and noticed the sun was going down. It was getting late and Vida wasn't even close to being ready. Madison threw her stuff into her makeup bag and left the bathroom to go get Vida.

She was busy closing her makeup bag when she heard a sudden noise, she looked up and saw Nick standing behind a plate of finger food that he just dropped.

Madison stood there watching him watch her, it was very awkward.

"Is something wrong?" She asked without thinking.

"Um, no, everything's fine. I mean, you just…you look…uh…nervemind…." Nick finally said as he bent over to pick up the plate and clean up the mess. Madison looked at her reflection in the window, she was wearing a slinky strapless dark blue dress that fell just above her knee and matched with the high heels Vida made her promise she would wear.

Madison put her bag down and went over to help him clean the mess. Nick protested and told her he would do it and that he didn't want her getting any of the mess on her dress.

Madison obliged and left him to it. She was feeling very bizarre as she walked away, like she wanted to say something to him but didn't know what. She hadn't spoken to him really for several days now.

A few minutes later, Nick appeared in the front of the store, Madison glanced over and saw him walk out.

She wondered where he was going at this time, but then scolded herself for even caring.

Madison didn't realize she was staring at the door wear Nick had just walked out of until Vida's voice came in her ear, "Maybe you should go talk to him and fix whatever this thing you two are fighting about. I'm sick of seeing you guys miserable around each other." With that she disappeared down the hall to change.

Madison thought about that for a moment, and looked out the window and saw him kneeling by his bike. She suddenly remembered the first time she saw him there like this. She sighed and was about to walk to the door when Xander and Chip burst in; both striking model-like poses. They were each wearing suits, tie and all.

"You guys look so handsome," Madison said as she pinched Xander's cheek playfully.

"Well, you don't look too shabby yourself," he said as he gave her a one over with a grin.

"Where's Vida?" Chip asked as he walked down the hall.

"Right here." Vida walked out and stood with her hands on her hips and huge smile on her face. Her hair was smoothed back with gel, perhaps a little too much of it actually. She was wearing a tight pink blouse with a leather skirt that matched her boots, which laced up from the back.

Everyone just stared.

"Vida, you look…" Xander started blinking, unable to finish his sentence.

Chip wasn't having any better luck, his jaw was still on the floor.

Madison walked up to Vida, "You look great!" She hugged her sister.

Xander and Chip, still rather speechless, nodded in agreement.

------

The party was in full swing, and after at least an hour of non-stop dancing, Madison needed a break and escaped outside for some fresh air. She stood outside the entrance to the Rock Porium, with a drink in one hand.

Across the street she spotted Nick, who hadn't come inside to the party yet. He was removing his helmet and shrugging off his jacket. He looked striking, his suit was casual yet still very stylish. Madison watched as he got off his bike and fixed his tie, but not getting it quite right.

"Hey, need some help with that?" She asked as she walked over to him.

He stopped what he doing, "Um...I guess so." He said and let her fix his tie.

Standing this close, she could smell a hint of aftershave mixed in with some cologne. Avoiding his eyes, she focused on fixing the tie as she asked, "So where have you been? The party started awhile ago."

She stepped back when she was done with the tie and smiled, apparently pleased with her handy work.

Nick muttered a 'thank you' and turned around to pick up a bag with a bouquet of flowers. "Toby asked me to pick these up. I think he's got a lady friend he's trying to impress." He said with a grin.

Madison nodded, "Have you seen him yet? He looks like a whole new man."

"I will in a second. I'll be right back." He said as he walked into the party quickly.

After a short while, Nick came back out, hoping to see Madison standing where he left her. But she was gone.

He quickly, glanced around up the street and there she was, standing under a street light kicking her heel into the ground repeatedly, looking rather bored. Nick smiled and walked up to where she was standing; silently hoping she was still in a good mood.

"You look lost," Nick said as his smile grew when she looked up at him.

She sighed wistfully, and shrugged her shoulders when she said, "I feel lost."

Nick's smile slowly faded, "I was just… um…" He hesitated to ask what was wrong, wondering if she would even tell him after everything that's been said between them.

There was something not right with the way she looked at him, her eyes were so empty. He remembered when he last saw her this way back at Rootcore that night.

A cool breeze hit them and Madison looked away as she wrapped her arms around herself in a very casual way. "About what happened before with the whole Leelee thing…" A moment later, she continued, "I don't even care anymore."

"You know… I'm sorry," Nick said quietly when she stopped speaking. He just wanted things to be like they were before this whole misunderstanding happened. This bad energy between them was really stressing him out.

"I trust you Madison, probably more than anyone else I know," He was rewarded with a smile after he said that. "I should have never listened to Leelee, I don't know why I did." He looked around confused.

Just before Madison was going to say something, Nick's morpher went off. They both looked at each other as Nick rolled his eyes.

"Great timing." He muttered under his breath.

------

The city plaza was deserted at this time of night, with parking lots empty as the Dragons strolled in and waited. It was only a short while until a rumbling noise in the distance alerted the Dragons of the rangers' arrival. They all stood in orderly lines as one of them, they called him Mystero because he had such strong roots in ancient mystic magic, the likes of which used to unleash the Master.

The ranger arrived and stood in front of the Dragons, all still wearing their party close as Hidiacs came flying out of the air attacking.

"Couldn't you just wait until the morning?" A frustrated Xander asked as he shrugged off his jacket and placed it neatly on the ground before he kicked a Hidiac into the near by tree.

"Vida, we're gonna have a serious talk later…" Madison said as she pointed to her high heels and dreaded fighting in them. Vida was in wild mode, attacking anything that came within two inches of her.

The rangers regrouped and decided it was time to Ranger Up.

The lead Dragon, Mystero stepped up and raised his hand in protest. "Wait. We have not come here to fight." His voice hissed slowly.

"Then what do you want?" Nick asked forcefully.

"We want what is ours…" His eyes moved to the girls, Nick wasn't sure who he was staring at but he assumed it had to be Vida.

"What is yours?" Madison repeated looking uncomfortable as she stared into those soulless eyes.

"You either fight now or get the hell out of here!" Nick screamed back, not willing to waste anymore time talking and then having Vida find out the truth. At least not like this.

Mystero stepped back, taking a moment to think. He didn't want to engage in an battle since The Master specifically cautioned against it.

"Another time perhaps," He said gracefully as the lot of Dragon turned into mist and disappeared.

"Okay now what heck was all that about?" Vida asked looking very grumpy at her hair being all messed up from the fighting. "We have to go back to the party looking like this?" Xander chipped in as they all started heading back to the Rock Porium.

"Dragons! Real Dragons in the flesh!" Chip couldn't believe it, the excitement on his face was priceless.

Madison hung back as she stared at the ground where the Dragons had just stood only moments ago, thinking about something she ought to know but just couldn't remember. Nick turned around and saw her face, as if she was searching for something she couldn't find. Nick knew exactly what she was thinking, but he couldn't say anything. Not until they can find some way to protect Vida from getting captured. Right now the two Chosen Ones they'd found recently were being hidden in secret safe houses. But it's only a matter of time until they are found by The Master, and fighting them off there will be another battle they need to get ready for.

"I'm pretty tired guys, I think I'm gonna head home," Madison said as she sighed and grabbed the pins out of her hair. She was all partied-out, shaking her head and let her long hair fall around her face.

Xander ran a quick hand through Vida's hair to piss her off more and it worked, she was running after him threatening to punch his face in. Chip was right behind happily running behind them, still in a daze after having encountered the Dragons.

"I'll walk you home," Nick offered as he swung around and walked up to her.
Madison pursed her lips and let out a sigh, not sure if she wanted him to be here.

"Sure," she eventually said. Nick frowned at her, thinking there was something bothering her. Did she remember? Nick asked himself, worried by the thought.

They walked, mostly in silence, Madison not rushing to get home.

"That Dragon…" She began, as she glanced up at Nick.

"What did he mean?" her voice dropped to a whisper, as if it not wanting anyone else to hear.

Nick looked away from Madison, not able to meet her eyes. He knew exactly what that Dragon meant, but he couldn't tell her.

Nick just shrugged and muttered, "I dunno."

"That night we were at Rootcore, remember? We woke up toge--" Madison hesitated.

"Yeah, I remember." Nick said, growing more concerned by the second.

"I can't…" Madison put her hands to her head, massaging her temples with a look of pain in her face.

"I don't remember falling asleep there…"

Her hair was a mess across her face, almost like she was hiding behind it. Nick observed her from the corner of his eye. He had to tell her.

"You're not gonna like this," Nick swallowed hard. He needed to tell her himself because she's gonna remember sooner or later.

Madison stopped walking and tilted her head to the right, looking up at Nick.

"Nick?" She urged him to speak.

After a few uncomfortable moments went by and then Nick let it all out, "You stumbled upon something in the Xenotome that you-- actually none of us were supposed to know yet."

He threw his hands behind his head, as if to brace himself before he said, "You broke down and I couldn't stand seeing you like that…"

Madison put a hand on his shoulder, trying to calm him down.

"Nick, what did you do?" Her eyes pleading for the truth.

Nick turned to face her, "I used magic on you so you wouldn't remember."

Madison's hand fell from his shoulder, as she stepped back, her face not believing what she heard him say.

"No, you wouldn't…" She was trying to convince herself that she heard wrong, but she knew she didn't.

Not able to look at Nick, she asked, "So how long were you gonna keep this from me?"

Nick ran his hand through his hair, frustrated by the question.

She pushed his shoulder this time, "Until I remembered? Is that it?" She demanded.

Nick didn't say anything. His silence being enough of an answer for Madison.

As she walked away, leaving Nick standing alone in the parking lot entrance, she stopped suddenly.

"What did I see in the Xenotome?" Madison asked, her voice just loud enough for Nick to hear.

He walked towards her, slowly trying to give himself time to formulate a way to tell her.

When he reached her, he saw streaks of tears down her cheek, she knew whatever he was about to say would devastate her.

"It's Vida. The Dragons want Vida."

Madison's eyes grew wide in disbelief.

This time Nick didn't get to witness her break down, her hair still a mess as it covered most of her face.

Nick watched with pity in his eyes, as much as it hurt him to tell her, he had no choice. She ran away from him, away from the world if she could.

Madison stopped running when she heard Nick's screams. She turned and saw him doubled over with his hands holding his head.

She dashed back towards him, her tears flowing without control.

"Nick!" She yelled as she reached him.

Madison held him close, but he kept squirming, lashing out at her. She fell back and watched him get up and stumbled away still grasping his head in pain.

He suddenly stopped moving, standing motionless facing Madison.

She slowly stood up watching his eyes start to glow.

"Innocent blood will spill," Nick's voice sounded dark and serpent-like.

Nick fell to the ground, just before he painfully whispered, "Your blood…"

Madison ran up to him and lifted his head into her lap. "What did you say?" She asked as she stroked his head, as the pain subsided. Nick had a very dazed look in his eyes, he suddenly felt very weak and light headed.

"Nick?" She tried to lift his head just before he fell unconscious.

Madison sat there, under a tree, her tears still flowing.

"Please, be okay…" She whispered as she cried, sweat droplets falling from Nick's face.

He stirred and his eyes fluttered opened, "What happened?" He finally managed to say as he sat up, with Madison's help. He was leaning against a tree now, tilting his head as he squeezed his eyes shut.

"We need to get you to Rootcore," Madison said as she tried to get him to stand.

Madison called for her Mystic Racer and quickly pulled him onto it. She climbed on and flew the racer to the Woods.

"It's okay, I'm fine…" Nick kept repeating as he sat up properly and shook his head.

"You collapsed after being possessed by some thing." Madison had one hand on the her Racer and the other was pulled behind her with a firm grip on Nick's arm, in case he got dizzy again and slid off her Racer.

"I swear, I thought you would be long gone after everything I said," Nick voice returning to his usual teasing tone. When Madison didn't reply, he added, "I'm fine, really. " He put a hand her shoulder and squeezed it reassuringly.

"You need to get home. I'll go to Udonna in the morning and get this whole thing sorted out."

Madison leaned back and slowed down the Racer, "Are you sure?" She turned her head slightly, finding Nick's face hovering beside her left cheek. His eyes were all she could see, and after a few moments he moved his hand from her shoulder and wrapped it around her waist.

"I'm sure. Lets get you home." Nick quietly said into her ear, she turned to face the front and switched gears on her Racer and went in the other direction.

As they arrived a few blocks from her house, she slowed down the racer again and looked away suddenly.

Nick tugged at her gently and asked her if she was okay.

Nick heard her sigh and then watched her turn towards him again. Her hair brushing his face, leaving a sweet smell lingering in the air.

"Thank you…" She began, twisting around to see him more clearly.

"What you did, the memory spell… you were only trying to spare me the…" A tear drop fell from her eyes as she tried to finish speaking. The image of Vida appeared in her mind and Udonna's solemn warning of what The Master could do flashed before her eyes. She felt sick.

Nick leaned forward and wrapped his arms around her, pulling her in as if trying to protect her from something neither of them were really ready for.

"Somehow, we'll get through this Madison. All of us." She closed her eyes as he wiped her tears very gently.

"I promise."

She believed him.

-

I watch as the daylight crawls
I'm alive but tell me am I free
I got eyes but tell me can I see
the sky is falling and no one knows
it shouldn't be hard to believe
shouldn't be this difficult to breathe
the sky is falling and no one knows