A/N: A special thank you to SnowBranwen, Lewamus Prime 2019, Arctic4Queen, Ahkalia and powerking for submitting characters to the story. Power Rangers is owned by Hasbro. Enjoy!
Power Rangers: Galactic Force
Chapter 1 – Meeting of the Fates (ii)
A dark skinned man was strolling through the courtyard, lost in his own thoughts. He had spent most yesterday settling into his new home for the next 4 years. Now, it was time to explore the campus. Honestly, he wasn't sure what he wanted to do. He had been accepted into the general arts program until he figured it out. In high school, he got decent grades but in all reality he hated high school. He just couldn't wait to leave it, so he got by on his charm. Not the most exciting way to graduate high school but it got the job done. In fact, he was ready to cruise the world until his parents presented him a challenge he couldn't refuse: Attend and graduate a college program and they will pay for his Europe trip. So here he is at Reevesville College. In fact, he was on his way to the bonfire where he can already taste the burgers.
His attention came back to the campus as he noticed a wary looking person in front of him. Guess he was looking at the guy for too long because the person looked at him with a guarded look.
"What's up?" the guy asks.
"Nothing really," he responded. He studied the guy a little longer but he didn't say anything else.
"Take a picture. It will last longer," the guy glared at him.
"Sorry dude. I'm Jackson by the way," Jackson offered his hand in a greeting.
The other guy looked at Jackson's hand for a few seconds before relenting and clasping it in a firm handshake and introduced himself. "Ari."
"Take it you are new Ari?" Jackson asked.
"Guess you can say that," Ari responded.
"Cool. Same here. I'm heading down to the beach for the bash if you want to join," Jackson invited Ari.
"Sorry man," Ari shook his head. "I have somewhere I need to be."
"Sounds good. Later Ari," Jackson said, walking away.
Ari watched him go before turning in the other direction. It's true he said he needed to be elsewhere, but that elsewhere isn't until tomorrow. He had all day to himself.
As he was aimlessly walking around the campus, Zechiral, or Ari, just stared at his hands. As far as he knows, he's the only person with this condition, so he wasn't sure what to do. There was so much he didn't know about this condition but what he did know, is that it was dangerous for him to be around people. That was made all too clear the day he … he shook his head to clear that memory.
As his feet found a random path, he heard footsteps behind him and was immediately on guard. He lowered his guard slightly, chiding and reminding himself he was on a college campus. Still, he paused for a moment and so did the footsteps. Still thinking it could be a coincidence, he began to walk again and noticed the footsteps behind him did the same. But now, there seemed to be 3 sets.
His mind was on soley focused on the footsteps, knowing full well this wasn't a coincidence. He began to walk faster, listening to the footsteps matching his pace. He began to panic and was about to sprint when a red haired woman approached him with a kind smile but her eyes told him she knew.
"Ah, there you are Ari. I have been looking everywhere for you." She exclaimed keeping her eyes locked on his, though she can sense the footsteps faded into the background.
"Sorry, I had something I needed to do," Ari played along, though he wasn't sure why. Something told him he can trust this person. Or at least, trust her just enough.
"It's all good. Why not come back?" She asked, inviting him to follow her.
"Thank you Ms..." Ari pretended to remember her name. He saw her mouth her name ever so slightly. "Right. Maria. My apologizes. My mind was elsewhere."
"Not a problem Ari," Maria softly chuckles and begins to walk towards a building. "I need to talk with you."
"Sure thing," Ari responded. Both listened for a moment but whoever was following Ari had left. But Maria guided him towards a classroom and shut the door. She turned towards him, leaning against the door.
"This has gone on long enough. Who are you Maria?" Ari demanded to know.
"Someone who knows," Maria simply answered back, going to sit down at her chair.
"And what do you know?" Ari asked.
"For starters, those who were following you today are creatures of an order thought to have perished long ago," Maria explained, fiddling with something on her desk. She was studying Ari, her glaze not leaving his eyes.
"More questions then answers," Ari growled out. He was frustrated. He took a breath. "Sorry, shouldn't have used that tone."
"No need to apologize Ari. If I were in your shoes, I would have a lot of questions as well,"Maria said. She made up her mind. "I realize that it took a lot for you to trust me back there, but if you have a little more trust, I can explain everything."
Ari just studied her. It's true what she had said. Something in him said he can trust her back there but that was different. Can he trust her now? Then he saw the look she gave him and that answered his question.
"I trust you enough. What's going on?" Ari finally responded.
"If would follow me," Maria said as she moved a pen on her desk. Hearing a clanking sound, Ari whipped his head and saw a bookshelf move, revealing a hidden door. He approached it apprehensively. "It'll be best if I rather showed you."
Ari took a deep breath and followed Maria through the door.
The sun was just setting, giving the sky a beautiful purple light when Fight For Your Right was heard blaring throughout the beach, signaling the start of the welcome bash. Soon, the air was filled with people screaming, singing along the words and of course, a lot of popping tops.
"This is something I never thought I would do," Neo said nervously, as he was standing beside his sister.
"Bro, you gotta chill out and have some fun," Olivia said teasingly.
"I have fun," Neo protested.
"I'm sure playing with your dolls are fun," Olivia retorted, rolled her eyes,
"Action figures! They are action figures!" Neo corrected her. "And I don't play with them. I keep them in pristine condition."
"Oh dear goose," Olivia groaned.
"Well, that's a new one," Kelley retorted, coming up to the brother and sister duo.
"Hello Kelley," Neo greeted her. He turned towards Olivia. "This is Kelley, Kelley, this is my sister Olivia."
"So you are the brave soul who befriended my brother," Olivia said with a twinkle in her eye.
"So you are the brave soul who is his sister," Kelley retorted with the same twinkle in her eye.
"Oh god. There are two of you!" Neo groaned.
"This will be a fun year little brother," Olivia said with a mischievous smile.
"I agree," Kelley agreed with the same mischievous smile.
"Oh look. I see Tyson and Blake. I will be over with my sane friends," Neo replied, walking over to his two roommates. Kelley and Olivia both joined him.
"Yo, bro, want to introduce us?" Olivia said sweetly.
"Not really," Neo grumbled but with a smile.
"What? Are you embarassed by us?" Kelley asked.
"What did I get myself into?" Neo groaned again.
"Heya, I am Tyson," the blonde hair boy introduced himself.
"I'm Blake," his friend also greeted them.
"Kelley," Kelley said. "Looks like Neo is a little bashful with Olivia and I."
"Geez, I wonder why," Neo grumbles again.
"As much fun it is to pick on Neo, I want to hang out with my friends. So later," Olivia waved goodbye to the group before blending into the crowd.
"Same with us. Nice to meet you Kelley. If Neo gives you a hard time, tell us," Blake said with a wink.
"Oh god. You guys too?" Neo sighed as he watched his roommates also get lost in the crowd.
"Well, well, well, who do we have here?" the unmistakeable voice of Derek said.
"Thought I told you to leave us alone," Kelley glared at the man.
"That's the thing sweet cheeks, I don't give up on ….OW!" Derek cried out in pain and looked at the person beside him. The first thing people saw was the streaks of red and violet in his hair.
"Sorry didn't see you there," the guy said.
"BS," Derek spat out. He looked between the three and decided it wasn't a good idea to stay around. "This isn't over."
"Thanks man," Neo said.
The guy didn't say anything and was about to turn around when he felt someone grab his arm. Startled, he turned towards the two others and noticed that they too were grappled.
"Take these three alive!" a voice hissed.