Chapter 8: Explanation
The drive to Billy's home was tense, to say the least. The drive was silent, apart from Chloe's sniffles of pain as she sat in the passenger's side of the car.
Fortunately, for the kids, Billy's house was a ten-minute drive away, in a rather secluded area. Pulling into the drive, the kids were taken aback by the size of Billy's house, and the fact that there were no neighbors around. It was in a deserted space, and the house was relatively large in size. The large windows were shielded by curtains and blinds. Add to that, there were various, potted plants, which included cacti, out on the front deck.
Parking the car, Billy breathed out a sigh and quickly made his way around to the passenger's side of his van, moving so that he could get Chloe into the house and on the couch, so that he could at least tend to her injuries. The other kids followed silently, still in shock over what had just occurred. Beth especially seemed shaken, considering that she had a curfew due to her being on a year-long probation and she was barred from participating in cheerleading.
"I'll give you guys rides home and I'll make sure you're home on time," Billy said, as if he read the kids' minds, as he entered the house and settled Chloe on the sofa. After setting her down, he went to grab the first-aid kit he kept upstairs in his bathroom. Racing up the stairs, be made sure to grab things he knew he would need for stitches, disinfecting, and wrapping the wound up. Once he was sure that he had everything he needed, he went back down the stairs and knelt in front of Chloe, who was seated between JT and Miles, while Beth hovered off to the side.
Billy breathed out a sigh and he raised the pant leg on Chloe's jeans, examining the wound. Just as he suspected, the wound needed stitches since the bite marks were almost to the bone. Disinfecting it, he winced sympathetically as Chloe let out gasps of pain. Shortly afterwards, he stitched the wound up and bandaged it.
Satisfied that Chloe's wounds were not going to catch infection, he breathed out another sigh. After years of patching Tommy, Jason, Adam, Rocky, Kim, Aisha, and Trini up after battle, he knew a thing or two about medicine. It made him feel thankful that he knew what he was doing.
Closing his eyes, Billy closed up the first-aid kit and ran a hand through his hair, as he racked up the nerve trying to figure out how he was going to tell his students that they had touched power that would make them part of the Ranger legacy.
"Doctor Cranston," said Beth, breaking the silence. "What the hell was that? What was that back there?"
"I know you guys have got questions," Billy said. "I just do not know how to explain to you what precisely had occurred back there. Nonetheless, I also comprehend that this was to occur eventually. I just was not expecting it to happen this soon."
"And what is that?" asked Miles, repeating Beth's question.
Closing his eyes, Billy swallowed before getting up from the floor, pacing the room slightly.
'How am I supposed to explain to these kids that those crystals they touched granted them power? How am I supposed to tell them that they are about to become Power Rangers?' Billy thought, lifting his glasses off his nose slightly. This was the last thing that he wanted to happen. But with a new threat emerging on the horizon, he knew that he had no choice. He also understood that with this territory came explaining to them how they were organically connected to the zords.
"Doctor C?" asked JT.
Billy just breathed out another sigh again, knowing that this was happening whether he liked it or not.
'God, I do wish that Tommy were here now, or even Jase. They'd know what to say,' he thought. However, as he turned to face his kids, he saw the intense curiosity burning in their eyes.
He knew that he could not avoid it forever.
"In the museum, did you guys find anything there in particular?" he asked them. "Did you see anything there that looked . . . out of place?"
"Well, now that you mentioned it, yeah." Beth pulled out her blue crystal, which was glowing heavily in her hand. Chloe pulled out her hot pink one. However, the minute her skin lay contact with it, it was almost as though the pain in her leg was numbing.
"I was hoping that you wouldn't find those," Billy murmured.
"What do you mean? What are these things?" asked Miles.
"I really am not precisely certain what they are," Billy replied. "However, I do know that they contain power. I found these gems while I was away on an expedition in the Middle East with a team of mine. We ended up finding those gems in a pyramid, and the minute I picked them up to bring them back with me to put them in safekeeping, the pyramid went crumbling. Before all this, I was a curator, on a pathway to finding religious artifacts for the local museum here. After the trip went to hell, I resorted to putting my abilities elsewhere."
"And you decided to go and become a high school teacher to a bunch of hormonal-raging adolescents who have barely reached a level of maturity?" asked JT bluntly.
"Affirmative," Billy said. "I figured that I needed something stable . . . something safe. Nonetheless, the fact that you have possession of these crystals, you've been granted power beyond imagination."
"You're acting like this isn't the first time this has happened," said Miles.
"Because it's happened, more than once," Billy said. "I am precise that you all have heard the legend of the team of superheroes known to the world as the Power Rangers?"
"I thought that was just a myth," Chloe said, tucking a piece of her hair behind her ear.
"No, it wasn't. I would know, because I was Earth's first blue Ranger," Billy said, his eyes blazing with a sincerity that his students knew was real.
"Wait . . . wait, so you're saying we might be Power Rangers?" asked Beth, her eyes growing wide.
"Affirmative," Billy said to her. "You may follow me. There is something I must show you."
The kids nodded, before rising to their feet. Chloe was surprised to see that her leg had healed rather quickly as they followed Billy down to his basement.
"I typically never give permission for anyone to be down here. But in this case, I grant an exception to you four," Billy said to them, before opening the door to the basement and leading them downstairs. Once they arrived downstairs, they could see fully functional computers live and operating.
"Holy shit!" cursed out Beth.
"Just so you know, I don't like profanity. I'm going to let that one slide, because it was cool," Billy declared. "I designed this place as a way to keep track of every occurrence that takes place throughout the Morphin Grid. The Morphin Grid is the Power Rangers' power source, no matter which team you happen to be acquainted with. If I am not mistaken, the original Red Jason Scott is currently mentoring his own team, the Beast Morphers team. Tommy Oliver, the original green, gold, and third red, led a team of Rangers titled Dino Thunder. Now, I can only surmise it's my turn."
"This is amazing," Chloe breathed.
"If you think that this alone is phenomenal," Billy said with a wink. "I've got a couple of surprises. One." He tossed over to the four teens necklaces. "Those necklaces will allow you to control your crystals and morph. The armor that surrounds your body is connected naturally to your DNA; it's the same with your Zords." Billy proceeded to pull up imagery of the Zords on one of the computers. It displayed a red dragon, a pink Phoenix, a blue Siren, and a black centaur.
"Well, how do we morph?" asked JT.
"You say, "It's morphin time", and you each activate your powers by calling out the name of each mystical animal's power that is bonded to your DNA," Billy explained. "Miles, with hidden knowledge, wisdom, and strength, you will activate the red dragon zord. Chloe, like a Phoenix that rises from the ashes, you will pilot the pink Phoenix zord. Beth, you've been granted with enhanced vocal abilities, giving you the song of a siren, allowing you to control the blue siren zord. And JT, you've been granted intense strength and a horse-like speed, giving you control over the black centaur zord."
"Sweet," Miles whispered, examining his red crystal.
"But why us?" asked Chloe, staring at Billy incredulously. "What have we done to deserve being superheroes? What makes us so special?"
"You don't select the power. The power selects you," said Billy.
"Why would it bother picking the degenerate who got herself in jail for knocking an asshole's teeth out?" asked Beth.
"It's not about what you did in the past. It's about what you do here and now in the present," Billy said. "Everyone is worthy of having a shot at redemption, Bethany."
Suddenly, the computers began blaring throughout the room.
"Dammit," Billy whispered, going over to one of the computers. Pulling up the footage, he could see Lucius, Cerci, and Wen Shen were already on the pathway to terrorizing the city. "Well, no time to hesitate now. It looks like Cerci has brought forth more of her heinous mongrels. Go, you need to seize them."
"But we don't know how to fight them. How are we supposed to –?" asked JT.
"I'll show you guys how," Miles said. "Just follow my lead and I will tell you what to do. Just remember this." He proceeded to step into a fighting stance, bending his knees. "You keep your knees bent, or you will hit that pavement and crack your heads wide open. Also, when making a fist, you keep your thumb on the outside of your knuckles, not on the inside, and not off to the side. Chances are, if you do that, you will jam your thumb. Also, keep yourself centered. You leave yourself open, that's an invitation to getting hit. And if you hit the ground, keep your heads tucked in, to your chest, and slam your arms down to the ground. That may leave behind scratches, but it prevents head injury. From there you can roll over and kick when you're on your back."
"He's right. Go, guys, go! I'll keep watch on you from here," Billy said.
"How do we get there to the center of town?" asked Chloe.
"Your crystals will allow you to teleport from place to place," Billy said. "Okay?"
"Okay, Doctor C." Miles stepped into position, placing his crystal into the necklace around his neck. "It's morphin time! Red dragon Ranger power!" With that said, his armor formed around his body, taking on an appearance of a dragon, complete with scales and a helmet that looked like the head of a dragon.
Chloe followed his lead, saying, "Pink Phoenix Ranger power!" Her uniform took on a fiery, bird-like image, hot pink and white flames seeming to burst from her as her helmet took on a feathered appearance.
Beth followed with, "Blue siren Ranger power!" Beth's uniform was bright blue, looking almost like a mermaid with fish-like scales as a burst of water formed over her.
"Black centaur Ranger power!" shouted JT. His uniform looked like half man, half horse, the bottom portion looking like horse hooves.
"Holy crap!" Chloe said, staring at the looks of her uniform. "This is . . . This is wicked awesome!"
"Tell me about it!" Beth said with a grin.
"Alright, prepare for teleportation now," Billy said. "You guys are capable."
"Thanks for the vote of confidence, Doctor C," JT said.
The four teenagers pressed down on their necklaces, and could feel the odd sensation of being teleported. Bright, colorful glows surrounded each of them as they arrived at the center of town. They could see that there were tigers already flooding the streets of Crystal Cove, as well as other beasts that were towering in size. Chloe could feel a sick sensation forming in her stomach as she noticed a tiger pouncing for her.
"Chloe, you okay?" asked Miles.
"Yeah, I'm alright, Miles," Chloe said.
"Don't worry, Chloe. I'll help you handle these tigers," Beth said.
"Alright, girls. Take it from here. JT and I will start getting civilians out of here," Miles said as he and JT went off to save the civilians. Beth and Chloe each took position, taking a fighting stance.
"Ready to sing," whispered Beth, and she proceeded to let out a sonic, siren cry, blue soundwaves escaping her and hitting the tigers head-on. Chloe let out a loud, Phoenix screech, flames flickering off her as she blasted the tigers with a pyrokinetic blast. However, as a minotaur came forth, preparing to knock her off her feet, Chloe jumped up and aimed a crane kick at the beast's jaw.
"Okay, that was badass, Chloe," Beth said with a grin towards her teammate.
"Thanks," Chloe said with a grin, pounding her fist hard against Beth's before they ran forth to take out more beasts.
Meanwhile, on JT and Miles' side, they were busy leading all the civilians out of the mess. JT ran in, carrying several small children out of the way from several cyclops, as well as venomous snakes.
"Okay, Cerci, Wen Shen, and Lucius just don't know when to quit," JT said to Miles.
"I know man. I just hope the girls are holding up alright," Miles said as he aimed flip kick at a cyclops. However, they were pulled from that thought when Chloe and Beth came running up to them. "How'd you do?"
"That was almost a little too easy," Beth said.
"Well don't get cocky yet. We've still got more cleanup to do," Miles told them. However, before they could think about putting their focus towards Wen Shen, Lucius, and Cerci, the three ancient beings teleported out.
"Rats!" JT said.
"You guys have plenty more likelihoods to get them another time," Billy said in comms link. "Meanwhile, you've done an exemplary job already. Come back to the basement straightway."
"Alright, thanks Doctor C." With that said, Miles and the others teleported out, and they appeared in Billy's basement.
"Uh, Doctor C, how do we . . ." JT asked.
"Just simply say, "Power down"," Billy said with a smile.
"Power down." With that said, the uniforms vanished from the teens' bodies and they were back in their street clothes. All they could see was that their teacher was standing before them, glowing with pride.
Later that evening, it was time for the kids to go back home. However, Miles noticed the way Chloe seemed to linger behind even after Billy pulled out of the drive with Beth. He noticed that she had her arms wrapped around her stomach in a protective stance. The sun was slowly beginning to set already.
"Chloe, you alright?" Miles asked her.
Chloe managed to nod. "Yeah, I'm alright, Miles," she said.
"You want me to walk you home and make sure you get there safe?" Miles asked.
Chloe cast Miles a wide-eyed look. No one had ever once offered that. More often than not, Chloe walked home by herself because she was embarrassed at the idea of having people over at her house. Her parents' fights continued to get more violent as time went on. Her father's physical and verbal abuse only worsened every day and night. Miles knew that just as well; he had to hear it day in and day out since he lived next door to her.
"N – No, Miles, it's alright I can walk home by myself just fine," Chloe said.
"No, let me, alright? I wouldn't feel right knowing that I could walk you to your door, and I didn't. Besides, my house is right next door. It's not a burden on me," Miles told her.
Chloe shook her head. "I'm fine, Miles. Really," she said. He could see that tears were threatening to fall from her eyes. It was almost as though Chloe were in disbelief that somebody could possibly care about her. Miles could see deeply in her eyes the sense of worthlessness and shame. He couldn't help but imagine that there was something deeper under the surface in Chloe's home.
"Are you sure?" he asked her, continuing to persist. He just wanted the peace of mind to know that Chloe was going to get home safely.
Chloe looked down at her feet. She could tell by Miles' tone that he wasn't going to just give up. "Okay, I guess you can. But just until I reach my house," she added hastily.
Miles nodded, gently taking her hand into his so that he could lead her away from Billy's doorstep. The two teenagers walked silently until they finally reached Chloe and Miles' street. Luckily, it was quiet, which was unusual. Chloe could only guess it was because her mom was working late, and her father was passed out on the sofa, intoxicated and in a deep sleep. Once they arrived at Chloe's house, Miles gently leaned a hand onto her shoulder as she got her key out of her backpack.
"Okay, I'm good from here," she said to him.
"Are you sure?" he asked her.
Chloe nodded, unlocking the door so that she could enter. "Really, Miles, I'm fine. I promise."
Miles nodded, though he didn't look convinced at all that Chloe was truly alright. Slowly, he turned his back and went to his own house, where he knew dinner was waiting.
Chloe turned around and walked inside the house. She was relieved to find that her dad was in a drunken sleep on the couch, clutching a bottle of hard liquor in his hand. She could feel her stomach growl with a sense of hunger, given she hadn't eaten since lunch. Carefully, she slipped into the kitchen and found a glass container containing left-over baked spaghetti, with a note from her mother saying she was free to heat it up if she wanted. Carefully, she lifted the dish out of the fridge and placed it into the microwave, grabbing a fork as well as a bottle of water. Once the food was warmed up, she snuck it up to her room, hoping she would be able to eat in peace. She leaned back onto her bed carefully, minding her broken ribs that were still healing from a previous beating her father had given her days prior.
Lifting her shirt up, she could see the bruises on her ribs. Tears filled her eyes as she leaned her head back against the headboard, trying to force herself to eat. But her stomach was so filled with knots, she could only manage five bites before she felt the bile rising in her throat. She ran towards her bathroom, leaning against the toilet, throwing up.
A sob escaped her throat as she tried to brush away her tears, before she rose to her feet. She left her dinner sitting there, unforgotten, as she reached for her guitar. She decided to climb up to the rooftop and play her guitar. The soft tune filled the air as her voice carried out the song . . .
I will not make
The same mistakes that you did
I will not let myself
Cause my heart so much misery
I will not break
The way you did, you fell so hard
I've learned the hard way
To never let it get that far
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I lose my way
And it's not too long before you point it out
I cannot cry
Because I know that's weakness in your eyes
I'm forced to fake
A smile, a laugh everyday of my life
My heart can't possibly break
When it wasn't even whole to start with
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I find it hard to trust not only me, but everyone around me
Because of you
I am afraid
I watched you die
I heard you cry every night in your sleep
I was so young
You should have known
Better than to lean on me
You never thought of anyone else
You just saw your pain
And now I cry in the middle of the night
For the same damn thing
Because of you
I never stray too far from the sidewalk
Because of you
I learned to play on the safe side so I don't get hurt
Because of you
I try my hardest just to forget everything
Because of you
I don't know how to let anyone else in
Because of you
I'm ashamed of my life
Because it's empty
Because of you
I am afraid
Because of you
Because of you
A/N:
The song Chloe sang is Kelly Clarkson's "Because of You". Like with Power Rangers, I do not own any music used here in this story!