New Poll: Besides Shane and Skyla, what pairing combination do you want to see in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm? This gives you the chance to pick your favorite pairings and a runner up. If you don't see the combination you want, you can always let me know through reviewing. And, Shane/Skyla is a given because I want to keep Skyla. If you have some thoughts on this, though, let me know.
LAST POLL RESULTS: Who should Hunter end up with? And the winner is… Cam! Coming in second is Tori and tied for third are TZDustin and Blake. So, you'd think there'd be more Hunter/Cam in here, but it's pretty mild because this chapter is mostly about Tobi and the Dustins. Also, who knows, maybe people will change their minds once they see the new poll. By having complete pairing combinations, you can see who the others would end up with when you pick a Hunter pairing.
Check out my other story Dustin's First Crush for plenty of young Dustin angst!
Warning: This chapter contains some violence, blood and death.
Author's Note: This chapter takes place instead of the events that unfold in the two-part episode General Deception, which is the episode after Eye of the Storm. I've learned my lesson from the last chapter and I think I see what works and what doesn't. To sum that up, less action (since it tends to be confusing), more explanation (to make things clear), and lots of drama (and there definitely is plenty in here!). Humor will return in a future chapter. This one's… serious. Don't hate me. Actually, I guess you can hate me if you want.
Review Comments:
Thanks Ghostwriter for the review and compliment! As for Circuit dunking in Time Force and Jen doing a face-palm, I can see that too! I was wanting to actually do a Ninja Storm and Time Force teamup, but I'm thinking it would complicate things too much to have it in this story. So, I put it on the back burner. I liked Time Force and it would be nice to write something
Thanks ken627for your enthusiasm and for also being the first person ever to review my story! How far this story has come since then. Back then, you supported Tobi/Dustin even when the majority of readers ended up voting for Hunter/Dustin. Now, apparently people's opinions have changed and, since you always wanted Hunter/Cam, you may just get your wish! Oh, and I can't answer any of your questions without spoiling the story. So, instead, you'll have to read this chapter to find out how Cam gets free, if Hunter is involved in his rescue, what happens to Dustin and if the other rangers will help. The question I can answer is that, unless the new poll I put up changes things, Cam and Hunter will end up together.
Thanks YellowPrincess for your neverending encouragement! I didn't really want to do Hunter/Cam, so I created the new poll with complete couple pairings. However, if even that pairs up Hunter/Cam, at least Tori will have Blake. I guess it would also make things simpler (not having two Hunters or two Dustins or two Toris). But, if you recall, people originally voted for Hunter/Dustin, so I paired them up and then they changed their mind later. So, yeah, you never know… Sorry, I'm just trying to be helpful here. And, as for the other dimension's rangers, I honestly haven't given it much thought yet. I was kind of assuming that not all would go back, but now I'm not sure… Anyway, as for Tori being the best sister ever, that's actually why I came up with the whole twins idea in the first place. Who wouldn't want Tori to be their sister? That would be awesome! And I have to apologize in advance for this chapter. Without spoiling the chapter, I'll just say that it's… emotionally intense.
Thanks griffin blackwood for pointing out that the last chapter was confusing! Of course, without being more specific, I can only assume you mean the action sense near the end. I've tried to avoid those kinds of action scenes in this chapter (and probably from now on) since they seem to end up confusing. Let me know if everything makes sense in this chapter. And, feel free to read the summary of the last chapter below. Also, special thanks for your continued reviews for my other story Dustin's First Crush.
Thanks FinalJudgement for the praise and support! I needed it, since I've been feeling a bit down lately. And, in keeping with you deciding you feel sorry for the evil rangers, I've tried to make them a little less evil in this chapter. That's to say that I try to reveal a little of their humanity. What happens with them is still up in the air right now, though. As for needing extra love, that made me realize that, at some point, I'm going to have to pick pairings for the other dimension's rangers too. Well, maybe anyway. And I'm glad that you for one liked the chapter about Tobi's past, because it plays a role in here. I have a special author's note at the end too. Oh, and my parents are crazy about Stargate, but I honestly never got into it, so (in my uneducated opinion), I think Cha-ka sounds like a giant puffball that eats people and Tyzonn sounds like the knight that defeats it. Did I mention I don't watch Stargate?
And, Ruon jian, since you had those straightforward suggestions for how the two teams would bond, which gave me so many ideas, I'd really like to hear your thoughts on pairing combinations as well as what I ask after the author's note at the end of this chapter.
I miss Magichalo's reviews. They were always so thorough and helpful.
Previously in Parallel Realities Ninja Storm:
Tori introduces Tobi to her family and says he's a part of it. As Tobi bonds with his new family, Cam sneaks into Ninja Ops only to be ambushed by the other dimension's Dustin, who escapes and causes the Zord bay to collapse on both the Zords and Cam. Downtown, Motodrone uses the alien Eyezak to put collars on people that make them see their biggest fears. Both dimension's rangers form a temporary alliance after the other dimension's Shane meets Porter. When Eyezak is enlarged and threatens Tobi's new house, he takes on the alien alone with his Phoenix Zord and defeats it. Down on the ground, the other dimension's Dustin kidnaps this dimension's Dustin and Cam's mother and grumpy Sensei promise to help both Dustin and Cam...
Parallel Realities Ninja Storm: Chapter 35 (Dustins, Death and Deception)
Lothor paced back and forth on the bridge of his space fortress. "Where are those girls?" he asked outloud.
Just then, Zurgane entered the room, grumbling to himself something about Vexacus being a traitor.
"Ah, General Zurgane," Lothor greeted pleasantly.
"What is it, sir?" Zurgane asked, suddenly standing at attention.
"It seems Motodrone has failed me, but he did manage to supply me with a bit of useful information," Lothor began.
"What's that, sir?" Zurgane asked.
"Our goodie goodie Power Rangers somehow made it back to this dimension," Lothor explained. "No doubt my overthinking nephew is to blame. But, besides that, they now have a gold ranger."
"Another ranger?" Zurgane asked, surprised.
"I know, when will they run out of colors?" Lothor replied before throwing Zurgane a friendly grin. "You know, you've always been my favorite general."
"Thank you, sir," Zurgane replied.
Lothor wave a hand dismissively. "It seems my nieces have disappeared," he continued. "No doubt they're in trouble and I want you to find them."
"Sir, surely Choobo—" Zurgane started to protest.
"That's not all I want you to do for me," Lothor added. "The other dimension's Power Rangers have joined forces with their returned former enemies and, in the process, betrayed me, so I feel like returning the favor." He approached Zurgane and patted him on his oversized shoulder pads. "Two of them are separated from the others," He waved his arms. "Some yellow ranger squabbling. You know how it goes."
"Uh, of course, sir," Zurgane mumbled.
"I want you to kill one of them," Lothor instructed, "but just one. And, make sure it is this dimension's yellow ranger."
"Why not destroy both yellow rangers?" Zurgane asked, puzzled.
"The other dimension's yellow ranger is clever, like my nephew," Lothor explained, "but, unlike my nephew, he may actually be convinced to join me."
"I understand, sir," Zurgane nodded.
"And, if nothing else, it will crush their new gold ranger," Lothor added with a grin. "When he realized his beloved yellow ranger is dead, his defenses will fall and you'll make sure he falls along with them."
"Kill the good yellow ranger and the gold ranger," Zurgane listed off. "Anything else, sir?"
"Yes," Lothor agreed. "Make sure my nieces aren't up to something."
"And, if they have turned against you like the other rangers?" Zurgane asked.
Lothor approached him, a menacing look on his masked face. "Remember this, Zurgane: Family is very important to me. No matter what they've done, you will return them to me."
"Yes, sir," Zurgane replied, snapping his feet together in a salute and turning in his tracks.
Lothor then resumed his pacing.
Dustin awoke to find that he was no longer morphed. Looking around, he was in some sort of a cave. Given the damp sea smell, he knew he must be near the ocean. Also, given the fact that he couldn't move, he figured he was tied up. But who had kidnapped him and why?
Just then, another Dustin entered his view. The other Dustin was holding a morpher in his hand while wearing another on his wrist. He had Dustin's morpher.
"TZD, I should have known," Dustin greeted quickly. "Dude, what do you want with me?" he asked, feeling for a weakness in whatever type of knots were holding him.
The other Dustin dangled the morpher in his fingers back and forth. "I just wanted… to talk," he said calmly.
"And you like had to take me here to talk?" Dustin asked doubtfully.
The other Dustin paced. "I didn't want any… interruptions."
"You gotta know they'll find me," Dustin told his captor.
"I'm hoping this won't take long," the other Dustin explained.
"When I get free, you're gonna pay, TZT," Dustin declared.
"For capturing you?" the other Dustin asked. "I've done a lot worse." He stared off toward the cave wall for a moment.
"Yeah, you hurt TZT," Dustin said. "That's what you'll pay for."
The other Dustin turned back to his prisoner. "You really care about Tobi, don't you?"
"I love him!" Dustin declared.
The other Dustin visibly cringed. "When did you fall in love with Tobi? You only met him a week and a half ago."
Dustin fumbled with the ropes binding him before he realized that he was surrounded by dirt and rock. He could try to escape, but the other Dustin also had the power of earth and he wouldn't get far. So, he decided to bide his time and wait until he saw his opportunity. "I felt… something when I first met him," he told the other Dustin. "I trusted him and I liked how much he was like me but also totally TZT. But…" He looked down, embarrassed. "I chose Hunter."
"You like Hunter?" the other Dustin asked, a hint of surprise in his voice.
"Yeah, and like he had a crush on me for a long time but never told me," Dustin explained.
"Ah," the other Dustin mumbled, thinking.
"I also liked Marah," Dustin continued.
"Marah?" the other Dustin repeated.
"The not evil space ninja one," Dustin clarified. "She's cuter as a human."
The other Dustin just nodded.
"But, yeah, I chose Hunter," Dustin continued, "'cause like it make sense and all and Hunter's hot, but… When TZT died, I freaked out. I thought he was the one person I couldn't love but he helped me see he's the one person I love the most." He smiled at the memory. "He's so awesome. He became a ninja and a Power Ranger and he's as smart as Cam and as cool as Hunter, but also super caring and honest and a little crazy like me and…" He cocked his head to the side. "I love him a lot."
The other Dustin was quiet as he thought. "So, you were never afraid of what the others would think of you?"
Dustin gave him a confused look. "Dude, they're my friends and I'm even goofier than TZT."
"TZT?" the other Dustin repeated. "Why do you call him that?"
"Twilight Zone Tobi," Dustin explained.
"TZD, Twilight Zone Dustin," the other Dustin realized. "I guess we both had nicknames for him. I called him Tobs. But… I couldn't let myself get too close."
"Maybe 'cause you always need to like be in control, dude," Dustin suggested, gesturing to his tied up state. "Like now. Don't you ever just let anything happen?"
The other Dustin pondered this for a moment. "No," he admitted. "You've got an advantage in that area, I guess."
"I was afraid too," Dustin admitted, watching his counterpart closely.
The other Dustin looked up, suddenly curious.
"I didn't want to be like… totally weird," Dustin continued. "I didn't even want to like guys. I just wanted to like girls. At least, if I had to like anyone. I mean, like like them. Aw, man, it's all so confusing."
The other Dustin just nodded.
"But, like, I didn't have a choice," Dustin added. "And I think I was afraid of…" He scrunched up his face, concentrating.
"Commitment?" the other Dustin offered.
"Yeah, that," Dustin agreed, nodding with an appreciative smile. "But I decided I was more afraid of loosing TZT."
"And I was more afraid of the commitment, so I lost him," the other Dustin concluded to himself, turning to face away from Dustin.
"TZD, do you love TZT?" Dustin asked curiously.
The other Dustin took a breath, still facing away from him. "I don't know," he answered before turning back around. "He said he thought he loved me before he met you. Did he ever talk to you about… me?"
Dustin did his best to shrug even though he was tied up. "He said he had a crush on you. I had crushes before too. They're different than love and TZT said he loves me."
"But does he really?" the other Dustin asked quickly.
"'Course," Dustin replied. "TZT wouldn't lie to me."
"Right," the other Dustin mumbled. "Maybe your TZT isn't the same as the Tobs I knew."
"What do you mean?" Dustin asked.
"He changed," the other Dustin explained. "He pretended to be tough when inside he was afraid. Now he's a Power Ranger and he doesn't seem to be afraid of anything. I don't blame you for falling in love with Tobs… now that he's no longer the Tobi I knew."
"But there was always something about him," Dustin disagreed. "I think that's why I always felt a connection to him. I felt something, like who he could be before he was. Even when I chose Hunter, it hurt me so much to let TZT—or Tobs go. I think I always love him. Maybe he doesn't act the same, but he's still the same TZT I love. He's like… a flower that bloomed." He couldn't help but laugh at that analogy.
The other Dustin sighed. "I have a confession to make," he said slowly.
Dustin looked at him with curious eyes.
"I didn't just bring you hear to talk," the other Dustin admitted. "A part of me wanted to trade places with you."
"Oh," Dustin realized. "Invasion of the Body Snatchers."
The other Dustin gave him a confused look. "Uh, yeah," he agreed, "but I can't replace you because I'm not like you." He sighed again. "Do you make him… happy?" He looked away suddenly as he asked this.
"Yeah," Dustin admitted. "I can like see it in his eyes. He has amazing eyes. And he makes me like supper awesome happy dude."
The other Dustin didn't say anything. He just stared off until a sudden sound interrupted the two Dustins. They looked over to see…
"Zurgane?" the other Dustin snapped. "What're you doing here?"
"Your friends have betrayed Lothor," Zurgane said, entering the cave. "I came for your prisoner."
"Too bad he's not for sale," the other Dustin replied.
"Then allow me to eliminate him for you," Zurgane offered.
"No!" the other Dustin called just as Zurgane fired.
Cam coughed as he tried to move. There was rocks and dirt all around him except for his head, but he couldn't see a thing. It was only the weight and feel that made it clear what he was buried under.
"Circuit!" he called out.
"I'm here, Cam," Circuit's voice replied. It sounded like the mechanical moth was directly overhead.
"I'm stuck," Cam continued. "Can you go get help?"
"I can't move from here," Circuit replied.
"Are you stuck too?" Cam asked.
"No," Circuit replied.
"If it's because you're programing won't let you abandon—" Cam began.
"If I move, the layer of rock I'm supporting will crush you," Circuit explained.
Cam paused. "Oh, well, then I appreciate you staying where you are," he said, again trying to move.
"Don't move around," Circuit warned. "You're shifting the rock."
"Sorry," Cam mumbled, sighing. "Can you transmit a distress signal?"
"My primary communication system is not working," Circuit replied. "It might be the rock or the repeated EM use."
"Oh, I didn't consider that," Cam mumbled. "This was pretty foolish, wasn't it? Here I am without the ability to morph or call for help."
"You did what you thought would have the highest probability of success," Circuit told him.
"I would never have asked anyone else to take this kind of risk," Cam explained. "Why did I do it myself?"
"I don't know, Cam," Circuit replied. "I'll search my memory."
"That's not necessary, Circuit," Cam said. "I was just talking to myself."
"Then you don't want to hear my conclusion?" Circuit asked.
"Uh, sure, go ahead," Cam offered.
"You care more about others than you do about yourself," Circuit concluded.
"Oh," Cam replied. "So, I'm not just a grump?"
"No, you're not," Circuit assured him. "Except about yourself. Maybe you need someone else to tell you they care about you."
"Thanks for you honesty, Circuit," Cam said before realizing something. "Goldwinger said he'd be able to keep in touch with us using you. Can you contact Goldwinger?"
"I think so, but isn't Goldwinger in another dimension?" Circuit asked.
"Yes, but I have an idea," Cam replied.
"Ow!" space ninja Kapri screamed. "What, are you trying to burn my hands off?"
"I thought I was trying to free us," space ninja Marah said as she burned through the knots binding the two together using her fire ability. Snap! "There!" she shouted, her hands now free.
"Now untie me!" Kapri demanded.
"Only if you promise to stop being mean to me," Marah said, pouting.
Kapri groaned loudly. "Just untie me before the others come back."
"I don't feel like it," Marah protested.
"Stop acting like a spoiled brat and set me free!" Kapri yelled.
"No!" Marah replied, crossing her arms.
"Fine!" Kapri grumbled. "We'll go shopping together or something."
Marah's expression immediately changed. "Really?" She then began untying her sister. That is, until she felt someone grab her. At first, she just tried to brush the hand away. "What?" she asked, looking around to see hippy Marah and Kapri standing over her.
"Do I get to blast them for trying to escape?" grumpy Sensei asked as he stood atop his wife's shoulder, their son following them.
"But, Sensei, if we're all Lothor's nieces and Lothor's your brother, aren't we all, including them, part of your family too?" hippy Marah suggested.
Grumpy Sensei paused.
Cam's mother looked at her husband. "You made Kanoi speechless," she said. "It's a miracle!"
"Yo, dad, so they're like family?" the other dimension's Cam asked his father.
"I suppose so," grumpy Sensei admitted. "Take your pick which two you want."
His son then began deliberating between the two pairs. "You like popcorn?"
"Only if it's not from a giant pig," space ninja Kapri said, cringing at the memory.
"With lots of butter!" space ninja Marah cheered.
"Have you guys tried popped soybeans?" hippy Marah asked. "They're like popcorn, but healthier."
Cam made a disgusted face.
Meanwhile, Tobi turned to his sister from his dimension as the group of multidimensional rangers approached the waterfall portal. "So, now that Eyezak is defeated, are we back to being enemies?"
"Tobi, we never should have been enemies," his sister told him.
"You did beat us up and try to strand us in another dimension," this dimension's Tori pointed out.
"My sister's right," he said, glancing at Tori before he addressed his sister, "but I forgive you."
"And I forgive you too," she replied. "I never should have asked you to betray… your friends, even if I am your sister."
"And, if you're Tobi's sister, I guess that makes us sisters," this dimension's Tori concluded.
Tobi's sister frowned. "Uh, sure."
Tobi turned to her. "Do you think your Dustin will hurt our Dustin?"
"Our Dustin couldn't hurt a fly, let alone your Dustin," his sister replied.
Tobi gave her a confused look. "Since when?"
"You never wondered how we always ended up trashing the industrial side of town instead of houses?" she asked.
"He said stuff blows up better there and it's true," Tobi replied.
She rolled her eyes. "So he always said."
He thought about that and, it's true, he had always wondered if his dimension's Dustin did that on purpose, but that's only because he always wanted to believe that there was some good in Dustin. That was, before he came here and met the Dustin he fell in love with.
"Tobi, can I ask you something?" Skyla suddenly spoke up.
"Yeah, sure," Tobi agreed, curious.
"Did you… have to kill that alien?" she asked, concern in her voice.
"Eyezak? I guess so," he replied.
"You couldn't reason with it?" she suggested.
"No, I'm pretty sure I couldn't," he told her.
"Oh," she said, thinking.
"What's wrong, Skyla?" he asked, patting her arm.
"I just think you should never take killing someone or something too lightly," she replied.
"Uh, okay," he agreed, giving her a confused look.
"You okay?" Shane asked, wrapping his arms around her.
"Yeah, I'll be fine," she said, leaning into his body.
The other dimension's Shane watched this with raised eyebrows.
Shane noticed this and turned to the other Shane. "Are we still on the same side?" he asked in his leader voice.
The other Shane nodded. "We'll help you take back Ninja Ops from our Dustin. After that, we'll see."
The group passed through the waterfall portal to find that the Zords were gone. They then approached the entrance down into Ninja Ops.
"It's sealed," Shane announced.
"And the only two people who would know how to open it are Cam and the other Dustin," Tori pointed out.
"Can we just blast it?" Tobi suggested. "We have to help Dustin and Cam."
"I'm with Tobi on that," Hunter said, calling, "Thunder Storm, Ranger Form!" As he morphed, he pulled out his Crimson Blaster and fired.
As the smoke cleared, the others leaned forward to see… that the hatch was still sealed.
Shane started to swat at a small insect that was hovering near his face. But, as he reached up, Skyla grabbed his arm, stopping him. He looked over at her, confused.
"It's a moth," she pointed out.
Shane studied the flying creature. "So it is," he agreed.
"Let me guess, killing a moth would be wrong," the other dimension's Shane commented, glancing between Shane and Skyla.
The two just watched as the moth landed on the hatch and fluttered over the panel for a while until…
Suddenly the hatch opened and the moth immediately flew inside.
The others exchanged surprised looks before descending down into Ninja Ops, where the tiny moth was now typing away on the main computer's keyboard.
As the group gathered around the computer, Goldwinger's face appeared on the screen. "Hello my friends!" Goldwinger greeted happily.
"There's a face only a mother could love," the other dimension's Hunter commented, receiving a nod from his brother.
"Goldwinger?" this dimension's Hunter asked, surprised.
"Yeah, what are you doing?" this dimension's Blake added.
"Our dear friend Cam's in trouble and he used my mechanical moth friend to contact me," Goldwinger explained. "Apparently there was this Dustin he was chasing—His word, 'this' Dustin—who caused the Zord Bay to collapse on him. Now he's buried under a layer of rocks and dirt."
Tobi looked at his sister. "I thought you said he wouldn't hurt anyone?"
She shrugged. "I didn't think Dustin would."
"Unfortunately, the information Circuit gave me suggests digging Cam out may cause his delicate position to be compromised and he'd be crushed," Goldwinger continued, causing the others to gasp. "He recommends getting a different Dustin. I guess you have a lot of him to spare. Must be a real studmuffin to have so many clones of him."
"Both Dustins are missing," Hunter told Goldwinger. "We were hoping Cam could help us find them."
"Oh, well I'll tell him that," Goldwinger said and the screen went blank.
"Why does the other me need D-Man to get free?" the other dimension's Cam asked.
"It's the power of earth," Tobi realized. "We have to find Dustin now! Not just for Dustin's sake, but for Cam. We can't let him be crushed to death!"
Tori patted Tobi's shoulder and his sister watched this curiously. "He'll be okay," she assured him. "They both will. Shane, do you know how to use Cam's computer to search for Dustin's morpher?"
Shane shook his head. "No," he admitted. "I should've paid more attention to how he worked but I guess I figured he'd always be there. Maybe I took him for granted too." He glanced over at Tobi.
"Now is not the time for blame," Sensei stated as Goldwinger's face reappeared. "Goldwinger," Sensei addressed. "We need to use the computer to search for Dustin."
"I'm way ahead of you this time," Goldwinger replied. "Or, at least Cam is," he amended and the screen changed to a map of the area.
Suddenly Skyla grabbed Tobi's hand and he turned to look at something in her eyes. "Something's wrong," she whispered.
"With Dustin," Tobi realized, turning back to the screen just as a position appeared on the map.
"He's in a cave near the cove," Shane announced, turning from the screen, but Tobi was already gone.
Tobi streaked to the area of the beach he had seen on Cam's screen and looked around the cove until he spotted a cave. He didn't even both to take the time to morph. His heart was pounding and he felt certain that every second counted.
But, as he entered the cave, he saw Dustin kneeling on the ground. He was staring at something that looked like a pile of dirt and ash.
"Dustin?" Tobi asked cautiously. "Is that you?"
The Dustin in front of him seemed startled, like he'd been off in his own world. He looked from the pile of ash to Tobi and then around the cave, but didn't say anything. There was a complex set of emotions playing out in his eyes.
Tobi stepped closer. "Which Dustin are you?" he asked slowly.
Dustin just stared at him, his eyes becoming shiny. "He's… dead," he whispered.
"Who?" Tobi asked.
Dustin was quiet for a moment, a searching look in his eyes. "TZD," he replied, looking in Tobi's eyes. "Zurgane shot him." He paused, looking back at the ground. "I mean, he tried to shoot me, but… TZD got in the way."
Tobi followed Dustin's gaze down to the pile of dirt and ash and gasped. "You don't mean…"
Dustin just nodded. "Right in front of me, just… poof." He shivered at the memory, turning back to Tobi as he kneeled on the ground. "I'm sorry… TZT. I'm… sorry," he repeated.
Tobi stared at the brown and black pile before him and started to reach out to touch it, but stopped himself. He felt afraid even to breathe and blow the dust away.
"But… you love… me… right?" Dustin asked slowly.
Tobi backed away from the pile slowly, turning to Dustin, who still had a pained look in his eyes. He fell into Dustin's arms. "Yeah, I love you," he choked out.
Just then, the others arrived, entered the cave to see Tobi in Dustin's arms.
Hunter looked around. "I'm guessing the other Dustin bailed again," he suggested, approaching the two. "I'm glad he's okay too," he told Tobi, "but Cam needs his help."
Tobi turned from Dustin, tears in his eyes. He just nodded.
Both Toris approached their brother before the other dimension's version of his sister stopped herself, letting her counterpart approach her brother. "Tobi, what's wrong?" this dimension's Tori asked, concerned.
"He's dead," Tobi replied quietly. "Zurgane killed the other Dustin." He gestured toward the pile of dirt and ash.
The others exchanged horrified looks and Tobi's sister from the other dimension was the first to gasp. She knelt over the pile and started o reach out, but suddenly felt Tobi's hand stop her.
"Don't," he told her. "Just… just leave it."
She nodded, looking at her brother. "He died never having told you he loved you?" she whispered.
"He didn't love me," Tobi whispered back.
"No, it's just you who didn't love him," she replied, "but he did mean something to you. That much I know for sure. You've always felt something for him. And… I always assumed it was love because… it was something I never felt."
"What are you talking about?" Tobi asked her.
"I've never been in love," she explained. "Not even with Blake. And I've never been loved back by anyone but you. And yet you betrayed me and Dustin too."
"I didn't betray him," Tobi argued.
"I wonder if he knew that," she whispered, looking at the ash. "He had a lifetime with you and you traded it for a few days with another Dustin."
"Shut up," Tobi growled, turning way. As he did, he saw Skyla watching him and he ran over to her. "Skyla, can you see him?" she asked earnestly.
She shook her head. "I'm sorry, Tobi."
He turned back around. "But he can hear me, right?" There was no response, so he just said, "I'm sorry, Dustin. I wish things had been different, but it's too late now. I can't change the past but… you meant… something to me. And, even though you were a jerk sometimes, I'll miss you." He then walked back over to Dustin. "Let's go rescue Cam now."
The others exchanged silent looks.
"I don't get it," the other dimension's Cam commented. "What happened to our Dustin?"
The other dimension's Hunter patted Cam's shoulder. "He's gone."
"And he was always the one with the most potential," grumpy Sensei said to himself.
"Come on, Cam," Cam's mother said, leading her son out of the cave with the others.
Off in the distance, Zurgane watched in silence.
"The others are on their way and they have Dustin," Goldwinger's voice came from Circuit, "but they seem different somehow."
"What do you mean?" Cam choked from the lack of air.
"I think something happened, but it's just a feeling," Goldwinger replied.
"Oh," Cam said before grunting.
"What's wrong, Cam?" came Circuit's voice.
"Cramp," Cam said, shifting his weight.
"Cam, don't!" Circuit shouted just as the dirt moved along with Cam and suddenly a wall of dirt poured over Cam, burying him. "Cam!" Circuit cried. "Goldwinger, tell them to hurry!"
The others explained the situation to a Dustin who still seemed to be in a state of shock. Tobi patted his shoulder and Dustin looked at him. He looked almost guilty over the other Dustin's death.
"It's not your fault he got between you and Zurgane," Tobi told him. "And, I'm okay, really," he added. "I don't know why he'd sacrifice himself though. After all he did, to go out saving someone he was jealous of…"
"This can wait, Tobi," Tori told him softly. "We need to hurry."
"Right," Tobi said as Dustin blinked and turned to go.
Hunter looked at Tori before speaking up. "I'll come with you," he told Dustin.
Dustin gave him a surprised look. "Thanks, Hunter," he replied and the two left the main room.
Cam felt himself being buried alive and his instinct was to fight against the dirt, but moving around seemed to only make it so that he was buried faster. He couldn't' breathe and he was testing his ability to hold his breath. Swimming classes would probably have helped. Or, maybe he could have left on the scuba gear. Really, ever removing his amulet was a mistake and he knew it. He just hoped it wasn't his last mistake.
He reached out, trying to feel Circuit or anything besides dirt and rocks, but he'd slipped too far and the weight alone was threatening to crush him.
That was when his outstretched hand met with someone else's and he felt himself moving quickly through the dirt.
A moment later, Cam found himself outside the Zord Bay, coughing heavily.
"Are you alright, Cam?" a voice asked as Cam looked up to see Hunter pulling him up and wiping dirt off his face.
He couldn't help but blush, although the dirt probably hid most of it. "I'll be okay," he assured Hunter, still coughing. "What about Dustin?"
"He's getting Circuit," Hunter explained. "And…" he added, lowering his voice.
"What?" Cam asked.
"He saw Zurgane kill the other Dustin right in front of him," Hunter replied. "he seems pretty shaken up about it."
"Oh," Cam realized. "What about Tobi?"
Hunter frowned. "I don't know," he admitted. "It wasn't the Dustin he loved, but it was the Dustin he grew up with and I think he still cares about him."
Cam was silent for a moment. "Hunter, I had a lot of time to think while I was buried under there and… I asked Tori this after Tobi died," he began hesitantly. "I want to know how you feel about…" He took a breath. "Me." Hunter's eyebrows raised and Cam immediately added, "I mean, you as in the other rangers in general, how all you feel about me."
A small smile formed on Hunter's face. "Smooth, Cam, real smooth," he replied. "And… we like you. We like you a lot.
"That's… that's good to hear," Cam said slowly as Dustin emerged from the wall of dirt that was once the Zord Bay holding Circuit.
"Cam, are you okay?" Circuit asked, promptly flying over to him. "I warned you not to move."
"I'm fine, Circuit," Cam replied, "and I'll listen to you from now on." He then turned back to Hunter. "Thank you," he said before adding, "Thank you both."
Dustin approached Cam and stared at him. "You sure you're not hurt?" he asked.
Cam started to rise and Hunter helped him up. "Nothing feels broken," he replied, stretching. "I could go for a bath though."
"I'm sorry, Cam," Dustin suddenly said.
Cam gave him a confused look. "For what?"
Dustin blinked. "I'm… just glad you're okay." He then turned and left the Zord Bay.
Hunter and Cam exchanged confused looks.
Meanwhile, in the main room of Ninja Ops, the other dimension's cam turned to his parents. "I can't believe D-Man's… dead."
"Neither can I," the other dimension's Blake added.
"It was so stupid for him to just run off with their Dustin like that," the other dimension's Shane growled. "What was he thinking?"
The other dimension's Hunter looked away suddenly. "I wish I knew."
"Things will never be the same," the other dimension's Tori commented, "that's for sure."
Tobi nodded. Everything changed the moment I came here." He heard someone entering the room and looked over to see Dustin entering.
"Is Cam okay?" Tobi asked, approaching him.
Dustin nodded. "He's fine," he replied quietly, looking Tobi in the eyes before glancing at the other dimension's rangers. "I'm gonna get some air." He then headed toward the exit and left Ninja Ops.
"Your Dustin really is… sensitive," Tobi's sister told him.
"You didn't see someone burned alive in front of you," Tobi snapped, leaving Ninja Ops.
She started to follow, but this dimension's Tori stopped her. "Let them talk this out," she suggested.
Tobi's sister paused before nodding in agreement.
Outside, Tobi found Dustin standing near a tree, staring off toward the setting sun.
Tobi approached, placing a hand on Dustin's arm. "I'm sorry that I wasn't there. Maybe I could have done something."
"It's not your fault, TZT," Dustin told him, turning to stare into his eyes. "Do you… miss him?" he asked slowly.
"Yeah, I do actually," Tobi admitted. "I can't seem to accept the idea he's not just in another dimension, that he's… gone."
Dustin nodded, still watching him. "Will you be okay?"
Tobi blinked. "Yeah," he said somberly. "I still have you." He pulled Dustin to him and Dustin reached out, wrapping Tobi in a hug. "I love you, Dustin," Tobi whispered.
After a moment, Dustin replied, "I love you too, Tobs."
Tobi pulled back, looking up at him. "Tobs? That's what the other Dustin called me."
Dustin blinked, looking away. "I know," he replied. "We talked… about a lot of things."
"Really? Like what?" Tobi asked.
"He was afraid of commitment," Dustin explained, still looking away. "He was afraid of being made fun of. TZD was afraid of a lot of things, TZT."
Tobi just nodded. "But why did he trap Cam in the Zord Bay?"
"He didn't mean to," Dustin explained. "He was afraid of the Zords."
"But he built Zords," Tobi pointed out, "'for fun.'"
"No, not just for fun," Dustin disagreed, "but because Hunter told him his and Blake's parents were going to give them their own Zords. TZD knew that having another set of Zords to fight against would sound fun but secretly he knew it would also keep them from using their Zords against the city."
"Oh," Tobi realized. "I get it now. They'd Zord battle each other outside the city, but if he didn't built his own Zords, Hunter and Blake might have smashed the city for fun."
Dustin nodded. "After that day when the Zord killed your mom, he couldn't let that happen again."
"I thought it was strange that Dustin would make Zords after seeing what they could do," Tobi commented.
"And… TZT," Dustin said, turning back to him. "He didn't have to go back for his robot. It was… an excuse."
"What do you mean?" Tobi asked, confused.
"He looked up at the Zord and he ran," Dustin explained. "He was afraid and because of that, your mom died." His eyes began to glisten.
"My mom died because my sister couldn't save us both," Tobi argued.
"She couldn't' save you both herself," Dustin pointed out, tension in his voice, "but I could have stayed and helped. Then your mom would be alive instead of dead just like… like the other Dustin, TZT."
"It's not your—" Tobi began before stopping. "Wait, you could have stayed and helped?"
Dustin looked at him, confused, until his eyes widened in realization. "I mean, he could have stayed and helped," he quickly corrected. "It's his fault you mom's dead and… it's also his fault your Dustin's dead. If he hadn't kidnapped him—"
"What do you mean, my Dustin?" Tobi asked, pulling away from Dustin to stare at him.
"I just mean from your dimension," Dustin said quickly. "Not your Dustin as in the one you love. That'd… that'd break your heart."
"Yeah," Tobi mumbled, still looking at him.
"But he was—wasn't the one who died," Dustin continued, looking away, something in his eyes.
A feeling of panic began to rise in Tobi as he sensed something that his mind didn't even want to acknowledge. "He wasn't the one…" he repeated. "Dustin?" he asked, stepping back a step.
Dustin eyes began to search for something in his mind until his face relaxed and promptly fell. "I'm sorry, Tobs."
Tobi gasped, covering his mouth with one hand. "You… you?" he stuttered.
"I tired to be him," Dustin explained, adding, "for you. I tried to be him because I knew you loved him."
"Loved, not love?" Tobi choked, tears forming in his eyes.
"When Zurgane showed up, I didn't expect him to just…" Dustin explained, reaching out to take Tobi's arms in his. "I tried to stop him, but… he fired and…"
Tobi shook off Dustin's touch. "I don't believe you!" he shouted. "You lied to me, pretending to be the Dustin I love and you're lying now."
"Tobs, I'm telling the truth," Dustin insisted. "I have been telling the truth. I really do… love you. I didn't know it. Maybe you've changed or maybe I've changed. I don't know. But, Tobs, we can make this work. I can't undo what I did, but I'm asking—no, I'm begging for your forgiveness."
Tobi stared at him through tear-filled, shocked and horrified eyes.
"I don't blame you if you hate me, but please," Dustin begged.
Tobi shook his head. "You're lying. You'd never ask me for anything, especially not forgiveness. That's not who you are. This is a trick. It… has to be."
Dustin's eyes fell. "I wish it were, Tobs. I really wish it were. I would give anything to trade places with him, to have been the one who died."
"You'd—you'd never want that," Tobi argued. "You only care about yourself."
"Maybe you're not the only one who's changed," Dustin suggested. "I just wish that pile of ash was me instead…"
Tobi stared off at the sunset and let what Dustin was telling him finally start to sink in. It all made sense; the guilt Dustin felt, the fear, the trying to be what Dustin thought he wanted. He didn't want to believe it, but it made sense. That pile of dirt and ash was all that was left of the Dustin he loved…
Dustin could see the tears streaming down Tobi's face and watched in awe as they evaporated. "Tobs," he whispered, starting to reach out. But that was when Tobi lost it. All the control he'd built up since he became a ninja vanished in the mist around his face.
"No no no no… No!" he screamed, his eyes glowing as suddenly Dustin's training suit burst into flames.
Dustin yelped, falling backward just as a wave of energy shot out from Tobi, throwing him against the nearby tree with a snap that shattered the tree. The roots below it were pulled from the earth as the grass all around Tobi burst into flames.
Tobi gasped, choking on the smoke. Everything seemed to be going crazy in his head. The one and only person he ever truly loved was dead.
Tobi started running. It was all he could think of doing. But, as he ran, a trail of fire followed him, burning every plant along the way.
Suddenly an alarm blared in Ninja Ops and the others looked toward the screen. "I'm on it," Cam said, seated in front of his computer.
Shane patted his shoulder. "We're glad you're back, man," he told Cam.
Cam just nodded, watching the screen. "There's a forest fire right outside," he announced. "Tori," he addressed, spinning around before realizing that there were two Toris. "or both of you," he amended, "deal with the fire."
"What about Dustin and Tobi?" Hunter asked, concerned.
"I don't know," Cam said as the two Tori's streaked outside. "I can't see through the smoke."
"What caused the fire?" Blake asked.
"I'll see if I can find out," Cam replied, searching through camera footage.
"Cam, I found Dustin and he's hurt," Tori's voice came from the Samurai Amulet that she had returned to him.
At that moment, the footage loaded, showing Tobi light Dustin on fire and then destroy the surrounding area before streaking off, burning everything in his path.
"There must be some… explanation," Hunter gasped.
"The amulet," Blake said. "Maybe it wasn't just the Shade Amulet that possesses people. Sensei Omino killed Leanne, his own daughter."
"Wait, Leanne's dead?" the other dimension's Blake asked, concerned.
Hunter nodded. "And now Tobi's trying to kill…" he began before streaking outside.
"Tobi can do this?" the other dimension's Shane asked himself Cam grabbed a green medical kit and the others followed him outside.
Outside, the others knelt over Dustin while this dimension's Tori held him and Tobi's sister finished putting out the last of the fires on this side of the portal.
"Give me some room," Cam asked as he opened the medical kit and then began examining Dustin. He lifted the charred clothes, examining the skin as Tori winced and looked away.
"Will he be okay?" Hunter asked, taking Dustin hand in his own.
"He has third degree burns to his arms and chest," Cam explained. "I'll disinfect the area, but staying morphed should heal him." He then began cleaning Dustin's wounds.
"How did this happen?" Tori asked the others.
"Tobi did this," Hunter answered flatly.
"Tobi? Why?" she asked, surprised.
Just then, Tobi's sister approached. "That's what I want to know," she announced. "I'd also like to know how, but I'll settle for why right now."
"It might be the Sun Amulet," Blake suggested.
"If he could do this to Dustin," Hunter began, holding Dustin tighter, "he could do this to anyone. We have to stop him."
"He's my brother," Tobi's sister said. "I'll go after him."
Tori stood up. "He's my brother too. I'm coming with you."
Tobi's sister shrugged. "Suit yourself."
"Be careful," Blake, Hunter and cam all said in unison. They turned to look at each other, surprised.
Tobi's sister also noticed this and gave Tori an equally surprised look.
"We'll be careful," Tori assured them before the two left.
"Dustin, can you hear me?" Cam asked.
Dustin slowly blinked his eyes open.
"I need you to morph," Cam told him. "You have severe burns and… it looks like Tobi did this to you."
Dustin nodded. "He was… upset."
"There's an understatement," Hunter mumbled, pulled Dustin closer.
Dustin looked up at Hunter, surprised.
"I'm sorry he did this to you, Dustin," Hunter told him. "I thought… I mean, I'm sure he still loves you. He's just… not himself."
Dustin nodded again. "That's true," he said, watching Hunter. After a moment, he rested his head on the blonde's shoulder.
Hunter looked from Dustin to cam and the exchanged a surprised look.
Tobi could feel the heat on his skin as the flames followed him, but the Sun Amulet just healed any burns he might have developed.
Once exhaustion was about to overcome him, he felt a cool dampness form on the back of his neck. Skidding to a stop, he turned around to see the fires behind him being put out by torrents of water, resulting in steam evaporating into the air.
He just waited, catching his breath and knowing what was coming.
As two Tori's approached him, he was soaked with water. They then looked around, but everything was too wet to catch on fire, even if Tobi was still a fire hazard.
"Tobi?" one Tori asked slowly as she cautiously approached him. "We know that you didn't mean to do what you did to Dustin. It's the amulet."
Tobi gave her a confused look. "What are you talking about?"
"She means we don't think you torched Dustin on purpose," the other Tori explained.
Tobi frowned, water running down his face. "Maybe I did."
The two Toris exchanged worried glances.
"It's his fault, after all," he said, but then he paused. "No, I didn't do it on purpose. I just… I couldn't deal with the truth."
"You mean, that our Dustin's dead," Tobi's sister suggested.
Tobi shook his head. "No," h replied, looking down at the damp ground around him. "He lied. He's not the Dustin I love. He's the Dustin from our dimension."
The two Toris gasped. "Are you sure?" Tori asked.
"Yeah, I'm sure," Tobi replied quietly. "That's what Skyla sensed. That pile of ash wasn't the smart, manipulative Dustin. It was… the sweet, trusting Dustin. It was… my Dustin…" By this point, tears were streaming down his already wet face.
The two Tori's approached him, holding him as he cried on one of his sister's shoulders.
"I loved him," Tobi choked between sobs. "I loved him so much."
"I know," Tori offered, patting his back as her own eyes watered. "I can't believe…"
"But, Tobi," the other Tori interrupted, "There's still one Dustin left."
"But I don't love him!" Tobi growled. "I love the Dustin who likes pizza ice cream and Pinky and the Brain, who called me Twilight Zone Tobi and said I shined like the sun when it was him who always shined, the Dustin who's so…" He searched his mind for the right word. "Alive. He was so… alive."
Tori sniffed, wiping her face. "I know what you mean, Tobi," she agreed.
"But, Tobi," the other Tori continued, "if you love me, then you must love our Dustin too."
Tobi looked at his sister, a confused expression on his face.
"You remember the day our mom died?" she asked.
"I've never forgotten," he replied somberly.
"Our Dustin could have stayed and helped," she explained, "instead of checking on his stupid robot. Maybe, just maybe, together we could have saved you both, but you know what, little brother? You didn't blame him for running away. You've always blamed me for choosing. And, yet, you say you love me. So, if you love me and blame me, why can't you love the Dustin you could never blame for anything? He treated you like you didn't matter and you never blamed him for a thing. You only blamed me."
Tobi stared at his sister, letting her words really hit him with a force. He looked down, admitting, "You're right. I blamed you, but I never blamed him."
"So, you finally admit you do love him too?" she asked.
He looked from one sister to another. "No," he disagreed. "I don't know why, but I never loved him. I've only ever really loved one person in my life."
Tori wiped her eyes. "Only one?" she repeated. "Tobi, sometimes love sneaks up on you."
"What are you talking about?" he asked. "You love Blake. You've only ever loved Blake."
She started to protest, but Tobi separated himself from his sisters.
Turning around, he told them, "I love you both. But I loved Dustin more. And… maybe I did love my dimension's Dustin, but I loved this dimension's Dustin more."
"Tobi," one of his sister's began to protest, but he turned away.
"I need to go…" he whispered. "I need some time to think."
Tori started to follow him as he left, but the other Tori stopped her. "Let him go," she whispered. "I think the worst is over."
"I hope you're right," Tori replied, watching the steam.
Tobi found himself wandering through Blue Bay Harbor, but, much to his relief, no fires formed around him. He passed by an ice cream shop and remembered his promise to Dustin, that they'd get ice cream together once the whole mess was over. Well, it was all over now. He was reminded of the day he overheard Dustin choose Hunter and, just like that day, when he looked up, he once again found himself in front of his parents' house… home.
The porch light turned on as he approached the door, but he stopped himself. This wasn't really his home. His real father hated him. He didn't' have a younger sister and his mother was dead. He only thought he belonged here because of Dustin. This dimension's Dustin was what really made him feel at home here. Dustin was home because, really, home is where the heart is and Dustin held his heart. Without that, without Dustin, he belonged in the other dimension.
But, inside, he knew he never really belonged there…
So, Tobi left his house and kept walking.
If the other Dustin had never kidnapped Dustin, he'd still be alive, but why had he taken him. It was because the other Dustin was jealous.
That was it. If Dustin had stayed with Hunter, the other Dustin never would have been jealous. So, that choice cost Dustin his life. Choosing Tobi over Hunter killed him.
But why did Dustin choose him over Hunter?
"Tobi, are you okay?" a voice interrupted Tobi's thoughts. He looked up to see that he was standing in front of Storm Chargers and Kelly was locking up for the night.
Tobi just whimpered in response.
"Come inside," Kelly said quickly, unlocking the door and leading him inside. Once they were inside, she turned to him. "You look terrible. What happened?"
"Why did he choose me?" Tobi asked her.
"Maybe you can be a little more specific," she said. "Who are you talking about?"
"Dustin," Tobi replied. "Why did he choose me?"
"I thought he chose Hunter," she commented.
"He did, but then he chose me," Tobi explained. "Why didn't he stay with Hunter? Why did he have to choose me?"
Kelly gave him a confused look. "You sound like you didn't want him to choose you."
Tobi lowered his head and continued to cry.
She put an arm over his shoulder. "I've known Dustin for a long time," she began. "It was actually him, Tori and Shane's idea that I open Storm Chargers. And I've known Dustin long enough to know that he has the biggest heart of anyone I've met. If he said he chose you, it means that he loves you more than anyone else."
"Even Hunter?" Tobi asked.
"Even Hunter," Kelly agreed. "Dustin's the type of person who can care about a lot of people so much that it's like he loves them all because, with anyone else, that amount of caring would be love, but he's always held a part of himself back. I think that's the part he wanted you to have."
Tobi just nodded, wiping his face.
"And that's pretty special, Tobi," she told him. "Because a little love from Dustin is more than all the love someone else could give you, so a lot of love from Dustin is…"
"Awesome," Tobi finished.
Kelly laughed to herself. "Yeah, as Dustin would say, 'awesome.'"
Tobi stood up, approaching the door.
"Tobi, when you see Dustin, can you tell him… if it's not too much trouble, can he show up early tomorrow?" she asked.
"When I see him," Tobi repeated, his eyes glazing over as he left the store and walked to the beach.
The sky was black except for the moon and a few stars, but as Tobi approached the sound of the crashing waves, the reflection of the moon off the ocean's surface cast an eerie glow over the beach. He shivered as a cold wind blew off the water.
"So, you are the Gold Power Ranger," a deep voice announced.
Tobi turned from watching the moonlight dance across the waves. It was hard to make out in the dark, but he thought he recognized the voice. "Zurgane?"
"That's General Zurgane to you," Zurgane replied. "And I see you are here alone. Perfect."
Tobi remembered Zurgane from Kelly's failed kidnapping attempt back in his dimension, but this wasn't the same Zurgane. This was the Zurgane responsible for Dustin's death. "You killed Dustin!" he shouted.
"If you mean the yellow ranger, then yes," Zurgane replied.
"He was… my boyfriend," Tobi declared. "And I love him."
"There was another one of him," Zurgane told him. "He tried to stop me, but I let him live. Teenage romance is fickle and temporary anyway. Surely he will do."
Tobi growled. "Dustin is not replaceable!" he yelled. "You're going down!" he added, approaching the alien.
Zurgane looked around and laughed. "I'm afraid it is you who is going down," he replied. "I have gone up against all your fellow Power Rangers combined and together they have never brought me down," he pointed out. "What can one boy do?"
"You'd be surprised," Tobi answered.
"You will fall before I do," Zurgane told him.
"I'm not afraid to die," Tobi replied. "I've been dead before and… I'm ready to join Dustin."
"So, this is a suicide attempt?" Zurgane asked. "I can oblige you. My master will be pleased with your sacrifice."
Tobi stopped only a few paces from Zurgane. "I'm still not going down without a fight."
"I wouldn't have it any other way," Zurgane replied, pulling out two swords from his large shoulder pads and launching forward, the swords slicing across Tobi's chest.
Tobi looked down at his town training suit, but the cut across his chest instantly healed. Then, Zurgane tossed his swords high into the air and aimed his fingers at Tobi, sending a blast of energy out of his fingers.
Tobi raised his arms, deflecting the energy back at Zurgane.
Zurgane caught his swords and immediately used them to bounce the beam back at Tobi, who once again deflected it, this time missing Zurgane.
"Your boyfriend went down easier than you," Zurgane announced. "Maybe he wasn't worthy of your skills."
"Dustin was worthy of anything he wanted," Tobi yelled. "It wasn't just selfishness that made me glad he chose me. He honestly seemed so… happy. He deserved to be happy. And you… You took that away from him!"
"Dustin," Zurgane mused. "I suppose that's a fitting name considering he's now just dust."
Tobi felt a growl rise up in his throat as his muscles tensed. Suddenly the dark night became lit from a light coming from his own eyes.
Zurgane tried to attack him, but Tobi just looked at him and he skidded backward across the sand.
Tobi then concentrated on the strands of life he could sense within Zurgane and he felt his instinct want to ignite and encourage that life, but he fought against his instinct. Instead, he started tearing at those strands of life and he focused on a fire of a completely different kind.
"What… are… you… doing?" Zurgane gasped out as his body began to burn from the inside out. "Ah!" he cried, his limbs twitching wildly. He tried to step forward toward Tobi, but his leg snapped off beneath him. This caused him to lose his balance and he fell forward.
The moment he hit the ground, his body smashed into a pile of dust.
Zurgane as dead.
And, with that death, Tobi fell to his knees and stared at the pile of ash in front of him. He remembered Skyla's warning about killing and he realized that the remains of Zurgane looked so similar to what was left of Dustin.
In Ninja Ops, Cam had Dustin demorph to check the progress of his burns. "It doesn't look like they're healing as fast as I thought," Cam sighed. "I don't know what Tobi did to you. And, under normal circumstances, he would be the one I'd ask to heal you."
"Maybe you should find him," Hunter told Cam with a pat on his shoulder.
Cam nodded, turning back to his computer.
"Tobi can heal someone?" Dustin asked, surprised.
"You've already done the whole 'I lost my memory' thing," Hunter told him. "We're not falling for it again."
"Yeah," Dustin agreed, blinking.
"I thought your Dustin calls Tobi TZT," the other dimension's Hunter pointed out.
Just then, Skyla gasped. "In a flash, Shane held his arms around her. "What's wrong?" he asked quickly.
"It's Tobi," she whispered.
"Guys," Cam announced. "I've found Tobi." The others gathered around his screen as he continued. "He's at the beach where we found Dustin and," he explained, pausing, "I want you to see a satellite feed from a few minutes ago." He pressed a series of buttons and an image appeared on the screen.
"It's Zurgane," Blake recognized.
"We have to help Tobi," Hunter added.
"Just watch," Cam warned as, on the screen, Tobi and Zurgane seemed to be having some conversation before they started fighting. After a while, though, Tobi's eyes began to glow and Zurgane stepped forward, his leg breaking off. Losing his balance, Zurgane fell to the sand and crumbled to dust.
Skyla gasped, turning away and burying her head in Shane's chest. Reaching up, he patted her back. "Tobi destroyed Zurgane… by himself?" he asked.
Cam nodded as, on the screen, Tobi knelt over the remains of Zurgane. "So, it seems," he replied.
"If Zurgane couldn't stop him, how can we?" Blake asked. "The amulet's possessed him."
"I don't know, bro," Hunter replied. "I don't know."
"He's not under some outside influence," Dustin suddenly spoke up. "He did it because Zurgane killed the Dustin he loved."
"But Tobi loves you," Hunter argued.
Dustin shook his head. "He loves the Dustin I kidnapped, the one who really died."
The others looked at him with wide eyes.
"Are you saying…" Cam began, spinning in his chair.
"He's saying he's my dimension's Dustin," Tobi's sister announced, entering Ninja Ops with Tori.
"And he's telling the truth," Tori added, her eyes red from crying.
"So… this is our Dustin?" the other dimension's Blake asked.
"That's right," Dustin admitted.
"D-Man's alive!" the other dimension's Cam cheered, reaching for a high five from his dimension's Hunter, who returned it.
"I knew he was too smart to be killed," the other dimension's Shane commented, "unlike your dopey Dustin."
This dimension's Shane leaned toward the other Shane's face. "Dustin is not dopey!" he declared through gritted teeth. "And I don't believe a word that comes out of your Dustin's mouth."
"He's telling the truth, finally," Tobi's sister said, approaching Dustin. "I thought you were supposed to be the smart one, Dustin," she accused, glaring at him, "but that was stupid. You idiot!" She suddenly punched him in the face and he stumbled into this dimension's Hunter, who caught him before suddenly releasing him.
"What's he saying?" Hunter asked.
"Our Dustin is the one who died," this dimension's Tori said quietly. "Tobi overreacted when he found out the truth."
Tobi's sister from his dimension still stood in front of Dustin as he examined his lip, which was now bleeding. "You hurt my brother beyond anything he'll ever get over," she stated angrily. "You stupid bastard!" She then kneed him in the balls and he crumpled to the floor.
"Stop this!" Sensei yelled, drawing everyone's attention to the small guinea pig.
"Tobi!" Skyla cried.
"What's wrong?" Shane asked.
"I think he's going to… kill himself," she whispered.
"Because he's been dead and he knows there's an afterlife in at least one form or another," this dimension's cam realized.
"And he hopes to find Dustin there," Tori added, her eyes widening.
"Peeps, we should stop Fairy Dude," the other dimension's Cam spoke up.
"We've never cared about him before," the other dimension's Shane pointed out. "Why start now?"
"It was different when we thought it was our Dustin who died," the other dimension's Hunter pointed out.
"Yeah," the other dimension's Blake agreed.
By this point, this dimension's Hunter was glaring at Dustin as the earth ninja cried silently on the ground. "Let's go," he growled out.
This dimension's Blake placed a hand on his brother's back. "Bro, you okay?"
Hunter looked at his brother, his eyes shiny. In one look, he told his younger brother how he felt but he also told him he couldn't let it out, at least not yet.
"Right," Blake nodded. "Let's go."
"I want to come with you," Dustin said from the floor.
"You've done enough," Hunter yelled at him.
Hippy Marah reached to stop Hunter. "If the other Dustin was here, he'd say to give him another chance," she whispered, her eyes also filled with tears as she held Dustiny in one arm and Geo stood silently by Kapri.
Hunter's muscles tensed. "Fine," he growled, "if he can keep up." He then left Ninja Ops.
Dustin struggled to follow both dimension's rangers, but Cam helped him to his feet. Dustin gave him a surprised look.
Cam just sighed as he examined Dustin's burns and the new wound on his face.
"Cam, why do you still… care when everyone else hates me?" Dustin asked horsely.
"I care about people," Cam said simply. "I don't blame them, but I can't change how I feel either."
Dustin offered him a surprised look as Cam finished his examination and the other dimension's Cam peaked his head back into Ninja Ops. "D-Man, you need me to carry you?"
Dustin turned, surprised. "No, Cam," he replied, "but… thanks."
"If you must go, you'll survive," this dimension's Cam told Dustin.
"Thanks, Cam," Dustin said, turning to go before pausing. "And, Cam, I really am sorry I almost killed you. I'm not always as smart as people think… but I still think there's a better way to fight Lothor than with Zords. I'll tell you when I return." He then left Ninja Ops with the other dimension's Cam, leaving another confused Cam behind him.
Tobi sat in the cave, staring at the remains of Dustin that were lit by his eyes. He reached out, but this time, he didn't stop himself. He buried his fingers in the ash, focusing hard. But, try as he might, he couldn't find a single strand of life to ignite.
He removed his hands and felt the debris on his palms. It was all that was left of the one person he loved more than life itself.
"When I see him," he whispered, remember Kelly's words.
Picking up a nearby rock, he turned it over in his hand and ran the sharp edge across his dirty palm. As a cut formed, the ash mixed into the blood before the Sun Amulet on his morpher glowed and the cut healed itself.
He tossed the rock aside and stood up, looking around. "I love you, Dustin," he said outloud, removing the morpher from his wrist and letting it and the Sun Amulet fall to the ground.
Then, concentrating, he sent a wave of force out from his body. The cave walls vibrated and the ceiling began to collapse. And, as the entire cave crumbled, he released the energy and was buried.
To be continued...
Author's Note: I know Tobi deciding to kill himself is a bit stupid and rash, but, if you've been in love, you know it makes you do stupid and rash things sometimes. FYI, in the episode General Deception Part 2, Vexacus kills Zurgane after he's defeated by the Power Rangers.
ATTENTION REVIEWERS: So, did good Dustin really die or should it have been just a mistake? Should Tobi see him in the spirit world or be rescued? The next chapter's up in the air until I hear from you! And, don't hold back when writing a review. I want to hear it all!