Variations Of SPD
Chapter 7: Going To The Temple
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: November 13, 2005
Summary: The first leg of their journey begins, and they get some startling guides along the way
Rating: M, for adult-themed situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own PR, Disney does
AN: Ok, I know I said I'd do the MA version of Chapter 3 later, but I got inspired. It's posted on my site now, and BloomingViolets said it's "HOT!" so enjoy!
AN2: OMG! Youmacon 2005 rocked! SPD WAS AWESOME! And I got to get pics with Chris, Monica, Alycia and one of my favorite old school Rangers, Johnny Yong Bosch! And I got to meet the guys from Eyeshine and Kristine Sa, and Yuri Lowenthal! It was soooo cooooooooool! See my profile for a link to the scrapbook I did for this!
"Character cannot be developed in ease and quiet. Only through experience of trial and suffering can the soul be strengthened, ambition inspired, and success achieved." -- Helen Keller --
"Ok, where are we and where's Ninjor?" Jack asked, spinning around once they'd reappeared. The team looked around, shock working through each of them. They really were in a desert, and it was smoldering hot to boot, not like the cool fall weather they'd left behind in New Tech City.
"We're in the Desert Of Despair, and Ninjor's at the Temple Of Power," Brian informed them. "We've got to find our way there before we fry out here."
"Lead away," Sky smirked.
Brian stared at him for a full minute before he replied. "You think I know how to find the temple?"
Brian's ensuing laughter started to worry the others. "You don't?" Jack demanded to know.
"No. I lived my whole life in the temple, I never stepped foot outside."
"You lived indoors your whole life?" Bridge asked, and then backed off as the others glared at him.
Brian shook his head. "No," Brian answered patiently, use to Bridge's weird questions by now. "I've just never stepped foot off of the temple's grounds, or at least I hadn't until I'd gone to New Tech City."
"Why?" Z disbelievingly asked.
The young man sighed. "It wasn't safe for me to. People have always been trying to find the Temple Of Power and the Ancient Ninjetti. Ninjor confined me to the grounds for my own safety and I never found a reason to question his orders."
"Great," Sky grumbled, and promptly shut his mouth when Syd reached out and squeezed his hand. He had promised himself he'd be nicer to the brat that happened to be Syd's brother.
"Let's go," Syd murmured.
Z looked at Syd like the former Pink Ranger had lost her mind. "Why are we going anywhere when we don't know where we're going?"
"Because, I think I know where to look," Sydney smiled. "See that rock formation there in the distance? My dad has a picture of the original six Ninjetti, out of uniform of course, standing in front of it. My guess is that's where we should start looking."
The team looked up at the large mountain in the distance and then back at one another. "It's as good a guess as any. Let's go," Jack decided, motioning for the others to move.
The six turned in the right direction and then started out.
"Sire, your Tengas are nearly there," Viper told his master, who looked most pleased.
"Good. I want the Dragon and the Phoenix, and make sure Agent Maxwell gets her payment."
"And the other former Rangers?"
"Dispose of them any way you see fit."
"Yes Sire."
"I am so tired," Z complained, sinking down onto Bridge's lap as he sat on a large boulder. Jack and Sky were sitting on one opposite of them, while both Syd and Brian stood – Brian in front of Z and Bridge and Syd in front of Sky. The former Pink Ranger had her arms wrapped around Sky's shoulders while his arms were wrapped around her thighs, just below her shorts, his fingers absently caressing her skin.
"We're lost," Jack whined softly.
"I'm sorry. I really though the entrance would be around here somewhere," Syd softly replied, looking incredibly upset.
Sky hugged her to him, resting his forehead against her stomach while Syd's fingers moved to caress the back of his neck. Jack rolled his eyes at their mushiness while Bridge and Z sighed, knowing how they felt, and Brian ignored them all together. He didn't like seeing Sky being so affectionate with his sister, but he'd promised Ninjor he'd try to get along with the stuffy former Blue Ranger.
"It's not your fault," Jack reassured Syd. "They could have given us a few clues. Remember what the others said? They had a map the first time, so at least they had some direction, we weren't given any."
Before any of the others in the group could respond, a series of screeching and flapping noises could be heard descending on the small area.
"HEADS UP!" Z cried out, jumping from Bridge's lap.
"Not them again!" Syd whined, whirling around just in time to see the incoming Tengas.
The six drew together and took up defensive stances. "Anyone got any ideas?" Sky asked, his voice tight.
"Brian?" Syd called out.
"I can try!" the younger warrior commented. "NINJETTI! WHITE DRAGON!"
"Uh oh!" Bridge mumbled when Brian didn't change into his ninja uniform like he had the last time.
Jack sputtered. "What happened?"
Brian shrugged. "I couldn't tell ya; I've never had problems with my powers before," Brian told them, his face deadly serious.
"Ok, so we do this the hard way," Sky grumbled, his face a mask of concentration..
"Brian, one question," Jack finally thought to ask, wondering why he hadn't thought of it before.
The younger male looked poised to answer. "What?"
"The rest of us ended up with genetic powers. Did you?"
The brown haired brown eyed Oliver boy grinned mischievously. "Oh yeah."
"GUYS! ENOUGH TALKING!" Syd yelled seconds before she was knocked backwards.
"SYD!" Brian and Sky yelled at the same time.
Brian's worry turned to surprise when Sky threw up a shield and Z duplicated herself, adding two more fighters to their group.
"Bridge! Find out what the hell they're after!" Jack called out as he and Brian helped Syd to her feet.
Bridge nodded and extended his hand after tugging off his glove. Sky and he shared a nod before the former Blue Ranger dropped his shield. The former Green Ranger gasped after a second, having caught a taste of what the Tengas were looking for.
"Bridge?"
"They want the Dragon and the Phoenix! And they want to take Sky too!"
Now that surprised the others. "Oh HELL NO!" Syd hissed, reaching into her pocket. She and Brian shared a thought and a look and then got busy.
The others gasped when Brian disappeared and Sydney went on the offensive. "FISTS OF IRON!"
Almost on instinct, the team grouped together and fought as one, just as they had for nearly a year and a half now. "You are not taking him!" Sydney screamed, knocking the Tenga attacking Sky, in the beak and sent him flying.
"You know, there's a funny thing I've learned about morphing!" Sky gasped, looking at Syd, whose face was flushed and whose eyes were flaming with anger.
"What's that?" Z panted in exertion as she sent another Tenga flying through the air.
"You don't appreciate it until you can't do it anymore!" Sky yelled just as he and Syd were tackled to the ground.
"Where the heck is Brian?" Bridge grunted, obviously tiring from the fight and worried about the younger boy.
"Right here!" Brian called out as an invisible force tore through the Tengas, sending them scattering. Beaten, and thoroughly scared of the Rangers, the Tengas took off in a flurry of feathers and screeches.
"Invisibility huh?" Jack grinned, ruffling Brian's hair when the teen reappeared next to him.
"Got it from Dad, from his time as Black Ranger," Brian offered, watching Jack nod and smile at him.
"Neat trick," Sky conceded, helping Syd to her feet.
"OW!" Sydney cried out, collapsing. Sky reacted quickly enough to catch her in his arms before she hit the ground.
Z moved to her friend and squeaked, "Syd?"
Sydney cried out as Sky sat her on the ground. "My ankle," she sniffled. Z held her hand while Sky moved to examine her foot, which was already swelling inside her tennis shoe.
"Babe, I think you sprained it," Sky told her looking up into her eyes, his heart breaking as she scrubbed the tears from her face.
"How are we gonna find the temple if Syd's hurt?" Z fired her question at their leader. Jack shook his head as if to say he didn't know.
Looking at his team, Jack suddenly grinned. "Sky, can you piggy back Syd? You're the strongest of us here."
Sky nodded and then helped Z get Syd up on her good foot. Crouching, Sky felt Jack and Z settle Syd on his back. Sky couldn't help but grin when he felt Syd's arms around his neck or her breath near his ear. "Ready?"
"Yep."
Slowly, Sky stood up. He was amazed, as he always was, at how light his girlfriend was. Carefully, he adjusted his grip on her legs before nodding to Jack. "Ready."
"Let's keep looking; I have a feeling its here, close by," Jack commanded.
"Well?" Cruger demanded.
On the screen before him and Kat was Ninjor, who was standing in the Temple Of Power's main room. "They have not yet found the temple."
"Did you give them a map to follow?" Kat incredulously asked.
"The Dragon and Phoenix know their way here, it's ingrained in the very essence of their power and beings. They'll be fine."
"Of all the idiotic things," Kat mumbled only to have Cruger and Ninjor fix her with identical stares.
"Dr. Manx," Ninjor spoke. "They'll be fine, I promise."
Kat nodded and then strode away to another computer. "I apologize, Ninjor. Kat is very attached to the Rangers, and worried about them."
Ninjor nodded. "Understandable. I'll contact you as soon as they arrive."
Cruger seem to grin. "Very well. Earth out."
"Hey! I think I found something!" Z cried out, motioning for the others to join her. "There's a cave back here!"
Jack moved to stand in front of her, then looked back at Sky and Syd. "I'll lead. Bridge, you and Z take the rear and watch our backs. Brian, help Sky with your sister."
Brian helped Syd slide off Sky's back while Bridge and Z took the rear and Jack led them through the tunnel to the cave.
After a few minutes, they found themselves at a dead end. "Ok, now what?" Z asked, peeved at their findings.
"Dammit!" Sky hollered, letting the others know he was upset. He moved to kick the wall he was next to and suddenly fell through.
"SKY!"
The Master Ninja gasped softly when he felt the presence enter the temple grounds; it was Sky. Smiling under his helmet, Ninjor moved to the communications device in the corner.
"Go ahead Ninjor," Kat spoke, her voice and demeanor rough.
"They've found the temple, Dr. Manx."
"Thank goodness. I'll inform Commander Cruger."
"Is it my imagination or did Sky just fall through that wall?" Bridge asked, looking confused.
"Nope, Sky definitely fell through the wall," Z informed him, sorta grinning at him.
Jack inched toward the wall and gingerly stuck his hand through. "It's a hologram."
"We'd better go find him or Syd's gonna freak," Z finally whispered in their leader's ear. Jack turned slightly and caught the look on Syd's face as Brian held her up.
"Z, help Syd and Brian," Jack nodded to the injured former Pink Ranger. "Let's go, nice and easy."
The five crept through the wall and gasped when they came out on the other side.
"Oh my gosh! Look at this place!" Syd murmured, turning her head to her brother. "You lived here?"
Brian grinned. It felt good to be home. "Yes. Come on, I know the way from here."
Slowly, the five made their way to the gates of the temple. Surprisingly enough, Sky was there waiting for them. "SKY!" Syd cried out happily, throwing her arms around him when she was close enough.
"It's locked," Sky told them, kissing Syd's lips with the briefest of pecks.
"No, it's not," Bridge grinned as the wrought iron gates with the face of a warrior adorning them swung open.
Sky nodded and hoisted Sydney into his arms princess style so she didn't have to put her weight on her ankle.
Gradually, they followed Brian into the temple. "You made it," Ninjor greeted as they entered the main room. "Sydney?"
"I hurt my ankle when we were attacked by those giant crows," Syd told him.
Ninjor felt his heart stop for a moment – if the Tengas were here, it was a bad sign. Not once letting the Rangers know what was going on Ninjor motioned for Sky to set Sydney down on a chair before he moved to lay his hands on her delicate ankle.
Chanting quietly, Ninjor channeled his energy into Syd's wound. The former Ranger gasped softly at the warming sensation she felt in her muscles. "Try to stand," Ninjor prompted. Hesitantly, Syd moved to stand, laughing as she stood on her own.
"It doesn't hurt."
"Now, we must move swiftly, you're going to be needed shortly."
"Ninjor?" Jack started to ask, fear in his voice and his eyes.
"Come."
The team grouped around Ninjor, just as he directed them to. "My powers failed me," Brian told him even as the team lifted their arms above their heads.
"That's because they were weakened by your leaving the temple, and because you don't have complete control of them, yet."
Syd looked confused. "How's that?"
"He needs to have them linked with the rest of the team's."
Ninjor stood in the circle created by the six and smiled under his helmet. They reminded him so much of his first six from Earth. "Older than time, man has always known the calling."
He turned as he spoke, his eyes locking with each of theirs until all of them had closed their eyes but him. "Light of the light, strength of the soul, ignite this eternal power inside of me!"
Thunder could be heard rumbling in the distance, followed by the pounding of heavy rains. "I AM NINJA! I am pure of heart, body, mind and spirit! Join with me now as I become with the power of Ninja!"
The thunder grew louder, and the rain began to sound like a raging rapid, but the six could still hear the faint call of animals. "Open your eyes, the first half of your journey is complete."
Doing as they were told, the six opened their eyes and found the glowing forms of six distinct animals sitting before them.
"For you to complete you journey, you must pass a test. Allow me to introduce your guides."
"Mom? Dad?" Syd gasped when she saw which animals were sitting in front of her and Brian.
"Jack, your guide will be the mighty ape," Ninjor started, looking at the former Red Ranger. "He is here to guide you as he once did Rocky."
The former Red Ranger grinned. He and Rocky had hit it off during their first meeting, and he occasionally chatted with the other former Red Ranger when he got a chance.
Ninjor moved to stand before Z, and smiled under his helmet. She looked every bit as fierce as the woman who was represented by the animal before her. "The fierce bear will guide you, Z, as she once guided and represented Aisha."
Z smiled and nodded.
"Bridge, the courageous frog, once a representation of Adam, shall guide your quest."
Bridge grinned down at the little black frog sitting at his feet.
"Sky, your guide will be the silent wolf, once the representation of Billy."
Deep blue eyes meet deep blue. An understanding passed between them before Sky smiled.
"Brian, your guide will be the just Falcon, who was your father's animal spirit."
The young man blinked back tears as he stared down at the white bird that had been his father's spirit representation.
"And last but not least, Sydney," Ninjor started. The others watched the tears slip down Syd's cheeks. "The graceful Crane, who was the embodiment of both of your mothers, will guide your journey."
Sky moved silently and pulled Sydney into his arms, holding her tightly while she finished crying.
"You must leave soon, to finish your tests, but for now, allow me to show you to your rooms where you may rest."
That said, the animal spirits disappeared and Ninjor escorted the six to their rooms.
"Any word on them, Dr. Manx?" Allison asked when the five junior members of A Squad entered the Command Center to see if they could find out how their friends were doing.
"Actually, yes," Kat smiled. "They've reached the temple."
The Pink Ranger sighed in relief. The others Rangers merely smiled and nodded. "Awesome."
"When will they be coming home?" Aaron asked.
"That's still unknown," Kat sighed and frowned.
Just then, the alarms went off. "Kat?" Commander Cruger barked upon entering the Command Center.
"We have a monster attacking downtown!" Kat informed him from where she stood at a console. "It has the energy readings of the last one."
Cruger growled then spun to face the Rangers. "Be careful. GO!"
Aaron nodded then the team shouted, "S.P.D. EMERGENCY!" Moving quickly, the team went down their jump tubes to the Delta Runners.
"Kat, contact Ninjor. Let him know we need the others here, and soon!"
Sydney felt like she was floating. Ninjor had escorted them to their rooms, and then they'd been fed an enormous feast before Ninjor had sent them to rest. When she and Sky had returned to their shared quarters, they'd cuddled together on the large bed and one thing had led to another before culminating in them making love.
Now Syd felt spent, curled against Sky's side, her head on his chest. "You look like a cat that's just gotten into a bowl of cream."
"I feel like that," she grinned, pecking a couple of kisses to his chest. "I'm really relaxed."
Sky laughed and ran his hand up and down her bare back. "I should hope so; you certainly came hard enough, and long enough to be relaxed."
Syd glared and pinched his arm. "Look who's talking. Besides, can I help it when you have this fantastic ability to do that to me?" she asked, fluttering her eyelashes at him.
"Nope," Sky yawned and then grinned. "You turned me inside out too, but now, I think we should get some sleep."
Sydney yawned in response. "Gladly."
Bridge and Z lay tangled together in bed. They weren't nearly as intimate as Syd and Sky, but their nights together had brought them closer over the last few months. "Bridge?"
"Hmm?"
Z lifted her head, rolled over on her stomach and then laid it on her arms, which were folded on Bridge's chest. "Have you ever thought of… you know?"
Bridge's eyes opened a fraction of an inch. "Uh, Z, I have, uh, no clue what you're talking about. What I mean is, I'm clueless, per say, um, about what you meant. Or, it could be I know what you're talking about but I don't want to guess wrong and…"
"Sex! Bridge, I mean sex, with me," Z rolled her eyes and then watched her boyfriend blush.
"Actually, I have."
The former Yellow Ranger looked startled by his admission. "Really?" she asked, her face scrunching up cutely.
Bridge grinned and nodded. "Yeah, I have, a number of times, but its usually when we're sleeping, or rather, when you're sleeping."
Z blushed. "Oh."
"Why the sudden interest in know that?"
"I was just curious."
"Z, it'll happen when we're ready, don't force it."
Z nodded and then turned her head so that she could try to get some sleep. A small blossomed on her face as she fell asleep and felt Bridge's arms tighten around her.
"Nice digs."
Brian grinned as he and Jack reclined in his old quarters. The two of them were the only two without significant others, or in Jack's case, his significant other wasn't present. Brian felt the need to bond with the Red Ranger a little more, as he'd been spending a lot of time with Bridge, Z and Syd lately. He had to balance it out, he knew, and spend time with the man who was their leader in the field.
"Thanks. Ninjor let me redo it about three years ago, I wanted something more grownup. Before it was done for a little kid, now it looks more adult."
Jack found he couldn't argue with that. The kid had done a remarkable job incorporating the blacks, whites, reds, and greens that stood out the most with subtle hints of yellow, blue, light pinks, silvers, and golds.
"You know, I think you have every Ranger color ever in here," Jack laughed, watching Brian nod.
"That's what I aimed for. So, you ready for this test?" Brian asked, suddenly switching topics.
Jack's grin faltered. "Actually, no, I'm not, but I don't think any of us have much of choice."
Brian nodded, and then took a deep breath. "We should rest; it'll be time to get going."
Jack nodded and then snuggled down on the pile of pillows he was sitting on while Brian fell asleep on the bed.