Variations Of SPD
Chapter 13: Tailing The Silent Wolf
By: Pink-Green-White-4ever
Last Revised: June 30, 2006
Summary: For once in his life, the silence was starting to really creep him out, but how does one go about speaking to a silent Wolf
Rating: M, for adult-themed situations.
Disclaimer: I don't own PR, Disney does
AN: And here you thought it would take a million months before I updated again, didn't ya! Thanks for the reviews!
"Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power." -- Stephen Covey --
"Let love rule thy heart, logic rule thy mind and faith rule your soul." -- Unknown --
"I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self." -- Aristotle --
"Happiness can exist only in acceptance." -- Denis De Rougamont –
--
He was flat on his back, staring up into a pitch black sky. Not a sound was uttered from anything, but he could smell the lushness of the plants around him, could feel the hardness of the earth below him. There was a rock under his right shoulder, digging into his skin through his shirt. The next realization broke him from his silent ponderings – he was alone. "Syd? Bridge? Jack? Z? Brian? GUYS?"
No answer. For the first time in months, Sky felt panicked. He sat up quickly, but because of the dark, couldn't see where he was. He swallowed the lump of fear that was balling in his throat and made himself take several deep breaths to calm down. The last clear thing he could remember was squeezing Syd's hand as the door shut behind them once they'd entered the cave in Ninjor's temple. Now he was alone.
"You are never alone, Schuyler."
Swinging his head around, Sky came face to face with darkness. It was only when his eyes started to truly focus that he could see the dark form in the shadows, the same one that was slowly illuminating with blue light. "A wolf? A talking wolf?"
The wolf seemed to grin. "Is it any stranger than a talking dog charged with training the Earth's greatest protectors or a talking cat that is one of the most brilliant minds in the universe?"
The blue tinged wolf had a point. "Ok, point taken. And you are?"
"Your guide. He who is my bearer, the one known as William Cranston, asked me to protect you on your journey."
"Your Billy's Wolf?"
"Yes."
"What do I call you? It's getting a little weird not to call you by name," Sky told him seriously. The former Blue Ranger had never been one to believe in the extraordinary, despite his time as a Power Ranger, or the truth behind how his parents got together. He didn't believe in magic, not the kind he was being asked to believe in now.
The wolf bowed its head and replied, "You may call me Wolf. Are you ready to start your journey?"
"I was born ready," Sky grinned, watching Wolf narrow his eyes at him. "What?"
"Do not get cocky, Schuyler, you still have a lot to learn. Come, we must hurry."
Sky nodded in acceptance. Wolf then set off down the path that was illuminated by his blue glow, Sky following close behind.
--
"Rest now, we will continue momentarily," Wolf spoke for the first time in what seemed like forever. Sky was grateful for the break, and through the dark of night, found a rock to sit on.
Sky sat with his head between his knees, his thoughts a swirl of confusion. He hadn't asked to be thrust into this adventure, and yet, this is where he found himself, having to process and accept that not everything about being a Power Ranger was cut and dry – sometimes it involved things one couldn't see or physically touch.
"You must accept that fact, Schuyler, if you are to pass this trial."
The former Blue Ranger turned his head to where his companion sat, blue eyes staring into blue eyes. "I accept that there are things I can't comprehend about being a Ranger."
"Can you also accept that being a Ranger has brought lessons you need to learn, lessons important to your destiny, as well as people you must learn to count on, must understand, in order for you to fulfill that destiny?" Wolf asked his eyes still boring into Sky's.
In an instant, Sky knew what Wolf was getting at. He'd been thinking about it since they'd left the temple for the cave. Even though it hurt his pride to back down, to change his decision, he had to start being more conscious of Brian, and the younger Oliver's role in the events playing out before them. Sky didn't say anything, he just nodded.
"He is in as much a need of acceptance, as you are in need to give it. You share more common goals then you will ever know; first and foremost being the happiness of the Phoenix and the safety of your world."
Wolf was right, Sky decided. He and Brian did share that. Both of them wanted nothing more than to see Sydney happy, healthy and at peace, and they both wanted to save the world. "I understand."
"I know you do, but can you accept it in your heart? Now come, we must continue. We have someone to meet and time is running out."
The pair moved from their resting place and continued down the nearly hidden path they'd set out on at the start of their journey.
--
They walked in silence for nearly a half hour before Wolf looked over his shoulder at Sky. "Might I ask a question?"
"Sure," Sky told him, using his hands to move foliage out of his face as they walked.
"What does the one called Anna, mean to you?"
Sky was downright startled by the question. Wolf wanted to know what Anna meant to him? "How do you know about Anna and why did you ask me that?"
"We animal spirits had thought your heart, your love, resided with your soul's twin, but I see in you, as you stand before me, unsettled feelings about this woman."
Sighing, Sky shook his head. "I thought I loved her, once upon a time," the former Blue Ranger spoke, his mind going back to the time before he and Syd had even been friends. He had been really happy then, but it had come crashing down on his head before he could stop it. And then he'd closed himself off from everything, and everyone. "We were together, briefly, before she left for Aquitar. I was crushed. I had thought we had a future together."
"And now? We were privy to what went on before you came here, Schuyler. I especially was privy to what was happening in your life, through our mutual connection to William, and the Blue Ranger power of the Morphin Grid. Your heart is still unsettled. Who do you love? This Anna or your soul's twin?"
Blue eyes seemed to light with fire. "That's easy – I love Sydney. What I have with her, it's everything, and everything else pales in comparison to it."
"It does not scare you that your soul is only half; that the other half lies within another?" Wolf asked, trying not to seem like he was prodding, though Sky knew he was.
Sky chewed on the question for a few seconds before he answered. "Believe it or not, despite my reluctance to believe in the unknown that comes with being a Ranger, I can safely say I genuinely accept and believe the other half of my soul is the woman I love."
Wolf grinned before telling Sky, in a serious voice, "Then do not give into temptation, no matter what. Your heart will always lead you back to your soul's twin, all you have to do is believe."
The former Blue Ranger looked slightly shaken by what seemed like a warning. Did Wolf know something about what was to come that Sky had no idea of? "You say that like it's a warning."
"Take it is as you will. Now come, we have some way left to go yet."
--
It wasn't but a few minutes down the path that the pair came across a nasty scene. There were shadowy looking figures on the ground, slowly disappearing, while others like them continued to attack an almost obscured creature not far from the path. "What are those?" Sky hissed.
"Vampra's Shadow Warriors. Schuyler, you check on the creature, I'll scare them off," Wolf growled and then let out an inhumane howl that caught all of the shadows' attentions before he charged forward.
With the shadows busy, Sky hurried toward the downed creature and threw up a shield around them. "Are you alright?"
"I'm fine," the creature grumbled. To Sky's amazement, when the creature stood, he saw that it was a Sphinx. Abruptly, the Sphinx brushed past Sky and headed for Wolf. "Took you long enough."
"Forgive me, the path was longer than I expected," Wolf shot back. "I see you have already met Schuyler. Schuyler, allow me to introduce Sphinx."
Sphinx bowed his head while Sky nodded, and then the creature stared at Sky, causing the former Blue Ranger to become uncomfortable. "He has a wise soul, though he does not share his wisdom with those around him."
Wolf seemed to chuckle at that. "One thing at a time. He has still yet to accept his power, and his place. You expect too much."
"Time is short, he has not the luxury to accept at his own pace," Sphinx told them. "It is time now."
"What's going on?" Sky griped. "And why are you talking about me as if I'm not here?"
"It's time for you to continue your journey, Schuyler, but you do so without me," Wolf told him, coming forward to gently lick Sky's hand. "Sphinx will care for you on the rest of your journey, good luck."
"Thank you," Sky told Wolf just as the blue figure disappeared. Turning, he moved to stand before Sphinx. "What now?"
Sphinx seemed thoughtful. "You do remember what Wolf spoke to you of, yes?" Sky nodded, not sure where Sphinx was going with his line of questioning. "Don't forget it. Now then, let us continue."
Sky rolled his eyes but followed the creature in front of him just the same.
--
"Wow!" Sky muttered when Sphinx led him up a pathway along the side of a cliff to what seemed like the ruins of a building.
"Welcome to what was once the Ninjetti Temple," Sphinx seemed to grin, watching with approval as Sky stepped in front of him, the Blue Ranger's eyes on his friends.
"GUYS!"
"SKY!"
Z reached him first, throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. Sky grinned down at her and pecked a kiss to her cheek. When Z let go, both Bridge and Jack moved forward to hug him. Once the two former Rangers were done, Sky and Brian stood face to face. "Sydney?" Brian asked, biting his lip.
"I haven't seen her, not since we left that cave," Sky told him sincerely, wishing the young boy's face didn't look so forlorn. Reaching out, Sky drew Brian to him in a brotherly half hug. "Don't worry, Squirt. If anyone can take care of themselves, it's Syd."
Brian looked up at Sky, confusion swirling in the chocolate brown depths until he realized that Sky was trying to be nice. "Welcome to the ruins of the Ninjetti Temple, Schuyler," a new voice spoke.
Sky turned his head toward the new voice, his arm still around Brian's shoulders. The former Blue Ranger's eyes widened at the vision before him. "Whoa. Who are you?"
"I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of the planet Phadoes, and I bid you welcome."
The former Blue Ranger nodded. "I've heard about this place. In mythology class, we learn that anyone who comes here never returns home."
Dulcea grinned. "Those who have sought the great power for personal gain or evil, have perished before they ever made it to the power. Only those pure of heart and soul may touch that which is made of the power of the light. Come, we have food, and you look like you are in need of rest."
Sky nodded and followed the others over to the fire where there was food, while Sphinx settled in with the other animals, which Sky noted consisted of a Tiger, a Panda Bear, a Pegasus, and a Dragon.