The Path of Friendship
By: Tsubasa Caligrapher
Chapter 19
Disclaimer : I don't own Power Rangers ... yeah, I don't ... just read the story ...
Thanks : PernDragonrider, KaiAN-Chan, Azure Kaze, PrettyDiva, and The Similerian ! And also thanks to Philip and Pyro007 ! I know the last two don't review, but you still put my story on your Favorites list ! Yay ! Thanks, and to my constant reviewers, I LOVE YA ! And to my new reviewer, poenix83ad, thanks for reviewing ! Heehee !
--
" Yes ! Land ! " Kim and Zack yelled excitedly as they jumped out of the carriage and fell on the ground.
" Are you ok ? " Billy and Trini asked as they stuck their heads out. As they walked out, they realized that the others weren't following behind. As they peeked back in, they saw the other three deep in conversation.
" Hmmm, what should we do to them ? " Harry asked as he rubbed his chin.
" Uhhh, shouldn't we wake them up ? " Janice asked,
" Of course not ! ... well, not before I get a picture of this. " Sophie said as she flashed out Kim's camera and snapped a picture of the sleeping Rocky and Jason. She grinned happily as she noticed that the two boys haven't even started to stir yet.
" What are you guys doing ? " Zack whispered. They turned towards him and happily pointed to the two sleeping boys. Billy peeked in and his eye slightly twitched as he saw that Jason was sleeping practically on top of Rocky, and that he had somehow embraced him in their sleep. The others walked in too and tried not to laugh.
" How the hell do you keep on getting my camera ? " Kim whispered to Sophie as she took back her black camera while Sophie just grinned.
" Hey ? ... does Jason look shorter to you ? " Zack asked. The girls froze and chuckled nervously as they quickly shook their heads. In the end, they weren't able to fix Jason's problem after all, though he didn't even seem to notice it yet.
" Why does this keep on happening ? " Trini sighed, but then she smiled as she noticed they were waking up. As they both yawned, Jason slowly moved out of Rocky's embrace, though he hadn't gotten off of him yet.
" Are we there yet ? " Jason asked sleepily as he rubbed his eyes.
" Yeah, are we ? " Rocky asked as he yawned again. Suddenly, they both froze. Jason thought it was strange that Rocky's voice was coming from below him, and Rocky thought it was strange that Jason's voice was coming from on top of him. They both looked down and up simultaneously and then they gasped, and yelled.
" Aaaaggghhhh ! " they screamed as Rocky quickly sat up and Jason fell off onto Zack.
" Ow. " they both groaned as Jason slowly got up.
--
" Remember this ? And this ? " Sophie said with the pictures of Rocky and Jason kissing and Rocky and Jason sleeping together, as she held them up for Trini to see.
" Sophie ... " Jason whined as the two boys blushed.
" Oh, fine. Sorry ... but still ! It's sooooo cute to see you two blush ! " she giggled happily as they finally made their way to the entrance. Billy though, was starting to feel jealous, though he didn't know it. He's never been jealous of anything before, he was the calm one between him and Kim, but this new feeling was just starting to confuse him. When they made it through, they all gasped at the decorations.
" Whoa ... " Kim said as they all glanced at each bright and colorful decoration. Suddenly, Kim felt someone bump against her shoulder, hard.
" Hey ! " Kim yelled. The girl turned around and they looked at each other in disgust. The girl reminded her too much about Rachelle, skimpy clothes, too much make-up, having tons of sex-crazed men following her. She looked at Kim as if she were a rat, giving her a once-over and then sneering before she smirked.
" What are you wearing ? " she said nastily to Kim.
" What the hell ! What are you wearing ? " Kim and Trini were very angry now. It was a dress that Trini had designed, and it was going to be very bad when someone ticked off the designer, and the model.
" What ever do you mean ? " she waved her hand at her scantily-clad outfit, and the drooling men behind her.
" I mean, do you think people actually like you like that ? " Kim said seriously.
" What, and there's actually people that like you ? " she said in disgust, but drew back as she saw the others backing Kim up.
" Of course. "
" Ugh ! " she had ended the conversation quickly, knowing that she was clearly going to lose this one, and the fact that King Zordon had come out. He was a bald man, dressed in a simple pair of elaborate robes, but that alone made him look more majestic than anyone else they had ever seen.
" Welcome all, young ones ! " he smiled as he started explaining it.
--
" Well, I'm beat. " Kim said tiredly. After Zordon had explained the rules of the mystery, he had shown the group to their rooms, and they were able to all be in one.
" Yeah, me too. " the others agreed.
" Well, we should go to sleep soon. He said it was going to start tomorrow right ? " Sophie asked.
" Yeah. " Billy replied. But once again, Zordon didn't mention the prize for solving the mystery or even the main specifics for it, so the group was still slightly out of it. They turned their heads when their door opened, and saw that it was only Jason and Rocky.
" I think we have some competition. " Rocky grinned sheepishly as they stared at the irritated Jason, who's eyes were flaming, reminding them of their time with the stuffed animals ...
" Uummm, what do you mean ? " Zack asked.
" I mean that, it seems that Kim's new rival, has a group of her own. " Rocky said as everyone started to gather.
" Well, what happened ! " Harry asked excitedly.
" They actually said Jason wasn't cute ! " Rocky said, drawing a gasp from them all.
" No. " Sophie said, not believing it as she looked at the still-angry Jason with his balled up fist in the air.
" I know ! " Rocky said.
" Ok, we have to know now. " Kim smiled earnestly.
" Well, it all started when ... "
-- Flashback --
" What do you think out competition's gonna be ? " Rocky wondered out loud as he and Jason explored the castle.
" I dunno. There weren't as much people as I thought there'd be. Only about 40 or so contestants, including us. " Jason said as they started up the staircase.
" Hey, isn't that ... " Rocky pointed to the girl that Kim had bickered with at the entrance.
" Yeah ... wanna follow her ? " Jason asked as he looked ... up. Strangely, Jason felt weird every time he looked up at Rocky, but he dismissed it for now. They followed the girl and her loyal followers to their room, which was two rooms next to theirs. The boys couldn't figure out if that was good or bad yet.
" That little bitch ! She'll pay for making a mockery out of me ! " they saw the girl from before angrily muttering to herself as she flopped on the bed.
" Oh come on Michelle ! Why are you letting that little girl intimidate you ? We are going to win this thing ! I mean, we're gonna get this entire castle if we win ! That old man was stupid ! Just because he's going to die, he letting the smartest person here take over this entire place ! " both Rocky and Jason and glared at the girl to the side who said that. They weren't going to forgive anyone who thinks like that.
" Yeah, and I mean, did you see those people she were hanging out with ? I mean, none of them were even cute at all. " they heard another girl said. Rocky and Jason twitched slightly at that.
" Well, I think the most uncute one, was that short brown-haired one. " said one of Michelle's followers. And with that, Jason's eyes gleamed dangerously and Rocky nervously chuckled as he slightly pulled back.
" Anyways, what are we going to do to ensure victory ? " Michelle asked, drawing the boys' attention again.
" Well ... "
--
" Well ? " everyone asked.
" Well, here tripped and caused a loud racket, making us run and come back here. " Rocky said as he looked at Jason.
" So, they're planning something against us huh ? " Kim said as she rubbed her chin. The others were deep in thought, as Jason had simmered down.
" Anyways, I guess we can't worry about that now. Let's just go to sleep. " Billy suggested as they realized they were all tired.
" Fine. " they all chorused. As everyone climbed into bed and quickly fell asleep, Jason, Rocky, Zack, and Trini opened an eye. They all got up in the middle of the dark and slowly tip-toed to door.
" Eep ! " they all yelped in surprise as they crashed into each other. As they all fell to the floor, they quickly covered each other's mouths as they heard the others rustling awake. When they heard no more rustling, they all sighed and quickly let go off of each other's mouths.
" What the heck are you guys doing ? " Jason whispered as they inched towards the door.
" Wait ... Jason ? " Zack called out uncertainly.
" Ow ! Zack ! " Trini yelled.
" Oops, sorry Trini. That was me. " Jason apologized.
" Wait, Jase ? If you're over there with Trini, who's this ? " Zack asked nervously, as he felt a body behind him.
" Whoa ! Too low Zack ! " Rocky yelled as he grabbed Zack's hand when it ventured down.
" Oops, hehe ! ... Rocky ? That you ? " Zack asked in embaressment.
" Um, yeah ... but let's get out of here first. " Rocky pushed them out as he heard Sophie starting to wake up.
" Ok then ... what are you guys doing ? " Jason asked as he turned to look at them.
" What do you mean ? " Zack asked, seriously innocent.
" Yeah Jase. What do you mean ? " Rocky asked as Jason just stared at them with his arms crossed.
" What are you guys doing ? " Jason repeated.
" I just couldn't sleep, so I'm taking a walk around the castle. " Trini said.
" In the middle of the night ? " Jason asked.
" Yes. " Trini said, making Jason think about it.
" I'm just hungry. " Rocky said as Jason nodded.
" I need to go to the bathroom. " Zack said as he pointed to the door on the other side of the hall.
" Oh. " Jason said as he nodded.
" Well then, I'll just be on my- wait ! What are you doing up ? " Zack asked as he pointed at Jason.
" Uhhh, nothing. " Jason said quickly as he walked away briskly. The other three stared at each other in confusion, as they followed him.
" Oh, come on Jase, you can tell us. " Zack said.
" Didn't you have to go to the bathroom ? " Jason asked as they descended downstairs.
" Bladder is suddenly unfull. " Jason could just hear the smile in his voice. They had made it downstairs, and they proceeded into the kitchen. It had already been explained that everything there was for their use.
" Pass me the knife please. " Rocky asked as he held out his hand. Since they were in the kitchen anyways, they all decided they might as well join Rocky for a bite to eat.
" Than- aaggghhh ! " he and the others screamed when they saw it was Sophie who gave him the knife.
" When did you- how did you- why are you- ... never mind. " Jason wasn't going to even ask.
" Whatcha guys doin' in the middle of the night ? " Sophie asked.
" You know, we could ask you the same thing. " Trini said as she drank some water.
" We were following Jason. " Zack grinned.
" Why ? What was he doing in the middle of the night ? " Sophie asked with an amused smile.
" Nothing. " Jason said quickly as he raised the cups to his lips. Suddenly, a loud sound resounded throughout the room and he sprayed his water out.
" What the hell ! " they heard a too familiar voice as they inconspicuously stuck their heads around the corner of the kitchen doorway. They saw Michelle and one of her cohorts carrying something in the dark.
" Oh shit ! " Sophie cursed quietly as she slipped over Rocky. His sandwich fell slightly out of his mouth as he grinned sheepishly.
" Shush ... shush ! What was that ? " they heard Michelle asked warily. The others hopped back into the kitchen and pressed themselves against the wall, holding their breath. When they heard them coming over, Jason ushered them out the other direction and they quickly proceeded up the stairs quickly.
" Come on ! " Trini said as they all quietly ran into the room and quickly got into bed again.
' Damn, I'm gonna have to do it tomorrow. ' Jason thought worriedly as he fell asleep.
--
" Trini ? " Zack called, still in the middle of the night.
" Yeah ? " she called back.
" Want to take that walk ? " he asked. Zack could see Trini nod in the darkness so they started out this time. They were walking outside in the soft moonlight, in the grass. It would have been romantic, but Trini and Zack had something else on their mind.
" Kim's dad told you ... didn't he ? " Zack asked sadly, making Trini look slightly shocked, though she nodded and smiled.
" He told you too ? " she asked, equally sad.
" Yup. " he nodded grimly. They just continued walking, unknowing that someone was watching them from the shadows.
" Jason probably knows too. " Zack added.
" I think so too. That's what he probably was doing tonight huh ? " Trini guessed.
" Do you think he decided yes or no ? " Zack asked.
" What do you think ? " Trini asked, knowing that Zack knew.
" Yeah, but what a sucky way to leave. " he sighed again.
" ... should we tell them ? " Trini asked, referring to the others besides them three.
" I think it's best if we don't tell them just yet. Maybe after this whole mystery ya know. I may be just selfish, but I want just one more fun memory with everyone. " Zack said, looking up at the pale moon.
" Don't worry, I don't think you're selfish. Because if you are, I guess that means that I am too. " Trini gave a smile.
" But poor Jason. What's he going to do about Billy ? " Zack gave a sad look to Trini, who shook her head sadly.
" Everything's moving too fast ... " and they both agreed with that.
--
" Hey ! Morning everyone ! " Kim called. Everyone jostled awake, with some of the boys falling off their beds.
" Geez ! " they whined. She just smiled brightly and they started to change into clothes and get ready to start this so-called mystery.
" Where's Jason ? " Billy called suddenly. Zack and Trini looked at each other in surprise.
" He couldn't have gone to deliver his answer ! " Zack whispered to Trini.
" But we can't let the others find out ! " she whispered back.
" What are you guys whispering about ? " Harry called. He was starting to get jealous now.
" Nothing ! ... we gotta go find Jase ! " they yelled as they ran out of the room. Kim chuckled and sweatdropped as she saw Harry twitching slightly.
" Ok, time to go eat you guys ! " Janice yelled, snapping everyone up.
--
" Jason ? Jason ? " they called out quietly as they walked around carefully.
" Aaaggghhh ! " Trini yelped as she pressed against the wall and it fell open ! Zack tried to catch her but just managed up falling in with her.
" What a great way to start the morning. " Trini mumbled sarcastically. They got up and wiped their rumps off as they surveyed their surroundings.
" Trini, Zack ? " they heard a familiar voice call out.
" Jase ? " they called in unison. They searched around and felt the walls, until they bumped into their best friend.
" Ow ! " they yelled as they all fell back.
" This happens way too much. " Zack grumbled.
--
" Hey, looks like our competition's here. " Kim twitched slightly when she heard the familiar irritable voice. They all saw down at the table piled with food, and started eating.
" I know you like that asian girl. " Michelle whispered into Harry's ear as she started moving around the table.
" What do you want ? " he asked carefully.
" I know that she and your ' friend ' spent some quality time yesterday in the middle of the night when nobody was awake. " she whispered into his ear, enjoying the fact that Harry's grip on his spoon tightened slightly.
" Go away. " he whispered harshly at her, making her grin and slink off.
' Everything's going according to plan. Now, for the others ... ' she started putting her plan into play.
--
" So you haven't found a way out yet ? " Zack asked as they felt the walls in this long hall they were in.
" No. " Jason sighed.
" I guess there isn't a way out unless someone lets us out. Do you think that this is part of the mystery ? Whoever is careless will get pulled out of the game ? " Trini wondered.
" Maybe. " they agreed slightly.
" So how did you get in here so early in the morning ? " they asked Jason.
" Uhhh ... I was just coming back from the kitchen when I fell in ? " he tried, but the others knew he was lying.
" Jason, we know about what Kim's dad said. He told us too. " Trini said, seeing him visibly sigh.
" Well, that makes things a lot easier. But I still isn't what I was doing this morning. " when he let it slip out, he hastily covered his mouth as the others stared at him with a quirked eyebrow.
" Jason. " Trini said in a teasing threatening voice.
" I'm not telling. " Jason shook his head, as he turned and then ran away as they started chasing him.
--
As Rocky and Kim heard what Michelle had to say, they were sitting next to each other, they spit out their water onto her.
" W-what ? " Kim gaped. She looked over and saw that Rocky was equally shocked. Sure, he was more quiet than normal and he didn't eat as much as usual, but still.
" You heard me. " Michelle smirked. She wasn't sure if it was going to work as planned, but it did give them some extra time to find the missing piece of the puzzle.
" Rocky. " she said dangerously as he ginned sheepishly as he started pushing the chair out.
" Uhh ... hehehe, I can explain. " Rocky held his hands up and ran away, with Kim chasing him.
" What are they up to ? " Janice wondered.
--
" Rocky ! " Kim yelled as she chased Rocky.
" Just calm down Kim ! I can explain ! " he yelled behind him as he continued running. But they were careless, and they leaned against the same wall Trini did and they both fell in too ...
" Aaaggghhh ! Calm down you two ! " they heard Jason as he ran right towards them.
" Whoa there. " Rocky said as he grabbed Jason and stopped him.
" You two kissed ! " Kim practically screamed out as Trini and Zack stared in shock at the blushing boys who were looking everywhere else besides the others and each other.
" You what ? " Trini and Zack gaped in disbelief.
" We ... uhhh ... kissed ? " Rocky said smally.
" But it's not like that. We just did it, to make sure of something. " Jason said quickly.
" To make sure of what ? " Kim asked, interested.
" To make sure ... we both still loved ... our ... guys ... " Jason started looking around in confusion to what he just said, but the others understood.
" You actually questioned your love for Billy and Adam ? " Zack asked in disbelief.
" Well, yeah. " Jason looked down, slightly ashamed.
--
" Jason. " Rocky whispered, making Jason jump up in fright.
" Aaaaggghhh ! Oh my god ! Rocky ! What are you doing here ! " Jason asked in surprise as he held his hand over his chest. He had just sent the horse off back to King Hart, and Rocky had just seemed to find Jason ' wandering ' in the middle of the morning.
" Nothing. Whatcha doin' ? " Rocky asked in interest.
" Hehehehe, nothing. " Jason nervously chuckled as he quickly walked away. Rocky grinned behind him and started following him happily.
" Come on Jase, tell me. " Rocky asked, as he gave him a smile.
" Ummm, Rocky, this is something I kinda have to keep to myself. " Jason gave an apologetic face at him, but Rocky just nodded with understanding.
" Ok then, I know when to not stick my nose into things. " Rocky nodded. But as they casually walked along the brook beside the castle, they were starting to get more and more nervous. They both noticed that they were starting to have strange feelings about the other, and they knew the other were aware, they were just afraid to ask first.
" Hey Jase/Rocky ? " they turned to each other at the same time, breaking into a smile.
" Yeah ? " Rocky asked after awhile as he saw out of the corner of his eye Jason stopping.
" Can I ask you for a favor ? " Jason asked blushing, not noticing that Rocky was blushing himself.
" S-sure, anything. " Rocky said, knowing what Jason was going to ask for. But he was sorta happy that he wasn't the one that had to ask.
" Ok, but don't think I'm weird ok ? " Jason gave a shy grin as he turned Rocky's head and held it into place. They both leaned forward at the same time, and they kissed their first kiss ... well, actually their second. They couldn't help but give a small moan as they pushed deeper into the kiss, but as they pulled away, they just looked confused.
" Nothing. " Rocky just shrugged.
" Yeah, I didn't feel anything. " Jason shrugged too.
" It was nice- " Rocky began.
" Yes, very nice. " Jason agreed.
" But there was no ... "
" ... spark. " they both said at the same time.
" Yup, that's it. " Jason agreed again.
" So I guess our little attraction was just ... "
" ... physical ? " Jason guessed, making Rocky nod. They had to admit, they were both rather cute.
' Maybe he's right. It's just physical. ' Rocky thought to himself.
" Yeah, physical. " Jason pondered over it, but now he knew for sure that he still loved Billy.
--
" So now you guys are sure about who you love right ? " Kim said, seeing the other two nod.
" Fine, so we can drop this. " she decided, as they still continued on to find a way out.
--
" Michelle, sorry to disturb you, but we can't find the others. We're the only ones left. " a tall teenager said to Michelle fearfully.
" What ? " she screamed in anger. Without the others, it wasn't going to be as easy to find the clue to solve the mystery.
--
" I wonder where the others are ? " Sophie wondered as Harry was getting the wrong ideas after what Michelle had told him. He knew that she was the enemy, but what if what she said was true ?
" Well, I guess we should go look for them. But only half of us should, we still have to solve the mystery by this afternoon. " Billy said as he remembered the rules that were set yesterday.
" Yeah, me and Sophie'll look for the others. " Harry said as he got up and he and Sophie started to look around.
" Come on Janice, we should get started. " Billy said as he got up. She nodded and they proceeded to the clue box, which was mentioned yesterday by Zordon.
" Now ... where is it ? " Janice wondered. They finally spotted it, but when Billy went to get a clue, it was empty !
" What ! This isn't right. " Billy mused to himself but then Janice yelled out and pointed to the side. He gasped as he saw Michelle waving their clue in front of them.
" You can't win without this. " she smirked as she turned around and ran.
--
" Trini ! Zack ! " they both called as they walked around the large castle, looking for their friends.
" Hey, I wonder where Zordon is ? " Sophie wondered.
" Yeah, me too. I mean, it's his competition, shouldn't that mean that he should be supervising ? " Harry mused. Suddenly, they heard yelling from inside the wall ... but they just dismissed it.
--
" Damn ! How do we get out of here ! Michelle's gonna be pissed if we don't help her ! " the girl from the day before yelled as she pounded the wall.
" Calm down, we're gonna find a way out. " a young man tried to calm her down.
" Calm down ? Calm down ! Us three are here ! And only that stupid Jake is with her ! How's she gonna win now ? " the girl said.
" She's just going to play dirty a bit Anne. Duke, you should know better than to try and calm her down. " another beautiful blond girl smiled at the pair. Suddenly, their ears perked when they heard more yelling from other kids.
" Anyone out th- you ! " Kim yelled as she pointed to them. She was able to recognize them hanging around with Michelle before.
" And you ! " Anne yelled in disgust.
" What are you doing here ! " they yelled at the same time.
--
Billy suddenly stopped, as did Janice, when they thought they heard something.
" What is that ? " Janice wondered as she leaned against the wall. Billy did the same thing, but no sound came so he was about to walk off when he heard a familiar voice.
" Oh my god ! " that made him smile slightly, as he heard Kim saying it.
" Do you think that they're trapped in the wall ? " Janice said in worry.
" I think so ... " but he gasped in surprise with what he heard.
" What, I thought Michelle got you two on the run ! " Anne yelled.
" What, just because Rocky and Jason kissed ? So what ? Now he just knows for sure that he loves Billy ! " Janice didn't hear that well, but Billy heard it perfectly.
' ... he loves Billy ... he loves Billy ... he loves Billy ... ' it just kept on echoing in his mind. Suddenly, everything seemed to make sense. All his strange feelings when they have those too close incidents, Jason's blushing whenever he's near.
' And my blushing ? Does this mean that ... I love him too ? ' as Billy was conflicting with himself, Janice watched from the side.
" Let's go and solve that mystery. " Janice smiled as she took Billy's hand and pulled him along.
" Y-yeah. " Billy agreed quietly. Even with this problem, after Rocky's story, he still couldn't let Michelle win this one.
--
As Kim and Anne continued bickering, Sophie and the other girls started to hold their heads on pain.
" Everyone be quiet ! " they screamed, silencing everybody. Sophie stopped, then turned to see the other girl blushing at her outburst.
" Hey ! What's your name ? " Sophie asked excitedly. She didn't seem like the others, she actually seemed nice.
" Kat, Katherine. " she said in an australian accent as she gave off a smile, making the boys blush at her.
" Hey Kat ! My name's Sophie ! " Sophie smiled greatly as she bounded over and shook her hand enthusiastically.
" Hey ! You're our enemy ! Stay away from her ! " Anne yelled as she saw that Sophie was completely ignoring her.
" Stop yelling ! " Kim yelled as everyone went quiet.
" Enemy or not, we're all trapped in here, so we won't be able to work our way out of this if we don't work together. " Kim tried to reason with them. Kat and Duke seemed to agree, but Anne was still hesitant.
" Come on, we have to, or we could be trapped here ... forever. " Kat whispered into her ear, smiling when her eyes went wide.
" Fine, but I won't like it. " she said stubbornly, making Kat and Duke smile.
" Ok then, I guess the fastest way would be to split up. "
--
As Janice and Billy continued running, they finally caught up to Michelle. Janice jumped towards her, and Michelle was so scared that she ran off, and had carelessly dropped their clue. When Janice bent to pick it up, Billy was having conflictions with his emotions again. He strangely felt ... angry.
' Why do I feel angry ? Is it because Rocky and Jason kissed ? Or is it because Jason has kept this from me for so long ? Or the fact that everyone knew, and I was out of it again ? ... but does that mean I love him too ? Why doesn't he just tell me ? ' In the end, Billy decided that he wasn't going to bring it up, until Jason did.
" Oh my god ! " he was snapped out of it when Janice suddenly squealed with delight.
" What is it ? " Billy asked as he walked over.
" I figured out the clue ! "
" Already ? " Billy said in surprise.
" Yeah ! " and she grabbed him as she led him somewhere in the castle.
--
Hey ! You guys, another chapter done ! If you read the chapter before it was edited, it said my sister was missing, but she's been found ! Yay !