Disclaimer: Still don't own it. sigh.

Hey everyone, I want to apologize for my serious lack in posting. I've been incredibly busy these last couple of weeks and have been working on this in fragments. So here it is, chapter 9, finally! This chapter is short, bear with me. I've set up story line that will shortly rocket off with the posting of the next chapter.

Some of you asked for more Syd/Sky, don't worry, that's coming shortly. Things will start to pick up from here now as things around SPD start to change, and the secret behind this cloaked figure's identity will be revealed, leaving Jen with numberous questions, and Trip a fear that the time line is in serious danger...

Chapter 9 is posted!

The Awakening: Whispers in the Wind

It was a solemn day at SPD as snow fell lightly from the sky. It floated slowly down the windows and formed white patches in the streets. It wasn't one of those happy snows, like the ones he used enjoy when he was a boy. No, it was a cold snow that dripped down Sky's back and made him shiver as he continued his walk back towards Headquarters. He walked through Butler Square as the snow continued to fall down his neck and clothes, soaking him to the bone.

He didn't mind the snow, really. He decided to take a walk to think, which is something he had done a lot lately. He thought about his mother, who just a few days before, was released from the hospital on bed rest and some medications. He thought about Syd, whom he hardly spent any time with, considering they were always out on the run. He thought about the new monster Grumm had up his sleeve and the Rangers had no idea who he was.

But of all things, he thought about Major Drake's last comment to him. He called Sky 'son'. Sky wasn't quick to judge; he thought that maybe Alex slipped it out. But his mother told him about how Alex and his father looked so much alike. Was it possible that maybe, just maybe, in another time that his father was still alive?

He quickly shook his head and disregarded that last idea. It couldn't be, his father was dead. Sky planned the funeral for him, he saw his body. His mother held his cold hand and kissed his numbed lips. It wasn't possible; Wesley Collins was dead.

Sky sighed as he looked up into the clouds and closed his eyes, letting the snow fall onto his face and numbed his nose.

"Sky?" came a muffled voice. "Schuyler Tate, if you do not answer me now…" he smiled as he reached for his morpher.

"Go ahead, Syd."

"Where in the hell are you, Sky? You've been gone for almost two hours!"

He squinted, pondering and looked at his watch. It was just about three in the afternoon. He left at quarter after one, saying he'd be back soon. "I'm heading home now, Syd. Don't worry."

"You have ten minutes, Mister," Syd's voice said dangerously and she cut off.

Sky rose and began to trek back home. However, he didn't notice a cloaked figure standing on a rooftop looking down at him.

"Soon, Blue Ranger. We shall meet face to face." It muttered.

It has been a long time since she had been there, almost nine months. It was mid February and already they had a light snow. A few soft layers of snow had piled up around the stone where Wes's silent body lay. Jen walked up to it, cleared a pile of snow away and sat down next to it. She brushed a light layer away and smiled. Wes's favorite time of year was the first few snows of the season, she knew that.

Under the snow, the color of the stone had faded some, but the letters of his name still shown brightly. Her finger traced the letters of his name as she sighed.

"Hey there, stranger," she whispered. "I haven't seen you in a while. I just wanted to say hi and see how you are doing," she paused, "Sky's okay, as you probably can see. He's kept your spot here neat and tidy, Wes." A cold wisp of air blew through her, chilling Jen to her bones. The wind reddened her face as she sighed; a single tear slid from her eye and fell upon the ground that Wes resided under. "I miss you, Wes, and I'll always love you." Jen picked herself up and began a quiet walk home as a soft snow began to fall heavier around her.

The air around the graveyard was silent as a band of snow began to float in between stones. It then circled around one stone in particular, several times, and continued on its way.

"His name is Excavious, and he's from the Vexa System." Kat said as she brought up a hologram of a creature.

"That's him," Jen stated reluctantly.

Kat nodded at Jen and continued. "He's wanted in several planets, including KO-35. His most recent attack was on his own planet, after the massive genocide of fifty thousand innocent lives. He recently escaped from prison, and is working his way back here to meet up with an old friend."

"Broodwing," Jack stated. Cruger nodded to him.

"Sir," Z spoke up, "It says here that he's a master of robotics, and the reason for the genocide on his planet. You think Grumm and Broodwing are recruiting him to re-build Doomtron?"

"I'd believe that," said Sky. "Looks like this guy and Grumm have joined forces to try and take over this planet."

"Captain," Cruger took her out of her reverie, "Your plans for facing this new foe?"

Jen stood there for a moment, pondering. "How did he kill those people?"

"It…" Kat paused as confusion ran across her face. "It doesn't say."

"Perfect." Sky sighed angrily. He walked out of the Command Center and stormed out into the hallway.

Jen was just about to follow him, but she saw Syd walk out faster then her. Syd could handle him for once. Sighing, her eyes turned back to the screen and stared at this creature, Excavious' face, and searching her memory for where she'd seen him before.

Meanwhile, Syd walked out of command to find where Sky had taken off. She knew he'd been stressed these past couple of days, for what reason she didn't know.

"Sky?" she thought she saw him turn around a corner. Following her instinct, she turned the corner to see him walking towards the exit. "Sky!" she said again, louder, as he turned around. "Hey, wait up."

"What?" he asked.

"What's wrong with you?" she asked. "These past couple of days you've been acting so stressed out. We hardly ever talk anymore, and you get steamed over everything. What's going on?"

Sky sighed. "You wouldn't understand, Syd."

"If this is about your father,"

"It has nothing to do with my father. Trust me." He said and turned his back.

"Fine," she huffed. "We're in Central Command if you need us." With that, Syd turned on her heel and left.

Sky mentally kicked himself as he sighed. "You couldn't possibly understand, Syd," he whispered and took a small box out of his pocket and opened it. A diamond sat on the crest of the ring.

Days had gone by without any sign of Excavious or Grumm, and the Rangers were just as worried. Kat, Katie, Trip, Z and Syd were constantly monitoring the monitors, searching for any hint of activity. Lucas, Jack, Sky and Bridge were always standing by incase something was detected. Cruger was as grumpy as ever just sitting around, waiting.

Jen, on the other hand, was sitting at the computer, Excavious' profile was pulled up as she searched her memory for where she had seen his face before, but she failed to find any such memory.

Out of nowhere, a voice came over the intercom. "Security to Central Command, come in Commander."

Cruger pressed the intercom button. "Commander Cruger here, go ahead."

"Commander, a man wearing a cloak is demanding to see Captain Scotts, Sir! He says it's important."

Jen looked up from her chair and stared at Cruger. "A man?" she said. "Send him up." Cruger gave the approval as the Rangers came around the doors as the person made their way up.

Meanwhile, Jen's mind swam with thoughts. A man, wearing a cloak? It couldn't be. It was impossible. Wes is dead, he can't be al-

Her mind stopped as the doors opened, and a creature wearing a black cloak entered the room. "You," Jen muttered. "You saved me when Excavious attacked."

The creature gave her a silent bow of acknowledgement. Determined to find the identity, Jen stood up straight. "Identify yourself, friend."

The creature bowed again as he removed his hood. The Rangers gasped as Jen's eyes narrowed and she drew he weapon, fury radiated from her eyes. She silently took back her statement offriend. This man whom she called friend, he wasn't who she thought it was. In fact, he was far from it.

"I am an Undercover officer. Allow me to introduce myself, Captain," he said as he held up a badge. "I am Detective Steelix, Mutant Officer of Time Force..."

chapter 10 coming up soon…