By the time Monday came Rocky knew he'd over done himself. The pain in his head had gotten worse and the light hurt his eyes. It would be impossible for him to finish the week and it would take more than a night's sleep.
He barely made it to school and dragged himself to class. At lunch he found the Rangers outside. Even the dark sunglasses didn't help block out the light. The teens stopped mid-conversation and watched him come over.
"Dude, you look like hell". Adam blurted before he could stop himself.
"Someone yanked me out of much needed sleep this weekend", he sounded annoyed. "I spoke with Devon about your offer and he isn't interested".
"What about you" Tommy asked.
"I've thought about it and I wish to speak to Zordon before I decide." Tommy nodded, Zordon wanted to talk to him anyway.
"We can meet in the park after school."
Rocky nodded and headed back inside. "I feel bad for making us talk to him on Saturday" Adam said watching him leave.
"This could be a potential problem. Zedd doesn't wait to attack until it's convenient, we'll be short a Ranger every third weekend."
"Let's find out what he has to say to Zordon first". Tommy suggested and the rest nodded.
After school Devon dropped Rocky off at the park, "Master, are you sure about this?" he asked nervously. "Are you sure you don't want me to stay?"
"No and yes, I'll meet you at home." Devon didn't look sure about it but finally nodded and drove away. Rocky crossed the park where the Rangers waited.
"Zordon says he wants to talk to you alone," Tommy said, the others looked as nervous as Devon had.
"Why?"
"He didn't say. Alpha is going to teleport you".
"Wonderful". Before he could protest he found himself face to face with Zordon's floating head again. "We both know I am not the person for this job" Rocky said before Zordon could say anything. "I am the farthest thing from a moral upstanding citizen".
"The Rangers would not have asked if they did not think you were right for the team. You can bring valuable insight and experience that comes with age".
"I have no experience to offer in terms of fighting monsters. Vampires, yes, other worldly monsters, no. Look… what you told us about Adam and Aisha are true. They are good kids, great students, role models and mentors. I'm not. I'm… I'm a killer. Deep in our hearts that's what we all are. I'm no better than this Lord Zedd you are fighting".
"Rocky, you are not what you make yourself out to be. You are not the person you were then. For nearly 200 years you have protected the people of this area from others of your kind. Even longer in other parts of the world. You have served as a mentor, teacher and role model to your apprentices and others in your Coven. The good you have done far outweighs your distant past, whether you see it as such or not. The Rangers would be lucky to have you on their team".
Rocky didn't know what to say. He had no idea how Zordon knew about anything he'd just said as there were very few who knew about his past. It made him a little uneasy about it. "If… if I were to accept, I have other responsibilities. The others will come back, they always do. Devon, my apprentice has learned all he can from me but there are still others to look after".
"I am sure you will find a balance, just as you always have, living in two worlds."
Rocky nodded and crossed his arms around his chest, "I don't want them involved in our affairs. It's too much risk. Devon knows about the Rangers and I will have to tell Oliver – he's a good man and I trust him with my life. I'll need their help to cover for me. But this – this isn't the Rangers fight. If they find out they will want to help and they will think fighting Lillith is like fighting Zedd. People die. It's a messy bloody war that was started 600 years before they were born. I don't want them to know about it or my past. They don't need to know".
"I understand". Rocky was a little skeptical. It had been almost a century since Lillith had been in the area and Rocky seriously doubted Zordon had been in Angel Grove that long.
"I also need a week before we can try this. My schedule won't work with this. It'll take at least a week to get my sleeping back on track".
"Find the Rangers when you are ready" Rocky nodded.
"Do you really think this will work? What if it brings out the worst in me?"
"I am sure it will be fine Rocky, if it will make you feel better Alpha can place a series of checks in place in case something happens we can remove the power quickly." Rocky nodded again.
"Great, so if you want to send me home, I have an appointment with my pillow. If you could keep them from waking me up, that would be great, thanks."
"Alpha, please teleport Rocky home and contact the Rangers asking them to come here. They will want to know" Alpha let out a pitiful moan but did as he was asked.
Oliver and Devon found Rocky chin deep in a steaming tub of water and a wet washcloth pressed to his eyes. "Master! You made it!" Devon sounded surprised.
"Of course I just went to talk to them. I'm taking the rest of the week off to sleep. Devon, if you could pick up my school work and Oliver if anyone comes near my door, you have my permission to kill them".
"Yes Sir", Rocky removed the washcloth and slid under the water resurfacing a second later.
"Oliver, Devon already knows, but I want you to know also –"
"Please promise you aren't leaving again".
"No" he let out a small laugh, amused that that was the first concern from Oliver, "Devon and I had an encounter with the Power Rangers after the ninja competition".
"Ah. The teens that were here the other day?"
"Yes, by accident they revealed their identities. Their leader over spoke and lead them to our door. They know what we are but only the three of us are to know their identities. Saturday they came back to ask Devon or I to join them. I'm not sure it's a great idea, but I told their leader – Zordon- I would. It will be time consuming so I will need you to cover for me".
"Some things never really change" Oliver said and Rocky gave him an annoyed look. Nothing ever seemed to faze the old man.
"Devon is no longer my apprentice".
"Reluctantly" Devon grumbled.
"I told Zordon I needed this week to sleep. After that I think it would be better to sleep more often".
"I think you will find you feel better".
"Otherwise the Rangers will be showing up on the weekends yanking me out of bed" Rocky continued, pretending he hadn't heard Oliver.
"A Power Ranger for breakfast might be good for you". Rocky threw the wet cloth at his servant.
"Why do I let you stay? Why?"
"Because I make sure your bills get paid on time and your clothes match. Will you be running about town in your underpants and a cape?"
"Only on the weekends Oliver", he said sliding back into the water.
"The Power Rangers don't have capes! They're on the news all the time! Which one do you get to be?"
"Uh, red I think".
"Red has the best Zord" Rocky and Oliver looked unfazed, partially because neither had any idea what a Zord was.
"Why didn't you take this offer?"
"Because you are the better person for the job".
Rocky groaned, "Go away and let me finish my bath in peace".
Oliver brought dinner to Rocky has he was getting ready for bed. "Sir?" Rocky glanced over at his old friend as he hung his bathrobe on a hook and took the offered cup. "Do you think this superhero business is worth it?"
"I don't know. I have enough to take care of without this. They asked because they think this Lord Zedd might try to recruit vampires the way he tried to recruit us after the ninja competition. Can you imagine if they captured someone like Lillith?" Oliver's eyes drifted over his Master's bare torso. Even after all the time that had passed the scars were still visible crisscrossing his body. After 175 years Oliver still flinched at the thought of them. "She would be unstoppable" Rocky continued as he rubbed cream into his arms.
"Fortunately she is still in Europe" Oliver told him. "It has been a while though…"
"It's almost been too long. She'll be back. She always comes back" he added quietly. He held the jar out to Oliver "could you?"
"Of course" he took the jar of cream and started to apply it to Rocky's back and shoulders gently rubbing it into the thick scars. "Perhaps this will be good for you".
"What?"
"This… job. It will force you to sleep more often since they will need you on the weekends and you should probably eat more often. You push yourself too much and it's starting to show. You are looking thin and pale. I've been saying it for years and now maybe this will finally make you listen to me".
"You're right Oliver", Oliver sat the jar down and Rocky pulled on a t-shirt. "You're always right".
"But you still don't listen to me" Rocky put a hand on his shoulder.
"I do. I hear every word you say. I just can't help it. We've been friends long enough"
"I know, but I will still nag"
"Since I am unable to keep a woman in my life, I need someone to." He said heading over to the bed.
"Tristan, there are a lot of nice girls. You don't have to be alone with me and you don't have to save them all. You deserve to take time for yourself and be happy".
Rocky sat on the edge of the bed looking at his friend and confidant. Despite being over 400 years younger, he was already middle aged when he had been turned. As a former man servant and butler he offered to take care of the house because it came naturally to him as did filling a fatherly role in Rocky's life. "I am Oliver. I have you, my brothers, the others and now the Power Rangers. I'll be okay". Although he said it for Oliver's benefit he didn't feel it. He was genuinely miserable with everything in general, but he knew Oliver would worry too much if he told him that. "Don't let the place run amok while I'm asleep and don't wake me up".
"Of course not", Rocky crawled in bed as Oliver pulled the heavy drapes shut and then left shutting the door behind him.
When the Rangers arrived in the Command Center they looked around for Rocky. "Rangers, Rocky has accepted your offer".
"Where is he?"
"He has gone home. We will transfer the power next week after he has rested. He will find you".
"So we have to wait until next week?" Tommy sounded annoyed. "Let's hope Zedd doesn't try anything this week."
"Tommy, I am sure it will be fine. We've managed this long" Billy said.
Towards the end of the week the Rangers were starting to get antsy. They had expected Rocky by Friday but when Adam asked Devon about him all Devon had to offer was "He's still asleep and Oliver won't let anyone near his room".
"We could teleport in… or him out" Tommy suggested but Devon shook his head.
"It's been a long time since Oliver's killed anyone but he'd kill you in a second to protect Rocky".
"Who exactly is Oliver?" Adam asked.
Devon shrugged, "He's been here since long before me. He's Rocky's right hand. Makes sure all the business and bookkeeping gets done, takes care of Rocky, and either keeps the peace or rats us out depending. He's like a butler/housekeeper/bodyguard and I hear he can fight. He's the only one Rocky trusts completely outside of his brothers."
"How did Oliver become… one of you?"
"Rumor is he was left for dead by Lillith or one of her henchmen."
"What do you mean 'left for dead', like aren't you dead?"
"No, dude, we never really die. You can be killed by a vampire, you can be turned by a vampire, or they can leave you in the Between… that's where Oliver was left."
"What is the 'Between'?" Aisha asked not sure she wanted to know. Devon looked around nervously.
"Your blood gets drained almost enough to kill you, but not right away and you get venom, but not enough to turn you. It's painful enough, but with the lack of blood circulating, it's like acid eating away your veins and arteries. It takes days but it will finally kill you". All of the Rangers looked ashen, "you sort of hope someone finds you and kills you".
None of them said anything for a long time. "If it kills you, how did they save Oliver?" Billy finally asked, the scientist in him winning out.
"Rocky and Master Dimitri found him. They were able to give him a transfusion of blood from Rocky and Dimitri had to bite him again. It would have been long and extra painful but Rocky stayed with him the whole time. So Oliver stays, I guess as repayment or something."
"That sounds awful" Kim said and Aisha nodded.
"Oliver's alright, you can trust him when it comes to Rocky, not so much when it comes to sneaking girls home".
"Human girls?" Adam asked.
Devon wrinkled his nose, "not a chance. Most of us younger vampires have never had human blood."
"What? Ever?"
Devon shook his head "Not in our house, Dimitri's or Nicoli's. They say it's impossible to quit. It's like an illness, so we are trained to hunt animals".
"Then why the supervision here? And your apprenticeship?
"Look, just because we don't doesn't mean some days we don't have the burning desire to rip someone's throat out. Our apprenticeship is more than just hunting. We have to be careful. We have to start over and create new lives. There is a lot to learn, controlling our hunger is only part of it. Look, I need to go, if I see Rocky this weekend I'll tell him you're looking for him." Devon picked up his bag and left.
"Well, it's nice to see Devon is doing better" Adam said.
"I know! I think that's the first conversation he hasn't been all twitchy during" Aisha agreed. "He was super weird at Stone Canyon" she said when she noticed the looks from the other three.
"It's really horrible about Oliver" Kim said.
"The science they used would have been pretty advanced for the time. Oliver is probably lucky it worked." Billy said.
"Lucky?" Adam asked, "it sounds like if they had killed him it would have been a kinder solution".
"Perhaps at the time, but he seems to do well now".
The Rangers all went about their day, their thoughts never straying far from what Devon had told hem and wondering how much longer they would have to wait.
Monday Rocky was out again and none of them had seen Devon to ask.
Oliver quietly let himself in Rocky's room and pulled one of the curtains back part way and went over to the bed, "Master Tristan" he said quietly to no response. "Tristan? It's been a week". The fact that it had been a week worried Oliver, his master never slept that long. Carefully Oliver moved the pillows out of the way and the blankets back enough o unbury his head and face. "Tristan, Sir" Oliver knelt beside the bed putting a hand on Rocky's shoulder. "Sir?"
Rocky let out a painful moan and finally opened his eyes and Oliver could see how much pain he was in. "Your back?" Rocky could barely nod, "I'll be back".
To Rocky it felt like he was gone for days even though it was barely 15 minutes. He sat a basket on the floor and a cup on the night stand along with a vial and syringe. He folded the blankets back and carefully wrapped hot wet towels around Rocky's torso and arms as best he could without disturbing him too much.
Oliver held the cup to his master's lips despite his protest. Oliver knew he'd need it to get his strength back despite the pain it caused. When it was empty he knelt back on the floor and picked up the syringe carefully filling it from the vial of clear liquid. He gently pulled Rocky's arm out from under the blanket inspecting it for a vein until he found one he liked and then stuck the syringe in plunging the contents into Rocky's arm.
"Why doesn't it ever go away?" Rocky whispered. "It's been so long". Oliver took Rocky's hand and caressed his hair back with the other as if comforting a sick child. "What did I do to deserve this?"
"Shhh… the pain will lessen soon and we can get you a hot bath".
"Oliver, you have been my friend a long time, you've had opportunities for your own life".
"Master Tristan, I stay because I want to".
"In the bottom drawer of my desk is all the paperwork turning this place over to you".
"Shh, Sir, that's the pain talking".
"No." Rocky took a ragged breath hoping to clear his head as the drugs were making it hard to think. "It's only been getting worse lately."
"Because you push yourself to much. When you start sleeping more often it won't be as bad."
"Oliver, the letter to Dimitri"
"The one you sent the other week?" Rocky nodded. "Noel and Richard carried it with them".
"I am asking Dimitri, again, to kill me".
"No Master, he has refused before".
"The pain is crippling me. He promised a long time again he would help if it came to this".
"I think you should reconsider" Oliver let go of Rocky's hand and checked on the towels. "I will get you more to drink, it will help".
When Oliver returned, Rocky had sat up and moved to the edge of the bed. "Okay?" Oliver asked. Rocky shook his head no. "Are the drugs working?"
"Not like they used to. We'll manage".
"We always do. Drink this and I'll go run a bath".
"I'll be there in a minute."
By the time Rocky made it to the bathroom the tub was full of steaming water, "I've put a relaxer in the water. It will help" Oliver said shutting off the tap.
"After my back unkinks itself, I'll go hunting" he said sliding into the tub up to his ears not even bothering to strip off his pajamas. Oliver bit his tongue. "How is everything here? I assume nothing exploded".
"No Sir. There are several things on your desk. Devon has been looking for you. Otherwise things have been quiet. Can I get you anything right now?"
"No I think the morphine is finally working".
"Good. Don't drown. I'll fetch clothes for you". Rocky just nodded as Oliver left.
When he was moving well enough, he left to go hunting and returned an hour later. "You look better" Oliver observed.
"I feel like my skin is crawling" he said pulling his shirt over his head and going to the mirror to inspect his scars".
"They're still there. Come here" he gestured to a stool.
"They will always be there" Rocky said to himself but did as he was told. Oliver started at the base of Rocky's neck applying a think salve to the scars.
"Your skin is dry, it's making them tight" he said as he expertly worked the salve into the smooth pink lines.
"This is why I asked Dimitri. They shouldn't have saved me".
"That is like saying you shouldn't have saved me or the others. Many of us are here because of you".
"Oliver, I am not saying that one's suffering is worse than another's, however you remember nothing of our saving you, which I am grateful for. Every time I wake up I feel like I am being crushed, my skin crawls, my vertebrae slip, my joints get disjointed" He got up going back to the mirror "and what woman could ever love this?" he said quietly poking at the scarred outline of two thick chain links on his ribs that he could vaguely recall the skin growing around before the chain had been moved. They didn't hurt, but they always seemed the perfect visual reminder.
"If you were to let anyone near you, many would love you. They would look beyond your scars."
"And still find a 600 year old crippled vampire".
"Uh Sir?" Devon interrupted, "you're awake!" Rocky rolled his eyes at Devon's knack for stating the obvious and went back to the stool so Oliver could finish. Devon tried not to stare too long at the scars.
"Devon" Rocky sounded annoyed.
"Sorry Master, the Rangers have been asked about you at school."
"I will be there tomorrow".
"Good, I put your homework in your office."
"Thank you, is there anything else?"
"No Master"
"Then goodnight, Devon". Devon nodded and left. "I guess I will be spending the night in my office".
"I will turn on the humidifier, it will help. You will become a Power Ranger tomorrow?"
"We'll see. I am concerned what this power will have on me. Zordon said they would have something in place in case it has ill effects".
"I am sure it will go well. I'm finished".
"Thank you Oliver, what would I do without you?"
"Indeed, what would you do? I still think we need a lady of the house".
"I have bigger problems" he said pulling his shirt on.
"Sir, I should tell you that if the reply comes from Master Dimitri while you are out, if it's the news you are hoping for, I will burn it and forge a reply back to him."
"No you wouldn't. You are too honest for that."
"I would if it meant saving your life".
"I know" Rocky admitted. "Which is why I asked him to reply by other means. I'll be in my office." He said leaving a stunned looking Oliver.
Rocky returned to school as though he hadn't been out a week. He had all of his homework caught up, "Hey welcome back" Adam said when he showed up for class. Adam did notice he looked much better than he had in weeks.
"Thanks"
"You haven't changed your mind have you?"
"No"
"Good. I'll tell the others" Rocky just nodded.
They all met up after school and teleported to the Command Center. The power transfer was rather unceremonious than began and then ended with Alpha handing Rocky the red power coin. Rocky held his breath waiting for it to backfire, but nothing happened. Billy handed him a faceless watch
so we can keep in touch and it will allow you to teleport" he explained.
"Oh great." Rocky made a mental note that he wouldn't teleport to for from his home in case his new energy allowed Zedd to track him. "So that's it?"
"Yep, now we just wait for Zedd's monsters".
"Anyone want to go to the Youth Center to celebrate?" Aisha asked. They all sort of looked at each other.
"Sure!" Kim said. "I never need a reason to celebrate". Tommy rolled his eyes at his girlfriend.
"Sure, we'll come" he said and the rest sort of nodded in agreement except Rocky.
"You have to come" Adam told him. "You're part of the team now."
"Somehow I think that makes me glad you all have to sleep" he said with a half-smile.
Once they settled into a table at the Youth Center, they found Rocky likeable and easy to talk to contrary to what their initial hesitations had been. After a while they all headed out to go home to do homework.
"How'd it go?" Devon asked before he even walked into Rocky's office.
"It went well, rather uneventful actually".
"Soo…. That's it?" Devon sounded disappointed.
"Yes."
"Did you get to fight any monsters?"
"No. I am sure it will come soon enough".
"Yeah," Devon agreed.
"You had your chance"
"I know. I think they made the right decision. I am going hunting with Ellena tonight".
"Okay I'll see you in the morning" he said dismissing Devon so he could finish working on the things Oliver had left him.