A/N: This is my own version of how Hunter and Blake came to be in Lothor's employ. It's not as well written as I had hoped but I was fighting everything to get this. I may rewrite this later because I'm not as satisfied as I thought I would be. Again, it's short, but it's supposed to show just how much Hunter is willing to do to protect Blake. Also, this is my version of Hunter's history, because he's more likely to do dark and broody. If there are any objections, well, I have an artistic license and I'm not afraid to use it.
Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers, that belongs to someone else, I don't even own a cat anymore.
Hunter paced the small room angrily, he wanted out; he wanted that bastard who had Blake. He'd woken in this room, without Blake, and he was pissed. The masked stranger was responsible, Hunter was sure, and from the way Sensei had said his name, Hunter was also sure that the man didn't have good intentions. This made Hunter mad; he'd been seven when the Bradleys' adopted him and his experiences before that amazing day had given him a tough shell. Losing the Bradleys just after he'd accepted them as his family made him even tougher, but never to Blake. Blake had been adopted as a baby, had grown up as Blake Bradley, and the toughest thing he'd ever had to handle was losing their parents. Hunter had lost everything at a young age and every time he got settled after that, he'd lost everything all over again. He hadn't wanted to let Blake in, but his mom had asked him to look after Blake before she and dad had gone on that mission. Hunter had promised to protect Blake, and Hunter never made a promise he couldn't keep.
The door to the room opened, startling Hunter, who spun. A strange, navy blue clad person stepped in. Hunter couldn't see his face, "Who are you?" He demanded.
The visor on the helmet snapped open, "It's me, Hunter."
"Blake," Hunter relaxed, "are you all right?"
"I'm fine." Blake replied, he put his hand on Hunter's shoulder, "Lothor wants to speak with you."
"What?"
"Lothor, he's a, well, not a friend of Sensei's, but he's an ally." Blake said, and his face became hard, a look that shot pain deep into Hunter's heart. "He's also going to help avenge our parents' murder."
Hunter froze, "Sensei said."
"Maybe Sensei lied," Blake replied, "Come on, Hunter, just talk to him. Don't be so suspicious."
Hunter nodded, "All right, Blake, lead the way."
Blake's visor snapped closed, "Lothor wants us out of sight as much as possible. He's afraid someone on the ship might be working for the murderer. When he's ready for us to fight, then he'll reveal us." Hunter followed his brother into the corridor and down to another, small room. The weird, trench coated, masked man was there, "Sir, may I introduce my brother Hunter Bradley. Hunter, this is Lothor."
"Please to meet you, Hunter," Lothor said. He looked at Blake, "May I speak with him alone?"
"Of course, sir, I'll go back to the viewing room." Blake said cheerfully, heading back out.
As soon as the door closed, Hunter took a defensive stance, "I don't know what you did to Blake," he began.
"No," Lothor agreed, "you don't. I could kill him at any time."
"If you harm my brother," Hunter began.
"All you have to do is walk into that chamber," Lothor pointed at a cylindrical machine that stood in one corner of the room, "and I will make no more threats on your brother."
Hunter regarded him for a moment, "It won't kill me?"
"No. It won't kill you." Lothor replied, "And Blake won't be touched by anyone."
Hunter walked into the chamber and closed his eyes as the door shut behind him. "Welcome, Crimson Ranger," a pleasant computerized voice said. "Just relax and everything will be explained to you." Hunter crossed his arms and waited. Pain shot through him and images were part of that pain, Hunter slumped onto the floor of the chamber, determined not to scream as his mind was assaulted. His eyes rolled back as images continued to stream into his mind, then he collapsed.
When Hunter came around, he lay on a slightly uncomfortable bunk, Blake was sitting beside him, in his Ninja uniform, "You ok?" Blake asked quietly.
"Never better," Hunter replied, he sat up and glanced around. The room he was in now was no bigger than the room he'd had at the academy, and by the rumpled bed across from him, he knew that he'd be sharing with Blake, again. "Think we'll get our shot soon?" He asked.
"I don't know," Blake said, "but he's not happy right now. Apparently, Watanabe has deluded Power Rangers into helping him. I don't know how, or why, but they're resisting his attempts to get Watanabe."
Hunter clenched his fist, "I want him," he said, or rather growled, "I want Watanabe for myself."
"We'll get him," Blake replied, "those posers might defeat monsters, but I doubt even they can stand against us."
Blake stood and walked over to a screen, "Want to see their battle?" He asked.
Hunter nodded and the screen lit up as Blake touched some buttons. When Blake sat beside him, Hunter focused on the screen as a child's whispered voice tickled his mind, "Don't worry Mom, I'll take care of Blake. No body will ever hurt him."
