The Phoenix Series
Lightspeed Rescue: The Phoenix Prophecy
By xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Riding the Edge
It was a new day; but for the Aqua base life was normal - so far. Experiments were going off without any trouble, Angela Fairweather was more than pleased with her success in creating new equipment for the Rangers and she was also doing what she did best, avoiding Joel. Although he was annoying at times and acted like a lovesick little puppy she had to admit it was quite funny to watch him bound around her looking for attention. Today was no different. Aside from him trying to get her attention the conversations within the Aqua base were about one thing: The Shuttle Launch. Today the space centre was launching its Space Shuttle which remains in Space for the maximum of 12 hours before returning.
So while they were preparing for their big moment later in the day, the Power Rangers were enjoying some well earned relaxing. So far there had been no demon attacks -not that they were complaining- but when you're given the assignment to protect the world from evil demons and then everything goes quiet it's a little difficult to find something to fill the spot of fighting bad guys. That's why two of the Rangers were practicing up on their fighting skills. Dana was working with her father, Joel was following Mrs. Fairweather around, Kelsey had gone out into the city and Sabrina...well, the others had no clue where Sabrina had flamed out too.
She had woken that morning to a muffled ringing as her Cell phone was buried under her pillow, it took many attempts from Kelsey and Dana -who had thrown pillows at her and called her name several times- but she final woke and answered the call. It appeared to be good news considering from the moment she answered the small device to the moment she hung up a permanent smile had been etched into her lips. After the call had ended, she practically jumped out of bed, dressed and hurried out of the room, shouting over shoulder that she wanted to get some early training in, for reason unknown. At least to them the reasons were unknown.
Now, it was nearing 10:00AM and the fiery red head had just flamed in at the park not that from the Aqua base. She was bored. Her training had ended hours ago and she was now waiting the arrival of Hunter. He had called her that morning to say he had just left Reefside and should be in Mariner Bay within the next few hours. Sabrina remembered how long it had taken her to get to Mariner Bay from Reefside the day Dana came to collect her. It had felt like hours to her; but it may have felt like hours because she was also lacking in energy from the final battle of the previous day. She sighed and dropped down onto a park bench near the water fountain and sighed, wrapping her arms around her legs and burying her head in them. God she missed Reefside.
Not that she didn't like Mariner Bay, it was rather beautiful here; but there was something about Reefside that stood out to her. It wasn't just the fact that her family and friends were there, and it wasn't because Blue Bay Harbour was just down the road sort to speak. No, there was something else that drew her too Reefside. A smile laced her lips as the reason behind her attachment to Reefside entered her mind - It was Home. It was her one true home, no matter where she had been, what she had done. Reefside would always be that special place that she returned too, she would always return home.
The silence on which she had enveloped herself into was broken by the slamming of a car door; Sabrina's head snapped up and she looked around for the noise. A wide smile as her gaze fell onto a familiar blonde "Hunter..." she whispered, as her boyfriend smirked in her direction. Jumping up from her seat the red head launched herself across the park and into his arms. He laughed softly, as he wrapped his arms around her waist as he did his shoulders. "You're really here!" she gushed
"Yeah, im here" he said through his laughter
She smiled "Oh i've missed you" before laughing as Hunter picked her up off her feet and spun her around. When he stopped spinning her, she dropped her to her feet and pulled back, but only to arms length keeping her hands around his wrists afraid that he would disappear if she let him go. "I can't believe you're finally here!" she said, before hugging him again.
"I missed you too," he said kissing her hair softly
Sabrina pulled back and glanced up "Hey," she said, tapping her finger to her lips.
Hunter chuckled and leaned down to kiss her, he moved to pull back but Sabrina wouldn't allow him as she kissed him again. "Sabrina..."
"Too long!" the Red head complained "I missed you so much! Im never gonna let you go...again!"
The older blonde chuckled once more and shook his head "Do you think you could let me go long enough so I can get my clearance and equipment in order?"
"Nope!" she teased, hugging him tighter.
"Okay," he said, he placed his arm under her legs and scooped her up into the. She shirked in laughter as he spun her around again as she held on tightly, her laughter ringing in the air. Yup, she really had missed him.
"Okay," she smiled "I'll take you to the Aqua base,"
And after he put her back on her feet, she clambered into the passenger's side of his truck and navigated him towards the entrance of the Aqua base tunnel. The same way she had entered when she first arrived. Showing her credentials to the guard, they started the drive through the clear tunnel. "We're under water..." Hunter said the look on his face somewhat startled.
Sabrina frowned "Uh yeah..." she nodded "That's why they call it 'Aqua base'. You know Aqua...water? Underwater base?"
"Oh shut up," he grinned in her direction
"This isn't gonna be a problem is it?" she questioned
He looked across at her, seeing the fear of him leaving evident on her face "No," he smiled, shaking his head "Not a problem"
"Cool," she smiled; reaching over to kiss his cheek as they finally came to a halt inside the Aqua base. They were met by Captain Mitchell who gave Hunter the same speech he had given Sabrina when she arrived, before leading them off to the briefing room to discuss Hunter's new job description and to get his clearance in order. Once everything was over and Hunter was officially apart of the Aqua base staff, Sabrina pulled him out of the room to show him around the base.
-Scene-
The conversations between the couple changed quickly as Sabrina showed Hunter around; the only places he didnt have clearance for was the main labs and control rooms "This isn't the Dino Lab anymore," she told him "You can't just go anywhere you please down here...unless you're a ranger of course. But that's beside the point. The point is that you are finally here with me. Isn't that enough?" she asked looking up at him, with her irresistible pleading puppy dog pout.
Hunter tried his hardest to resist, but resistance was futile as he looked down at her "Fine!" he complained, before pulling her close "I hate when you do that," he mumbled in her ear. The vibrations of his voice tickled the inside of her ear and his warm breath made her shudder slightly. It was like back before they were dating and how every moment being around him made her feel like a lovesick school girl. Although she hid it well from him. Arguments and all.
"I know," she smiled "That's why I do it"
"I hate you!"
She shook her head "Nah you don't"
"...This mission will spend only a quick four hours in space" said the news reporter on the TV from inside the Rec room; walking past outside Sabrina stopped and turned to the sound. She pushed a button on the side of the wall as the door opened and she stuck her head inside, smiling when she saw the others.
"Hey guys," she grinned
"Hey Sabrina," Joel, Dana and Kelsey recited back causing the red head to giggle at them.
"What's happening?" the red head asked
Dana looked up "You remember that girl, Kelsey helped this morning? The one who's dog she saved?" Sabrina nodded "Apparently she's on TV"
"...what spectacular sight ladies and gentlemen," the reporter continued her report "the first -" the rest of the news report was cut off as six separate morphers beeped distinctively. Sabrina, seemingly being the only one not eating or staring at the TV like it was some new invention, hit the coms button on her morpher.
"Captain?" she asked
"Ladies and Gentlemen we've got trouble,"
"When do we not?" Sabrina murmured to Hunter who chuckled, and pulled her close "We'll be right there," she added, throwing Joel a look as he opened his mouth to protest. The five rangers sitting down jumped to their feet and followed Sabrina and the unfamiliar blonde out of the Rec room. She then grabbed her jacket from beside the others and followed them towards the car "Its times like this..." she sighed "...that I miss my bike"
Hunter smiled "Go and be careful," he told her "I'll have a surprise for you when you get back"
"Oh, can't wait!" she cried, clambering up into the front seat beside Dana "Hit it!"
The floor lowered and the rangers exited through the tunnel in which Sabrina and Hunter had entered earlier.
xXx
Before reaching the scene the rangers morphed, and then run out into the destruction. There high in the sky, whirling around at immense speeds was one singular huge Tornado! Debris from buildings was scatted all over the place as people ran for safety others trapped under the debris. The rangers immediately split up as they headed for different locations to help the people who were trapped "Its okay," Sabrina said reaching a little girl, who was clutching a stuffed bear to her chest, her blonde hair was tied in bunches either side of her face and there were tears evident on her face "Its gonna be okay..." the red head reassured as she lifted the large chunk of concrete that was threatening to fall on the little girl, if it hadnt been supported by a beam of metal. "Come on...that's it"
The little girl scrambled out from underneath as Sabrina held it, she knew it wouldnt fall; at least she hoped it wouldnt. But she had seen freak accidents before. The slab of concrete may have looked safe but one false move and the little girl would be a pancake on the road. Once the toddler was free, Sabrina picked her up and dodged the Tornado that had come their way, she rolled across the ground and then got back to her feet as she run to the other side of the road and put her down "Go!" she said, pointing to a store front "Hide!" The little girl nodded and run for the store front that Sabrina had pointed out, before the red head run back to help the others help other people.
The other rangers were reassuring the people the rescued that everything was gonna be okay. One man in particular had latched onto a fence but was quickly losing his grip. "Help!" he cried out desperately, Sabrina who hadnt been too far way spun around just as the man lost his grip completely, his yells echoed far and wide and next thing the red head knew was Kelsey and the young a man on the ground out of the force of the winds
"Kelsey!" Sabrina shouted running towards the Yellow ranger "Are you okay?"
The Yellow ranger nodded "Im fine!" she answered, "Are you okay?" she asked the man. He nodded frantically and quickly shot for safety.
"You're welcome!" Sabrina called after him, before she and Kelsey followed the others towards the Tornado that had disappeared from the city "What the -!" she all but yelled, but before she could utter another word an air bubble appeared in the sky as a fire demon appeared.
"Who are you?" Carter asked
"I am Diabolico," the demon answered
"What do you want for us?"
"I have come to destroy you're precious city," Diabolico stated "and restore Queen Bansheera's magnificent palace" and with that he disappeared like nothing but wisps of smoke in the air. The rangers exchanged looks, and Sabrina frowned.
"I just got one thing to say," she murmured "I bet Bansheera's palace can't compare with mine!"
The other rangers frowned and turned in her direction...this was so not the time to compare minor details. "Are you feeling okay?" Carter asked
"I feel fine," Sabrina smiled "Thanks for asking"
Suddenly the tornado reappeared and swept through the warehouses; causing explosions all along the inside "Come on guys!" Carter said over his shoulder "We gotta stop him!"
"Where's Shane when you need him!" Sabrina complained to herself, as she gave chase after the twisting, destroying, whirlwind. After chasing their tornado into the warehouse district, the rangers rounded a corner where it had to come to a sort of standstill just destroying everything in its view.
Using his Visor scanner Carter was able to detect the monster "He's inside the Tornado!" he stated reaching for his blaster "Rescue Blaster!" he aimed and fired a single round into the whirlwind, hitting the monster and taking it down. The air settled back to normal as the tornado disappeared and the monster landed on its feet in front of them. He was like a mix between a bat and something really ugly.
Sabrina's eyes widened "Dude...you are fugly!" she giggled
"Sabrina!" Carter grumbled, what had gotten into her today? She was all hyper.
"Don't you realize that you can stop me?" the monster asked
"Save you breath," Carter retaliated "My friends and I will stop you!"
"So it's friends that you want?" the monster asked "well meet some of mine" he threw out his hands as a horde of Batlings appeared
"He's got alot of friends!" Chad commented
Carter struck a defensive pose "But we've got each other"
"When did you get all sentimental, about friendship?" Sabrina asked the red ranger, before the battle began. Leap-frog jumping over Joel, Sabrina twisted around on the ground and sweeped the feet out from under the Batlings.
"Leap frog?" Joel chuckled as Sabrina fell into step beside him, as they fought back-to-back
The red head nodded "Yeah..." she chuckled "It's very effective and it also brings fun to a fight. I know fighting isn't supposed to be fun, but if you make it fun, then you'll have fun. Being gloomy is definitely not fun"
"Has anyone ever told you that you ramble?" the Green ranger asked "alot?"
The red head giggled "Everyone in my whole life" she responded "But im working on it...at least, im trying"
Joel shook his head and returned to the fight, he gripped Sabrina's hands from behind and rolled over his back as she planted a kick in a Batlings chest and sent him hurtling backwards. When she landed in front of him they clasped hands and he lifted her off her feet as he spun her around, the Phoenix ranger running across the chests of the Batlings and sending them flying. "Whoo yeah!" the two cried, as their groups fell to the ground.
While the other rangers dealt with the Batlings, taking them out as easy as pie; Carter was having a little trouble with the monster and was being thrown around like a rag doll. The monster threw the red ranger away from, as Carter flipped over and landed on his stomach before scrambling to his feet. "You can't beat me," the monster rumbled "im invincible"
"We'll see about that!" Carter yelled, running forward only to be knocked backwards by a series of flame balls. He hit the ground with a yell that caught the others attention as they ran out to help their friend. Kelsey, Dana and Chad made sure Carter was okay as Joel and Sabrina stood in front of him protectively.
"Look out!" Joel stated, as the monster fired lasers at them. Lasers that were lost in the flames of fire that wrapped around the rangers as Sabrina shielded them from attack. As the flames died the six rangers fired their Rescue blasters at the monster causing him to retreat. "What was that?" the green ranger asked, turning to Sabrina as the monster fled. He was referring to the flame shield.
The red head shrugged "Part of being the Phoenix," she answered "comes in handy, huh?"
After being in space, the shuttle was due to return. But with the fleeing of the monster the tornado had returned effectively knocking the shuttle off course. Calling for the rescue bird. They create their secret weapon the Rescue Bird Unilaser and fire at the monster once more. The laser hit its target and destroyed him instantly.
Sabrina frowned Man, monsters weren't this easy last year...or two years ago for that matter she thought not that im complaining! She added quickly, hoping she hadn't mentally jinxed that.
"Yeah," Carter cheered happily "Looks like the weather is clearing up"
Suddenly Kelsey's morpher bleeped "Rangers" Captain Mitchell sounded
"Go ahead sir," Kelsey responded
"The space shuttle is in trouble," Captain Mitchell explained "The Tornado hit the shuttle pretty hard. There's lots of damage. We don't think she is going to be able to land it on her own"
"Nancy's in there," Kelsey panicked
Joel approached his friend and placed his hand on her shoulder "Captain Mitchell," he said into his morpher "I can help out with Rescue 3"
"You won't be able to do it alone Joel," Captain Mitchell responded "You wont be able to land safely. You'll both crash"
Sabrina perked up "Send the Phoenix!" she told the Captain "I can go up and help Joel in the air"
"Wait a minute," Kelsey stated "I got an idea on what we can do"
"Great, let's hear it!" Carter intervened
Kelsey hesitated "I'd tell you, but you'd think I was crazy" she told them. She turned her back on her friends "Rescue Zords! Mobilize!"
After making the call, the Rescue Zords appeared. Sabrina frowned as she countered them...there were 6 "Six?" she asked, looking around at Kelsey in confusion. The Yellow ranger nodded.
"Six," she smiled "Ms. Fairweather was looking for you earlier," she explained "The Dash Rescue was completed last night while you were asleep. You know, thanks to the multiple shifts of workers Lightspeed has working around the clock"
Sabrina grinned and turned to inspect her Zord, although she had seen the plans she was now seeing it in real 3D before her. The Dash Rescue Zord resembled a large dune buggy with six oversized wheels, three on each side. There was a flatbed trailer behind the cockpit and Sabrina thought back to the Zords blue prints as she remembered that her Zord was gonna have some sort of carrier on the side or behind it where her Phoenix Zord would be kept, she guessed the flatbed trailer was where the Phoenix Zord was resting right now, waiting to launch.
"You call the shots Kelsey," Carter told the Yellow ranger as the Zords arrive at the scene, with each Ranger taking to their respective Zords, Sabrina readied herself to call for the Phoenix after Kelsey had given her instructions.
"Joel," the Yellow ranger started "Locate the shuttle!"
"You got it Kelsey," Joel responded as he lifted into the air with his Zord
"Sabrina," Kelsey turned to the red head "could you help stabilize the shuttle, while it's in the air?"
The red head nodded "I got it covered!" she said, lifting her morpher "Phoenix! Activate!" the container on the flatbed trailer of her Dash Rescue Zord split vertically in half and spread apart, as the Phoenix appeared in all its scarlet beauty. The wings spread and she shot into the air, while the container folded back down and became apart of the flatbed of the Rescue Zord. Sabrina smirked and flamed out as she reappeared inside her cock-pit; she pulled back on her controls and shot into the air after Joel to help with the Shuttle.
"Dana," Kelsey continued "Can you clear the highway?"
"You got it!" The pink ranger responded and proceeded to remove all cars from the highway.
Meanwhile, Sabrina had finally caught up with Joel "Hello Space Shuttle," the Green ranger spoke over the coms, the frequency on the same level as the shuttles "Rescue 3 at your services"
The two inside the shuttle looked out of the left window to see the Green ranger's Zord appear beside them, before they felt a nudge from beneath the shuttle "What was that?" Nancy's scared voice came over the line
"Oh don't mind that," Sabrina said over the same frequency "that's just a little nudge from you're friend Phoenix," she grinned "We're here to help!"
"Great," Nancy responded "But most of my controls are jammed. Including my landing gear"
Joel shook his head "Kelsey, im in position"
"Ditto" Sabrina agreed
"Alright," Kelsey responded "Joel, attach your cable magnets onto the shuttle"
Nancy frowned "Cable Magnets? For what?"
"We're gonna help you land," Kelsey answered "Sabrina, can you nudge the shuttle from below; just stabilize her long enough?"
Sabrina nodded "Phoenix can do just about anything Kels," she answered "Aint that right precious?" she asked petting her control panel. She then proceeded to nudging the underneath of the shuttle as Joel attacked his cable magnets to the side. The Shuttle continued its descent but at a much slower pace this time. As Joel pulled up, to elevate the shuttle out, Sabrina pressed the Phoenix to the bottom of the shuttle and continued nudging it to slow it down more in its decent.
"Joel, put the shuttle on my roof" Kelsey told the Green ranger as she sped across the empty highway
"What?" Sabrina and Joel asked at the same time "On top of your Zord?"
"While you're moving?" Nancy asked fearfully "you must be crazy!"
Kelsey looked up "Crazy is my middle name!" she responded
Nancy stopped for a moment before grinning "Kelsey?" she questioned "Hey, Kelsey is that you?"
"The one and only," the yellow ranger answered
"Well, if you think this will work," Nancy responded "I think so too. Let's go!"
"That's the spirit"
Sabrina shook her head "Beginning descent," she stated "Joel"
"All over it!"
As they got closer and closer to the highway, Sabrina dipped out when the Shuttle was level enough with the Haz Rescue. But at the speed Kelsey was going there was no way she was gonna rescue the shuttle and stop in time. The last of the Highway wasnt finished, there was just a gaping hole there. Lowering the shuttle fully onto the Haz Rescue, Joel pulled back, the clamps coming away from the side of the shuttle. Nearing the end of Highway Kelsey slammed on the breaks as the tyres screeched against the Asphalt.
"Kelsey!" Sabrina yelled from her Zord, as smoke filled the air. When it cleared the Rescue Zord 4 was safely situated on the edge of the Highway meters from the end. Sabrina sighed in relief as the Shuttle was perched on the top. Safe and sound. "Kelsey! That was one crazy mixed up plan!" she laughed "but you pulled it off! Nice one!"
"Thanks" the Yellow ranger grinned "Now that was crazy...even for me!"
Nancy's laughter filled the communication link; as the Phoenix and Joel's Zords flew over head, on the ground rolling towards them was the Pyro Rescue, as Carter extended the Ladder Arms and carefully picked up the shuttle and carried it to safety.
"Thank you," Nancy smiled "All of you! Thank you!"
With the safe return of the shuttle, Sabrina returns her Phoenix to the Dash Rescue she watches as the container opens from the back of her Zord and she lowers the Phoenix back into it. The wings contract and the container closer with the red head still in the cock-pit. Shutting down the bird, Sabrina then flamed as she reappeared outside. "Woah, now that was one crazy ride" she grinned, looking up at the other Zords. A flutter of wings caught her attention and seconds later the sun was blocked out as a dark shape fell over her. The monster was back. "Just once!" she shouted "Just once! Would it kill them not to grow big?"
"Carter!" Chad called "Time to step it up a notch!"
The red ranger nodded "Megazord Mode! Lightspeed!"
With all five Megazords forming together Sabrina frowned as her Dash Rescue remained silent "Uh...Ms. Fairweather? We seem to have a problem! I don't seem to be moving!"
"In order to get your Dash Rescue operational so soon," Ms. Fairweather's voice sounded "we haven't completed the Megazord attachments and software; but we're working on it"
"Oh," Sabrina answered "that's cool! I still got Phoenix! Take you're time!" she turned back to the newly formed Lightspeed Megazord "Go you guys! Show him how it's done!"
"Wind spin!" the monster yelled as he started to spin in a circle kicking up debris and hitting them against the Megazord, but it stood proud and tall. When the monster stopped, the rangers initiated the attack of the super punch with the ladder arms. They punched numerous times, before he was lifted into the air and spun around.
"Have a nice flight," Sabrina waved after him
When the monster hit the ground he exploded "That's the last of that windbag," Joel cheered
"We did it!" Carter grinned
"Not so fast," Chad interrupted "take a look!"
Despite exploding the monster survived, and had returned for round two, initiating the Lightspeed sabre; Carter destroyed him finally with a flaming energy orb from the Zord.
"And stay down!" Sabrina yelled
Nancy who had been watching from the shuttle grinned "Nothing is impossible for you guys!" she smiled
-Scene-
With the monster destroyed the Rangers ejected and hit the ground running. Nancy was waiting for them, Kelsey removed her helmet and run at the shuttle expert with her helmet off. The two hugged as if they had been friends for years, before pulling back. Nancy's smile was a genuine thankful one as she stared at the brunette in Yellow spandex "I should have known you'd be a Power Ranger!" she gushed
"A crazy Power Ranger," Sabrina commented, grinning beneath her visor "But she pulls it off!"
Kelsey laughed as Nancy nodded in agreement with the Phoenix Ranger "So what's it like to be apart of Lightspeed Rescue?"
"I love it!" Kelsey answered "but it's funny though; I've always dreamed of flying the space shuttle"
"Yeah?" Nancy questioned "Well after seeing the kinda of rescues you do; I think I should keep my job and you should keep yours,"
The two girls giggled in response as the others laughed along with them from behind. Wrapping her arms around Nancy's shoulders Kelsey turned the young woman towards her friends, as Nancy instinctively wrapped her arms around Kelsey's back.
xXx
Later that evening Sabrina was leaving the rec room, her senses where blocked by the soft beating of her music as it played through her headphones, her head was down and her eyes were glued to the small handheld Ipod touch in the palm of her hand. So she was really vulnerable right now as she didnt know if anyone was approaching her from any direction. Her mother had always told her about playing her music and forgetting where she was, but Sabrina never listened. So when she turned the corner and walked past a room, the doors opened as she passed and someone reached out and grabbed her; it was no wonder her screams echoed for miles around the Aqua base.
Ripping her headphones from her ears, the red head pulled out of the arms that had captured her and whirled around to glare at - "Hunter!" she snapped "What are you trying to do? Kill me?" she questioned, holding her hand over her beating heart. "You scared me half to death!"
"You walked into that one!" Hunter said through his laughter, as his girlfriend calmed herself down before footsteps were heard; and seconds later the other Rangers appeared.
"Sabrina!" Kelsey stated "are you alright?"
The red head nodded "Yeah," she responded "False alarm. Sorry you guys"
"What happened?" Joel asked
"I wasn't paying attention," Sabrina answered, holding up her music "and Hunter thought it'd be funny to scare the life out of me!" she motioned to the older blonde; before she noticed the other's confused looks. She then realized they had never been properly introduced to her boyfriend "Oh, guys..." she smiled "This is Hunter Bradley. He's the new Unarmed Combat Trainer down here...and he's also my boyfriend" she grinned up at the head Thunder Ninja "Hunter; meet the team. This is Carter, Chad, Joel, Kelsey and Dana" she pointed to each ranger individually "Im pretty sure you're smart enough to work out their ranger colours for yourself"
Hunter glared playfully down at her "Wow, that's a low blow Sabrina" he grinned "Being under water's made you mean"
"Nuh-ah" she shook her head
He nodded "Ah-ah"
The red head retaliated by sticking her tongue out at her boyfriend "I hate you!" she grumbled
"Love you too, Princess" he said, turning around and disappearing back into the room behind him.
Kelsey grinned "are you two always like this?" she asked
Sabrina nodded "Yup" she said at the same time Hunter's voice floated out from the room which was obviously his bedroom
"No," he responded
The red head frowned "What do you mean 'No'?" she questioned, turning to the door and stalking into the room. The other rangers chuckled and exchanged looks before they turned and returned to the rec room. They could hear the playful banter between Sabrina and Hunter from the Blonde's room as they walked away.
"Something tells me this is gonna be an interesting summer," Joel chuckled, as Sabrina's voice faded and her laughter was replaced.
The others nodded in agreement.
-Scene-
After the others had left and Sabrina had stalked into Hunter's room for an explanation the door had closed behind her, succumbing the both into a comfortable silence. Hunter's travel case was on his bed and was open; he was unpacking everything he had brought. Sabrina jumped up onto his bed and sat cross-legged as she watched him, her head resting on her palms as her elbows rested on her knees "Are you okay?" Hunter asked, glancing up at her, and breaking the silence around them.
"Mhmm?" she asked
He smirked "You? Are you okay?" he repeated "You're not usually this quiet"
"Oh, yeah," she nodded "Im just really happy your here," she answered "It's strange, you know. When I first became a ranger, I found making friends with Tori, Shane and Dustin a snap. Then there was you and Blake...and I know we sorta hated each other at first, I mean you kidnapped me! And tried to kill me! But then you and Blake became friends after that island incident -"
"Where you sent us to be destroyed," he responded "so I think we're even on me trying to kill you"
She grinned "Okay..." she laughed "My point is; I made friends with you Ninja's easily. Then I moved to Reefside; again, Connor, Ethan and Kira, we just sorta fell into step with one another. Me and Connor more than the other two, but that's because we had a common interest in Soccer -"
The Head Thunder Ninja snapped his fingers "Oh that reminds me," he said, pulling another suitcase out from under the bed and placing it on the empty space behind his girlfriend -she was hugging his pillow at this point- "You're mom packed a few things for you, but there are also a few things from the guys. They wanted me to make sure your okay."
The red head smiled "Thanks," she said fingering the bag lightly, as if afraid it would jump up and bite her
"You were saying?" he asked, tearing her attention away from the bag and trying to bring her back on topic
"Oh," she jumped, and turned back "Being a Ninja Ranger and a Dino Ranger was a piece of cake, and making friends with you guys was so easy! But now im a Ranger again, on the Lightspeed team; I've..." she sighed "I've never had this much trouble make friends before. I mean, there's a mutual like between me and Kelsey, but there's also one between me and Joel. I mean, their like a brother and sister to me already; I can fell the connection forming but it's not solid yet. Chad...I think he's nervous around me, I mean I've been a former ranger twice before and suddenly I show up down here apart of their team, of course there's gonna be a few putting off moments. Im used to battle, I know what to expect. Dana...she's like a shrinking violet, she's dedicated to the cause, dedicated to Lightspeed and her father. But I can feel a small bond forming between us."
"These things take time," Hunter told her
She nodded "I get that," she agreed "and im not trying to force it; im just saying I feel like an outsider, you know? I feel like im barging in on their lives. I know I came in on day 2 for them to help, and immediately I knew what to do; so obviously there is gonna be some questions that need answering and there's gonna be a bit of a void between me and the rest of the team. But I don't want them to feel that im pushing myself onto them. I mean, the first time I came here...Carter, he thought I was being groomed as the new team leader..." she shook her head "That's the last thing I want them to think! That im here to take over!"
"But you're not," he commented
"Of course im not!" she responded "Im here to help! That's it! I didnt barge into the Dino team and try to take over...I didnt on our team, but then again I was a newbie on our team."
Hunter had finished unpacking, and zipped up his travel case as he placed it under his bed and sat beside her "Hey, you don't need to explain yourself to me" he smiled, pulling her close. Sabrina lay into him, as she placed her arm over his stomach "Yes, you've been a former ranger twice! And im willing to bet, somewhere deep inside the other rangers are happy for that too! It's gotta be great having a former ranger on the team, someone to expect the unexpected. Im sure Connor, Kira, Ethan and Trent were glad you knew what to do, when they didnt. And they didnt judge you because of your former Ranger status, and they didnt make you feel insignificant"
Sabrina nodded
"Then give these guys time," he soothed "Just remember good things come to those who wait,"
The red head scoffed and shook her head as she sat up "I hate the fact that you've become a head teacher," she pouted "You're starting to go all Sensei on me!"
Hunter chuckled and kissed her, causing her pout to fade and a soft giggle to escape her lips as she kissed him back, when she pulled back she turned to the travel case beside her "Lets see what you've brought me," she said sliding off the bed and pulling it to rest in front of her, she opened it as he slid off the bed and approached the wardrobe behind them. Inside were her soccer clothes, jeans, tracksuits, Hoodie's, and plenty of trainers. "Thanks mom," she mumbled, leafing through the clothes, before frowning. "Did you bring my soccer ball?"
"Yeah," he nodded "But the others sent things for you too"
The red head turned to him "What do you -" she started but was cut off as her gaze landed on the dress that was now hanging on the outside of his wardrobe. It was her Prom dress. She moved forward and run it beneath her fingers, she honestly thought she wasnt gonna see it after Prom night; but then again she didnt get to go to Prom.
"You're mother packed it," he told her "Maybe we'll have an occasion to use it down here" he smiled down at her
She returned his smile and touched her dress softly once more; it was placed carefully inside a plastic covered bag, and Hunter hung it back inside his wardrobe "You guard that with your life," she told him "I never got to wear it!"
"I thought you didnt like dresses?" he questioned
She shook her head "I don't, but it's my Prom dress!"
"Okay," he promised "I'll keep it safe"
"Good!" she nodded turning back to the bed and frowning as she pulled out a soccer duffle bag, that she recognized as her Blue Bay Dolphin practice bag "What's this?"
"Items from Connor and the others," he told her
She nodded "Cool," she then opened it and grinned as she pulled out a new Soccer ball with the words 'Soccer Super Star,' etched into the side in Flaming Gold letters, with small Phoenix imprints over it. "Connor!" she laughed, before finding a note addressed to her, it was in Connor's handwriting. She opened the letter and read, a smile forming at every word "He wants to come here? To Mariner Bay! Awesome! Finally someone to hang out with...you know, besides you" she added quickly turning to Hunter
"Nice save," he nodded, reaching into the bag and pulling out a few Comics
"Let me guess," Sabrina said, taking one of them "Trent!" Trent was the Comic geek, and besides the Comic books were labelled 'Dino Thunder!' and the illustrations on the front were of her previous team, she smiled and placed them back into the bag as she continued to rifle through it looking for more things. She came across another letter, from Ethan asking if she could pass him along scans of secret Lightspeed technology. She shook her head "That boy needs to get a life!" she commented "Sorry Ethe," she stated as she folded the letter "I don't feel like getting arrested for treason or stealing...whatever comes first"
The next item she pulled out was another letter "Oh, from Uncle Tommy," she grinned reading it "Aww that's sweet!" he had basically told her that his door was always open for her and his phone was always on if she needed to talk about anything or she needed advice. "Any time, eh?" she wondered aloud "I wonder if he'd hate me if I called him at 3:00AM?"
"Don't be cruel," Hunter scolded
The red head turned to him "Sorry," she responded "I wasnt going too, it was just a plan"
"You were so going too," he teased
"Shut up, before I start popping in here at 3:00AM every morning, to wake you up!"
"I'll ignore you" he responded
She rolled her eyes "Of course you will," she grinned "You have weakness; I know you...I'll get ya, don't you worry. When you least expect it, I'll get ya"
"Im shaking in my Moto gear" he said; causing her to grin at him "Oh, speaking of Moto gear; I've brought you're Fire Bike along with my own. Did you know Mariner Bay has a fairly good-sized population of motocross riders? Not to mention Kelly wants to open up shop down here -"
He was cut off as Sabrina shrieked with excitement "Thunder Ninja say what?" she asked "Kelly wants to open a Storm Charges down here?"
Hunter nodded "Yeah. Tori's really stepping it up in the store at Blue Bay," he explained "and Kelly's making more money hand over fist. So she wants to open a second location and thinks down here would be perfect. Of course they don't know you are down here, they just think we've gone on vacation for the summer. So if Kelly can find a place down here, I think she's hoping Tori will move down here and she'll possibly bring Dustin and Marah with her...so you know, you'll have some familiar faces around"
"Awesome!" the red head cried, before turning back to the duffle bag in front of her "Oh, Kira's made more CD's!" she said, jumping happily on the spot "and she's sent a note. 'Hey Sabrina, thanks for introducing me to Abby. She's amazing. We're working on my next demo, and Trent's creating the cover for it. As soon as it's done, I'll send you the first copy. I hope you're having fun in Mariner Bay, missed you had Prom. Let me know what you think of the CD's. ~Kira." she read out loud "Aw bless...I wish you luck Ki," she commented adding the CD's and letter back into the bag.
She had finally come to the end of the bag and had three items left; reaching for one of them she pulled out two scrapbooks. With a small frown she opened the one that was split diagonally and had the symbol of the Dino Rangers on one side and the symbol of the Wind academy on the other "What's this?" she asked, holding up to Hunter.
"You're mom told me to give it to you," he answered "she said she's been working on it for a while now...open it"
"Okay," she nodded, opening the book and smiled at the pictures on the inside. On the first two pages, were two pictures. One of her and the Ninja Storm team (and exact duplicate of the one that was up in her room) and one of her and the Dino Thunder team (another duplicate of the one that was up in her room) there were captions underneath. Just the name of the team and the date and year it was formed and ended. On the back of the front cover was a little message written in her mom's handwriting. "This book is my memories of you; Make me Proud" Sabrina smiled at the message, before reaching for the second book. It was empty.
Except for a small message on the inside, again it was in her mother's handwriting: 'You have good memories of your past times. Now you can make some good ones with your new team'
At that moment, Hunter dropped a copy of the Mariner Bay Journal into her lap; there on the front page in full colour was a photo of her Phoenix Zord flying in front of the Lightspeed Megazord. She smiled and looked up at the older blonde "Thanks," she told him, as he removed all travel cases from the bed and dropped down beside her, wrapping his arm around her waist as they sat together looking through the book of her past Ranger teams. It included pictures of everything, not just her and the teams in Ranger form and in ranger battle, but also together in civilian form. It was like a baby book...only she wasnt a baby. It was more of a book of her life. Both Ranger and Normal.
The last thing out of the duffle bag was one of her most prized possessions. A small handheld red and gold soccer ball, she rolled it over in her hands before coming across the small verse that had been printed onto one of the hexagon shapes. The shape was gold and written in black was the verse.
"What's that?" Hunter asked, pointing at the verse, below which was a picture of a Phoenix taking flight.
"Remember I told you how my Grandfather gave me this ball for my 13th birthday and how he died 3 days later?" he nodded "Well, the day before my birthday, he had my mother get something printed permanently into it. He could have had it engraved onto a locket, but since I never usually worse jewellery much, he put it on a soccer ball instead. That's why this is one of my most prized possessions, that's why I always keep this safe"
"So is it a poem or what?" he asked
She nodded "Yeah. It's called 'Forever with You'" she explained "He didnt want me to be upset when he died, but you know what it's like..."
He nodded again, and read the verse over her shoulder. As he hugged her close.
Forever With You
'I know its hard and painful now
And your heart is truly breaking
But I just wanted you to know
As time goes on it will stop aching
I did not leave you there alone
I'm closer now than every
I'm in your thoughts, your mind and dreams
I'll be with you forever'
A/N: I apologize for the wait and I think the ending could have been a little shorter as it kinda started to drag. But I wanted to get all this in. You know the presents from her friends, the letter from her uncle the memory books from her mother. And I thought I'd give you a closer look at the relationship between Sabrina and her Grandfather. The Poem 'Forever with You' I didnt write it; I found it on the internet somewhere and it just fit with their relationship. And you now realize why Sabrina always carries the small handheld Soccer ball around with her.
Anyway; you're thoughts?
Review (cookies too all that review)
Thanks once again to Comet Warrior for the plot/idea plans. Gratefully appreciated.
~*Kara*~
All OCs and anything unrecognizable is copyrighted © and belongs to me xXxKaraBeckerCutterxXx
Chapter updated 26th August 2010 at 02:12AM