March 6, 2010
Chapter 9: Defying the Odds
Ichigo Temple
Rose turned to Camille upon the chameleon's return. "Did you do as I asked?" Rose hissed.
"Yes," Camille growled, somewhat languish, having to use her own spirit energy to complete the barrier to keep any intruders out. "What's this?"
"This seal will release Zhao Lee. Once the sun's glare looks down upon the temple, the Angel's Heart and Devil's Eye will be placed in her eyes, completing the ritual, reviving the Great Zhao Lee," Rose explained as she continued to draw symbols into the dirt in front of the temple head engraved on the wall behind her. It was the face of a braved-faced woman, staring straight ahead.
"And what about my great power I was promised?" Dai Shi asked, standing near Mack who was still holding the mummified remains of Zhao Lee.
"I will hold up all my deals," she answered in a sugary, sweet voice. "Don't worry. You'll get exactly what you deserve," Rose mumbled under her breath, smiling maliciously.
Ichigo Temple Mountain
"Is that a floating mountain?" Lily asked incredulously. The small island with lush forest was connected by a rickety, old rope bridge functioning as a leash. "Are you sure the temple is there? I still don't see it."
"I'm sure." Will maneuvered to the front, clasping the bridge. He choked the ropes that acted as flimsy hand rails, checking to see if the bridge was sturdy.
Casey's heart was ricocheting in his chest. His eyes widening as he took in the hundreds of feet they were standing above sea line. If that rope bridge snapped they would all die, the ocean water would do nothing to cushion their fall. A rolling fog blanketed the island and the three rangers shivered at its entrance. "Maybe if we hurry we can gather everyone and take the Fish."
"You mean the S.H.A.R.C.? And no way, we'll never be there in enough time. With all electronic devices not working, Will was thankful his pocket watch was an antique wind-up. "We only have twenty-five minutes. We're not going back. I'll go first."
Will slowly stepped on to the bridge. The wind swayed the bridge. They had at least a mile to go before they touched ground again. It was the longest mile the rangers ever traveled. They had inched toward the middle of the bridge. The wind howled, charging the rangers. Will, Lily, and Casey gripped the bridge with all their might. Will lowered his head; the wind was so strong it was making his eyes tear. Blindly, the black ranger guided his team across. Dipping under their weight the bridge moaned, jumped, and swayed, jerking the rangers all about. Lily lost her footing, slamming into the side of the bridge; Casey ran forward locking his arm with hers. They used each other for balance, but both looked frightened.
Will could make out the two stumpy wood pikes used to ground the rope bridge. A quarter of the bridge left to go and they were home free. Suddenly, a large violent energy beam shot up into the sky. It let out a pulse of energy knocking each ranger back. They quickly scurried to regain their footing. Two more pulses of energy smashed into the rangers, each one forcing the rangers to tumble back farther and farther. It was ticking like a clock, in between each pulse the rangers tried to cover more distance, reclaim what they had lost. They energy waves were getting stronger each time, the trees on the floating mountain bending to the waves of energy more and more. Another energy wave hurdled through snapping one of the ropes that connected the floating mountain to the main land, the force from the energy pulse throwing the rangers to the right.
Unprepared the black ranger slipped, holding onto two pieces of rope that connected two wooden step planks. Another snap and all three rangers were dangling. So much disproportioned weight and the inevitable happened – the last two ropes broke, whipping and dancing in the airs as the bridege with the ranger came careering into the floating mountain. Will, Casey, and Lily hit the wall with a sickening crunch. Momentarily knocked unconscious Will fell, motionless and completely dependent on the mercy of gravity. In an attempt to catch Will, Lily lost her grip. Before the tiger could process Will's falling body, Lily's scream brought him to look up. Casey snatched the yellow cheetah before she could fall any farther. Unfortunately, the sudden added weight broke the board Casey had his arm hooked around in two. The red and yellow rangers collided with a few more boards, crashing through each one before finally stopping, but by then Casey was sure that using his arm to slow them down ensured that it was broken, itself. Tears from the pain Casey refused to acknowledge leaked and streaked down his face. The tiger felt like his arm was on fire. Bleeding through his jacket, he tried to ignore it as he focused on keeping Lily secure. "Don't worry, Lily. I got ya," Casey said through clenched teeth, his grip around her waist tightening. I won't let anything happen to you, he promised secretly to himself. An image of two rangers, pink and red, popped into his thoughts. I won't the same happen to my team.
With much strength the black ranger opened his eyes. His vision blurry, he could make out a person with fair skin and blonde hair. She was calling his name over and over, but for the life of Will, he couldn't articulate his response that he was okay. Finally, Will murmured, "Lily?"
"Lily! Lily! Excuse me?" Immediately Will knew he had mistaken one blonde for the other, which was confirmed as his vision cleared to see a flustered and flabbergasted Ronny, hovering over him. Will gave her a goofy, innocent smile that received a less than playful hit. "Let's go, the others are already probably kicking Dai Sheets ass."
Will jumped to his feet running after his yellow counterpart, feeling confused and stupid. "First off, its Dai Shi and when did you get here?"
They stopped when they saw their friends standing at the mouth of the temple. "We just followed the large energy geyser. I super speed concerned for your safety and found to falling, lifeless. I – not Lily – use the zip shooter to swing and catch and save your sorry ass, that's all." Will grabbed her arm, a sharp pain stabbing his lower rib cage, instantly realizing he must have bruised his ribs.
"Thank you," he said sincerely.
Her feature's softening, a smile blooming, "Hey, now were even. You saved me in that underwater volcano and when the Fear cats tried to drain me of my energy."
Will chuckled. "How are we even? I saved you twice."
"Whose name did you say?"
"Okay, okay. We're even." Ronny smiled, trotting down the hill to join everyone. The black and yellow Overdrive rangers watch the Jungle Fury rangers release these magnificent beasts at a glowing red green barrier. "What's going on?" Will asked.
"RJ said there's a spirit gate, which is preventing us from entering the temple. I offered to help, but he said only someone who has studied Pai Zhuq and has great control over their spirit animals can break the barrier," the Mercurian informed, sadly.
"Hey, it's okay, Ty. I mean last time you broke through a barrier you got hurt and died, and by the looks of it, we already have several injured rangers," Ronny observed.
Casey collapsed to his knees, clutching his right shoulder. Seconds later the cheetah had stopped, dropping to one knee. RJ noticed the two stop. "Hey, take a break." The two young rangers protested, but RJ kept firm supported by Dom and Theo. The barrier shattered and the rangers entered. RJ instructed Theo to watch Lily and Casey outside, forbidding them to come. While the Pai Zhuq master was concerned for his students, he also knew their injuries would slow them down. Five minutes left, RJ reminded himself.
Will stayed silent, hoping no one would know he was hurt. Begrudgingly, Theo, Casey, and Lily stayed behind. A sense of relief washed over Theo, what harm could come to them there?
Inside Ichigo Temple
The Overdrive rangers couldn't remember the last time they felt like this. Their adrenaline running, running so fast their feet hardly touched the ground, the whir of air as they cut through it, turning sharply around a corner, dodging loose rubble, teetering over frail bridges, and hopping from pillar to pillar, it was a rare feeling. Four figures illuminated by a bright light bathed the rangers as they entered the temple's sacred chamber. "It over Dai – Rose?" All the air left the yellow ranger. As the four figures turned to face them, Ronny fell to her knees in shock.
"Wait – you're – you're . . ." Dax sputtered incoherently.
"Dead," Rose finished, a Cheshire cat grin forming.
Tyzonn stood as still as a statue, confusion and shock written across his face. Jaw clenched, fisted balled so fiercely his knuckles were turning white, Will spoke with eerie control, suppressing his anger, the hurt and betrayal he felt, "Mack?!"
"Didn't see this coming," Dom remarked, his eyebrows raised in surprise.
Looking forward, in a deadpan voice, RJ spoke, "I did."
~ End Chapter 9