September 13, 2010
A/N: So, finally chapter 13 is up. Sorry for the wait. This is most likely the second to last chapter in this story. Thanks for reading.
Chapter 13: The Blame Game
Command Center
Two weeks had passed before all the rangers were released into the care of Mr. Hartford. Diligent watch from all capable hands assured that Zhao Lee had not made any motion to disclose his new hiding spot. A quiet hum from the TV filled the living room. Will, Ronny, and Dax occupied the sofa, while Dom took up his usual spot on the ottoman and the trio of Jungle Fury rangers sat on the couch. Mack lingered by the archway as Camille leaned next to the pool table. RJ and Andrew took center stage as they co-captain the room. Each tossing tidbits of information that recapped or added to the growing responsibility the rangers were to assume: transforming Rose back (also Dai Shi, in Camille's case), working together (including Camille), and most importantly, saving the world from eminent enslavement from a vengeful, centuries-old Pai Zhuq warrior, Zhao Lee.
Elbows on his knees and his head in his hands, Will sighed deeply, "What about those two diamonds? The Angel Heart and Devil's Eye?" The black ranger wanted to vomit, his stomach churning as the weight of the situation penetrated the conscious of his mind.
"Unfortunately, my friend," RJ began, rubbing his chin thoughtfully, "those rocks are useless. You need spirit energy," darting a glance at Camille, "if I'm correct to use them and we don't want to lose more people."
"Isn't there anyway you can sense him?" Theo suggested, posing his question to the chameleon. Having been addressed forced the focus of the conversation on to Camille. Seeing tired, sad, and untrusting eyes on her made the rinshi general want to evaporate into the walls, but sadly, she couldn't.
"No," she answered solemnly. "He's a more powerful rinshi. I can only sense lower level rinshi," Camille saw Theo about to follow up, she opted to push on, knowing his question already, "not even his generals would make a bleep on my radar. While we share the same title, they are more powerful than I."
"Damn," Dom cursed under his breath.
Ronny sighed, audibly. The situation and growing disadvantage was just that – growing in size.
"So, does no one care that Rose is being held hostage by an evil spirit," Mack quipped.
"It's not that we don't care Mack, we are just looking at the bigger picture," Lily soothed.
"A picture which we wouldn't be in had someone turned to his friends," Will chided, quietly.
The red Overdrive ranger bit his tongue, still fatigued from the pain killers and antibiotics; Mack was in no condition to star in a confrontation with the boiling black ranger.
Seeing no further reason to gather the rangers Andrew called the meeting to a close, wishing them a good night's sleep. Though, being only sixty-thirty at night, the sun slowly setting, the now-retired-explorer doubted that any of them would be going to bed anytime soon. Even though they were old enough to know right from wrong, with tensions this high, Andrew feared for the fragile harmony the team was experiencing.
Dai Shi's Temple
Ling paced as Zhaol Lee sat on the throne formerly used by Dai Shi. Zhaol Lee's other three generals stood stoic beside their leader also watching Ling. "Ling, what is bothering you, my love?"
"While you may not worry for your spirit will solidify and settle in by next moon, I am not safe."
"Fret not my darling, viper. You grow stronger each day; the human's spirit will die very soon."
"Yes, but until then they could evict me. I need to get that stone," Ling growled, stalking out of the chamber.
Zhao Lee mulled over what his lover was contemplating. As justifiable as her thoughts were, he could not let her ruin his plans for world – universal – domination. "Let's go," he commanded to his generals. "We cannot let her destroy my plans."
Hartford Med Wing
Fran was not a person most notable for her bedside manner. Never trusted before with taking care of anything, Fran doubted her ability to take care of Theo. While the doctors in China permitted all the rangers to be released, Theo was still recovering. Timidly, Fran approached the stubborn ranger. The small cup carrying Theo's pain killers and other medications rattled noisily from Fran's shaking hands.
Theo eyed her suspiciously. I can't believe I was left in the care of Fran, the jaguar thought. Before Fran made it fully to him, Theo snatched the cup, not out of necessity but to stop the noise the jumping bean pills were making.
"How are you feeling?"
Theo paused right before letting the pills tumble in his mouth and down his throat to take in the question. "I'm in a hospital bed while my friends are preparing to venture into the biggest battle we may ever fight, how do you think I feel?"
Even though it could be argued RJ was the leader, or even Casey, Fran always thought Theo more appropriate for that title. He always deemed everyone's actions his responsibility and tended to harbor every failure on his shoulders. As per Fran's habit, she tried to find the silver lining, "Well, a-according to Mr. Hartford there has been no known movement from that Zhao guy."
Theo felt abandoned, shunned, and ostracized by the others, condemned to the med wing by his lonesome. Hearing that Zhao Lee had not made any move since the last they had seen him unnerved the blue ranger. Theo had been ordered to stay in bed, but something about that news called Theo to move. His animal spirit clawed within the ranger, prancing and dancing, trying to convey that something evil and malicious was closing in.
"Fran, help me," he grunted, pushing himself up. Alarm and panic shown as Fran's eye bugged. Faltering and unable to gain control of her motor skills, Fran watched the blue ranger struggle, hissing and cursing as he finally was in a sitting position. With meticulous control and determination to cause the least pain, Theo maneuvered himself to the edge of the bed.
"Theo!" Fran protested, trying to push him back into bed.
"Fran, something is wrong," Theo insisted. There was a sensation of relief and ping of pain as his bare feet touched the cool linoleum floor.
"Theo," Fran pled, "what's wrong?"
"I . . . don't know, but that's what I need to find out."
Resigning that Theo would not quit, Fran helped Theo hobble out of the patient room, down the med wing and into the Command Center Lab.
Hartford Backyard
Mack swayed in the hammock. The red ranger conjured different ideas that would lead to possible solutions to his problem. The crunching of the dead grass alerted him that someone was coming. The black ranger stood in the sun's path, casting a shadow over his friend. "We need to talk," the African American deadpanned.
It had taken Mack some time to explain everything, his feelings, his reasons, and his logic approaching the situation he had dragged everyone into. Reluctantly, Mack met eyes with a man he considered his brother. Will exhaled, the more weight – the more complications added to the spider web of a mess they had gotten themselves into.
"So, what now?" Will asked, sitting beside Mack in the hammock, the two men rocking back and forth. He couldn't fault Mack for helping Ling find the gems and releasing her lover. Honest with himself, Will would have done the same thing had it been Ronny.
"I'm not sure. All I know is that I will get Rose back, one way or another."
Will could hear the vengeful spirit in Mack rise, and it unnerved the black ranger. When compelled by a strong emotion, Mack often became careless and dangerous, not only to himself but to others around him. Will couldn't afford Mack to make a bonehead move because he wasn't thinking.
"I know Rose is your girlfriend, Mack, but –"
"She's more than that. She's my best friend," he snapped. It was silent for a moment when Mack's quiet voice wafted in the air. "I love her."
"What?" Andrew 's voice erupted from behind the two young men.
Hartford Mansion Study
Dax Lo paced back and forth in the library. From an outsider's point of view, Dax looked like he had gone insane. Something didn't feel right. The Overdrive blue ranger was not the smartest, the fastest, or the strongest, but he was the most sensitive, and something did not feel right. There had to be a way to turn Rose back that Mack had not thought about. The blue ranger jumped at Tyzonn's entrance.
"What are you doing?" the Mercurian inquired, titling his head, perplexed.
"Something doesn't feel right, Ty," Dax answered, still jumpy. Deciding to take action, Dax parked himself in front of the computer in the study and began to plug away.
Hartford Backyard
Maybe it was because Vella was an alien to Earth, unfamiliar to their costume; thus, their reactions that made her senses tingled with danger. Butterflies of nervousness fluttered in her stomach as Lily and Ronny continued to feed off each other's frustrations, sadness, and anger. As both blonde's voices rose higher and higher until they were angrily shouting to no one in particular. The Mercurian only hoped nothing crossed the two that may incite a confrontation. Her translucent silver eyes softened in disappointment as Camille came into sight. 'Oh no.'
Hartford Kitchen
Casey continued to peel away at the apple he was eating with his teeth. RJ and Dom were also taking heed in the kitchen, the only area to feel neutral. "I fear what this down time will do," RJ disclosed, crossing his arms and leaning against the counter.
"I know. I can't imagine what Zhao Lee has planned."
"That's not what I mean, young cub." Sometimes RJ's cryptic speak tweaked Casey's nerves. The red Jungle Fury ranger wished his mentor was more a straight shooter. But, that was what Dom was for. Before Casey could inquire, Dome spoke.
"It has nothing to do with Zhao Lee, dude. We should be more worried about us."
"A house divided cannot stand," RJ murmured, his attention outside.
"And we are hanging by duck tape," Dom retorted, sighing.
"Hurry," RJ ordered, racing out of the kitchen and to the backyard.
Hammock
Will watched the heated argument between father and son.
"I don't know why this is such a problem for you? Yes, Rose and I went behind your back, but we wouldn't have had to if you just would've let us be together," Mack hollered, his face explosively red.
"Mack, it's because of this very reason I don't let couples work on sites together. You get distracted and careless!" Andrew argued, gesticulating with his hands.
"How were we supposed to know a restless spirit was there? What's the real reason you don't let couples work together at digs!"
"Because someone could die!" Andrew barked; relief at what was finally said and brought to light. "My wife died at a dig site from a cleverly hidden booby trap," Andrew said remorsefully. Silence crowded the men.
"What?" Mack breathed.
"I was married, for only a few months. I met her at my old college; she and I were in love and we eloped. Sadly, we were so consumed with each other; we made the mistake of seeing to work together on digs. We were careless and in love, and because of that she died. I vowed never to have that happen again, and so Fate saw to it to have it happen to my son," Andrew croaked, tears streaming down the man's face.
"I'm sorry, Dad," Mack breathed, feeling ashamed he was so hard on his father. "I didn't know." His eyes down cast, Mack clenched his fists, thinking of how cruel Fate could be. A sudden high pitch, battle cry erupted a couple hundred feet away. All three men glanced at each other, racing to find the source.
Hartford Backyard
It happened in a blink of an eye. There, feral and animalistic, stood three women, each wanting to rip the others' heads off.
"This is your entire fault," Ronny accused of Lily. "Had you been able to take care of one bad guy, one! We wouldn't be in this situation! We had four groups of evil aliens to deal with and we got done in half the time."
The women circled counter clockwise, each waiting for the indication the other was going to strike.
"Our fault! Last time I checked, we were cleaning up your mess. You are the most bull-headed rangers I've seen. If I'm not mistaken you had to have rangers from five other teams help dig you out of a hole last time," Lily snapped, a smile of victory curling on her face.
"Well, I can see you little girls our busy playing house, so I'm going to . . ."
"No," Lily and Ronny commanded.
"You let this happen. How could you just watch someone helplessly bow to someone else just to have their small glimmer of hope to save someone they care for torn away," Ronny spat. "I've never seen someone so low."
Camille could feel her heart bleed from Ronny's words. She did care, more than she thought she could about any human and his trivial affairs. Despite herself, she masked it and off-handedly replied, "Honey, I'm evil, our mission is to fulfill our wishes not play nice with the universe."
"You two timing, double-crossing, ice cold, bitch!" Lily yelled, shaking with anger.
"This coming from someone who had to resort to coming to me for help," Camille snickered. "Who's the one crossing the line of good and evil, now," turning to Ronny, but still talking to Lily, Camille delivered the kill shot, "Although, don't feel bad about allying yourself with me, I'm sure the yellow Overdrive ranger can help. I mean, I've never met anyone who was able to so manipulate their image that they were able to convince a planet they were not thieves but heroes." Camille laughed, high pitched and fake.
Ronny turned red, steaming inside. For a split second, her eyes flashed with uncertainty. The Overdrive rangers were not thieves, even though they had stolen and pillaged sacred ruins and museums to collect jewels. They were doing it for the good of the human race – to save them, right?
Vella who was in between the three, pathetically trying to keep them separated, knew it was too late. Ducking and rolling to the side in enough time, she was surprised to see all three women still whole as she rose to her feet, again. Each woman held back by another team member.
"It's all their fault that Rose is some ghost's puppet!" Ronny screamed, struggling to break Will's hold.
"Says the planets quickest thief!" Lily spat, trying to unlock Dom's hands.
Mack was standing in front of Camille, who refused to mimic a wild animal. The chameleon's face spun toward the red ranger as he spoke. "This isn't any of your faults, except mine. It's my and Rose's mistake and no one else's. If you need someone to blame, it would be me. In trying to hide our relationship, we put ourselves, and subsequently you and the rest of the world, in danger," looking at Ronny, who's face, glistened with tears, "It's my fault," he repeated slowly.
Both women calmed down, the power of Mack's words settling.
"I'm not asking for forgiveness, but Rose needs us and so does the world," Mack continued.
Dax burst outside, finally having found everyone. "And we have to hurry if we want to save her. Because according to what I found in Mr. Hartford's old archives, a body can only host one spirit . . . Rose is dying."
Mack's knees buckled and he almost lost his footing, turning to Camille for confirmation, her lowly nodding was all he needed as his eyes welled with tears. "I was on my way to tell you," she said solemnly.
"Wait, wait, wait, how can that be true if Jarrod and Dai Shi are . . ." Casey's aggressive interruption came to a slow trail.
"Because he is a Pai Zhuq student with a strong animal spirit. Rose does not have an unleashed animal spirit. She may have the spirit of adventure, but that's not strong enough to stop her life force from depleting. And if my guess is accurate, she may be already dead, or very, very close."
Mack snarled at Camille. "Why didn't you tell me this from the beginning?"
"What would you have done, Mack?" Camille lashed out. "Fought Ling for Rose in Rose's body. You would have had to kill Rose to make Ling leave. A spirit isn't going to leave voluntarily unless it has to. It takes a lot of life force to move from vessel to vessel. A spirit cannot live without a host!"
"Then how did she do it in the first place?" Mack snarled.
"She was imprisoned within a specially sealed cave, which you opened for her to escape."
"Listen, I'm not just going to let Rose die. I can't, damn it! I just can't. I'm willing sacrifice myself if it means knowing she'll live," Mack said, his voice hoarse and tired.
"Whoa, let's not do anything drastic," Will interjected.
"We've picked something up," Theo spoke from the top of the balcony.
"Theo what are you doing out of bed," Lily chastised.
"I expanded and manipulated the search energies and found something on the radar in Brazil," Theo explained, ignoring the cheetah.
"Brazil, that's where the Spirit Stone is," Dax informed. "With that we can save her."
"But, why would they want it?" Tyzonn asked.
"They don't want to use it," RJ said, shuddering at the thought. "They want to destroy it, so we can't use it to free our friends."
Realizing the danger Dai Shi was in, Camille commanded, "Let's go."
Racing into the mansion to the zord bay, RJ stopped as Theo turned to follow. "Sorry Theo, but you're going to have to sit this one out."
"RJ, no, I can help," Theo urged. Lily, Casey, and Dom fell into step next to the wolf ranger.
"I think RJ's right, Theo," Casey agreed.
Theo's eyes narrowed, like he would let the red ranger get the better of him. The jaguar had to quickly think of a reason for his presence to be there. "You need me to help fire the claw cannon."
RJ held a pensive expression for a few moments before agreeing. "You are not to engage unless if you are needed to help fire the claw cannon."
"Got it," Theo smiled, following his team to the zord bay.
~ End Chapter 13
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