He can't hear me…he can't hear me over the storm…and I'll never get there in time. Then Blake turned to look toward him; he heard the warning! And, for a fraction of a second, Cam thought it might work – Blake might move fast enough to get away. But the Tyranodrone was too close and it never slowed as it closed in.
Cam didn't know how it was possible, but the thud of the Tyranodrone impaling Blake carried clearly over the sounds of the storm. It was a sound Cam would hear echoed in his nightmares for the rest of his life.
Got to get there…have to move faster… No matter how much Cam implored his body to respond, it seemed as though everything was happening at super-slow speed, and just out of his reach.
The fact that Kira had collapsed next to the fountain barely registered with Cam. A part of him knew that her defenses were totally down and the drone attacking her would have a clear opening for a kill. But Cam couldn't help Kira; his focus was completely on Blake. He crashed with all the force he could muster into the back of the Tyranodrone standing on the fountain. The impact didn't knock the drone down, but it did cause it to lose its balance and forced it to lower Blake back onto the fountain.
Cam drew back preparing for another strike at the Tyranodrone when a gust of wind pushed him off the fountain causing him to lose his footing and fall to the cobblestones.
I DON'T' HAVE TIME TO FIGHT THE WIND!
Cam found himself scrambling again to get to his feet, but the storm was working against him. Cursing fervently in Japanese, Cam struggled against the wind. He had been knocked far enough away that he could clearly see the last moment of communication between Hunter and Blake. He wasn't a "heart" type like Blake, but you'd have to be dead not to hear Hunter's heart breaking.
With no regard for Blake, the Tyranodrone planted its foot on his back and pushed him off his spear. Blake slid bonelessly onto the edge of the fountain; his right arm floating in the rising waters, his left dangling off the rim. Cam stared in rapt fascination at the pink waterfall falling away from Blake's body.
This can't be happening…
Cam didn't have to see Hunter to understand what happened next. The whole world exploded as the storm responded to his agony and despair. Lightning engulfed the drone standing on the fountain, and the one about to strike Kira a deadly blow. Though she had remained morphed during the assault on Blake which was a purely physical attack, she couldn't retain her morphed form dealing with the emotional fallout from Hunter. Giving voice to Hunter's pain, Kira wailed like a banshee as she curled as far into herself as she could in an attempt to escape the emotional storm around her.
In that first moment, Cam was certain they'd all be killed – Hunter had completely lost control of himself and the storm. Windows of the buildings around them exploded as the thunder and lightning pounded the courtyard, spraying shards of glass in all directions. Two trees near the fountain were ripped up by their roots and sent crashing to the court house steps. But, Cam's only thought was getting to Blake. It just wasn't right leaving him there, exposed to the elements.
Cam fought his way over to where Blake lay. It grieved him to see the gaping wound in his back. Cam grabbed Blake under his arms and pulled him up against his chest. A sudden tingling warned of an impending lightning strike. Cam threw himself away from the fountain carrying Blake to the ground with him. Cam landed flat on his back with Blake cradled in his arms. There, on the ground, in the driving gale – that when Cam realized all hope was not lost. It wasn't just the power from the lightning he was feeling, there was power in Blake as well.
It makes sense! He was drawing on the power of the storm to help Kira fly. He was still drawing on the storm when he was injured. The storm itself is keeping him alive right now!
As quickly as hope rose in Cam's heart, it plummeted. Cam knew very little about the power of the Thunder ninjas. He knew some basic information he'd picked up from Hunter and Blake when they'd lived at Ninja Ops in the time before the Thunder Ninja Academy was restored. If there was any one person who was in a position to help Blake, it was Hunter…and he'd lost his mind.
No, he hasn't lost his mind; he's just crazy with grief. I can take that grief away…if he doesn't kill me first.
Cam dragged Blake over to the meager shelter of the coffee kiosk. It was still standing against the wind, though the awning had been ripped off and offered no protection from the rain. Cam was afraid to take him inside either building and out of the storm; if it was the storm keeping him alive right now, he ought to be kept in the thick of it. Part of Cam realized that the tenor of the storm had changed; it was focused once again. The lightning was so rapid that the courtyard was in a permanent state of light, and Cam could see that Hunter was concentrated on an actual target. Cam propped Blake up against the machinery of the kiosk and peered around the edge to assess the situation.
The figure that Cam had seen Conner fighting had erected a glowing dome of power around them. Now that Cam had a closer view he came to the conclusion that it must be Zeltrax Conner was fighting – he fit the description Shane had given him earlier. Conner was clearly at a disadvantage; even as Cam watched, Conner's morph exploded around him, and he was left curled up in his human form. The only good thing Cam could tell was that even in his unmorphed form, he still seemed to be defending himself against the energy beam that was mercilessly bearing down on him. It looked to Cam like he couldn't withstand too much more – it was a race between Hunter with his lightning and Zeltrax with his energy beam; who could crack their target first?
Cam was distracted by a movement near his elbow – it was Ethan dragging Kira into the kiosk. Of the three Dino Rangers, Ethan was the only one still in his morphed form. Cam didn't even attempt to speak; he just made a "stay here" gesture to Ethan. It wasn't like Ethan had much of a choice; Kira had pretty much wrapped herself around his torso attempting to use him as a buffer against the rampant emotions flaring all around her. As much as Cam hated leaving Blake, he had to get Hunter and bring the Bradleys together. It gave him the tiniest bit of comfort that Ethan and Kira were there and Blake wasn't alone.
But, if any more of those enhanced drones drop in, they're all dead. Something made Cam think no more were coming. The addition of Zeltrax indicated a new level of the battle.
Cam crawled out from behind the kiosk back onto his feet. Getting across the courtyard to Hunter didn't have the same horrific quality as the run toward Blake, but it was just as difficult. Though Hunter had harnessed all of the electrical energy from the storm and given it a focus, the wind and rain were torrential and out of control. As Cam approached Hunter and the dome, he had a clear view and understood Hunter's strategy. It was obvious that Hunter was determined to get to Zeltrax – no matter what the cost. That concerned Cam; if Hunter used up all of his own life energy to end the battle, he would have nothing left to help Blake.
An icy fear encased Cam's heart. He believes Blake is dead. He won't hold anything back…why should he? Who does he think he has to live for?
With greater determination Cam fought his way toward Hunter. He could see the danger building within the dome as well. Zeltrax was building up another blast of energy; ready to let it loose against Hunter when the dome failed and Hunter had to regroup. As the dome began to waver, Cam's journey took on that nightmarish quality again – he was moving as fast as he could impeded by the storm, but it felt like he was running in slow motion. He could see everything just before it happened, and do nothing about it.
Then, miraculously, the circumstances changed. Maybe it was coincidence; maybe it was fate; maybe the power that protected them all finally stepped in to take a hand. Just as the dome began to crumble and Zeltrax raised his free hand for a killing blast at Hunter Cam could see a lone figure on a motorcycle fly up the pavement from the street heading directly for the battle zone. In a maneuver that would have made Dustin green with envy, the cyclist used one of the stone benches by the chessboards to get airborne, sent the motorcycle on a crash course for Zeltrax, and executed an aerobatic flip to land him within the collapsing dome between Conner and Zeltrax. The cyclist didn't hesitate, and flung himself protectively over Conner. Hunter didn't hesitate either - the motorcycle gave him the split-second distraction he needed to land the first blow against Zeltrax. Then he pounded him unceasingly throwing bolt after bolt of lightning at him.
Cam found that time had resumed its normal speed, as he continued his headlong rush to get to Hunter. It concerned him that Hunter was holding nothing back, even after it was very evident that Zeltrax had been destroyed.
I've got to get through to him. I HAVE to make him stop.
Even as Cam decided up on his drastic course of action, the moment of truth was upon him. He grabbed Hunter by the arm and screamed his name, but got no reaction. Pushing and shoving Hunter got no response either. Cam took a deep breath and went for a frontal assault. He swung himself around to face Hunter and grabbed his head. Pulling Hunter down, he got him close enough to scream in his ear, "If you continue this and Blake dies…it'll be YOUR FAULT!"
Everything stopped. The eye of the storm passed above them. The sudden silence was deafening. The air was still and heavy with moisture. Cam could feel Hunter trembling with tension beneath his hands. Hunter stood up straight; the blank and utterly empty expression in his eyes echoed the death of the storm around them. He wasn't breathing.
As animation returned to Hunter's face, so did the storm resume; its fury equal in intensity to Hunter's rage. He took a shuddering breath and grabbed Cam by the front of his jacket. All of his anger was focused at the samurai in his grasp. "NOOOO!"
Cam couldn't give Hunter a chance to think. Instead of attempting to get away from Hunter, Cam pushed himself further into his grip. Forcing Hunter's arms back against his chest, Cam wrapped him in an embrace. He focused every shred of his mind, every ounce of his power into making Hunter understand.
BLAKE IS NOT DEAD!
NO!
BLAKE IS NOT DEAD! YOU HAVE A CHANCE TO SAVE HIM!
No!
Cam couldn't understand why Hunter was fighting so hard against the idea that Blake had survived; he should be ecstatic! Hunter was trembling again in Cam's grip; Cam was reminded of the nights he had spent talking with Hunter after the Crimson Ranger woke from the recurring nightmare of trying to kill Blake on Lothor's island. Then he understood. Hunter couldn't allow himself to believe that Blake survived the Tyranodrone's attack because if he tried to help now and failed his brother's death would be on his hands. He'd chosen to help Conner because he couldn't help Blake; or he thought he couldn't help Blake. If Blake died now, because of the choice Hunter had made, Hunter would not be able to live with himself. A shudder wracked Cam's slight frame – Then we just can't let that happen.
Hunter…it's the storm that's keeping him alive. The power of the storm. Do you understand?
Hunter stood immobile, making no indication that he heard or understood.
Blake was using the power of the storm when he was attacked. It never left him. But he can't channel it now – you can. Hunter?
Hunter stepped slightly away from Cam, far enough for Cam to get a good look at his face. Desolation was etched in his expression; guilt and fear waged war in his eyes. All of his mental barriers were down; for the first time, Hunter answered in Cam's mind.
What if I can't do it? His mental voice was heartbreakingly sad.
We'll do it together, Cam responded with all the determination he could muster.
The exchange took only a few moments. Thrilled to have broken through to Hunter, Cam led him quickly across the courtyard. With a hand on Hunter's arm, Cam was amazed at how unimpeded they moved through the storm. I could've used a little of that before…
Cam was stopped short when Hunter froze at the edge of the coffee kiosk. Cam turned to him questioningly, but it was clear to see why Hunter had stopped moving. He was immobilized by the sight of Blake. Kira, who'd been quieted somewhat by Ethan, was distressed by Hunter's arrival.
"Get her out of here, Ethan." Cam ordered. "Get to Conner. See if you can contact Haley. We have work to do here."
Ethan didn't bother to respond. He expedited moving Kira by catching her up in his arms and bodily carrying her away from the ninja trio.
Hunter was shaking once again; Cam wasn't sure if it was just a reaction to seeing Blake so badly injured, of if the older Bradley was feeling the effects of riding the storm for as long as he had. Cam prayed it was the former because if it was the latter their task was doomed to fail.
Cam guided Hunter over to Blake and pushed him into a seated position. Hunter's gaze remained glued to Blake's face, and he hesitantly reached out to touch Blake's hand.
"Cam," he whispered brokenly as he tore his gaze away and looked imploringly at Cam, "I'm not a healer."
Cam looked back resolutely, "You're not…but I am."
An emotion that wasn't laden with despair crossed Hunter's face – honest surprise. Cam was glad to see it.
"Sit back, you need to be comfortable for this." Hunter leaned back against the cabinet beneath the counter of the kiosk. "Make room for us to sit." Cam ordered. Hunter was surprised again when Cam sat down within his embrace – he was expecting Blake. As Cam scooted back to lean against Hunter, he also pulled Blake over to lean against him. The two ninjas and samurai were stacked up against each other like nesting dolls, from the biggest to smallest.
Cam pulled Hunter's arms into an embrace around both him and Blake, resting Hunter's hands on Blake's chest. He then wormed his own arms beneath Hunter's. Understanding what Cam was trying to do, Hunter shifted his position to give Cam a little wiggle room – Cam laid his hands directly on the wound in Blake's chest, and Hunter laid his hands on top. Cam could feel Hunter tighten his embrace to securely hold the other two, and his chin dropped to rest on Cam's head. Cam took a similar position with Blake. Though Cam had no direct contact with the wound in Blake's back, he hoped that being within the circle of the other two would be enough.
Hunter, all I need you to do is draw on the power of the storm and pass it on to me.
Hunter was beyond the ability of snappy retorts, wound so tightly with tension that Cam could feel it in everything he did. Cam got feelings of worry and doubt from Hunter before Hunter deliberately pushed them aside and focused completely on channeling the power from the storm.
The power of thunder was not easy for Cam to use; he would have had the same difficulty channeling power from the Wind Ninjas as well. He wasn't like them, but he wouldn't allow the difficulty of the task to deter him from his chosen course of action. He knew in his heart this had to work – if it didn't they would lose Blake, and without a doubt, the would lose Hunter as well.
Funky in Fishnet - look at Akume's review for a clue to the mystery biker :-) Blake's fate...still in doubt.
Hybyrd0 – I love freaked out reactions, and yours was the best! (And, you're review 200! Wow!)
Jenna – welcome aboard! Thanks for taking in all 41 chapters – I know it's a lot, but I appreciate your effort
Manders – More ninjas in this chapter, I couldn't leave things hanging like that…but the plan is for the following chapter to focus on Mesogog's lab.
jedi4jesus & Crimson–Ranger…here's the quickest update I've done in a while!
AKUME :hugs: Welcome back!Long time, no review! Of everyone out there, I knew you'd know it was Jason on the bike. How? Because you know me so well, and that's a little scary. I have no idea if what Cam did in this chapter was what we'd talked about…refresh my memory.
Ben Skywalker – I love Blake and Hunter too, that's why the whole thing ..spear… chest…augh! – loved writing it!
Cmr - :evil grin: I love freak-out reactions. Great! Don't die, you've got to see what happens next!