A/N: This totally came out of nowhere, but once finished I really liked it. I like to think of it as a look into the ancient forms of magic, plus redeemed Terrors are so much fun! Enjoy!

"…": characters talking to each other

'…': characters talking to themselves

(…): extra facts about something in the story

(Takes place after "Mystic Fate II")

Theme 32: Perception

Rock Porium, September 13, 2007, 4:30 pm – Briarwood, CA, USA

Matoombo was not stupid, despite his outward appearance. He'd proved this when he'd tried to find eternal sleep rather than allow The Master to rise again. His eagerness not only to prove himself to the Pink Mystic Ranger but also Itassis (who'd accused him more than once of harboring feelings for her... not that he'd admit to anything of that sort) had been branded as bravery and sensibility. Therefore, it only made sense to him that what he perceived was the truth.

"So, now you do this," Vida demonstrated how to effectively scratch a record to produce the correct sound. A smile lit her features. "You understand, Matoombo?"

"Yes," the former Terror replied excitement mounting. Being a "DJ" was quite fun and he enjoyed the various interactions and compliments he received for his work, but there was one downside...

"V, can I get your help over here?" The Green Mystic was at it again, Matoombo thought sadly as his friend gave a quick nod and placed her headphones on the table. The Green Mystic viewed him as a threat to his mating with the Pink Mystic but what was not understood was that the mating had already occurred.

'I do feel bad for them,' Matoombo thought to himself gently scratching a record. 'They do not yet realize that they are mated for life. They do not realize that Itassis' choosing of him to confront the Pink Myst – er, Vida, weeks ago and, in turn, the Green Myst – uh, Xander's, willingness to do whatever necessary to appease and defend her when their emotions were at the breaking point, the fact that they each would sacrifice themselves for the other without hesitation, all of this has cemented their relationship or, in more rational-sounding terms, their mating. If this was the Magical Realm, they would already be living together and working on a method to join their magic together to create a symbol of the bond... yet, here, they are tempting the Ancients by their attempts to ignore the bond.' Let it not be said that Matoombo wasn't well-read; even Itassis had admitted that he was more knowledgeable about the Ancients and the ways of old than she. That was why he had been so feared and why he had been dragged into the organization of the Ten Terrors – they had threatened his family with death if he did not join... and yet, when he had, his family had perished in the fighting.

"Are they refusing it yet again?" came a voice and Matoombo looked up only to nod. The feline-appearing Itassis merely sighed and watched the Green and Pink Mystics argue once more. "How much longer before the situation is brought to a head?"

Matoombo watched his friend and her mate for a few moments before responding, "A few days, I believe."

"Then what?" Itassis cursed her innate curiosity to learn more about the human world and, now, the lore of the Ancients.

Matoombo picked up Vida's headphones, fingering them before softly replying, "If they do not resolve their issues and begin to create the bond of their mating then, I believe, that the Ancients may take drastic measures." He looked at his friend's calculating expression. "Unfortunately, it is not our directive to interfere."

Itassis huffed, annoyed. "I do hate to sound like the Princess of the Vampires, but why not?"

Matoombo chuckled, the deep sound reverberating around the music area. "My dear Itassis, do you wish to get on Vida's bad side?" He sounded proud and considering that he had recently begun to look on all of the humans as his family, Vida in particular, it was not out of place.

Itassis looked over at the two Rangers, who were now at each other's throats and, closing her eyes could see the commencement of the melding of their two auras into one. She shook her head. "No, I suppose not. Although, I believe that they are realizing something at this moment." She motioned for Matoombo to watch the scene and both grinned to see Xander suddenly drag Vida into a heated, rather passionate-looking kiss. With that, both of their auras flared (only the two former Terrors could see this), joining as one.

"The Ancients are pleased," was all Matoombo said before returning to his new hobby of "DJing". Itassis, intrigued, stood next to him and watched the creation of music while the two Rangers discreetly snuck off to somewhere private and far away from prying eyes to finish what had been started.