Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers. I think Saban owns them again. It was Disney for a while, but whoever owns them, it's definitely not me.
AN: Here's chapter 7! Thanks for all the great reviews. Enjoy and let me know what you think!
AN 2: Set in 2007 following the Operation Overdrive episode "Once a Ranger". Everything after that episode is AU.
Crimson Rising
Chapter 7: Hope Is So Far Away
Memories that Fade
Colors that run
Shadows that fall upon us all
Imagine no more war
Something we all crave for
Hope
Hope is so far away
Yet with each passing day, we want it so much more
I can scream but will anyone listen?
I can run but is anyone coming?
Hope is close but it's still so distant
It's in our hands just to make it happen
Song: Hope Is So Far Away
Artist: Eyeshine
Silver Hills
Two hours later, at about two in the afternoon, Hunter and Tori sped past the city limits sign that read Silver Hills. Tori guided Hunter from the directions they had gotten at their last stop to the Silver Guardians headquarters. After parking, they walked hand in hand toward the building, but they were promptly stopped by two men wearing uniforms and caps with the Silver Guardians logo on it.
"Civilians aren't allowed past this point," one of them said sternly.
"We're here to see Wes Collins and Eric Meyers," Tori said politely.
"Commander Collins and Commander Meyers are very busy men. You'll need to schedule an appointment and come back later," the other replied.
"It's really important that we see them now," Hunter insisted.
"And it's like I told the young lady. Come back when you have an appointment. Leave now or we'll have to escort you from the grounds," the first one said, as he grabbed Tori's arm.
"Let go of me," she cried, surprising him by twisting his arm and releasing herself with ease. He foolishly made a grab for her again, but Hunter was in his face this time.
"Trust me dude, you don't want to touch her again if you value your health," he threatened.
"Threatening an officer can get you thirty days in jail," the officer threatened back. But Hunter only smirked.
"You'll have to catch us first," Hunter said. They were preparing to Ninja streak when a voice called out to the officers. They immediately stood at attention and saluted.
"At ease men," Wes Collins ordered.
"Sir, these trespassers claim they need to speak with you and Commander Meyers," the officer reported.
"You two must be Hunter Bradley and Tori Hanson," Wes said. The pair looked at each other in surprise. Another dark haired, smirking man joined him.
"Dr. Oliver called us. Follow us," Eric said.
"Sorry about the welcoming committee," Wes said.
"I still think we should have seen what you two got. It would have been fun to see those two dimwits get their asses kicked," Eric mused.
"Tori could have easily taken them both by herself, but I like to have fun too," Hunter said with a smirk.
"Wes Collins," he introduced, shaking their hands.
"Eric Meyers," Eric said.
"I'm a little confused. Adam thought it would be best not to call anyone that was in the state. They were only going to make calls to those not easily reachable in person," Tori said. Wes and Eric exchanged a nervous glance.
"What's going on?" Hunter asked, picking up on it right away.
"Things have changed. Mariner Bay has been destroyed," Wes said gravely.
"What?!" Tori exclaimed.
"And the Lightspeed rangers?" Hunter asked.
"Chad and Joel, their blue and green rangers, were killed, along with their technical advisor, Angela Fairweather, and head of the aqua base, Captain Mitchell. Despite their grief, the other four remaining rangers are leading the rescue efforts. Thousands are dead and hundreds more are injured or missing," Eric said. Hunter gripped Tori's hand, as things suddenly took a new, frightening direction.
"We want to help," Hunter said. The two men nodded.
"We have a vehicle waiting to take us. We'll show you what footage we have on the way. It won't be easy to watch," Wes warned. Suddenly, they heard an odd squawking and looked up, only to see giant black and purple birds flying toward them.
"Oh no, those are the birds Rocky told us about," Tori said.
"Look out!" Hunter called, as two of the birds dived on Wes and Eric, toppling them to the ground. Hunter and Tori ducked low to the ground, as two more swooped over them.
"If you can still morph, then do it!" Hunter called.
"Time for Time Force!" Wes called.
"Quantum power!" Eric called, as they morphed into their respective ranger uniforms. Hunter and Tori stood up back to back and in Ninja fashion, pulled away their civilian clothes to reveal their Ninja uniforms, both black and trimmed in crimson and light blue respectively. The dozens of birds swarmed around them and were holding up fairly well, even against Wes and Eric's weapons. The Silver Guardians' weapons were only blowing them back, but they kept coming.
"Power of water!" Tori called, as water swirled around her and blew back the beaked creatures.
"Power of Thunder!" Hunter called, as he hit two dead on with a crackling orb of energy. One exploded and feathers flew everywhere. Hunter smirked.
"They don't like thunder," he said, as two more crackling orbs of energy appeared in his palms. Tori smiled at him, as two more exploded.
"I guess it makes sense that thunder is a weakness," Tori said, as she suddenly felt something sharp pierce her skin on both shoulders. She screamed, as she realized it was the talons of one of the Tengu warriors.
"HUNTER!" she cried, as he started lifting her off the ground.
"TORI!" he cried, as he Ninja streaked toward her and grabbed her legs. Tori shot water in its face and it dropped them both. With that, the creatures peculiarly disappeared.
"What the hell was that about?" Eric complained, as he demorphed. Wes followed suit, as Hunter examined the scratches on her shoulders.
"I'm fine," she insisted.
"There's first aid in the suburban. We need to make a quick stop in Turtle Cove and then we'll be on our way to Mariner Bay," Eric said. They nodded and followed. After wheeling Hunter's bike into a trailer Eric hitched to the black suburban, they got in and while Wes drove, Eric fiddled with the DVD player, while Hunter used the items in the first aid kit to treat Tori's scratches, ignoring her protests that she was fine.
"Oww…stupid birds," Tori grumbled, as the antiseptic stung. Hunter smirked at her antics.
"Hold still and this won't take long. You're not getting out this," Hunter chided. She huffed.
"Oh, like you're always the model patient," she retorted. His smirk widened.
"Touché," he responded, as he finished with the bandages and Eric paused the footage, while Wes merged onto the interstate. He played the footage and Eric had been right. It was hard to watch, which meant it would be even harder to see in person. Tori gripped Hunter's hand, as buildings fell, the people screaming in horror and pain echoed in their ears, and the blue Light speed ranger made the ultimate sacrifice. Hunter swallowed the lump in his throat and silently vowed that he wouldn't lose anymore rangers, least of all his own teammates, no matter what he had to do. He glanced down, seeing Tori trying with a great amount of effort not to let the tears in her eyes fall. She would cry, but not now. She would cry when they were alone in the security of his arms.
Eric froze the screen on a green skinned man with the coldest black eyes any of them had ever seen.
"We don't know who this guy is, but he's definitely the General of this merry band of green freaks," Eric stated, as Hunter made a note to memorize this one. He felt his element stirring in his blood, churning like it always did when he felt a serious battle coming on. He swallowed, his mouth feeling dry all the sudden and he felt hot all over. There was a roaring in his ears and his blood coursed like fire through his veins, as he stared into evil.
"Babe?" Tori's voice cut through the roaring and he was suddenly back to normal.
"Huh?" he asked.
"You were miles away," she said, putting the back of her hand to his flushed face.
"You're burning up," she added, recoiling her hand. He exhaled a shaky breath.
"I'm fine…I'd just like to get a piece of that guy," he covered, not really sure what had just happened. Tori gave him a questioning look and he flashed her one of his lazy smiles in reassurance.
"I'm fine…you know how I get when I feel a battle coming on and this guy needs to pay," Hunter stated.
"And he will when we face him," Eric tossed in, confident that he and Wes could take the alien trash. Tori didn't look so sure.
"Maybe, but I don't think the Lightspeed rangers are slouches. These guys seem like they're in another league," Tori replied.
"Maybe, but they were caught off guard. We'll be ready now," Wes affirmed. She relaxed a little, as Hunter laced his fingers with hers. Wes veered right, taking the Turtle Cove exit and reminded Hunter of an early question.
"So what's in Turtle Cove?" he asked.
"Wild Force," Eric replied simply.
Reefside
Conner answered his phone, as Tanya drove them back to the private air field where the plane waited to take them back to Blue Bay Harbor. It was three in the afternoon now and evening on the east coast. He had left a message for Ethan earlier and was finally getting a return call.
"Hello," he answered.
"Dude…don't you have a game tonight? I thought I'd get your voicemail," the former Tricera ranger said.
"Something way more important has come up. Have you heard anything about what happened today in Mariner Bay?" Conner asked.
"I've been in class most of the day, but it's all over the internet. That was some serious quake," Ethan responded.
"Quake? Is that what they're calling it?" Conner asked, as he exchanged a glance with Kira and saw Tanya look back at them through the rear view mirror.
"Uh yeah dude, what else could cause that kind of destruction," Ethan replied.
"Try a monster attack," Conner hissed.
"Bro, you're not serious," Ethan scoffed.
"Trust me Eth, the government might be trying to cover it up to keep people from panicking, but we've got a situation on our hands and we need you on the first plane to Blue Bay Harbor," Conner said in what Ethan would call his red ranger voice.
"Conner, I have finals all week. I can't leave right now. And how did you get out in the middle of the season?" Ethan asked.
"Ethan, you know that I wouldn't leave in the middle of the season unless the situation is dire. I don't want to say much more over the phone since I doubt this is secure, but trust me, you need to get back to this coast as soon as possible," Conner urged. He heard Ethan blow out a shaky breath.
"All right, I'll see what I can do and I'll call you tomorrow," Ethan said, as they said goodbye and Conner hung up. Kira gave him slight smile and slid her hand into his. He smiled back and caught Tanya's eye.
"How long do you think they can pass off what happened in Mariner Bay as a quake?" Conner asked. Tanya shook her head.
"I'm not sure. They can probably fool anyone that hasn't seen the sight for themselves for a while, but Mariner Bay's survivors know what's happened and I'm sure the Internet is already swarming with rumors by now," Tanya replied. Conner's phone rang again and he looked at the caller id, deciding to let it go to voicemail.
"You're not going to answer that?" Kira asked.
"It's my Dad. I'm sure my parents have heard about the coach kicking me off the team by now. I'm really not ready for that conversation," he replied, as she put her hand on his shoulder.
"How do you think your parents would react if they knew the real reason?" Tanya asked.
"What? You mean that I used to be a Power Ranger?" Conner questioned. Tanya nodded and he shrugged.
"I don't know, I've never really thought about it. I always thought I'd never be able to tell them," Conner responded.
"Some of us have told our parents, years after we retired from being rangers. Others have chosen not to in fear of less than stellar reactions," Tanya informed.
"Did you tell yours?" Kira asked. Tanya nodded.
"My parents are archeologists and were presumed dead in a cave in when I was young. But I never believed they were gone and thanks to being a ranger, Zordon allowed me to search the dig site. I found them alive and told them everything. I knew my parents would be proud of me," Tanya explained.
"Have other former rangers told their parents?" Conner asked.
"Well, I can only speak for my team, but it got a little hard for Tommy to hide after a while," Tanya said with a chuckle.
"And it kind of came up in the conversation when Billy told his dad he was staying on another planet to live. But Rocky's mom is really overprotective and was stressed out enough trying to raise all his brothers and sisters by herself so he never told her. And Adam still hasn't and refuses to tell his dad till this day," Tanya explained.
"Why?" Kira asked.
"Because Adam's dad is a cop and he's not very fond of the power rangers," Tanya replied.
"He doesn't like the power rangers?" Conner asked, floored at such a possibility. Though he supposed he was being naïve in thinking that.
"But without the power rangers, Earth would have been conquered long ago," Kira reasoned.
"He realizes that and he is grateful that the rangers have always taken care of whatever evil that has faced them. But he doesn't think they should be allowed to conceal their identities and should abide by the same rules and codes that police officials do. He doesn't think they should be above the law, at least that's how he sees it. The numerous times rangers have been turned evil only fuels his argument," Tanya explained.
"Wow…I guess I never thought there are actually people out there that have a problem with the power rangers," Conner replied. Tanya sighed.
"Believe me Conner, there are more of them than you think. I probably shouldn't be telling you all this, but there are even many that believe the rangers are the reason so many evils have flocked to Earth in the first place," Tanya said.
"Oh please, that's complete garbage!" Conner scoffed.
"Does Dr. O know all this?" Kira asked. Tanya nodded.
"He's the expert on it, besides Adam. They keep up on the chatter in case the occasion ever comes that we have to actively cooperate with the local or federal governments," Tanya responded.
"Let's hope they just let us handle it," Kira said, trying to be optimistic.
"I hope so too Kira, but with what happened in Mariner Bay, they may try to stick their noses into ranger business even more," Tanya warned. Silence left them to ponder their thoughts after that and Connor tried to imagine how his parents would react to knowing that he had been a ranger. His twin lived in Blue Bay Harbor with his dad while his mom was still in Reefside. Eric would soon know since he attended the Wind Ninja Academy and Conner decided that first; he would break the news to Eric before making a decision about telling his parents.
San Diego
Blake Bradley threw off his riding goggles and helmet, as he finished his practice runs and cut the engine on his bike.
"Were you just taking a light cruise out there or actually trying to post your slowest time?" one of his teammates, Brian, asked. Blake shook his head.
"Guess I'm a little distracted today," Blake responded.
"Yeah, we all heard the shouting match you were having with your brother over video chat last night," Brian informed. Blake shrugged.
"I overreacted, but it still makes me wonder what could have been," Blake replied.
"You mean with this girl, Tori?" he prodded.
"Yeah, but it doesn't matter. She's happy with my brother and I think my brother is happy too. And for Hunter, that's sayin' something. I left four years ago and me thinking that she was just going to wait for me until I decided I wanted to be with her was a little egotistical I guess," Blake reasoned.
"Boy, I'll say. But you're the amazing Blake Bradley. I guess we should be used to your ego tripping," Brian teased, nudging his arm. Blake nodded, taking it in stride.
"Very funny…suppose I deserve that," Blake responded.
"Buck up man, there's plenty of fish in the sea. We're going out to get a beer. You comin'?" he asked. Blake opened his mouth to say yes when he heard a sound he hadn't heard since Lothor's return. He dug into his bag and stared at the communicator.
"Hello? You okay man?" Brian asked.
"Uh…yeah, but I'll have to take a rain check on that beer," Blake said, as he headed off without another word. Once he was sure he was alone, he raised the device to his lips.
"Go for Blake," he answered.
"Blake…it's Cam," Cam's voice sounded.
"What's going on?" he asked.
"Trouble…Big trouble," Cam answered.
"Nah, it can't be Lothor again," Blake refuted.
"I only wish it was Lothor. It's worse…way worse, but I can't say much more over the communicators. Just get back to Blue Bay Harbor as soon as possible," Cam ordered. Blake shook his head.
"Look, I've got a race tomorrow, I can't just leave! Besides, what can we do? We don't even have powers anymore," Blake argued.
"Look, I realize that this sucks the big one dude, but we're all gathering…as in all who have ever held ranger powers. We don't have a choice. We're staring down the barrel of the annihilation of the human race right now," Shane's voice sounded.
"I told you not to say too much over the communicators. He might be listening," Cam warned.
"He already knows that we know about him. Just get here," Shane's voice ordered.
"Got it…I'll be there as soon as I can," Blake said through clenched teeth. He angrily stuffed the communicator into his bag and went to his hotel room. After packing a few things and leaving his teammates a note, Blake hopped onto his navy blue street bike. Luckily, he was currently in San Diego for his next race, so he could avoid slow airports and make the 3 hour trek home on his wheels…
Turtle Cove
The black suburban pulled up next to the red jeep, where five young people were gathered. The four occupants got out and the two Ninjas trailed behind the Silver Guardians.
"Wes…" Cole Evans greeted with a handshake.
"Eric…" he continued with another handshake.
"Good to see all of you…we just wish the circumstances were better," Wes said, nodding to the other four that made up Wild Force.
"The Government is calling it an Earthquake, but that story isn't going to hold much longer considering that Briarwood is gone now too," Taylor informed, her eyes meeting Eric's in a piercing stare.
"Briarwood too? Are the Mystic Force rangers okay?" Tori chimed in.
"I think so. We think they're helping with the relief efforts. Someone named Adam Park told me that they hoped to send someone to get them soon and take them somewhere called Blue Bay Harbor," Cole said.
"Ninja Ops," Hunter concluded. Tori nodded. Tommy and Adam were bringing everyone together.
"If Tommy is gathering ranger teams, then it's safe to assume that he wants us to get the Lightspeed rangers and head there," Wes decided.
"That's fine, but who are they?" Taylor asked, ever the suspicious one. Eric rolled his eyes.
"Relax Lieutenant, they're rangers too," Eric said stiffly. She glared at him.
"Actually it's Captain now, Mr. Meyers," she replied coldly.
"That's Commander Meyers and you know it," he shot back.
"This is really not the time for your lover's quarrel," Wes warned.
"Try ex-lover," Taylor said icily. The tension between the two was thick, making it obvious that things hadn't ended well between them.
"I'm Tori Hanson, former Blue Wind Ninja ranger," Tori introduced, cutting through the tension. Alyssa greeted her with a warm smile.
"Alyssa Enrile-Evans," she greeted, a hand resting on her obviously pregnant belly.
"Hunter Bradley, former crimson thunder ninja ranger," he greeted with a nod to her and a handshake with Cole.
"Cole Evans, former red as well. You've unfortunately met our crabby yellow ranger Taylor Earhart and this is Danny Delgado and Max Cooper, our blue and black rangers," Cole introduced. Greetings were exchanged.
"Were you able to get your morphers from the Animarium?" Wes asked. The Wild Force team exchanged glances.
"No…and we're not sure why, but we've been completely cut off from the Animarium. I'm afraid we're powerless," Cole said regrettably.
"Then it isn't a coincidence," Wes mumbled.
"What isn't?" Hunter asked.
"Before you two arrived in Silver Hills, I tried to contact the other Time Force rangers in the future…but I just got static. I thought maybe there was just some interference," Wes said gravely.
"He's doing this. He's cutting us off from any help we might try to get," Hunter suggested.
"It looks that way," Wes replied.
"How secure is this Ninja Ops of yours?" Eric questioned.
"It's very secretive…but Adam said that about the old command center they had the first time they faced his Ooze guy. It didn't keep him out of there and I don't know if we can keep him out of Ninja Ops now either," Tori said uncertainly. Hunter clutched her hand.
"The higher the concentration of former rangers the better probably though and Cam has early warning systems installed all over the woods surrounding the school," Hunter added.
"Somehow that doesn't make me feel any better," Taylor grumbled.
"You have a better idea?" he challenged. Cole shot her a stern glare and she kept her mouth shut this time.
"All right, you guys follow us in your jeep. Fortunately, Mariner Bay's only an hour drive," Wes called. Cole nodded and took Alyssa's hand, prompting Eric to say something.
"Cole, are you sure it's a good idea to bring her along considering…her condition?" Eric asked.
"I can help…" Alyssa insisted, looking at Eric and her husband.
"I may not be able to do any heavy lifting, but I can certainly help in triage," Alyssa insisted. Cole nodded.
"She's right about that," Cole agreed. Eric nodded, as they got into their vehicles and headed back to the highway.