Power Rangers and all related characters are the property of Saban Entertainment. S Club 7, S Club Juniors and all of their songs are the property of S Club Ltd and 19 Management. I am not a member of S Club 7 although I wish I could have been. (I also wish I were six feet and really good-looking, but ah well). My character is my property and can be used without my permission, but if you could ask I'd be grateful. The Night Rangers characters are the property of John Chubb. Also I have used characters belonging to Gundam Wing and they don't belong to me either. WWF/E references belong to Vince McMahon. Also any criticism good or bad is welcome; you can contact me at adampearlmans@yahoo.co.uk. The Lyrics for Hillary Duff's songs belong to Disney. 24 was created by Joel Surnow and Robert Cochran. The rat transforming spell was taken from the Buffy the Vampire Slayer episode "'Bewitched, Bothered and Bewildered'. The story of Rita's son was actually backhistory of the villainous Bandora from Zyuranger, for which MMPR season 1 was based off of. Finally Harry Potter and all related characters are the property of J.K.Rowlings. And Transformers are the property of Takara. DC Comics characters are the property of DC Comics. Also thanks to John Chubb who gave me some starting points for the story. And to the rest of the Q-Team thanks for the support.
1 Wedding and a Funeral?
By Adam Pearlman
Previously
Events have spiraled out of control for the Rangers, with the aid of Victor Drazen, the Emperor has struck at the Rangers and very close to home, most of the Rangers have suffered a loss of family member or close friend. Of the attacks on family only two survived, one being Kimberly's cousin Kelly, however Black Annie has taken her for her own purposes and made it appear she is dead and Adam's newly discovered cousin who survived thanks to the Rangers and a new ally the Green Lantern. Ecliptor meanwhile despite remaining evil, warned his former student Karone, which lead to him being locked away by the Emperor. While all this went on the new Black Orb Ranger at the command of the Emperor attacked and managed to send Zordon spinning into dimensional space, with no way to contact the Rangers. And now the story continues.
I sat and watched as the Orb Rangers larked about in the park, playing a game of tag with other kids who had joined in, it was hard not to smile at them, the 5 girls so young, but so resilient, though still devastated by the events of nearly a month ago and the loss of life had someone found a way to form a bond and become closer and though they laughed and joked, he knew that behind them was the agony of pain. For that matter, most of the Rangers had become closer, in shared grief over losing loved ones, the thing I could not understand was that both Tommy and Katherine's families had not lost a relative and it was not something I or they could understand until Zedd had suggested something to them.
"Perhaps your families have been left alone, because of your wedding. Perhaps the Emperor feels that it is a bigger psychological blow to you, to have your families intact while your friends aren't and you celebrate your wedding".
Kat had paled at that, the thought that she was causing pain to her friends was not a good feeling and even Tommy looked a bit, distracted by it.
Perhaps we should call of the wedding?" Kat said.
Tommy nodded and started to speak, but I interrupted. "No way, your wedding should go ahead, you guys have put it off once before and it's less than a month before the wedding, we need this, it will serve as a distraction of a good nature. Plus it will show the Emperor, that we aren't beaten".
"I don't know, I just don't feel comfortable about this, and I mean everyone else has lost someone" Kat said.
"Kat get over it, I know it feels bad, but as I said it's what is needed and Zordon wherever he is would want this to happening, the joining of two Rangers" I said.
"Adam has a point, I don't think it's the best thing, but we should go ahead, besides how can we explain to our families a second delay" Tommy said.
Kat nodded, though her obvious discomfort with the situation still shone through. That was nearly 3 and a half weeks ago and in that time, the girl Rangers had found time to start planning and helping Kat get prepared for her wedding. Meanwhile the rest of us had gone into frenetic activity of training. Kincaid and the Night Rangers had returned and between the most skilled Rangers, had begun training the less skilled Rangers in all forms of combat. The Orb Rangers in particular seemed to absorb the information and things they were shown with great speed. Meanwhile I knew I had to make a decision on the question of mentoring the Orb Rangers as Zordon had asked me to do so and following his disappearance I knew I could not turn that down and told the girls that I would look out for them and act as an advisor, to the best of my abilities. Meanwhile, one of our own was plotting unwillingly to cause harm to their fellow Rangers.
In the Nexus, the Emperor watched from his throne room as Black Annie continued to work her magic on her new project the unwilling subject of Kelly the Pink Morphin Ranger cousin. In the 3 weeks since she had been taken, Black Annie had subjected her to various stimuli of a negative influence, to attack her mind and break it down until it was in a state that she could mould the girl's mind into a perfect weapon for the Emperor to use against the Rangers. Despite resistance at first, the girl had proven to have a strong will, the torture as the Emperor had come to call it had finally begun to work and the girl was beginning to break. And Black Annie had also requested other means of a more natural nature to assist in the breaking process. To that end she had summoned monsters to physically assault the girl repeatedly and regularly. Goldar of the Emperor's universe seemed to enjoy it immensely, as if in some small way he was getting his hands on the actual Pink Ranger. The Emperor himself had shown total indifference to this and even now watching this he wasn't that bothered, instead his attention was focused on the other occupant of the room and he reveled in their discomfort. Finally he stopped the viewing and turned to face his companion.
"So did you enjoy the show?" He asked.
Turning to face the Emperor, Kendrix's expression was one of pure disdain and she didn't reply at first, the Emperor wondered if she was revolted by what she had seen or something else.
"It is disgusting, the fact that you wear the face of someone whom I consider a friend and you would order attacks of this nature on your friends, on me, is outrageous" Kendrix snarled.
"Screw your petty morals Kendrix, as you well know I'm not your Adam Pearlman and I will do anything to destroy the Rangers, including what I ordered done to you and to her and do not pretend you actually care, you are consorting with the leader of the enemy, you are a Ranger and yet you deal with the devil" the Emperor snapped back.
"What I do is to save my future generations, the Time Force Rangers tell me my legacy is to be one of evil and that being a Ranger is the cause of it. In the medical profession a surgeon cuts out diseased tissue, well to me as bad as it is, as soul destroying the Rangers are my cancer and they must be purged" Kendrix stated her voice emotionless.
"At least we agree on one thing then, so far you have done everything you promised, you have fed us vital information, such as the identity of the sixth Orb Ranger. Without that information we would have had no use for the orb it would have been completely worthless" the Emperor said.
"Yes, but you promised our families would be safe, you killed innocent people" Kendrix said.
"That is true, but like any cancer you don't just take the cancer, you take the surrounding area to make sure there is no chance of reinfection. Now I have somethings I want you to do for me" the Emperor said.
"I will do whatever you command to prevent my legacy of evil, but I want some things myself " Kendrix stated.
"As you wish, you can have anything you want since you will be instrument in my total victory, tell me what it is and I will grant it" the Emperor said.
"The Black Orb Ranger I want to know how you control her, my scientific curiosity is great, I want to know how you turned her to evil" Kendrix asked.
"Oh is that all" the Emperor said sounding disappointed. "Very well I will tell you, but this is what I want you to do for me, Daisy the daughter of my counterpart and Rachel I want her dead and you are going to help me do that" the Emperor finished.
"As you command, but how may I assist in this matter" Kendrix asked.
The Emperor opened his clenched fist and in it was a small syringe with a green liquid in it. "This syringe contains a lethal virus within it, when the wedding of Tommy and Katherine takes place you will go to see Daisy and inject her with it and then give her to Prince Gaskett who will challenge her father to a one on one duel for the cure, Gasket will fight and he will lose, but he will prolong the fight long enough for Daisy to die and my counterpart be crushed by his failure" the Emperor explained.
"A simple but brilliant plan, but how can I get close enough to her, her telepathy will sense my intentions before I can get near her" Kendrix said.
The Emperor handed Kendrix the syringe and a flesh coloured device as he said. "The other device is a blocker, it will mask your thoughts from the brats telepathy long enough to inject her. Now no more question, take the devices and go. I will contact you when it is time for you to strike".
Kendrix nodded and then before she left, the Emperor told her of what had been done to the Black Orb Ranger and even what was being done to Kelly. The Emperor laughed as he knew whatever happened he would have a victory. Kendrix reappeared in her apartment, so intent on what she had been told she didn't hear the footsteps and the hand grasp her on the shoulder and she whirled around with a startled cry before realising who it was and she said. "Oh it's you, don't do that, my nerves are already shot". The figure laughed and Kendrix relaxed and proceeded to relate everything she knew.
Meanwhile across town, another Pink Rangers nerves were equally, this time of matters more personal, her wedding.
"Kat, will you chill out please" Kim said.
"Tell you what, when it's your wedding, you can chill out" Kat said lightly.
"I will try" Kim said with a laugh. "And then added. "Everything is going okay, all the preparations are in place, the catering is ready, security is in place, and so your family is safe, stop worrying" Kim finished.
"I know, it's not the wedding, it's just the nagging doubt about having what will be the happiest day of my life and yet you and the other who will be there to celebrate are still grieving" Kat explained.
Kim sighed; she and Adam had talked about this. "Kat, we're all Rangers and we accepted the risk and I know our families weren't really included in this, but the stakes got higher as the Emperor has shown there isn't anything he won't do to win and we have to accept that there are going to be losses, we can't change that, but we can't not live our lives. So live for us" Kim said.
Kat looked at her for a moment and then she leaned over and embraced her predecessor and friend in a hug. "Thank you for being my friend".
"You're welcome and if you really want to impress me and you and Tommy have kids and it's a girl think Kimberly for a girl's name" Kim said.
At that Kat just started to giggle and then all the tension evaporated as she started to laugh and feel like she was doing the right thing. Kim watched amused as she realised her words had finally got rid of any nagging doubts in her friends mind
"So you and Rocky look very good together, when is he going to make an honest woman of you?" Kat said changing the subject.
Kim blinked and looked uncertain before she replied. "Actually we're engaged".
Kat opened her mouth and closed it almost fish like before she sputtered a reply. "You what, engaged already..When..How?"
"The usual way, we went out for dinner, he got down on one knee and proposed and I said yes" Kim answered.
"When did this happen?" Kat asked. "Why haven't you said anything?
"The night before everything went to hell with our families, Rocky proposed and we had decided we would wait until we'd told our family and then tell you guys and then everything happened, I lost my Uncle Steve and Kelly, Rocky lost his brothers and sisters and it just seemed like our news, our happiness could wait"
"You should have told us, I know circumstances weren't great, but it was good news and something we needed" Kat said,
Kim shrugged but nodded and the smile she had trying hard to keep off her lips emerged fully and the two Pink Rangers shared a hug.
Across the city a similar conversation was taking place between the guys who were also preparing for the wedding. The rest of the day passed very quickly, for once the Rangers relaxtion was not interrupted and the two soon to be married prepared to enjoy the last night of freedom, the only interruption was an attack by a group of Cogs but that was dealt with efficently and quickly by the Silver Guardians.
"Remind me to thank Wes and Eric for the increased patrols." Rocky said.
"Well recruitment has gone up with the Silver Guardians too." Zack said. "I guess Wes being a Guardians poster boy has its advantages."
All the guys laughed at that. Wes had decided to pose for a Silver Guardians recruitment poster after it was decided Eric wasn't "'photo friendly' for the part. He was a good commander, but he still had a bit of "'jerk' in him. I once said that I guessed the camera picked up a lot more than anyone thought. Eric didn't talk to me for a week after that.
After that week however Eric reluctantly conceded that Wes was probably a better choice for Guardians poster boy. As his image, and reports of the Emperor on the local news helped to increase Guardians recruitment. So that was a plus.
The following morning after a really relaxed and frankly a normal evening that they hadn't had for many months due to their extra ordinary life. Though the calm was shattered as Kat continued to get ready for the biggest day of her life. Across in another universe I sat watching the world go by, my daughter cradled in my arms, I had started to drift as the quietness soothed the young child in his arms, his drifting was halted by the gentle coughing of Rachel coming into the room. I started to get up, but Rachel motioned for me to stay where I was and for a few minutes she was silent.
"This must be an odd for you" she asked.
"How do you mean?" I asked.
"Well its the mother of your child getting married to another man" Rachel stated a touch of hatred in her voice.
"Yes she is and I my first love. At the time I would have given up my life in our universe to be with her forever. I guess your first love is someone you don't forget and she was hard to get over". I said.
"Are you over her?" Rachel asked, suddenly as if not sure she wanted to know the answer.
"Yes, it took a long time to get over her, it hurt worse than anything I'd had happen to me as a Ranger and I felt as if I wouldn't ever be able to move on, then suddenly something made that happen."
"What was that?" Rachel asked.
"You, the day I met you, I knew despite the early misteps, with my Ranger duties and everything else, I knew I had met the woman I wanted to spend my life with. Rachel I've said this before and I will keep saying it, I love you, I have done since the first day I met you and that will never change, your my first thought in the day and my last thought at night" I said.
Rachel neutral expression fell and a smile came to her face and I looked on, glad of the smile which lit up the room. Standing up I awkwardly pulled her close to me in a one armed hug and we stood that for a long time.
At Hogwarts, Hermione was approached by one of the younger students and asked to go to the Headmasters Office, she was slightly amused at the apprehension the 1st year showed, she didn't know if it was for her being Harry Potter's friend or for the events of the past year which had seen her transformed from an ordinary teenager into a superhero, not that anyone apart from Harry and her boyfriend Ron knew about it. She walked slowly to Dumbledore's offices, feeling quite cheerful, despite the recent events that had nearly shattered the other Rangers lives. Knocking on the door, she heard him say come in.
"You wanted to see me Headmaster?" She asked
"Ah, yes Miss. Granger come in, do sit down" Dumbledore said, motioning for her to sit, he waited for her to sit before he continued. "As you know recently we've become aware of different styles of magic that exist, while you are an excellent student and your extra lessons in regards to the Well of Power continue to progress, I believe it would be benefical for you to spend some time in America studying other forms".
"Of course Professor, one of my friends mentioned the Native Americans have a form of magic, a spirit quest and it sounded very cool to try, perhaps I could gain insight, information on what is to come" Hermione answered.
"Excellent, I knew you would agree to it and while I don't want to be seen to be kicking you out, perhaps sooner, rather than later would be in order" Dumbeldore suggested.
Hermoine nodded and then left the office to find her friends. She didn't have far to go as they were coming towards the Headmasters office , obviously having heard she was there.
"Mione, is everything okay?" Ron asked his features creased with worry.
"Everything is fine Ron, the Professor, has just suggested that I explore different aspects of magic, that it might help me in my other activities" Hermione explained.
"So what are you going to do?" Harry asked.
"I'm going to listen to him, Lizzie suggested a spirit quest might be good for me, for all of us. Dulcea seemed very excited, said it would bring her closer to her Animal Totem" Hermione answered
"When do you go?" Ron asked, clearly not liking the idea.
"As soon as possible, I really want to try this" she answered.
Seeing the look on his friends face, Harry took a few steps away to allow the two some alone time.
"Its not that I don't want you to learn more stuff and get things sorted, its just with your other activities I barely see you as it is" Ron explained
"I know Ron and I don't like it either, but I've been chosen for something and the world needs me, I can't ignore my responsibilities for a relationship" Hermione said.
Ron started to reply and then smiled and spoke. "So we're not dating, we're in a relationship then.
Hermione giggled as she answered. "Yes I love you Ronald Weasley and I always will".
Ron nodded leaned over and kissed her before whispering in her ear. "I love you too, now go save the world".
Hermione nodded and left to get ready for her journey. Packing a bag she teleported out and reappeared in the garden of Adam and Rachel's. Walking through the back door, she called out.
"Hello, is there anyone here?" she asked.
There was a brief pause of silence and then Hermione heard footsteps and and Daisy and Lizzie piled into the kitchen.
"Hermione what brings you to our little corner of the world" Daisy asked.
"Dumbledore asked me to investigate other types of music and I remember Lizzie saying about Native American spirit quests, so I thought I'd go and investigate and I wondered if the rest of the Orb Rangers wanted to come along" Hermione explained.
I'd heard the last part as I strolled into the kitchen holding David in one arm and said. "Thats sounds like a good idea, I was speaking to Jillian and she suggested going out to see her in Abeline, Texas, catch up and she said there is a Shaman there, so perhaps while Rachel, Dana and me catch up with Jillian, you guys can go see the Shaman" I said.
"Sounds good to me, I'll get in touch with Nicole and Dulcea and we'll head over there.
Later that day, having left the twins with my Parents, we headed out for Abeline, Texas. Meeting up with Jillian, she quickly gave the Orb Rangers directions to the Shaman and as they left she called out, "Watch out for him, he's a bit weird."
The five girls all looked slightly uncomfortable at that, but still they went off, Jillian turned back to us with a grin the size of a cheshire cat. "Actually he's like a pussycat, wise, but very funny".
"She is definitley part of your family, she has your sense of humour" Rachel said.
"Yes, its definitely a good thing there. So what have you got planned for us to do".
Jillian laughed, "Well I have another passion apart from the flying of course, I thought we could indulge in that" She stopped and saw my slighly worried look. "Don't worry what we're going to do, your feet won't be too far off the ground".
With a laugh we followed her until we came to a stables and I realised what she meant as we walked into see 4 horses grazing.
"Horse riding, great, I haven't done that in years" Rachel said delightedly.
"Same here, this is a great idea Jillian" Dana added.
"So what do you think Adam" Jillian asked.
"Well, it seems like a good idea, but you know, I really prefer the things I ride on, to not have their own minds" I said.
"Chicken, its good fun and a horse won't go anywhere as long as you don't spook them" Rachel said.
Shaking my head, I finally agreed and we set out to go riding. A little over an hour later I told myself _This is the last time I ever go horseback riding. No, really I mean it._
It looked so easy when Jillian did it, but then I realized she had grown up on horse ranches. And most of her riding had been far from riding side saddle. Especially since I saw the horse running across the plains and Jillian was enjoying the ride.
Myself, I was just trying to hold on for dear life....and not fall.
"How's it going Adam?" Jillian shouted in her Texas accent. "You having fun?"
"Whoa! Whoa!" I shouted trying to keep my bearings until the horse stopped. I thought I was going to fly off when Jillian took hold and held me in position on the saddle. We had stopped not far from a lake and Jillian thought it would be a good place to get our bearings.
I got off the saddle, gingerly. The ride had definitely been rough and I was not looking forward to the ride back.
"Not bad for a first try." Jillian said. I shot my cousin a look wondering if she was trying to be sympathetic or just stroking my ego. She then added "Remember I've been doing this since I was able to walk. You only just started."
"True." I said. "So how did a horse back rider get to be in the Air Force?"
I half expected Jillian to say "'Just lucky I guess." But her answer was not what I expected. "Always wanted to fly. Joined the Air Force when I was 19. Dad was sad to see me go."
"Yeah your father. Lee was his name?"
"Yep." Jillian said. "Always wanted a daughter. Got one on the fourth try. Meant that I had to have three older brothers, and you know how they can be when you are the kid sister."
"Actually no, but I can guess." I said. Jillian then chuckled as I then asked "So the sign "'Cowgirl' that you use when you fly?"
"Came from a mix of my accent, cocky attitude and killer wit." Jillian said. She looked at me and then said "Man if they listened to us they would never believe we're related."
I had to laugh a little at that. Our respective accents did set us apart. People hearing my British Accent, I guess everyone thought I should have been poised and proper as they did on the telly so much. Likewise I figured if anyone heard Jillian talk they would have figured she would jump on a bull at a moments notice, ride it to a rodeo, and win it. Jillian then asked "So what brings you here? Is it just the Shaman?"
"Hermione had an extracurricular project. And I figured since the project was close to where you grew up we'd make it a family affair as well." I said. Jillina nodded and smiled clearly appreciating the sentiment. "So what's Hermione's extra credit work?"
"Apparently Dumbledore wanted students to look into magic outside the normal Hogwarts conventions. Lizzie told her about Native American Spirit Quests and Hermione was interested. I guess she wants to see if Tommy and Kat live happily ever after or something."
"I heard stories about him growing up." Jillian said. "Some are creeped out by him. I think he's okay. Maybe she might even learn something."
"Maybe" I said when I looked in the distance and saw two other riders come our way. I sighed as I saw the two and was jealous about how they handled their horses. Rachel and Dana came riding in pretty as they please. Their horses giving them every break.
"Having fun?" Rachel asked giving a mischievous smile. I shook my head as I realized. "You're speaking to your horse telepathically aren't you?"
"Maybe." Rachel said slyly. There was no doubt anymore. Rachel was speaking to the horse with her telepathy. And for all I knew she was speaking to Dana's as well
"Don't look at me." Dana said. "I've only ridden casually, and that was when I was six."
"Whatever." I said as I turned my thoughts away from how girls and horses go well together and towards Hermione and the other Orb Rangers as they went to talk to the vision quest Shaman to see what he had to offer. Hopefully Hermione would not be dissapointed by what she found.
Not far away was an indian reservation where members of a tribe resided. Upon inspection the Orb Rangers thought it looked old and run down. "Can't believe people would live like this." Hermione said.
"Not totally by choice." Nicole said. "According to history a lot of tribes were driven off their lands by the white man. Many hearded to areas such as this."
"Looks like it's the land no one uses." Dulcea said looking out at the bleak desert. "Still it takes a great person to make a civilization from the bleakest landscapes." Everyone looked at Dulcea's clothes. Over time she had broken away from the green bikini she wore as Master Warrior of Phaedos and slowly edged into more conventional clothes as circumstances warrented. This was mostly due to her being in high school as she would have been mercilessly ridiculed if she wore it.
Not that she wasn't already, but it would have been worse if she wore the bikini all the time. As weeks and months passed she tried on different clothes until she settled into her Earthly style. Green tee (she was never going to lose that), blue jeans, a pair of boots, and sometimes a jean jacket. For Dulcea the look worked, especially in the landscape the Orb Rangers were in.
Lizzie and Daisy were silent about all of the historical lesson Nicole had given. For Lizzie the most history she knew was how the Emperor conquered her world and killed her parents there. Daisy wasn't sure what to think as the history she knew most was her own native England. Still she was getting some thoughts on American history the more she knew about it. Some tales were intriguing, and some...not so much.
Hermione however was focused on her task however as she came to the dwelling of the person Dumbledore mentioned. She and the other Orb Rangers came to the entryway and Hermione asked if anyone was there. "Hello?" she called.
"Enter and be at peace." The voice inside said. All five entered to see a man seated in front of a camp fire. He motioned for the five girls to sit as well. Following the man's example they sat cross legged on the ground. Lizzie mentioned that this would cause her legs to fall asleep.
"Your legs what about my pants?" Daisy asked.
The man simply raised his hand as if calling for silence. Lizzie and Daisy both looked at the gesture and were quickly silenced. "Wow." Dulcea said. "I'm impressed. Usually I have to kick someone's butt to silence them."
The man simply waved his hand as if calling for Dulcea to be quiet, which she was. He then fixed his gaze on Hermione. "You seek something?"
"Yes. I was told by a man named Dumbledore to find you. You are the Shaman right?" Hermione said.
The man said "And if I am? If I am the Shaman known as Jason Bluewind what would you do with that information?"
Hermione looked confused but she continued to speak. "He said you had some knowledge to share with me?"
The man, who seemed to refer himself as Jason Bluewind smiled. "A seeker. Truly a pleasure to find one such as you." Hermione looked at Bluewind and asked "Excuse me?"
"I knew all of you before you arrived." Bluewind said. "The Great Spirit as well of the spirits of chiefs and warriors before us share much knowledge with me." He looked at Daisy first. "You born of a time not yet but you have a new life in the past." Lizzie was next. "You who are from a world that is no more now have a new beginning, as well as a sister and new family." Lizzie looked at Daisy and wondered how Bluewind could know that. But his gaze went to Nicole next.
"You, a voice of reason touched by a great pain." Dulcea was next. "You who has a life of many lifetimes. Now you have regained a youth that was lost to you." Dulcea blushed at the accuracy of the man's words. Well over 6,000 years and she was sixteen all over again.
"And there is more to you is there?" Bluewind asked as he stared at Dulcea. Dulcea felt herself shudder as if the strange man was looking at her. Deep into her soul. All aspects of self were peeled back as if she was open to interpretation. A smile then crossed his lips as he seemed to see what he was looking for in Dulcea.
Bluewind raised his hand towards Dulcea and she started to sparkle. Her human body was shrinking and disappearing. Her clothes, her boots, her jeans, jacket and green shirt all dissapeared as she shrunk and changed.
The transformation ended later and Dulcea was turned back into the Snow Owl form she had used on occasion. All four of the other Orbs looked stunned and turned back to the man before them. "What did you do?"
"Simply revealed her animal spirit that is a part of her." Bluewind said. "A part she had not been in contact with for a long time as she tried to rediscover her human aspect lost to the years of many lifetimes. Parts you must find within yourselves soon."
"Parts within ourselves?" Lizzie asked. "What we will turn into animals too?"
"Perhaps. Perhaps not." Bluewind said as he raised his hand in Dulcea's direction again. The sparkles returned and Dulcea changed back to her human form. Clothes and all.
"How did you do that?" Dulcea asked. "I thought only I could trigger my transformation."
"A transformation that is a part of you as much as your own soul is." Bluewind said. "A soul I could see in you. When I looked into it I saw the aspect of you and brought it forth." Looking at the other four he added "Yours have not been revealed yet. They will soon when you have discovered them yourselves. But that is a diferent tale for a different time. Right now it is you that seeks something." His eyes fixed on Hermione.
"Yes." Hermione said trying to get the words out. Rarely had she felt herself awed by such a presence. Usually it was in regards to Dumbledore, but this strange man, this Jason Bluewind, seemed to command an experience and wisdom Dumbledore himself commanded. "I was told that you had a magic that allowed us to see what was to come. What the future would hold."
"And you wish to learn." Bluewind said with a smile. "You wish to learn all you can of our ways and the ways of your world. Yours is a knowledge that may never be quenched. But you are a seeker. You seek knowledge and truth."
Hermione nodded as Bluewind continued to speak. "I know of the world of Hogwarts. It is a world I myself do not believe in, or have much use for. And while this may sound blasphemous to you I do not mean to deceive."
"You have no use for Hogwarts?" Hermione asked. "Why?"
"Your spells and incantations seem to be little more than words to make marvels." Bluewind said. "I sense no spirit behind them. You make use of a watch to go through time correct?" Hermione nodded.
"For me the great spirit tells me that one should not change what has already been. And if you wish the knowledge that comes from a vision quest then you must make a sacrifice of your own." Bluewind then set a bowl out in front of the girls as if indicating that an offering had to be made. Hermione realized that at times knowledge came with a price and knew what she had to do.
Hemione reached into her pocket and pulled out the time travel watch she had used to take extra classes at Hogwarts during third year. Hermione placed the watch in the bowl at Bluewind's feet and he nodded beginning an incantation and sending some powder into the fire causing it to blaze.
"Worry not young ones." Bluewind said as smoke billowed higher. A sweet smelling smoke that caused the world to fall away. "Your vision quests begin."
All the Orb Rangers felt themselves cut off from reality, but it was Daisy's vision that concerns us now. In her vision she saw herself walking down a dark forboding landscape that would depress somebody as soon as one looked at it, or gave an image of horrors to come.
For a moment Daisy wondered if that wasn't about to happen.
As she walked she stumbled across a falcon lying on the ground. Injured and dying. It looked up at her with pleading eyes as if crying for Daisy to help her. Daisy reached out with her hands to take the falcon and carry it to where she could find help. That was when things got weirder for her.
The falcon started to glow as Daisy reached out for it. The glow grew brighter and brighter enveloping her until finally her awareness changed. Changed to where she was no longer walking, but sitting on a rafter. And sitting in a strange position. Not one she was used to.
_What?!_ Daisy asked herself wondering if only for an instant what had happened. That instant passed when she saw row upon row of bodies. All of them were her friends and family. She looked aside as if in horror only to find her neck did not move as it should.
She looked at her hands. But instead of hands she found herself with the tips of wings. _How?_ she asked herself as she realized she wasn't a human in this vision. She was a bird. A falcon to be precise.
The very same falcon she reached out to. The falcon she now was.
Daisy leapt off from the rafter she sat on and flew around the chamber looking around at familiar walls. They were the walls of the Power Chamber. All strewn with blood. The blood of her friends. Below her as she soared she saw faces that horrified her as their sightless eyes turned to the sky.
They were the bodies of Tommy and Kat.
_No_ Daisy thought as she saw the horror. She then flew away with the last image in her mind. Tommy and Kat laying together. Kat's pristine white wedding dress layered with blood. Daisy turned away trying to escape the horror before her only to come before another.
At the feet of the two bodies a woman in a pink dress wept as she knelt before two bodies. Daisy flew forward to catch the woman's face, but instead saw the faces of the two she was crying for.
The bodies that were dead were the bodies of Adam Pearlman and Rachel Stevens.
_This can't be._ Daisy thought as she saw the bodies of her parents decorated by four other bodies. A red bird that looked like it was a Phoenix. A blue bird that looked like a graceful crane. A yellow eagle and an owl. Daisy recoiled in horror as she realized these were the the transformed totems of her friends.
_"NO!"_ Daisy screamed in her mind for the final time as she turned to fly away. A scream that turned into a birdlike shriek from her voice. Daisy flew around looking for an exit only to be attacked by a black hawk heading towards her. A black hawk that attacked her ferociously sending Daisy falling to the ground injured. The hawk seemed to hover above as it soon transformed into the figure of the woman she never hoped to see. The Black Orb Ranger.
_"You murderer!"_ Daisy said with her thoughts. _ "You killed my friends."_
"Not without help." Black Orb said as she seemed to pick up Daisy's thoughts loud and clear. "We could not have done it without our....inside person."
Daisy then turned and saw the Emperor standing before the weeping woman as she still cried. Daisy then felt herself shrinking as the Emperor and the Black Orb Ranger loomed large before her. She tried to place the woman in pink, but couldn't. All she could see was a pink dress and blonde hair. And she couldn't see any more as the Emperor and the Black Orb Ranger loomed as large as giants as Daisy seemed to be the size of a bug. Daisy tried to fly away but she could not get her wings to work.
"A joy no more." The Emperor said as he brought his boot down onto Daisy. That second Daisy found herself back in the real world. Full size, in human form, and sweating.
"Daisy what happened?" Lizzie asked. Daisy just turned to Bluewind and asked "What did I see?"
"The great spirit sends you a message." Bluewind said. "A warning."
"What warning?" Daisy asked as she described her vision. The other Orb Rangers were horrified when they heard Daisy's tale. "You may have a betrayer within you."
"A betrayer?" Hermione asked. "You mean a traitor?" Bluewind nodded. "This vision is the one you must deal with now as it will happen soon. You must find the betrayer who will bring your doom. And stop her." The man said. "Heed the warnings that you have seen. And you shall stop the evil that comes for the union of your two friends." The man paused as he then said "That is all we see, and all we wish to see." Bluewind then closed his eyes as if meditating. It also signalled for the Orb Rangers to leave.
"So what do we do?" Lizzie asked.
"Normally I'd say we go to Zordon and speak with him, but with him still missing, I think Dimitria would be the best bet, though if she speaks in questions, we might have more questions and no answers" Dulcea suggested.
"Sounds like a good idea to me" Nicole said, though she wasn't taking her eyes off Daisy who still looked very rattled. "Perhaps we should speak to Adam as well" she added.
Daisy looked up and half yelled, half squeaked. "No, don't".
The other looked suprised at her reaction and weren't totally sure why, as Daisy had not told the other the part about her parents. "Its I just want to speak to Dimitria, I don't think Adam or Rachel need to know" she said.
"Well we should go see them before we go to Dimitria" Dulcea said.
The others nodded and they started to walk back in the direction of the ranch, Daisy followed trailing behind her mind full of thoughts of death. The Orb Rangers, reached the ranch and saw the four adults waiting for them.
"So did you have fun?" Nicole asked.
"Yes, it was great" Rachel answered.
"I don't think it was that great, I truly believe man should control where he is going, not an animal" Adam said.
"Just because for the first time, you can't do something, you don't like it" Rachel said.
"Its not that, I guess I'm not an animal lover" Adam said.
"So does that mean we can't get a cat" Lizzie asked.
"Err, well I don't know" Adam said
"What about a dog?" Lizzie said.
Stopping me from speaking again, Rachel replied. "Don't wind him up. So how was the visit to the Shaman?" she asked.
"It was intense, I got my Snow Owl transformation back" Dulcea said excitedly. And then before our eyes she transformed into the Snow Owl and back.
"Thats great Dulcea, what about the rest of you?" Rachel asked.
"We all had Vision Quests, kind of cool, saw our own animal totems, I'm an Eagle" Nicole said.
"What do you mean you're an Eagle?" Jillian asked.
"Like it says on the box, basically we're connected to specific animals, they act as our guides. Adam's Ninjetti spirit totem is the Lion" Dulcea explained.
"Oh, so what does that actually mean?" Jillian asked.
"Just means that your spirit is more like that animal than anything else" Dulcea said.
"So what about you Daisy, whats your spirit animal" Rachel asked.
Daisy looked startled, she had been staring into space not concentrating on anything. "Oh.. I'm a Falcon".
"That's supposed to Tommy's animal spirit, can you have 2 people with the same spirit guides" Adam asked.
"Yes, people with different personalities can have the same Animal guide" Dulcea said.
Dulcea continued to explain, but Rachel wasn't listening she was staring intently at Daisy and though she wouldn't use her telepathy to scan her thoughts, she could see it quite clearly Daisy was absolutley petrefied of something, but whatever it was she couldn't bring herself to look at either herself or me. Shortly the Orbs Rangers made excuses and fled, leaving the adults alone.
"Was it my imagination or did the kids want to get away from us as soon as possible" Adam asked.
"It wasn't your imagination, Daisy was petrefied of something, I didn't scan her but it was very obvious" Rachel said.
"Extremely, obvious but what is it thats scared her, I was hoping the conversation would bring what was bothering her out, but she is a stubborn kid" Adam said.
"You noticed it as well" Rachel asked.
"I'm not just a pretty face, you know. I suppose there is nothing we can do except wait until she opens up" Adam said.
"For someone who appears quite unassuming, your good at reading people" Jillian said.
"When you've been doing what I do as long as I have, I think I've developed some skills, such as reading people" Adam said.
"So who is Daisy?" Dana blurted out.
"What do you mean?" Rachel asked
"Well, she is always at your house, she seems to trust you a hell of a lot and she was at the hospital when you gave birth" Dana said.
"Coincedence" Rachel said simply.
"Don't mess with me, whats her story" Dana demanded.
Adam sighed and shared a look with Rachel who spoke to him telepathically. _"'I think we have to tell her, we knew it was going to happen sooner or later'_
Hesitating, Adam started to speak. "What I'm telling you stays between the four of us, what I'm going to tell you is only known to me and Rachel, Billy and Zordon. Daisy is our daughter, don't ask how, we don't know. All we do know is through testing which confirmed it she is our daughter".
Dana opened her mouth, closed it and then opened it again. "Shes.. your what" she managed to utter.
"As I said we don't know how, we found out a while back and decided to keep it a secret for a while" Adam said.
"I guess I actually see it, she does have similar qualities to both of you" Dana said.
Rachel smiled and seemed very surprised. "You are taking this very well" she said.
"Everything I've seen since I became a Ranger, nothing really surprises me anymore" Dana answered.
I laughed at that. "So you're not mad?" Adam asked.
"Oh yeah I am, everything that has gone on since we've met and you couldn't tell me this" Dana said as she punched me lightly in the arm.
"And this is your lives, do you ever do something simple" Jillian asked. "I'd have to go with no" Rachel said.
After clearing the sudden tension we returned to our relaxing afternoon.
Back in the Emperor's castle the screams that had echoed around the castle for the past several days continued, with a satisfied smirk the Emperor put his robe on and left the room. Black Annie was just approaching as he closed the door.
"Emperor, I did not think you would be visiting my new project" Black Annie said surprised.
"It is not your place to question me, I decide to have my way with the girl, after all I had her cousin before and well I wanted to see if being a slut runs in the family…I guess it does" the Emperor said with a smirk.
"I'm glad you approve, her conditioning is nearly finished I believe another session and she will be broken enough to reprogramme her totally to serve you as the ultimate warrior, I can even have her programmed to be so in love with you that she will do anything for you" Black Annie suggested.
"Interesting, but keep that last part from Caris, I don't want to have to deal with her jealousy and possibly putting a knife in the back of our new weapon" the Emperor said. Turning back he gave Annie a wicked smile and added "She has definitely come a long way from the freckle faced junior cheerleader wannabe hasn't she?"
"That she has my lord. That she has." Black Annie said as she thought of the girl, now a young nineteen year old, in the Emperor's service. The freckles all but gone, and her figure more developed. Developed enough for the Emperor to personally "'initiate' her into his forces.
"It is a pity Dana, Ashley, Cassie and Jen didn't join after their "'initiations'." The Emperor said. "Oh well they would have been nothing more than sluts anyway. Probably like that Blue Night Ranger and she was already "'initiated' by your empire."
"Regardless your "'initiation' may have helped bring about the final procedure to insure her obedience." Annie said. "One more push and she should be ready."
The Emperor just nodded as he turned and left Black Annie. His mind on the final idea needed for Kelly's conditioning. Annie then entered the room he had just left, and she found the girl.. no she banished the thought from her mind, the naked figure before her wasn't a person, she was a tool to be used and then discarded when necessary.
"Get dressed, you are my weapon not some cheap slut" Black Annie said.
The girl didn't reply and instead simply grabbed and dressed in the tattered jeans and t-shirt she had been wearing since she was taken weeks, maybe it was months ago, Kelly Hart didn't know since she had been taken from her living room, the hours and minutes had blurred into the same, all she knew is her family missed… no her family was dead killed by the forces of good because she was evil… no that wasn't right she was good, she was being forced to do things she had never done before, they were trying to make her into a weapon, but she wasn't a weapon she was just a woman.
"Get on the table now, its time for you treatment" Black Annie ordered.
Kelly walked towards the table as she had been instructed and then she stopped, her inner voice for once fighting through the conditioning or programming that Black Annie had done to her. Black Annie looked surprised at the hesitation and again indicated the table. This time Kelly found her voice. "No".
"No, you dare to disobey me your, Mistress, get on the table" Black Annie ordered.
"No chance, I'm not your slave, I am my own person and I will not obey you" Kelly said Black Annie was outraged and totally surprised, she was sure her treatment was working, no-one had ever fought the control once it was implanted. "How dare you, you are a little bug compared to me and you should always obey your betters, especially since there is no way out, you will surrender to my programming".
Kelly smirked. "Not a chance, but your "'programming' has one benefit, its left me with skills that I never had before, which means I get to kick your butt. Now logic would probably say I'm outmatched and I won't win or leave here alive, but what the hell, go out fighting".
Black Annie was taken aback by the girls words and before she could even react Kelly had speared the sorceress with such strength that Black Annie was sent flying across the room. Part of her was amazed she had done that and part of her wanted to continue to beat the woman who for the last month had tormented her and brought her to the brink the past month. Instead the part of her mind that was still rational, told her to run and her body agreed, she ran. Black Annie staggered to her feet and hit a button triggering an alarm that sounded around the fortress.
Kelly continued to run and despite the alarms, she managed to stop the rising panic, she saw 2 Piranhatrons appear in front of her and before they could react, without hesitation she smashed into them and knocked them down, taking a second to catch her breath she started to run again, but then even as she did so a hand reached out and grabbed her dragging her into a room. The door slid shut and she turned to face this new threat and stopped, it was boy, no a man with a face very young, she remembered seeing him earlier during one of her treatments and remembered that he had shown her kindness, told her he would help.
"Where are you running to?" he demanded.
"I…I don't know I want to go home, I can feel whatever that bitch done to me trying to reassert control, but if I can get home, maybe…I can get help" Kelly said unsure and feeling not at ease at all.
"There is no way out of here, at least not by running aimlessly, I can show you a way out, I know of one and it won't be guarded heavily" the man said.
"You...would help me, you were there when I was recieving treatment" Kelly spat.
"I too have recieved the conditioning, I couldn't help myself, I wanted to help you and I saw your resistance and it helped me, now I can help you" he said.
Kelly was hesitant, there was something about this man that she didn't trust, but something told her, that his way was the only way out. "Lead on, but I will kill you if your betraying me". The words came out of her mouth, but she was astonished at the venom and hatred behind them.
The man nodded and went to the door and motioned for her to follow him.
Back on Earth, oblivious to all that was going on Adam approached the room that Lizzie now used as her own. On the front of the door was a noticeboard with the words "'I'm not here, don't knock', Adam had to laugh, a few months of experience with normal teenagers had turned Lizzie from the very formal and serious girl they had first known to a typical teenager. Adam knocked on the door and waited. There was the sound of movement and Lizzie put her head around the door.
"Can I help you?" She asked.
"I hope so, can I have a word please" Adam said.
"You can have several if you want" Lizzie answered back.
"What happened today, Daisy was fine when she left to see the Shaman, when you came back she was petrefied, she couldn't even look me or Rachel in the face" I explained.
Lizzie stepped away from the door, she knew this might happen and she knew either way ahse was going to disappoint somebody. "I can't tell you, I made a promise" Lizzie said.
"Look Lizzie, I know that a promise is important to keep, but something really is bothering Daisy and if its important, I want to know.. well Rachel and I both want to know" Adam said.
"I can't tell you, since I came to this time period Daisy has been there for me, she is like a sister to me, I want to tell you, because you should know, but its not my place to tell, she has to" Lizzie answered.
Adam could see the conflict in her voice and knew she was seriously concerned about whatever was bothering Daisy and though she wanted to say something, her loyalty was more powerful.
"Its okay Lizzie, I understand, I will speak to Daisy. I just thought it might be easier to talk to someone else" Adam said.
Lizzie nodded and I left her room, leaving her to whatever she was doing before and Adam went to find Daisy, hoping to get some answers.
Lizzie however was focused on her own vision from the spirit quest. In her vision she saw fire everywhere. Everything around her was burning, and in the distance was a dying falcon. A falcon she knew to be Daisy as Daisy had confirmed that the falcon was her spirit animal.
Lizzie rushed to her side and took the falcon in her arms pleading for it not to die. Then she felt herself burning, changing as if parts of her were burning away, as if she was being reborn.
She let out a cry. A cry of a Phoenix.
A cry of rebirth.
By her side the falcon flew with her. Healed and reborn as well.
Lizzie returned her thoughts to the reality around her wondering what was going to happen. Was something going to happen to Daisy? Was Lizzie going to save her? And more importantly _Are Daisy and I going to turn into birds or something like Dulcea does?_
Back in the nexus at the Emperor's fortress, Kelly and her unexpected saviour were slowly making their way through the complex, when he stopped.
"They're in here" he said.
"Who are?" Kelly asked puzzled.
"Friends, who will help you get out of here" he answered and then motioned her to follow.
She stepped into the room and was astonished as stood there was her cousin Kimberly Hart and with her with 2 others, 1 she recognised as Adam a long time friend of her cousin, but she didn't recognise the other. However she had never been so glad to see friendly faces in her life that it didn't matter.
"Kim what are you doing here?" Kelly asked.
"Coming to save you, we thought..we thought you were dead, but we found out, thanks to your friend here that you were alive. We came to get you" Kim said.
Kelly almost began to cry and then boy whose name she still didn't know motioned for them to follow.
"There is a teleportation area nearby, that's where they came in, we get there and we can all escape" he said.
Kelly nodded and followed him, if she had turned back to look at her cousin and friends she would have seen a smirk on the face of "'Adam'. Despite having to hide from squads of warriors they avoided and made good progress before the boy called for a halt. "This is it, just inside is our ticket of here. Kelly go first, I think you need this to see it first" he said.
Kelly grinned the prospect of freedom so close and she stepped into an empty room, she turned to ask what was going on and as she did so she was smashed hard in the face and she fell back to the floor, without hesitation and some primal instinct she was off the floor and ready to fight. She had barely taken a step or two forward when she felt intense pain in her leg and she fell back to the floor, as the pain wracked her leg she looked up to see "'Adam