Fractured Fates, by TsukinoAkume (Zhane/Sky Tate)
Title: Fractured Fates
Author: Tsukino Akume
Relationship: Zhane/Sky Tate, Jack Landors/Syd Drew
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Character with depression/health issues
Summary: When Andros put Zhane into cryogenic stasis, he didn't wake up until he was completely healed - twenty-four years later. Zhane finds a new team, and S.P.D. tries to deal with the aftermath.
List of 22: 14 ~ obsessive
Author's Notes: I hate battle scenes. I really do. And for some reason, this one insisted on playing in my head with the inSpace theme song in the background ...
Hospitalized.
He felt numb. "Why didn't anyone call me?" he asked distantly, unable to tear his eyes away from Sky's bed.
"The Commander was trying to bring them all in when it happened," Kat explained softly. "He decided it was safest if you stayed where you were, so that Icthior wouldn't come after you as well. We knew that you'd come as soon as you heard about the situation."
His fists clenched.
Andros' hand settled on his shoulder, squeezing just enough to remind him to control his temper. "What's the prognosis?" he asked.
"They'll be all right, with enough rest. But Dr. Felix has ordered them all to stay put."
"And Icthior?" Zhane asked lowly. "What happened to him?"
" ... He's still on the loose," Kat admitted.
He nodded curtly, glancing at Andros. His old friend hesitated, then nodded once. He raised his arm, and they gently bumped wrists.
:: Show them what you're made of,:: Andros told him.
:: I will. Keep them safe for me. :: He hesitated briefly, unable to bring himself to lower his arm. "We'll vow to fight as a team forever."
:: "We'll vow to fight as a team forever," :: Andros echoed solemnly, and somehow hearing it aloud and in his mind made the words all the more important.
"Don't even think about it," Cruger growled weakly from the end of the line of beds. "You are our last Ranger standing, Zhane. We need you here."
He glanced down at him. "What we *need* is this guy off the streets," he retorted. "I can handle myself, Commander. I'm not going to let him hurt anyone else."
"No!" Cruger snapped. "That's what he's waiting for. You will remain here until I say so. That's an *order*, Zhane." He paused, eyes narrowing when Zhane didn't respond immediately. "Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," he returned shortly, his tone like ice. He saluted sharply, turned on his heel, and marched off.
:: Good luck, :: Andros called after him.
:: Don't need it, :: he returned cockily. :: I'm The Legendary Silver Ranger, remember? ::
He smiled grimly as he headed towards the garage where his Silver Cycle would be waiting. "It's time to show these guys just what makes me so legendary," he finished to himself.
****
He chose a place just outside of Newtech City, somewhere open and abandoned. He wasn't going to involve civilians in this, and he'd need room to work. Parking his cycle, he tapped a code into his digimorpher that would send out a beacon for any unfriendlies within a fifty yard radius. "Okay, Icthior. Come and get me," he said softly.
It didn't take long.
"Silver Ranger ... " a voice drawled, and the alien stepped out from behind a cliff, tapping a sword over his shoulder. "So you've come out of hiding, have you?"
He ignored the insult. "I'm bringing you in," he informed him calmly, coldly. "You can either surrender now, or I'll take you by force."
Icthior laughed at him. "I don't *think* so. You can't defeat me."
"Or me," cooed another voice. Broodwing moved to join Icthior, looking as smug as a guy who didn't make facial expressions could. "Hello, Ranger. Welcome to our little party."
"I'm not interested in pleasantries," he said flatly. "Is this a fight or not?"
"Oh, but ... not all the guests have arrived yet," Broodwing protested. He snapped his fingers.
Zhane watched warily as four Orangeheads somersaulted over their heads, chuckling darkly at him. Each one produced an orb, tossing it into the air. In minutes he was surrounded by an army of Krybots, complete with a small group of Blueheads, and the four original Orange.
"Now *that's* a party," he remarked. He smirked at Broodwing. "I was beginning to think this wouldn't even be a challenge. I might actually break a sweat."
"Attack!" Broodwing shouted.
Zhane reached for his morpher. "Let's Rocket!"
The Krybots were almost on top of him by the time the silver faded from his eyes. "Super Silverizer!" he summoned. He went for blaster mode, firing rapidly at the cannon fodder that had been dumb enough to charge in first. After about twelve they got smart enough to stumble back, waiting for an opening. He grinned beneath his helmet, switching quickly to sword mode. "Time to get some exercise," he quipped.
His Silverizer sang through the air, cutting through Krybots like butter. Years of training and instinct returned, and he became a whirling ball of destruction, spinning, kicking, slashing. He rolled across one Krybot's back to stab another through the chest, yanking his arm free to slam his elbow into a third. He spun around to remove its head from its shoulders.
He wasn't sure when it happened, but somewhere between the fourteen and twenty-second Krybots he wasn't fighting for Newtech City anymore. He was home, in the fields outside the rebel base. He couldn't see Andros, but there was a steady presence in the back of his mind that reassured him he was nearby. He was surrounded by enemies, and he'd never felt happier.
And then his enemies were lying around him in tatters, sparking and still. Only two remained, staring at him from across the pile of minions. "That's ... you just took out fifty Krybots," the guy with the sword sputtered.
"That's impossible!" growled the other.
He blinked, and his mind realigned with the present. Newtech City, not KO-35. He was fighting Krybots, not Quantrons, and that was Icthior and Broodwing - *not* Darkonda.
A slight pressure against his mind reminded him that unlike everything else, Andros was still there.
He laughed at their shock. "What, haven't you heard of The Legendary Silver Ranger of KO-35?" he mocked.
"The Silver Astro Ranger is dead," Broodwing snarled. "You may wear the uniform, but there's no way you - "
"Is that what they told you?" he interrupted, amused. "I may have taken a long nap, but I'm still around. And trust me, Grumm has *nothing* on Dark Specter. You guys are a joke."
Broodwing shifted angrily. "Why you - "
They charged him together, but he was ready for them. He ducked Icthior's swing, kicking his knee into Broodwing’s stomach. He went to hit him again, but Icthior caught his shoulder, dragging him around and kicking him in the side. He tried to move back, but the fish-face had a grip like iron. "Let ... me ... go!" he growled, stabbing wildly at Icthior's ribs.
He coughed as Icthior kicked him in a very uncomfortable place, finally jerking free and moving away to catch his breath. "Dirty fighter ... " he wheezed.
:: You all right? ::
:: Fine. Let's just say Icthior doesn't fight fair. ::
:: You need help? ::
He considered. :: Send Cruger. I can handle Broodwing myself, but he should be the one to bring in Icthior. ::
:: I'll see what I can do. ::
The sound of blaster fire made his head jerk up. But instead of Broodwing and Icthior, or even Shadow Ranger, he saw blue spandex.
"Do you *ever* do what you're told?" Blue Ranger demanded, glancing back over his shoulder at him.
He sighed. "No more than you do," he retorted. :: How long did you wait after I'd left before you sent them? :: he demanded silently.
Andros' mental voice was tinged with amusement. :: I didn't. Cruger tried to contact you ten minutes ago and didn't get an answer. They went after you on their own. ::
:: What happened to keeping them safe? ::
:: I made sure Dr. Felix didn't notice? ::
He rolled his eyes. "You guys shouldn't be here," he informed Blue, Pink, and Green as they gathered around him. "You're supposed to be in bed."
"And miss all of this?" Pink returned cheerfully.
"Not a chance," Green finished. "You said it yourself, Zhane: if you were in trouble, we'd all come after you."
"It's what friends do," Yellow agreed, touching his elbow.
"Hi-yah!" Red shouted, firing his Delta Blasters as he leapt through the air. He landed in front of them, turning to shake his head at Silver. "Very tricky, Zhane," he mocked, tilting a blaster in Silver's direction.
"Stubborn is more like it," Blue grumbled.
"Stubborn, yes," Shadow spoke up behind them. He set a hand on Silver's shoulder, patting it gently. "But brave."
"Cruger!" Broodwing snarled.
"Ready Rangers?" Shadow called.
"Doggie!" Icthior cried.
"You know it!" Red returned. "S.P.D., S.W.A.T. Mode!"
"S.P.D. Shadow Ranger!" Shadow announced as the others finished powering up.
Silver grinned behind his helmet as he joined the lineup. "And the one and only, Legendary Silver Ranger!"
It was good to be back.
****
"Are you *sure* they're ready to be cleared?" Zhane pushed. "I mean, you did say they'd sustained *serious* injuries."
Dr. Felix sighed. "Yes, but it seems that morphing cleared up all of those problems. The ... 'Power' healed them completely."
"But there was a tube sticking out of Sky," he argued.
Dr. Felix raised his eyebrows. "The IV? Yes, that was due to the minor infection he seemed to be suffering from. But that, as with everything else, has resolved itself." His eyes narrowed slightly. "And you have yet to explain to me, Cadet Zhane, exactly why you are so interested in Cadet Tate's medical condition."
He tried not to roll his eyes, because everyone at S.P.D. outside of B Squad and the Rangers had a tendency to forget that he *wasn't* a cadet. He started to say something and stopped, hesitating. "I ... I, uh ... "
Dr. Felix continued to stare at him. "I'm waiting ... " he drawled.
Zhane's eyes narrowed. "I'm his Promised, okay?" he hissed. "I know this isn't KO-35, but S.P.D. *does* respect the rituals of other cultures, right?"
The doctor's eyes widened. "His Promised? You - " He coughed. "Well, why didn't you say so to begin with?"
He tried not to sigh. "Are you *sure* he should be released?" he asked again. "What if his injuries act up again, or his infection comes back?"
"There's no need to worry. I can assure you, Cadet Tate has been given a clean bill of health," Dr. Felix promised. He paused, giving Zhane a once-over. "You, on the other hand, look like you could benefit some rest yourself, Cadet."
"Thanks, Doc," He managed a smile. "I'll go do that right now, okay?" He headed for the door before he could be forced into a bed.
"Congratulations, Cadet!" Dr. Felix called after him, and he tried not to cringe as the door opened.
Please don't let anyone else have heard that ...
"Since when are you so obsessed with my health?"
He jumped, turning to stare at Sky waiting for him just outside the door. "Huh?"
Sky folded his arms, frowning. "You were asking if I should be released. I heard you."
Zhane tried to shrug it off. "I asked about everyone. I don't want you guys running around if you're not ready for it, after all."
Sky's eyes narrowed. "But you said my name specifically."
"You were in the worst shape," he reminded him. "Excuse me for being concerned."
He turned to walk away and paused as his nose itched. He sneezed three times without warning, ending with a groan and a hand going to his head. "Ugh ... "
A hand landed on his forehead, and he blinked at Sky. "What?"
The corner of Sky's mouth quirked. "Congratulations. The Legendary Silver Ranger has a cold."
Author: Tsukino Akume
Relationship: Zhane/Sky Tate, Jack Landors/Syd Drew
Rating: PG-13
Warning: Character with depression/health issues
Summary: When Andros put Zhane into cryogenic stasis, he didn't wake up until he was completely healed - twenty-four years later. Zhane finds a new team, and S.P.D. tries to deal with the aftermath.
List of 22: 14 ~ obsessive
Author's Notes: I hate battle scenes. I really do. And for some reason, this one insisted on playing in my head with the inSpace theme song in the background ...
Hospitalized.
He felt numb. "Why didn't anyone call me?" he asked distantly, unable to tear his eyes away from Sky's bed.
"The Commander was trying to bring them all in when it happened," Kat explained softly. "He decided it was safest if you stayed where you were, so that Icthior wouldn't come after you as well. We knew that you'd come as soon as you heard about the situation."
His fists clenched.
Andros' hand settled on his shoulder, squeezing just enough to remind him to control his temper. "What's the prognosis?" he asked.
"They'll be all right, with enough rest. But Dr. Felix has ordered them all to stay put."
"And Icthior?" Zhane asked lowly. "What happened to him?"
" ... He's still on the loose," Kat admitted.
He nodded curtly, glancing at Andros. His old friend hesitated, then nodded once. He raised his arm, and they gently bumped wrists.
:: Show them what you're made of,:: Andros told him.
:: I will. Keep them safe for me. :: He hesitated briefly, unable to bring himself to lower his arm. "We'll vow to fight as a team forever."
:: "We'll vow to fight as a team forever," :: Andros echoed solemnly, and somehow hearing it aloud and in his mind made the words all the more important.
"Don't even think about it," Cruger growled weakly from the end of the line of beds. "You are our last Ranger standing, Zhane. We need you here."
He glanced down at him. "What we *need* is this guy off the streets," he retorted. "I can handle myself, Commander. I'm not going to let him hurt anyone else."
"No!" Cruger snapped. "That's what he's waiting for. You will remain here until I say so. That's an *order*, Zhane." He paused, eyes narrowing when Zhane didn't respond immediately. "Understood?"
"Yes, Sir," he returned shortly, his tone like ice. He saluted sharply, turned on his heel, and marched off.
:: Good luck, :: Andros called after him.
:: Don't need it, :: he returned cockily. :: I'm The Legendary Silver Ranger, remember? ::
He smiled grimly as he headed towards the garage where his Silver Cycle would be waiting. "It's time to show these guys just what makes me so legendary," he finished to himself.
****
He chose a place just outside of Newtech City, somewhere open and abandoned. He wasn't going to involve civilians in this, and he'd need room to work. Parking his cycle, he tapped a code into his digimorpher that would send out a beacon for any unfriendlies within a fifty yard radius. "Okay, Icthior. Come and get me," he said softly.
It didn't take long.
"Silver Ranger ... " a voice drawled, and the alien stepped out from behind a cliff, tapping a sword over his shoulder. "So you've come out of hiding, have you?"
He ignored the insult. "I'm bringing you in," he informed him calmly, coldly. "You can either surrender now, or I'll take you by force."
Icthior laughed at him. "I don't *think* so. You can't defeat me."
"Or me," cooed another voice. Broodwing moved to join Icthior, looking as smug as a guy who didn't make facial expressions could. "Hello, Ranger. Welcome to our little party."
"I'm not interested in pleasantries," he said flatly. "Is this a fight or not?"
"Oh, but ... not all the guests have arrived yet," Broodwing protested. He snapped his fingers.
Zhane watched warily as four Orangeheads somersaulted over their heads, chuckling darkly at him. Each one produced an orb, tossing it into the air. In minutes he was surrounded by an army of Krybots, complete with a small group of Blueheads, and the four original Orange.
"Now *that's* a party," he remarked. He smirked at Broodwing. "I was beginning to think this wouldn't even be a challenge. I might actually break a sweat."
"Attack!" Broodwing shouted.
Zhane reached for his morpher. "Let's Rocket!"
The Krybots were almost on top of him by the time the silver faded from his eyes. "Super Silverizer!" he summoned. He went for blaster mode, firing rapidly at the cannon fodder that had been dumb enough to charge in first. After about twelve they got smart enough to stumble back, waiting for an opening. He grinned beneath his helmet, switching quickly to sword mode. "Time to get some exercise," he quipped.
His Silverizer sang through the air, cutting through Krybots like butter. Years of training and instinct returned, and he became a whirling ball of destruction, spinning, kicking, slashing. He rolled across one Krybot's back to stab another through the chest, yanking his arm free to slam his elbow into a third. He spun around to remove its head from its shoulders.
He wasn't sure when it happened, but somewhere between the fourteen and twenty-second Krybots he wasn't fighting for Newtech City anymore. He was home, in the fields outside the rebel base. He couldn't see Andros, but there was a steady presence in the back of his mind that reassured him he was nearby. He was surrounded by enemies, and he'd never felt happier.
And then his enemies were lying around him in tatters, sparking and still. Only two remained, staring at him from across the pile of minions. "That's ... you just took out fifty Krybots," the guy with the sword sputtered.
"That's impossible!" growled the other.
He blinked, and his mind realigned with the present. Newtech City, not KO-35. He was fighting Krybots, not Quantrons, and that was Icthior and Broodwing - *not* Darkonda.
A slight pressure against his mind reminded him that unlike everything else, Andros was still there.
He laughed at their shock. "What, haven't you heard of The Legendary Silver Ranger of KO-35?" he mocked.
"The Silver Astro Ranger is dead," Broodwing snarled. "You may wear the uniform, but there's no way you - "
"Is that what they told you?" he interrupted, amused. "I may have taken a long nap, but I'm still around. And trust me, Grumm has *nothing* on Dark Specter. You guys are a joke."
Broodwing shifted angrily. "Why you - "
They charged him together, but he was ready for them. He ducked Icthior's swing, kicking his knee into Broodwing’s stomach. He went to hit him again, but Icthior caught his shoulder, dragging him around and kicking him in the side. He tried to move back, but the fish-face had a grip like iron. "Let ... me ... go!" he growled, stabbing wildly at Icthior's ribs.
He coughed as Icthior kicked him in a very uncomfortable place, finally jerking free and moving away to catch his breath. "Dirty fighter ... " he wheezed.
:: You all right? ::
:: Fine. Let's just say Icthior doesn't fight fair. ::
:: You need help? ::
He considered. :: Send Cruger. I can handle Broodwing myself, but he should be the one to bring in Icthior. ::
:: I'll see what I can do. ::
The sound of blaster fire made his head jerk up. But instead of Broodwing and Icthior, or even Shadow Ranger, he saw blue spandex.
"Do you *ever* do what you're told?" Blue Ranger demanded, glancing back over his shoulder at him.
He sighed. "No more than you do," he retorted. :: How long did you wait after I'd left before you sent them? :: he demanded silently.
Andros' mental voice was tinged with amusement. :: I didn't. Cruger tried to contact you ten minutes ago and didn't get an answer. They went after you on their own. ::
:: What happened to keeping them safe? ::
:: I made sure Dr. Felix didn't notice? ::
He rolled his eyes. "You guys shouldn't be here," he informed Blue, Pink, and Green as they gathered around him. "You're supposed to be in bed."
"And miss all of this?" Pink returned cheerfully.
"Not a chance," Green finished. "You said it yourself, Zhane: if you were in trouble, we'd all come after you."
"It's what friends do," Yellow agreed, touching his elbow.
"Hi-yah!" Red shouted, firing his Delta Blasters as he leapt through the air. He landed in front of them, turning to shake his head at Silver. "Very tricky, Zhane," he mocked, tilting a blaster in Silver's direction.
"Stubborn is more like it," Blue grumbled.
"Stubborn, yes," Shadow spoke up behind them. He set a hand on Silver's shoulder, patting it gently. "But brave."
"Cruger!" Broodwing snarled.
"Ready Rangers?" Shadow called.
"Doggie!" Icthior cried.
"You know it!" Red returned. "S.P.D., S.W.A.T. Mode!"
"S.P.D. Shadow Ranger!" Shadow announced as the others finished powering up.
Silver grinned behind his helmet as he joined the lineup. "And the one and only, Legendary Silver Ranger!"
It was good to be back.
****
"Are you *sure* they're ready to be cleared?" Zhane pushed. "I mean, you did say they'd sustained *serious* injuries."
Dr. Felix sighed. "Yes, but it seems that morphing cleared up all of those problems. The ... 'Power' healed them completely."
"But there was a tube sticking out of Sky," he argued.
Dr. Felix raised his eyebrows. "The IV? Yes, that was due to the minor infection he seemed to be suffering from. But that, as with everything else, has resolved itself." His eyes narrowed slightly. "And you have yet to explain to me, Cadet Zhane, exactly why you are so interested in Cadet Tate's medical condition."
He tried not to roll his eyes, because everyone at S.P.D. outside of B Squad and the Rangers had a tendency to forget that he *wasn't* a cadet. He started to say something and stopped, hesitating. "I ... I, uh ... "
Dr. Felix continued to stare at him. "I'm waiting ... " he drawled.
Zhane's eyes narrowed. "I'm his Promised, okay?" he hissed. "I know this isn't KO-35, but S.P.D. *does* respect the rituals of other cultures, right?"
The doctor's eyes widened. "His Promised? You - " He coughed. "Well, why didn't you say so to begin with?"
He tried not to sigh. "Are you *sure* he should be released?" he asked again. "What if his injuries act up again, or his infection comes back?"
"There's no need to worry. I can assure you, Cadet Tate has been given a clean bill of health," Dr. Felix promised. He paused, giving Zhane a once-over. "You, on the other hand, look like you could benefit some rest yourself, Cadet."
"Thanks, Doc," He managed a smile. "I'll go do that right now, okay?" He headed for the door before he could be forced into a bed.
"Congratulations, Cadet!" Dr. Felix called after him, and he tried not to cringe as the door opened.
Please don't let anyone else have heard that ...
"Since when are you so obsessed with my health?"
He jumped, turning to stare at Sky waiting for him just outside the door. "Huh?"
Sky folded his arms, frowning. "You were asking if I should be released. I heard you."
Zhane tried to shrug it off. "I asked about everyone. I don't want you guys running around if you're not ready for it, after all."
Sky's eyes narrowed. "But you said my name specifically."
"You were in the worst shape," he reminded him. "Excuse me for being concerned."
He turned to walk away and paused as his nose itched. He sneezed three times without warning, ending with a groan and a hand going to his head. "Ugh ... "
A hand landed on his forehead, and he blinked at Sky. "What?"
The corner of Sky's mouth quirked. "Congratulations. The Legendary Silver Ranger has a cold."