Bright Skies (Multi - Season Crossover/Power Rangers, prompt #41: Hopelessness, T)
I made a banner in honor of this chapter, and a reference in Reluctant Hero. I think it fits best here, though.
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #41: Hopelessness
Rating/:T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in Newtech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: I hate battle scenes. They never come out like I want them to. Anyone with feedback or suggestions for improvement would be most welcome.
Character death ahead.
"This can't be happening."
Wes felt numb. Dimly he registered Kimberly's protest as she sobbed, but he couldn't find the will to summon a response. All he could do was stare at Carter's body as the heart monitor continued to assure them all that despite appearances, he was still alive.
'Rangers down'. The words had been echoing through his head since they'd gotten the call. The call that drove all of S.P.D. into a frantic mess.
Because the Rangers weren't 'down'.
Six of them now that had been destroyed by this monster. He'd gone after the Dino Thunder Rangers before anyone had even known what was happening. There was only the sudden news from a grieving Trent, now a single father and the last of his team, leaving them all stunned and horrified.
From the information they'd gathered, the Lightspeed Rescue team had stumbled across him by accident - they weren't even on duty. The frantic backup call had caught them all by surprise, and by that point Kelsey was already gone. Ryan had appeared mere moments before helped arrived, just in time to watch Joel shove Carter out of the way of a blast that would have taken his life - sacrificing his own and Chad's in the process. Ryan just barely managed to drag Carter back to S.P.D., the creature's cruel laughter echoing behind them.
And staring through the window of the hospital wing at Carter lying so still, Ryan in mourning at his side, those words just kept repeating over and over.
'Rangers down'. 'Rangers down'.
****
"Are you sure we should be out in the open like this?" Vanessa asked warily, glancing around them.
"It's fine," Wes said distantly, watching his son run after the baseball they'd brought along. "We're not even out of sight of S.P.D. And there are three patrols in this area alone right now."
"I still don't think it's a good idea," she muttered, eyeing him again. "It's like offering you up on a platter and saying 'Here: come and get it'."
He shrugged. "We can't keep Sky cooped up in the house forever. The tension in S.P.D. is driving everyone crazy as it is." He paused, turning to shoot her an amused look. "'Come and get it'?"
"Took you long enough," she humphed, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She glanced at him and sighed, reaching up to squeeze his shoulder. "Carter will be okay," she murmured gently.
His throat felt tight. "The others won't."
Her expression softened, and she squeezed his hand. She started to say something and stopped, forcing a smile to her face. "Sky's coming," she said under her breath.
Wes turned to smile at his son, trying not to wince at his solemn expression. Sky wasn't stupid; he knew bad things were happening, and that his Uncle Carter was in ICU. But he refused to let his son know just how bad things truly were. "Ready for another throw, buddy?"
Sky shrugged, and he crouched down in front of him with a sigh. "Hey," he murmured, touching his son's cheek. "Everything's gonna be okay. Don't worry so much."
Sky looked up at him for a moment, studying him quietly. "You promise?" he asked softly, a vulnerable look his eyes.
Wes gave him a hug, trying not to let him see the way he had to blink back tears for a moment. "I promise, Sky. Everything's going to be okay. Uncle Carter will be back on his feet in no time, and you can ask him for more stories about being a firefighter."
"And you'll get the bad guy?" Sky persisted.
He pulled back a bit to give him his best winning smile. "Hey, the Power Rangers *always* get the bad guy, remember?"
Sky hesitated, biting his lip, then nodded. "I remember," he agreed, smiling tentatively.
Wes stood back up, snagging the ball from Sky's hands. "Now come on; bet you can't catch this one!" He wound up, throwing it to the other side of the clearing.
"You did that on purpose!" Sky protested, giving chase.
He looked at Vanessa again as soon as Sky was out of earshot, his smile vanishing with a sigh. What he had been about to say was interrupted by the sound of his morpher going off. He could see Vanessa tensing out of the corner of his eye as he reached for it. "Time."
The general alert message startled him. "Attention: all active Rangers report to Command immediately. Repeat: all active Rangers report to Command immediately."
He glanced at Vanessa and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Everything's going to be okay," he repeated. "It's probably just another meeting."
"Don't lie to me," she said sharply. She looked like she was going to move towards him, but stopped, squeezing his hand painfully tight instead. "Be careful," she murmured. Her eyes flickered over to Sky, who had finally caught the ball and was now watching them with a frown.
He grinned at her and tussled Sky's hair as he passed him. "Gotta run, buddy. Duty calls." He turned slightly to wave back at them as he started to jog towards S.P.D. "I'll see you at dinner! Chinese - your treat Nes!"
The grin finally turned genuine as he heard her sputter in outrage, but he waited until he was out of sight of them before breaking into a run.
****
"Wind!" he called, jogging to catch up with Tori as she hurried along. "You have any idea what this is about?"
She shook her head, frowning. "Must be an emergency - Dustin hasn't said anything."
"What about Astro or Mystic?"
"Just as surprised as you," Zhane piped up behind him as Chip and Dax joined them. He hesitated. "You think it has anything to do with ... *him*?"
Chip shuddered. "I hope not," he muttered.
"I think that's exactly what it is," Dax commented thoughtfully, moving ahead of them to enter Command.
The other three exchanged worried looks.
The look on Tommy's face when they saw him was less than reassuring. His expression was tight and drawn, and he seemed oddly pale in the florescent lighting. "Rangers, we have a situation," he said gravely.
"Tommy?" Jason asked warily.
"Mirloc is attacking Newtech City," Tommy continued as if he hadn't heard him. "And not just Squads - he's going after civilians."
Everyone tensed. "Then we have to stop him!" Aisha cried.
Slowly, hesitantly, he shook his head. "The information we've learned about Mirloc tells us that his abilities are based around mirrors, and the ability to absorb and reflect energy."
Wes swallowed uneasily as a bad feeling came over him, and memories of Miracon drifted through his mind.
"That's how - " Tommy's voice caught for a moment, and he forcibly cleared it. "That's how he defeated the Dino Thunder Rangers and Lightspeed. By absorbing and reflecting their own powered-up attacks back at them."
"Your mission Rangers, will not be to confront Mirloc directly - you will be search and rescue *only*." Cruger warned them. "Get as many civilians out of the area as possible, and return to S.P.D. We will be sending in three separate teams, in an effort to cover a greater area as fast as possible without catching Mirloc's notice on any one group. Team One will be the Mighty Morphin Rangers, Team Two Astro. Team Three will consist of those Rangers without a full team in the area. Team One will cover the North and East sides of the city. Team Two will work through the residential district. Team Three will go through downtown Newtech." Cruger's eyes narrowed slightly at Wes. "Last reports declared seeing Mirloc around the Parkington Market area; be *careful*. If you see Mirloc, leave the area immediately. Do *not* confront him."
Tori's eyes widened in indignation. "But - "
"That's an *order*, Sergeant Hanson," Cruger growled. "I do not wish to inform another family of more Rangers we have lost."
"With all do respect, Sir," Dax spoke up, frowning at the commander. "You're not a Ranger; you can't possibly understand."
"I know how you feel, Dax," Tommy said softly. His eyes were tortured. "But we can't afford to lose more lives when we still don't have a way to beat him. We *will* get Mirloc back; I promise you that." For a moment, the broken look on his face turned fiercely vengeful. Then it faded, and for the first time in all the years Wes had known him, Tommy looked like an old man, grieving for the students and friends he had lost. "But not today," he finished quietly.
There was a moment of silence.
At last everyone began reaching for their morphers with a solemnity that they rarely had.
"It’s Morphin Time!"
"Let’s Rocket!"
"Time for Time Force!"
"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form! Power of Water!"
"Shift into Turbo! Dune Star Turbo Power!"
"Overdrive, Accelerate!"
All thirteen Rangers regarded each another for a moment. At last Red Mighty Morphin stuck out a hand. Immediately, everyone else piled theirs on top. "Power *Rangers*!"
The forced enthusiasm fell painfully flat.
"Rangers."
They turned at the door to look at Cruger. His head was slightly bowed, his eyes partially closed. "I may not understand the ways of the Power Rangers, but I do understand what means to lose someone I care for." At last he raised his gaze to look at them all. "I do not wish to feel that way again. Be careful, everyone."
"Sir," they returned, saluting swiftly.
For a single moment that bad feeling returned to Red Time Force, overwhelming him, and a feeling of desolation swept over him.
Then he blinked, and it was gone.
****
"Going somewhere?"
The careless drawl sent chills down his spine.
Red Time Force turned to see Mirloc watching them all, leaning almost casually against a building as the rest of his team scrambled to clear the civilians. Cruger's words flickered through his mind for the briefest of moments, followed by a series of images. Trent's red eyes and voice ragged from crying as he gave them the news, Melody's face buried in her father's side as her brother looked up at them all with a lost and broken expression, Ryan with tears streaming down his cheeks and screaming for help as he clutched Carter's limp body, watching Kat solemnly place three Lightspeed Morphers in the vault. That vulnerable look on Sky's face as he asked him to promise that it would be okay.
And for a split second, he hesitated.
"It's him!" someone screamed, and suddenly he found himself surrounded by people running for their lives. The air was filled with cries of terror, and dimly he could see the blurs of blue and yellow as his teammates fought to get them to safety.
Mirloc moved.
"Not so fast Mirloc!" he heard himself shout. "Chrono Saber!"
The world dissolved around him, leaving nothing but Mirloc and the saber in his hand. Mirloc was *fast*; there was no time for anything but instinctive movement. He pushed away all thoughts of his team, of the innocent people around them, of the friends he'd lost, of his family.
And soon it became very clear that Mirloc was winning.
"Time! Duck!"
He dropped to the ground, moments before Yellow Turbo and Blue Overdrive launched themselves into his place. "Gyro Blaster!"
"Turbo Star Chargers!"
He rolled free from the trio, into Blue Wind, who hauled him to his feet as he gasped for breath. "Is everyone clear?" he demanded.
"Almost," she answered quickly. "Some hid."
"Let's get them out while he's busy."
The world blurred again, into frightened children and a woman who had to be helped along. People who cried out and clung to him fearfully. Distantly he could hear explosions and battle cries around them as Blue Overdrive and Yellow Turbo continued to do their best to keep Mirloc busy.
"We're clear!" Blue Wind yelled after what seemed like hours. "We're all clear!"
He turned to call for the retreat and heard a horrible noise like nothing he had ever heard in his life, followed by a scream of agony.
Spinning in alarm, he found Chip - *not* Yellow Turbo - dangling from Mirloc's grip by his left wrist. Sparks of yellow light crackled around Chip's arm, and splinters of metal seemed to be digging into his flesh. His face was twisted in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks as he struggled weakly to get free. And clinging to the sword attached to Mirloc's right wrist was the remains of Chip's Turbo Morpher.
"Is *this* all S.P.D. Earth is capable of?" Mirloc mused almost absently. "I expected more of a challenge."
"Let him go!" Red Time Force shouted, charging forward.
"Gladly," Mirloc sneered. He tossed Chip aside like a rag doll, turning to face them head on.
Chip hit the side of a building and crumpled. He did not get up again.
"Wind! Get Mystic out of here!" Red Time Force ordered, gripping his Chrono Saber tighter.
"But - "
"Now!" he bellowed.
She ran for their fallen teammate's side. "I'll be back!" she called anxiously. The pair vanished in a blue streak.
He searched the plaza anxiously for any sign of Blue Overdrive. He hadn't seen him since he rolled into Blue Wind. Shifting his weight slightly, he circled Mirloc, trying to keep an eye on the villain while subtly looking for his teammate.
"If you're looking for your friend, I'm afraid that you're a bit too late," Mirloc gloated.
He clenched his saber. "Where is he?"
Mirloc tilted his head to the side, considering whether or not to answer. "Hmm ... "
"Where is he?!"
Mirloc shifted every so slightly, turning his head to study the battered fountain in the center of the market. "Perhaps you're simply not looking close enough, Ranger."
Red Time Force bolted, grabbing desperately for the edge of the fountain as he nearly threw himself over the side to look. "Overdrive!"
Dax floated face down just below the surface.
He wrenched the other man over, hauling him up and onto the ground. A pale face with glazed eyes gazed up at him blankly. "No!" he shouted desperately, frantically pushing down on his chest before trying to feel for a pulse. "Come on! Dax, come on!"
"No!"
His head snapped up at the horrified scream to see Blue Wind frozen directly across from him. She stumbled toward them, reaching out for their fallen teammate. "Dax?" she whispered.
His eyes widened behind his helmet. "Tori! Move!"
But she turned too late, knocked flying by Mirloc's saber as it slashed her directly across the chest. She demorphed with a cry of pain, struggling to look up through long blond hair.
Then her eyes hardened, her fist clenching against the ground. "I never lost to Lothor, and I'll never lose to a monster like you," she snarled, pushing herself to her feet.
"Tori, run!" Red Time Force shouted. "What are you doing?! Get out of here!"
To his horror, she assumed a fighting stance. Her hands moved in a circular motion, and he could feel the rise of energy behind her. "Power of Water!"
Mirloc laughed. "Oh, that's priceless. You think you can destroy me with *water*?"
"Watch me!" she shouted back furiously.
"Tori no!"
She let loose a blast of pure, elemental energy, straight at Mirloc. And Mirloc smirked, reaching up to open his chest. The water splashed against something that shone brightly, glimmered with light, and rebounded, surrounding Tori before even Red Time Force could move.
"*No*!" he screamed, reaching out desperately.
The water around her seemed to have no limit, no end. There was only the blast of light and the water within it. He could see her struggling, trying to force her way free. For a moment, she seemed to calm, her eyes closing as she tried to find her center and regain control over her element.
Then he realized he was wrong as her body slackened, beginning to float inside the seamless bubble.
A wordless howl tore itself from his lips, and he dropped to his knees. Behind him the body of one teammate, before him the limp form of another. At S.P.D., two fighting for their lives. And six more that he would never see again.
And the sound of Mirloc laughing at him.
He didn't know where his Chrono Sabers had fallen. He didn't care. All he knew was that he whispered its name as he slowly climbed to his feet, and found them in his hands. And then he was moving, rushing at Mirloc with a fury he'd never known.
"Time Strike!"
The world went white, then red, and at last faded to black.
Author/: Tsukino Akume
Fandom/: Power Rangers Time Force moving into S.P.D., multiple Rangers from each season
Characters/: Wes (Time Force), multiple Rangers from other teams (Literally too many to list)
Pairings/: Post - Wes/Eric, Rocky/Adam, Shane/Dustin, Hunter/Cam, Carter/Dana, Andros/Ashley, Zhane/Karone, Carlos/Ronny, Jason/Taylor, Conner/Ethan, Justin/Rose, Tommy/Kimberly, Tyzonn/Mack, Cassie/OC, Nick/Maddison, Zack/Aisha, Trent/Kira, Post - Billy/Cestria. Future Ryan/Carter and Billy/Hayley. More couples will most likely be mentioned, but not shown.
prompt/: #41: Hopelessness
Rating/:T (For non - graphic mentions of people having babies and being violent with one another)
Disclaimer/: I don't own the Power Rangers, but if Disney's hiring any new writers I volunteer.
Summary/: When Wes' life starts to fall apart, an accident gives him a chance at a fresh start in Newtech City, with Space Patrol Delta. But even a new life has its ups and downs - and weird friends. Meanwhile, Eric tries to move on.
Warnings/: A mentally handicapped person living in a medical facility, angst, male and female slash, non-cemented couples (In otherwords, pairings that will be separated), children created by scientific means, character death
Author's Notes/: I hate battle scenes. They never come out like I want them to. Anyone with feedback or suggestions for improvement would be most welcome.
Character death ahead.
"This can't be happening."
Wes felt numb. Dimly he registered Kimberly's protest as she sobbed, but he couldn't find the will to summon a response. All he could do was stare at Carter's body as the heart monitor continued to assure them all that despite appearances, he was still alive.
'Rangers down'. The words had been echoing through his head since they'd gotten the call. The call that drove all of S.P.D. into a frantic mess.
Because the Rangers weren't 'down'.
Six of them now that had been destroyed by this monster. He'd gone after the Dino Thunder Rangers before anyone had even known what was happening. There was only the sudden news from a grieving Trent, now a single father and the last of his team, leaving them all stunned and horrified.
From the information they'd gathered, the Lightspeed Rescue team had stumbled across him by accident - they weren't even on duty. The frantic backup call had caught them all by surprise, and by that point Kelsey was already gone. Ryan had appeared mere moments before helped arrived, just in time to watch Joel shove Carter out of the way of a blast that would have taken his life - sacrificing his own and Chad's in the process. Ryan just barely managed to drag Carter back to S.P.D., the creature's cruel laughter echoing behind them.
And staring through the window of the hospital wing at Carter lying so still, Ryan in mourning at his side, those words just kept repeating over and over.
'Rangers down'. 'Rangers down'.
****
"Are you sure we should be out in the open like this?" Vanessa asked warily, glancing around them.
"It's fine," Wes said distantly, watching his son run after the baseball they'd brought along. "We're not even out of sight of S.P.D. And there are three patrols in this area alone right now."
"I still don't think it's a good idea," she muttered, eyeing him again. "It's like offering you up on a platter and saying 'Here: come and get it'."
He shrugged. "We can't keep Sky cooped up in the house forever. The tension in S.P.D. is driving everyone crazy as it is." He paused, turning to shoot her an amused look. "'Come and get it'?"
"Took you long enough," she humphed, a smile tugging at the corner of her lips. She glanced at him and sighed, reaching up to squeeze his shoulder. "Carter will be okay," she murmured gently.
His throat felt tight. "The others won't."
Her expression softened, and she squeezed his hand. She started to say something and stopped, forcing a smile to her face. "Sky's coming," she said under her breath.
Wes turned to smile at his son, trying not to wince at his solemn expression. Sky wasn't stupid; he knew bad things were happening, and that his Uncle Carter was in ICU. But he refused to let his son know just how bad things truly were. "Ready for another throw, buddy?"
Sky shrugged, and he crouched down in front of him with a sigh. "Hey," he murmured, touching his son's cheek. "Everything's gonna be okay. Don't worry so much."
Sky looked up at him for a moment, studying him quietly. "You promise?" he asked softly, a vulnerable look his eyes.
Wes gave him a hug, trying not to let him see the way he had to blink back tears for a moment. "I promise, Sky. Everything's going to be okay. Uncle Carter will be back on his feet in no time, and you can ask him for more stories about being a firefighter."
"And you'll get the bad guy?" Sky persisted.
He pulled back a bit to give him his best winning smile. "Hey, the Power Rangers *always* get the bad guy, remember?"
Sky hesitated, biting his lip, then nodded. "I remember," he agreed, smiling tentatively.
Wes stood back up, snagging the ball from Sky's hands. "Now come on; bet you can't catch this one!" He wound up, throwing it to the other side of the clearing.
"You did that on purpose!" Sky protested, giving chase.
He looked at Vanessa again as soon as Sky was out of earshot, his smile vanishing with a sigh. What he had been about to say was interrupted by the sound of his morpher going off. He could see Vanessa tensing out of the corner of his eye as he reached for it. "Time."
The general alert message startled him. "Attention: all active Rangers report to Command immediately. Repeat: all active Rangers report to Command immediately."
He glanced at Vanessa and tried to give her a reassuring smile. "Everything's going to be okay," he repeated. "It's probably just another meeting."
"Don't lie to me," she said sharply. She looked like she was going to move towards him, but stopped, squeezing his hand painfully tight instead. "Be careful," she murmured. Her eyes flickered over to Sky, who had finally caught the ball and was now watching them with a frown.
He grinned at her and tussled Sky's hair as he passed him. "Gotta run, buddy. Duty calls." He turned slightly to wave back at them as he started to jog towards S.P.D. "I'll see you at dinner! Chinese - your treat Nes!"
The grin finally turned genuine as he heard her sputter in outrage, but he waited until he was out of sight of them before breaking into a run.
****
"Wind!" he called, jogging to catch up with Tori as she hurried along. "You have any idea what this is about?"
She shook her head, frowning. "Must be an emergency - Dustin hasn't said anything."
"What about Astro or Mystic?"
"Just as surprised as you," Zhane piped up behind him as Chip and Dax joined them. He hesitated. "You think it has anything to do with ... *him*?"
Chip shuddered. "I hope not," he muttered.
"I think that's exactly what it is," Dax commented thoughtfully, moving ahead of them to enter Command.
The other three exchanged worried looks.
The look on Tommy's face when they saw him was less than reassuring. His expression was tight and drawn, and he seemed oddly pale in the florescent lighting. "Rangers, we have a situation," he said gravely.
"Tommy?" Jason asked warily.
"Mirloc is attacking Newtech City," Tommy continued as if he hadn't heard him. "And not just Squads - he's going after civilians."
Everyone tensed. "Then we have to stop him!" Aisha cried.
Slowly, hesitantly, he shook his head. "The information we've learned about Mirloc tells us that his abilities are based around mirrors, and the ability to absorb and reflect energy."
Wes swallowed uneasily as a bad feeling came over him, and memories of Miracon drifted through his mind.
"That's how - " Tommy's voice caught for a moment, and he forcibly cleared it. "That's how he defeated the Dino Thunder Rangers and Lightspeed. By absorbing and reflecting their own powered-up attacks back at them."
"Your mission Rangers, will not be to confront Mirloc directly - you will be search and rescue *only*." Cruger warned them. "Get as many civilians out of the area as possible, and return to S.P.D. We will be sending in three separate teams, in an effort to cover a greater area as fast as possible without catching Mirloc's notice on any one group. Team One will be the Mighty Morphin Rangers, Team Two Astro. Team Three will consist of those Rangers without a full team in the area. Team One will cover the North and East sides of the city. Team Two will work through the residential district. Team Three will go through downtown Newtech." Cruger's eyes narrowed slightly at Wes. "Last reports declared seeing Mirloc around the Parkington Market area; be *careful*. If you see Mirloc, leave the area immediately. Do *not* confront him."
Tori's eyes widened in indignation. "But - "
"That's an *order*, Sergeant Hanson," Cruger growled. "I do not wish to inform another family of more Rangers we have lost."
"With all do respect, Sir," Dax spoke up, frowning at the commander. "You're not a Ranger; you can't possibly understand."
"I know how you feel, Dax," Tommy said softly. His eyes were tortured. "But we can't afford to lose more lives when we still don't have a way to beat him. We *will* get Mirloc back; I promise you that." For a moment, the broken look on his face turned fiercely vengeful. Then it faded, and for the first time in all the years Wes had known him, Tommy looked like an old man, grieving for the students and friends he had lost. "But not today," he finished quietly.
There was a moment of silence.
At last everyone began reaching for their morphers with a solemnity that they rarely had.
"It’s Morphin Time!"
"Let’s Rocket!"
"Time for Time Force!"
"Ninja Storm, Ranger Form! Power of Water!"
"Shift into Turbo! Dune Star Turbo Power!"
"Overdrive, Accelerate!"
All thirteen Rangers regarded each another for a moment. At last Red Mighty Morphin stuck out a hand. Immediately, everyone else piled theirs on top. "Power *Rangers*!"
The forced enthusiasm fell painfully flat.
"Rangers."
They turned at the door to look at Cruger. His head was slightly bowed, his eyes partially closed. "I may not understand the ways of the Power Rangers, but I do understand what means to lose someone I care for." At last he raised his gaze to look at them all. "I do not wish to feel that way again. Be careful, everyone."
"Sir," they returned, saluting swiftly.
For a single moment that bad feeling returned to Red Time Force, overwhelming him, and a feeling of desolation swept over him.
Then he blinked, and it was gone.
****
"Going somewhere?"
The careless drawl sent chills down his spine.
Red Time Force turned to see Mirloc watching them all, leaning almost casually against a building as the rest of his team scrambled to clear the civilians. Cruger's words flickered through his mind for the briefest of moments, followed by a series of images. Trent's red eyes and voice ragged from crying as he gave them the news, Melody's face buried in her father's side as her brother looked up at them all with a lost and broken expression, Ryan with tears streaming down his cheeks and screaming for help as he clutched Carter's limp body, watching Kat solemnly place three Lightspeed Morphers in the vault. That vulnerable look on Sky's face as he asked him to promise that it would be okay.
And for a split second, he hesitated.
"It's him!" someone screamed, and suddenly he found himself surrounded by people running for their lives. The air was filled with cries of terror, and dimly he could see the blurs of blue and yellow as his teammates fought to get them to safety.
Mirloc moved.
"Not so fast Mirloc!" he heard himself shout. "Chrono Saber!"
The world dissolved around him, leaving nothing but Mirloc and the saber in his hand. Mirloc was *fast*; there was no time for anything but instinctive movement. He pushed away all thoughts of his team, of the innocent people around them, of the friends he'd lost, of his family.
And soon it became very clear that Mirloc was winning.
"Time! Duck!"
He dropped to the ground, moments before Yellow Turbo and Blue Overdrive launched themselves into his place. "Gyro Blaster!"
"Turbo Star Chargers!"
He rolled free from the trio, into Blue Wind, who hauled him to his feet as he gasped for breath. "Is everyone clear?" he demanded.
"Almost," she answered quickly. "Some hid."
"Let's get them out while he's busy."
The world blurred again, into frightened children and a woman who had to be helped along. People who cried out and clung to him fearfully. Distantly he could hear explosions and battle cries around them as Blue Overdrive and Yellow Turbo continued to do their best to keep Mirloc busy.
"We're clear!" Blue Wind yelled after what seemed like hours. "We're all clear!"
He turned to call for the retreat and heard a horrible noise like nothing he had ever heard in his life, followed by a scream of agony.
Spinning in alarm, he found Chip - *not* Yellow Turbo - dangling from Mirloc's grip by his left wrist. Sparks of yellow light crackled around Chip's arm, and splinters of metal seemed to be digging into his flesh. His face was twisted in pain, tears streaming down his cheeks as he struggled weakly to get free. And clinging to the sword attached to Mirloc's right wrist was the remains of Chip's Turbo Morpher.
"Is *this* all S.P.D. Earth is capable of?" Mirloc mused almost absently. "I expected more of a challenge."
"Let him go!" Red Time Force shouted, charging forward.
"Gladly," Mirloc sneered. He tossed Chip aside like a rag doll, turning to face them head on.
Chip hit the side of a building and crumpled. He did not get up again.
"Wind! Get Mystic out of here!" Red Time Force ordered, gripping his Chrono Saber tighter.
"But - "
"Now!" he bellowed.
She ran for their fallen teammate's side. "I'll be back!" she called anxiously. The pair vanished in a blue streak.
He searched the plaza anxiously for any sign of Blue Overdrive. He hadn't seen him since he rolled into Blue Wind. Shifting his weight slightly, he circled Mirloc, trying to keep an eye on the villain while subtly looking for his teammate.
"If you're looking for your friend, I'm afraid that you're a bit too late," Mirloc gloated.
He clenched his saber. "Where is he?"
Mirloc tilted his head to the side, considering whether or not to answer. "Hmm ... "
"Where is he?!"
Mirloc shifted every so slightly, turning his head to study the battered fountain in the center of the market. "Perhaps you're simply not looking close enough, Ranger."
Red Time Force bolted, grabbing desperately for the edge of the fountain as he nearly threw himself over the side to look. "Overdrive!"
Dax floated face down just below the surface.
He wrenched the other man over, hauling him up and onto the ground. A pale face with glazed eyes gazed up at him blankly. "No!" he shouted desperately, frantically pushing down on his chest before trying to feel for a pulse. "Come on! Dax, come on!"
"No!"
His head snapped up at the horrified scream to see Blue Wind frozen directly across from him. She stumbled toward them, reaching out for their fallen teammate. "Dax?" she whispered.
His eyes widened behind his helmet. "Tori! Move!"
But she turned too late, knocked flying by Mirloc's saber as it slashed her directly across the chest. She demorphed with a cry of pain, struggling to look up through long blond hair.
Then her eyes hardened, her fist clenching against the ground. "I never lost to Lothor, and I'll never lose to a monster like you," she snarled, pushing herself to her feet.
"Tori, run!" Red Time Force shouted. "What are you doing?! Get out of here!"
To his horror, she assumed a fighting stance. Her hands moved in a circular motion, and he could feel the rise of energy behind her. "Power of Water!"
Mirloc laughed. "Oh, that's priceless. You think you can destroy me with *water*?"
"Watch me!" she shouted back furiously.
"Tori no!"
She let loose a blast of pure, elemental energy, straight at Mirloc. And Mirloc smirked, reaching up to open his chest. The water splashed against something that shone brightly, glimmered with light, and rebounded, surrounding Tori before even Red Time Force could move.
"*No*!" he screamed, reaching out desperately.
The water around her seemed to have no limit, no end. There was only the blast of light and the water within it. He could see her struggling, trying to force her way free. For a moment, she seemed to calm, her eyes closing as she tried to find her center and regain control over her element.
Then he realized he was wrong as her body slackened, beginning to float inside the seamless bubble.
A wordless howl tore itself from his lips, and he dropped to his knees. Behind him the body of one teammate, before him the limp form of another. At S.P.D., two fighting for their lives. And six more that he would never see again.
And the sound of Mirloc laughing at him.
He didn't know where his Chrono Sabers had fallen. He didn't care. All he knew was that he whispered its name as he slowly climbed to his feet, and found them in his hands. And then he was moving, rushing at Mirloc with a fury he'd never known.
"Time Strike!"
The world went white, then red, and at last faded to black.