Bright Skies (Multi - Season Crossover/Power Rangers, prompt #42: Blind, T)
Too tired to be funny. I'm posting this already because
aisho_ren begged me not to kill Wes, and
phantom_blue refused to read Hopelessness until she didn't have to worry about cliffhangers, the brat.
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/: #42: Blind
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 New Tech 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/: Look! Wes is still alive! This is quite possibly one of the most difficult characterizations I've had to do, especially with Wes, who's usually such a happy person. And best of all, Wes' trauma isn't over yet! Also because I can't remember if it's been clearly mentioned in Bright Skies yet or not, Wes knows American Sign Language because his mother is mentally handicapped and uses it as a primary means of communication.
Dark topics ahead.
The first time he woke up, it was to darkness. He tried weakly to move, even to just open his eyes, and decided it took too much effort. He laid back quietly, and let sleep overtake him again.
****
The second time he awoke, it was still dark.
But this time he could hear someone beside him, holding his hand and gently rubbing the back. "You should have seen Sky today, Wes," the person murmured. There was a soft chuckle. "That kid ran rings around the rest of his Squad. Dru was the only one who could keep up with him, and even he had to struggle. And then you know what the brat did? He turns around and calls the rest of his Squad lazy. And Zack was too busy laughing to tell him to knock it off."
His heart clenched painfully. He *knew* that voice. Even after four years, he could never forget the sound.
But what was he doing here? The last thing he remembered was -
"Tori!" The words tore themselves painfully from his throat as he tried to sit up. But something was holding him down, something that covered his face and made it hurt to speak or breathe. He tried anyway, desperate to find his team. "Dax!"
"Wes?!"
There was a pause, then a warm body leaning down over him, holding either side of his face. "Wes, calm down. You need to relax; you've got an oxygen mask on. Just breathe, okay?"
He struggled weakly. Didn't he understand? Where was his team? Were they okay? How was Chip? Was Mirloc still out there?
A thumb stroked his cheek gently. "Calm down, Wes," Eric soothed. "Just calm down. No one can tell you anything if you pass out, remember?"
Slowly, he found himself relaxing instinctively, taking careful, deep breaths. Damn him. He always knew just how to get him to listen, didn't he?
"Team ... " he tried to say.
"Easy, Wes," Eric returned softly. "I can't hear you. You're wearing an oxygen mask. Let me call the Docs, okay?"
His brow furrowed in confusion. Oxygen mask? And since when did Eric call Ashley and Aisha Docs?
The hands were eventually removed from his face, and he found himself missing the warmth. After what seemed like ages, he could hear voices in the distance, and he strained to hear them.
"This is *impossible* ... After all this time, he just - "
"I *told* you!"
"But medically, this is a miracle!"
"And I told you, over and over. Wes never does what's expected of him."
"Eric, there's a difference between what's expected and what's medically possible."
An indignant humph. "And since when are Power Rangers 'medically possible'?"
" ... he has a point, Aisha."
Aisha? When did she get back? Oh, no - Mirloc didn't find her team, did he?
He tried to ask, and made a pained sort of wheezing noise instead.
"Easy, Wes," Eric said again, sounding much closer now. A hand squeezed his gently.
"Hey, Wes," It sounded like Aisha was right above him, and he flinched slightly. Why was the room so dark, anyway? Couldn't they turn on some lights already?
"It's good to see you with your eyes finally open," she teased softly. "Ash and I are just going to check you over, okay? You've been asleep for awhile, and we want to make sure you're okay."
He frowned again. Asleep for awhile? How long had he been out, anyway?
Team ... he mouthed. Something occurred to him, and he tried to spell the word out with his right hand.
"I didn't get that, Wes. You need to go slower," Eric said softly.
He sighed impatiently, carefully signing t, e, a, m again.
"Team?" Eric sounded puzzled.
Yes, he signed.
There was a sharp intake of breath from someone, covered by a hasty "Let's worry about you for right now, okay? We can talk about them later," Aisha told him.
He scowled, signing again. This time he added n, o, w. He paused, flashing okay as well.
He was not imagining their hesitation.
His jaw clenched, and he could hear something beeping in the background suddenly getting faster. Was he on a heart monitor? How bad of shape had he been in, anyway?
"Wes, you need to stay calm for me, okay?" There was a slight warning in Aisha's tone. "You've been through a lot, and we don't want you to hurt yourself again."
Annoyance flared. If he'd been through a lot, why wouldn't they tell him what was going on?
"Okay, Wes. Now I need you to look straight into the light for me." he heard Ashley say.
Light? What light?
"I know it hurts to look at, but I need to check your eyes," she reprimanded gently.
Light, he signed at last, feeling frustrated. No light.
"What was that?" Aisha asked.
"I'm not so good at this stuff," Eric muttered. "Sky's better, but - "
"Can you try that slower, Wes?" Ashley interrupted.
His eyes narrowed. Son, he signed instead.
There was a long pause. "Sky's in school, Wes," Eric said at last. He could tell by his tone that he was trying to force a smile, and it wasn't working. "You'll have to make do with just me right now, okay?"
How could Sky be in school? It was June; he'd just gotten *out* of school. And he'd refused to go to any camps, saying he'd wanted to spend his summer at S.P.D.
What was going on here?
He could hear the beeping noise getting louder again, and forced himself to take a deep breath. With exaggerated slowness, he spelled out w, h, a, t, h, a, p, p, e, n, e, d. He glared in the direction Eric's voice had been coming from.
There was a long silence.
"Wes, look at me," Aisha ordered suddenly.
His eyes flickered to the sound of her voice. He spelled out light, sighed irritably as he wished that Eric was better at sign language, and added room dark.
Another long silence.
"The room isn't dark, Wes," Ashley whispered.
"Then why does he think it is?" Eric demanded sharply.
"Eric, calm down before I have to call Ryan and Carter," Aisha threatened. "We can't figure out what's going on if you jump down our throats." Her voice softened for a moment. "We want to know what's wrong with Wes just as much as you do."
There was a pause. "Sorry," Eric muttered at last.
"We'll have to run some tests," Ashley murmured. "Just to ... make sure of his condition."
"How long will that take?"
"A few hours probably."
" ... Okay. I'll have Vanessa pick up Sky."
Wes frowned again. Since when did Eric know Vanessa? And why would he be picking up Sky?
Then Eric's voice was close again, and his hand being squeezed. "I'll wait for you to get done, okay Wes? I'm gonna be right here."
Wes stared up at the direction of the voice. Why he spelled out finally.
Eric hesitated. "Because I want to," he said at last.
Wes frowned. Eric was lying; that much was obvious. But he pushed the thought aside in favor of his other questions. Where was the rest of his team, and were they okay? Carter was back to work already? Ryan was home? Sky was back to school? What happened to Mirloc? How long had he been unconscious? What was Eric *doing* here?
And why couldn't he see the light?
****
"I know this is going to be a shock. I wish there was an easy way to put it, but ... "
He was blind.
" ... lucky to be alive - "
Completely and absolutely blind.
"With all the medical technology available, and the brilliant minds at S.P.D. I'm sure there's something - "
Somehow, that last Time Strike against Mirloc had burned through his retinas badly enough to leave permanent damage. He'd gone after him with all the Power he had in that attack, and all it had done was drain his morpher completely and take his sight from him. But then, losing his sight was nothing compared to what else he'd lost ...
"It's ... it's been awhile .... We weren't sure that you'd ever wake up ... "
It had taken hours of endless questioning, but they'd finally given him the answers he'd thought he wanted.
"Y-your team?" A voice catching, a sound of pain. "We ... we couldn't ... there was nothing we could do, Wes. I'm so, so sorry ... "
Gone.
Tori and Dax had been destroyed by Mirloc. Chip had lost all movement in his left arm; he'd eventually left S.P.D. all together. Zhane was still alive, still here, but he'd never been the same. Something about blaming himself ...
"Sky isn't quite ready to see you yet. I'm sorry. It's just that ... you've been in a coma for a long time now. He's just scared, that's all ... "
But it didn't matter if his son wanted to see him or not, did it? He'd never see Sky again.
He'd never see anything again.
aisho_ren begged me not to kill Wes, and
phantom_blue refused to read Hopelessness until she didn't have to worry about cliffhangers, the brat.
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/: #42: Blind
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 New Tech 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/: Look! Wes is still alive! This is quite possibly one of the most difficult characterizations I've had to do, especially with Wes, who's usually such a happy person. And best of all, Wes' trauma isn't over yet! Also because I can't remember if it's been clearly mentioned in Bright Skies yet or not, Wes knows American Sign Language because his mother is mentally handicapped and uses it as a primary means of communication.
Dark topics ahead.
The first time he woke up, it was to darkness. He tried weakly to move, even to just open his eyes, and decided it took too much effort. He laid back quietly, and let sleep overtake him again.
****
The second time he awoke, it was still dark.
But this time he could hear someone beside him, holding his hand and gently rubbing the back. "You should have seen Sky today, Wes," the person murmured. There was a soft chuckle. "That kid ran rings around the rest of his Squad. Dru was the only one who could keep up with him, and even he had to struggle. And then you know what the brat did? He turns around and calls the rest of his Squad lazy. And Zack was too busy laughing to tell him to knock it off."
His heart clenched painfully. He *knew* that voice. Even after four years, he could never forget the sound.
But what was he doing here? The last thing he remembered was -
"Tori!" The words tore themselves painfully from his throat as he tried to sit up. But something was holding him down, something that covered his face and made it hurt to speak or breathe. He tried anyway, desperate to find his team. "Dax!"
"Wes?!"
There was a pause, then a warm body leaning down over him, holding either side of his face. "Wes, calm down. You need to relax; you've got an oxygen mask on. Just breathe, okay?"
He struggled weakly. Didn't he understand? Where was his team? Were they okay? How was Chip? Was Mirloc still out there?
A thumb stroked his cheek gently. "Calm down, Wes," Eric soothed. "Just calm down. No one can tell you anything if you pass out, remember?"
Slowly, he found himself relaxing instinctively, taking careful, deep breaths. Damn him. He always knew just how to get him to listen, didn't he?
"Team ... " he tried to say.
"Easy, Wes," Eric returned softly. "I can't hear you. You're wearing an oxygen mask. Let me call the Docs, okay?"
His brow furrowed in confusion. Oxygen mask? And since when did Eric call Ashley and Aisha Docs?
The hands were eventually removed from his face, and he found himself missing the warmth. After what seemed like ages, he could hear voices in the distance, and he strained to hear them.
"This is *impossible* ... After all this time, he just - "
"I *told* you!"
"But medically, this is a miracle!"
"And I told you, over and over. Wes never does what's expected of him."
"Eric, there's a difference between what's expected and what's medically possible."
An indignant humph. "And since when are Power Rangers 'medically possible'?"
" ... he has a point, Aisha."
Aisha? When did she get back? Oh, no - Mirloc didn't find her team, did he?
He tried to ask, and made a pained sort of wheezing noise instead.
"Easy, Wes," Eric said again, sounding much closer now. A hand squeezed his gently.
"Hey, Wes," It sounded like Aisha was right above him, and he flinched slightly. Why was the room so dark, anyway? Couldn't they turn on some lights already?
"It's good to see you with your eyes finally open," she teased softly. "Ash and I are just going to check you over, okay? You've been asleep for awhile, and we want to make sure you're okay."
He frowned again. Asleep for awhile? How long had he been out, anyway?
Team ... he mouthed. Something occurred to him, and he tried to spell the word out with his right hand.
"I didn't get that, Wes. You need to go slower," Eric said softly.
He sighed impatiently, carefully signing t, e, a, m again.
"Team?" Eric sounded puzzled.
Yes, he signed.
There was a sharp intake of breath from someone, covered by a hasty "Let's worry about you for right now, okay? We can talk about them later," Aisha told him.
He scowled, signing again. This time he added n, o, w. He paused, flashing okay as well.
He was not imagining their hesitation.
His jaw clenched, and he could hear something beeping in the background suddenly getting faster. Was he on a heart monitor? How bad of shape had he been in, anyway?
"Wes, you need to stay calm for me, okay?" There was a slight warning in Aisha's tone. "You've been through a lot, and we don't want you to hurt yourself again."
Annoyance flared. If he'd been through a lot, why wouldn't they tell him what was going on?
"Okay, Wes. Now I need you to look straight into the light for me." he heard Ashley say.
Light? What light?
"I know it hurts to look at, but I need to check your eyes," she reprimanded gently.
Light, he signed at last, feeling frustrated. No light.
"What was that?" Aisha asked.
"I'm not so good at this stuff," Eric muttered. "Sky's better, but - "
"Can you try that slower, Wes?" Ashley interrupted.
His eyes narrowed. Son, he signed instead.
There was a long pause. "Sky's in school, Wes," Eric said at last. He could tell by his tone that he was trying to force a smile, and it wasn't working. "You'll have to make do with just me right now, okay?"
How could Sky be in school? It was June; he'd just gotten *out* of school. And he'd refused to go to any camps, saying he'd wanted to spend his summer at S.P.D.
What was going on here?
He could hear the beeping noise getting louder again, and forced himself to take a deep breath. With exaggerated slowness, he spelled out w, h, a, t, h, a, p, p, e, n, e, d. He glared in the direction Eric's voice had been coming from.
There was a long silence.
"Wes, look at me," Aisha ordered suddenly.
His eyes flickered to the sound of her voice. He spelled out light, sighed irritably as he wished that Eric was better at sign language, and added room dark.
Another long silence.
"The room isn't dark, Wes," Ashley whispered.
"Then why does he think it is?" Eric demanded sharply.
"Eric, calm down before I have to call Ryan and Carter," Aisha threatened. "We can't figure out what's going on if you jump down our throats." Her voice softened for a moment. "We want to know what's wrong with Wes just as much as you do."
There was a pause. "Sorry," Eric muttered at last.
"We'll have to run some tests," Ashley murmured. "Just to ... make sure of his condition."
"How long will that take?"
"A few hours probably."
" ... Okay. I'll have Vanessa pick up Sky."
Wes frowned again. Since when did Eric know Vanessa? And why would he be picking up Sky?
Then Eric's voice was close again, and his hand being squeezed. "I'll wait for you to get done, okay Wes? I'm gonna be right here."
Wes stared up at the direction of the voice. Why he spelled out finally.
Eric hesitated. "Because I want to," he said at last.
Wes frowned. Eric was lying; that much was obvious. But he pushed the thought aside in favor of his other questions. Where was the rest of his team, and were they okay? Carter was back to work already? Ryan was home? Sky was back to school? What happened to Mirloc? How long had he been unconscious? What was Eric *doing* here?
And why couldn't he see the light?
****
"I know this is going to be a shock. I wish there was an easy way to put it, but ... "
He was blind.
" ... lucky to be alive - "
Completely and absolutely blind.
"With all the medical technology available, and the brilliant minds at S.P.D. I'm sure there's something - "
Somehow, that last Time Strike against Mirloc had burned through his retinas badly enough to leave permanent damage. He'd gone after him with all the Power he had in that attack, and all it had done was drain his morpher completely and take his sight from him. But then, losing his sight was nothing compared to what else he'd lost ...
"It's ... it's been awhile .... We weren't sure that you'd ever wake up ... "
It had taken hours of endless questioning, but they'd finally given him the answers he'd thought he wanted.
"Y-your team?" A voice catching, a sound of pain. "We ... we couldn't ... there was nothing we could do, Wes. I'm so, so sorry ... "
Gone.
Tori and Dax had been destroyed by Mirloc. Chip had lost all movement in his left arm; he'd eventually left S.P.D. all together. Zhane was still alive, still here, but he'd never been the same. Something about blaming himself ...
"Sky isn't quite ready to see you yet. I'm sorry. It's just that ... you've been in a coma for a long time now. He's just scared, that's all ... "
But it didn't matter if his son wanted to see him or not, did it? He'd never see Sky again.
He'd never see anything again.