Bright Skies (Multi - Season Crossover/Power Rangers, prompt #88: Summer, T)
And finally, my favorite of the four chapters I wrote while waiting for net. Now if I can just get Eric to decide if he wants his own version of Badge, or a fluffy Badge aftermath. -Glares at him-
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/: #88: Summer
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/: I have changed the content of this prompt repeatedly. Originally it was going to be a light, happy, summer barbeque. Then I re-watched Impact and got … this.
"Cruger!" Wes bellowed, storming into the Command Center. More than one person looked up in surprise as he came in, but he only had eyes for the big blue dog seated in his command chair. He seized him by the front of his uniform, yanking him close. "What were you *thinking*?!" he shouted furiously. "How *dare* you send *my son* off on some ... some - "
"Sergeant Collins, please calm yourself." Cruger wasn't angry. Cruger was almost placid, staring back at him coolly.
"*Calm* myself?!"
"Are you going to tell me you have not volunteered yourself in exactly the same manner as Sky did today?"
"That's different," he snapped. "That's - "
"Not you?" Cruger retorted, giving him a disdainful look. "Did you not once put your own father into the very same position as you are now, forced to watch his son do what has to be done to protect innocent lives, even if that may be at the cost of his own?"
"I - "
"Wes." He could hear Kat behind him, but he didn't really care. "Sky volunteered for the mission. Cruger was forced to make the ultimate decision of who was going to go, but Sky was never forced. If anything, he would have stowed along in exactly the same manner that Jack did."
Jack had stowed ... ? No ... Not both of them. Not ....
"That doesn't excuse what you've done!" he shouted. "He's not even eighteen years old! They're not old enough to make that sort of decision!"
"Do you think I made this choice lightly?" Cruger demanded, the scales on his neck starting to rise in agitation. "Do you think I *enjoy* sending my cadets on a mission they may not return from? Darn it, Wes! You're not the only one who's afraid they won't make it back!"
That cowed him, but only for a moment. "They're not your children, Doggie," he reminded him flatly.
Cruger's cold glare met his own. "As you and the other Rangers have repeatedly reminded me, blood does not make a family. While we do not share lineage, I consider all of B Squad to be my children just as much as you do," he growled softly. "Do not presume that I have no feelings of my own about their safety."
Wes closed his eyes, fighting to reign in his temper and failing. "If they don't make it back ... "
"You will not be the one I answer to," Cruger returned coldly.
He spun and left to find Vanessa. If anyone knew how to track what was going on with Sky and Jack, she would.
****
Unlike the tense quiet of Command, the Tech Department was utter chaos.
Justin and Vanessa had each commandeered a console, while various staff members ran around doing ... something. He wasn't sure what. In one corner Boom seemed to be talking on a split comm link with Andrew Hartford and Rose Ortiz. Which was odd, but he couldn't remember why right now.
He made straight for Vanessa. "Did you know Jack stowed away on the S.W.A.T. Megazord with Sky?" he demanded.
"We just got his transmission," she answered distractedly, fingers flying. "Justin, can you get - "
"On it."
Only a couple of minutes had passed before Dustin was hurrying up to them, looking uncharacteristically worried. "Dudes, I'm doing the best I can, but I don't know. Maybe if they gave me more of a chance to work on it before he left, I could say for sure. But like, trying to fix it by remote just isn't the same. That's Cam's thing, dude."
"Then get Cam on a comm," Vanessa snapped back. "Whatever it takes to get this done, do it."
Dustin flinched back, staring at her in surprise.
Justin glanced up enough to reach out and squeeze the other man's shoulder. "Can you get him?" he asked. "We don't have much time before Sky gets there."
Quickly recovering himself, Dustin nodded. "I'll see what he can do, dude."
"What's going on?" Wes asked, frowning uncertainly.
"We're not sure if the S.W.A.T. Flyer Cannon has enough power to actually destroy the meteor," Justin answered, not bothering to look at him. "Right now, it's either going to blow it up, or put a nice hole in it. We have to find a way to recalibrate the energy levels on the Cannon to make sure it'll work before Sky gets there."
Wes stared at him. "You mean it might not work even if he gets to the meteor?"
Justin hesitated. "No."
Wes reached out for a console to steady himself, feeling the blood drain from his face. He *knew* his son. He knew how much Sky valued his duty as a Power Ranger. How much pride he took in his family line. If the S.W.A.T. Flyer Cannon didn't work, Sky would do whatever he had to to stop that meteor.
*Whatever* he had to.
"Taylor!" He heard someone call. "How are the Megazords doing against the Dragoul?"
"Darn it, not now! Ask me later!"
"That answers that question," Justin grumbled.
"We're forming the Delta Command Megazord," Kat announced calmly over the loudspeaker. "All cadets to safety zones."
Distantly, Wes wondered if the labs were in a safety zone. It didn't seem to matter, because no one was moving.
"Cam's got the Cannon!" Dustin shouted suddenly. "He said he amped it up as far as it can hold!"
"What now?" Boom asked, looking nervous.
"Now we cross our fingers and pray," Vanessa muttered.
"Double-team, Sky?"
"You got it!"
"Having trouble locking on here. Urgh! We've only got one shot!"
"We're being pulled into it's gravitational field!"
Everyone in the room kept their eyes fixed on the comm link, scarcely daring to breathe.
"Almost there ... "
"Keep it together, Jack!"
"I'm ... trying!"
"Hold 'er steady!"
"She's gonna tear apart! Do it now!"
"Locking on. Lasers, fire!"
There was a long, tense silence. Wes blinked hard, heart hammering in his chest. Please ...
"Yeah!" they heard Sky declare suddenly.
"Well, that was a little nerve-racking," Jack chuckled weakly.
The entire department broke out into cheers.
"Hey, I'm still mad you tagged along."
"Ah, we got the job done, didn't we?"
"No ... "
The word was soft, and Wes glanced at Vanessa in surprise. "No!" she shouted, slamming her hands against the console.
Almost immediately, they began to hear the sound of an alarm through the comm.
"We blew a hole in it," came Sky's frustrated voice. "And it's still on course.
"What happened?" someone demanded. "Why didn't it work?"
Dustin closed his eyes, leaning back against a wall. "Cam says we calibrated too high. Instead of like, just hitting what was in front of it, it went for a long distance target," he called wearily. He rubbed a hand over his face.
"Quiet!" Justin shouted suddenly, listening intently to the comm.
"Sky, take your flyer back to Earth. If I take my flyer and hit the core, maybe I can destroy it."
"Would that even - would that even work?" Boom asked, his voice shaking.
"It might." Wes could barely hear Vanessa's response through the sudden rushing noise in his ears. "It's ... we don't have any other way.
""I'm sorry, man. The way I see it, that's the only way."
"You can't do this!" they heard Sky shout.
"*I'm* Red Ranger, and *that's* the plan!" Jack snapped back.
For once, throwing his weight around, Wes thought numbly.
"Configuring auto-pilot." There was a pause, followed by a very soft "Later, Sky. "
"Jack, no!"
"S.P.D., Emergency."
"There has to be something else we can do!" Boom protested.
"Like *what*?" Vanessa demanded. "In the next half hour?" She brushed an arm across her eyes impatiently.
"Re-align to target!"
"NO!" someone screamed over the sound of an explosion.
The room went absolutely silent.
Wes slid down the console, not bothering to fight the sob that escaped. Vanessa was rubbing at her eyes again, and Justin bowed his head against the screen. Boom had frozen, looking lost and confused. Around the room, more than one person stood with their head bowed.
"It's gone," Sky confirmed softly, barely audible. "Jack, why'd you have to be so stubborn!" he shouted suddenly, and Wes could hear the tears in his son's voice.
There was a long silence as Sky muttered something to himself. At last they heard a gruff voice threaded with grief declare "S.P.D., Emergency." There was another pause, then at last another statement that was obviously meant to be overheard. "I'm going back! Full power!"
The silent mourning remained.
Wes wasn't sure how long he sat there, letting the tears streak down his face. At one point Justin had come to sit beside him, leaning against his shoulder as they grieved together. In his mind, Wes could hear "*I'm* Red Ranger, and *that's* the plan!" being shouted over and over.
What was he supposed to tell B Squad? What was he supposed to tell *Keri*? Or T.J. and Litania? Their son had lived, only to sacrifice himself before they ever had a chance to meet him.
"Hey ... dude?"
He sighed, not bothering to cover the shaky sob that followed. Sitting here crying wasn't going to change anything, but he wasn't sure if he had the strength to get to his feet yet.
"*Dude*!" Dustin shouted suddenly. "Will somebody get over here already?"
He glanced up, more than slightly surprised, because Dustin almost never yelled. And he was ... staring at a screen?
"What is it?" Vanessa asked, her voice slightly strained.
"Maybe we should try confirming the damage to the Flyer before we start declaring Jack gone, dudes," Dustin told her irritably.
Everyone froze.
Justin sat up a little straighter, staring at him. "What?"
Dustin gave them all an exasperated look. "Dude, first of all, Carlos built the armor on the S.W.A.T. Flyers. You'd have to fly them straight into the sun to completely crack it. And second dude, we have a tracking signal on all the Zords. If it was gone, we'd know already."
Vanessa watched him intently. "You mean ... "
"I *mean* dude, I like, already found the Flyers. The problem is that the explosion knocked them into a spin, and since I can't get Jack to answer, dude, I think he's unconscious. Which means he can't straighten out to bring himself back to Earth on his own." Dustin explained.
"So ... Jack's not dead?" Boom asked, looking painfully hopeful.
Dustin snorted. "Dude, like I told you. *Carlos* built the armor on those things. He's obsessed with like, super-strong defense."
"Where's he headed?" Justin asked, pushing himself to his feet.
"Looks like empty space, dude. Which means we gotta get him back here *fast*."
"Can we override his controls by remote?" Wes wanted to know, looking between Dustin and Vanessa.
She was already back at her console, fingers typing away once again. "No, damn it," she growled in frustration. "There's something wrong with them, either from the hit or locking in the autopilot. Maybe both. I could probably take control from the Command Center, but right now, that's not possible."
Wes climbed to his feet, sighing in frustration that there was nothing more he could do to help. He really needed to start taking some computer courses or something. His eyes happened to flicker down toward his wrist as he stood, and he frowned.
His Chrono Morpher was flashing.
He lifted it cautiously. "This is Wes."
"Hey, what's going on over there? I've been trying for practically forever to get someone to confirm our arrival so we can land, but no one's answering."
"*T.J.*?" he demanded incredulously. "What - where are you?"
"Hovering in the air above Earth for practically an hour now. I can't get anybody to answer my transmissions - at *either* base."
He paused. "You're in a ship? Around Earth?"
"Yeah, man. I finally conned Litania into coming to visit if I promised to give her enough coats. She still thinks summers in Newtech are freezing." He could hear the amusement in the other man's voice.
Justin spun around, eyes meeting his.
Slowly, Wes grinned. "Hey, Teej. We need a favor. You mind picking up a wandering Megazord, headed off into empty space before you land? The pilot's taking a nap on us."
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/: #88: Summer
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/: I have changed the content of this prompt repeatedly. Originally it was going to be a light, happy, summer barbeque. Then I re-watched Impact and got … this.
"Cruger!" Wes bellowed, storming into the Command Center. More than one person looked up in surprise as he came in, but he only had eyes for the big blue dog seated in his command chair. He seized him by the front of his uniform, yanking him close. "What were you *thinking*?!" he shouted furiously. "How *dare* you send *my son* off on some ... some - "
"Sergeant Collins, please calm yourself." Cruger wasn't angry. Cruger was almost placid, staring back at him coolly.
"*Calm* myself?!"
"Are you going to tell me you have not volunteered yourself in exactly the same manner as Sky did today?"
"That's different," he snapped. "That's - "
"Not you?" Cruger retorted, giving him a disdainful look. "Did you not once put your own father into the very same position as you are now, forced to watch his son do what has to be done to protect innocent lives, even if that may be at the cost of his own?"
"I - "
"Wes." He could hear Kat behind him, but he didn't really care. "Sky volunteered for the mission. Cruger was forced to make the ultimate decision of who was going to go, but Sky was never forced. If anything, he would have stowed along in exactly the same manner that Jack did."
Jack had stowed ... ? No ... Not both of them. Not ....
"That doesn't excuse what you've done!" he shouted. "He's not even eighteen years old! They're not old enough to make that sort of decision!"
"Do you think I made this choice lightly?" Cruger demanded, the scales on his neck starting to rise in agitation. "Do you think I *enjoy* sending my cadets on a mission they may not return from? Darn it, Wes! You're not the only one who's afraid they won't make it back!"
That cowed him, but only for a moment. "They're not your children, Doggie," he reminded him flatly.
Cruger's cold glare met his own. "As you and the other Rangers have repeatedly reminded me, blood does not make a family. While we do not share lineage, I consider all of B Squad to be my children just as much as you do," he growled softly. "Do not presume that I have no feelings of my own about their safety."
Wes closed his eyes, fighting to reign in his temper and failing. "If they don't make it back ... "
"You will not be the one I answer to," Cruger returned coldly.
He spun and left to find Vanessa. If anyone knew how to track what was going on with Sky and Jack, she would.
****
Unlike the tense quiet of Command, the Tech Department was utter chaos.
Justin and Vanessa had each commandeered a console, while various staff members ran around doing ... something. He wasn't sure what. In one corner Boom seemed to be talking on a split comm link with Andrew Hartford and Rose Ortiz. Which was odd, but he couldn't remember why right now.
He made straight for Vanessa. "Did you know Jack stowed away on the S.W.A.T. Megazord with Sky?" he demanded.
"We just got his transmission," she answered distractedly, fingers flying. "Justin, can you get - "
"On it."
Only a couple of minutes had passed before Dustin was hurrying up to them, looking uncharacteristically worried. "Dudes, I'm doing the best I can, but I don't know. Maybe if they gave me more of a chance to work on it before he left, I could say for sure. But like, trying to fix it by remote just isn't the same. That's Cam's thing, dude."
"Then get Cam on a comm," Vanessa snapped back. "Whatever it takes to get this done, do it."
Dustin flinched back, staring at her in surprise.
Justin glanced up enough to reach out and squeeze the other man's shoulder. "Can you get him?" he asked. "We don't have much time before Sky gets there."
Quickly recovering himself, Dustin nodded. "I'll see what he can do, dude."
"What's going on?" Wes asked, frowning uncertainly.
"We're not sure if the S.W.A.T. Flyer Cannon has enough power to actually destroy the meteor," Justin answered, not bothering to look at him. "Right now, it's either going to blow it up, or put a nice hole in it. We have to find a way to recalibrate the energy levels on the Cannon to make sure it'll work before Sky gets there."
Wes stared at him. "You mean it might not work even if he gets to the meteor?"
Justin hesitated. "No."
Wes reached out for a console to steady himself, feeling the blood drain from his face. He *knew* his son. He knew how much Sky valued his duty as a Power Ranger. How much pride he took in his family line. If the S.W.A.T. Flyer Cannon didn't work, Sky would do whatever he had to to stop that meteor.
*Whatever* he had to.
"Taylor!" He heard someone call. "How are the Megazords doing against the Dragoul?"
"Darn it, not now! Ask me later!"
"That answers that question," Justin grumbled.
"We're forming the Delta Command Megazord," Kat announced calmly over the loudspeaker. "All cadets to safety zones."
Distantly, Wes wondered if the labs were in a safety zone. It didn't seem to matter, because no one was moving.
"Cam's got the Cannon!" Dustin shouted suddenly. "He said he amped it up as far as it can hold!"
"What now?" Boom asked, looking nervous.
"Now we cross our fingers and pray," Vanessa muttered.
"Double-team, Sky?"
"You got it!"
"Having trouble locking on here. Urgh! We've only got one shot!"
"We're being pulled into it's gravitational field!"
Everyone in the room kept their eyes fixed on the comm link, scarcely daring to breathe.
"Almost there ... "
"Keep it together, Jack!"
"I'm ... trying!"
"Hold 'er steady!"
"She's gonna tear apart! Do it now!"
"Locking on. Lasers, fire!"
There was a long, tense silence. Wes blinked hard, heart hammering in his chest. Please ...
"Yeah!" they heard Sky declare suddenly.
"Well, that was a little nerve-racking," Jack chuckled weakly.
The entire department broke out into cheers.
"Hey, I'm still mad you tagged along."
"Ah, we got the job done, didn't we?"
"No ... "
The word was soft, and Wes glanced at Vanessa in surprise. "No!" she shouted, slamming her hands against the console.
Almost immediately, they began to hear the sound of an alarm through the comm.
"We blew a hole in it," came Sky's frustrated voice. "And it's still on course.
"What happened?" someone demanded. "Why didn't it work?"
Dustin closed his eyes, leaning back against a wall. "Cam says we calibrated too high. Instead of like, just hitting what was in front of it, it went for a long distance target," he called wearily. He rubbed a hand over his face.
"Quiet!" Justin shouted suddenly, listening intently to the comm.
"Sky, take your flyer back to Earth. If I take my flyer and hit the core, maybe I can destroy it."
"Would that even - would that even work?" Boom asked, his voice shaking.
"It might." Wes could barely hear Vanessa's response through the sudden rushing noise in his ears. "It's ... we don't have any other way.
""I'm sorry, man. The way I see it, that's the only way."
"You can't do this!" they heard Sky shout.
"*I'm* Red Ranger, and *that's* the plan!" Jack snapped back.
For once, throwing his weight around, Wes thought numbly.
"Configuring auto-pilot." There was a pause, followed by a very soft "Later, Sky. "
"Jack, no!"
"S.P.D., Emergency."
"There has to be something else we can do!" Boom protested.
"Like *what*?" Vanessa demanded. "In the next half hour?" She brushed an arm across her eyes impatiently.
"Re-align to target!"
"NO!" someone screamed over the sound of an explosion.
The room went absolutely silent.
Wes slid down the console, not bothering to fight the sob that escaped. Vanessa was rubbing at her eyes again, and Justin bowed his head against the screen. Boom had frozen, looking lost and confused. Around the room, more than one person stood with their head bowed.
"It's gone," Sky confirmed softly, barely audible. "Jack, why'd you have to be so stubborn!" he shouted suddenly, and Wes could hear the tears in his son's voice.
There was a long silence as Sky muttered something to himself. At last they heard a gruff voice threaded with grief declare "S.P.D., Emergency." There was another pause, then at last another statement that was obviously meant to be overheard. "I'm going back! Full power!"
The silent mourning remained.
Wes wasn't sure how long he sat there, letting the tears streak down his face. At one point Justin had come to sit beside him, leaning against his shoulder as they grieved together. In his mind, Wes could hear "*I'm* Red Ranger, and *that's* the plan!" being shouted over and over.
What was he supposed to tell B Squad? What was he supposed to tell *Keri*? Or T.J. and Litania? Their son had lived, only to sacrifice himself before they ever had a chance to meet him.
"Hey ... dude?"
He sighed, not bothering to cover the shaky sob that followed. Sitting here crying wasn't going to change anything, but he wasn't sure if he had the strength to get to his feet yet.
"*Dude*!" Dustin shouted suddenly. "Will somebody get over here already?"
He glanced up, more than slightly surprised, because Dustin almost never yelled. And he was ... staring at a screen?
"What is it?" Vanessa asked, her voice slightly strained.
"Maybe we should try confirming the damage to the Flyer before we start declaring Jack gone, dudes," Dustin told her irritably.
Everyone froze.
Justin sat up a little straighter, staring at him. "What?"
Dustin gave them all an exasperated look. "Dude, first of all, Carlos built the armor on the S.W.A.T. Flyers. You'd have to fly them straight into the sun to completely crack it. And second dude, we have a tracking signal on all the Zords. If it was gone, we'd know already."
Vanessa watched him intently. "You mean ... "
"I *mean* dude, I like, already found the Flyers. The problem is that the explosion knocked them into a spin, and since I can't get Jack to answer, dude, I think he's unconscious. Which means he can't straighten out to bring himself back to Earth on his own." Dustin explained.
"So ... Jack's not dead?" Boom asked, looking painfully hopeful.
Dustin snorted. "Dude, like I told you. *Carlos* built the armor on those things. He's obsessed with like, super-strong defense."
"Where's he headed?" Justin asked, pushing himself to his feet.
"Looks like empty space, dude. Which means we gotta get him back here *fast*."
"Can we override his controls by remote?" Wes wanted to know, looking between Dustin and Vanessa.
She was already back at her console, fingers typing away once again. "No, damn it," she growled in frustration. "There's something wrong with them, either from the hit or locking in the autopilot. Maybe both. I could probably take control from the Command Center, but right now, that's not possible."
Wes climbed to his feet, sighing in frustration that there was nothing more he could do to help. He really needed to start taking some computer courses or something. His eyes happened to flicker down toward his wrist as he stood, and he frowned.
His Chrono Morpher was flashing.
He lifted it cautiously. "This is Wes."
"Hey, what's going on over there? I've been trying for practically forever to get someone to confirm our arrival so we can land, but no one's answering."
"*T.J.*?" he demanded incredulously. "What - where are you?"
"Hovering in the air above Earth for practically an hour now. I can't get anybody to answer my transmissions - at *either* base."
He paused. "You're in a ship? Around Earth?"
"Yeah, man. I finally conned Litania into coming to visit if I promised to give her enough coats. She still thinks summers in Newtech are freezing." He could hear the amusement in the other man's voice.
Justin spun around, eyes meeting his.
Slowly, Wes grinned. "Hey, Teej. We need a favor. You mind picking up a wandering Megazord, headed off into empty space before you land? The pilot's taking a nap on us."