Streaks of Purple Saga Volume Two, Heather Ray [story read aloud txt] 📗

but focused enough not to so much as jostle the air closer to the ground.

Jason's frown deepened when he turned his puzzled gaze slightly to the side. He saw a glint of purple energy high above, which was now slowly descending to the ground.

From this distance, he could clearly make out the figure in the sky.

"The Purple Ranger," he whispered thoughtfully. Part of him felt extreme relief, but another was worried once again.

Was that Alexis up there? How could she cast such a potent spell?

But if it wasn't Alexis, who was it? Kreia?

Had Kreia completely taken over, erasing the young woman Jason had only recently come to appreciate?

His eyes widened in concern as the slowly descending figure began to plummet, losing all control over gravity. He broke into a run, hurrying beneath her and leaping into the air to cradle her fall.

She trembled in his arms, her hands clutching her head and a low moan escaping her lips. Jason carried her over to where the other Rangers were assembled, and laid her down near Trini.

"Alexis," he said sternly, "Are you alright?"

"K...Kreia..." she whispered faintly.

Kim glanced worriedly at Jason. No reaction was discernible through his armor, but his face folded into a fierce scowl beneath his crimson helmet.

"Can't... hold," she breathed.

Billy looked toward the monster, whose tormented howls had softened. "Guys, the cyclone's dying. I think the monster's going to escape!"

He glanced back at the Purple Ranger. "She can't hold the spell."

"Let go!" Kim begged, "You'll hurt yourself. We can take it from here."

Kreia struggled to maintain focus, picking herself off the ground slowly. Her sweat dripped like blood from a fresh wound, and her starry eyes watched the beast slowly descend to the ground.

I can't... do anything more,

she realized despondently, I can barely hold onto Alexis. I... I'm fading...

She shuddered, releasing the spell finally. The monster yelped slightly as it crashed to the ground.

Kreia released a long breath as she collapsed.

"Zordon," Jason said into his communicator, "Bring both Trini and Kreia to the Command Center. They both need medical attention."

^ACKNOWLEDGED.^

Jason watched as the two women vanished from the bloodied earth. He then straightened, his Power Sword once again forming in his hand. Behind him, the Pink and Blue Rangers steadied themselves, also clutching their trusted weapons.

"It's up to us," he decided, "Hopefully, whatever Kreia did to this thing weakened it."

Chapter Four

Alexis opened her eyes, unfolding her body from the protective fetal position she had found herself in. Her eyes darted around in concern, gazing at the swirling colors that danced around her like a fever dream.

Puzzled, she glanced down at her own body. Her brow folded in confusion at her appearance... she almost seemed to be an outline of a person, shaped properly only without any detail. She had the semblance of arms and legs, but they looked as if she were wearing a flesh-toned bodysuit that covered her features completely.

*Where am I?* she whispered to herself. Strangely, her voice didn't seem to quite emanate from her mouth. She had moved her lips, but the voice seemed to throb from within.

*You are in the Astral Plane,* a voice responded, also throbbing from within, *This is the realm of pure thought, Alexis.*

Alexis jumped, turning around full circle as she floated in mid air. She narrowed her eyes, finally recognizing a faint wisp of something

that obstructed the view before her. It was practically invisible.

But the voice was familiar, regardless of its source.

*Kreia?* she marveled, gazing at the transparent form, *What's happening?*

The form took a more concrete shape, becoming a faint gray image of a smallish girl. She did her best to smile at Alexis, in an effort to comfort the alarmed girl.

*I had to bring you here,* Kreia explained, *You see, I was in your body, and together we escaped the Dark Dimension. But when I arrived on Earth, the other Rangers needed assistance. I did my best to help, but I became too weak to maintain my hold of the Physical Plane. But I couldn't just fade without apologizing to you, and explaining at least somewhat what had happened.*

Alexis frowned. *What do you mean, fade?*

*I am not a person, Alexis. I am a manifestation of power and thought, completely insubstantial. I needed your body to connect to the Physical Plane, since you had the Purple Coin. But now, I have divested all my strength. I couldn't even reassert myself into your body if I tried.*

Alexis gazed at the small vision with a measure of pity. She didn't quite understand what was going on, but one thing was certain: Kreia was going to cease to exist.

*I'm... so sorry,* she offered impotently.

Kreia smiled. *You have nothing to apologize for. I am the one who mistreated you by manipulating your mind and body. Please believe me that I had no intention of hurting you in any way. I was so confused... I didn't even realize what I truly was, or what had happened, until I met the current Green Ranger.*

She sighed quietly, reaching her fading hands toward Alexis. *I wanted to make amends for the trouble I caused by helping you all defeat this newest monster. But I don't have the time. So I must ask you one last favor.*

Alexis nodded. *Name it.*

*Let me fuse with you.*

Alexis swallowed, staring at the fading shade with fearful eyes.

*I am far too insubstantial to be any real part of your consciousness,* Kreia assured her, *But I just can't

let the knowledge I've accumulated go to waste. I don't have time to explain everything I have done, or discovered. But if you let me fuse with the Purple Coin, my knowledge will join the pooled knowledge the Power carries. When a Power Ranger Morphs, she has access to a bed of knowledge on how to use it properly. I can give you insight into your powers, and perhaps help you.*

After a few moments, Alexis finally nodded. *Sounds like a plan,* she decided.

She braced herself, watching as the figure of Kreia melted into an amorphous cloud. The cloud leaked into her, covering her with a misty aura. Her essence burned as a light was turned on within her mind, filling her thoughts with the images Kreia had chosen to leave her with.

She knew what to do.

Chapter Five

Tommy smiled as he witnessed the Red Ranger leap toward the Erebus monster, catching the beast's leather wing with the razor edge of the Power Sword.

He then winced as the beast batted the Ranger away as he descended, sending Jason sprawling into the nearby mountains.

The former Green Ranger's fists clenched. In his heart, he could feel something

within him. Some kind of Power. It was different from what he was familiar with... far more intense than the comforting energies he always felt during his tenure as the Green Ranger. This time, a fire smoldered within him, the source of the ache being his marked palm.

The Power Coin was within his body. He was certain of it.

And it only infuriated him that even with the coin, it was dangerous for him to try and help his friends.

Tommy's jaw set, his heart climbing into his throat as the Pink Ranger decided to go on the offensive, leaping out of hiding as the monster passed and launching a series of rapid-fire arrows with professional precision. The monster growled with irritation, his eyes flashing with eerie energy that oozed toward the Pink Ranger as she dove in for a closer attack.

He peeled his eyes away painfully as Kimberly vanished within the cloud of crimson smoke.

His decision made, Tommy hurried to the teleporter, and began programming his destination.

"TOMMY, YOU CAN'T JOIN THE BATTLE NOW," Zordon commanded, his voice bringing the attention of both Alpha and Trini.

"Tommy!" Trini shouted, sitting up carefully despite Alpha's attempts to keep her flat on the medical bed, "What do you think you're doing?"

In answer, he held his hand forward, displaying his marked palm. Trini gaped at the design.

"I know

I have the Power again," he explained, "I don't know how long it'll last, but even if it's just a momentary distraction, it'll be worth it. Erebus isn't feeling anything they're hitting him with!"

Suddenly, Alexis sprang up from her bed, sitting straight up and eyes fully alert. All present startled at the sudden movement.

"What's going on?" she demanded, hopping off the bed and hurrying to the Viewing Globe, "How are the other Rangers?"

Tommy frowned in confusion, approaching her carefully. "Kreia?"

Alexis swallowed. "Kreia's... gone now. She couldn't hold herself together any longer, so she fused her remaining knowledge with the Purple Coin."

Silence settled in for a few moments.

Alexis glanced at Tommy uncomfortably, her cheeks flushing. She bit her lip, keeping her eyes carefully from his.

She could still feel his lips against hers.

"Um... I'm..." she stammered nervously, "I'm sorry

I kissed you like that. I totally

didn't mean anything by it!"

Despite the gravity of the situation, Tommy grinned. "I understand. You weren't... you

. It happens in this line of work."

He then offered her his hand. "I'm Tommy Oliver, the former Green Ranger."

Alexis offered a weak smile, turning to meet his gaze finally. She then reached out, and clasped his hand with hers.

"Kreia channeled her energies into you when she kissed you," she revealed, "She was trying to search the Power Coin for any signature that Erol was still alive. In order to do so, she needed to charge the coin, since it was lifeless."

She released his hand and spread open his fingers, noting the three-toed mark on his palm. She then revealed her own hand, the dark eagle brand bold against her pale skin.

"I know I'm not really a Power Ranger, and I don't know the