Power Ranger Ninja Storm, Heather Ray [best classic romance novels txt] 📗

the rest of the team," Cam comments, popping off the cover and looking at the protruding wires. "We're lucky, guys; the damage is superficial. A couple wires need to be replaced. Tori will be ready for action in a few minutes."

Shane nods sharply. "Good. We need to be ready when he strikes again."

I watch, dumfounded, as Cam takes a seat as his worktable. "Guys, what are you talking about?"

Shane fixes his dark eyes on me. But instead of the fierce anger I saw before, his gaze softens into one of...pity

?

"Tori, while you were...with Blake, Hunter attacked me and Dustin."

I blink, several times in fact, as Shane's shocking comment slowly sinks in. "Hunter attacked you?" I repeat dumbly.

Shane nods. "Fortunately, he didn't do too much damage. We fought for maybe ten minutes, and then his wrist started beeping." He swallows, and sets his hands on my shoulders. "It was probably a signal from Blake."

I back away from Shane, shaking my head. "No; that's not possible

! It must be some mistake. Are you sure it was Hunter? Maybe... maybe someone else has the Crimson Thunder powers? Or maybe it was a...a clone

! Like the one Lothor made of me. Remember that?"

Shane sighs, running his fingers through his hair. "Tori, I'm sorry. I know you don't want to hear this, but it's the most feasible explanation. Blake followed you into the woods, damaged your bike and your morpher, basically leaving you stranded and out of contact for almost an hour."

My vision clouds, but I keep shaking my head. "Shane, it was an accident! He wasn't trying to hurt me, or stall me-"

"Are you sure?"

I stare at Shane, my eyes wide and itching, my lips trembling as I desperately try to find some excuse that makes sense...but I come up empty.

Suddenly, it feels like the weight of the world is pressing me down. I drop my head, squeezing my eyes against the tears. "No, I'm not."

I hear the screech of a chair against the stone floor, and gentle hands take my clenched fists. Stiff and overwhelmed, I give no resistance as I'm led to a chair. My legs give out soon after, and I sit boneless as the world spins around me.

I can't believe this. I...I fell for it. Again. He played me for a fool, twisted my emotions, and separated me from my friends. God...this can't be happening

...not again

!!!

A hand rests on the back of my bowed head. "Guys, this doesn't make sense!" Dustin insists from behind me. "I mean, why would they screw around with us again? What do they have to gain?"

"Who knows what they're after?" Shane growls. "Maybe that whole story about their dead parents was a lie also. Just to make us feel sorry for them; give them an excuse!"

"That isn't possible, Shane," Sensei comments. The soft, calm sound of his voice breaks through my haze, and I turn to face him. "The Gem of Souls cannot lie. Lothor killed Blake and Hunter's parents. And if they had known this fact earlier, they would not have joined forces with Lothor to begin with. So, we can conclude that the Thunder Rangers were indeed tricked to fight against us in the past. Now, they know the truth."

"Then Dustin's point still stands," Cam comments, multi-tasking as his hands finish repairs on my morpher while he participates in the conversation around me. "Why would the Thunders want to fight us? And more importantly, why would they resort to splitting you up and attacking separately? If they really wanted to do damage, they could've come here to Ninja Ops. They already know the location, and that would've been more effective than attacking you guys out in the open."

"Who knows how their minds work?" Shane mutters, folding his arms. "Maybe they're just plain sadistic, and they like screwing with us."

Then, an alarm sounds from Cam's computer. I look up, my face still blank as the monitor displays Hunter in downtown Blue Bay Harbor, streams of lightning pouring from his fingertips.

I can't help but notice he strikes alone.

"And Mr. Sunshine is back for more fun," Dustin sighs. His comforting hand drops to my shoulder and squeezes gently. "You want to sit this one out, Tor?"

My jaw tightens; my answer is immediate. "Not a chance."

I stand up, forcing my weak knees to lock. The tears still stand in my eyes, some trickling down my cheeks, but I ignore them. I want nothing more than to crawl into my bed and sob...but I won't let Blake get the better of me.

Not again.

"Cam?" I call over my shoulder.

I hear a snap of plastic, and then he presents my morpher. "Both morpher and communicator are working."

I nod, strapping the unit on. "Okay, guys, let's go!" I command, my voice fiercer than I've ever heard it.

Dustin and Shane stare at me for a long moment, before raising their wrists as well.

In unison, we shout: "Ninja Storm, Ranger Form!"

I take slight comfort in the cool wash of Water, clothing me in power and durability that far exceeds my own. I desperately wish I can somehow absorb that power, and let it coat my heart in armor as unassailable as the armor that protects my body.

But I settle for the next best thing.

No more benefit of the doubt. No more stubborn hope. The time for words is over. From here on...I'll let my fists do the talking.

Part Eight: Lost

Blake searches for his missing brother, and to his horror, finds him.

Author's Note:

Not much to say, except that this part is in Blake's voice.

Chapter Twelve

This must be the single most exhausting day of my life!

It started out tough, as I dealt with the anticipation of getting revenge on Lothor with the conflicting guilt of not apologizing to Tori. I couldn't go up on that ship and fight the battle of my life without at least trying to bridge the gap with her. I couldn't leave that on my conscience.

So I found her, and miraculously, I didn't screw it up. I talked to her. I laughed with her. And I found it so hard to leave her.

But leave her I did. Granted, I left well after Hunter's one-hour deadline had expired, but I figured he'd understand. I mean, we've been itching to avenge our parents for years now...what's another half an hour? I knew he'd be peeved, but he'd get over it. Hunter always gets over it.

Only, when I finally left Tori, I'd called him. And he didn't respond.

And suddenly all the excitement and relief of having patched things up with Tori simply evaporated, and a horrible fear seized me so completely, I thought my heart would stop. Where the hell is my brother??

Maybe...I'm overreacting. I mean, it could be a communicator malfunction. I don't really know how these things work anyway; maybe there's some kind of interference? Or, maybe Hunter's just...busy

. I haven't been trying to hail him all that long, after all. He could just be busy.

Only, after losing so much in my life, it's almost impossible not to automatically assume the worst.

Hunter went after Lothor without me. I can feel it in my bones.

Dammit, Bro, what the hell were you thinking? And...where are you now

?

My frustration makes me even more reckless than usual, as I tear through the thick forest circling the Thunder Ninja Academy at speeds crossing the line between 'illegal'

and 'insane.'

"Hunter!" I scream, slowing as I approach the rubble of our home. "Hunter, answer me!"

Nothing answers me. Not even a chirping bird or an early cricket. I run right up to the clearing we'd made, where we stashed the supplies we collected. The fire I'd used to cook with was long-dead, the ashes cool to the touch. And Hunter's bike is gone.

Fighting against a shiver, I try my communicator again. "Blake to Hunter. Hunter, come in! Please..."

That unnerving silence persists for a long moment. But...what else can I do? I have no way to find him, no tracking device or...

...wait. The Wind Rangers have Ninja Ops. They were able to track down Hunter and me when we kidnapped their sensei and took him to the Mountain of Lost Ninjas. Maybe they'll be willing to help me?

Of course they will. I can count on Tori.

I jump back on my bike, revving the engine and following my own trail back out of the forest. After I cover about two miles of rough terrain, my communicator finally responds.

^Blake.^

I almost sag with relief, and immediately pull over. "Hunter! Are you okay? Where are you?"

^I'm fine, and it doesn't matter.^

I frown at his evasive reply.

^Are you okay?^

I wince guiltily at the question. "I'm fine. I know I ran a little late, but-"

^Listen, little bro, I need you to go to the Thunder Academy, and stay put. Got it?^

A shiver creeps up my spine. "Hunter...where are you?"

^It doesn't matter --^

"Yes it does! You're on Lothor's ship, aren't you?"

My panic only rises when I hear his resigned sigh. "Dammit, Hunter...you're in trouble! I know it!"

^Nothing I can't handle. This is something I have to take care of. Alone.^

"What the hell are you talking about? We're a team! We never do things alone!"

^Stay out of it, Blake. I'll see you soon.^

"Hunter? Hunter!!

"

I take a slow breath to calm my fried nerves. He's not answering me. Again.

I squeeze the handles of my bike, flying back onto the road. I've got to get to Ninja Ops. Hopefully Cam can track down Hunter's power signature. If he analyzes my morpher, he'll have an idea what to look for. If he did go up to Lothor's ship, there must be a way to follow him.

I'm not losing you, Bro. I'm