Variations of SPD Part Three

Chapter 11: Unveiling Of The Dragon
Last Revised: March 23, 2006

“All blame is a waste of time. No matter how much fault you find with another, and regardless of how much you blame him, it will not change you. The only thing blame does is to keep the focus off you when you are looking for external reasons to explain your unhappiness or frustration. You may succeed in making another feel guilty about something by blaming him, but you won't succeed in changing whatever it is about you that is making you unhappy." -- Wayne Dyer --

“Kind words can be short and easy to speak, but their echoes are truly endless.” -- Mother Theresa --

“When you were born, you cried and the world rejoiced. Live your life so that when you die, the world cries and you rejoice.” -- Indian saying --

“What is tolerance? -- It is the consequence of humanity. We are all formed of frailty and error; let us pardon reciprocally each other's folly -- that is the first law of nature.” -- Voltaire --

- -

When he came to, he found himself in a clearing in a jungle, and found that he wasn’t alone. Blinking his eyes, he found a pure white falcon with the deepest brown eyes sitting on a rock not far from him, staring at him intently.

“You.”

“Me. Did you have a nice rest, young Dragon?”

Brian glared at the bird of prey and stretched his muscles before standing up and surveying the clearing. “Where am I?”

“Where do you think you are?”

Brian turned his narrowed gaze back to the falcon, his eyes seemingly trying to bore a hole through the bird. “Look, I don’t have time to play games. I need to complete my test and help my sister save our world.”

“With an attitude like that, you will not find what you’re searching for. I will, however, help you, because you are the son of the one who was my bearer. Come.” With that, Falcon took flight, leaving Brian standing there for a few seconds before he too headed off into the jungle.

- -

“Where the hell are we going?” Brian called out to the white bird, who was resting up on a tree branch in a tree not far ahead on the path.

“You seek the Power; I’m taking you to someone who can help you find it.”

“I’ve already found the Power; I don’t need to have someone help me find it again!” Brian argued.

Falcon winged down to a lower branch and cocked its head at Brian, who was glaring at him. “You were given the training to partially awaken the Power inside you. Your potential has not been reached. The one we seek will help you.”

“Why do I need this so-called Power anyway? It’s the reason my parents are dead! All it’s going to do is make me and my sister targets!” Brian lost control of his emotions and began screaming.

“Sit, young one,” the bird ordered.

“NO!”

“SIT!” Falcon raised his voice, causing Brian to gasp and immediately sit on the path, as if he’d been scolded by Ninjor or Commander Cruger, or even his father. “You are mistaken, young Dragon, about what killed your parents.”

“If my parents hadn’t… they’re dead, and it’s because of this Power you and everyone else reveres so much.”

Falcon closed his eyes for a few moments, the ache in his heart intensifying as he felt the pain radiating off Brian in waves. “The Power did not kill your parents; it was Visvajita and his lust for the Power that killed your parents. He did not understand that only those pure of heart and soul may carry the Power, only those of light and goodness may be soaked in its presence.”

“That’s just it. Indirectly as it may be, the Power is responsible for my parents being gone.”

The bird of prey seemed to shake his head. “Your parents proudly served the Power, Brian, by their own choice. They knew the risks the day they accepted the Power Coins given to them by Zordon of Eltar, and they accepted the fact that at any time, their lives could be taken by those they fought against. They lived with that possibility from the time they were fifteen to the time they died.”

Quietly and quickly, Falcon moved so that he was standing next to Brian on the path. “You cannot place blame where there is none. Visvajita is the one who took your parents from you, the one who nearly took your sister, not the Power. In the end, it was the Power that enabled your parents to save those they loved, you included.”

The anger inside Brian seemed to clear for a moment, allowing him to think. Falcon had a point, and he knew it. If his parents hadn’t had held the Power the night they really and truly died, or any of his aunts and uncles for that matter, his sister wouldn’t be alive.

“Alright, I see your point.”

“Yet you do not completely agree with me. At least that is some progress. Come, we’ve rested long enough.”

On a sigh, Brian pushed up from the ground even as Falcon took flight once more.

- -

“Might I ask something?” Falcon called as he winged from tree to tree, allowing Brian to keep up with him.

“Sure, why not,” Brian muttered, not impressed by the bird’s desire to talk.

“Why do I sense so much hostility and animosity between you and the one known as Sky?”

Brian’s face took on a stony expression at the mention of Sky. “Look, number one, it’s none of your business, and number two, I don’t want to talk about it.”

Falcon inclined his head to the side and stopped in the tree he’d just landed in. “You do not like him, why?”

“None of your business!” Brian reacted, glaring at Falcon.

“Brian.”

“I don’t like him, because...”

Falcon understood the tone of Brian’s voice, and the underlying emotions he sensed there. “Because he has a relationship with your sister?”

“Partially,” Brian grumbled, and then sat down on a fallen tree. “It’s just... she’s all I have left. My parents are gone, I don’t have any friends of my own, and the one person who I can actually say belongs to me, I have to share with him. Besides, he’s arrogant, nasty, stuck up, and irritating because he thinks he’s always right!”

Falcon brought one of his wings up to cover his face, just so he could keep from laughing at Brian. “I see,” he started, amusement lacing his voice. “And yet, Sydney loves him. So do you not think there must be some redeeming qualities there that you don’t see? The Phoenix’s bearer does not strike me as the type to not be able to see the heart of a person.”

“I don’t like him,” Brian muttered.

“Young Dragon, you shall learn, in life, there are many you will not like, but that you must tolerate for the greater good of your mission. Do you not think you can get along with he who is the twin of your sister’s soul for her sake?”

Brian sighed and then looked up to see Falcon had come down onto the lowest branch to speak with him. “I suppose so.”

“There were many your parents didn’t like either, but tolerated because they saw in them the potential to change, the potential to be something more, something better,” Falcon told him, a mental picture of two human males his bearer and his bearer’s soulmate had known coming to mind.

“You’ve got a point,” Brian spoke.

“Or is it, you don’t want to like him? Are you afraid to let him mean something to you?”

The young ninja blinked rapidly, pondering Falcon’s words. Did he really want to like Sky but couldn’t seem to let himself? “I…I don’t know. I never thought of it like that.”

“Then you have much to think about. Come, we still have far to go, and time is running out.”

- -

Brian noticed, for the first time since he’d met up with Falcon, that the sky which had been almost pitch black was now getting a little lighter. “So, um, now that Dad’s gone, what exactly happens to you?” Brian asked.

“My existence is tied to you and the Phoenix. So long as you have need of me, I am here, just as my mate, the Crane, is,” Falcon explained.

“And if we don’t end up needing you anymore?” Brian questioned softly, wondering how long he’d have this link to his parents.

Falcon looked startled, but chose his words carefully. “Then I will return to where I came from.”

“Which is where?”

“Part of me will return to the Morphin Grid, the rest will return to the spiritual plane to be with your father.”

Brian swallowed hard, wondering what life would be like without the Falcon to guide him. Granted, he knew he had his own spirit guide, but the Falcon was an extension of his father, which meant that with the great white bird, he had a link to his father.

“Do not worry, Young Dragon, your life will go on once I’m gone,” Falcon assured him.

“That’s what I’m worried about,” Brian murmured.

“Just because there will be no physical representation, does not mean I will not always be with you. The same can be said for your father, and your mother,” Falcon sounded sincere. “There is more to life, Young Dragon, than the past; you have the future to look forward to, and the present to live. Enjoy this time in your life, hard as it may be, and make plans for that future.”

Brian looked contemplative. “I suppose you’re right.”

“Come, we’ve a little further to go, and then we’ll be to the meeting place.”

- -

“Falcon.”

Brian looked on in quiet shock when the familiar form emerged from the cave they’d stopped in front of. He’d only remembered meeting the spirit who was his representation once, shortly after Ninjor had activated his Ninja powers.

“Dragon.”

The young man watched as Falcon flew forward and landed on a branch of the tree next to the cave. He watched in mild surprise as Falcon and the dragon seemed to butt heads ever so slightly, as if in greeting. When they were done, the pair turned to stare at Brian. “Welcome, he who is my bearer.”

Brian nodded slightly, swallowing hard as the piercing black eyes of the dragon stared deep into his own chocolate depths. “He’s a quiet one, isn’t he?” Dragon spoke, his question directed to Falcon.

“Only now. He’s been more vocal most of the trip.”

The ninja didn’t know whether to be insulted or smile at Falcon’s comment. When he saw that both the Dragon and Falcon were staring at him, he smirked. “I kept you company, didn’t I?” Brian asked.

“Mildly annoying and irritating, just like you,” Falcon muttered at Dragon, who let out a roaring laugh.

“Of course, did you expect differently?”

“No.”

Dragon seemed to nod, and then move to lay before Brian, so that the young man didn’t have to look up at him. “You have kind eyes, just like your mother. Makes me wonder how your disposition got to be so sour.”

Brian sputtered in outrage while Falcon rolled his eyes. “Be kind, Dragon. The young one has been limited in his lifetime to what he’s been exposed to.”

“You haven’t to tell me that, I know. But I do not think that Master Warrior of the Temple Of Power forgot to teach him kindness and respect for others,” Dragon pointed out, then turned his attention back to Brian. “Falcon has spoken of the verbal and emotional war you wage with the one known as Sky, yes?”

The brown haired young man nodded. He wasn’t exactly sure where Dragon was going with this, but it sounded suspiciously like a lecture he desperately wanted to avoid. He was already starting to rethink the hurt he’d caused to his sister because of his stubbornness, as Falcon so graciously pointed out. Not to mention the fact, that deep down, he knew there really wasn’t any reason NOT to like Sky, it was just the principle of the entire situation.

“Good, then I do not have to go over that with you. I have to say, I am sorely disappointed in you, young one; kindness to all, one of the pieces of the code that Ninjetti live by, and you have not been exemplifying it.”

Brian bowed his head in shame. It was one thing to have Ninjor or Commander Cruger mad at him, another for Falcon to be disappointed, but to have his own animal spirit mad at him was pretty harsh, and understandable given the circumstances.

“What would your parents say?” Dragon and Falcon watched in satisfaction as Brian’s head snapped up, his eyes full of unshed tears. He’d never given a thought to what his parents would think of the way he acted around Sky. “You may be young, but you are old enough to know better.”

“Yes.”

“Not to mention the grief you have caused your sister,” Dragon started, eyeing Brian in a fashion that made him uncomfortable. “The Dragon and the Phoenix are forever intertwined; you need not worry about someone else taking your place. But you must also remember, you and your sister have ones who you will share your lives with, you both must respect that.”

“I know.”

“Then you will work harder to be at peace with Sky?”

Brian nodded. “Yes.”

“Good. Falcon?”

The great white bird seemed to nod before he came down from his perch and sat on the ground before Brian. “My time with you ends here; you must follow the Dragon now. Remember what we’ve spoken of, my bearer’s son, for you will need to rely on those lessons later.”

“Thank you, he who represented my father,” Brian spoke, blinking back tears as Falcon disappeared from sight. “Thank you, Dad, for reaching out to me,” he whispered as an after thought.

“Have faith, young one, not all is lost. You’re old enough to learn, young enough to adapt. Come, we must take flight if we are to help your friends.”

Nodding, Brian moved forward and climbed onto the back of the gentle giant, gasping loudly when Dragon flapped his mighty wings and took to the sky. Wiping away the tears he’d shed, Brian took a deep breath. “Where are we going?”

“To she who will teach you.”

- -

“BRIAN!” Z chirped when the giant dragon hovered over the clearing where Z, Jack, Dulcea, Tiger, and Pegasus rested.

The second Brian slid of Dragon’s back, Z and Jack pulled him into a fierce hug. It shook the young Ninja for a moment, when he realized just how much he’d come to depend on these two in his short time knowing them. Sighing happily, Brian returned their hug with a fierceness that startled them both.

“A friend of yours?” Jack asked, nodding to Dragon who had taken a seat on the ledge of the cliff above the ruins of the temple.

“My spirit guide,” Brian grinned, before he let that grin turn to a frown. “Where are we?”

“The ruins of the Ninjetti temple,” Dulcea spoke, smiling as Brian stared at her, wide eyed.

Stepping back from Z and Jack, Brian dropped into a respectful bow. “Master Warrior.”

“Welcome, son of the Falcon and Crane, bearer of the Dragon.” When Brian stood up, he turned to Tiger and Pegasus and bowed to them. Each acknowledged his respect with a nod of their head.

“The others?”

Z shook her head. “They haven’t come yet.”

Chapter 12: Follow The Frog

“Our ultimate freedom is the right and power to decide how anybody or anything outside ourselves will affect us.” -Stephen Covey-

“Never doubted my ability, but when you hear all your life you're inferior, it makes you wonder if the other guys have something you've never seen before. If they do, I'm still looking for it.” -Hank Aaron-

"Jealousy is a tiger that tears not only its prey but also its own raging heart" -Unknown-

“To fall in love is easy, even to remain in it is not difficult; our human loneliness is cause enough. But it is a hard quest worth making to find a comrade through whose steady presence one becomes steadily the person one desires to be." -Anna Louise Strong–

- -

The first thing Bridge noticed was the headache pounding just behind his eyes. The second thing was that wherever he was, it wasn’t where he’d been. The last thing he remembered was Jack ordering them to stay together, and now he was faced with utter silence.

“Your arrival has startled the creatures here.”

The voice sounded familiar. Taking a deep breath, Bridge opened his eyes. All he saw were dark shapes, everything was bathed in darkness. “Where am I?” he muttered, sitting up. He was startled to feel the ground under his hands, when he knew he’d been wearing gloves at the onset of this journey.

“You won’t need them here, I promise.” Looking around, Bridge tried to see who the voice was coming from. There was nothing and no one around that he could see. “Guess again, Bridge.”

Bridge’s eyes widened when he saw a halo of white light flash around a small spot near the pond he was obviously sitting next to. For a split second, he was surprised he hadn’t smelt the water, but that surprise grew when the light revealed a black…toad?

“I’m a frog, thank you very much.”

Bridge grinned. “You’re my guide. Well, I mean, you’re actually Adam’s spirit animal, but you’re my journey guide right now. I mean, you’re here to lead me to my new powers…” Bridge started rambling. Mentally, he smacked himself. The only times these days he really rambled was when he was nervous, and this entire situation, he acknowledged, made him nervous.

“Calm down, Bridge. Yes, for now, I am your guide, just as Adam asked me to be. Are you ready to begin or do you need a few moments to compose yourself?”

The former Green Ranger nodded. “I’m ready.”

“Very well, follow me.”

- -

“Can we rest?” Bridge asked the small black amphibian he was carrying. Frog wasn’t much bigger than the palm of his hand, at least right now. They’d been talking, as they walked, about the abilities the spirit animals had to change size, according to whatever situation they found themselves in, as well as the depth of their other powers.

“Of course,” Frog replied. He jumped down off Bridge’s hand once the former Green Ranger was sitting, and transformed himself to the size of a basketball.

“Amazing,” Bridge muttered, stretching his sore and tired muscles. Once he was done, he sat with his arms resting on his legs, his attention focused on the skin of his hands. Rarely did he go without his gloves; that usually only happened in the shower or when he slept with Z, and even then he sometimes had to shield himself.

For the first time in a long time, Bridge felt the anger and jealousy boil up in his throat. He hated being different from the others, hated not being able to touch people, to interact with them, without the protection of his gloves. Jack had no problem with that. He could hold, and kiss, and touch Ally with no problem. And Sky, Bridge knew, had been a lot more involved with Sydney than just kissing, touching and holding her. Bridge wrinkled his nose at that. He really didn’t want to think about Sky and Syd together like that. They were his brother and sister in every way save one.

“A natural feeling, Bridge,” Frog spoke, suddenly bringing Bridge from his thoughts.

“What?” Bridge asked, confused.

“What you’re feeling, in regards to your friends, and the way their relationships differ from your own. It’s natural. You are only human.”

Bridge narrowed his blue eyes at the small black amphibian he could barely see due to the lack of light. If he could only really believe that; having super powers made him feel more like an alien then some of the aliens on Earth. He couldn’t really do anything without his gloves, and sometimes, that made him so angry. He wanted to be able to feel the grass, to touch a door knob, but worst of all, he wanted to touch Z’s skin and not feel any residual feelings from anyone but himself. Granted, he didn’t mind feeling what Z felt, as he knew he could deal with her feelings and his own, but sometimes, the feelings went so deep he felt like he was intruding on her life.

“Bridge, even people without psychic powers feel that, especially when they know the one they love better than anyone else.”

“It’s not fair,” Bridge whispered.

“Life is hardly ever fair. As a Ranger, that’s one of the first lessons you learned, is it not?” Bridge nodded. “If life was fair, the Dragon and the Phoenix’s bearers would not be without their parents, and those who’ve died in the attacks on Earth would still be alive.”

“I know.”

“It is only natural, Bridge, to be jealous. You must accept that, or the negative feelings you have will grow and fester, and before you know it, they will be so out of control you’ll never be able to get rid of them. Don’t you think your friends envy you for things?”

Bridge looked startled. He’d never thought of that before. Did his friends really envy him things? “I don’t understand?”

“Take Jack for instance. You grew up with a loving family; you had everything you needed, and most of what you wanted. They encouraged you to follow your dreams. Jack grew up on the streets after his parents died. He had to scrounge for even the bare essentials over the years.”

The blue eyed young man looked hurt by that knowledge, even though it wasn’t new to him. “You’re right.”

“And what about Sky? You grew up the son of scientists; he grew up the son of billionaires. You were able to come and go as you please, he’s been shut off from the outside world, from making friends, because he didn’t know who he could trust to want to be friends with him for him, or because of who his parents were. You’ve had freedom you’ve never known about, while both your closest male friends, the ones you envy, haven’t.”

Frog made a face when Bridge suddenly looked shell-shocked. “I never...I never thought of that.”

“And now you have. Do not dwell on it, but do remember the lesson it’s taught you.”

Bridge nodded. “I’m ready to get going when you are.”

“Good. I’m ready as well,” Frog said, before morphing himself into a small, hand sized version of what he had been. Bridge picked him up and the pair moved hesitantly down the trail, only one of them readily noticing that the sky was lightening.

- -

Bridge let out a heavy sigh when they flopped down for a rest about two hours later. Frog hadn’t said much of anything since they’d last stopped, and Bridge had found himself, for the first time in his life, with nothing to say. Usually, he filled every minute with chatter about this or that, but on this test of self discovery, he found himself enjoying the silence for the very first time. He also found that for the first time in a long time, he felt the loneliness that he’d fought off for so long return.

“When was the last time you felt it this strongly?”

Frog’s question didn’t surprise Bridge, the former Green Ranger having realized that the sacred animal spirit of the black Ninja could read his thoughts. Bridge closed his eyes and focused on the question, searching back to when he’d last felt this lost, this lonely. “The day before I met Sky.”

The black frog seemed to smile, knowing how true Bridge’s answer was. “And why is that?”

Now a smile bloomed on Bridge’s own face. “Because I think I knew even then, that’d I’d found someone who cared about me, someone who sorta understood me. Sky and I were different, as different as night and day – we still are - but that wasn’t just it; we both had powers we couldn’t control, ones we didn’t ask for.”

“You’d found a kindred soul.”

“Yes. And when Syd joined us, I remember feeling almost complete. Somewhere in the back of my mind, I knew there had to be others out there, that we weren’t the only ones with powers. But the day I met Sky was the day all of it changed.”

“Bridge, everything around you may change, but the relationships you’ve created with your teammates are ones that will sustain you in your darkest, loneliest moments,” Frog began, his eyes boring into Bridge’s now open ones. “Never forget that while they may not be with you in a physical body, their spirits are always with you, always connected to yours.”

The former Green Ranger nodded, his bangs falling into his face. He swiped at them in irritation, and then felt the tears start to prick his eyes. Normally, whenever that happened these days, Z and Syd were usually there, brushing them back from his eyes before he could even react, while Jack and Sky teased him about getting babied by the girls. It was hard, swallowing the lump of emotion in his throat; he missed, but more importantly, needed and wanted, his friends by his side. Reaching into his pocket, he brushed the earrings that rested there, and his mind and heart centered on their owner. With Z in his life, he knew he’d never feel that loneliness again; she wouldn’t let it swallow him the way it had when he was a kid.

“I thought I’d find the two of you here,” a new voice rang out, startling Bridge and making Frog croak in greeting.

“Welcome Panda,” Frog spoke, hoping over to the hulking figure that was emerging from the bushes across the path. Bridge stared in shock, his eyes blinking rapidly as the two animals exchanged words in low tones that he couldn’t really make out. “Panda, meet Bridge.”

The giant bear studied the former Green Ranger carefully and then smiled. “He has kind eyes, and a heart that can be trusted.”

Bridge’s eyebrows shot up at that while Frog seemed to snicker. “That he does. What brings you here, Panda? I thought we were to meet at the designated spot?”

“The shadows have invaded the jungle,” Panda spoke, before a hissing sound alerted all three to the fact that they were no longer alone.

“What was that?”

“Vampra’s Shadow Warriors,” Frog responded, allowing his body to triple in size. He was now as big as a St. Bernard. “Bridge, it may get ugly, are you up to a fight?”

The former Green Ranger had the nerve to look insulted by Frog’s words. “I may not have my Ranger powers, but through and through, if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that no matter what, I’ll always be a Ranger. I’m ready for any battle.”

Frog and Panda shared looks. “You have great confidence,” Panda spoke.

“No, I don’t. I’m terrified at the moment, but I also know that nothing worth fighting for is going to be easy to reach, and I know what I’m capable of. Besides, friends don’t leave friends to fight battles on their own.”

“Too true,” Frog murmured, seconds before the shadows burst through the foliage and began to attack the trio.

They fought gracefully, experience shining through. They each covered the others’ backs, making sure no one took a hit from a blind side. Before long, the Shadows had been beaten back, and were disappearing, leaving the trio of fighters panting.

“Well, that was interesting,” Bridge griped. “Are we going to have to face more of them?”

The two animal spirits heaved deep breaths, before Frog spoke up. “Not now. You’re almost halfway finished with your journey. When you get home, more than likely Vampra will send more after you. Just remember, the light in your soul shines brighter than any other.”

“We should go, just in case,” Panda spoke. Frog nodded.

“Bridge, I have to leave you now, but Panda will take care of you.”

The former Green Ranger looked startled, like he wanted to protest, but held his tongue. It only took Bridge a few seconds to realize that if he wanted to find the others, he needed to go with Panda. “Thank you, Frog, for being there for me.”

Frog smiled. “Think nothing of it Bridge, just remember what you’ve learned, for the lessons you’ve been taught will serve you well.”

When Frog disappeared, Bridge turned to Panda and smiled. “Ready.”

“Then follow me,” Panda grinned and the pair lumbered off down the path.

- -

“Oh wow!” Bridge gasped when he and Panda walked into the ruins of the temple.

“BRIDGE!”

The former Green Ranger’s eyes lit up when he saw Z, Jack and Brian coming at him full tilt. Z reached him first, throwing her arms around his neck and kissing him soundly. Bridge returned the embrace with as much love as it was being given with. Z let him go a few seconds later, just long enough for him to hug Jack and Brian.

“Welcome, Bridge,” Dulcea called.

“Wow!” Bridge chirped. “Who are you?”

“I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of the planet Phadoes. Welcome to the ruins of the Ninjetti temple.”

“Thank you,” Bridge murmured, his arm going around Z’s waist. “I take it the others haven’t shown up yet?” Bridge asked Z, his eyes taking in Dragon, Tiger and Pegasus.

“Not yet. It’s a waiting game for now,” Z told him, her voice trembling slightly. “I’m scared for them, Bridge. Of all of us, they’ve got the most turmoil going on right now in their lives.”

Bridge simply nodded and pecked a comforting kiss to Z’s temple. “They’ll be fine. Syd and Sky are two of the strongest people I know. If anyone can make it through this, it’s them.”

Chapter 13: Tailing The Silent Wolf

“Whatever is at the center of our life will be the source of our security, guidance, wisdom, and power.” -- Stephen Covey --

“Let love rule thy heart, logic rule thy mind and faith rule your soul." -- Unknown --

“I count him braver who overcomes his desires than him who conquers his enemies; for the hardest victory is the victory over self.” -- Aristotle --

“Happiness can exist only in acceptance.” -- Denis De Rougamont --

- -

He was flat on his back, staring up into a pitch black sky. Not a sound was uttered from anything, but he could smell the lushness of the plants around him, could feel the hardness of the earth below him. There was a rock under his right shoulder, digging into his skin through his shirt. The next realization broke him from his silent ponderings – he was alone. “Syd? Bridge? Jack? Z? Brian? GUYS?”

No answer. For the first time in months, Sky felt panicked. He sat up quickly, but because of the dark, couldn’t see where he was. He swallowed the lump of fear that was balling in his throat and made himself take several deep breaths to calm down. The last clear thing he could remember was squeezing Syd’s hand as the door shut behind them once they’d entered the cave in Ninjor’s temple. Now he was alone.

“You are never alone, Schuyler.”

Swinging his head around, Sky came face to face with darkness. It was only when his eyes started to truly focus that he could see the dark form in the shadows, the same one that was slowly illuminating with blue light. “A wolf? A talking wolf?”

The wolf seemed to grin. “Is it any stranger than a talking dog charged with training the Earth’s greatest protectors or a talking cat that is one of the most brilliant minds in the universe?”

The blue tinged wolf had a point. “Ok, point taken. And you are?”

“Your guide. He who is my bearer, the one known as William Cranston, asked me to protect you on your journey.”

“Your Billy’s Wolf?”

“Yes.”

“What do I call you? It’s getting a little weird not to call you by name,” Sky told him seriously. The former Blue Ranger had never been one to believe in the extraordinary, despite his time as a Power Ranger, or the truth behind how his parents got together. He didn’t believe in magic, not the kind he was being asked to believe in now.

The wolf bowed its head and replied, “You may call me Wolf. Are you ready to start your journey?”

“I was born ready,” Sky grinned, watching Wolf narrow his eyes at him. “What?”

“Do not get cocky, Schuyler, you still have a lot to learn. Come, we must hurry.”

Sky nodded in acceptance. Wolf then set off down the path that was illuminated by his blue glow, Sky following close behind.

- -

“Rest now, we will continue momentarily,” Wolf spoke for the first time in what seemed like forever. Sky was grateful for the break, and through the dark of night, found a rock to sit on.

Sky sat with his head between his knees, his thoughts a swirl of confusion. He hadn’t asked to be thrust into this adventure, and yet, this is where he found himself, having to process and accept that not everything about being a Power Ranger was cut and dry – sometimes it involved things one couldn’t see or physically touch.

“You must accept that fact, Schuyler, if you are to pass this trial.”

The former Blue Ranger turned his head to where his companion sat, blue eyes staring into blue eyes. “I accept that there are things I can’t comprehend about being a Ranger.”

“Can you also accept that being a Ranger has brought lessons you need to learn, lessons important to your destiny, as well as people you must learn to count on, must understand, in order for you to fulfill that destiny?” Wolf asked his eyes still boring into Sky’s.

In an instant, Sky knew what Wolf was getting at. He’d been thinking about it since they’d left the temple for the cave. Even though it hurt his pride to back down, to change his decision, he had to start being more conscious of Brian, and the younger Oliver’s role in the events playing out before them. Sky didn’t say anything, he just nodded.

“He is in as much a need of acceptance, as you are in need to give it. You share more common goals then you will ever know; first and foremost being the happiness of the Phoenix and the safety of your world.”

Wolf was right, Sky decided. He and Brian did share that. Both of them wanted nothing more than to see Sydney happy, healthy and at peace, and they both wanted to save the world. “I understand.”

“I know you do, but can you accept it in your heart? Now come, we must continue. We have someone to meet and time is running out.”

The pair moved from their resting place and continued down the nearly hidden path they’d set out on at the start of their journey.

- -

They walked in silence for nearly a half hour before Wolf looked over his shoulder at Sky. “Might I ask a question?”

“Sure,” Sky told him, using his hands to move foliage out of his face as they walked.

“What does the one called Anna, mean to you?”

Sky was downright startled by the question. Wolf wanted to know what Anna meant to him? “How do you know about Anna and why did you ask me that?”

“We animal spirits had thought your heart, your love, resided with your soul’s twin, but I see in you, as you stand before me, unsettled feelings about this woman.”

Sighing, Sky shook his head. “I thought I loved her, once upon a time,” the former Blue Ranger spoke, his mind going back to the time before he and Syd had even been friends. He had been really happy then, but it had come crashing down on his head before he could stop it. And then he’d closed himself off from everything, and everyone. “We were together, briefly, before she left for Aquitar. I was crushed. I had thought we had a future together.”

“And now? We were privy to what went on before you came here, Schuyler. I especially was privy to what was happening in your life, through our mutual connection to William, and the Blue Ranger power of the Morphin Grid. Your heart is still unsettled. Who do you love? This Anna or your soul’s twin?”

Blue eyes seemed to light with fire. “That’s easy – I love Sydney. What I have with her, it’s everything, and everything else pales in comparison to it.”

“It does not scare you that your soul is only half; that the other half lies within another?” Wolf asked, trying not to seem like he was prodding, though Sky knew he was.

Sky chewed on the question for a few seconds before he answered. “Believe it or not, despite my reluctance to believe in the unknown that comes with being a Ranger, I can safely say I genuinely accept and believe the other half of my soul is the woman I love.”

Wolf grinned before telling Sky, in a serious voice, “Then do not give into temptation, no matter what. Your heart will always lead you back to your soul’s twin, all you have to do is believe.”

The former Blue Ranger looked slightly shaken by what seemed like a warning. Did Wolf know something about what was to come that Sky had no idea of? “You say that like it’s a warning.”

“Take it is as you will. Now come, we have some way left to go yet.”

- -

It wasn’t but a few minutes down the path that the pair came across a nasty scene. There were shadowy looking figures on the ground, slowly disappearing, while others like them continued to attack an almost obscured creature not far from the path. “What are those?” Sky hissed.

“Vampra’s Shadow Warriors. Schuyler, you check on the creature, I’ll scare them off,” Wolf growled and then let out an inhumane howl that caught all of the shadows’ attentions before he charged forward.

With the shadows busy, Sky hurried toward the downed creature and threw up a shield around them. “Are you alright?”

“I’m fine,” the creature grumbled. To Sky’s amazement, when the creature stood, he saw that it was a Sphinx. Abruptly, the Sphinx brushed past Sky and headed for Wolf. “Took you long enough.”

“Forgive me, the path was longer than I expected,” Wolf shot back. “I see you have already met Schuyler. Schuyler, allow me to introduce Sphinx.”

Sphinx bowed his head while Sky nodded, and then the creature stared at Sky, causing the former Blue Ranger to become uncomfortable. “He has a wise soul, though he does not share his wisdom with those around him.”

Wolf seemed to chuckle at that. “One thing at a time. He has still yet to accept his power, and his place. You expect too much.”

“Time is short, he has not the luxury to accept at his own pace,” Sphinx told them. “It is time now.”

“What’s going on?” Sky griped. “And why are you talking about me as if I’m not here?”

“It’s time for you to continue your journey, Schuyler, but you do so without me,” Wolf told him, coming forward to gently lick Sky’s hand. “Sphinx will care for you on the rest of your journey, good luck.”

“Thank you,” Sky told Wolf just as the blue figure disappeared. Turning, he moved to stand before Sphinx. “What now?”

Sphinx seemed thoughtful. “You do remember what Wolf spoke to you of, yes?” Sky nodded, not sure where Sphinx was going with his line of questioning. “Don’t forget it. Now then, let us continue.”

Sky rolled his eyes but followed the creature in front of him just the same.

- -

“Wow!” Sky muttered when Sphinx led him up a pathway along the side of a cliff to what seemed like the ruins of a building.

“Welcome to what was once the Ninjetti Temple,” Sphinx seemed to grin, watching with approval as Sky stepped in front of him, the Blue Ranger’s eyes on his friends.

“GUYS!”

“SKY!”

Z reached him first, throwing her arms around him, squeezing him tightly. Sky grinned down at her and pecked a kiss to her cheek. When Z let go, both Bridge and Jack moved forward to hug him. Once the two former Rangers were done, Sky and Brian stood face to face. “Sydney?” Brian asked, biting his lip.

“I haven’t seen her, not since we left that cave,” Sky told him sincerely, wishing the young boy’s face didn’t look so forlorn. Reaching out, Sky drew Brian to him in a brotherly half hug. “Don’t worry, Squirt. If anyone can take care of themselves, it’s Syd.”

Brian looked up at Sky, confusion swirling in the chocolate brown depths until he realized that Sky was trying to be nice. “Welcome to the ruins of the Ninjetti Temple, Schuyler,” a new voice spoke.

Sky turned his head toward the new voice, his arm still around Brian’s shoulders. The former Blue Ranger’s eyes widened at the vision before him. “Whoa. Who are you?”

“I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of the planet Phadoes, and I bid you welcome.”

The former Blue Ranger nodded. “I’ve heard about this place. In mythology class, we learned that anyone who comes here never returns home.”

Dulcea grinned. “Those who have sought the great power for personal gain or evil, have perished before they ever made it to the power. Only those pure of heart and soul may touch that which is made of the power of the light. Come, we have food, and you look like you are in need of rest.”

Sky nodded and followed the others over to the fire where there was food, while Sphinx settled in with the other animals, which Sky noted consisted of a Tiger, a Panda Bear, a Pegasus, and a Dragon.

Chapter 14: Phoenix Rising
 
AN: I know, more times than not, it seems the Pink Rangers have been the heart and soul of the team, though there have been some exceptions (Dustin and Chip coming to mind). I’m torn in this thought regarding SPD. During the show, I’d have to agree that Bridge was the heart and soul of the SPD team, but for this story, and the AR timeline I’ve given the end of the show, Sydney is living up to the Pink Ranger theory. - grins -
Dedication: I dedicated this chapter to those who’ve been through so much, no matter what that is, and have still managed to rise from the ashes.

“My mind tells me to give up, but my heart won't let me." -- Unknown --

“You have to enable and empower people to make decisions independent of you. As I've learned, each person on a team is an extension of your leadership; if they feel empowered by you they will magnify your power to lead." -- Tom Ridge --

“Patience and perseverance have a magical effect before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish." -- John Quincy Adams --

“The important thing is this: To be able at any moment to sacrifice what we are for what we could become.” -- Charles Dubois --

- -

She felt like she was floating. It reminded her of when she use to cuddle with her mother and day dream. With a sigh, she stretched and opened her eyes. What met her was complete darkness. “That can’t be good,” she muttered, searching for light but finding none.

“That depends on your definition of good,” a voice announced.

Sydney turned her attention to the direction it sounded like the voice was coming from. Surprisingly enough, the dark was soon lit by a soft pink glow that only intensified as the figure it was emanating from approached the former Pink Ranger. When she saw it was a crane, Syd’s eyes filled with tears. “Mama.”

“Not quite, little one,” the beautiful pink crane told her. “I am merely your birth mother’s sacred animal spirit, and the honorary guardian of your adopted mother.”

The former Pink Ranger nodded and swiped at the tears that found their way down her cheeks. “So, now what?”

“Are you ready to face your journey of self discovery?” Crane asked, her eyes locked with Sydney’s.

“Yes.”

“Then come, and be careful, the path isn’t always clear.” Together they set off, Crane’s pink glow lighting the way for Sydney through the dense jungle.

- -

For an entire hour, Sydney’s thoughts were on her parents, her brother, and Sky. The bird flying above her was the embodiment of the woman who’d given birth to her, of the woman who’d given up her own hopes and dreams to save not only Sydney’s, but Syd’s life. The beautiful bird was also an honorary guardian of the woman who had raised her – the only mother she’d ever really known. Her heart was torn in two over it, just as it had been for weeks now over the situation between Brian and Sky.

“Those you love can often bruise your heart worse than any of your enemies,” Crane spoke from a branch above Syd’s head where she was perched. “Sit and rest, little one. Tell me why your heart is so hurt.”

Sydney groped around in the darkness and found a rock to lean against. She drew her knees to her chest and thought of Crane’s question. “I’ve been so lost,” she breathed, her mind focusing on her answer. “Between my parents, both sets, and Brian and Sky, I don’t know what to do. It’s like, choosing one or the other in either case makes me feel traitor to the other.”

“Your heart is unsettled,” Crane spoke, seeing the turmoil inside her young charge. “Do you think your parents will love you less if they know you loved them all equally?”

“I’m not sure what I think anymore,” Sydney murmured.

Crane nodded. “Little one, she who was my bearer, and he who was the bearer of the Falcon, chose your adopted parents to care for you because they knew they would love you regardless of your heritage. Your adopted parents understand that there’s enough love in your heart for them and the two who birthed you. If they all can accept, why can you not?”

“I don’t know,” Syd whispered.

“You must also remember this, she who was my bearer also chose your mother to take her place on her team, chose her to wield my power. In choosing both that, and for her to take care of you, she must have known in her heart you were in good hands.” Syd could only nod. “As far as the Dragon, and your soul’s twin, they must come to terms on their own; there is nothing you can do for them but love them both without reservation. If your heart is not intact, you may face even greater peril during this war.”

“I know, it just feels like I’m being pulled in a million different directions and I can’t take a step back to clear my head.”

“Trust your heart, little one, it’ll never steer your wrong.” Sydney nodded again, her thoughts still on what Crane had said. “Are you ready to continue?”

“Yes,” Sydney responded. The Crane bobbed her head once and took flight, Sydney not far behind on the path below.

- -

“How much further?” Syd called out, panting as they stopped.

“Not much. Do you need a rest?”

Sydney sighed. “As much as I hate to say it, yes, I do.”

“Then we will rest,” Crane announced, winging down from the branch she was on to sit on the path with her charge. Both had noticed the sky was lightening as they moved down the path.

“Does that have to do with the journey or is it natural?” Sydney asked, gesturing to the sky.

Crane looked startled, or at least as startled as a bird could, that Sydney would think to ask that. It was a sign to Crane that the former Pink Ranger was growing and maturing. “It has to do withy our journey. Each of you is being tested, and as you pass, the sky will lighten.”

“I see.”

“You surprise me, little one.”

Sydney didn’t know whether to be happy or insulted. “How so?”

“You have grown much since you became a Ranger. You are steadily growing into the role you were always meant to play.”

“And what role would that be?”

Crane cocked her head at Sydney and seemed to open her beak in what appeared to be a smile. “Your fathers were two of the most well known leaders of the Power Rangers, your mothers the most compassionate and gifted of the Rangers. Just because you were gifted with pink does not mean you were not meant to lead. Your time will come.”

“A leader? Me? You’ve got to be joking,” Syd laughed, shaking her head. “I’m no leader, that’s Sky and Jack, or even Z and Bridge, not me. I’m just the Pink Ranger.”

“As I said, just because you were gifted with Pink does not mean you were not meant to lead. The mother of your soul’s twin was Pink, and she still led her team, did she not?”

Sydney blinked. Crane was right, Jen had led the Time Force team until Wes had been given the Red Ranger mantle, and then she basically co-led the team with him. “I’m not my aunt.”

“Nor are you either of your mothers, you are yourself. Your mothers were the heart and soul of their teams,” Crane told her, cocking her head back and forth while flapping her wings slightly to punctuate her points. “During the last few months, you have proven you are the heart and soul of your team. Sometimes, it is best to lead with your heart, not your mind.”

The former Pink Ranger thought about Crane’s words, carefully weighing them against the experiences she’d had in the months leading up to this moment. She had grown, she had matured, as a Ranger, as a woman, but more importantly, as a person. In some ways, she had also steadily grown as a leader, maybe not as a Ranger leader, but a leader just the same.

She had put the welfare of her team and the people of Earth over her own life, and even the life of the child she and Sky had created. What was it her father had often told her as a child? The needs of many out weighed the needs of the few. It was one of the Rangers’ mottos. How many times had she read in her Ranger History text about the teams sacrificing themselves for the greater good? Too many to count, and each time, the teams were ultimately rewarded, but there had been casualties, some so great it had splintered some teams too far to be repaired.

“Point taken,” Syd murmured, watching Crane nod.

“Good. Now, we must continue. We still have someone to meet, and I have the feeling we might run into some disturbance before we reach our destination.”

Sighing, Syd pushed up from the ground and followed after Crane, never once realizing that the sky was growing lighter in color since they’d sat down.

- -

Sydney’s eyes widened in shock as she and Crane stopped nearly an hour or so later when fire seemed to erupt further up the path from where they were. “What the hell is that?” Syd asked, fear growing in her stomach that they’d just walked into a fire in the jungle.

“I believe our friend is in need of help. Are you ready?” Crane asked.

Shaking herself from her stupor, Sydney nodded. Regardless of her fear, she knew she was born to help. “Let’s go!” Syd called, the pair flying down the path, one on wings the other on legs, toward the fountain of fire.

When they got to the source, they saw half a dozen shadows attempting to fight with a large ball of flames. “Sydney, be careful!” Crane called seconds before she dove into the fray.

Sydney stood transfixed, her eyes glued to the figure in the center of the flames. It was a phoenix. Her phoenix. “NO!” Sydney’s voice ripped from her throat. Without really realizing it, the former Pink Ranger had let a wave of pulsing pink power out of her body.

Both Crane and Phoenix reared their heads up when Syd’s wave of power rendered the shadows powerless. “She does carry the power,” Phoenix seemed to grin, causing Crane to shake her head.

“The magic is there, it just needs to be honed,” Crane bobbed her head, watching as Phoenix moved to land on the path before Sydney, who was now on her knees, her breathing labored.

“What the hell was that?”

“One of the truest magic in the universe; you’re already partially in touch with the great power,” Crane told her.

Sydney nodded and grinned. “If that is only one of the many, I’d like to see some of the others,” Syd joked.

“You already have,” Phoenix told her in a snappy voice. “Do you not feel it each and every time you are with your soul’s twin or with your parents and the Dragon?”

The former Pink Ranger stared at her spirit animal, an eyebrow arched. “Sarcastic much?” she asked, shaking her head at her guardian. “Of course I’ve felt that magic; I even know its name - it’s called love.”

Phoenix bowed her head before her charge before regally bringing it back up. “Then there is hope for you yet.”

Sydney shook her head at the sarcasm displayed by the mythological bird. Who’d have thought her guardian would be so sarcastic? She always figured that would be Z or Sky’s department. When the two birds began to laugh, well it’s the only way Syd could describe the sound, she blushed. “What?”

“She who is my bearer, are you ready to continue your journey? Crane is in need of rest, and your friends are waiting for you,” Phoenix spoke.

Sydney’s eyes flew to Crane, who seemed to be wavering between staying and going. Crystal blue eyes filled with tears even as the former Ranger knelt next to the guardian of her mothers. “Thank you.”

“You are most welcome. Remember always, that she who is my bearer, and he who was the bearer of my soulmate have always and will always be proud of you,” Crane spoke, her body starting to disappear. “And little one, do not forget what you have learned; the lessons will serve you well.” With those parting words, Crane disappeared completely, leaving Sydney in tears while Phoenix guarded her charge.

“Mama, Papa,” Sydney whispered, eyes closing as she struggled to keep the tears at bay.

“Come, we must continue,” Phoenix spoke. Sydney nodded and wiped the tears away before she opened her eyes to an astonishing sight. Phoenix tripled in size, standing nearly as tall as Sky.

“Wow.”

Phoenix bowed. “Climb on, the rest of the journey we must continue by air.”

Sydney did as told, gently climbing onto Phoenix’s back and then gasping in surprise when the great bird took to the skies.

- -

“Where are we?” Sydney asked when a large mountain came into view. The sky had lightened enough for her to see the horizon. What she saw looked like the ruins of a building.

“Welcome to what was once the home of an ancient race known as the Ninjetti,” Phoenix spoke, landing on the plateau.

Sydney squealed in delight when she saw the five animals and the six figures waiting for her. “GUYS!”

“SYD!” five voices rang out. Seconds after Phoenix had landed, Sydney was being pulled into a hug by her brother. Leaning down, Sydney kissed his cheek and then threw her arms around Jack, Z and Bridge, who had pulled her into a four way hug. Finally, Sydney found herself standing face to face with Sky.

“Hi,” Sky grinned at her, reaching out to take her hand. Before Sky had a chance to react, Sydney was rushing headlong into his arms, her face buried against his chest and her arms around his waist. Sky held her close, soothing her by running his hands up and down her back. Sydney pulled back once she was a little calmer and then leaned up and kissed him softly. “Miss me?”

“Always,” Syd breathed, settling her head under his chin, her eyes taking in the scantily clad figure watching them. “Who’s that?”

“Welcome Sydney,” the woman spoke. “I am Dulcea, Master Warrior of Phadoes.”

Syd looked a little skeptical. “Are you going to help us?”

Dulcea grinned. “Of course, but we must first wait until nightfall. For now, why don’t you rest and get something to eat.”

The former Pink Ranger nodded, staying close to Sky even as the others led her to the fire to feed her and tell her about their journeys.

Back away from the fire, the six animals rested together. Phoenix had shrunken back to her original size and was perched on the shoulder of Sphinx, who rested next to Dragon. On the other side of Sphinx, Panda and Tiger sat side by side, while Pegasus sat on the other side of Tiger, his legs folded under him and his wings tucked at his sides. They watched the seven humans chat quietly near the fire, knowing that time was now of the essence, but also knowing that the six young ones needed to rest and regroup.

Chapter 15: All You Need Is Faith

“Sometimes, no matter how much faith we have, we lose people. But you never forget them but sometimes those memories are the things that give us the strength to go on.” - Unknown -

“When you come to the edge of all the light you have known, and are about to step out into darkness, Faith is knowing one of two things will happen; there will be something to stand on, or you will be taught to fly.” - Jonathan Livingston Seagull -

“Faith is daring the soul to go beyond what the eyes can see.” - Unknown -

“He who has faith has... an inward reservoir of courage, hope, confidence, calmness, and assuring trust that all will come out well - even though to the world it may appear to come out most badly.”  - B.C. Forbes -

"Love is patient, love is kind. Love never fails. These three remain: faith, hope and love. But the greatest of these is Love." - Saint Paul -

"Love is a noble act of self-giving, offering trust, faith, and loyalty. The more you love, the more you lose a part of yourself, yet you don't become less of who you are; you end up being complete with your loved ones." - Unknown -

- -

Several hours later, once nightfall had descended upon the plateau, the group of six stood together staring at Dulcea. The animals stood at attention just behind them. “So, what exactly are you going to do with us not that we’re all here?” Jack asked Dulcea, who merely smiled at him.

“Give you help finding the power within. At some point, all of your parents were Rangers,” Dulcea spoke. “Or at least, at some point touched by the Great Power, which is the center of what is known as the Morphin’ Grid, and the power at the heart of each and every Power Ranger team.”

Brian made a face when Dulcea mentioned the Power. Without a thought, both Syd and Sky moved to flank him; Sydney took his hand while Sky griped his shoulder in a comforting way. Dulcea’s eyes watched them, knowing that even as she spoke, the power that they thought they were searching for was already awakening within them, binding them together on yet another level.

“You’ve all face personal tests, some of you haven even faced personal demons on your journey to this place,” Dulcea spoke slowly, her eyes stopping and locking with each of the six. “And yet, your faith in each other, in yourselves and in your world has brought you to this point. I can only hope that that faith is unwavering; you’re going to need it for the final leg of this journey.”

“Which is what?” Z all but demanded, only to quiet when Tiger moved to rest her head against Z’s leg. The former Yellow Ranger unconsciously placed her hand on Tiger’s head, letting the vibration of Tiger’s low purring soothe her frazzled nerves.

The Master Warrior continued to smile knowingly. The Rangers and the animals with them were already tuned to each other, which was a good sign. The journey ahead would not be an easy one, but Dulcea did not doubt that they would succeed.

“You must traverse the Neola Jungle, to the monolith within. In the monolith, the Great Power resides. Remember, your trek will not be easy; many have tried and failed, only six have ever truly touched the power at the heart of the Morphin’ Grid.”

“Then how will we?” Bridger gulped nervously, before looking down at Panda, who had come to sit next to him.

“I have great faith in you,” Dulcea told them sincerely. “You six have a kinship, some physical and some spiritual, to the only seven from your world to ever have been Ninjetti. They would not have lent you their spirit animals if they did not think you would succeed.” The Master Warrior watched them digest those thoughts before she continued. “The Falcon and Crane have watched over the Dragon and Phoenix since their conception, and by extension, each of the rest of you. They trust the six of you can work together to defeat the being who’s only purpose in life has ever been to possess the Ninjetti.”

“Dulcea, is there anything you can tell us about Vampra?” Sky asked, needing information about this unknown enemy.

“Lord Vampra is the reason Ninjor and I were the last Ninjetti until Zordon sent the Morphin’ Rangers in search of the Temple of Power,” the blonde spoke softly. “He’s a formidable foe, but locked in his current state, he can’t leave the cave Ninjor and I sealed him in. He needs the power of the Ninjetti to break free.”

Dulcea waited a few moments to let them digest her words before she continued. “We managed to turn him into a Vampirus monster, but should he gain access to the Great Power, he’ll be unstoppable. If you thought Gruumm and Visvajita were ruthless, you’re in for a surprise.”

“Not to mention he’d ruin the Morphin’ Grid,” Sydney muttered.

Dulcea’s eyebrows arched in surprise and amusement. She’d been thinking the same thing, but hadn’t spoken her thoughts out loud. “You’re telepathic powers have progressed beyond expectations, young Phoenix.”

Jack, Z, Bridge and Sky shot looks at Syd, and Brian, who both looked surprised that Dulcea knew about their ‘other’ power. “Telepathic powers?” Sky growled, clearly upset that Dulcea knew of something Sydney had never told them, even him.

Sydney had the grace to blush, and then was ready to defend herself, but knew she needed to explain first. “I’ve had them since the final battle with Visvajita,” she spoke softly, gulping as her eyes watch the hurt seep into their own. “Until Brian came, I didn’t know how to control them, let alone describe them. I thought I was going nuts for a while there.”

Jack’s sudden question startled them all, but had them wondering if it was true. “Sydney, have you used them on any of us?”

“Yes.”

Four pairs of eyes widened. “SYD!”

Sydney’s head snapped up, a fire in her blue eyes as she finally defended herself. “I have never read your thoughts during a personal moment,” Sydney vehemently told them. “Only when we were training, or working. If I thought for a second your thoughts were turning to something personal, I backed off.”

“But you’ve still read our thoughts,” Jack muttered, angry. “Without our permission I might add.”

“What about me?” Sky demanded to know.

Sydney turned toward him, tilting her head back to look up at him. “The only time I’ve ever read your thoughts were when you were upset about something and wouldn’t talk to me, you were having nightmares about that battle, or we were making love.”

Sky’s eyes darkened with anger and a good dose of betrayal. He’d had suspicions once or twice before, but had dismissed them as his imagination working over time. Now he knew she’d kept the truth from him, instead of trusting him with it.

Z and Bridge, for the most part, looked hurt, but they also looked like they understood, especially Bridge. A look came over Z’s face that had her moving the few steps to stand before Sydney. “Why didn’t you tell us?” Z asked. The former Yellow Ranger looked like she had a pretty good idea why the petite blonde had hidden her new powers. It had taken years, for all of them, to cope with the powers they had when they were born. Z figured Syd didn’t want to feel even more like a freak with these new powers.

“How would I have explained it when I wasn’t sure myself?” Sydney asked her. “Besides, so much had happened already, you’d have only worried more. And I...” the former Pink Ranger passionately told them, her head bowing as she tried to keep one of her worst fears from them.

Z reached out and took Sydney’s hand. “Already felt freakish with your civilian powers?” Z finished for her, watching as Sydney looked up at her in tears.

“Yes,” the blonde cried softly. “I’m sorry, so, so sorry. I shouldn’t have kept it from you, any of you, but I just, I couldn’t burden you with this. I know it was wrong of me, and I promise, I won’t ever do it again!”

Z merely shook her head and smiled before she pulled Syd into a tight hug. “You should have just told us. Aren’t you the one that’s always telling us not to bottle things up?” Z gently teased, rubbing Syd’s back as the blonde’s shoulders shook.

The former Pink Ranger held onto her friend tightly, her tears landing on Z’s shoulder. The tears she shed now weren’t all sad, but they were tears just the same. When Z pulled back, Jack and Bridge looked at each other and then threw their arms around Sydney. “Don’t keep things from us,” Jack whispered in her ear. “We’re a team, we gotta trust each other.”

Sydney smiled and nodded when the two boys pulled back and her brother gave her a thumbs-up. Each of them watched nervously as Sydney turned to face Sky, who still looked decidedly pissed. “I can’t believe you kept that from me and I can’t believe you invaded my personal thoughts without my permission.”

With her lips trembling, Sydney took his anger and hurt like an adult. She understood where he was coming from and didn’t blame him, realizing her mistake. “I don’t know how to make it up to you, Sky. I truly am sorry.”

“You’re going to have to earn back my trust, Sydney,” Sky growled, watching her nod. “No more secrets. From here on out, you tell me everything.” His eyes were fierce as Sydney silently nodded, blinking back tears as she turned to face Dulcea.

There was a burning pain in her chest as she watched Dulcea smile sadly at her. Her heart felt like it was breaking, and the only thing she really wanted to do at that precise moment was run and hide and lick her self inflicted wounds. She flinched when she felt the familiar grip on her hand. Turning, she somewhat sighed in relief when saw that Sky had taken her hand, their fingers intertwining.

“Are you ready?” Dulcea’s lilting voice broke the silence that had come after the storm. Six heads nodded in unison. “Good, then let us begin. Form a semi-circle around the fire.”

Sky squeezed Sydney’s hand as they moved to the farthest side of the fire from where they’d been standing. Their eyes met, an understanding passing between them. Sydney brought their joined hands up and turned Sky’s over so that she could kiss his palm. She was relieved to see some of the anger fade from his beloved blue eyes, replaced by what she knew was desire and love. He moved his hand up to caress her cheek before pulling back to stand apart from her with the others. Taking a deep breath, Sydney took her place at the end of the line they made.

Dulcea had seen their gesture, and sighed in relief, knowing that while there was hurt and anger still within Sky, the former Blue Ranger would be able to work passed it. “Within each of us is an animal spirit waiting to be released,” she told them, smiling. “You six are lucky enough to join a select group who have been blessed to have theirs awakened. Trust your animal guides, for they will not steer you wrong.”

The Master Warrior reached into the pouch at her side and drew out a handful of purple sand. Cupping her palms together, she blew the sand into the fire, allowing it to work its magic on the six that stood before her. With eyes closed, each of the group felt the power wash over them, clothing them in new uniforms, while the animals moved to stand beside their charges. Each of them blazed with their signature color, but both Sky and Bridge surprised Dulcea slightly when in their colors she saw two more; blue tinged in Bridge’s green and red in Sky’s blue. She wondered what that could possibly mean, but kept her thoughts to herself.

Once the magic had faded, the newly minted ninjas opened their eyes and stared at each other and then Dulcea in shock. Grinning, Dulcea moved to stand before the first of them, who happened to be Z.

“Elizabeth honorable and trust worthy, you are the Tiger.” Z smiled when she looked down and saw the fierce tiger emblazed in gold on the chest of her yellow uniform.

“Jack, passionate, free spirited, you are the Pegasus.” Jack’s eyebrows rose only slightly, telling Dulcea he wasn’t the least bit surprised about his spirit animal.

Moving over another few steps, Dulcea stopped in front of Bridge, who was grinning wildly at her. “Gentle and loyal, Bridge, you are the Panda.” Bridge nodded and looked over his shoulder at the Panda who stood behind him, smiling as well.

“You already know your animal spirit intimately, Brian,” Dulcea spoke. “You are the Dragon, mysterious and wise.” Brian nodded, happy to have his ninja uniform back, as well as his link with his power.

“Schuyler, righteous, noble, you are the Sphinx,” Dulcea spoke, watching Sky look down at the dark blue uniform he wore before turning his gaze back to her. She nodded her head once, and then moved her gaze to Sydney, seeing that Sky’s followed. The blue dressed ninja said nothing but his eyes spoke volumes.

“And Sydney, jubilant and elegant, you are the Phoenix, who has risen from the ashes to face this world anew.”

Everyone but Sky smiled at the pink clad figure that looked ready to face the world head on. Sky stared at her, swallowing hard when her eyes met his. “To use the great power, you each must be in harmony with your animal spirit. To finish this, the greatest of the tests you face on this journey, you must have faith.”

“When do we get started?” Sydney asked suddenly, pulling them all from the awe inspired silence that reigned over them.

“You must go now. Ninjor sent a telepathic message shortly after your arrival here; it was urgent, your friends are in trouble.”

“Then let’s book it!” Jack called. The six blinked in surprise when the animals suddenly disappeared in flashes of colored light.

“Where’d they go?” Bridge asked.

“They’ve merged back with you. When you need them, just call. Good luck, Rangers.” With her parting words, Dulcea turned into a snow white owl and flew off.

“That was just...creepy,” Z commented, eliciting smiles from the others.

“With enough practice, we may be able to do that one of these days,” Brian informed them.

Sydney laughed nervously, and then sobered. “Let’s get going. If the others are in trouble, we don’t have time to screw around.”

“Syd’s right, let’s move,” Jack told them, leading them down the path from the temple toward the Neola Jungle, their only light that of the moons above.

- -

“Is it just me, or is the moonlight really bright?” Z asked, watching the others nod in agreement.

“I don’t know about you, but I’m really starting to dislike this planet,” Syd huffed as the six of them left the desert between the plateau and the jungle.

“I’m ready for a big glass of water,” Brian muttered.

The others remained silent, but felt the same way. “Hopefully, it’s not too much further,” Jack told them wiping the sweat from his brow. Their ninja uniforms, even at night, weren’t the most comfortable items to be wearing while trekking through a jungle.

“Um, guys!” Bridge gasped. The group looked around in awe at the dinosaur skeletons that surrounded them, or at least that they could see with the trees blocking out all but a little of the moonlight.

“Keep your eyes open,” Sky ordered, the entire team tensing.

They walked in silence before the bones finally got the better of poor Bridge, who went up to one of the skulls and looked inside. “Weird,” he muttered, waving his hand at it before gasping and backing up.

“Bridge?” Sydney called to him, seeing the stark terror on his face.

“THEY’RE ALIVE!” he squawked, seconds before Jack shouted in alarm.

“INCOMING!” The skeleton in front of Bridge had come to life and was charging after the retreating green ninja.

When the dinosaur tried to spear Jack with its horns, he phased right through it. When it charged at Z, she jumped out of the way. Brian threw up a wall of ice before dashing off in the opposite direction. Sky’s shield protected him from attack while Bridge dodged on his own, rolling to the side where Z was standing. Then the five of them heard the last thing they wanted or needed to at that point.

“GET AWAY FROM ME!” Syd screamed.

“SYDNEY!” Brian cried out, attempting to dash forward only to be stopped by Jack, who pointed at Sky racing to her rescue.

“Hang on Syd!” Sky called out, rushing toward her.

Before the blue ninja could get to her, Sydney found herself backed against a large tree. “Sydney! Get out of there!” Z called out, her heart jumping into her throat.

Sydney’s hands groped around against the base of the tree, finally coming into contact with something that under normal circumstances would have made her smile. Without thinking, Sydney gripped her weapon and shouted, “I SUMMON THE STONE!” Her hand was closed around a tiny stone she’d found.

The others gasped when not only did her hands turn to stone, but Sydney’s entire body suddenly began to glow pink and then turned to what could only be described as living stone.

“Oh my God!” Z gasped. “SYD!”

Sydney didn’t think, didn’t plan, she just reacted. Standing to her full height, she drew her arm back and then punched her fist forward with such momentum, her knuckles impacting against the skeleton’s forehead, right between its horns.

There was a loud crack followed by the bones suddenly crumbling to the ground. “What in the hell just happened?” Jack huffed.

Before their eyes, the four shocked ninjas watched Sky finish his journey to Syd, pulling her into his arms, the look on his face one of barely contained terror. “Does someone want to explain to me what just happened to Syd,” Z broke the silence. “Because, last I checked, she could only do that with her hands.”

Four pairs of eyes took in Sydney and Sky, who were holding onto each other as if the other was going to disappear. Sky blinked in surprise even as he held onto her, feeling what he could only describe as her mind touching his, and her surprise when his touched hers back. “Are you ok?” Sky murmured in her ear, one hand rubbing her back while the other cupped the back of her neck. The minute he’d touched her, her body had reverted back to normal.

“I...I...I think so,” Sydney stuttered, her body still stiff with tension and fear. After a few moments, she relaxed enough to lay her head against Sky’s chest, her breathing almost back to normal, but her body still shuddering.

“Guys, let’s get moving. We don’t know if any more of those things are going to start chasing after us,” Brian commented, eyeing the other sets of bones that were visible.

Z and Bridge nodded while Jack walked over to Sky and Syd. “You two ready to get moving?”

Sky nodded before looking down at Sydney, who was slowly disentangling herself from him. The blue ninja slid his hand down her arm and gripped one of her tiny hands in his, squeezing it in reassurance. Sydney smiled up at him but there was still fear and confusion in her eyes, coupled with the knowledge that deep down, he was still upset at her. “Let’s go,” Sky mumbled, following the others.

- -

The rest of the trek was spent teasing each other about their animal spirits, particularly Jack and Bridge, or discussing what their ninja predecessors must have thought when they received their powers.

Once the sunlight started to filter through, they were amazed to see the lush jungle around them. “Bridge, as nice as your color is, I’m sick of green!” Jack grumbled, stumbling over yet another low lying plant.

Bridge just grinned. “I’m getting sick of all the vegetation myself. Do you think we’re near the monolith yet?”

The team attempted to look up, but the thick canopy of the trees blocked everything but a little of the sunlight out. “There’s no telling with all of these trees towering over us,” Brian commented.

“Guys!” Z cried out suddenly. The other five rushed forward to catch up with her and found themselves in a clearing at the base of the monolith Dulcea had told them about.

“Whoa!” Bridge breathed.

“I wonder what we’re supposed to do,” Sky mumbled, even as Syd dropped the hand she still held and moved toward the giant piece of rock.

“Syd?” Brian asked, watching his sister walk as if she were in a trance.

Sydney heard them all but didn’t acknowledge them. She moved to the rock face, choosing her steps carefully. The world around her seemed to blur. There was a ringing in her ears that was a strange mix of indefinable noise and what suspiciously sounded like a bird.

Closing her eyes, Sydney reached out and laid her hand, palm flat, against the stone. “Sydney, sweetheart, what is it?” Sky asked softly, rubbing his hand up and down her back when he was close enough to her.

“Don’t you hear it, Sky?” she breathed out, her eyes clenched tightly.

Sky shared a look with the others, his gaze lingering on Brian in a silent question. The white ninja shrugged and gestured to the stone. In unison, both of them mimicked Sydney by closing their eyes and laying their palms against the stone.

“Oh wow!” Brian gasped.

“Incredible,” Sky’s voice answered.

Jack, Z and Bridge shared looks with each other before following their teammates’ example. All at once, the team gasped as the humming grew louder and they could hear the soft call of a group of animals. “What now?” Z asked softly.

Before any of the others could respond, a rumbling ensued, shaking reverberating through the monolith and the glade before it. The sudden movement caused the six to stumble back down the steps and onto their butts in the dirt before the monolith.

“Uh oh!” Brian announced.

The other five looked up and were shocked. Standing before them were six rock like creatures. “We are the guardians of the monolith, who dares trespass here?” one of the two in the center demanded to know.

The group of six looked at each other, trying to decide if they should answer. Finally, Syd rolled her eyes and stepped forward. “We are Ninjetti, sent by Dulcea and Ninjor to retrieve the Great Power,” she told them, gulping.

The six creatures seemed to ponder that for a moment. “If you are Ninjetti sent by the Master Warriors, then you have been given animal spirits. What do they call you, young one?”

Sydney smiled. “I’m Sydney.”

“We do not recognize that name. What do they call you?”

The pink dressed ninja jumped a bit when her brother poked into her head. ‘Use your animal name, Syd’ Brian silently told her.

Nodding, Sydney turned her attention back to the guardians. “I am she who is bearer of the Phoenix, daughter of he who was the Falcon and she who was the Crane.”

“And the rest of your companions?”

“The Tiger, the Panda, the Pegasus, the Dragon, and the Sphinx,” Sydney murmured.

The creatures gave each other looks and then nodded. “We recognize these spirits. You have come to face your final test?”

“Yes.”

“Then tell us, what is your final test?”

Six confused looks suddenly bloomed. They were supposed to know what their final test was? “This isn’t funny, we were never told what our final test would be,” Z murmured.

“We didn’t even know we were being tested until we reached the plateau,” Jack griped.

The rock creatures stepped forward. “You know which test this is, if you did not, you would not be here. If you cannot answer our query, you will be forced to fight until you do. What is your final test?”

Sydney and Brian touched minds, and then reached out mentally for Bridge. The three were surprised and a little scared when they felt Jack, Z and Sky as well, and as clearly as they did. ‘What was it Dulcea told us before we left the plateau?’ Sydney asked her friends silently.

As one the six repeated Dulcea’s words to each other. ‘To finish this, the greatest of the tests you face on this journey, you must have faith.’

“Faith!” six voices rang out, causing the six guardians to smile.

“Correct.” Each of the six stone guardians stepped forward, so that they were standing in front of a Ranger.

The first guardian on the end extended his sword, pointing the blade at Z’s chest. “Who are you?”

“Elizabeth Delgado, the Yellow Tiger.”

“And what did you learn during your journey, Yellow Tiger?”

Z’s eyes closed as the words of a cherished friend came back to her. Had it only been the day before when she and Bear had been traveling the path in the forest, Bear questioning her while she learned lessons she’d carry with her for a lifetime. Smiling, Z repeated the words Bear had told her when they’d left each other’s company. “Do not let fear rule you. Love is a gift, cherish it. Strength comes from within as much as without. Loyalty to those you care for is important, but do not let it blind you. And lastly, have faith. All will work out in the end.”

When Z’s eyes opened, she watched as the stone guardian sank to a knee before her and then disappeared. “WHOA!”

The next guardian raised his sword as he stepped up to Bridge, who flinched only slightly. “Who are you?”

“Bridge Carson, the Green Panda,” Bridge announced with pride.

“And what did you learn during your journey, Green Panda?”

Bridge blinked rapidly and thought back on his time with Frog. “That while jealousy is a natural reaction, I don’t have to be jealous of what my friends have with those they love, because I have something similar. My powers may restrict me in a lot of ways, but my life has freed me in others. No matter what happens from here on out, I’ll never be alone again. No matter how terrified I am of a situation, as long as I have confidence and I believe in myself, I’ll never lose. And, last but not least, to have faith.”

The Green Ninja blinked when the stone guardian sank to a knee and then disappeared. “Cool!” Bridge gasped, causing the others to smile.

The third guardian stepped forward, this time extending his sword to Jack. “Who are you?”

“Jack Landors, the Red Pegasus,” Jack grinned.

“What did you learn during your journey, Red Pegasus?”

Ape’s words came back to Jack, lifting the Red Ninja’s heart. “That my dreams will come true, in time, even if they do change on me. That I need to learn to let the others be responsible for their own actions, the world does not rest on my shoulders, and lastly, that courage, failure, and faith go hand in hand, and it’s ok to not always be courageous, failure is merely a lesson learned, and I must always keep faith.” The guardian nodded, lowered its sword, and then knelt before Jack, disappearing just as the previous two had.

The guardian on the far end stepped forward, pointing its sword at Brian’s chest. “Who are you?”

“Brian Oliver, the White Dragon.”

“What lessons did you learn on your journey, White Dragon?”

The White Ninja’s eyes filled with tears that he rapidly blinked away before he closed his eyes. His time with Falcon came back, as vivid as if he were still with the mighty lord of the skies who was his father’s animal spirit. “I learned that I need to stop blaming those who I think are responsible and accept the consequences of my own actions and that I need to place the blame for certain things with the reason that caused it. Tolerance and kindness go hand in hand, and that they are part of the code of the Ninjetti. No matter what I do or say, life goes on, I must live mine to its fullest potential. And I have to keep faith in myself and those around me.” When Brian’s eyes opened, the guardian nodded, dropped its sword, knelt and then disappeared, leaving Brian to heave a sigh of relief.

The next guardian to step forward was the one standing before Sky. The Blue Ninja stood straighter and waited for what was to come. “Who are you?”

“Schuyler Collins, the Blue Sphinx,” Sky spoke, a regal tone in his voice.

“What did you learn, Blue Sphinx?”

Sky swallowed hard, trying to find the words for what he had learned on his journey. “I learned that as much as I don’t want to, I have to accept that there are things in life I can’t control, and people in my life that I have to welcome with understanding and open arms,” Sky looked over at Brian who nodded. “I learned that I have knowledge that needs to be shared, and I need to be careful in the face of temptation. And I learned that my other half, my soul’s twin, is the woman that I love, and I’m not afraid to face what comes next, not as long as she’s by my side. My faith in her is what keeps me grounded.”

The others smiled when Sydney reached out and took Sky’s hand, two pairs of blue eyes meeting when the guardian knelt before Sky. Unlike the others, it did not disappear. “You face many trials ahead, Blue Sphinx, but as long as your heart is pure, and your faith is set with the one who is your other half, you will succeed.” With those words, the guardian left the Ninjas standing in shock.

The final guardian stepped forward, his sword pointed at Sydney, who swallowed hard and stared up at him. “Who are you?”

“Sydney Oliver Scott, the Pink Phoenix.”

“What did you learn, Pink Phoenix?”

The Pink Ninja looked thoughtful, her eyes focusing on the guardian. “I learned to always follow my heart, no matter what, because it won’t steer me wrong. I learned that I’m growing into the role destiny has for me to play, even if I still don’t know what that is. I learned that just because I’m pink, doesn’t mean I can’t step up and lead when I have to. And most of all, there are many types of magic in the universe, but the truest of them, the one I possess and know intimately is love; as long as I have faith in those lessons, there is nothing I can’t do.”

The guardian lowered its sword and knelt before Sydney, its eyes gazing into her own. “You, more than any, shall be tested. Do not waiver from what you know is right and true, because in your darkest moment, those you love and care for will light your way, and he who is your twin will stand strong with you, united in a fight evil can not hope to overcome.”

With that, the guardian disappeared, leaving the six Ninjas standing there, bewildered. The reverberating started then, causing the ninjas to stumble back a few steps as the massive stone face before them began to split down the center and a large pyramid began to emerge.

The Ninjas stood in awe as the large gold disk on the front began to light up with energy, revealing the figures emblazed on it. On the top half, which was darker then the bottom, the six could see the animal spirits who guided them on the first half of their journey, while the bottom half of the disk was lighter and had their own animal spirits carved in it.

Before long, the light grew so that it looked like the animal spirits were jumping from the disk to stand before their bearers. Instead, the lights began to dance around the ninjas, while the other six animals emerged and stood before the team. “Congratulations,” Falcon spoke, the team focusing on him. “You have passed this, the final test on your journey of self discovery. We are proud of you.”

“You face many trials ahead,” Wolf spoke. “Be mindful of your decisions.”

“Rely on each other for strength,” Bear grinned. “You will need it.”

“There is no I in team,” Ape told them. “Work as one to accomplish your goals.”

“You are all connected,” Frog spoke up next. “Work to strengthen that connection, for it is the base of your power.”

“Above all else,” Crane began, flapping her wings. “Remember that anything is possible, so long as you believe. Good luck, Rangers.”

The team gasped when their predecessors’ animal spirits disappeared in a blaze of light and they were suddenly outfitted in new uniforms. “Ranger powers?” Z gasped.

“Not just any powers, Ninjetti Ranger powers!” Brian laughed, spinning around. The team now wore solid colored suits of their color, their helmets adorned with the face of their animal spirit. Each had a blaster at their side, and a morpher with a crystal in the center at their belt. The morphers were silver and the crystals their signature color, and emblazed on each crystal was their animal spirit.

“So, now what?” Bridge asked.

“You come back to the temple,” Ninjor’s voice rang out. The Rangers turned and spotted their blue mentor walking from the edge of the clearing. “You need to retrieve your new zords, and your friends are in need of your help.”

“Let’s go!” Syd called out. In a flash, the seven disappeared in streams of bright light.

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