All I Ever Wanted

Part Twelve: Possibilities

The setting sun is warm on my back as I steer the glider towards the capitol city of KO 35. The quiet dirt roads of the country soon give way to paved streets as I adjust my speed to better accommodate the urban traffic, and I take my time weaving my way back to the complex that houses KO 35's Ministry.

Kinwon should be back from Parnis by now.

The past week has crawled by like a slug. I should've known from the get-go that I'm not the patient type – sitting and waiting, even for a few days, didn't sit well with me.

I'll admit, it took me some time to simmer down after my last, er… conversation with Karone. It felt like I was clocked on the head with one surprise after another, and I couldn't think straight. All I could do was, well, mope. Kinda embarrassing, looking back on it. Me, a hero of KO 35, dragging my feet through the hallways like a kicked puppy. No wonder everyone here gave me a lot of space.

Once I was able to look passed my own hurt and actually think about what Karone had said, I was able to shake off my slump and start thinking about a solution.

Now, I'm just frustrated with myself for not figuring it out sooner. I've wasted time and energy, but I couldn't really do anything until Kinwon got back from his conference.

At least I tried to make myself useful while I was waiting. I loaned my considerable expertise to the tech team working on the MegaWinger, and I gotta admit, it's impressive that they managed to improve the design on such a great Zord with limited time and resources. And with the upgraded Megaship blueprints Taikwa showed me, I think it's safe to say KO 35 has her defenses well on track, even without active Power Rangers.

So, I don't feel too guilty about the whopper of a favor I'm about to ask.

Kinwon is scheduled to arrive back in the capitol any minute now, and I'm confident that he'll grant my request. So the next time I call Karone, I'm going to be the one with the surprise.

* * *

I push the heavy breakfast tray through the quiet hall, navigating the detention deck with ease even though I'm only paying about half-attention. I barely even notice the various guards I pass; I'm so wrapped up in my current problem.

How the heck am I supposed to get this guy to prove he's the Guardian?

Leo asked me whether or not he could read the Galaxy Book. It would make sense for the Guardian to be able to read the Book he's supposed to be guarding; that's the most conclusive way to prove it. But I sure won't be sneaking the Galaxy Book into the detention cell just to prove a point. There's no way I can protect the Book in that small room if he pulls something.

So… what else can there be?

He obviously knows things. He knew about the Keonta spell. He knows about me. But that doesn't exactly prove anything.

What questions can I ask that would prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he is who he says he is?

I frown, looking at the bi-level serving tray with new insight. Since I'm only bringing breakfast for one prisoner, there's enough room under the sheet to hide a full-grown man. Forget the Galaxy Book; maybe I should have tried to sneak Leo in here so I could get a second opinion on this guy.

Oh well… I'll just have to make due on my own.

"Good morning, Sir," the guard greets with a salute. I nod at him, trying to appear nonchalant as I type the access code into the door.

The door slides open, and I maneuver the cumbersome tray into the darkened cell. "I brought you some breakfast," I call out, not really sure how to address this guy. I'm not calling him 'Guardian' to his face, even if I might do so in my thoughts.

I expected to see him standing in the corner, cool and aloof, just like before. Or, the possibility that he'd slipped out from under our noses did cross my mind.

I didn't expect to see him lying on his side, his knees to his chest, shivering.

I don't know how long I stared at him, but eventually I snap out of my stupor.

"What's happening to you?" The closer I get, the clearer I can see the lesions spotting his face, oozing blue blood.

He groans, trying to sit up. "It's… the atmosphere." His voice is brittle and weak, a far cry from the deep, powerful tone that commanded my attention before. "I won't survive here much longer."

Not quite sure what else to do, I help him rise, offering him the glass of water from breakfast.

It's incredible how much he deteriorated in just a few short hours. His breathing is hoarse and labored, and even when he swallows the water, he winces, as if it hurts him.

I grimace. "You didn't know our air was poisonous to you as soon as you got here?"

His deep, unsettling gaze falls on me again. While the rest of him is wasting away, his eyes are as disturbing as ever. "I knew before I came."

It's not that I don't believe him, I just don't get it. "Then why come at all?"

"Because I knew I would find the stolen Book. And I knew I would find you, Blue Ranger, and that you would help me."

Before I could protest, he tries to stand. I immediately grab his arm, helping to steady him on his feet.

Then, he lifts his hand. I watch, stunned, as specks of light form in the air, flashing like tiny stars in the night sky, but right in the middle of the detention cell. And in the middle of the weird light show, a foggy image begins to form.

"Everything that ever was, everything that ever will be, is written in time," the Guardian tells me.

The image takes shape. It almost looks like… the Galaxy Book. And me, holding it.

"I don't understand," I confess.

"You will." With a wince he loses his footing, his entire weight suddenly pressed against me. I stumble a bit to keep him upright, backing up and sitting him on the cot.

He takes slow, labored breaths, clutching his chest. And when he succumbs to hacking coughs, flecks of blue blood spray his palm.

That's it. Guardian or not, he's dying in here. I have to do something!

I bring the breakfast tray towards us, pulling up the tablecloth. "Come on. We're getting out of here."

* * *

Leo has given up. I didn't think it was possible... and I don't know what to do about it.

I know what I feel, though. I'm outraged. Even offended. Leo and I have been working on this project together for weeks, researching the Nexus with a common goal of finding Kendrix. I can't help but feel betrayed that he'd withdrawn from me like this. He didn't feel like he could admit to me his concerns openly.

Leo feels the need to work this particular problem out on his own; as if it doesn't impact anyone else's life at all.

I wearily sink into the couch in the living room, absently twisting my locket; the one cherished personal item I have. It's always been a comfort to me, even when I didn't know the faces the photographs captured. On a whim, I snap open the locket, gazing at the small photographs within.

I still have the image of my brother in his youth, looking innocent and carefree, but I removed the photo of myself. Instead, there's a picture of Andros, Zhane, and myself, taken a few months ago, before we were separated once again by Andros' new mission.

I carry photographs of quiet, peaceful times, right before the powers of the universe disrupt that peace.

Andros is now somewhere in the universe, fighting to preserve the stability Zordon died to establish. Zhane has probably returned to Earth by now.

And I… may never see either of them again.

I knew it was a possibility. As much as I wanted to think otherwise, there was always the chance that I would never return home after this mission. And while I didn't think much on what exactly I was risking when I accepted Kendrix's saber, I spent a great deal of time pondering it after the fact.

I decided the chance to be a Ranger was worth the risk. I looked forward to the peace of mind that came with service as a Ranger, and I've enjoyed the satisfaction of knowing that I'm putting effort and personal sacrifice into saving lives.

Now, I can look in the mirror, and be genuinely proud of the person looking back at me.

But the price that I paid… it weighs heavily on me right now. My peace of mind has cost me the people I love.

Before, it always seemed like a matter of time. Leo was always so sure we'd find her. All we had to do was search, and we'd find the answer. And his confidence became mine.

I had something real to look forward to, and a project to focus my attention. The search for Kendrix helped me put my future in my own hands, and it kept me from thinking too much about what I miss most about the home I left behind.

Now Leo is convinced we shouldn't even try to bring her back. What does that leave me with?

A tone from my wrist distracts me from my musings. I blink in disoriented confusion before answering the summons.

"Yes?"

"What's going on?"

It seems like he's hesitating, which makes me stand up from the couch immediately. "What's wrong?" I demand.

"You, uh…" Is it possible for a robot to gulp? "You have an incoming call. From Zhane."

I stare at my wrist, dumbfounded for a few moments. Then, with a slow breath, I manage to respond. "Thank you, Alpha. I'll be right there."

I move through the quiet hallway in a daze, anxiety keeping my pace slow. Just a few days ago, impatience to speak to him again was driving me to distraction. And now, facing him is just about the last thing I want to do.

* * *

I probably should've thought this through a little better.

The plan was to squeeze a bit more information out of the intruder. Now, I've sprung him from his detention cell, and I've stolen the Galaxy Book.

It's only about twenty pounds or so, strapped to my back in a metal case as I guide my Jet Jammer through the quiet halls toward the Mountain Dome; but it feels much heavier on my conscience. I've taken it upon myself to put this Book in the hands of the Guardian, and see once and for all what he can do with it.

I've taken it upon myself.

But I had to. I know he might be lying… but what if he really is the Guardian? And what if he really is dying? He was arrested in the middle of the night, in peak physical condition. Just a few hours later, he can barely walk. If I waited even an hour longer, would he still be alive?

And it's not like I haven't taken precautions, in case he is lying to me. I chose the Mountain Dome specifically because of its open, barren area, giving me plenty of room to defend myself and the Book if this turns into a fight. The other Rangers are already on alert; we were supposed to meet in another half an hour. One quick call and they'll come running to back me up if I need their help.

The only way to know for sure if this guy is the Guardian is to see what he does when he touches the Book; and I couldn't give it to him in the cell. It was too enclosed, and too public. I'd risk the lives of the guards, I'd risk my identity, and I wouldn't be able to fight in such a small area. This is a much better stage.

I slow down on my Jammer, looking for the Guardian at our rendezvous point, when out of the corner of my eye a flash of light grabs my attention. But the split second of warning isn't enough; I'm still nailed by the laser blast that throws me off my Jammer into the shrubs, sending the vehicle crashing into the nearest cliff.

I come to a tumbling halt, coughing and shaking off the sudden dizziness. I really need to get more sleep; my reaction time is shot!

"Blue Ranger, you have something that I want."

I grab the case, rolling to my feet to face my enemy. I bite down a swear as Deviot aims his wrist-mounted cannon at me again, the barrel of the weapon gleaming in the artificial sunlight.

"What are you doing here?" I demand, though I have a sinking feeling I know the answer. He knows I have the Galaxy Book. He was waiting as I brought it right to him.

There's only one explanation for this.

My free hand shakes with bottled anger. Maya and Damon were right… there is no "Guardian." He was one of Trakeena's monsters, manipulating me into getting the Galaxy Book away from all the layers of security we have in place to protect it.

Humiliated, I draw my Quasar Saber. "You're not getting this Book, Deviot," I snarl.

He doesn't answer me; he simply fires.

With a wordless scream I charge at him, deflecting what blasts I can with my blade, dodging others as I run. But one nicks my thigh, dropping me to the ground.

I hiss through my teeth at the burning sensation, recognizing belatedly how stupid that move was.

A sharp buzzing noise distracts me from my injury, and I look up to see the twin barrels of Deviot's laser charging. "I wish I could say it's been fun, Ranger."

But before he fires, a flashing sphere of power crashes into the ground almost on top of where Deviot stands, forcing the robot to jump for cover. The resulting shockwave shakes the entire Mountain Dome, causing clouds of dust and chips of rock to fall from the nearby cliffs.

Stunned, I watch the energy take humanoid form, a blue mist crawling around his body.

It's… the Guardian?

I'm shocked that he saved me, and I notice his appearance has slightly changed. Instead of the overalls he'd been arrested in, he's wearing a long hooded cape and strange woven pants. And there's a gold crest on his forehead, with a design that matches the braided symbol on the Galaxy Book's cover.

He turns to Deviot, and draws an enormous sword.

Deviot actually takes a step backward. "The Guardian? I don't believe it!"

The Guardian's glare is cold as he lifts the sword to strike.

I watch in a state of awe as the Guardian attacks, swinging the heavy weapon with ease and bringing Deviot to his knees in a single, titanic blow. Screaming, Deviot backs up to retreat, but the Guardian doesn't allow it, swinging his sword across the robot's chest. Each attack is powerful and swift, meant to disable or destroy.

But then, he stumbles, and I notice his feet dragging on the dry ground. Lesions spread on his skin… just like before, in the detention cell… and his breathing grows ragged.

I hurry to the Guardian's side, holding out my Saber toward the chuckling robot.

"Guardian, are you okay?" I murmur.

He doesn't answer me, instead charging forward to continue the fight. But his movements are now clumsy and slow, and Deviot is able to catch the sword on its descent.

"Having trouble, Guardian?" he chuckles, aiming his laser for a point-blank blast. "Perhaps it's something in the air?"

The Guardian only manages a wheeze in response, but I'm able to jump in the way just in time. The blast hits my side, hurling me yards across the dry terrain. The energy burns my skin and causes smoke to rise from my uniform.

Even with the ringing in my ears I can hear footsteps approach, and I look up to see Deviot hang over my head. Glaring at him, I manage to rasp, "How do you know about the Guardian?"

He looks at me for a moment with no expression. "I know much more about the Book and its origins than you, human. You are far out of your depth!"

And with that, he grabs the case from my weakened grip.

* * *

I sit anxiously at the computer console, staring at the black screen before me as I wait for her to make an appearance.

How long does it take to walk from Terra Venture to the Megaship anyway? I feel like I've been on hold for an hour! Maybe, it's because I feel like I've already wasted too much time.

Finally, the darkness dissolves, and after seven painful days I see her face again. And she looks… horrible.

"What happened??"

"It's been a tough night," she answers; about a vaguely as possible, I notice.

Even though I want to demand every last detail, I decide it'd be counterproductive. Instead, I try to ignore the puffy redness surrounding her attentive blue eyes, and move right along. "Sorry I took so long to get back to you," I begin somewhat sheepishly. "I had a lot of thinking to do."

"Understandable," she answers, her tone guarded.

"And, I had some preparations to make."

Her brow furrows just a bit. "Preparations?"

I'm not sure exactly what the best way to do this is. Should I go for dramatic flair, or get right to the point?

Or, maybe I should stop thinking so much about this. "I'm coming with you."

She stares at me for several seconds, her eyes slowly widening. It's funny… I didn't get this much surprise out of her when I proposed! "You're… what?"

Her shock fuels my amusement, and I smirk at her. "I finally realized that you had a major decision to make… and so did I. I could either wait for you, or fight with you. And I'm not the kind of guy who likes to sit on the sidelines."

She shakes her head just a bit. "But, you left your morpher on KO 35."

Still smirking, I lift my wrist, watching the surprise wash over her face again. "Yes, I did; but apparently Kinwon just couldn't find anyone who could live up to my legacy."

Her eyes are transfixed by the little keypad. "Zhane, are you sure about this?"

I blink stupidly. I was betting my little announcement would wipe the misery right off her face, but instead, she looks even more pained. Shouldn't she be thrilled? "Come again?"

"You left that morpher with Kinwon because you never wanted to wear it again." Her serious stare never leaves mine. "It was a burden you couldn't wait to shake off your shoulders."

I hold her stare for what feels like minutes, unsettled by the look in her eyes.

"I'm not going to say that I miss being a Power Ranger," I finally respond. "I don't miss war at all. But if I had the choice between waiting uselessly for you to come home, or having the ability and opportunity to make a difference, then I'll take the morpher any day of the week."

I lean forward, watching her face closely. "I know what this mission means to you, Karone. This is an important phase of your life. I want to be part of it."

She stays quiet for a while, making my stomach clench with worry. I don't know if she's in some kind of shock, or what… but she's so exhausted I wonder if she can even hear what I'm saying.

I can't stand it anymore. "Karone, please… tell me what happened. Did you guys run into something dangerous?"

The tears start trailing down her cheek, making me wish I was with her already. "We've gotten… some news about Kendrix that isn't the most optimistic. I can't even guess how long I'll be out here."

"All the more reason why I should follow you!" My face blooms into my infamous smirk. "You know, some say I'm the most powerful Ranger in the universe. Not a bad guy to have as your sixth man."

Her lips quirk a bit. It's not quite a smile, but it's a good sign. "We already have a sixth Ranger. Or… Defender, if you want to be technical about it."

"Seventh, then. It may be unprecedented, but there's no law against seven, right?"

She turns to the side. I watch her in profile, noticing her chew her lip in anxious contemplation. Did she honestly never even consider the possibility that I'd follow her?

She's got to know me better than that.

She finally meets my eyes, and the smile she gives me... wow.

I can't believe I ever let something as trivial as a few billion miles keep me away from her. Even for a couple weeks!

"Thank you, Zhane. I can't-"

The audio abruptly cuts off as the transmission suddenly builds static. Her expression turns grave as she responds to her communicator, the jumbled connection making her words impossible to hear.

Then she turns back to me, still coated in static. "Zha… ergency. I'll… -ight back!"

"What's going on?" I demand, scanning the connection log on the corner of the screen. The connection is still unimpeded on my end; all the distortion is coming from the Megaship.

Static swims up the screen, so thick that I can't tell if Karone is even there any more.

But I know she's not there anymore. She's a Power Ranger, and Power Rangers don't sit and stare at computer screens when there's an emergency.

Setting my jaw I rise from my seat.

* * *

The floor is shaking beneath my feet as I run, and the lights are blinking above my head, but all I can do is grin like an idiot. I can't believe he's actually coming!

He loves me enough to join me, to take on the challenge and responsibility of protecting Terra Venture. He really wants to share my life, despite the risks I've taken.

I brush the tears from my eyes, trying to clear my vision and my mind as I run through a hall in the Megaship to where the Jet Jammers are docked.

Focus, Karone. You have a job to do. "Leo, can you hear me?"

Just like all other devices, my communicator isn't working right either. I could barely make out anything when I received his message before.

At least now I can decipher most of what Leo has to say. "G… Mounta… ome pronto! We'll meet you there!"

I notice the lights stabilize around me. Whatever interfered with electronic devices seems to have passed.

A chill creeps up my spine as I pause in the middle of the hallway. An interference that shorts out mechanical devices? "Leo, did something happen to the Galaxy Book?"

* * *

This isn't happening… this isn't happening.

No… I can't let this happen! I force myself to stand up, ignoring the burning in my side, the ache in my legs.

Deviot's laughter echoes as he tears the metal case open. "Finally, the Galaxy Book is mine!"

The Guardian drags himself onto unsteady legs, blue blood dripping onto the dirt at his feet.

And I stare incredulously as he runs at Deviot, swinging his sword wildly.

Deviot's laughter only deepens as his wrist cannon charges. This time, I can't move fast enough, though I try anyway.

The blast hits the Guardian square in the chest, leaving a charred blue-black mess. The Guardian chokes, stumbles, and falls on his back.

"Guardian!"

I'm too shocked to process it, so I only run to where he falls, staring helplessly at his twitching body. There's nothing I can do for that wound, and coupled with his trouble breathing…

"What do I do?" I ask desperately.

"You… must Guard the Book now."

And in one moment of clarity, I finally understand. The meaning of all those vague comments is blindingly clear. "You… you knew this was going to happen?" I shout incredulously. "You knew you were going to die??"

Between ragged breaths he manages to rasp, "…everything… is written…"

His trembling hand reaches up, and touches the space of my helmet over my forehead. I stare at his face, confused, until I feel a strange heat above my eyes. My pulse quickens, my eyes burn, my stomach flips over…

"Wait," I gasp, my throat tight. Whatever he's doing to me, it's overwhelming…

"Destiny… waits… for no one," is his soft spoken answer.

Then, the strange sensations fade. My vision clears, and with dawning realization I see that his body is disintegrating right before my eyes, transforming into blue energy.

"Guardian!" I shout, panic rising into my voice. "Wait! I don't understand! What happens next? What do I do?"

The blue light floats into the air, disappearing into the clear sky of the Mountain Dome, as his voice echoes, "You must Guard the Book now…"

I stare into the sky, my whole body shaking.

"Kai! What's going on?"

"Are you okay?"

Leo? Maya? I turn around to see my teammates run toward me, ready for action. How long have they been here?

I shake off my disorientation, settling my gaze on Deviot. He's opened the Galaxy Book, and is now thumbing through its pages.

My heart leaps to my throat. It's all my fault that he got his tin-plated fingers on that Book. Whatever catastrophe he unleashes is my fault!

Or… maybe it's part of my destiny?

Dammit… I'd better not think about all this now.

"The Guardian is dead," I tell them pointblank. They can get the details later. "Deviot has the Galaxy Book."

I then take a few steps toward the robot, pointing my Saber at him. "You've gone too far, Deviot."

He chuckles, skimming down a page. "Have I? I've only just begun!"

A strange wind builds as Deviot begins to recite: "Keonta. Karova. Melanta. Hakova."

Wait, I've heard this before. In the Science Division, when that energy pulse disabled Terra Venture. This is the Keonta Spell!

"No! Stop!"

I run to interrupt him, but blue lightning erupts from the book, streaking along the ground and in the air. I'm forced to keep a distance, watching in horror as Deviot completes the spell that the unwary scientist began.

"A thousand nightmares shall soon come true. Space will twist; then rip in two."

The sky darkens, thick clouds forming like a sudden summer thunderstorm.

"Reality ends, time is tossed. As galaxies found, become galaxies lost!"

In numb horror I watch the Galaxy Book rise from Deviot's open hands. Smoke pours from its pages as the lightning intensifies, wrapping the monster in a cocoon of power that transforms him before our eyes.

"Your destiny is destruction, Rangers!" he growls in a deep, grinding voice.

I can only step back, swallowing my nausea as the weight of my failure settles on my shoulders.