Dynamic Power Rangers

Chapter 7: Indomitable Will

Taylor Hicks hadn't been sleeping well lately. He was up early one day due to lack of sleep. It was an ungodly hour. After his morning routine, he decided to nip down to the city for some breakfast before he had to drag Lark to the top of Stark Peak for meditation and training. He was surprised find Enrique Ramon at this time of day. "Ram," he said.

Slightly bleary eyed, the other man nodded to him. He rubbed his face. "Fell asleep in the Lab," he muttered.

"I was going down to the city for coffee and breakfast. Come with," Taylor invited.

"It's too early to jump off the floating island," Ram remarked with a wry grin.

"Ha-ha. I was going to take the teleport," Tay said dryly. Grinning Ram decided to join him.

"So why'd you fall asleep in the Lab?" Taylor asked later while they eating at an outside table of an early morning bakery.

"Chasing phantoms," Ram said which made no sense to Taylor. Ram didn't elaborate. "Then I found coding for more Zords," he added the last in a quiet tone. Just by wearing their Astral Dynamics uniforms, they drew wary interest from the city folk.

Taylor raised a brow. "Really? What kind?" he asked.

Ram shook his head. "Dunno yet. I'm still trying to get all the pieces in order."

Taylor nodded. He saw something over Ram's shoulder. Before Ram could react, he was on the move. "I'll pay then. My treat," Ram grumbled and sipped at his coffee. He was a bit worried though, but that guy could move. He quickly paid and tried to see if he could catch up.

Taylor skidded to a halt at the mouth of an alley. Why had she gone into an alley? He approached warily. A near blinding flash of lightning streaked toward him. Had he been anyone else, that probably would have killed him. He threw his arms up in front of his body. His arm caught the brunt of the unexpected attack. He flew backwards and crashed dizzily into the ground. It took him a moment to realize his flesh and clothes were scorched.

He blinked as she approached him. Dressed in white with a wild black ponytail, a girl stood over him. She gripped a staff that crackled with electricity. "Why did you follow me?" she demanded.

"I'm the one that should be ticked. You were supposed to meet me when you were through with your training," he said. Finally when the spots before his eyes cleared, he saw that she wasn't quite right somehow. Her eyes were wrong. He frowned and jumped to his feet.

Azula stumbled back. She gripped her staff fully intending to use it on him again. Her body wouldn't cooperate.

Taylor saw her go still and her eyes go wide. They changed color, burning a deep gold. "Get...her...out," she raged with great difficulty, total recognition and pain on her face. She closed her eyes and her body jerked. When she opened her eyes again, they were pale as ever. She smiled cruelly. "How sweet. You two have history," she said.

"Who are you?" Taylor demanded. "You're working with Sylon, but who are you?" he asked, a rare dark expression crossing his features.

"Wouldn't you like to know, lover," Azula shrugged. She smiled and blew him a kiss before disappearing in a crack of lightning.

Of all the things Ram had seen of Taylor Hicks, shaking in rage was not one of them. The wind suddenly whistling down the street was ominous. He whistled. "Hey, bro, calm down a little," he shouted as people began to get buffeted by the sudden gusts raging down the street.

Taylor blinked. He took a deep breath and the wind died down. "Sorry," he said. "Looks like I'll benefit more from meditation today than Lark," he said. He gripped his arm, only just now becoming aware of the pain.