Adaland: The land of Zeo

Chapter 6: Worlds Apart

Cassie typed in the controls in front of her. Due to the narrow space, she was doing it lying down with her arms stretched. A floating little robot shed light over the controls with its powerful eyes.

- Ready! All checked at this area - said the girl rolling and placing her legs on the trapdoor.

- Perfect, we finished earlier than I expected - Mary Jane said from below, closing a panel.
- Let's go then! - Rocky exclaimed. - We still have to train.

Cassie jumped out and met her friends. Several robots surrounded them as they walked towards the exit.

- By the way Meijei, I wanted to ask you something - said the oriental girl. - I know you're busy, but the Conservatory has an event this Friday and we are one singer short.
- What about you? - Mary Jane asked perplexed.
- Of course I'm going to be there! - she assured energetically. - I'm about to release an album as well, can you imagine? I still haven't finished studying!
- Great! - Rocky nodded. - It was time for you to show your talent to the world.
- Congratulations Cassie! - exclaimed Mary Jane.
- Thank you, thank you... but we're beating around the bush. The point is that you still sing, right Meijei?
- A bit - admitted the girl staring at the floor.
- Perfect! - Cassie exclaimed pulling out a folded sheet from her jeans pocket. - This is your part.

Mary Jane revised the lyrics and stopped short.

- NAAAANIIII?! *1 You want me to sing THIS!?
- Well, the girl who got sick was going to sing a-go-go - Cassie said with a shrug.
- Easy Meijei, you can sing a circus anthem if you want - assured Rocky. - You're with friends, and we will listen to you not matter what.
- Ush, fine, but on one condition. DON'T say anything to Billy.
- What! - Cassie shouted. - Why?!

The girl crossed her arms, watching the exit door with a frown. Cassie and Rocky looked at each other, shrugging.

The evening's clarity greeted them outside and they said goodbye to the robots. The other Rangers were training in their Ninja phase, facing each other. Mary Jane closed her eyes and turned into a Damme.

- Huh? What are you doing? - Aisha asked approaching her.
- Could you do without your crystals for a moment? - Mary Jane asked. - They must still be low in energy after yesterday's battle...
- Meijei's right - Tommy nodded. - There will be no demorph, as they'll be close by.

The six crystals floated to the girl, leaving their owners.

- Thanks. I'll be a few feet away - said Mary Jane.

The green crystal also floated with its companions, circling her as she walked. The girl arrived at a gentle slope, sitting down. A subtle evening breeze almost went unnoticed. She looked at the seven Zeo crystals, forming a circle above her head.

- Well, now what am I supposed to do with you? Volgara told me there was no need to explain it...

Mary Jane closed her eyes and moved her hands slightly.

... (%To Zanarkand%)

My mind went blank. It never fails me at the most critical moments, so it was fortunate that we weren't under attack. All I could see was this fragile and ethereal looking young woman, lying on the grass with her eyes closed. Her robe seemed to float in the air, surrounding the crystals that were sparkling in unison.

Surely my teammates continued the practice without much regard to what was going on, but I went over. All I could see at that time was her figure that scarcely seemed to breathe. She even looked a little pale...

Seeing her like that I realized that being strong was going to be a huge challenge. Although my rational mind and my senses insisted that everything was fine, something in my primitive reptilian brain shouted anxiously.* It was an almost physically painful sensation.

She opened her eyes and smiled, noticing me.

- I did it – Mary Jane said with that vibrant voice so common in the past. - They are fully energized again.

I sat down beside her while she sat up gracefully. To my relief, her face was recovering color. She reached out and the crystals started moving around us.

- It was almost as natural as breathing...
- You'll gradually get used to it.
- Although everything is so strange... but if it wasn't, it wouldn't be half the wonderful... or half the absorbing - and sighed with satisfaction. - Fortunately everything's going well in college. Of course, my career isn't as demanding as that of Aisha, Tommy... or yours.