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Finding Themselves	By : sheraven Category: M through R > Power Rangers Views: 7063 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own The Power Rangers, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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Disclaimer: I do not own Power Rangers Mystic Force or any of its affiliates.

Finding Themselves

Chapter One

It’s funny, how life works out sometimes. How the sweetest soul gets only bitterness in return. How the most innocent sometimes experience the worst. And the ones with the purest intentions often pay for their selflessness in unexpected ways. Although the young man could not see such truisms about himself, he understood something was awry.

Chip Thorn, the Yellow Mystic Force Power Ranger, had begun to wonder if something was wrong with him. All through school, he had been a self-proclaimed nerd, but that wasn’t it. He could easily lose himself in a game of Dungeons & Dragons for hours on end, watching Star Trek in the background as he battled his friends in fantasyland. He collected swords and shot a long bow. Not for hunting, of course, but to make his costumes for the Renaissance Fair more authentic. He loved anything to do with magic and fantasy, so when he was endowed with the gifts of the Garuda, it was practically a natural transition. Because of this, Chip was almost a guide to the others four teenagers chosen to fight evil.

Xander Bly had resisted the power of the Green Minotaur at first, as it had completely disrupted his way of doing things. He was a lover, not a fighter, and being the biggest and strongest of the team required some adjustment. No longer could he use his considerable charm to avert a fight, he had to learn to muscle his way through. The team had to be able to rely on him for the heavy lifting, as it were.

Madison Rocca, on the other hand, had easily slipped into the powers of the Blue Mermaid. She was already graceful and flexible; the mystic magic simply enhanced those traits. Now, she was not only a supportive friend, but also a fierce warrior who took her enemies by surprise. Many of them mistakenly thought one of her delicacy was not be capable of such violence. And like water, once the storm was over, Madison returned to a smooth, serene state, often calming the others and providing cohesion for the group.

Her sister, Vida Rocca, was completely opposite. The Pink Fairy had been given to her, a perfect match. Short tempered and quick to take action, the deejay lived with a fiery passion. She poured herself into everything she did, good decision or not. She had a intense loyalty to her friends and was extremely protective of her sister. Vee, as she had been nicknamed, would step between danger and her friends, sometimes without thinking. But she could always be relied upon to fight until they won, and help the others to do the same.

And finally, there was Nick Russell, the only one who didn’t grow up in Briarwood. After his initial denial, his grasp of the Red Phoenix powers had bordered on the fanatic. He was relentless in his training, constantly pushing himself and frequently denying his own improvement. He held himself to nearly impossible standards, but did not impose them on the rest of the team. He had proven himself not only a competent leader, but also a trustworthy friend, and the others had come to accept him.

The Mystic Force Power Rangers had become one of the more powerful teams in the history of the battle against evil, the responsibilities of the colors’ powers resting on them as if they had been born to protect mankind. It had been proven before, not all who took on a power could live with it for very long, and some bounced from color to color in search of the right match. The Legendary Warriors had chosen their teenage hosts well, trusting them with power few could even imagine.

Perhaps it was because they bared that power so regularly that the change had been so gradual, too much so to notice. Chip simply looked around one day and realized he was alone. It was true he would always have his friends, but the loneliness went deeper than that. They had all matured way past others their age, and were beginning to feel the pull of that maturity. For the most part, Chip had put away his role-playing games. Partly because he was experiencing it in real life now, and partly because he had simply grown out of it. He still maintained his archery, but that had a direct bearing on his performance in battle. His knight training was paying off as well; he was becoming faster than his Lightening namesake.

The red-haired teen had been training relentlessly with Daggeron, who had found he had a special place in his heart for the Yellow ranger. The young man who had started so awkwardly had become quite a warrior. Everywhere the mentor went, he heard talk of the legendary yellow wizard, the one with a heart of gold. He had seen it himself, when Chip was in some situations, even life threatening, he had not stopped. He could get dangerous like that, continuing until he weakened himself or even fell in pursuit of his goal. He had the willpower for self-sacrifice, which very few shared.

The rest of the team had come out of their childhoods early as well. Xander’s propensity to boss others around had turned into leadership under stress. When others were losing hope or beginning to panic, he drew on the strength of the Tree to become an anchor. His vanity was slowly becoming humility, and the change from an immature jerk to a pillar of quiet strength had drawn Vida’s eye.

Initially rash and impulsive, she had felt a sting of jealousy that Nick was the chosen leader. She had the tactical sense and the bravery, but sometimes leapt before she looked. As she carried her powers more, she became one of the strongest members of the team, providing encouragement to the others by repeatedly showing her courage and tenacity. As the team dynamics shifted with its growth, she found the wisdom of changing like the Wind, and let her negative feelings for her position, but not the accompanying pastel color, go. She and Xander made a surprisingly good match.

Madison had grown from a cute teen to a gorgeous woman. Almost statuesque in her beauty, she turned heads wherever she went. Her compassion for others and ability to solve any conflict only added to her loveliness. With just a few words and a gentle touch, she could soothe even the hottest temper. But as before, her looks veiled her strength. The way water is more forceful in greater quantities, she had become more powerful as she matured. That combination of grace and power was completely irresistible to Nick.

It may have been the old adage about opposites attracting, but Nick’s Fire was a perfect compliment to Maddie’s Water. As he grew stronger and discovered he was the son of the two most powerful magic users in the dimensions, the Red Ranger had truly begun to believe. Not only could he wield magic, he was nearly a source of it. His natural abilities allowed him to channel huge quantities of life force, partly spilling over to the Rangers around him. When he was angry, he practically exuded a red aura. He burned hot and fast though, and was often exhausted after a battle.

Chip knew all these things about his friends, causing his heart to swell with pride. How lucky he thought himself that he could be in such excellent company. And how fitting it was, watching the well rounded and balanced couples his teammates had been drawn into. He would always smile when the five of them were together, because this was his family. He had known most of them all his life, and Nick fit in as if he’d been there too. It was just…sometimes, he wondered why he didn’t have a partner.

Was there something wrong with him? Was he ugly? Stupid? Mean? Did he not understand what a partner would want? As one of the lead nerds in school, had he become so socially inept that he was not wanted? Of all the questions, the last one seemed the most plausible.

He had looked himself in the mirror, and while he wasn’t Fabio or anything, he certainly wasn’t a dog either. His IQ was higher than most, and he could memorize the contents of a potion relatively quickly. Countless civilians had thanked him for his kindness, even when he wasn’t with the other Rangers; as he volunteered a lot. He had even been offered dates and other things that usually happen on dates, but he always politely declined. He didn’t want anything he did to be cheap.

So it must be that no one wanted him. Chip had no idea why that was, but he was constantly excluded from romantic events. Even Leelee was beginning to eyeball Phineas, which, while a little repulsive, was equally funny. The other Rangers would invite him out to the movies and such with them, but it only took once to learn that lesson. It was the newest Superman movie, and while all of them loved the caped wonder, only Chip saw the whole thing. The others were so buried in each other, they hardly noticed when the credits began to roll.

The Yellow Ranger stood alone in Rootcore, looking at the Xenotome. Well, staring, actually. There was nothing for him to do, and he felt only a small amount of despair that he was by himself. Ever since he first noticed he was alone, he now noticed it all the time. Practically the only time he got to see his friends was during battle. And at school, he had changed just enough to no longer fit in the nerd group, and not enough to be accepted by everyone else.

The redhead backed away from the enormous book sullenly, stopping when he bumped into the cave wall. Maybe he was just having a bad day, but he sure felt bummed. Not just bummed, but down right sad…depressed even. He was doing the best he could and he still wasn’t good enough to be wanted. He had become strong and fit, muscles actually rippling under his fair, freckled skin. His sense of humor and upbeat attitude made for a great time, and he could really get down to business and solve problems when it was appropriate.

As the Garuda Ranger, girls and guys had thrown their numbers at him, begging for a date. Some people even flashed him body parts, which made him blush at the crudeness under his mask. He had no doubt any of them would go all the way in bed, but it would be a one night stand to give them the bragging rights about being with a superhero. He wanted something with more substance, something with feelings involved, something…with less risk of disease. He wanted his romantic actions to mean as much as his heroic actions, to be an expression of himself.

That was the right thing, right? Then why couldn’t he catch a nice girl with a net? He saw that fire that would kindle in Vida’s eyes before she dragged Xander off, or that wicked smile Nick would get just before he and Maddie disappeared. He had seen the dirty videos his father thought he’d hidden, and understood the birds and the bees. But it was one thing to be watching from the sidelines and another to play in the game. While Chip was no stranger to pleasure, it had never come from another.

A tear slid down his cheek, startling him. When it fell to the floor, he only had the strength to watch it, not even wipe it away. Something in him must be broken, and it was unfair he didn’t know how to fix it. It was also unfair that his supposed best friends hadn’t noticed he wasn’t doing so well. He frequently forgot his own welfare for those he cared about, giving and giving until he was spent. How come none of them were watching out for him the same way?

The green-eyed teen derailed that train of thought before it could build up too much steam. He couldn’t blame his friends for his own condition. He should have said something, but it looked like he failed in that, too. Not only was he unwanted as a lover, he was a needy and unworthy friend. Come to think of it, did he actually contribute anything at all? Chip slid down the rock wall and sat on the cold, stone floor. He leaned his head back and squeezed his eyes shut against his own incompetence, self-loathing washing over him in heavy waves.

Unbeknown to the hurting Ranger, another had entered the sorceress’ cave. The other moved on silent feet, drawn by the teenager’s emotional plummet. Hazel eyes watched Chip for a moment from the dark, and when he dropped his head into his arms in defeat, the other moved in. Purposefully making a small noise, the quiet footsteps made a beeline for the sitting boy. Chip’s head snapped up, and in no time he was on his feet.

“Hey, Nick, what’s up?” Chip hastily replaced the frown on his face with a dazzling smile, mostly fake.

“Ah, nothin’. I was just looking for you.” The tanned traveler tried to act casual.

Chip began to look sideways at his friend. “Why? What’s up?” He kept his voice chipper. “Has evil snuck through the gate again?”

Nick was hasty to calm his friend’s fears, putting his hands up, “Oh no, no…I could just tell something was wrong.”

Chip felt his heart jump, finally one of his friends had noticed. Where to begin, though. He blushed a little at the thought of sharing such personal feelings, but knew he could trust his best friend. He pointed to one of the stone benches and both boys sat down. Nick flicked at his hair with the back of his hand in a strangely familiar gesture, then faced Chip directly, fixing his gaze on the Yellow Ranger.

“Well…it’s just that I…um…I-I’ve never been with a girl and…” he was blushing too hard to look at his friend, so he kept his eyes on the ground, “…it’s…harder than I thought it would be…to watch…you guys be together.” As soon as the words were out, Chip regretted them. “I know, it’s stupid, never mind.” He mustered a small amount of courage and faced his friend, ready to be laughed at.

Instead, Nick was watching him intently. Chip smiled self-deprecatingly, but Nick didn’t laugh to break the tension. Chip furrowed his brow at the Red Ranger, trying to keep the mood light. “Um, Nick? You’re sorta supposed to say I’m not stupid, or it’s cool, or laugh, or something.”

The dark-haired teen leaned back and looked slightly imperious for a moment before a smile broke out. “Sorry, I just wasn’t expecting you to say that.”

That seemed to confirm Chip’s fears. He stood up, stepping away from the friend he had just disappointed. He kept his back to Nick, not wanting to show him the hurt written all over his face. “It’s cool, I’m sorry.”

Chip bowed his head when Nick’s hand touched his shoulder gently. “Chip, don’t be. We were unfair to exclude you. Plus, I never knew,” he leaned in, “that you’re still pure.”

The Yellow ranger thought that last comment was a little strange, and moved to ask him to repeat. Nick’s gentle touch became an iron grip, not allowing him to turn around and adding his other hand to Chip’s other shoulder. “Nick, what…?” was all he had time to get out before he could feel his friend nuzzling into his neck. Chip tried to jerk out of Nick’s grasp, but was pushed up against the very wall he had just slid down. With his face in the rock, he began to struggle.

The Red Ranger leaned in close and whispered, “Don’t worry, you don’t have to wait anymore. Just relax, I’ll take care of everything.”

Chip was starting to panic. “Nick! No! Stop!” He whirled on his fellow Ranger, pushing him away. “What’s the matter with you!?”

The Phoenix teen’s temper flared up, “I was just trying to help you. Fine! I’ll go find one of the other nuis…I mean Rangers, instead.”

Chip knew something was wrong now. Nick would never say anything like that or turn his back on a friend in need. He straightened. “I can’t let you leave.”

Nick was incredulous, and snorted derisively. “You what?” He turned toward the dragonhead entrance to go. Chip pulled his morpher from his belt and sent a bolt of lightening searing toward the entrance. It struck the ceiling and caused a cacophony of rocks to rain down. Nick jumped away from the strike. In a matter of seconds, Chip had trapped them both in the cave.

“I can burn through that,” the Red Ranger said, ready to reach for his own morpher.

“Not before you run out of energy.” Chip put his cell away as a gesture of good faith. “Now tell me what’s wrong with you.”

“Let me out.”

“No.”

“I demand you let me out!”

“I said, no.”

In a fit of anger, Nick charged Chip. They clashed and the boys rolled around for a few seconds, struggling to gain the upper hand. Nick was actually losing; the pale teen’s training was indeed paying off. In a last-ditch effort, he did what gave him an advantage last time, he leaned in and nestled against Chip. The redhead threw Nick off, rolling to his feet in shock. He couldn’t even think of anything to say. Nick took the opportunity to drive his shoulder into Chip’s stomach, knocking the wind out of him. He backed up against the wall, wheezing, staring at his friend in horror.

“Let me out now, or I show you something new.”

Chip shuddered inside, but he couldn’t let this maniacal version of the Red Ranger out to attack his friends. Nick had been acting strangely of late, more so the closer they got to defeating all the Terrors. He didn’t want to hurt his friend, but would fight until one of them had nothing left if necessary. He tried to suck in one more lungful of air, but was spun around to face the stone mass. He managed a weak, “Don’t!”

“Shut up, you know you want it,” Nick slammed his friend up against the wall hard enough to daze him.

Chip’s head spun slightly, but that only motivated him to redouble his efforts. He planted one foot on the wall and shoved backwards, crashing into the teen behind him. They both staggered, but stayed upright. To his dismay, he heard an incantation and a manifestation of Nick’s power Chip had never seen before sprang into life. Ropes of flame cinched around him, binding his hands tightly behind his back at the wrists, elbows and shoulders. As soon as the bonds were secured, he was smashed up against the wall again, facing it as before. He should have been burned, but the fire was merely unbreakable, not hot too. After a few futile efforts, Chip finally stood still, panting with exertion.

Nick walked up behind the Yellow Ranger, practically salivating at the helpless morsel before him. This insolent child had trapped him in a stone prison cell, and was the only one with a key. He hardly knew where to begin. He could see Chip beginning to sweat, and it had nothing to do with the rings of fire. He placed his lips against the pale skin of the neck, fighting the urge to bite. The Yellow Ranger stiffened in the bonds but could do nothing else.

Nick flicked his tongue out over the skin, savoring the salty taste. He wanted to bite badly, but restrained himself. There was so much more fun to be had. He ran his hands over Chip’s chiseled back, feeling the different textures of the leather vest and satin cape. Desiring more texture, he reached around, letting his hands wander over Chip’s chest and stomach. Chip whimpered but could not move.

With a softly spoken spell, the bonds flipped Chip around, so he was now facing Nick, pressed up against the stone wall. Nick popped the leather vest open and dragged his fingertips maddeningly lightly over the thin yellow T-shirt. Chip inhaled sharply as Nick’s hands dived under the waistband of his jeans, once again trying to wriggle away. The Red Ranger smiled and knelt, unbuttoning Chip’s jeans.

“Nick, what the hell are you doing?” Chip asked, trying to keep the rising panic out of his voice. “Stop!”

In a lightening fast movement, Nick slid his hands into the Yellow Ranger’s pants, squeezing both butt cheeks. He reached to the front and was slightly disappointed to find his friend completely flaccid. “We’ll have to work on that,” he purred, unfolding him from his boxers. Chip jumped slightly when Nick’s hands touched his skin, but then set his jaw. If letting Nick have his way with his body was going to keep him occupied until his help spell could get to one of the others, than that’s what would have to happen.

Chip closed his eyes as Nick leaned in, he couldn’t bear to watch the violation. Warm breath flowed over him first, followed by a playful lick. After another lick, Nick brushed his teeth lightly along the length of the shaft, drawing goose bumps. Chip couldn’t believe he was reacting to his disturbed friend’s touch, especially under the current circumstances. Nick placed his lips at the tip, and slowly drew himself down the length of Chip’s penis, feeling it harden in his mouth.

When Nick had taken all of Chip, the Yellow Ranger had to bite his tongue to keep from moaning. He had no idea the warm wetness could feel so good. Each little movement brought another small wave of pleasure, and Nick seemed to know that. He swirled his tongue inside his mouth, then began to slowly move up and down. Chip tensed, fighting the urges inside him, resisting the building pleasure. No one had ever gone down on him before, and Nick knew exactly what he wanted.

The Red Ranger sped the process up a little, increasing the suction and pressure slightly. This had the desired effect, Chip whimpered above him. He reached up and cradled Chip’s testicles, messaging them in his hand as he moved on the shaft. Chip was breathing heavily now, the conflict of liking what was happening, but hating how it was happening on his face. What sweet torture, Nick wondered why he hadn’t thought if this before.

Chip was shivering with pleasure, disgusted at his lack of self-control. Nick wrapped his other hand around the base of the shaft and stroked in time with his mouth, squeezing with just enough pressure to force Chip toward climax. The red-head gritted his teeth, “Ungh…n-no…don’t…” Chip was panting with the effort of holding the orgasm down, but appeared to be failing. The pleasure was amazing, and his balls tightened, ready for release.

“Let me out of this cave,” Nick commanded, holding his friend right on the edge.

“No,” Chip forced between breaths.

“Then you leave me no choice.” Nick stood, taking his hands off Chip. The redhead sighed, half in relief and half in disappointment. “Turn around.” The command was not for Chip, but for the fire bonds holding him. When his back was to the Ranger leader, Nick spoke again, “I will make you let me out.”

“No way,” Chip retorted defiantly. Nick smirked slightly as he yanked the back of Chip’s jeans down. When the Yellow Ranger heard Nick’s zipper undo, he got worried again. “Nick…what are you doing?”

“You will let me out, one way or another.” Nick’s words flowed with honey, but the meaning was not as sweet. He stepped forward, his freed cock already swollen and pulsing with need. He placed his fingers at Chip’s lips. “Suck.” Chip turned his head in contempt, so Nick emphasized his point by gently pushing the head of his penis against Nick’s tight hole. “Do it.” The Yellow Ranger did it.

Nick leaned up against Chip again, and Chip got the message. He made everything in his mouth wet, sucking on Nick’s fingers as the Red Ranger had sucked on him. As he was working, Nick began speaking in a language Chip didn’t know. The words ended and an icy tingle shot up Chip’s spine; Nick had just cast another spell on him. The tanned teen pulled his fingers from his friend’s mouth and brushed them down the pale crack, taking away any thoughts Chip was having about the new spell. Chip whimpered, trying to get away from him. With a simple gesture, Nick tightened the fire ropes, squeezing a grunt out of his friend. “Let me out.”

It took a monumental act of will to say, “Forget it.”

“Fine. Just remember, this is your choice.” The Red Ranger slicked the rest of the moisture onto himself, then pressed up against Chip’s behind. At first, nothing gave way. But Nick continued to apply pressure, and Chip began to yield. At first, he was almost too tight, but then Nick pushed his head past the ring of muscle and achingly slowly, slid inside. Chip was trembling under him, trying to take all of him. Nick sank into the hilt, pleasure blurring his vision, and sat still for a moment.

As Nick slid past his rear, a white fire of pain ignited in the Yellow Ranger. Chip could feel every burning centimeter as Nick took his time entering him, and at one point, he thought he might split apart. He was squeezing hands into fists so hard, he would find blood on his palms later. He quivered in the bonds, helpless to do anything but take whatever Nick was going to give him. His brow furrowed against the pain, and his eyes watered. Finally Nick stopped moving, and held still. Chip caught his breath.

Nick began to move slowly, savoring the pleasure as he would a fine steak. Chip’s heated tightness was intoxicating, and soon he fell into a steady rhythm, moving in and out none too gently. Chip gritted his teeth against the pain of Nick’s movement, and soon discovered that the pain was changing. It didn’t hurt as much and was being balanced by pleasure. Every time Nick sank all the way in, he touched something inside that sent a wave of ecstasy that was as hot as the pain had initially been.

Nick moaned behind Chip, the pulses of an impending climax building in him. Chip was strangely silent, even though his body was speaking volumes. The Yellow Ranger was violated in the worst way, his privacy and dignity stripped away by his best friend. How could Nick do something like this? His cheeks burned in shame, humiliated that he hadn’t the strength to stop him, or the discipline to deny him. As Nick’s pace increased with his own pleasure, Chip bit his tongue to at least deny his friend the sound of his voice.

Try as he might, the redhead simply couldn’t stop the pleasure. An orgasm twice as strong as what would have come from Nick’s tongue began to seep into his body. His muscles tightened and coherent thought stopped. He begged one last time, “P-please, Nick…d-don’t make me…” Hot tears were sliding down his flushed cheeks.

His surprisingly erotic words caught Nick off guard and sent him into orgasm immediately, ecstasy overcoming him. The Red Ranger moaned as he came, sinking in as deep as he could and biting Chip’s neck hard enough to draw blood. Under him, the hot flow of semen on that sweet spot pushed Chip over the edge too, forcing him to cum. His own seed burst from him in spurts, covering the stone wall as he cried out in rapturous defeat, the pain from the bite oddly adding to the pleasure. An icy jolt shot up his spine and forced his mystic powers from him. An incredibly powerful lightening bolt, fueled by Chip’s climax, roared out of his body along the cave wall. It struck the fallen rock pile dead in the center and blew it apart.

After the dust settled, the light streamed in from the forest, bright on Chip’s pale back. Nick withdrew, leaving him to clean up what he’d left behind. The Red Ranger pulled up his pants and buttoned them with some difficulty. He hadn’t had that much fun forcing someone’s will in centuries.

Chip was hanging limp in the fire bonds, broken. A friend he had believed completely had desecrated not only his trust, but also his body in a most horrible intimate way. He had been used, and was nothing but a spent shell. Nick released the spell and Chip dropped to the ground. He stayed on his knees while he tried to figure out even where to begin putting himself back together.

Nick stood over him domineeringly, smirking at his defeated friend. “I told you I’d make you let me out.” He flipped the back of his hand at his hair again and cackled. That sparked Chip’s recognition. That was the same gesture Necrolai made! The Yellow Ranger hauled himself to his feet and rebuttoned his pants. A sharp sting on the side of his neck drew his fingers in a questioning touch. He dew back blood, and stared at his friend hard. Nick sneered, “So, you figured me out. Too bad you can’t do anything about it.” Necrolai turned Nick’s possessed body to leave through the hole in the rock.

“That’s what you think.” Chip’s words were menacingly soft, such that Necrolai knew she’d better turn and face her enemy. He brought his hands together and bowed his head, focusing his energy. It was difficult, but Chip put away the physical and emotional pain of his ordeal and concentrated on his new hatred for the Vampire Queen until it was almost tangible. He opened his eyes, a terrible yellow pulsing from their depths. “I’m sorry, Nick.”

Necrolai put Nick’s hands up defensively and started to speak a spell, but it was wasted effort. The brilliant yellow aura that had formed around Chip reached out to envelop her. It seared her eyes with its brightness, deafened her with its loudness, burned her with its heat, and crushed her with its weight. She screamed, knowing she had to abandon this body before it’s demise took her down with it. The scream changed from shrill vampire pain to the full, rich agony of Nick. A ghost image of the pit dweller climbed out through Nick’s mouth and leaped into the forest, still screeching from the residual torture. Nick’s scream died in his throat as he dropped like a rock.

Chip drew his power back in and immediately knelt at his friend’s side. The Red Ranger was not moving and barely breathing. A small trickle of blood had fallen from the corner of Nick’s mouth, and he didn’t respond when Chip touched him. “Nick?” He leaned in close to listen for sounds of respiration. “Come on, Nick. Don’t go now.”

At that moment, Chip heard the pop of his help spell just outside the cave entrance. When he had blasted the entrance earlier, he’d sent a ball of lightening out to find one of the other Rangers. As soon as it joined with any other mystic magic, it would immediately return, leading whomever it found back to the cave. It happened to find all of them together, and popped out of existence once it brought them all back.

“Chip? You in there?” came Xander’s telltale accented words through the rubble.

“What the hell happened here?” Vida asked as she entered the cave.

“Nick!” Madison slid to a stop and dropped near Chip, placing her hand on the Red Ranger’s chest in fear.

The others knelt, surrounding their leader, and stared at Chip in askance. His words were heavy with hidden meaning as he answered. “Necrolai possessed Nick, and she came here to attack me.” He paused, gathering his strength. “I got her out, but she may have taken him with her.”

“NO! No! Oh please, no…” Maddie gathered him up in her arms, cradling his head. Her tears began to fall as he lay still, and she buried her head in his shoulder. A blue glow appeared around her, which she didn’t seem to notice.

“Maddie?” Vida asked cautiously as she watched in amazement. Xander moved away slightly, but didn’t say anything. Chip could feel the warmth rolling off Madison in waves, and understood on an instinctual level what was going on, as did the others. One of her greatest strengths was healing, and now she was making her magic do it, too.

The blue moved from around her body to around Nick’s. She trembled slightly with the effort of maintaining the unspoken spell, but did not move otherwise. There was a moment of absolute silence before Nick drew in a heaving breath, clinging to the body nearest him. “Oh thank god!” Maddie sighed as she held him, letting the blue magic dissipate.

“Are you alright?” Xander asked at the same time Vida said, “Alright! You made it!” Chip merely closed his eyes in relief, taking a deep breath. Nick blinked a couple of times before standing up, grateful to be back in control of his body again. Nick looked at each one of his friends, and his gaze stopped on Chip. He reached up to wipe the blood from his mouth and immediately looked at the mark on Chip’s neck.

Vida followed Nick’s gaze and remarked, “Chip, you’re bleeding! Are you okay?” moving toward him to help.

He waved her off, wiping at the mark with his other hand. “I’m fine.” He looked back at Nick and immediately wished he hadn’t. Nick’s eyes were so full of remorse and shame, it made Chip’s heart want to break.

Xander asked, “Do you remember anything?”

Nick looked away from Chip in humiliation, “Yeah, I was there for it all, but I didn’t have any control.” He forced himself to look at his red-headed friend, “I’m so sorry, Chip, I…”

Chip cut him off before any more could come out, plastering on a weak smile. “It’s okay, you’re yourself again, and that’s what matters.” The look on Nick’s face said it was far from okay, but the other Rangers missed it.

“Come on, let’s get you checked out by Udonna,” Madison ordered, taking Nick by the hand and leading him out.

To be continued…
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Finding Themselves