Streaks of Purple Saga/Spectrum Force - Heather Ray (best beach reads txt) 📗

"Is something wrong?"

"I was hoping I could, uh, be dismissed?"

"I can't dismiss you until the exam is completed. You know that."

Jocelyn then sat her exam booklet on the teacher's desk. "I'm all done, and… I'm feeling a little dizzy. I'd like to go to the nurse's office and lie down for the rest of the period, if that's all right."

Jocelyn put on her best 'exhausted pout,' hoping to capitalize on her comparative pallor and convince the teacher of her sincerity. After a beat, Ms. Applebee nodded.

"If you're sure you're finished with the exam…"

"Yes, I'm done."

"Then I'll write you a pass," the teacher concluded, pulling a pad from her top drawer and writing quickly. "I hope you feel better, Kim. You really do look ill; I think you should consider going home." She then leaned closer to her. "We're not doing much in English today."

"Thanks," Jocelyn breathed with a tired grin. She then turned, smiled briefly to a startled Alexis, and made her way out the door.

The halls of Angel Grove High were eerily quiet, no doubt because she'd left almost fifteen minutes before the period ended. Her steps echoed down the long corridors as she stared down each alternate path that could possibly lead to the Blue Ranger.

Maybe I should've thought this through better,

she realized with dismay. He could be anywhere, and I don't have one of those wrist-gizmos to page him.

Frowning in frustration, she simply chose a direction, and began walking.

"Hey Babe!"

Jocelyn nearly jumped out of her skin at the loud voice, coupled with a bizarre, high-pitched giggle. She turned around, her eyes wide as she saw two figures stroll towards her, one large in frame, the other tall and lanky. And both wore torn jeans, grungy T-shirts, and bandannas.

Puzzled, Jocelyn turned around, checking to see if there were any "Babes" in the area. No one had ever leered at her in school before…

"Whatcha looking for?" the thin one questioned, a smirk on his face as he stood before her. The larger one was a step behind, looking impatiently at his watch.

"Let's move it, Skull," he hissed. "If we leave now, we'll get to Ernie's early and beat the lunch crowd."

"Be right with ya, Bulkie," the other responded. He never took his smoky blue eyes off Jocelyn, which made the latter incredibly uncomfortable.

Apparently, he noticed her anxiety, for all humor slowly dropped from his face. "You okay, Kim?"

"Fine," she answered quickly. "Just a little run down."

Skull's eyes drifted from her reddened, slightly puffy eyes, to her unusually pale face, to her oddly blondish hair, all the way down to her Keds.

Surprise washed over his face as his gaze darted back to her face.

Jocelyn noticed his reaction, and bit her lip anxiously. "Uh… I uh… have a cold," she murmured, rubbing her eyes once again. "It's been a tough morning."

She opened her eyes, and Skull's eyebrow rose as their gazes met. Then his scrutiny began again, and his gaze lingered on the pink note she gripped in her palm.

"You're headed the wrong way, Kim," he realized, his tone slightly incredulous. "The nurse's office is that way."

Jocelyn looked in the direction he pointed, feeling the embarrassed blush she knew would reach her cheeks. "Yes, well… I was looking for Billy, actually. He's got a book of mine I need back."

Skull's eyes narrowed, and Jocelyn suddenly felt the urge to slap her forehead. I really

need to work on this lying thing.

Then, the punk stepped back, jerking his thumb down the hall from which he came. "The mega-geek just ran into the bathroom. Must've been something he ate."

"Thanks, Skull," she said with real gratitude. "I'll see you later."

Skull watched her leave until Bulk impatiently cleared his throat.

"Get the lead out, Skull! I want my cheese fries!"

Skull approached his best friend, and in silence they headed out the door. But the vapid grin that typically brightened Skull's face never returned.

Instead, a worried frown curled his lip as he glanced back towards Kim once again.

She was taller than normal. Usually when she wore sneakers her head came up just above his chin, but today her head topped his nose. And her eyes… he knew he saw a sliver of green peek through after she'd rubbed them.

Chapter Thirty-Eight

The Denebian Flagship

It had taken nearly an entire day, but the young princess finally found what she was searching for.

Her smile turned malicious as she opened a scroll, clearly depicting an ancient carving. The carving she'd attempted to replicate in the frozen tundra of Earth's northern pole. The carving she failed

to replicate flawlessly.

"It matters not," she decided, re-rolling the ancient parchment. "All I have lost is a day of time."

All things considered, she'd been able to make an excellent recovery after her… mistake. Her mother was reasonably merciful, only restricting the princess to her rooms. The empress lacked the foresight to confiscate all of Celea's luggage from Fesp, which included dozens of priceless scrolls and irreplaceable volumes. She was either too distracted by her own pursuits, or she underestimated the princess' determination.

Celea decided it was most likely a little of both.

"Now, all I need to do is correct the carving, and the portal will open as intended," the princess reasoned, stuffing the scroll in a leather pouch to protect it from the elements. "By the time Mother learns what I have done, I will command a demon army!"

She smiled widely at that, imagining the scores of hellish creatures that would emerge from the portal. They would either bow to her or fall at her feet, just like every other creature she faced in her lifetime. They would recognize the princess of the Denebian Empire, the power she held, and the destiny she would someday fulfill.

Part Four

Chapter Thirty-Nine

Angel Grove

It had taken Billy longer than usual to find a decent location to hide before responding to the Command Center's hail. All the classrooms were occupied, and the absurdly quiet halls meant his voice would carry, possibly reaching intrusive ears.

His frustration grew as he finally dodged into the men's room, already considering an upgrade to the communicators. Could he install a text-only feature for such emergencies? Or perhaps a discrete earpiece that connected to the main unit via retractable wire? At least that way, the Rangers wouldn't be in danger of someone overhearing their conversations.

He checked each stall to confirm privacy before finally choosing the one furthest from the door.

"This is Billy. What's going on?"

^Goldar and a platoon of Putties have arrived outside the school!^ Alpha warned. ^We checked on all of you in the Viewing Globe; you're the only Ranger finished with the exam.^

Billy glanced at his watch. "There's only twelve minutes left in the test period. I should be able to hold off Goldar until the others arrive. But why would he attack the school? He's never done that before."

^WE ARE CONSIDERING ALL OPTIONS. BUT AT THE MOMENT, THIS ATTACK MUST BE COUNTERED BEFORE INNOCENT STUDENTS ARE INJURED.^

"I'm on my-"

Billy bit his tongue as the door squealed open. He immediately released the transmit button, holding his breath as footsteps approached.

"Billy? You in here?"

His eyes widened as he pushed the stall open. "Jocelyn? What are you doing here?"

The visitor from an alternate reality rolled her eyes. "Following you, obviously. Why else would I be in the men's room?" She then looked pointedly at his watch. "What did Zordon have to say? Did he find anything out about the inter-dimensional portal?"

"I'm afraid not. There's a disturbance outside the school, and I need to check it out."

She frowned. "What kind of disturbance?"

"Nothing to worry about," Billy insisted. "Can you stand outside the door and make sure no one enters? This will take a second."

Jocelyn sighed as she left the bathroom, closing the door behind her. She heard a single word and the crackle of energy, and then saw a vivid blue light flash through the gap below the door.

After a beat, she peeked into the bathroom to confirm that the Blue Ranger was gone.

Her hands fell to her hips. I can't get to the Command Center without a Ranger escort, and I can't go back to class. I might as well find out what this 'disturbance'

is.

Determined, she hurried towards the main entrance of the school. At first, she wondered exactly how she would pinpoint the Blue Ranger, but it turned out that the 'disturbance' was right at the school's doorstep.

She stood at the heavy door, watching in amazement as the single Ranger confronted what appeared to be a seven-foot tall blue monkey in gold armor. And it had wings.

It all looked surreal. The calm, grassy grounds were crawling with about a dozen white-gray creatures, stalking around and creating a disgusting gurgling sound. This morning, Angel Grove High looked like your average suburban public high school. But this was bizarre.

Phaedra hasn't attacked outright yet.

Jocelyn recalled. So far she's been fairly discreet. I wonder what it will be like when