7Warning: This contains slash. Pairings by prominence are as follows: Tommy/Adam, Tommy/Jason, as well as mentions of Billy/Tanya and Rocky/Catherine, with a friendship pairing of Adam/Rocky. Enjoy, my pretties!
Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers or any of the established characters. I'm just playing around with an established concept. I do hope you all respond well to my trippy little tale.
Author's Notes: A little late for Halloween, but whatever. I didn't dream this up until after the fact, anyway. This story is based off of the PrZeo episode "It Came from Angel Grove", from Adams point of view. Please comment and review. Seriously, I miss those!
Thanks: Thank you all for reading and reviewing my stories. Special thanks to those that added my stories to favorites. Thanks for your patience and ongoing support.
The Devil You Know pt.1: The Count
Zen'Aku Lati
Adam awoke to the sound of clanking classes and raucous laughter, but this was certainly not the Juice Bar. This place had a dark and eerie vibe, everyone looked old and shabby—and he couldn't shake the feeling that everyone was staring at him.
He scanned the room for something familiar and got no comfort from the odd looks coming back to him.
Where is this place? Adam wondered and couldn't help but feel that King Mondo or even Rita might've been behind this.
All of a sudden the displaced youth realized he wasn't alone at the bar. Leaning next to him was none other than Tommy, his fearless leader. But this Tommy seemed…different.
The young man before him was just as great looking as Adam recalled, but he didn't remember him being quite as pale, his eyes quite so clear, his clothes quite so put together—and he certainly missed the fangs.
Still, this was Halloween, why not.
"Man, I am so glad to see you!" the confused youth confessed, feeling a little more at ease now that his friend and team leader was on the scene. He knew he could trust Tommy to get them out okay.
"I'm glad to see you, as well," the pale youth replied with a smirk that could be described only as sultry, and his gaze seemed to go through Adam, as if he were looking at his soul. As startling as that was, why did it almost intrigue him?
Tommy leaned in a little closer, and the normally shy boy found the warmth rushing to his cheeks. Don't blush, dammit! You don't want Tommy to figure you out! Geez…
But for some reason, this only seemed to encourage the taller youth. "You seem quite lost. Perhaps I can help you," Tommy offered, gently stroking Adam's arm.
"I…I wanna know how to get out of here!" Adam replied. "Where is this place, anyway?"
"This is the village tavern. A dreary place, to be sure," the taller young man informed. "You're right. This is not the place for us. Follow me," he offered, smiling outright. A dazzling smile which Adam was well accustomed to, but those fangs! Those were some really convincing props!
Adam remained aware of all the eyes on them as the two youths stepped out of the unpleasant institution and into the crisp night air.
"Where are my manners, I haven't introduced myself," the pale youth admonished as the two put distance between them and the tavern, cutting through a darkening forest. "I am Count Antoine l'Dráq. Pleased to make your acquaintance," he delivered with a polite bow.
"Count?" Adam almost snorted, but decided to let Tommy have his fun, and play along.
The handsome youth smiled again, "You're right, my friend. Formalities are a bore. Call me Antoine."
"Antoine," the confused youth repeated, meaning to laugh, but surprising himself that he rasped the name instead, his breath visible in the cold air.
"Yes," the taller youth confirmed in an all-but whisper. "Do tell me your name."
Tommy was taking this game very seriously, wasn't he? Yet why was Adam's heart pounding and his breath labored?
"Don't be shy. I wish to be friends with you," Tommy insisted softly, stepping closer to the nervous teen.
"Adam," the youth replied.
"Adam," the handsome youth repeated, stepping closer to the startled teen. Hasn't this game gone far enough? Why was Tommy teasing him like this? Could it be that he…knew?
But something was amiss. It was the way he said his name. Whispered. Almost a solicitation, as if the handsome youth were testing the name on his tongue for the first time. What's going on here?
"Adam," he said again, barely above a whisper, gazing into the smaller teen's almond-shaped eyes, before gently brushing his lips against his own…just like in all his secret fantasies. Was Tommy playing some kind of game?
"Who are you?" Adam caught himself asking aloud, almost groaning the question.
"I am Antoine l'Dráq," the handsome youth reasserted, placing a gentle cool hand against Adam's reddening face. "And yes, I am a vampire."
Saturday, November 5, 2011