Disclaimer: Obviously, I don't own Power Rangers Mystic Force, or any Power Rangers series for that matter.
Summary: Due to her friends' insistence, Maddie goes to a filming camp, reassured that everything will be fine while she's gone. But when she becomes a little homesick, she turns to certain people for some comfort and advice.
Author's Ramblings: Ahem, I'd just like to announce that the Red Ranger doesn't die in this fanfiction. How could he in the first place? Anyways, enjoy!
CURIOSITY KILLS THE RED RANGER - INSISTENCE
CHAPTER ONE
ROCK PORIUM
"No, you guys!" An exasperated Maddie set down a rather large pile of CDs on the front desk, sending her hair bouncing on her shoulders, though a small smile rested on her lips. "Thanks, but I can't go to filming camp."
"You deserve it, and you know it." The ever so charming Xander appeared beside her on the right, leaning against the counter casually with a reassuring grin directed towards her. "You've been working overtime and time to relax is just what you need." Reaching out, the green ranger took the load of discs and headed towards Vida's turning tables towards the back. Without warning, he collapsed on the floor rather ungracefully, groaning. "Chip! How many times have I told you? Do not leave these posters lying around! Toby'll kill us if they aren't on the walls by tomorrow." Glancing down by his feet, large scrolls of paper revealed enlarged pictures of the latest rock stars and whatnot. He paused, then sat up, pulling a CD case from his shirt.
Looking up, Chip grimaced. "Sorry! Got a little distracted." The yellow wizard held up his latest book on werewolves excitedly and then the magazine beside him. "I ordered it from Magic, Myth, and More and it just came today! It tells you all about werewolves. See? It says here that the first symptom of turning into a werewolf is a seizure-like motion. You keep twitching, like this." Chip imitated the action, his eyes rolling towards the back of his head. His companion on the floor looked at him pointedly, causing him to stand up straight. "I mean, uh, yeah! You should go to filming camp!"
Maddie rolled her eyes, heading towards Xander. "That's great, Chip. But, I've only been working harder because I need money for a new camera. My last one...well..." The brunette's voice trailed off, recalling what had happened about two weeks ago.
BEGIN FLASHBACK
"Here's Vida. The best sister in the world, who's got great taste in music." Maddie held her camera in front of Vida's turntables, slightly tilted. "Hey, sis!"
Laughing, Vida bobbed her head to the music that was blaring in her ears through her headphones, waving a little into the camera. "Remember to get my good side!" She turned her head a little, apparently satisfied with the new music that had just come in.
"Right," the blue ranger laughed along with her sister, walking backwards down the steps to get one last shot of Vida before turning to Nick, who was supposed to be sweeping. Tripping on the last step, she let out a small yelp, letting go of her camera. It flew through the air along with her, landing on the floor in more than two pieces. Fortunately, someone caught the shyer of the two Rocca sisters in the nick of time.
"Whoa, you alright?" Maddie blinked, her chocolate brown orbs staring up into the tanned face of the one and only red ranger, who smirked slightly at her clumsiness. Gasping, she stood up abruptly, bumping heads with him.
"Ow! Sorry!" She covered her mouth with her hand, reaching out towards him to steady him although she was sprawled out on the floor herself.
Wincing, Nick rubbed his head, waving his free hand dismissively. "No, I'm okay. Are you?" He looked at her questioningly, holding out his hand to help her up. The female gratefully took his hand, feeling his strong grip and her cheeks flushing slightly.
"Thanks. Yea, I'm okay." Up to this point, Madison had been distracted from her camera, until a certain yellow ranger pointed it out.
"Uhh...Heh..Maddie?" Chip scratched the back of his head nervously. His friend wasn't usually known to be, well, like Vida, but if they're related, one could never know. Besides, that camera meant a lot to her since her sister lent her some cash to buy it. Lowering his voice, the red-head grimaced slightly. "Your camera."
Turning her head, Madison's eyes landed on the camera on the floor. The lens was cracked among several other damages, clearly unable to be used anymore. It gave one spark and the screen turned bright blue for a moment before turning pitch black as its last existence in life before becoming obsolete. Nick cringed, his own eyes along with all the other rangers' watching Maddie.
"Oh." The blue witch furrowed her brow, bending down and picking up the pieces. Looking at her friends, a look of dismay crossed her face, attempting to hide it with a casual smile. "I don't suppose there's a way we can fix it, is there?" Her question was only met with the sympathetic look of her co-workers. She heaved a sigh, shrugging a little. "My own fault, I guess."
END FLASHBACK
After that, Madison had refused any financial help from Xander, Chip, Nick, Vida, and even Toby. "'Don't worry about it. I've got it,'" she kept reassured them. The brunette, at the moment, bent down beside the green ranger, recollecting the papers by his feet. "You know." Finishing her sentence, she stood up with the posters in her left hand and her right reaching down to Xander to help him up. He took it, nodding at her to show his thanks.
"But he - I mean I'm-right, you know. The only reason why you don't have your camera yet is because you," Xander gestured toward Madison, "aren't letting us," then towards Nick, himself, and Chip, "help you." He looked at her, sporting his charming and persuasive smile once more. "C'mon. We'll even pay for the camp. Won't we, guys?" Looking around, the others averted his look sheepishly, before Nick put his hands up in surrender.
"Alright, alright. We'll pay. Xander 70 percent, me 10 percent, V 10 percent, and Chip 10 percent." The red ranger chuckled to himself, glancing at his friends for approval.
Chip stretched, a smile on his face. "Yep, sounds about fair to me!" He and Nick turned to Vida, who nodded with a grin.
"Thanks guys." Xander sighed, strolling over to Vida's turntables. "Now, V here looked up some camps and chose some for you." Devious smirks appeared on every one's faces. Apparently, this trip had been planned out for days, like some evil and diabolical plan.
Maddie glanced at her friends in amazement. "You guys already planned this out?" She rolled her eyes, shaking her head. "Fine. Which one is it?"
"It's just a high-tech, advanced, film-making class." The other Rocca sister shrugged nonchalantly, holding one side of the headphones to her ear, bobbing her head up and down. "It'll be fun! Don't worry about it, Sis."
The blue ranger sighed skeptically, beginning to rack the discs that had been sprawled on the floor a couple a minutes ago. They seemed to have rearranged themselves back on the table. Magically, shall we say? As soon as Rock Porium became calm and unusually quiet, Madison turned around abruptly, her arms folded.
"But what if...what if Udonna calls?" The rest of the rangers groaned, having been hopeful that this was settled once and for all. "You guys can't fight them without me! What if something happens? Udonna and Daggeron might not approve of me being away from everyone for a while." Her hand lifted, fidgeting with the ends of her hair. Truly, Madison was slightly nervous about being somewhere without Vida and her friends. A camp with people she didn't know remotely made her a little edgy.
Nick strode over, placing his hands firmly on Maddie's shoulders. "If something comes up, you can be here in a second. Udonna and Daggeron don't need to know. We'll say you're sick or something." He shrugged his shoulders, as if it was really no big deal. "Besides, its only two weeks." Releasing his friend, he pretended to be interested in a large cardboard figure that was facing them, though really it was to avoid Madison's look. He almost felt like giving in, and letting her stay there at the Rock Porium with them instead of going to camp. He wouldn't see her for two whole weeks and all the time, he would regret being part of sending her off in the first place. But feeling that would just be selfish...right?
"Two weeks?" The soon-to-be camper echoed Nick's words, then pursed her lips. She recognized the determined looks on their faces. Unfolding her arms, she stuffed them in the pockets of her jean capris and gave a small smile in resignation. "When do I leave?"
Vida laughed and jumped down from her turntables, hugging her sister. "The day after tomorrow! I'll help you pack." Satisfied smirks appeared on the features of all the workers of Rock Porium, even Toby. Sighing, Maddie nodded, randomly sifting through a large pile of new arrivals. Although everything was already decided, a pouting face couldn't hurt!
"Now don't give us that face, Maddie." Nick pointed his index finger at her, jabbing her in the side gently. "Everything's set and paid. You're going no matter what."
"I know...What about my camera?"
Silence.
"We...haven't quite figured that part out yet." The 'supervisor' of the Rock Porium employees coughed nervously, whistling a little.
"I'm sure they'll have an extra for you to use at the camp. You're going, Maddie. Period." The film-maker's sister looked at her sternly, though winking at her when the males of the group weren't looking, causing Madison to laugh.
"How could I resist?"The blue ranger grinned excitedly, finishing stocking the discs on the rack.
"Great! Let's go on break. I'm starving." Chip suggested, chuckling. As usual, all of them ditched the Rock Porium for a while, leaving Toby with all the customers while they went out. Usually it was when Udonna called and informed them that Briarwood needed their help, but occasionally they went out eat.
With the unanimous vote, all of them up and left the Rock Porium, waving to Toby.
"Bye Toby!"
"We'll be back later."
"Break time! Whoo-hoo!"
"See ya, Toby!"
"Later!"
The owner mumbled under his breath, something about overpaid employees that didn't work enough. Shaking his head, he headed towards the back room, still muttering.
Author's Ramblings: Hope you guys enjoyed Chapter One! I promise I'm going to be better at updating then my other fanfictions. -sweatdrop- Please review for me!