Chapter 4:

Deker's POV

I appeared back in the cave I was staying. I put Artemis down on the cot I made out of some blankets and a pilow I stole from a human. I didn't light the fire since she was burning up. I got some cold water and put a cloth in it to soak. Moving her hair out of her face, so it was easier for me to put the cloth on her forehead. I sighed when I realized that even as she was unconcious, she was still shaking. I pushed those thoughts away as I squeezed the cloth, so I drip so much water on her forehead. I dabbed the cloth onto her forehead, cheeks, and neck, hoping I could break the fever.

All of a sudden, she stopped shaking. Her arm went up and grabbed my wrist. Her eyes flew open, she sat up, turns toward me and hugged me. I tensed before putting one of my arms around her. My other arm was helping me make sure we didn't fall backwards. She then tensed and released me from the hug, "I'm sorry. I don't know why I did that." Her hair fell on her face again, "Why do I feel like I am always moving your hair out of your face." She smiled, "It's because you are." I leaned over and got the hair out of her face, putting it back with some clips I also stole from a human, "There. Now I don't have to worry about that." She blushed. I put my hand to her forehead and found it to be rather cold. I got up to light the fire. After doing so, I sat beside her again. She leaned on my shoulder as if it was instinct. I put my arm around her as if that was instinctive too.

I look down and noticed the necklace that turned her human when she was a nighlok, "Can you not still be human after you take the necklace off?" She nods, "The necklaces real purpose is to relieve me of my urges to become a nighlok and negate my nighlok side, so I can get into the Shiba House." "Can you take the necklace off now and let me see your nighlok side," I asked her. She moved away from me and replied, "I only turn into my nighlok side if I am by myself or feel threatened." I thought before asking, "Aren't you a Power Ranger? Why don't you use that power?" She sighed, "Let me rephrase that. I only use that side when I feel threatened by a really powerful nighlok." I nod, "Oh ok. That makes more sense." She nods and says, "Speaking of Power Rangers, I might need to get back to the Shiba House."

I nod and got up, "Well. I guess I'll see you around." She blushes and says, "Yeah." Without thinking, I went over to her, leaned down and gave her a kiss on the cheek. After that happened, we were both looked like we were trying to figure out what that was. I shook my head while saying, "I'm sorry for that." She smiles and says, "Don't be." She walked out of the cave. What did she mean by 'Don't be'.

Riley/Artemis' POV

I can't believe my confidence level right there. After I walked out of sight of the cave, I sort of had a fangirl moment.

*Half an hour later*

I finally arrive back at the Shiba House. Not even 5 minutes in the door and I'm bombarded with questions such as "Where were you," "Why did Deker save you," and "Why did Octaroo call you a traitor?" Ji had enough of it, "ENOUGH!" Everyone turned to look at him. Ji looked back at me and asked, "Did you find him?" I smiled and nodded. Mike looked at me and asked, "Who are you two talking about?" I looked at Ji and he asked me, "Shall I explain or do you want to?"
I grinned, " I will, but you can help me fill in recent parts." He nodded. Emily's face got really bright with happiness, "Story time?" I laughed and nodded. Ji led us to the couches, so we could all sit down.

I started the beginning, "I'm not from this time period. I'm from the time of the Wild Force rangers, so that makes me over a hundred years old. My name isn't really Riley either, my actual name is Artemis. That also is the name of my nighlok form." Everyone besides Ji goes,"WHAT? YOU'RE A NIGHLOK?" I laugh, "I'm happy that's the only part your worried about." I continue explaining, "Wild Force was amazing while it lasted. Living on the Animarium was a little weird though." I pull out my animal crystals out of my pocket, "This is Green Jaguar and Cheetah Zord." I hold up the red animal crystal, "And this handsome one is Red Lion." Mike asks, "Do they all belong to you." I answered him, still looking at Red Lion, "No, he belonged to my boyfriend at the time." Jayden obviously put two and two together, "You mean Deker." I nodded and smiled, while saying, "He was a lot nicer back then."

Emily piped up, "What happened to make him like that?" I turn to her and reply, "The final battle happened. We all believed in ourselves to win. It was enough. Explosions were happening left and right. One was going to happen right in front of me and he pushed me out the way, taking the impact all on himself." I could feel the tears flow down my face like a river. I took a moment before continuing, "He was almost dead until this nighlok named Serrator made me a deal to let him live, but in a cursed state. The reason I'm half nighlok is because I couldn't live without him. Serrator took that as another deal to make with me. I get to have him back as long as I'm with him when the battle between him and his ultimate opponent happens. The ultimate opponent just has to battle him, but I have to end it by almost killing him. I get to bring him back though and he should go back to how he looked at the age of twenty." A few moments passed before I got up and said, "I'm going to go lay down for a bit." Mia looked at me, "I'll make you some food and bring it in to you." I look to the others who were grimacing. I bet she can't cook. I look back at her, "It will be highly appreciated. Thank you, Mia."