The Archers [Madison & Aiden]

[artemisranger]

Madison stood on the sandy beach of the bluffs. There were a large number of people around today, and yet she knew she was looking for a specific one. Ever since she'd gotten her powers as the Artemis ranger, she'd felt something pulling her here. Running off after this pull maybe wasn't the most responsible thing, but the feeling had been too strong to resist. There was something here she needed to find. A person. He/she was what Madison was sensing.

She’d been able to pinpoint this feeling leading her to Ocean Bluff, but for a day or so hadn’t been able to track down the exact person it was directing her to. It made sense, because he/she always moving around. Everyone seemed to be going somewhere, and her target was too. But she was a hunter, and she had the spirit of the goddess of the hunt on her side. She would find what she was seeking. This person couldn’t outrun her for long.

Madison stood on the beach now, looking around. She knew he/she was close. That was about all Madison knew about this person. Gender even was a mystery. She knew she wanted to call the person by the masculine article, but told herself that it was possible this target was a girl. Her desire to call him/her a boy had nothing to do with the actual gender of the person she was seeking. Little did she know it had everything to do with it.

[aidenrichards]

Aiden Richards the Gold Apollo Olympian ranger had decided to take a beach day. He packed a small bag consisting of a few peanut butter sandwiches and a few cokes and a towel and blanket and dressed in a white T-shirt and gold swim trunks and black flip flops and ran down to the bluffs in the sun and picked out a good spot. As he got there he felt something strange fall over him. As he touched the sand everything went white and the vision began. He saw a long haired brunette in white and shorts looking for someone and then saw the two of them together and then saw her as the Silver Olympian ranger.

"OK Apollo I get the hint. Time to make myself known"

Aiden then rubbed his temples to stop the headache and then looked around and saw some street performers and ran over to them and told them that he wanted to impress a girl and that he wanted to sing Misery by Maroon 5. The band began to play and Aiden began to sing and dance masterfully so that the whole beach could hear knowing she would notice. This was the time for him to shine like gold. After the song was over he saw her and shot her a meaningful grin showing that the song was for her. It was time for gold to meet silver.

[artemisranger]

The music started, and Madison turned towards the street performers she'd noticed before. She'd ignored them, overlooked them, because he hadn't been standing with them before. It was a he, and there he was now, singing and dancing. He was good too. Not that she was really a good judge of that - being homeless kind of limited your exposure to media - but everyone around them clearly liked it.

This was who she'd been drawn to, this dark haired boy in the white t-shirt and gold swim trunks. This was who she'd come here looking for. As she wove her way through the crowd, closer to where he was, it all kind of clicked to place in her head. There were more Olympians than just herself, she had assumed that from day one. It made sense because there were twelve Olympian gods, so why wouldn't there be twelve Olympian Power Rangers. She knew exactly which spirit this boy possessed. It all just made sense. Apollo, the god of music, prophecy, and the sun. Artemis and Apollo were the twin archers. Their spirits would have always been connected.

One would almost expect Madison, who'd been practically failing out of school, to not know this. To be honest she was a good student. It was just that hunting had come first. Once she had the speed of Artemis on her side, however, it took less time to get to the mystic forest and school had been able to become a priority again. So she knew her mythology, she knew why she was drawn to this boy.

However, that didn't explain this feeling she felt when she looked at him. The grin he gave her sent this unknown feeling through her being. It was something familiar, and yet in and unfamiliar way. She couldn't help smiling a little in return, her ice queen facade shattering like glass. Why?

She approached him as the crowd dispersed, unsure what to say so she said the first thing that came to mind. "I'm Madison, and I don't know who you are, but I think I know what you are."

[aidenrichards]

Aiden just smiled a smooth smile as the girl approached him. As soon as she was in front of him he blushed and his smile turned into a small shy one. He felt his heart being pulled toward her like a magnet. She was his one. His Gold and her silver. She introduced herself as Madison and instantly it was the most beautiful name he had ever heard in his entire life. He just grinned and took her hand.

"Come with me."

He then lead her over to his blanket and sat down leaving room for her next to him and thought about what she had said. She didn't know who he was but she knew what he was. He knew as well. He quickly reached into his bag and pulled out two cokes and two peanut butter sandwiches and his gauntlet with the gold gem and put them in front of her.

"My Name's Aiden Richards."

He then lowered his voice to a hushed tone so only she could hear him. He was unable to stop smiling as he leaned in he could smell vanilla coming from her causing him to gulp a bit.

"I am the Gold Olympian ranger, I have the spirit of Apollo. He has gifted me with occasional visions of the future..though they give me headaches, i can control light and i am able to play any musical instrument and sing. I had a vision you were coming that's why I put on the little show. I knew you were looking so I made it easier. I feel..like we belong next to each other."

He then held out a sandwich and a coke to her while he thought about what to tell about himself. He just could not stop looking at her beautiful wonderful face. It shined so bright in the sun like she was a goddess herself.

"I umm..like video games, books, television, movies...I didn't get out much until i was chosen...Ive met three others like us. I have met Noah our leader with the spirit of Zeus, Ava with the spirit of Demeter and Alice with the spirit of Hermes. So counting us that makes five of us that have surfaced so far."


Then without a word he took her hand again gently and smiled at her showing that he had the same funny feeling that she did. He gave her hand a gentle squeeze and quickly kissed her cheek without thinking or hesitation.

"But, your by far my favorite Madison. So, tell me about yourself?"

[artemisranger]

He took her hand, and her initial instinct was to flinch away from the touch, or it would have been. She couldn't bring herself to do it. A part of her wanted to understand what was going, why she felt the way she did, and that would only become more clear if she went with him. At least... she thought that made sense.

He lead her to a blanket on the beach and sat down. From the way he did she got the impression she was supposed to sit next to him, so she did. He pulled out some food - soda and sandwiches - and then the morpher gauntlet with the gold gem. As he introduced himself as Aiden Richards, she reached into the shoulder-bag she'd carried with her. There wasn't much inside, in fact she wished she'd brought more with, but she only worried right now about one thing. A gauntlet, similar to the one he'd pulled out, but this one had the silver gem for Artemis.

She listened to his words, about his interests and how he'd met others of their group. He was ahead of her, because he was the first one she'd found. To be honest, she hadn't exactly gone looking for anyone else before now. It was somewhat good news, though, that others of their group had surfaced.

He held her hand, squeezed it, and gave her a kiss on the cheek. She felt her face grow warm, and knew she was blushing. Why was it that he could do that to her? And he was asking her about herself now. Madison had never been an open person. It still showed, but all the same he'd sort of melted her frosty facade.

"My full name is Madison Dean, and I knew what you, Aiden, were the moment I saw you. Musically gifted and I was drawn to find you? It made sense. Artemis and Apollo, the twin archers. In a way were are meant to be near each other."

That didn't tell him much about her, though. "I'm a hunter, like Artemis was. My family... to be blunt we have next to nothing. I had to hunt. It was the only way we - my mom, my brother, my sister, and I - were going to survive. As the Silver Olympian ranger I excel at hunting, I have enhanced speed, aim, and precision, I can blend in anywhere just by thinking about it, and I can see at night." Her voice wasn't nearly as animated as his had been. He'd broken through the shell she wore, but she still was withdrawn, scared of being open. Trust wasn't something she was used to giving to those outside of her family.

He seemed to understand though, the strange way that she felt around him. That he been what he'd tried to communicate with his smile and the hand squeeze, a traditionally comforting gesture. She tried to smile back, the expression small and fleeting. It was funny. She'd been so robotic and withdrawn in her initial interaction, and even now, yet he hadn't been turned away. Because he was meant to be here?

[aidenrichards]

Aiden listened intently at Madison's tale of how she was drawn to him and how they were meant to be next to each other and he blushed hard at her and chuckled a small chuckle at her expression when she blushed at his kiss. He then listened and frowned when she said she was poor and had nothing. He felt his heart sink when he heard this but instantly knew how to help her. He just nodded to himself.

"I know how I can help you. I can use my gifts with music to make you money, I can support your family and you..and myself..If you need somewhere to stay you could stay with me and I will pay for your family. You could teach me how to hunt and stuff and I could teach you to sing or play a few instruments or something!"

Aiden was now totally excited but nervous. This was a big deal but he knew it was destiny and he was going to embrace it. He looked her in the eyes with the softest of looks and smiles, the smile of a best friend, a soul mate, a protector and loving man. It was like he could see straight into her soul with just that one look.

All that was broken away however as a vision began suddenly. The vision was of Aiden himself singing up on stage playing guitar with Madison cheering in the crowd. He then saw her and himself slow dancing at a dance but he was in a tux. Could it be a wedding? He then saw them fighting monsters one after another and then Madison holding a baby. It was all to much to fast. Aiden grabbed his head and clenched his eyes tightly shut clenching his jaw hard to stop from screaming.

His head was splitting on the inside. He felt to his side and curled up and let out a almost audible groan of agony. This lasted for a few moments until the visions stopped and his body went limp his head pulsing. That clenched it. She was his destined one.

[artemisranger]

His words hit Madison like a ton of bricks. Moving in with him. Him helping her, helping support her family. Teaching each other their skills. True he was trying to be nice, but to her it felt like it was moving way too fast. She barely knew him, didn't understand what she was feeling, and becoming a ranger had already made her life feel like it was spinning a little out of her control. Especially when you considered that she possessed the spirit of a Greek god.

Then he looked her in the eyes, and for some reason she was unable to look away. His gaze held something that seemed - surely must have been intended - to be reassuring. Despite that she knew her slight fear, her feeling of being overwhelmed by things, showed a little in her expression... she held that gaze. She held it until he grabbed his head and his eyes were tight shut, his expression turning to one of pain.

"Aiden!" She heard someone scream his name, and took a moment to realize it had been her own voice she'd heard. The reaction had been so unexpected. Yet seeing him like that, seeing him in pain like that, had caused an almost physical pain. It had been like someone driving a knife into her heart.

She didn't completely understand why she sprang to his side, but she knew now that whatever she felt couldn't be ignored. Even if part of it were because Artemis had drawn her to him, the holder of her twin spirit... all she knew was she needed him by her side. They were connected.

She kept her hand on his shoulder until he went limp. For a moment she wasn't sure what to do after that. Maybe the next thoughts through her mind were more the spirit inside her reminding her of what he'd said, but she remembered the visions and how they caused him pain. Had that been what this was? Was this typical of what happened with them? She wasn't sure, but she knew his expression was still pained.

Without really understanding why she moved around towards his head and rolled him onto his back, her actions a little slow and timid. Then she started gently massaging his temples, the expression on his face relaxing as the pain faded.

[aidenrichards]

Aiden saw nothing but black now. It was like he was floating. Floating in his own mind. He just was in a state of limbo while his body lied there motionless. As he did a familier face appeared before him. It was Apollo. Aiden just smiled as Apollo ruffled his hair like he was his child and then just began to speak in a booming but smooth and calm voice.

"Aiden my son, You have found her. She is your other half, Your forest sprite and you will be the warmth that melts her ice like exterior. She will be the one to bring the true music to your life. You see the future and from now on she will be part of it as you have seen. Protect one another and you two will help change the world."

Aiden then smiled and began to think about Madison and himself together. As he did the image appeared next to him and he just gazed upon it for a moment before it vanished. Apollo then pointed to a sort of window that appeared and in it Aiden saw the real Madison rubbing his temples and caring for him. Aiden just turned to Apollo with a look of nervousness on his face.

"Apollo, what if I let her down..what if she gets hurt because of me? I love her and I never wanna leave her side. What if I'm not good enough?"

Apollo then just put his hand on Aiden's head with a fatherly smile. When he did this Aiden felt all of his doubt vanish and he just nodded as a golden and silver door appeared.

"Go to her Son. Your other half is waiting."

Apollo then faded away and Aiden walked through the door. Aiden then smiled as he opened his eyes slowly seeing Madison rub his temples. He gently put one of his hands over hers and smiled up at her.

"That feels good Maddy."

Aiden then sat up slowly and looked at her and hugged her to his warm chest gently. He just held her for a moment and let the love in him boil over as he placed his hand on her back and smiled and kissed the top of her head.

"Thank you Madison. Don't worry I am fine now..The pain isn't usually that bad when the visions are small. This one was a big one though. a dousy, I saw us. A lot of us and let me tell yea, our future is gonna be fun. I don't wanna give spoilers though."

He then placed and index finger over his lips in the shh motion and laughed and smiled and then offered her sandwich and coke. He then took his and bit down into it and smiled at her once again while opening his coke.

"After we eat do you wanna go swimming or something? Go walk on the boardwalk? Ladies choice."

Aiden then put his food down and took off his shirt because of the heat showing his slender but slightly muscular torso not feeling shy a bit. He was ready to embrace his destiny.

[artemisranger]

He opened his eyes and smiled, putting on of his hands over hers. When he called her Maddy, she wasn't sure how to feel at first. Her siblings and her mother called her that. No one else had before. Then again, he'd already proven he wasn't just anyone to her.

He sat up and hugged her. For a moment she wasn't sure what to do, how to feel. She froze for a moment, somewhat stiff in his arms, before she allowed herself to relax a little. This was all still new to her, and it might take some time before she was completely comfortable with it. But whatever it was he'd seen now - apparently a dousey of a vision - it seemed it gave him the patience to deal with her eccentricities.

The idea of the future scared her... and honestly she was glad he didn't want to share any spoilers. Whatever was coming, she would take it one step at a time. She didn't think she could deal with the concept of destiny and knowing what was to come. The fact that he could so nonchalantly... he was better than her in her mind for it.

He handed her a sandwich and a soda, starting to eat his. It took her a moment longer for her to start eating, tearing a piece of the sandwich off and popping it into her mouth. She kept trying to smile back at him, her expression only a fleeting one before her poker face returned. But maybe that would change over time. Maybe she wasn't irredeemably altered by her life.

She opened the soda, taking a drink before she responded to his question. Her words were somewhat quiet, but he should be able to hear her. "A walk... A walk sounds nice." To the point. She still wasn't as talkative as he was. That too, if it did change, would take time.

She'd waited to speak when he'd pulled his shirt off, and found herself glancing at him - his bare torso - now as she continued eating. She was starting to understand what the feeling she had was, at least a little, and while it was still unfamiliar - while she was still unsure of things - she could deny her attraction to him. "Besides," she said, adding to her earlier statement. Saying more than the bare minimum unlike usual. "I don't have a swimsuit. Just what I'm wearing."

[aidenrichards]

Aiden just smiled and watched as Madison finished eating her food. He then stood and threw away their trash and began to pack up his things like his blanket, gauntlet and shirt. He then stood up and stretched show his muscles and smiled as she said she she liked the idea of a walk. He would do anything she wanted by this point. He just looked down at her as she said she didn't have a swim suit. He just shook his head and helped her up and held onto her hand.

"Come on my little wall flower. Let's go for a nice walk."

He then gave her a smooth smile and scooped up both of their bags and put her gauntlet in her bag and put both bags on one shoulder. He then smiled at her and kissed the top of her head and began walking away from the crowded beach quietly until they reached the boardwalk where he saw a bunch of different types of performers and artists. Aiden smiled and swayed a bit as he walked to the smooth music.

"This is where I do most of my preforming. People will gladly give money for a good show. I usually play electric guitar and sing. Sometimes I will play the bass or a saxophone".

Aiden just smiled at Madison lovingly and locked their fingers together not wanting to lose her contact or attention. As they walked they started to come upon the faracewheel and the many snack stands which filled the air with many sweet scents.

"Are you still hungry? Wanna play some games? Listen to some preformers? We can do anything you want Madison."

[artemisranger]

He packed up their things, threw away the trash, stretched... She got a feeling that last part had been him showing off. Maybe he'd noticed her staring. Then again, showing off or not she didn't much mind. She got this strange - strange because it was unfamiliar - feeling that she was safe with him. So she didn't mind when he helped her to her feet, but kept a hold of her hand. Nor did she mind when he picked up her bag, even though her gauntlet was in there. If she absolutely needed it, he wouldn't keep it from her.

She let him lead her away from the beach, trusting his lead. After all, he knew this place better than she did. This was his home turf. Though if she took him up on his offer, it would become her home turf too. She might as well get acquainted with the area. And really, taking him up on his offer didn't seem much like an option. She needed his help. Her family did too, and he had said he would help her help them. Besides which, they were connected. She refused to part with him again now that she'd found him. She knew she'd just keep sensing him like she had before, sense the missing piece he represented. She belonged here now.

She gave him another small smile as he talked to her about the boardwalk and his street performing. "A regular music man. Then again, I suppose the god of music can play anything he wants." Music man... She liked that.

Her gaze wandered around the boardwalk, the many sights and sounds catching her attention and then trading it between one another. The only thing that held it for long was him, when he looked at her and she caught his glance. But even that she drifted from when the new sights came, and the smells of the carnival food. She glanced around again, trying to pick just one thing from the seemingly countless possibilities.

Her tone warmed just a tad, her slight enthusiasm having a child-like quality. "I want to do all of those at some point. It's deciding which first that's hard." Then she saw someone walk past with a giant pretzel, the kind you dip in cheese sauce. She'd seen a street vendor selling those in her home town all the time, and remembered wanting to try one but never having the money for it. It clinched her decision.

"I want one of those first.... Please?" She pointed at the pretzel carried by the passer-by as she spoke so Aiden would know what she meant.

[aidenrichards]

Aiden couldn't help but chuckle as his little wall flower as she enjoyed the sights and smells and views of the boardwalk. She was becoming less shy around him as they stopped being two people and spiritually became one. He laughed a bit and couldn't help but smile at how childish she was becoming. It was cute and beautiful at the same time. She had to work so hard all the time and now she was getting to enjoy herself. He was glad he could help her in this way. As she watched a passer by with a giant pretzel he smiled when she asked for one. He just nodded at her.

"Of course cutie."

He then reluctantly let go of her hand and she could see the longing on his face as he walked away. Mid way to the vendor Aiden felt himself stop. He just couldn't contain it anymore. He quickly turned and ran back to her and looked her in the eyes.

"Forgive me for this..I love you"

Then without another word Aiden just kissed Madison slowly and lovingly on the lips. As he did it felt like every wave from the ocean, every spark from a fire cracker, every warm wave from a match mixed all at once. They were one him and her. Gold and silver, music and nature, They belonged together for every moment of the rest of forever.

When Aiden had to end the kiss he just pressed his forehead to hers and blushed and bit his lower lip. He then walked over to the vendor and ordered her a giant pretzel with cheese and came back and held it out.

"I hope this is just as good as what just happened."

Aiden then just blushed and could not help but just to laugh.

[artemisranger]

He let go of her hand, and she panicked a little inside. Don't leave me, was her thinking. But he started walking toward the vendor without her and she stood rooted to the spot. The thought crossed her mind, Why don't you go after him? He never said you had to stay here. There was a point to it. She could follow him.

She was just about to act on that thought when he came rushing back, stopping and staring deep in her eyes. He apologized, but she couldn't connect the dots and figure out why before he kissed her.

Then her whole world was fireworks. It was the sudden breathless shock of jumping in a cold lake, the wild rush of running full speed through the trees, beautiful as a sunset or a starry night... He'd named the feeling - love - and, as new and unknown as it was, she wasn't afraid of this. She needed this. They were Artemis and Apollo, twin spirits, bonded forever no matter the physical distance... though to be honest she wanted that physical distance to remain small whenever possible.

The kiss ended eventually, and he pressed his forehead to hers. She blushed and smiled a little. Softly she said, "I forgive you. Not that I minded." It was the closest she'd come to teasing him all day, and the smile stayed longer than the others. Little by little he was pulling her out of her shell.

He left again, and she watched him the whole time he was away. She never let her sight stray far, not wanting to lose him. When he cam back with the pretzel she smiled and tore a piece off, putting it in her mouth. A moment later she responded to what he said, again teasing just a little, surprising herself because she'd never realized she had a sense of humor. "That was better... but this didn't disappoint either. Then again, I'd wanted to try one of these for ages."

He laughed, and while his mouth was open she stuffed a piece of the pretzel in with a slight smirk on her face.

FINISHED