Disclaimer: I do not own anything.
Dayu's heart was shattered daily as she watched the only man she ever loved walk the Earth. She had encountered the warrior a couple of times since he lost Urumasa and she had begged him to find the sword and exact his revenge on the Rangers and Serena for what they had done to the blade, but Dekker always insisted he was a changing man. Dayu couldn't stand to hear it or watch him change from the strong, fierce warrior he had once been, to a pathetic, love-sick man. He wasn't even in love with the right woman. He was hers. He belonged to her.
Dayu clenched her fists as she thought of Serena. She wanted nothing more than to rid herself of the yellow Ranger's sister once and for all. Once she was out of the picture, Dekker would have no choice but to fall back in love with Dayu. They were meant to be.
But she knew she had to be careful about how she went about winning Dekker's heart. Kidnapping Serena wouldn't work. The Rangers would come after her and Dekker, blinded by what he thought was love, would do anything he could to rescue Serena. That was why her plan failed the first time. She didn't realise just how fooled her beloved was. She needed another plan. One that would wipe Serena from Dekker's life completely and that would get him to remember the woman he truly loved.
She turned away from the water, leaving the beach. For now she had to settle with leaving Urumasa at the bottom of the ocean. She knew it was the only thing that could restore Dekker back to the man she loved: a man who was strong and powerful; a man who knew what he wanted and never settled for less. Master Xandred was calling her, and unless she wanted him to find out she was trying to help Dekker, she was needed back in the Netherworld.
"Soon," she whispered to the sword just before disappearing.
-Samurai-
Later in the day, just as the sun was setting, the Rangers were in the plaza trying to fight off the Moogers terrorizing the city. In the distance, Dayu was watching. Master Xandred wanted her to make sure the Moogers caused enough suffering to raise the river. If she could successfully complete her mission, the water would rise and the Nighlok would grow stronger.
Unfortunately, the Rangers were getting better at their job. It seemed that without the fear of a surprise attack from Dekker, they were a lot more focused on Master Xandred, and harder to defeat. They were stronger, braver, more confidant… but Dayu just saw that as another reason to bring back Urumasa and return Dekker back to his powerful self. Maybe Master Xandred would approve of her mission if he understood that Dekker weakened the Rangers and made them easier to defeat. With the Samurai out of his way, the world would be his to flood.
She gazed over at the Rangers when she saw they were nearly done with the Moogers and she scoffed. She was no longer needed here on Earth and she had to talk with Master Xandred. Just as the six Samurai defeated the last few Moogers, she disappeared.
"What a workout," Mike panted as he powered down and doubled over. He rested his hands on his knees and looked up at Jayden, "I don't know what's worse: hundreds of Moogers, or a small group of them and a Nighlok."
"Still no sign of Arachnitor," Antonio pointed out. "Or any other powerful Nighlok for that matter. All we've been facing are clowns and jokesters. It's like Master X isn't even trying anymore."
"This does worry me," Jayden nodded. "Mentor thinks the longer Arachnitor stays in the Netherworld, the stronger he gets."
"He better come out soon, then," Kevin said. "It would be better for everyone."
Kevin saw all the Rangers nodding in agreement except for Mia. She didn't seem to be paying any attention at all. Instead, she was focused in the distance, her eyes resting on the spot where Dayu had been standing. When Kevin saw this he sighed.
"Mia…"
"She looked hurt."
"Who cares?" Kevin shook his head. He would always support Mia, but the last time she tried to help a half-Nighlok she had nearly gotten herself killed. Thankfully it worked out for the best in the end, but there was no guarantee she would get the same results if she tried to meddle a second time. "Dayu can take care of herself."
"At least she's here," Emily muttered. "I don't care what she does or what kind of Nighlok she sends after us, as long as she doesn't go to the Tengen Gate."
"Do you think she knows?" Mia turned to her little sister, "About Serena and Dekker, I mean?"
"I hope not."
"Dayu's sketchy," Mike wrapped his arm around Emily's shoulders and squeezed her comfortingly. "She always has been. My guess is she's trying to figure out which one of us to kill. Maybe she forgot all about Dekker."
"Serena told me she thinks Dayu has a crush on Dekker," Emily pointed out. Mia nodded her head.
"I wouldn't be surprised. The way she went after Serena… and you heard her. She said it was a matter for her and Dekker, though Dekker didn't seem to feel the same way."
"Girls, c'mon, it's just Dayu…"
"Do you think she's mad?" Emily asked, ignoring Kevin's comment. Mia shrugged her shoulders.
"Would you be?"
"It's like talking to a brick wall," Kevin threw his hands up in the air when he realised the girls weren't going to listen to him. Mia was so wrapped up in her suspected love triangle between Dekker, Dayu and Serena and Emily was too worried about Serena's wellbeing to let the matter go.
"Maybe it's time I did a little more research. It worked for Dekker, maybe we can save Dayu," Mia said.
"Save the monster who's trying to kill us?" Antonio rolled his eyes, "Alright, fine, I admit, it paid off with Dekker. But he was in love with a human! Dayu's totally different."
"I'll head home," Mia continued as if Antonio hadn't said a thing. The boys were really starting to feel invisible now. It didn't help that Mia wasn't even looking at them. Only Emily, "Want to help me?"
"Are you kidding?" Emily shook her head, "Dayu nearly killed my sister. I don't want to save her!"
"Your choice," Mia shrugged.
Mia started to make her way home, leaving the other Rangers in the plaza. Kevin watched her walk away and sighed loudly. He knew there was no point in trying to stop her, but he was going to have to keep his eye on her. If she let herself get carried away, he was scared she was going to get herself in a lot of trouble.
Mike was standing beside Emily, snapping his fingers in her face to see if she would remember he was there. Emily's eyes slowly shifted their focus from Mia to Mike and she frowned.
Swatting his hands away from her face she muttered: "Stop that, Mike."
"You do see me," he chuckled. "Look, Em, don't worry about Dayu."
"But Mia's usually right about stuff like this…"
"She watches way too many love movies," Antonio nodded. "Life isn't a fairy tale. Sometimes shit happens. No todo lo que brilla es oro."
"But what if she is mad at Serena?" Emily asked. "What if…"
"Emily, do you want to call your sister to check up on her?" Jayden asked, offering the yellow Ranger his cell phone. Emily nodded and took it from him without a second thought. She had Serena's number memorized and dialled it as she took a few steps away from the boys.
"That's Emily," Kevin sighed, "What about Mia?"
"It wouldn't hurt to let her do a little digging," Jayden shrugged his shoulders. "She might find something useful. But tell her to talk with all of us before she does anything. Mia's a reasonable person. She'll understand it's better to be safe than sorry."
