"Ziggy you just can't be a ranger!"

"I-I know that!"

"Really? Because you being in that costume isn't exactly showing that."

"Yeah Ziggy, this is permanent and dangerous, you could get seriously hurt. We need someone who can fight and watch our backs."

"No random kid can just walk off the street and suddenly become a ranger, you can't even handle yerself man! How are ye supposed to help us save the world?"

Ziggy was internally shrinking, it hurt but he kept that off his face, "Listen guys-"

"No! You need to realize this isn't a game! We're all in this because we have to protect the city, we all lost something here and that pushed us to work harder, to get rid of Venjix. And now you come in and decide you want to be a ranger, why because it's cool?!"

At that outburst from Scott, Ziggy's fingers clenched up, "Look-"

"There is absolutely no way that he can be Series Ranger Green. He is completely unqualified and the time and effort it would take to train him could jeopardize us. If he were remotely able to fight, perhaps we could work with him. But he has no experience what so ever, I doubt he would be able to function in a life or death situation."

"Doc you said this was permanent right?"

"Affirmative."

"Well then I suggest we all get used to the idea of Zig here being the newest addition to this freak show. There is absolutely nothing we can do to reverse it. So shut up and quit your whining, it won't change anything."

Ziggy shot Dillon a grateful look, he really hadn't meant to do it. Okay, so yes he had done it. But the alternative was to have Tenaya 7 have the morpher. What else was he supposed to have done?

"Yes but still-"

He twitched, he had enough, "Well next time I'll make sure to hand Tenaya 7 whatever technology she wants, not like she would use it against you guys. Who knows, maybe having the evil robot have control of the morpher would have been the better choice." He snapped and with that he walked out, demorphing fully as he made it to the living quarters.

He was annoyed and he'll admit it, angry. He hadn't lost anything?! Hadn't lost anyone?! As if! He had lost everything he ever cared about, everyone he cared for was always taken away from him. It always made him wonder if maybe he was cursed but then he would laugh, stuff like that wasn't real. Their words stung worse than ever before and he felt anger coursing through his veins, no matter the decision he made they would've been angry at him. Turn into the green ranger and they think it was a joke and he shouldn't have done it. Had he actually let Tenaya take the morpher then they would have called him weak and would've been angry that he couldn't have protected it. How was he supposed to win here?

He took a deep breath, trying to calm his nerves. Then he realized where he was and laughed, oh the irony! The sardonic grin grew at his realization of where he was, the room meant for the green ranger he had been using to escape from people, to get some privacy. It would now officially be his.

"I guess that's why they thought I had planned this or wanted this…" he mumbled as he took his spot outside his window on the emergency staircase.

He sighed, staring at nothing in particular.

"I lost too…" he said as he closed his eyes, bit his lip to keep from letting the emotions overrun him.

"Ziggy Grover! What the hell have I told you about the cartels?! I told you not to get involve with them!" he yelped in pain at the smack on his head, "Gah! You are so infuriating! What exactly are you playing at?"

"Ah Tay, I had to. Don't you see it's how we can survive. Either way we live here, they'll be here, in this neighborhood. Nothing we do will change that. So might as well get in good with them. At least we have that protection."

"Ziggy I don't care! You went behind my back and joined them, all this time I thought you were working too! Turns out this is cartel money." Her voice lowered at the end. Disappointment.

"Taylor look, I had to. Please understand I am working, doing what I have to do so we can live. I'll leave them once I get enough for us to move on." He took her face in his hands and he saw fear. She was afraid for him.

"I just don't want to lose you to these people. You're my Ziggy, my sweet and strong Ziggy. Please, promise me you won't let them change you, won't let them win." She said softly, so unlike the side she showed anyone else, the side she reserved only for him. Guess that's why they attracted each other, "Promise me you won't get hurt."

"I promise you Taylor, don't worry. I won't get hurt and I won't let them change me. And I swear, the minute we have enough money saved up we disappear into the night for a new life. At least now with both of us working, we can get out of here as soon as possible. Things will be alright in the end. Promise."

"Okay Zig."

He could almost feel her arms around him, as he held her, she had been so very afraid. But they had been strong. They were going to survive…Least that had been the plan. Before Venjix. Venjix ruined what happiness he had left.

"Zig?" His eyes snapped open and he realized Dillon was sitting beside him, "You okay?"

"Course Dillon," he was about to continue when he saw the look he shot him and he couldn't help but sigh, "No…I'm just…I dunno, angry? You know I wouldn't have done it unless I had no other choice, she would have gotten it and I guess I didn't think. Though having a worthless green ranger is better than having an evil version of Cameron out to get us…No need to give that Terminator more power right?" He joked.

"You did the right thing Zig and they'll come around, don't worry about it." He said nothing and for a few minutes there was only silence. Finally, "So, who did you lose?"

"What makes you ask that?" he asked casually though he was already looking for an escape, anyway he could leave without arousing suspicion.

"The way you reacted when they said you didn't lose anyone."

"They technically never said-"

"Ziggy." There was a warning there. He opened his mouth to protest but Dillon looked positively determined. He had a look that promised a world of pain if he didn't answer and answer honestly. Funny how good he had gotten at reading him.

"…Her name's Taylor." He said after a minute.

"Taylor?" he nodded, "Interesting name for a girl."

He couldn't help the snort there, "Yeah, definitely. What a wild card, loud and outgoing and could have you laughing in an instant. She could handle herself and tough as a diamond."

'Ziggy stop comparing me to a diamond! That is so lame.'

"A diamond?" there was a cocked brow there.

Ziggy chuckled, "yep. A diamond. She used to get so mad, she'd get all red and huffy too. But I think she secretly liked it cause she never did anything about it…" there was a long pause here, "I miss her."

Dillon didn't know what to say. He should have realized that Ziggy would had to have lost someone, hadn't everyone lost someone? But the way he was, he had never suspected it. It was odd seeing him to serious for once, no sly grin or witty remark. But at the same time, he knew the man could not have been all laughs.

Ziggy stood, "I'm tired, been a rough day. I'm going to bed okay?" he didn't give Dillon a chance to protest because just as quickly he was gone.

Dillon stayed there, knowing the young man wanted nothing more than privacy at this moment. So he allowed him ample time to at least get in bed and if he wanted, pretend to be asleep. After some time he stood, realizing that he was right about Ziggy. He truly was a more complex person that anyone gave him credit for and a part of him wanted to see just how complex he was.

This story line will not leave me! . GAH! And definitely slash, because I'm sorry this is an awesome couple that just compliments each other. So yeah, sorry if it feels a bit rushed. I just want to get to the good part where everyone else starts to realize Ziggy isn't who he seems and in order for that to happen, he has to be green ranger. And we need to get to the green ranger centric episodes. So yeah, time skipping at my disclosure. That and I'm taking liberties with his back story, guess that's why it's fanfiction huh? Yes? Yes.

Ban: Oh yes! The Ziggy angst! Gah! It is so addicting! I can't wait for everyone to realize that while yes, this is Ziggy it is also a mask. His personality is like that but that's not all there is to it. Glad you're intrigued, hopefully this one was good.