The Crystal Hearts
"Can you explain the Crystal Heart thing?" Emily asked, confused.
Mentor Ji nodded.
"Everyone in the samurai history has this thing called Crystal Hearts. The Crystal Hearts are held in a special temple," Mentor Ji explained.
"So there are thousands of crystals?" Mike asked.
"No, as of right now only eleven crystals are glowing. One for each person with samurai blood, or in Antonio's case, responsibility. Once that person dies, the light burns out, and the protectors of the crystals put them away. When one is born, a new crystal glows," he explained.
"What color do they glow?" Antonio asked, intrigued.
"They glow white, but Mike's and Emily's had a little black glow. Kevin's has a much smaller amount. One of the two is getting darker by the second," he answered.
"What happened if they shatter one?" Mia inquired.
"It is said, one of two things happen. One is that the person will no longer be a samurai, or two, the person will no longer be alive. It is hard to say, because it has never happened," the older man lectured.
"Has a Crystal Heart ever turned dark before?" Kevin questioned.
"Yes, a past ranger, I am not really sure which, turned against their teammates. The red ranger at the time, had to kill the ranger with a special sword. That ranger had a younger sibling, who took the place. The sword is held along side with the Crystal Hearts. Those things that attacked you, I think they were sent to you. The protectors of the Crystal Heart are the only ones who know, which one will turn on you," he told his students.
Jayden looked at the girl on his lap. She was listening closely to what their teacher told them.
"What do they look like?" Emily asked.
"They look like our hearts. And are white, with the glow. In reality, they are your ranger hearts. The temple is unknown. Only two ranger has ever gone there. It was the ranger who turn against the team, and the red ranger. That ranger tried to destroy every crystal. The team stop the ranger, before they were destroyed. The red ranger went to put the crystals back," the mentor said.
"Can't we just go to the temple and see the crystals?" Mike suggested.
The mentor shook his head. "The journey to the temple is one, not even Master Xandred would want to go. The Dark Ranger, which is what other had called the ranger, destroyed everything in sight. There were so many creatures, so many lives lost. The passage is a test of mind and strength."
"Mentor, do you think we'll have to kill one of them?" Mia asked, afraid of the answer.
"If a solution is not found by the time it's too late, the we won't have to kill anyone," he said.
"You didn't answer the question. Do you, not what might happen of we find a way, do 'you' think one of us is going to be killed?" Emily asked.
The mentor looked down and nodded.
"When is 'too late'?" Mike asked, his voice low.
"When too much harm has been done," he answered honestly.
It was getting dark and the two rangers with the most pain fell asleep.
"Who do you think it is?" Jayden asked, looking at a sleeping Emily and Mike.
"I say its Mike," Kevin said.
"I do, too," Antonio agreed.
"I disagree. I hope I'm wrong, but I say Emily," Mia put in.
"I must agree with Mia," Mentor Ji told the four.
Everyone turned to Jayden, who was staring at Emily.
"I have a horrible gut filling it's her," he whispered.
Jayden laid down next to her. Everyone, but Kevin, who was in bed rest for a while, left the room.
He hugged her close and fell asleep.
Mike had woken up and heard a little of what they said. He looked at the girl he fought Jayden for. He knew she needed the best, and he wasn't it.
He was hoping he was the one, not Emily, but he knew Emily's luck.
He fell into a dreamless sleep, not knowing what the next couple of days would hold.
"I told you, Emily, I am always right," Emily's father said. "Shut up," she snapped. He laughed. "Say goodbye to your team, and your life."
Emily woke up. She groaned as she felt pain in her body. She looked around in the dark room.
She felt someone next to her. She jumped.
The person next to her sat up and looked at her.
"Jay? Is that you?" She whispered, trying not to wake the other two boys.
"Yeah. Are you okay? You should be asleep," he said.
"Nightmare," was her answer.
"What was it about?" Jayden asked.
"What if he's right?" Emily asked, back.
"I don't know, Em, I really don't", Jayden answers, truthfully.
"If you had to, would you kill me?" Emily asked.
"I don't know. I know I wouldn't dream of it, but I had to, I just don't know what I'll do," Jayden answered, sad.
"Promise me, no matter what the future holds, you'll do what you think is right. Don't put the Earth on harms way, just because of a friendship, or relationship," Emily told him.
"I-I can't. Don't make me promise to kill you, I couldn't do that. Emily, I promise to try my very best to stop you, or Mike, but I can't promise to kill either of you," Jayden answered.
Emily laid down, with Jayden next to her.
"Why us?" Emily asked.
Jayden laughed. "Fate must hate us so much to cause us so much pain."
"Sure does."
"Go to sleep Emily, we'll figure this out in the morning."
"Good night, Jayden, I love you."
"I love you, too, Emily"
*Guess who the ranger that turned bad and get a preview of the new chapter.