The marathon was just about to start. Riley was warming up and prepping himself for the long run. He was sure that with his training, the marathon would be simple enough, but he didn't think it would be wise to overestimate his strength. As he stretched out his legs, he noticed Burt in the corner of his eyes. He seemed to be talking himself up, claiming he was going to be the one to set the record for the quickest time and that no one else would ever be able to beat him.

Riley felt his muscles tense. It was about time someone knocked Burt down a peg or two. Perhaps losing to the 'Brainiac' would show him not to pick on others for their different strengths. After all, Burt had never once believed Riley to be competent in any kind of sport. Losing to him would have to be humbling at the very least.

Riley needed a sure-fire way to not only beat Burt, but set and impressive time. One that would, for sure haunt Burt for the rest of his marathoning career and remind him not to pick on those who were smaller or weaker than him. The only way Riley could guarantee that was with a little boost from his energem. He pulled the necklace out from under his shirt and took the stone in his hand.

"Good thinking, Riley," Ivan said as he came over. "I shall guard you energem and keep it safe until you have completed your journey through the park."

"Actually, I... I was going to keep it close," Riley said. He couldn't give up his energem. Having it in his hands made it easier to summon his powers. The strength and speed especially would be required for him to put Burt in his place. If Ivan held the stone, Riley would just be another runner.

"Then might I suggest you keep the energem where it belongs," Ivan said and pointed to Riley's necklace, "It is most secured and protected there, not to mention it is hidden from prying eyes."

"I... I guess," the green Ranger reluctantly started to clip the energem back to his necklace, but Ivan stopped him with his hand on his arm. When Riley looked up, he could see the Knight was looking to him questioningly.

"Is there something that bothers you, Riley?" Ivan asked him. "You aren't considering using your energem in this race?"

"No, of course not," Riley lied, but couldn't bring himself to look Ivan in the eyes to make it convincing. "That would be cheating."

"Indeed, it would," Ivan nodded then he looked around at the other runners. "This sport is new to me, but it seems, like any other, most of the competitors have been in training for a while, have they not?"

"You don't just get up one day and run a marathon," Riley said. "It takes training."

"Yet, before yesterday, you had no such interest in this run," Ivan frowned. "You did enter at the last minute."

Ivan glanced to Riley's energem then looked Riley in the eyes.

"Do you intend on using the powers from your energem to help you in this race?"

"I just want to put that guy Burt in his place," Riley tried to justify his actions, hoping he could appeal to Ivan's sense of justice. "He's been picking on me since we were kids and it's just getting under my skin. He calls me brainiac."

"And a brainiac is..."

"Someone smart," Riley sighed. "But it's not flattering."

"But are you not an intellectual?"

"Well, I am but... Burt doesn't think I can run the marathon or even compete with him and the other kids. He thinks that because I'm smart, I can't be athletic."

"And this is not true?"

"I fight monsters, Ivan," Riley said. "I'm probably faster and stronger than him on my weaker days."

"And yet, you rely on the energem to prove your worth?" Ivan asked. "Seems a little odd to me."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, should you choose to prove to Burt that you are just as capable as he, maybe more, should you not rely on your own athletic ability? As you said, you are faster and stronger than he is. Why drain your energem of some of its powers unnecessarily?"

"I need to make sure I beat him."

"Humiliate him, more like it," Ivan put his hands on Riley's shoulders. "A win is only worth celebrating if it is honest and earned. Using the power of the energem might guarantee you reach the end of this journey before your opponent, but you would also be making a mockery of the many other competitors who have trained long and hard for this event. You would be depriving them of a fair finish."

"I... I guess I never thought of it like that."

Ivan gave a little nod. "Furthermore, what is it that you need to prove to this Burt character? Will beating him in this race make you a better person? Hone your skills? Pushed yourself to be stronger?"

Riley looked down and shook his head, "I guess not."

"Riley, you are a good person," Ivan assured him. "Cheating is not in your nature. I trust you will do what is right."

Riley gave a little nod and then offered his energem to Ivan. The gold Ranger shook his head.

"I care not for how you choose to run this journey," Ivan said. "I will leave the decision for the kind of person you choose to be up to you. I merely wish you good luck and hope that you will be the same Riley I knew once you cross the finish line."

Riley clipped his energem back to his necklace as he watched Ivan join the other Rangers on the sideline. One of the officials called for the runners to place themselves at the starting line. Riley made his way to the front, touched his energem one more time and then shook his head.

"I'll win this fair and square," he said to himself before tucking it away. Then he turned to Burt, "Hey, man. Good luck out there."

"Pff, I don't need it," Burt said dismissively and Riley could see the competitiveness on his face and suddenly he realized this was all Burt had. He was the town athlete. He could run, jump and swim, but that was about it. He never did well in school, he had trouble making friends and unless he had earned himself a sport's scholarship, he wasn't likely to go to college. In fact, he was destined for a life of working on his family's farm, using his strength and power to fix fences, feed the livestock and care for crops.

Riley had a whole world of opportunities waiting for him. Burt wasn't as fortunate. If anything, this marathon and school sporting events were the only time he could leave town. Once they graduated and Burt found himself working long days on the farm, he wouldn't have time to do the things he loved. Maybe this marathon, once a year, but that was it.

Riley gave a little nod. He had it better than Burt. He refused to sink down to his level. When the marathon began, Riley pushed himself, but he was no longer in competition with Burt. It didn't matter in what place he finished, just that he did his very best.