A/n: A cameo from one of the coolest Rangers.
Chapter 5: A Switch In The Plans
"Damn it!" Max growled as he kicked a desk, breaking it into two. He was pissed that the Demons had gotten away with Adam's Morpher. The whole team were all angry and shocked. They couldn't believe how the Demons had gotten a hold of it, and a few of them feel like they had just failed their mentor, who, at the moment, was struggling to his feet.
"It'll be alright," Roland suggested, placing a hand on Max's shoulder. "Right?" he asked, turning to the others.
"No, you incompetent nerd," Watt insulted as Meili walked over to help Adam to his feet, "They got away with the power to open up the underworld and bring back that demon king dude."
"No need for insults," Alexia said as she sat on a desk.
"Oh well, excuse me, Academy," Watt said in a mockinlgy sarcastic tone, and began to walk a few feet away.
"Don't worry," Roland began to assure everyone, "We'll get it back. I'm sure of it."
"Oh, yeah, I bet," Watt jestered, turning towards Roland and making his way up to him. "And how are we supposed to do that? Did you not see that oversized and mean looking demon? Or did you not noticed that there were five and that they were all really powerful. Oh, and of course, you must know where their lair is, right?" he heatedly asked, standing right in front of Roland who had his head bowed, and then shook his head. "No, that's right. You don't."
"Why are you getting on his case?" Alexia spoke up and standing up straight. Meili helped Adam walk over to the team as Max stood staring at the ground, grippng his sword tightly. "He's only giving us suggestion! It wasn't his fault!"
"Oh but that's where you're wrong," Watt growled, and then pointed at Roland who bowed his head further. "It is his fault. But not just his." He then pointed at Max. "It's his too! And you know what? All this was just a bit too sloppy. We lost focus and power. I don't think we're being led right, don't you think, Max?" Max didn't answer.
"Max is a great leader," Roland mumbled.
"I'm sorry, what was that?" Watt asked, pulling his head a little closer to Roland. "You squeaked something, go on, tell me."
"Why are you being a bully!?" Meili shouted.
"Oh yeah, I'm the bad guy!" Watt blurted out, holding out his arms. Suddenly, Max turned and began to walk away, but Watt suddenly held out a hand on his chest, stopping. "Woah there, Captain, where do you think you're you going? This isn't over."
"Get your hand away from me," Max said threateningly, looking up at Watt. Watt didn't move his hand. "I just need to go somewhere...and think."
"Well our conversation isn't over," Watt replied, "Plus we need to have a serious conversation here."
"About what?" Alexia asked, "To bully Roland some more?"
"About who should really lead this team," Watt answered simply and crossing his arms.
"Maybe we should take this conversation somenwhere else," Meili suggested, "Like back to the Mansion."
"No," Watt demanded, and then pointed down. "We're going to talk about this now. I don't think Max is right for the job!"
"What!?" Meili, Roland, and Alexia gasped out.
"Well, he's not very good at getting the four of us under control, is he?" Watt said, crossing his arms. "And none of you respect him!"
"That's not true!" Alexia shouted, pointing at Watt.
"We have nothing but respect for Max!" Meili argued.
"Yeah, whatever," Watt replied, and then turned to Max. "Look, I don't think you're fit for the job, Maxi. I think I can do a better job, here. So, how about I take the reins of this operation, yeah?"
"You can't be serious," Meili scoffed. "No way! Max is our leader - " But before she could go on, Max demorphed, staring down hard at Watt.
"You want the job, its yours," Max said through his clenched teeth. He looked at the others. "I'm outta here." And he left, hearing his name being shouted out. He quickened his pace, angrily storming out of the building, but once he was out, he heard shouting.
"Stop right there!"
"Freeze!"
"Don't move!"
Max froze on the spot and looked up. The area was full of policemen, hiding behind their vehicles, and aiming their weapons straight at Max who slowly raised his hands. "Great."
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"What the heck was that about!?" Alexia shouted at Watt, pushing against his shoulder as the group had come back to the Lab through the teleporter.
"Hey, I didn't make him renounce his leadership," Watt argued as he de-morphed, "You saw what he did. He did that all on his own accord."
"You were making it out that he was a failure as a leader," Meili countered as she then de-morphed. Meanwhile, Alpha was leading Adam away to the Medical area to check him over.
"I mean, am I wrong?" Watt said with his arms raised. "I mean, am I the only one who sees how Roland doesn't pay attention from time to time?" Roland bowed his head, de-morphing and staring at the ground. "Or how Meili doesn't always does what she's told no matter who it is?" Meili turned her head away. "Or how about you, Alexia? Undermining him in his decisions an replacing them with your own? Not to mention how you completely took over the Mansion remodeling project."
"We have flaws, we admit it," Alexia began as she was the last one to de-morph, "But we follow Max because he's our leader. He was chosen as our leader - "
"I didn't choose him to be my leader," Watt replied. "I came into this group thing because I realized that I couldn't beat those demon freaks because they were too strong to handle alone. And I've been thinking about taking lead since firehead isn't doing that good of a job. And seeing as he's now gone. I think you guys should look up to me."
Alexia suddenly laughed, "Ha, as if."
"Shush woman," Watt sniped, stunning Alexia with her mouth agape. "Look, Maxwell is gone. He gave up and I didn't tell him to. So, just give me a shot. I mean, why not?"
"Because you're an idiot!" Alexia quickly snapped, and then walked away.
"Yeah yeah, and you're so smart!" Watt quickly jabbed as she left the lab. He turned to look at Meili and Roland who were either staring or glaring at him. "Well," he said with a big grin. "Looks like i'm your guy!"
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"Where the hell are they!?" the Curator shouted out at his henchmen in anger, banging on his mahogany desk. "Where are my demons!?" he growled at the three black suited men in his office, all three of them looking clueless and nervous. Another man in a gray suit, nursing a cigar and looking middle-aged with gray hair, walked closer towards the desk. "They are supposed to be in my control, Hector. Why do I get the feeling that they're not!? Why are they running around like they have freedom! Huh? Tell me that, Hector!?"
The aged man named Hector simple and calmly nodded towards the Curator. "I am sorry to say, sir," he began in an British accent, "That the jewel in our possesion only brings them out of the Underworld, and doesn't give us complete control over them."
"Why not!?" The Curator growled out. "What do I have to do to have them in my complete control!"
"Maybe more jewel power," Hector suggested, "Or maybe my team and I could create a mind-controlling device of some kind - "
The Curator nodded, "Good," he said, "Why don't you get on that!" Hector nodded and swiftly left the office. One of the Henchmen stood there, silently sneering towards the Curator. He too turned, and followed Hector out of the office, and once he was out of sight, the Henchmen's eyes suddenly turned black, and instantly disappeared in a void of black smoke. He reappeared in the deepest part of the Museum where the priceless and ancient artifacts were being held. Not just objects, but it was beginning to look like a hotel for Demon. There were many demons in the area, just minding their own business and waiting for their chance to go out and attack.
The Henchman walked up to four demons who were talking around in a circle. They were four of the five demon Siblins, Beserkis, Amuercia, Oombra, and Pyralis, who happened to be holding onto Adam's Morpher. "Sister," the Henchman announced, "Brothers." The demons turned towards the man who suddenly transformed into the fifth demon Sibling, Hellion, who grinned evilly yet mischeviously.
"Ah, Hellion," Pyralis spoke, as they all turned to the youngest of the siblings. "What news have you brought us today?"
"Not much today," Hellion replied, "Though the Curator isn't at all happy that he doesn't fully control us. He plans to fix that."
"How so?" Ameurcia asked.
"He put his lead scientist on it to make him some sort of mind-controlling device," Hellion began to answer. "The Curator wants to completely control us and do his bidding."
"Well, we can't have that, can we," Oombra spoke, leaning on his staff turning to look at Beserkis. "Should we destroy him and the Curator now? We have the means to releasing our father."
"I think they could be a little more use for us," Pyralis spoke, and then began to smile, "For now."
"But what of the Power Rangers?" Beserkis asked in a deep growling voice.
"I have an idea about that," Hellion said as he smiled mischeviously, barring his fangs.
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Later that night, Max was sitting in s small interrogation room, leaning on a small table, with his hands cuffed together. He had been there for hours, and no one had come to talk to him. He looked around the room. There was a door leading out, a small two-way mirror, and another mirror looking out to a large office with many desk and with few police officers or detectives at them. He rubbed his chest, noticing the missing jewel around his neck. The cops had taken away his power.
Out of the corner of his eye, he saw moment through the window. He looked up to see a girl with books in her hands walking towards one of the desks. Max perked up and saw that it was the girl from a couple of weeks ago; the one he ran into right before the demons begun to appear, and before he got his powers. That was the last time he had seen that girl. She stopped at a desk with a detective at it and they began to exchange words. They seemed to be arguing and from what Max could guess, that that detective was the girl's father. Suddenly, the girl huffed and then walked away. He couldn't see where, but then, that same detective stood up and began making his way towards the interrogation room.
Max got a good look at the detective. He was an average looking man with a five o'clock shadow, black hair tinged with gray, a badge around his neck and a holster on his shoulder with no gun in the holster. The detective entered the room with a thin file, which Max figured that it was his, and shut the door behind him. He slapped the file on the desk and pulled out a chair from the other side of the table and sat down. He leaned back, crossed his arms, and just stared at Max.
Max stared back, and then glanced all around, and then back at the Detective. "So who talks first? Do you talk first or do I talk first?" Max began. "Detective...?"
"Murdock," The Detective answered, staring down at Max and then leaned foward. "Clean record, son."
"Thank you," Max replied with a nod, leaning back in his chair. "I tried very hard not to do bad things." Lifting his legs up and placing them on the table. "And I guess you're wondering why I was inside a building that had been crawling with monsters?"
"Oh? Monsters huh?" Murdock replied, laughing a little and wiping his lip with his thumb. "As I recall, that Research Facility wasn't full of any monsters." Max suddenly looked confused. "It was only fulled on confused scientists who didn't know what they were doing, and a whole lot of destruction in their labs. Now, since those scientists can't really remember a thing, I'm going to have to tell you what went on in there and why it involves you? So, tell me the truth."
"Er..." Max began, glancing around. "Well, the Monsters - "
"Again the monsters?"
Max stomped his feet on the ground. "Hey! There were monsters there!" he growled. "You know they're around! The demons out there wreaking havoc and those Power Rangers fighting them off!"
"Yes, so I've heard," Murdock replied with a nod, "But there were no demons there - "
"They were!" Max shouted. "They were there for some reason that I don't know!"
"Why were you there?" Murdock asked, staring Max down.
Max opened his mouth and then shut it as his mind began to run with things that he could say that would sound more truth worthy without having to reveal the whole truth. "I was doing some research for college," He answered simply.
"What kind of research?" Murdock asked with a raised eyebrow.
"Er," Max began, looking clueless as nothing was going through his mind. "Reseach...on...the effects of...ffffsss - "
"I've heard enough," Murdock said, holding up a hand, and then stood to his feet. "If you're not going to tell me the truth or anything at all, then I guess you're stuck here. At least until someone comes forward and tells me the truth of what really happened in that Research Facilicty." Detective Murdock grabbed Max's file and walked towards the door where a door opened to reveal a Police Officer. "Officer," he spoke to the cop. "Escort Mr. Ramirez to his cell." The Cop nodded as Murdock left the room.
"Today is just the best day ever," Max mumbled to himself. How was he going to get out of this one.
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The next morning, Watt had woken up extra early in his new spacious room at the Isis Mansion. A few days after becoming part of the team, Watt decided to move in and brought everything he owned. He thought this Mansion was great at his expense and he was going to take advantage of it. And he also was going to take advantage of his new role of the team; being the leader. Watt stood in the hallway at five in the morning, wearing a yellow track suit. He lifted his arms. In one hand, a pot; and in the other, a drumstick.
Suddenly, Watt began to run through the mansion, banging the pot with the drumstick as loudly as he could and shouted, "Time to wake up! It's time to get down on some training! Let's go, let's go, let's go!" Minutes later, everyone was in the den room, sitting on couches in their pajamas, sleepily glaring at Watt.
"Do you have any idea what time it is?" Alexia asked, rubbing both of the temples of her head. Meili was curled up on a small plush chair wrapped in a small blanket; Roland was sitting next to Adam nodding on and off, trying not to fall back asleep. Adam was surprisingly wide awake, and Alpha was nowhere to be seen.
"I do," Watt said, looking at his watch. "It is currently 5:17 in the morning. Besides, I figured out of all of you, you'd be awake."
"It's Saturday," Alexia groaned out.
"Meaning what?" Watt said with a shrug.
"That I sleep in on the weekends," Alexia answered through her teeth.
"Well not today," Watt began, looking at his teammates individually. "Because today, we are starting a new training regime!"
"But it's saturday," Roland lazily whined, "We relax on weekends unless there's trouble."
"Well, times are changing," Watt replied, hands on his hips. "And as your new leader - "
"I still don't accept you as my leader," Meili said with here eyes closed.
"As your new leader," Watt repeated louder and clearer, "I say we train earlier and harder than ever. Use those new chambers Alpha created for us. They're completed, so we need to get a handle on our newfound abilities!"
"He's got a point," Adam commented.
"Yes he does," Alexia agreed, "I admit that, but was it really neccessary to abruptly wake us up in the early hours of the morning to tell us this? I mean, couldn't it not wait until later?"
Watt looked pensive as he stared through Alexia, but then shook his head. "Nah," he said, "It just wouldn't have been as funny."
"I am going to kill you," Alexia growled through her teeth. She stood up and began to leave the den.
"Alright!" Watt said, clapping his hands together. "Any questions before we begin out training?"
Meili turned to look at Adam. "Did Max not come in last night?" she asked.
Adam shook his head and shrugged. "I'm not sure," he answered. "I didn't see him come in."
"I hope he's alright," Meili said.
"Who cares," Watt interrupted with a sigh. "He left remember? He's gone. Now! Let's start our training!"
"I'm going to go get some coffee," Meili said, ignoring Watt and standing to her feet.
"I'll go with you," Roland said, slowly waking up. "I could use a bearclaw." He stood to his feet and began to follow Meili out of the den.
"Alright!" Watt said, waving his teammates away. "Yeah! I'll just get started on my own! And I'll end up being the strongest one on the team!"
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An hour later, Meili and Roland were strolling through the streets of WhiteCliff Haven. They were on a mission to get some coffee and breakfast foods. "I really do hope Max is alright," Meili commented.
"I'm sure he is," Roland replied, walking next to Meili and reading a comic book. "He's a strong guy. Can handle himself."
"Yeah, I know that," Meili said with a roll of her eyes. "I mean, I hope Watt didn't discourage him and make him self-doubt himself. I mean, I do respect Max and he did a good job leading us, right?"
"I think he does a good job," Roland say, lowering his comic book. "Max was a born leader. I don't think it's him that's the problem. I think it's us. Actually I don't think it's even us. Maybe it's Watt? He was the one who pushed Max out by making him feel like he was a failure. Be he didn't just fail. We all failed."
"You know," Meili began with a small smile. "I think we are getting better fighting as a team. Maybe we should all train together like how Alexia and I were training together yesterday."
"Yeah, what was up with that?" Roland asked, "You guys are usually at each other's throats." Meili solemnly shrugged.
The two adults began to appraoch the coffee shop when suddenly, there were surrounded by explosions, throwing them onto the ground. "Come on," Roland groaned, "It is too early for this."
"Look what we have here! Two little Rangers all alone!"
Meili and Roland winced as the sat up to see who was attacking them. "It's Hellion," Meili groaned. And with Hellion, were about a dozen Demonites.
"What do you want!?" Roland growled as the two stood to their feet.
"Oh, I thought I'd mix things up a bit," Hellion spoke as a staff with a small crystal ball attached to the top of it materialized in his hands. `He pointed it towards the two Rangers releasing purple wave energy.
"Watch out!" Roland shouted, tackling Meili to the ground as the purple wave energy passed the duo, striking and exploding a wall. Roland and Meili then jumped to their feet, looking defiant. "Ready!?" he said.
"Ready!" Meili shouted as both Rangers grabbed their jewels with their left hand and thrusting out their right hand, both call, "Spirit of the Beasts, Transform!"
"Demonites, attack," Hellion calmly damnded, pointing his staff forwards. The demonites growled and ran towards the Rangers.
"Beast Clawgrip!" Roland called up, his Clawgrip appearing in his hands. He gripped a nearby demonite tossing it into the air, and kicking the next one that was approaching. He slashed the next two oncomings demonites, and then lifted his Clawgrip that began to glow with green energy. "Final Beast Strike!" He shouted, releasing the green energy towards the demonites he knocked down, disentegrating them into dust.
"Beast Staff!" Meili called up, her Staff appering in her hands. Once the demonites approached, Meili began to swing her staff, striking the demonites left and right, knocking them down to the ground. She lifted one over of head and then swept the legs of another. She then began to twirl her staff the began to glow with blue energy. "Final Beast Strike!" She yelled, releasing a wave of blue energy towards the demonites she defeated, destroying them completely.
The two Rangers then turned towards Hellion who had already pointed his staff which released purple wave energy, surrounding the two Rangers. "Oh no!" Meili cried. "We're trapped!" Suddenly, the energy was sucked into both rangers who began to scream. The energy retreated from both, one energy wave blue, the other green. Suddenly, the green energy flew into Meili and the blue energy flew into Roland. Both Rangers continued to scream out in pain while Hellion laughed. "Have fun Rangers!" He said running up to the two Rangers, grabbing them and knocking them back into an alleyway, both falling unconscious.
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Once again, Max was back in the interogation room sitting with his hands cuffed trying to figure out how he was going the get out of this one. He could wait it out, right? They had no evidence to keep him here, right? They did have him at the scene, but that didn't mean anything, did it? He didn't know. Maybe he should get a lawyer. But why? He actually didn't do anything wrong. Max sighed heavily, looking out the window. There she was again, sitting at Detective Murdock's desk, reading a textbook. He wondered what she was reading but couldn't make it out from where he was sitting.
Suddenly, Detective Murdock walked in sight with a file in his hands, walking up to his desk, and exchanged words with his daughter. He snapped around as if someone called his name, and the another man came into sight. He was a tall dark skinned and bald man wearing a blue suit. He began to speak to Murdock, and after a few seconds, anger began to etch on the face of Murdock who slammed down the file, looking Max's way, and then walked away. The girl also looked Max's way. The dark skinned man in the blue suit began to make his way towards Max, entering the room.
"Hi, how are ya?" he asked with a smile upon his face. He was holding a small yellow envelope.
"I'm good," Max said, narrowing his eyes towards the man. "How about you?"
"I'm great!" the man replied with a nod, continuing to smile. "Look, Mr. Ramirez. There seems to be a mistake here."
"A mistake?" Max repeated with an inquiring eyebrow. "I mean, yeah, a mistake. Why wouldn't there be."
The dark skinned man chuckled, took a seat, uncuffed Max, and then handed him the small yellow envelope. "I believe these are yours," the man said.
Max smiled, grabbing the envelope and opening it, emptying it's contents. "Thanks," he said, seeing his wallet, cell phone, watch, and his red jeweled necklace. Max quickly grabbed his necklace and place it around his neck.
"That's an interesting item," the dark skinned man noticed. "What is it, if you don't mind me asking."
"Oh uh," Max began, examing his jewel of power, thinking of an answer. "It was a gift from a very special friend." It technically wasn't a lie.
"Interesting," the man replied, lifting up his left hand to rub his chin. That's when Max notice something strapped to his wrist. Something that was not a watch at all. "Well, Max. I think they've kept you here long enough," he said as Max grabbed the rest of his items and pocketed them.
"I'd say you're free to go." Max nodded as the two stood to their feet. The dark skinned man held out his hand. "It's nice to meet you."
Max shook his hand. "Nice to meet you to," he said, "Mr...?"
The dark skinned man smiled. "Just call me TJ." He turned and began to leave, but then stopped and turned. "One more thing." Max looked up at the man named TJ. "Don't give up so easily, Max. Be confident in what you do. There may be tough times, but the difficulties which you face will make you more determined to achieve your objectives and to win against all the odds. As long as you guys stick together through it all." And with that, TJ left the room, leaving a very confused Max.
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"So you found them unconscious in an alley way," Watt said as he was in the infirmary with Adam, Alpha, and Alexia, staring at Meili and Roland who were laying on a bed.
Alexia rolled her eyes. "Why do you keep saying that?" she spoke with her arms crossed. "I told you this ten minutes ago. They've been gone for a few hours, and the coffee shop isn't even that far from here. And I found them unconcsious as if they were attacked by someone."
"But by who?" Watt asked, looking inquisitive.
"Who else?" Alexia berated. "Obviously it was the demons."
"Right," Watt spoke with a nod, and then pointed at the two unconscious Rangers. "See, had we gone into training like I said, none of this would have happened. And had we done our training, they would have bee more experienced and would not have been knocked unconscious." Suddenly there was a groan. "I wonder if they're okay, and remember what went down and how they failed so hard?"
Alexia sighed in exasperation as Meili and Roland began to answer. "Are you guys alright?" she asked. Neither answered.
"Ask them a question they might know," Adam suggested.
Alexia nodded and looked at Roland. "Roland," she began, "What does S.H.I.E.L.D. stand for?"
"That's debabtable," Meili answered as she sat up with a groan. "I mean, there are three different titles, but the latest is trategic Homeland Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division."
"Wait a second," Watt said, pointing at Meili as Alpha began to examine over the two Rangers. "Why did she answer that perfectly? I've never seen her read a comic book ever."
"What are you talking about?" Meili said towards Watt, scratching her head. "I read comic books all the time."
"Since when?!" Alexia incredulously asked.
"Since I was...five," Meili answered, looking to her right to see Roland staring wide-eyed at her. "What am I doing over there?" she asked, pointing at Roland.
"What the hell is going on?" Watt asked, looking at Roland and Meili.
"Roland," Alexia called, looking at Roland. "Or...Meili, What temple, dedicated to the goddess Athena, is located on the Acropolis?"
Roland rubbed his eyes. "I believe that's Parthenon," Roland answered.
"How does he even know that?" Watt asked. "I didn't even know that."
"Meili takes Greek History classes," Alexia answered. "Looks like they've somehow switched bodies."
"But how did this even happen?" Watt asked.
"We were attacked," Roland answered, rubbing the back of his neck. "It was Hellion. He shot us with some kind of staff with energy. I guess it switched our bodies."
"Please tell me there is a way to fix this," Meili frantically spoke. "I can't be a girl for the rest of my life! I don't want to be a girl! I don't even know how to be a girl!"
"Calm down, Meili," Watt sighed, rolling his eyes.
"I am calm," Roland answered.
"Not you, her!" Watt growled, pointing at Meili.
"I'm a guy!" Meili cried.
"You're a girl!" Watt cried back turning to Alexia and Adam. "This is ridiculous! How do we fix this!?"
Adam opened his mouth, but it was Alexia who answered. "I thought you were our 'leader'?" she spoke in a sarcastic tone. "Shouldn't you be the one to figure this out?"
Watt opened and closed his mouth, words not forming from his mouth. "Well, Captain?" Roland asked with raised eyebrow towards Watt. "What do you think we should do?"
"Well, I guess we should train," Watt suggested, hand on his chin.
"Train?!" Meili incredulously repeated. "At a time like this?"
"Yes," Watt said with a nod. "We'll train and then we'll call out Hellion, defeat him and maybe get you guys to change back."
"But Hellion is a demon sibling," Roland commented, "He isn't going to be easy to defeat. I mean, not with just the four of us."
"We need Max!" Meili blurted quickly.
"No!" Watt shouted out. "No, we don't need Max. He abandoned us, remember? Look, we're going to do what I say. I'm your leader, remember? We train and then we challenge Hellion. That's the only way!"
Roland and Meili both looked at Alexia. Roland had Meili's hardened look when she was frustrated while Meili had Roland's softened and begging look when he didn't want to do what Watt told him to do. Alexia sighed. "We'll do what he says," she said. Roland looked even more frustrated while Meili looked disappointed.
Watt nodded. "Good," he said. "Meet me in the Chamber Area," he added and left the infirmary.
Alexia watched him leave and then turned towards the others. "He does have a point," she told Meili and Roland. "Hellion being one of the Demon Siblings makes him one of the more powerful foes. And we need to be stronger to defeat him."
"But Roland's right," Roland spoke up. "We're going to need Max if we're going to try and defeat Hellion."
"I agree," Alexia replied. "You two go ahead and train with Watt. I'm going to go look for Max and bring him back. Maybe talk him into being our leader again."
Meili and Roland nodded and watched as Alexia left. Roland looked over at Meili who was staring down at her chest. "Don't even think about it, Roland," Roland hissed.
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Max exited the Police Station with a heavy sigh. He was free and he didn't have to even reveal the real truth as to why he was at the Research Facility. Thanks to Tj, whoever that was. He wandered what it was that TJ said to Detective Murdock to get him to get off scott free. Whatever it was, Max was sure grateful. He hoped his teammates weren't worried about him, but as he thought about it, why should they? Didn't he leave them and give his leadership job to Watt. Sure, leave them in the hands with Watt. What's the worst that could happen?
"Are you going to stand there all day long?" someone said from behind Max.
Max turned around to see Detective Murdock's daughter hugging her books and smiling towards him. Max blushed and smiled back. "Crossed my mind," he replied. "I'm Max."
"Eliza," The girl replied with a nod. "So, what were you in for?" she asked.
Max thought about it for a second and then answered, "Trespassing. I was somewhere I wasn't exactly supposed to be."
"WhiteCliff Haven's Science Research Facility," Eliza named. Max nodded. "If you don't mind me asked, why were you there, trespassing?"
"I was," Max began as he tried to think of something to say. "I was curious," he asnwered.
"Interesting," Eliza commented, moving past Max and down some steps. Max followed after her becuase he didn't want to end the conversation there. "
"Well, I was curious about what kind of expirements went on down there," Max continued to say.
Eliza giggled. "There are no kind of expirements at the Research Facility," she replied. "Just research on all things science."
"And how do you know that?" Max asked as he walked next to Eliza with his hands in his pockets.
"Because I work there," Eliza simply replied. "And I'm curious too, Max. I mean, what kind of guy goes into a Research Facility and trashes the place?"
Max looked stunned. "What!" He blurted. "No. I didn't...I...well...you see...what happened was - "
Suddenly, Max was struck from behind. He shouted as he was thrown forward and to the ground, causing Eliza to scream out. She turned around to see a tall red demon Max knew too well as Pyralis. "What do we have here," Pyralis spoke.
"A monster," Eliza gasped, dropping her books. "You were telling my father the truth."
"Of course I was," Max groaned, standing to his feet with a wince.
"Demonites!" Pyralis growled. "Arise!" Nearly a dozen Demonites arose around Pyralis, growling and snarling. "Attack the puny humans!" he ordered.
"Get out of here!" Max demanded.
"What are you crazy?!" Eliza incredulously berated, grabbing onto Max's arm.
"I'll be fine! You need to get outta here!" Max replied, lightly pushing Eliza as he ran forward and began to fight off the Demonites. He jumped and kicked the first demon, ducking and dodging some claw swipes from the demonites. He turned onley to be punched in the chest by Pyralis.
"Ha ha!" Pyralis laughed as Max was knocked back into a couple of Demonites. The Demonites grabbed onto Max's arms and held onto the tightly. "Had I known defeating you was this easy, I'd let my sister do the job!" Pyralis raised his sword, but before he could strike, the sword was surprisingly kicked out of his hand. Pyralis growled and turned to see that it had been Eliza who had kicked his sword away. "How dare you, you little girl!" Pyralis hissed.
"Let him go," Eliza demanded, fists raised and ready to fight.
"Are you crazy!?" Max cried. "Get out of here."
"I'm not going anywhere without you," Eliza defiantly replied.
"Demonites, get the girl!" Pyralis ordered. The demonites hissed and ran towards Eliza. Max was in awe when he saw how Eliza handled herself against the Demonites. She moved wiftly and gracefully, punching, kicking, and knocking every demonite that came her way. She knew how to fight, and she was really good at it. Pyralis growled in anger, running forward and surprised Eliza, back handing her in the side of the face, knocking her unconscious.
"No!" Max yelled out. He broked free from the demonites, kicking one and then punching the other. He grabbed his jewel of power. "Spirit of the Rhino, Transform!" And he morphed into the Red Ranger.
"There's the fighter I've been looking for!" Pyralis spoke.
"You're going down Pyralis!" Max growled, making his Scimitar appear in his hands. Pyralis retrieved his sword and began to run towards Max who was running towards him, but before they could reach each other, Oombra appeared in between them.
"Stop this!" he growled, holding out his hands towards one or the other, causing them to instantly halt in their tracks. "What do you think you're doing?!" Oombra hissed at Pyralis. "Hellion's plan has been put in motion and you're ruining it!" Pyralis sneered at his brother, lowering his sword.
"Next time, Red Ranger," He spoke, and then disappeared in red smoke along with Oombra.
"Hellion's plan?" Max repeated as he demorphed, wondering what was going on. He had to get to the others to see if they knew anything. But first, Max quickly ran over to Eliza, lightly touching her face. She moaned and her eyes fluttered open.
"What happened?" Eliza muttered.
"That monster happened," Max answered, helping her sit up. "Don't worry though, he's gone. Are you okay?"
"Besides the pain in my face?" Eliza replied, lightly touching the side of her face. "I'm great."
"Alright, good," Max said with a nod. "Look, I really have to go! I need to...do something."
"You're just going to leave me here?" Eliza asked as Max stood to his feet, "What if I need to get to the doctor or something?"
"I'm sure you can make it on your own," Max said as he turned, but wince in mistake at his words. He turned back to Eliza. "I mean...if it wasn't that important I would like nothing more than to accompany you to the emergency room, but this is really important! I gotta go! I swear I'll make it up to you!" He turned and began to jog off.
"What if I don't see you again!?" Eliza shouted after him.
"Don't worry," Max shouted back, "I have a feeling we'll see each other again!"
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Alexia enter the chamber room with a disappointed look on her face. She sighed heavily and sat down on a bench. That same bench where Meili was laying in front of it, face down on her belly, and with Roland laying on the bench on his back, both sweating heavily. Watt was nowhere to be seen. Roland sat up and looked at Alexia. "Any luck?" he asked.
Alexia shook his head. "No," she answered. "I couldn't find him anywhere. I don't know where he could be."
"Did you check the College?" Roland asked.
"Of course I did," Alexia replied. "The college, the mall, the skatepark, his apartment."
"Maybe you should text him," Meili mumbled from the floor.
"I did," Alexia replied with a sigh. "And I called him. But no such luck. Went straight to voicemail."
"Maybe you - "
"Look whatever you're going to suggest," Alexia began in a tired tone, "I've already done it. How was the training?"
"Watt pushed us harder than ever," Roland answered, laying back down. "Roland only lasted ten minutes. He's been lying like that for over an hour now."
"I can't move," Meili mumbled into the floor.
Alexia giggled. "I don't know how we're going to do this if Watt is going to lead this team," she said in a more serious tone.
"What we need to do is have Watt realize that Max is the one who should lead this team," Roland siad, "Not him."
"How do you suppose we do that?" Alexia asked, but before her question could be answered, Watt ran into the room.
"We've got trouble!" Watt informed. "Draigon and Hellion are making trouble in the square! Let's go!" And he ran out the room.
"Oh no," Meili groaned from the groaned. "I can barely move," he added struggling to his feet."
"Come on," Alexia encouraged, walking over to help Meili to her feet while Roland stood to his. "We have to go."
Meanwhile, at the City Square, Hellion and Draigon were lounging in some chairs as some of the demonites were wreaking havoc amongst the civilians. "Look at them go!" Draigon laughed as some demonites tossed around some humans.
"This is the best day ever!" Hellion laughed away. "Nothing can ruin it!"
"I beg to differ!" A portal opened up and four Ranger morphed and ready to fight exited it. Alexia and Watt were in full sprint while Meili and Roland were jogging, already tired from training too hard. What was different was that Meili was in a green Stag Ranger suit and Roland was in a blue Shark Ranger suit.
"Ah, the Rangers!" Hellion said, jumping to his feet excitedly as the Rangers stopped a few feet away; Meili and Roland both breathing heavily, more than Alexia and Watt. "Some more fun we can have!"
"You're fun days are over, Hellion!" Watt shouted, pointing towards Hellion.
"Oh I'd say they're just getting started!" Hellion replied, pointing his staff forward. "Demonites! Attack the Rangers!" The Demonites turned away from the civilians and began to make their way towards the Rangers.
"Alright, Rangers," Watt spoke, "Let's take 'em out!" Watt ran forward, attacking the first oncoming demons. Alexia ran up to them as well, while Meili and Roland waited for the Demonites to come to them.
"Meili, I don't know how long I'll be able to last," Meili told Roland. "I am so exhausted."
"Just hang in there, Roland," Roland replied with a nod. Meili nodded back.
The Demonites ran up to the two tired Rangers who began to tiredly fight back. Meili swung at a demonite, but missed and was kicked into the abdomen, and elbowed into the back, throwing her into the ground. A few demonites surrounded her and began to kick her from the ground. Roland was able to kick the first Demonite away, but he was slower than usual. He threw a punch, but it was caught and he was slashed in the chest three times in a row, and then he was thrown violently to the ground.
"What is wrong with you guys!" Watt shouted as he finished off his last demonite. "Get up! Fight back!" he ordered.
"You tired them out!" Alexia told Watt as she tossed her last demonite to the ground. "You pushed them too hard and now they're worn out and exhausted."
"That shouldn't matter," Watt said softly, "Should it?" He turned only to find Draigon behind him, who then suddenly struck him in the chest, sending Watt flying towards the ground with a yell.
"He ha!" Draigon laughed, "Revenge is sweet!"
Watt look up over at Roland and Meili who were too tired to fight back, being struck left and right, screaming out in pain as they were being beaten by the demonites. "What have I done?" he said to himself, clenching his fist and getting angry. Watt jumped up and began to attack Draigon.
Alexia turned and ran over to help her teammates, but before she could reach them, Hellion appeared in front of her. "Not so fast, Pinky," he said.
"Hellion, what did you do to my friends!" Alexia growled towards the demon sibling.
"Oh, I just decided to switch them up a bit," Hellion answered truthfully, "I figured things were a bit dull. I wanted to kick things up a notch. And it seems to be working." Alexia looked behind Hellion. Meili and Roland were tossed into a wall, both demorphing and falling to the ground in pain. Hellion laughed, and while Alexia was distracted, Hellion struck her in the chest with his staff. He grabbed her by the neck. "It's over for you Rangers!" Hellion growled, and then he tossed her over next to Meili and Roland. Hellion jumped over to her as she stood to her feet. He raised his staff and quickly struck her in the chest five different times. Alexia groaned out as she fell to the ground, demorphing.
Watt was left, using his anger to fight agains Draigon with everything he had, though he wasn't doing a great job. He threw many punches and kicks, but Draigon easily blocked everything. He pulled out his Axe and began to swing it at Watt who dodged the best he could. Suddenly, he was struck in the back, throwing him to the ground. He groaned in pain and looked in the distance. His teammates were all demorphed and laying on the ground in pain. What did he get himself into? He failed them. He pushed his friends too hard that they weren't able to defend themselves. He wasn't meant for this job. He was no leader. He wasn't Max. He couldn't do it. Watt punched the ground. "I'm sorry!" he growled out. His fist began to electrify and he stood to his feet, facing Draigon. Watt shouted and threw his fist out forward, releasing a lightning bolt towards Draigon. He used all his energy, causing him to demorph.
"I don't think so!" Draigon replied, holding his axe out, capturing the lightning energy and then suddenly sent it back towards a shocked Watt. All he could do was cover himself with his arms and brace himself.
"Spirit of the Rhino!"
A large fire-shaped Rhino appeared, jumping in front of Watt, and taking the hit, causing a large explosion of energy. "What!?" Draigon cried in anger through the smoke. "Impossible."
"Nothing's impossible." The smoke cleared to reveal Max, ready to fight and defend his friends. "When you're a Power Ranger."
"Max," Watt gasped in relief.
"Hang tight, Watt," Max replied. "I'll take care of this. Spirit of the Rhino, Transform!" Max morphed into the Red Ranger. Watt nodded and ran over to check on the others as Hellion reappeared next to Draigon. "This ends today, Hellion!" Max said.
"You can't take both of us on," Hellion replied. "You're not strong enough."
"It doesn't matter how strong I am," Max defiantly replied, "I will never give up fighting. I will do whatever it takes, even if it takes my last breath to do it. Beast Scimitar!"
"Finish him, Draigon!" Hellion ordered.
"Yes my Prince," Draigon said with a nod, and ran towards Max.
Draigon swung his axe downwards, but Max dodged and struck Draigon in the back, and then kicked him forward. Draigon turned and swung his axe horizontally, but Max ducked under it, and then jumped up, slashed upward on Draigon's chest. Draigon shouted out and fell backwards. Max then traced the edge of his blade with his fingers, causing it to glow with red energy. "Final Beast Strike!" Max swung his sword downwards, releasing red energy towards Draigon, striking him harshly, exploding Draigon. He was down, but not out.
"Impressive," Hellion said to Max. "You seem to be the strongest of all."
"I believe we are all strong," Max replied, "If we believe in ourselves."
"Beliefs," Hellion said with a laugh. "What a waste." Hellion then ran forward and began to fight Max, instantly knocking the scimitar out of Max's hand, and then struck him powerfully in the chest, knocking him back into the others, demorphing back to himself.
"Are you okay?" Roland asked, helping Max to his feet.
"Yeah, I'm fine, Roland," Max replied.
"Meili," Roland corrected.
"What?"
"Hey!" Hellion shouted towards the Rangers. "This was easier said that done! You Rangers are toast!" He raised his staff with the small crystal ball at the top which began to glow with purple energy.
"What do we do?" Meili asked.
"There's nothing you can do!" Hellion replied, spinning his staff around and then thrusting it forward. But suddenly, out of nowhere, blast appaered and exploded around Hellion, causing him to stop what he was doing.
"What was that!?" Alexia shouted.
"Who dares attack me!?" Hellion shouted, as he and the Rangers looked around for the source.
"Astro Blaster!" Another blast appeared and struck Hellion in the arm, casuing him to drop his staff.
"My staff!" Hellion cried, and then the Rangers watched as someone appeared out of nowhere.
"Astro Axe!" he shouted, jumping down, bringing down his axe and destroying Hellion's staff. Suddenly, purple energy surrounded Meili and Roland; their friends surprised and shocked by the event. They watched as green energy exited from Meili and blue energy exited from Roland. The blue energy flew back into Meili and the green into Roland. The Rangers then turned back forward.
A blue figure slowly stood up, standing inbetween the Rangers and Hellion and Draigon. "It's the Blue Space Ranger!" Roland shouted in awe.
"Thought you guys could use a little help," The Blue Space Ranger replied.
"Thanks, man, we really appreciate it!" Max said with a nod.
"I agree," Watt agreed. Everyone looked at him with a smile. "And I think it's time for round two? I mean, if you guys are up for it?" He asked, looking at Meili and Roland.
Meili and Roland glanced at one another and nodded. "Let's do it, Watt," Meili said. All the Rangers faced foward.
"Ready?" Max asked.
"Ready!" His team replied, and they all grabbed their jewels with their left hand and thrust out their right hands. "Spirit of the Beasts, Transform!"
"Spirit of the Shark, Beast Spirit Blue Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Tiger, Beast Spirit Yellow Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Hawk, Beast Spirit Pink Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Stag, Beast Spirit Green Ranger!"
"Spirit of the Rhino, Beast Spirit Red Ranger!"
"Alright guys," Max began, clenching his fists. "Let's show these demons what humans are made of!"
"Bring it on!" Hellion said, waving his arms arouns as two small swords appeared in his hands.
Meili and Alexia ran up to Hellion first. Hellion swung his swords, but the girls dodged his strikes. "Spirit of the Shark!" Meili shouted, thrusting both hands forward, releasing an aura shaped shark of energy, striking Hellion.
"Spirit of the Hawk!" Alexis shouted, thrusting her hands outward creating an aura shaped hawk, and then thrust her right hand forwards sending the enrgy towards Hellion, striking him.\
ellion flew backwards, but still on his feet. Roland and Watt jumped one either side of the demon sibling. "Spirit of the Stag!" Roland shouted, thrusting both fists forward, releasing an aura shaped Stag that ran and struck Hellion from his left.
"Spirit of the Tiger!" Watt shouted, thrusting his arms forward in an x style, releasing an aura shaped Tiger that sprinted and struck Hellion from his right.
Max jumped in front of Hellion. "Spirit of the Rhino!" he shouted, slashing his hand in a downward slope, releasing an aura shaped Rhino that charged and struck Hellion in the front. Hellion shouted out and suddenly exploded all around as the Rangers regrouped.
Hellion and Draigon leaned against one another and struggled to their feet. "This isn't over, Rangers," Hellion growled. "This is only the beginning!" And with that, Draigon and Hellion disappeared.
Roland sat on the ground with a puff. "We did it," he said.
"What a day," Alexia sighed.
"What kind of day have you guys had?" Max asked looking at his teammates.
"It's a long story," Meili answered, "But before we tell you, where have you been?"
"That's a long story," Max replied, turned to Watt who was looking away. "Are you alright, Watt?"
Watt turned towards Max. "I couldn't do it, Max," he replied, "I messed up. I nearly screwed the whole team. If it hadn't been for you, we would have been toast."
"Especially if that Blue Space Ranger hadn't shown up," Roland said from the ground and looked around. "Hey! Where'd he go?" The other Rangers looked around to see that the Blue Space Ranger was nowhere to be found.
"So what? No goodbye?" Alexia said, "A little rude if you ask me."
"For the help he gave us," Watt began, "He doesn't need to say goodbye, we should be the ones to say thank you." The other nodded in agreement. Meili, Alexia, and Roland continued to talked about the Blue Space Ranger while Watt turned to Max. "And Max?" Max turned back towards Watt. "I want you to lead the team. You are clearly right for the job. Chosen is more like it. I'm sorry about all the things I said about you not being a good leader. I was obviously wrong. I know now who is to lead the team, and I will be happy to follow. You are the better man."
Max placed a hand on Watt's shoulder. "You tried Watt," He reploed, "I shouldn't have abandoned you guys. That was the wrong thing to do. I'm sorry."
"Don't worry about it!" Watt said and then both men smiled, slapping their hands together.
From a distant building rood stood the Blue Space Ranger. "That is one hell of a team!"