Disclaimer: While I don't own the overall concept of Power Rangers, Zords, and all else that goes with it, I, along with the friends that are involved with the story, do own Power Rangers Literati itself and its components.

Power Rangers Literati
"Alphabet Soup"
'J is for Justification'
By J.T. Magnus, "Turbo"

"I'm having a hard time deciding if this is good things coming to those who wait or the mills of the gods grinding exceedingly small," J.T. observed, flipping through his paper.

Amanda glanced up from her manga, "Anyone I know?"

"Oh, yesss," J.T. hissed out in a reptilian drawl, "Remind me to send our neighborhood menaces a nice fruit basket."

"And why would I want to do that?"

"Because," he said, folding the paper closed, "What was it Stalin said? 'A single death is a tragedy, a million deaths are statistics'? When someone dies because of a monster attack, it's a tragedy... except is it...?"

"You know, J.T... I really hate it when you do this."

"Sorry. Is it a tragedy when someone dies as a result, albeit indirectly, of their actions? Or is it justice? Irony?"

"Dammit, J.T., if you don't get to the point I'm going to hurt you."

"If David hadn't tried to come between you and Jonathan, if he hadn't caused you to turn to Daniel and Jonathan to turn outlaw, would we be where we are, who we are?"

"This is the last time I'm going to tell you, J.T., 'Get on with it!'"

"You know the casualty lists of people who die in the monster attacks? He's listed."

Amanda started to say something, stopped, frowned and then tried again, "Let me see if I've actually managed to get something useful out of your inane ramblings... You're reading the obituaries of the people that have died while we were fighting the Bitch, Jon and Mars. That's... morbid... and you're saying things that make less sense then usual because David's name is listed."

"Mm... Yes," J.T. shrugged, "Funny that, innit?"

"Sure it's him?"

"Only one way to find out..."

"You going to the funeral?"

"Maybe... You?"

"Hell no. Have a good time. Knock over the casket for me."

"Is it wrong that I don't feel bad about this?"

"You're the one who always talks about death being a natural part of life, you tell me."

"He died as collateral damage during one of our fights, essentially because of us... I should feel bad for having that part in his death... But I don't. Instead, the poet in me enjoys the ironic justice. He died when the building he was in was damaged when we were fighting Car Org with the Megazord... Would he have even been there if not for his past actions?"

"J.T.? If you don't stop acting like this I'm going to stab you with a knitting needle."

"Hey, he took advantage of me having troubles to make trouble for you two. Saves me the trouble of having to eventually kill him myself. Territoriality and all, you and Jonathan were mine first. But part of me is screaming that as a Ranger I should be feeling regret that we failed to protect someone."

"And you're listening to it?"

"Mm. No. Which is the crux of it, I suppose... Is what he did, tried to do, whatever... good enough a reason to not feel the least bit sorry he's dead?"

"Is to me," Amanda laid her book down and crossed her arms, "You worry too damn much."

"It's just what I do," J.T. shrugged.

"You open?" A voice interrupted from the front door of the store.

"Yes," Yellow and Black Rangers chorused.