A.N. Wow, I am on a roll! Yay. Thank you to everyone who favorites, follows or reviews this story. You make it worth it. And a new milestone will be reached soon, a few more reviews and I'll be up to 50! Don't forget to vote on the poll. And now to my reviewers.dream lighting: I'm glad you like it and Tommy might not make an "official" appearance right now but he will be in a flashback soon and most likely call his daughter.grapejuice101: I hate bullies too. That's why I showed Bay as someone who doesn't give up she didn't let the teasing get to her because that's the kind of person she is and she knows that those people are not worth the effort to think over anymore.
The usual announcements- The outfit Bay uses this time is from the SIU episode My Bitter Sweet 16 It Up. The past rangers today are the teenaged Dino Thunder Rangers from a flashback which is from the Dino Thunder episode, Fighting Spirit.Disclaimer: I own nothing except Bay and the plot line.
It was an early morning at the Shiba House and the rangers minus the white and pink rangers were eating breakfast.
"Morning everyone!" Bay greeted as she pranced into the room with her latte and chocolate chip bagel. Today she was decked out in a white tank top with thin black strips and red lips painted in the center, a long green army jacket with the sleeves rolled up to a few inches above her wrists and metal gold stars on the sides, black high-waisted shorts with white polka dots and a thin red belt, black tights with rips at the knees and black combat boots with studs on the sides. She had applied green-gray eye shadow, mascara, light red lipstick, white nail polish, and had straightened her hair with her bangs in her forehead but this time she had styled her hair into a sort of tousled look even though it was straight. She had on green earrings, a medallion around her neck, rings on her fingers including a large silver ring, and a gold bracelet.
"You're awfully cheery this morning." Mike observed hesitantly. Bay raised her eyebrows.
"I am?" She questioned sipping her latte.
"Yes… and you're scaring me. What did you do?" Bay shrugged.
"Must be the caffeine buzz. I fell asleep in the library late last night and came here to change before grabbing coffee."
"That is not healthy and also not in the samurai code." Kevin pointed out beginning to measure his cereal. Bay shrugged and turned to Jayden.
"Can I sit?" Jayden nodded and moved over for her. She began to eat soon the only odd thing in the room was Kevin measuring his cereal.
"What are you doing?" Mike questioned. "Just eat already."
"There's a right way to do everything within the samurai code." Kevin responded.
"Wow, you're so wound up, I'm surprised you can digest your food." Mike mocked.
'I have heard of dedicated and seen it but I think this is taking it a wee bit too far.' Bay thought.
"I came up with a new recipe." Mia announced coming in with a covered dish. "Everybody loves peanut butter and jelly sandwiches right?"
"I do not like where this is going." Bay whispered to Jayden who nodded in return. Mia continued not seeing the slightly tense and afraid looks of her friends.
"So for breakfast, what could be better than a pb&j omelet?" She uncovered the dish.
"Darn, I'm stuffed. I just ate." Mike excused himself rubbing his stomach. "Rain check?" He asked pointing at her. Mia turned to Kevin. He quickly poured the cereal into his bowl, added milk, and proceeded to stuff his face. "Precision and discipline, huh?" Mike mocked.
"Everyone," Ji addressed them running in, "I have excellent news. The missing Swordfish Zord has been spotted at Limintau Beach." Jayden's head snapped to their mentor.
"A swordfish?" Mia asked.
"A zord that went missing in action years ago." Ji explained. "If we don't catch it now, who knows when we'll get another chance?" Suddenly the alarm blared. They looked to the flashing symbol. "A nighlock attack." Ji breathed.
"They sure have the best timing." Bay commented sarcastically. Jayden stood up.
"Kevin." He addressed the blue ranger.
"Yes?" Kevin asked immediately standing up.
"We'll take care of the nighlock. I want you to go catch that Swordfish Zord." Jayden directed. "Are you up for a solo mission?" Kevin smiled.
"Up for it? I've been waiting my whole life for it." Jayden nodded.
"With your mastery of symbol power over water, I'm confident you'll capture that zord." He then turned to the others. "Let's go."
(Downtown)
The rangers ran into a parking structure with their guard up.
"Where's the nighlock?" Mike asked before their attention turned to a man on the ground. They ran over to him.
"Are you all right?" Emily asked.
"He can barely move." Mike noted. Bay's ears perked at hearing footsteps and soon the sound of cackling was heard as well.
"What's that smell?" Jayden asked turning. They turned to see the nighlock.
"Hey, you saying I've got a certain air about me?" The rangers all went into defensive positions. Bay tensed next to Mike while glaring at the nighlock.
"Samuraizer!" Jayden ordered holding his up. They all flicked theirs open.
"Go, go samurai!" They all proclaimed as one, before drawing their symbol in midair and hitting it.
Bay hit a button on her Samuraizer, brought her arms in then slashed them down with her palms facing behind her. Symbols surrounded her and formed her mask. Symbols then surrounded her forming her uniform minus the helmet. Her sword then flew at her and she caught it and slipped it into its holster. Her symbol then flew at her head and formed her helmet. She then opened the compartment on her belt and pulled out a disk. She slipped it onto the hilt of her sword and drew it pointing it in the air.
"Samurai Ranger ready." She proclaimed slipping into her final pose with her right arm curling to the other side of her body with her fingers in an okay position and her left arm holding her sword over her right.
They all drew their swords with a cry.
"Let's get him." Jayden ordered and they attacked.
"Once you sniff my funky smell," The nighlock began as it advanced dodging and blocking them, "you'll say I'm a knockout." It finished before kicking Mike. He got back up and they continued the battle. Mike summoned his spear and attacked with fury. "One whiff of my breath will leave you feeling in the dumps." The nighlock promised.
"No, thanks. I'll pass." Mike declined as he and the nighlock were locked together.
"But I insist." The nighlock told him as they became face to face. Suddenly a green mist cloud engulfed Mike's face.
"Ugh!" He cried, "Have you been gargling garbage?" He suddenly fell back coughing and a multicolored flash came from his chest. He demorphed in a storm of green symbols and clutched his chest. He fell to the ground groaning.
"Mike!" Emily called in fear as she ran over to him kneeling down as Bay and Mia followed her. "Mike, are you okay?"
"That stink immobilized him." Mia informed Jayden as he ran in front of them.
"This is not good." Bay said.
"Come on Stinkpot." Jayden challenged charging at the nighlock.
"Garlic and onions are all I eat. Pickled toothpaste's quite a treat." The nighlock rhymed while pushing Jayden into a car that he was able to push off of. "But I haven't brushed my teeth in ages." It said pushing Jayden's back onto the car and moving to strike but luckily Jayden rolled away at the last minute. Jayden retreated to the overlook. "Give it up. Your no match for the Fink of Stink." Suddenly they both fell over the levy.
"Jayden!" Bay called in worry.
"Oh, no!" Mia said. Bay looked around and snapped into command mode, just like with the Operation Overdrive team whenever Mack was absent.
"I'll stay with Mike and get the civilian out of here. You two go help Jayden." Both girls nodded.
"Right!" They ran off. Bay ran towards the man and helped him up with his arm around her shoulder.
"Here, let me help." She managed to get him outside where other people ran to help. "Call an ambulance and stay out of the building." She ordered laying the man down. She then ran to Mike and looked him over. He was covered in a sheen of sweat. Bay drew her Samuraizer and drew a symbol in the air. "Symbol Power, Snow!" She called hitting the symbol and a light snow began to fall. She then heard noises from the outside and ran to look. What she saw infuriated her. Her friends were down looking as worse as Mike and the nighlock was practically dancing away. She jumped down and slashed the nighlock.
"What the…?" It turned towards her.
"Forgetting something?" Bay asked. She charged without waiting for an answer. "What have you done to my friends?!" She questioned slashing with each word. The nighlock blocked every hit.
"Same thing I'm going to do to you!"
"Good luck trying!" Suddenly the nighlock struck Bay's middle and then her side while she was distracted. She flew through the air and struck a lamppost so hard she demorphed and crumpled to the ground. The nighlock advanced.
"What do you have to say about this?" Bay realized what was coming and held her breath while focusing her body to go intangible with the hope that the attack would pass harmlessly through.
'Come on, phase! Phase!' Most of it worked but she felt a small residue remain when she went solid again.
"Just… this…." She spoke trying to catch her breath. "Back off!" She ordered kicking the nighlock.
"What?!" The nighlock questioned rearing back. "Impossible!" Bay struggled to her feet.
"Care to test that theory?" The nighlock then began to blacken.
"You've lucked out, I'm drying out!" It told her. "See ya, loser!" It then slipped through a gap. Bay made her way over to Jayden and the others.
"How-?" Jayden tried to ask as he attempted to sit up. Bay pushed him back.
"Don't try to move." She ordered feeling a bit overheated. She pulled out her Samuraizer and did the same symbol she did to Mike over them. She then pressed a button. "Mentor? We have a problem."
(Shiba House- The Infirmary)
Ji and Bay opened the doors to the infirmary each with a ranger hanging off their shoulders. They set the ranger down and went and got the other two. Ji handed Bay some icepacks and instructed her to fill them using her symbol power. She did just that and handed them out.
"Do you know what did this to them?" She questioned looking at her fallen friends. He shook his head.
"No, I need to research this further." Bay nodded.
"Go, I'll watch over them." He nodded. But looked sternly at her.
"Pace yourself. We don't know when it could take effect on you." She nodded and sank in a chair pulling off her jacket. Soon she heard Ji dial the his phone and walked to the doorway to listen.
"Kevin. The rangers have been poisoned." Ji told Kevin as he answered. "Yes." He answered an unheard question. "They all inhaled the nighlock stench. Their fevers are next to impossible to recover from." Kevin must have said something Ji didn't like because he soon shook his head. "No, the archives say they can only be saved by a purifying power. I think the oceanic powers of the Swordfishzord could do it. Kevin, you must catch it and bring it back here fast. I fear it may be our only hope." Ji returned but before anything else could be done the alarm blared and the Samurai symbol flashed. "Oh, no. Not now." He turned away and Bay grabbed her jacket before following him. He called Kevin again. "Kevin, we have an attack." Suddenly Jayden came out with a groan pulling on his jacket. "Jayden, what are you doing?" He asked as they moved to him.
"Yeah, are you nuts?" Bay questioned.
"You heard the Gap Sensor. There's a nighlock to fight." He answered as he tried to move clutching the wall. Suddenly he groaned again and went down on one knee. Ji grabbed onto him and Bay stepped in front to block his path.
"If you go out there now, that nighlock will rip you to pieces." She told him.
"Baylee's right, you can't defeat a nighlock in your condition." Ji told him firmly. Bay was so concerned over her best friend that she didn't even object to the use of her full name.
"Maybe not, but at least I can slow him down." Jayden countered as he stood and walked forwards counter stepping Bay to get in front of her.
"Just wait until Kevin comes home with the Swordfishzord." Ji begged. "I think it can cure all your fevers." He turned his back putting the phone back to his ears. "Kevin." Jayden suddenly snatched the phone from him.
"Kevin, Mentor's exaggerating. Don't worry about me. Stay focused on your mission." He ordered leaning against the wall. "I didn't randomly choose you for this mission. I chose you because of your commitment and discipline. I know you can overcome any obstacle." Jayden hung up a second later. He handed the phone to Ji. "I'll take care of the nighlock." He tried to get away but Bay once again stood in his path.
"No you won't. I will." She told him firmly crossing her arms.
"Move, Bay." Jayden ordered grabbing her arm. Bay pushed him back. "You were hit just like the rest of us." He tried.
"True. But for some reason, I don't seem affected." She lied. "I can hold off that nighlock longer than you can."
"That is true. Perhaps Baylee has some special resistance to the attack." Ji mused. Bay nodded. "See, even Mentor thinks I should go. Now get back to the infirmary before you pass out." Bay turned to go but suddenly the world began to spin and she went down gasping and coughing. Jayden knelt down in front of her along with Ji. He placed a hand on her cheek as if checking for a fever.
"You're sick too." He told her gently moving some of her hair off her clammy face. Bay grabbed his hand and moved it away before rising not noticing how he kept a tight grip on her hand as if to prevent her from going.
"Not as bad as you." She told him.
"I'm your leader. I can't let you go like this." He told her. Bay shook her head her dim eyes narrowing.
"I'm a big girl, Jayden. I can take care of myself." She spoke firmly before tugging her hand from his grasp and running away. Ji looked on feeling as if he had somehow intruded on a private moment.
"She can't go alone." Jayden finally said moving to follow the redhead. Ji sighed.
"I have a feeling it's no use trying to talk you out of it." He told the boy he had raised. Jayden shook his head. "Go, but we will discuss this later." Jayden nodded and took off.
As Bay hurried as fast as she could, she felt anger and something else as her irritation and conscience battled in her head.
'Ugh! Idiot, why can't he let someone else fight the battle for once?'
'But he's trained for this his whole life to be your leader. And you saw how he was with you; he didn't want you getting hurt.'
'I am an adult and a Power Ranger with senior stripes practically. I don't need someone protecting me from getting hurt.'
'It's the leader in him. Remember how Conner was at the hospital when you lost your powers?' Bay froze for a second before continuing on. But in her head she relived that particular memory.
"Again I ask where are the Power Rangers?" The new announcer asked from the screen as the teenagers were watching the same monster that took their powers wreak havoc upon their city.
"That's it." Conner announced. "You guys can stay here and watch this, but I can't." He moved around them for the door.
"Hold up." Ethan ordered following him.
"We're going with you." Kira said next. Bay and Trent followed after.
"Hey, where are you going?" Haley asked. "You don't stand a chance without your powers."
"That wouldn't stop Dr. O," Ethan told her bluntly, "and it's not gonna stop us either." The door shut behind the rangers and they went in the elevator.
"Uh, Bay," Conner began causing everyone to turn their attention to him, "maybe you should stay behind so you don't get hurt." Bay narrowed her eyes.
"Why? I have as much cause to go as they rest of you."
"He has a point." Ethan told her. "That's your dad in a coma up there."
"Not wrong." Kira agreed. Everyone turned to Trent for an opinion.
"It's her choice. I'm not making it for her, because I for one think she has a right to come." Bay smiled and gave him a hug.
"Thanks, Trent." She then turned to the others. "And he's right. I know that's my dad up there. But it doesn't change the fact that I am a Power Ranger and Dad understands what that means for me to be one and take on the responsibility. That fate of the world is on my shoulders too. And honestly I'd rather be out there fighting the monsters than worrying about my dad and you guys here. I know that I'm the youngest and you all don't want to see me hurt. But I am not a baby. I chose my own path and I chose to fight." They all looked at her as the elevator doors finally opened. Conner nodded.
"Come on then." The five than ran out knowing this may just be the battle that ended them.
'See? Jayden acted just like Conner on protecting his team. Just like you want him to stay and be okay, because you know what it feels. And the other thing.'
'Okay, your right.' Bay sighed before looking confused. 'What other thing?'
'Figure that out for yourself.'The voice of her conscience suddenly vanished.
"Okay weird." Bay whispered before reaching her destination pulling out her morpher.
(At the Battle)
Civilians ran in all directions from the nighlock yelling in fear.
"Ha, ha." It laughed as a man fell down from its attack. "I told you I'd bowl you over with my breath." It told him. It turned searching for more victims. "Hey, humans! Step right up but after one whiff, you'll fall right down." It walked around waving its arms. Suddenly it spotted a mother holding her baby close to her. "Oh, want to try my broccoli breath?" It questioned before exhaling the deadly gas. Suddenly Bay jumped between them powered up. "Back for more?" She waved her arms to dispel the attack coughing as she inhaled some of it. When it disappeared she turned to the mother and child.
"Go!" She ordered pushing her up. "And don't look back!" She then turned to the nighlock. "You didn't get me the first time." She lied. "And you're not getting me now." She opened her belt compartment and armed her sword. She then charged at the nighlock.
"Ah. It's nice that you're a big fan of mine," It began as Bay fought with everything she had, "Because when you fan your sword like that, you're spreading my stink even further."
"Shut up! Your breath doesn't work on me." Bay yelled slashing. The battle went on for a few minutes.
"Maybe you're not quite smelling it yet," The nighlock suggested as she fell, "but the sour stink of defeat is heading your way." Bay got right back up and charged.
"I'm not giving up!" She called. "I chose my own path. And I chose to give it everything I got!" The nighlock laughed.
"You can choose to try and ignore it, but my nostril-numbin' P.U. is getting to you." It looked right at her. "The "eyes" have it." An attack fired from the creatures eyes knocking Bay back as it hit her dead on. She demorphed falling to her hands and knees fighting for breath. The nighlock laughed.
"You've lost your strength and your outfit." For the first time Bay felt utterly powerless.
"Look out, Ranger. A third strike of my super stink might put you out for good." Bay braced herself but suddenly someone jumped in front of her taking the attack for her. Bay raised her head to see Jayden in his ranger uniform in front of her. She gasped in fear and shock.
"Jayden, get out of here!" She ordered.
"No, way!" He called back pulling out his sword to attack the nighlock.
"Leave you idiot!" She called back in desperation and anger. "I'm not some helpless little girl that needs to be rescued!"
"Aw, how sweet. But not as sweet as this!" The nighlock said before attacking Jayden. The two fought while Bay looked on helpless.
'No, no, no, no, no!' She screamed in her mind. Suddenly the nighlock slashed Jayden and he went down. The nighlock advanced.
"Boy, will Master Xandred be pleased. Two rangers in one breath!" Bay moved over next to Jayden ready to face her fate besides her leader. She felt him grab her hand and this time she didn't pull away. The two rangers braced themselves. "Bye-bye Rangers." Suddenly Mike flew through the air kicking the nighlock away, it crashed to the ground. Mike landed and clutched his stomach groaning in pain. Mia and Emily ran up to assist the two fallen rangers, which caused Bay to once again tug her hand out of Jayden's grasp.
"You shouldn't be here; you're sick." Jayden chastised the rest of the team. Bay shot him a look.
"Oh, yeah?" Mike questioned raising his head. "And you're as fit as a fiddle?"
"Look out!" Jayden suddenly warned causing them all to see the nighlock fire at them. Bay cowered ducking her head. But the attack never came.
"That stunk." The nighlock complained.
"Huh?" Everyone was confused to see how they could have survived the attack. They looked around and spotted Kevin with his Hydro Bow running over.
"Did someone order the fish?" He asked them smiling.
"Kevin." Jayden simply spoke with a smile relieved. The blue ranger held up a blue disk and attached it to his signature weapon. He then shot it in the air. It suddenly began to rain and sparks appeared on the incapacitated rangers bodies. Bay laughed in relief as she felt all trace of the illness leave her body.
"Not purifying rain!" The nighlock begged from the ground waving its arms and legs around. "There goes my stink power."
"It worked." Mia announced to them. "That swordfish healed us."
"That fish is off the hook!" Mike praised. Bay nodded bouncing up.
"No doubt about that." She agreed.
"It's time to clear the air." Jayden told them smiling as he got up. The team pulled out their morphers.
"Samuriazers!" He announced flicking his opening as the team stood in their usual line.
"Go, go, Samurai!" They all spoke together bringing theirs up to their opposite shoulder. They all drew their respective symbols,
"Go!" They called striking them to begin their morphing sequence.
Bay hit a button on her Samuraizer, brought her arms in then slashed them down with her palms facing behind her. Symbols surrounded her and formed her mask. Symbols then surrounded her forming her uniform minus the helmet. Her sword then flew at her and she caught it and slipped it into its holster. Her symbol then flew at her head and formed her helmet. She then opened the compartment on her belt and pulled out a disk. She slipped it onto the hilt of her sword and drew it pointing it in the air.
"Samurai Ranger ready." She proclaimed slipping into her final pose with her right arm curling to the other side of her body with her fingers in an okay position and her left arm holding her sword over her right.
"Oh, I'm scared." The nighlock told them getting to its feet.
"Rangers Together!" They called as one spinning their swords. "Samurai Forever!" They finished posing.
"Rah!" The nighlock growled.
"Huh! Ha!" The rangers called as they charged. As Bay charged she thought she felt a chill up her back as if she was being watched with her team. She turned her head for a moment and saw nothing. She then refocused on the battle.
"So back for more, eh?" It taunted as they slashed one by one with Bay going in between Mike and Kevin. "You rangers can't defeat me. My skunky aroma will make you say good-bye to your senses." It laughed as Jayden took his turn. Kevin put his blue disk on his sword.
"It's time for you to chill out!" He told it spinning his disk. "Spin Sword, Dragon Splash!" He launched himself at the nighlock. "If anyone's ever needed a bath, it's this jerk!" He said launching the attack. It hit dead on.
"Oh!" The nighlock cried. "That water's so freezing it's got me wheezing." Jayden stepped up and summoned his Fire Smasher.
"Jayden, use my Swordfish Disk." Kevin offered coming up and holding up said disk.
"You do it." Jayden told him. "I'll help keep it steady."
"Yeah?" Kevin asked in disbelief. "You got it." He attached the disk. And they both transformed into the cannon. The team then loaded their signature disks.
"You trying to disk me?" The nighlock asked getting back up. Bay rolled her eyes.
"Again with the puns." She muttered.
"Cannon blast mode!" Jayden and Kevin yelled as one.
"Huh!" The other four stated as they went down on one knee with Bay next to Mia.
"Six-disk Swordfish Cannon!" Jayden announced before pulling the trigger and unleashing the attacks. The attack shot out and destroyed the nighlock.
"I wanted a blast but not like this." It said as it crackled before exploding.
"Strike!" Kevin cheered. "That's one down…"
"Thanks for your help, Rangers." The nighlock told them as it went mega. "Now I can make a really big stink about this."
Bay clicked a button on her Samuraizer, "Ha!" she called as she threw her sword into the air. She then dropped to one knee putting her star shaped zord into her ground sending up a storm of white symbols. She then held her hand up and drew a symbol, "Snow Leopard Foldingzord." She then stood up, "Megamode Power." White symbols transformed her into megamode; she held one hand to her sky and the other on her hip. "Yay!" She then flew into the air grabbing her sword as she went. "Huh!" She then dropped down into her glowing zord. She then appeared in the cockpit. She then brought her sword to her and folded it up, jamming it into the holder for the control and put her disk in.
"Now we're ready to roll." Jayden told his team. He drew a red symbol and hit it holding a hand up. "Zords combine."
The zords all flew into the air and folded up to form the new megazord. Bay's zord folded up some of the points of the star and became the front armor over the front of the lion zord. The rangers materialized in the cockpit of the megazord.
"Samurai Megazord, we are united." They spoke as one.
"I got big news for you." The nighlock began as the megazord drew its sword and shield to fight. "The bigger I am, the bigger the stench." The nighlock blew air on them clouding their view.
"I can't see." Emily told them.
"Everyone be careful!" Kevin ordered.
"We're sitting ducks." Mike complained.
"Great." Bay spoke up sarcastically. Suddenly they heard a laugh and yelled as the nighlock attacked them.
"Things getting a little foggy for you fogies?" It taunted knocking their shield away.
"This isn't good." Emily stated.
"Maybe the Swordfishzord can cancel out this fog." Kevin suggested.
"Good call." Mia agreed.
"Kev, you got this one?" Jayden asked turning to him.
"Better believe it." Kevin told him pulling out his controller, spinning it and pulling the trigger to turn it into a zord. He placed the Swordfish Disk in his console and spun it around. "Swordfishzord." The zord appeared leaping at the nighlock. Kevin appeared in the cockpit. "Have a taste of my flying fish. Swordfish Torpedo!" He ordered. The Swordfishzord fired upon the nighlock.
"I hate fish!" It complained as it was hit.
"Let's make a point." Kevin stated charging. The zord struck the nighlock from behind and it hopped away.
"Cut that out." It ordered.
"Let's combine and show this creep what we can really do." Kevin suggested.
"Yeah, Kev! Do it, bro!" Mike cheered.
"You ready?" Jayden questioned.
"Oh, I'm ready." Kevin responded. He spun the disk again holding up his sword. "Samurai Armament!" The Swordfishzord flew in front of the megazord and paused. The megazord pulled off its helmet. "Okay Stinky pants. Time for you to get a whiff of how the swordfish supercharges our samurai style." The back half of the zord attached to the back of the megazord and the head became the new helmet with fins appearing. "Oh, yeah! Now we're popping. Time to air things out, Dragon Breath." Kevin mocked.
"Say what?" The nighlock questioned.
"Swordfish Phaser Megazord armed for battle!" The rangers proclaimed as one.
"Katana Power, Twin Blade Mode." Jayden ordered. Another blade appeared on the end of the megazord's sword. The rangers charged and each attack struck home.
"You can't just order us around anymore." Kevin stated. "Swordfish Torpedo!" The megazord bent down and fired the torpedoes. It knocked the monster's sword away.
"Our Megablades should do the trick." Jayden told the team pulling his out and spinning it around. "Huh! Huh! Ready?" Mia pulled hers out.
"Huh! Huh!" She called spinning it around. "Ready."
"Huh! Willing. Huh!" Mike called next doing the same.
"Huh! Strong. Huh!" Bay said next.
"Huh! And able. Huh!" Emily finished.
"Megablade Activate!" They ordered pulling the trigger and extending their swords. They slashed it in the air and then held it over one of their hands.
"Power Up!" Kevin said spinning the disk once more.
"Megablade Strike Precision!" They proclaimed as the megazord threw its sword in the air letting it spin. It landed in the Swordfish Helmet.
"Time to take out the trash." Jayden said as the megazord began to move around striking the charging nighlock. A red symbol appeared in front of the rangers.
"Swordfish Slash!" They announced slashing through it. The megazord bent down slashing the nighlock clean through and catching it sword.
"Whoa, man, this stinks." It complained sparking before falling back and exploding.
"Samurai Rangers, victory is ours." Jayden told his team.
(At the Beach)
The samurai enjoyed a nice peaceful walk on the beach with a proud Kevin in the front.
"Ah, the sweet smell of success." Mike commented before Emily and Mia grabbed his arms and ran him towards the water. Bay laughed along with them before moving to sit down on some nearby rocks. Out of the corner of her eyes she could see Kevin and Jayden conversing.
"Hey!" Mia called. "Next time we have a day off we should come back and spend the whole day at the beach!"
"Only if you promise to bring some sunscreen. Man, I got fried out here." Kevin joked. Mike then aimed a splash at Kevin. He laughed before running to get him back. Bay laughed and snapped some pictures on her phone. A splash came near her.
"Oi!" She called in mock fury. She stood up and walked a little further down the beach. She soon felt someone behind her and she spun around to face Jayden.
"You're going to join them?" He asked gesturing to the others antics. She shook her head.
"Not this time. Tights and such don't really mix well with salt water." She informed him gesturing to her clothes. He nodded and then looked away.
"If I asked you something would you give me an honest answer?" Bay looked confused but nodded as he met her eyes again.
"When have I not?" Jayden smiled slightly and stepped closer.
"I saw the nighlock attack you that attack should have done the same to you as it did to us. But it didn't you were able to hold it off and ward of most of it. How?" Bay sighed and closed her eyes.
"I can't answer that." Jayden opened his mouth to object but she held up a hand. "Let me finish. I'm not saying that I won't, Jayden. I'm just asking you to give me time to answer it right. With the right words, because you'd have a hard time believing me." Jayden considered this but nodded.
"Okay, but I trust you, I trust that the next time I ask you'll give me a correct answer." Bay nodded.
"Deal." Realization then dawned on her. "By the way-" Bay then punched Jayden hard on the arm.
"Ow!" He complained rubbing his arm. Bay leaned in.
"That was for being a moron and not staying at the house like you were told!" She hissed pointing at him.
"Really?" Bay shook her head.
"Yes really." She then made to walk away but then turned back. "Oh, and, Jayden?" She stepped closer and placed a hand on his shoulder leaning up. She felt Jayden freeze and smiled softly. She placed a lingering kiss on his cheek. "Thanks for being my knight in shining armor." She whispered before walking back towards the others. As she walked she felt a blush rise to her cheeks.
'Did I just kiss my team leader? And like it?' Bay thought. She then examined her actions over the time the team had been formed when in close proximity to the red ranger. For a second she stopped.
"Oh my gosh, I like Jayden." She realized before walking on. She then smiled. "And I don't think I have a problem with it."
Since she was so consumed in her thoughts she didn't notice Jayden stay frozen for a moment touching his cheek. A grin then spread across his face and he quickly jogged to catch up with his teammate.
(Later at Shiba House)
Later the rangers had returned home and were currently conversing about the battle.
"The way we took out that nighlock rocked!" Mike cheered punching the air. The others laughed. Bay then realized something.
"Hey, did anyone get the feeling they were being watched during the battle?" The others all looked at her shaking their heads.
"No, why?" Kevin asked her. Bay shrugged.
"I got that feeling for a moment but then it went away." She thought for a moment. "Probably the effects of an unhealthy night's sleep anyway." She said waving a hand. The conversation turned to lighter topics. Ji then motioned Jayden into the kitchen.
"You acted very strange towards Baylee today, Jayden." The young man shrugged.
"Maybe some effects of being sick." He attempted. Ji sighed.
"Jayden, I raised you. I know when you are lying. So don't lie when I ask you this. That girl out there that you were prepared to hold back when she was obviously the better choice to fight and willing to injure yourself to protect," Ji looked him right in the eye, "do you have feelings for her?" Jayden looked down sighing.
"Yes." Ji nodded.
"How long?" Jayden looked up.
"I figured it out a few weeks ago but I think I've liked her since the team came together I just didn't realize it." Ji mused for a moment.
"Those seem to be quite strong feelings." Jayden shrugged.
"She's unique; I don't think I've ever met anyone like her." He stiffened. "Ji, please don't tell me I have to hide what I feel or not be with her." Ji shook his head.
"There is no Samurai code that instructs me to do that. But even if their ways I wouldn't stand in your way. You deserve to have some happiness in this battle. But I will tell you this; you do need to tell her eventually since I think she might share your feelings. And you do realize that if the nighlock forces realize before she does and cannot be on guard, she could be used against you." Jayden nodded.
"I understand." He said firmly before standing up and turning to leave.
"Jayden," The red ranger turned back, "you know you can't protect her forever." Jayden didn't respond but walked back to the living room. He paused in the doorway watching the others listen to Kevin's story of how he caught his new zord. For a few seconds he let his eyes linger on Bay. Ji's words echoing in his head.
'You know you can't protect her forever.'
'Maybe not. But for now I can try.' He decided before walking in and sitting down with the others.
A.N.
So Bay realized her feelings, and now Ji knows about Jayden's, how will this affect the two? Next chapter coming soon! Ciao!
Don't forget to review and let me know how you like the flashback and part from Jayden's perspective. Since I might do more of that later.