The five rangers are engaged in a five on one fight against Scourge at one of Crescent City's parks. The battle featured many sword on sword clashing with no side gaining advantage over the other. Scourge has been deflecting all the rangers' attacks, but they were able to deflect his attacks as well. It looked like the battle was going to go undecided with neither the rangers or Scourge winning. It will be absolute exhaustion that will decide the end of the battle. What felt like an hour of constant battling has passed and the rangers began to feel at their physical limits. Scourge was feeling the effects of exhaustion as well, but he finally managed to slash at both the purple and yellow rangers who tried to double team him. The red and green rangers were the next to try to double team Scourge but they met the same result. The four rangers were lying on their backs on the ground struggling to find the strength to get back up to resume the battle.
The blue ranger was the last ranger standing. He saw his friends fall by Scourge's dark sword. He saw that they had no more strength left in them and they are at the mercy of a merciless foe. Scourge decided to take advantage of their helpless situation to deliver fatal blows to all four of them. He appeared to be playing a game of eeny meeny miney moe in his head trying to decide which ranger to kill first. He ultimately decided on the green ranger. Scourge stood over the struggling green ranger with the tip of his dark sword hovering over the heart area. Scourge prepared to impale the green ranger and end his wretched life.
The blue ranger felt a great wave of righteous indignation at the peril of his friends. With the righteous indignation, he felt a great burst of adrenaline in every fiber of his being. His crystal sword materialized in his hand and he charged at Scourge at an incredibly swift speed. His velocity was beyond what he has ever felt in his entire life. In just a few seconds (or even a split second), he was right in front of Scourge. He tackled Scourge with a shoulder tackle, catching him right in the stomach. Scourge was taken completely by surprise by the power of the blue ranger. The blue ranger was on top of Scourge and began to pummel the evil knight with fists made of what he felt was iron. It's like his fury turned his fists into iron delivering powerful blows. Scourge was grunting in pain with each blow before he had enough of the savage beatdown and disappeared in a dark flame.
The thrill of victory was beyond the blue ranger's imagination. He felt such an elation to have single-handedly defeated a formidable enemy with such ease. The purple and yellow rangers hugged him tightly and then the red and green rangers hoisted him up on their shoulders. All five rangers were cheering for the big victory over Scourge.
After some cheering, an alarm began to sound and the blue ranger began to fall backwards and the red and green rangers lost their grip of his legs. The blue ranger began to fall towards the ground with no chance to brace for impact.
Just before he collided with the ground, the ground transformed into Alex's bedroom floor. He literally fell out of bed tangled in his sheets and comforter. The comforter broke most of his fall, but the back of Alex's head smacked the floor. The blunt pain snapped him awake as his hand flew towards the throbbing piece of his skull trying his best to massage it to get the throbbing to go away. As he massaged his skull he meditated on the dream and couldn't help but smile. It was quite a good dream until the part of him falling. Once the pain subsided to a bearable level he rushed to turn that alarm clock off.
"You all right in there, Alex? Breakfast will be ready in just a minute!" came Mama Kim's voice from the hallway. She must have heard him fall off the bed. And breakfast ready? He thought he was the one that cooks the breakfast in this household. How in the world did she beat him to the punch?
"Yeah, I'm okay! Just fell out of bed! Will be there in just a minute!" Alex called out to her. He quickly put the sheets and comforter back on the bed and started to get dressed in today's clothing. He took a minute to study himself in the mirror. He looked like the same slender and average boy with short straight red hair to his ears and the bright blue eyes. Nothing really changed in his appearance. He shrugged thinking it was a little silly to think that this dream of his would have changed his appearance a little bit. His lips curled into a slightly sheepish smile just thinking about the silliness of it.
Alex left his bedroom to go to the kitchen/dining room. He didn't know what to expect until he turned the corner stepping into the room. "Surprise! Happy Birthday, Alex!" Mama Kim and Justin exclaimed. Alex was caught completely by surprise at this gesture and the pink blush on his cheeks signaled to them that he was bashfully surprised. There were three plates on the table with a short stack of pancakes, scrambled eggs, and a piece of toast on each plate. An envelope with his name on it was next to his plate.
"I...I don't know what to say. I...really appreciate this!" Alex was moved by this very simple gesture. He is now eighteen but he hasn't celebrated a birthday in a very long time. His father never really believed in celebrating birthdays and highly discouraged him and his mother to celebrate it. He became overcome with emotion and hugged both Mama Kim and Justin. As he hugged them, a few tears ran down his cheeks. As they parted, he wiped the tears away and the three proceeded to eat Mama Kim's breakfast. After eating Mama Kim's delicious pancake breakfast, Alex opened the envelope gently with his thumbnail. He pulled out a card with a chef's hat and coat, some cooking utensils, and a platter with a cooked turkey on it. It read 'To the best cook: Happy Birthday'. 'That's really thoughtful' he thought as he smiled to himself with a smile on his lips. Then he opened the card and was astounded when there was a $100 bill inside and a written message from Mama Kim and Justin saying: We will take you shopping for some great chef accessories. He looked at them at a loss for words. "You really didn't have to do this."
"We know. But we wanted to. Don't make me ground you, mister!" Mama Kim replied resulting in some laughs around the table. Mama Kim always had that tongue in cheek joke about grounding him up her sleeve. At first he thought she was serious but now he knows that it was tongue-in-cheek humor. "Now you better get ready for school! We will see you tonight!" Once Alex was out of the room she texted Alex's friend Sabin suggesting a surprise birthday celebration for Alex at their home. She has quite a day ahead of her cleaning and decorating the house, baking a birthday cake for Alex, and other errands. 'He will be so surprised when he gets home! Hmm I better have one of his friends stall him and keep him occupied until we are completely ready.' She sent another text message to Sabin suggesting one of the group to stall and keep Alex occupied after school for a while.
Alex was in the middle of getting ready for school when his cell phone rang. The caller ID said it was from his parents. He checked the clock to see if he had enough time for a quick talk and saw he had ample time to have a quick conversation before he has to leave for the bus stop. "Hello?"
It was his mother. "Happy birthday! We miss you! How is it in the United States?"
His mother was a little excitable, a trait that he inherited from her. "Thank you, mum. I miss you too. It is great here. And back home?" The conversation lasted a minute or two before the phone was handed to his father. Alex felt a little wave of anxiety as the phone was exchanged.
"Alexander, I just want to congratulate you on reaching adulthood." Alex was taken aback by the birthday wish from his father. This was unlike him, there was not any criticism in his voice. And then it came. "Now you are accountable for your actions, it is time for you to outgrow childish things and start immersing yourself in adult things. Be mindful of your future at Downs Incorporated."
Alex's joy felt like it was being sucked out of him by his father. He really wanted to tell him that he does not want to take over the family business but he couldn't say anything. After his father was done lecturing him, the phone was given back to his mother. "I have to head to school, mum. I love you.." The moment Alex disconnected he let out a sigh. His father just cannot be happy for him even on his eighteenth birthday. Alex knew that his father never really believed in birthdays, but he could at least spare him of an unnecessary lecture. He put the conversation in the back of his mind as he left the house to the bus stop.
Scourge examined the viewing screen observing the blue ranger and this birthday celebration. A plot formed in Scourge's mind and he went to tell Zomlock of this brilliant plan. "Zomlock, I have a plan. The humans celebrate this thing called a birthday and it is a big deal to them. It happens to be the blue ranger's today. He is clearly the weak link of the Power Rangers. He is so sensitive and will be easy prey to target his misery energy. And if we play our cards right, we can destroy the other Rangers and even Zircon himself. I have the perfect minion for the job."
"Sounds like a wonderful plan, Scourge. I like it. Whenever you attack, take Skale with you."
Scourge scowled at the mention of Skale. "What?! He will ruin everything!" Scourge would continue with the reasons not to let Skale come with him, but an ugly glare from Zomlock's empty eye sockets silenced his protests. "As you wish..." Scourge drew his dark sword and pointed it at the wall producing a dark vortex. "I call upon Chamelomimic! Come forth!". A humanoid chameleon-like creature emerged from the vortex standing before Zomlock and Scourge.
"You were late coming home last night. What are we going to do with you, Chaice? What kind of trouble are you getting into? Do you even have any friends to keep you out of trouble?" The berating was going on and on this morning as Chaice was trying to get ready for school. His parents were actually home and awake getting ready to go to their day jobs. They were usually either asleep or working by the time he gets up and he preferred the other option over this. They were getting on his case about coming home late the previous evening. He was actually at the junkyard doing some artwork. He tried to come in quietly but he assumed they heard him.
The berating was unusually sharp this morning. He could take the lecture about coming in late and the accusation of getting into trouble. It's nothing new under the sun. But what really got under his skin was their assuming he does not have any friends to 'keep him out of trouble'. That was a pretty low blow. He considered the other rangers as his friends but he really does not know if it is reciprocated. They probably even wonder if he even considers them friends because he is a bit standoffish still. He is still trying to grip the concept that they are really are friends after the years he was friendless. He is struggling with letting down his defenses as well as acting like a friend. He was about to just burst out of the trailer home and pedal as hard as he can to get away from them when his father said something that hurt the most. "He doesn't have any friends! Nobody wants to be friends with an outcast like him! He is acting out like he always does because he cannot and will not accept the responsibility for letting Quinton die!"
Chaice's vision turned red and he faced two options: 1. punch his father out or 2. get out now. He chose option 2. He swung his backpack on his back, bursting out of the screen door, throwing himself on his bike, and began pedaling as fast as he could to get away from his parents. He pedaled to get away from them and the negativity in the household. No matter how far he pedals, he just cannot get away from the stigma of disgrace placed on him.
As he kept pedaling, he couldn't help but question whether Sabin, Alex, Erika, and Kaila consider him a friend or just playing the part to keep unity in the power rangers team. Surely they aren't being nice to him just to be nice to him. Maybe they aren't really friends with one another. What if this ranger friendship thing is just one huge travesty?
Once Sabin got to the school he immediately sought out Erika and Kaila who were just arriving in Erika's car. "Hey girls. So today is Alex's birthday. I was thinking we can do a surprise party at the Sessions' home. We'll head over there after school to help Mrs. Sessions with getting things ready. Just pretend that today is a regular day."
Erika was skeptical of Sabin's idea. "I don't know, Sabin... Alex is pretty sensitive and could take it the wrong way. How are we going to keep him from going home before it's ready?"
"We'll have Chaice keep him distracted. He won't suspect a thing." Sabin took a quick moment to send a text to Chaice explaining that it is Alex's birthday and they are planning a surprise party for him and they need him to keep him occupied. "I'm sure Alex will be asking what we are going to be doing after school. We'll tell him we have other plans. Can you girls keep it secret? Just act natural. Oh, there he is!" Sabin waved at the newly arrived Alex who rushed to meet them.
"Hey guys! What's up?" Alex was being his cheerful and youthful self this morning. Sabin, Erika, and Kaila were determined to not give away that they know that today is his birthday unless if he tells them and they are especially determined to not give anything away about the surprise birthday party.
Chaice barely made it to the school with about ten minutes to spare before first period. He quickly chained his bicycle to the bike rack and walked as fast as he could without running to his locker to retrieve his books for the day. He made it to his locker and was surprised Alex wasn't there. He unzipped his backpack to put today's textbooks inside. The warning bell went off meaning he has only five minutes to get to class or he'll be tardy. He shoved his books in the backpack, zipped it up, and flung it back on his back. Without even thinking he put his cellphone in the locker and closed the locker door. Chaice rushed off to class as quickly as he could ignoring the glares of some of the other stragglers in the hallways heading to their own classes. Unfortunately he was unable to make it in time before the tardy bell rang. 'Just perfect...another tardy and that's detention for me...' Chaice thought bitterly as he ran the rest of the way to the classroom.
"You're late, Mr. Davidson. That will be lunch detention today." The strict instructor handed him a detention slip as a good portion of the class was snickering at his misfortune. This is not going to be a good day at all...
Lunch period came and Alex sought out his friends in the cafeteria. He spotted them near the front of the lunch line and he made his way to them to see if they want to eat at the gazebo today. "Hey! Do you guys want to eat at the gazebo today?". He looked at the growing lunch line and knew he had to get an answer quick and get in line. The students behind Sabin, Erika, and Kaila were beginning to look at him impatiently.
Erika and Kaila struggled for words to say to Alex's proposal but Sabin bailed them out. "We really would, Alex, but the girls have to study for a huge test next period and I'm going to help them. Right, girls?" Erika and Kaila nodded at his prompting.
Alex's smile faded into a little frown but his eyes still had a hopeful look. "Maybe we can hang out after school then? We could go to the park or something."
"I don't know if we'll be able to, Alex. Kaila and I have this girl's meeting that we are going to." Erika said apologetically.
Sabin could feel Alex's eyes on him. "I...have something to do with my little brother. Sorry, man.." He, Erika, and Kaila saw the sad disappointment in his usually bright and cheerful blue eyes.
Chaice was on his way to detention that takes place on the theater stage in the cafeteria when he saw what looked like Sabin, Erika, and Kaila shooting Alex down. He saw Alex's cheerful countenance dissipate into sadness. Chaice saw Alex glumly nod in understanding to their words. 'Maybe that whole friends bit really is false... I should have known... Sabin, Erika, and Kaila are in their own world and it is like Alex or I do not have a place in it...' Alex spotted him and made a beeline for him before he could slip away. He is going to have to shoot down the poor boy too. Before Alex could say a word he held up his detention slip for him to see. "Can't do lunch, sorry..." He rushed off to the stage before Alex could say another word but he heard something along the lines of 'what about after school?' from him. He didn't turn to answer him, he was focused on getting detention over with.
Alex felt dispirited as he watched Chaice go to detention and he watched Sabin, Erika, and Kaila take to-go sacks into the hallway. He finally forced himself to get into the lunch line. It looks like he is eating by himself today. He couldn't help but sulk about not spending time with his friends on his birthday. Maybe it is just one of those days where everyone is busy. 'Yeah, that's it... they are just busy today. It's not like they are trying to avoid me on purpose.'
"Some friends you have, mate. They look like they don't include you in anything. It's like they do not appreciate you. Real friends do not treat friends that way" came an unfamiliar voice that made Alex jump a little. He turned to see a student that he has never seen before. "Sorry, I couldn't help but notice. My name is...Cam. I am new here."
Alex didn't know how to take the words of the new student. They seemed a little harsh but he couldn't help but have a small inkling that those words are true. "Nice to meet you, Cam. I'm Alex. I don't want to impose, but would you like to eat lunch at the gazebo?"
"Sure, that sounds fun. I don't have any friends here yet and it looks like you could use a friend. We can help each other out."
The day did not improve for Chaice and neither did his mood. The whole fight with the parents this morning and then seeing the others ditch Alex the way they did at lunch just about made this one of his worst days. Alex didn't really help much either. He and Alex bumped into each other a couple times between classes and he would ask about after school plans and he would answer with 'we'll see's. Alex really is a nice guy but he can be a little too much to handle. He is excitable to the point of being annoying today. It also kind of made him mad that Alex just got all chummy with this guy he's never seen before in the lunch line. It's like Alex replaced him, which he can't blame him for since he did have detention and brushed him off the way he did. Alex is just pretending that he hasn't replaced him or the others with this new guy.
The final dismissal bell finally rang and Chaice could not be any more glad that this day from hell is finally over. He made his way to his locker and Alex was standing there waiting for him. "Where's your new friend? Thought you'd be attached at the hip by now" he said without thinking.
Alex winced at Chaice's sharp comment. "I can't help but wonder that you and the others were avoiding me today. Did I do something wrong?"
"Maybe they just want some space from you. I know I'd like some space! Everyone has their own life, Alex. Everything is not about you. Our lives do not revolve around you. We have other things to worry about other than you."
"But..." Alex tried to protest that he does not even think that everyone's lives revolved around him but Chaice cut him off with his harshest comment yet.
Chaice spoke out of the pent-up anger from this morning's fight and what he has observed today. "Gosh, you are like a needy puppy begging for attention! It's pretty pathetic, you know that? Stop acting like that annoying needy puppy or you'll lose your other friend too!"
It took one look at the absolute hurt on Alex's face to make Chaice realize too late that he just took out his anger on the one least deserving. Chaice opened his mouth to apologize and say he didn't really mean those things he said but Alex turned and sped off out the nearest door. Chaice felt rotten inside. He wouldn't blame Alex for not being his friend after those brutal things he has said. 'I can't feel any worse than right now...'
He was wrong. He pulled out his phone from the locker and read a text message from Sabin reading: "Today is Alex's birthday. The girls and I are planning a surprise birthday party for him at the Sessions' house. Please keep him occupied after school. We owe you one! - Sabin". He looked at the message on the phone screen and he felt like slamming his fist into the locker for being so stupid and saying those brutal things to Alex. He looked forlornly at the direction Alex rushed off to. He is feeling the crushing weight of his words. 'What have I done...?'
-To Be Continued-