Hello, Everyone! Sorry it took me so long to update. A lot has been going on in my life that I couldn't update as often. I hope you enjoy this new chapter!
Lurking within the border of Angel Grove's Forest Creek Resort, Gulo stood underneath a rocky ledge overlooking the illuminated human city from a distance. The night sky had already fallen, perfectly camouflaged the creature's pitch black fur with only the moon highlighting its outline while Gulo's golden orbs brightened intensely within the dark.
"Those Power Rangers surely showed the strength given by the Zeo Crystals, but proved to be useless against me. I could have finished them right then and there, though it would had ruined Mondo's plan in taking over the world." Gulo growled to himself, exhaling a hot ball of air through his nostrils as he tended to his minor cuts from his first encounter with the Rangers. "And just as planned, their darling Silver Ranger came to save the day, her crystal powers prove much more worthy than the others, hers and the Gold Ranger's powers will belong to the Empire! Disposing the Power Rangers quickly would be a shame when it could be much more entertaining to watch the two greater Rangers witness the fall of their beloved friends in a slow painful death!" His sadistic thoughts raced through his mind, grinning wildly as his yellowish tinted fangs shimmered from the pale moonlight and the injuries inflicted on his body slowly healed away into faded scars. Gulo squeezed the rough mountain earth causing it to crack under the force of his powerful claws, glaring at the glistening city of Angel Grove one last time before retreating deep within the dark forest.
Steph's P.O.V:
My brown eyes glanced up at the bright moon above, it was clear and beautiful while my mind was clouded and occupied with the events that occurred earlier today. The Machine Empire were never up to anything good, they recruited a friend of theirs, a large black wolf-like monster that was nothing any of us encountered before. My friends were struggling in the fight against him, he was just too strong to be subdued, even with Jason's help as the Gold Ranger, they couldn't bring him down. They needed help, my help as the Silver Ranger and I knew this day was going to come whether I liked it or not. I knew the second I transformed again, I was putting myself in danger, but I couldn't let my friends face another blow from this alien threat. My anxiety was all over the place, I had to act fast and facing him was a difficult challenge, Gulo was a skilled predator, letting his animal instincts take over. He caused a lot of damage to the area around us, even injuring Jason in the process as I saw the sight of his blood on the monster's claws and bleeding though the Gold Ranger suit. It made me angry and upset that I couldn't prevent it from happening and it only made me hate this creature even more.
Fighting Gulo on my own scared me at first, I admit I wasn't the strongest fighter in the group, even though I had practice sessions with Jason and Tommy, a short girl like me going against a large beast from outer space really didn't look like a fair fight. But, with the Zeo Crystals, I felt confident enough to put myself on the line and it felt good to give him a taste of his medicine with the help of my chain sword. There were moments during our fight that Gulo's razor claws grinded parts of my suit and helmet which could have easily killed me. Thankfully, the powers of the crystals were able to withstand extreme physical damage before breaking down and the Silver Zeo Crystal was my ultimate life savior. But, risking my life almost every day for others was what being a Power Ranger was all about. Each of us were chosen to save the people of Angel Grove and the rest of the world from outside threats. People depended on us when the city was under attack from Rita, Zedd, and now the Machine Empire, who has the same intention in taking over our planet and the rest of the galaxies. They're not going to succeed that easily, this was our home and we're not going to let them or anything else from taking it.
"...You and the rest of the Rangers are the only hope for your world…" I heard Zordon's voice echoing within my thoughts, his statement about us was true. The Power Rangers are the only ones capable enough to defend the world from enemies such as King Mondo. I only hope the choice I made to return to be a Ranger wasn't something I'm going to regret.
"There's something on your mind, isn't there?" A deep voice brought me back to reality, his tone filled with concern. I turned away from the moon facing a pair of darkened brown eyes that were shrouded in discontentment. The wooden porch swing slowly rocked us both, Jason hasn't left my side after we healed our injuries in the Power Chamber, he's been protecting me since then, taking me home and staying with me all throughout dinner tonight. In case the Machine Empire tried to plot another ambush, he was taking precautions not because he was a Ranger, but because he was being my boyfriend.
"I'm just full from eating that veggie lasagna I made for dinner, that's all." I straight up lied to him, a pretty crappy move to do, but I didn't want to bring up Gulo or the Machine Empire and let him worry about it all. Sometimes, I just want us to be normal teenagers again before all of us this happened, when the only things we had to worry about was dealing with Bulk and Skull, Ms. Appleby's Biology tests, and typical drama at school. I'll never understand why Zordon chose us to protect the world from sudden threats that can only exist in science fiction books, but what I do know is that we can't be Rangers forever.
"Stephanie…I know that's not true. Don't lie to me, please." He told me softly, catching me in the act. When we became Rangers, we had to constantly lie to everyone we cared about to go save the world, but Jase knew I was a lousy liar and I couldn't get away with it.
'Crap…' I mentally cursed out, feeling my ears burn hot and my heart beating madly out of embarrassment. There's was no point to hide it now, I needed to tell him the truth.
"I...I was thinking about the moment I came back as a Ranger and facing Gulo to save you and everyone else from him. He's not like any of the monsters we've fought before, he's powerful and could've killed you guys if I didn't...King Mondo and the rest of the Machine Empire want my Zeo Crystal and it scares me that they might get their hands on it. We can't stop them if that happens…They'll be no more Power Rangers." I confessed to him, bringing my legs up towards my chest and hugging them close while my eyes stared at the ground underneath me.
"You shouldn't think about that, Steph. No one is going to take away your crystal, not while I'm around. Maybe, Gulo is stronger than anything we'd face before, but we grown stronger too and if we were able to withstand Rita and Zedd, we can definitely take on the Machine Empire and Gulo. You coming back to the team is the best thing to happen to us, we need you and I'm glad you came when you did. " I felt his hand squeezing my shoulder gently after wrapping his arm around my shoulders. Jason was right, with all of the things we've been through in the past, we still remained strong. I shouldn't doubt myself so quickly, I'm just really glad I can always rely on Jason to make me feel better. When he talked to me though, I spotted something strange flickering in his eyes, but I wasn't really sure what it meant and quickly ignored it.
"Me too. Hopefully, we can get something out of the DNA sample and put an end to the furball once and for all." I slowly placed my head against his good shoulder, realizing his other shoulder was sore from today's battle and Jason was too proud to admit it. I felt his body shifting weight and felt his lips pressing against my hair as a soft smile spread along my lips.
Jason's P.O.V:
When I promised myself to protect Stephanie from Gulo and the Machine Empire and getting their hands on her Zeo Crystal, I soon regret it the second I told her. The Gold Ranger's powers weren't permanent, I was fully aware they would be returned to Trey of Triforia sometime soon and when that happens I'll be a normal teenager again. But even after being a Power Ranger, I don't know what is normal anymore. Part of me wishes I never went to the Peace Conference in Switzerland, I should have stayed here in Angel Grove and continued being the leader to the Power Rangers, but I passed on the leadership to Tommy after discussing it to Zordon because I was leaving my Ranger duties to do something good for the world when I was already doing that as a Ranger. I can't turn back time though, all I can do is focus what's happening now with King Mondo and Queen Machina taking over Rita and Zedd's plans to destroy us and take over the world. And this time there's no doubt in my mind that they know about my relationship with Stephanie just like Rita and Zedd did in the past only they never got their chance because I'd already left Angel Grove with Zack and Trini. I knew it all began when Cogs tried to ambush us in the park, it wasn't just a random fight, they probably knew Steph was the Silver Zeo Ranger and knew about her crystal. And with Gulo proving he was going to be a challenge to beat, it was going to be harder to keep Stephanie safe. Maybe, getting back together was just a mistake to begin with, I admit I wasn't thinking straight when she came back in my life, I fell hard for her again just I had before. And with her back as a Ranger only made her an easier target for the Machine Empire.
'If we break up, maybe it will be better that way…' I thought to myself, knowing I sounded crazy, but in a way I was protecting her. I looked down at her and pulled her close to me, smelling the sweet scent of roses in her hair.
'I just hope she'll understand and forgive me…'
End P.O.V
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