A/N: First off, I just want to say thanks for over 50 reviews! It warms my heart that you guys love it so much! Second, I want to dedicate this chapter to my good friend WideOpen SpacesGirl045. Love you girl! Also a shout out thanks to lilyrosenight, DreamStar14 and jg13145 (my other good friend) and guest Selena for their words of encouragement and love. Love you all! Anyway, this takes place in the middle of 'The Sealing Symbol', when the Gap Sensor goes off. Anyway, review or don't, Jayden and Emily in 'So Cold By Fire'.
The Gap Sensor blares red as we rush to the living room. Mentor touches the coffee table to show where the monsters are but there are red dots everywhere.
"What?" Mentor Ji says as he narrows in on a spot. The red dots glare up at us from many different spots, puckered and ugly. I know what that means. And it's not good.
"This looks like an invasion." And I was right. The Sanzu River has flooded our world. The Niglok are now free to move about on Earth, but we're not going to let that happen.
"Whoa, look at all those spots!"
"What?"
"I've never seen so many go off all at once before, "Mia exclaims. I nod, still looking down at them. They look harmless on the table but they symbolize so much more than that.
"The Sanzu River is now flooding into our world," Mentor states. We all turn our heads toward him, horrified. As much as I suspected and expected it, it's still a shock that after everything we've done, it's now finding a way here after all. "Looks like a battle for our world has begun.
"It's time to make our stand." Jayden steps forward as we all try to wrap our heads around the idea Master Xandred has flooded our world. I find comfort in his voice and my racing heart immediately slows. He just has that way about him that he can comfort us in even the darkest of times. "To defeat Master Xandred for good."
"Let's go," I say, feeling like Jayden's looking right at me. He nods.
"Let's do it," Antonio chimes in as we run out the door, our feet pounding the pavement. We head down towards the clearing where we had done battle before, at the edge of the city. I guess Master Xandred wanted it as the final battle-but we will emerge victorious.
Come on, run faster I tell myself. Run faster. You can do it. We have to protect the innocent, we have to protect the world.
We veer off and finally make it to an edge of a cliff. Below us are hundreds and hundreds of Moogers gathered, the flooded Sanzu River behind them, the red waves glinting like rubies in the harsh sunlight. If it wasn't a symbol of evil, I might have thought the water pretty. But it's evil. And it's here to destroy us. And it must be stopped.
I turn my head to look at the rest of the team, how they're taking deep breathes to calm themselves and to prepare themselves for this. I take a deep breath of my own and put on a brave face. Antonio looks the most freaked out as he gapes at them.
"Look at them all," he whispers, his voice for a moment scared.
"This is really it," Mia nods.
"You still happy you decided to become a Samurai?" Mike asks Antonio, looking over Mia's head at him. I listen for Antonio's answer, a little curious if he's ready for this. I'm not even ready for this, even though I did technically chose to become a Samurai like Antonio.
"Are you serious? Being a ranger is the best thing that's ever happened to me. I wouldn't trade it for anything," Antonio reassures us and I let out a breath that I didn't know I was holding. For a moment I was afraid that Antonio regretted becoming a Samurai. But he's not and that's one little bright spot among everything, that we're all in this together.
"Me either," Mike says seriously.
"No place I'd rather be," I join in, looking down at the crowds of Moogers. And I mean it. There is no place I'd rather be than beside my team, my friends with Jayden, defending the world.
"Guess I don't have to ask you all if you're ready for this then," Jayden says, trying to lighten the mood. I smile at him, but my eyes are hard for the fights we're about to face.
"Jayden, as long as you're with us…we're ready for anything," Kevin tells him. I nod and take Jayden's hand. He squeezes it comfortingly and I feel my shoulders relax a little. As long as we're together, we can do anything.
"Boo yah," Mike whispers, already itching to take on the Moogers.
"No matter what we're up against, we're in this together. All the way," I declare. Jayden nods and the rest of the team slides their eyes over to us for a moment then back to what lies ahead. Mia and Antonio nod in agreement.
"Looks like they've spotted us," Mia points out as all the Moogers heads turn upwards towards us, their sequels and screams echoing in the small canyon.
"Right. Let's do this!" Jayden says and we let go of each other's hands for the battle below. Everyone takes out their Samuraizers.
"Go go Samurai!" We all cry and morph quickly.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Jayden.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Kevin.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Mia.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Mike.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Me.
"Samurai ranger, ready!" Antonio.
We're all ready for this. This is it. We walk slowly forward, ready to take on the Moogers that come to greet us.
"Rangers together, Samurai forever!" We run forward now, ready to take apart some Moogers.
"We can beat these Moogers!" Jayden shouts, knocking down two at once. Sigh. He's so brave. Okay, snap out of it, snap out of it!
"But there's so many! We can take them though!" I cry out, chopping one down so it lies at my feet as another one comes up in front of me.
"I'd say this is all of them!" Kevin slashes his sword into one and rolls away to deflect another.
Good, we can get rid of them once and for all!" Mike answers, grabbing one and throwing it down.
"Right!" Mia calls, fighting her own hoard of Moogers.
"Sounds like a plan!" Antonio cracks down on his Moogers with his Barracuda Blade. We continue fighting for a few more minutes until distracted by a booming voice.
"Rangers!" Master Xandred jumps from his ship down to us and I try to distance myself from him and his evil presence. "The hour of your distraction is at hand!" He raises his sword up.
"Take your best shot Master Xandred," Jayden challenges as we all go to stand by him. The presence of Jayden overwhelms Master Xandred and I feel the tight, scared, despairing emotion inside my chest loosen a little.
"Oh, we will," he threatens and so many Moogers come to stand in front of him, blocking and protecting him until it's at least ten Moogers deep to get to him.
"There! On his chest! That's where he absorbed Dayu's humanity," Jayden points out. "It could be his only weak spot." He takes out the Shiba Fire disc and looks at it hard for a moment. "I may only get one shot to strike him there so I have to make it count. Super Samurai mode!" He puts the fire disc in the Black Box and transforms before us. "Get me in close!"
"Getting positions," Kevin says. "Ma and Emily in the front. Mike and I in the rear. Antonio, watch our backs."
"I'm on it!" Antonio responds as we get into our positions.
"Right," I answer, getting my sword ready to protect Jayden.
"Ready!" Mia signals.
"I'm in position." Antonio swings his Barracuda Blade causally.
"Mike and I will shield you," Kevin warns Jayden.
"You just focus on hitting that spot," Mike reminds him. They take their stances.
"It's time. Get me to Master Xandred no matter what the cost." Is it me or do I hear a trace of reluctance in his voice? I know he doesn't like putting us in danger, but we have to. For the world.
"Be careful," Jayden whispers to me over my shoulder, leaning close. I bite my lip; even through all this, he still worries about me. I don't respond, but I nod, knowing he knows what I'm thinking.
"Attack!" he cries and we charge towards Master Xandred, to get Jayden an opening. We chop through all the Moogers, knowing we have to succeed or there won't be a world to protect any longer. I'm dodging, deflecting, and hitting all at once as the Moogers keep on coming.
"This is my one chance to finally take him down!" Jayden cries, running through another pack of Moogers. Antonio gets him from behind, holding LightZord and delving out powerful hits of his own. We continue on into another throng of Moogers and each defeat them quickly.
"Foolish rangers, fighting onward to their doom!" Master Xandred taunts as he watches us fight. Mia and I quickly and harshly double-slash a Mooger and it falls behind us.
"All clear Jayden!" Mia calls.
"Go for it!" I add as we roll out of the way. We've done our job. Now we can only watch and pray that Jayden completes his. Mike, Kevin, and Jayden run towards the evil king of the Niglok as he sends a blast their way. Mike and Kevin get in front of Jayden, but are hit hard and tumble to the ground. Jayden runs on, unprotected but determined.
"Super Spin Sword! my sister couldn't seal you but I can still destroy you!" Master Xandred swings his sword but Jayden jumps over it and turns, deflecting another hit from him. Shoving his arm away, Jayden sticks his spin sword deep into the white patch on his chest. We wait with bated breath. Did it work? Is he done for? Is it over?
We start to cheer as the flames lick around the white patch and Xandred growls loudly.
"I knew this would be your weak spot!" Jayden declares vehemently, shoving his sword even harder into him. But Master Xandred just grabs his sword and starts to pull. No!
"I see…all of your strength, Red ranger."
"Huh?" Jayden looks up.
"But you won't defeat me that easily." Xandred gives Jayden a mighty throw and he lands in front of us, sword still in hand.
"Jayden! Are you okay?" I ask him with concern. I have my hand on his shoulder.
"Impossible!" Kevin exclaims as Xandred stands there, still relatively unscathed.
"You really thought that you could destroy me?" He points at us. Oh yes. we can and we will destroy you. Even if I die trying.
"This isn't over Xandred1" Jayden slashes his sword but the Black Box malfunctions. It glows organ for a moment and the Shiba Fire disc falls, shattering on the dirt.
"The Shiba Fire Disc!" I kneel down next to Jayden, seeing our last hope broken before us. No. It can't be. That's all we needed.
"Ha! Your one chance of victory now lies shattered on the ground!" He sends a forceful blast at us and we take a few steps backwards, the LightZord flying out of Antonio's hand and hitting the ground hard.
"Flames of the Netherworld!" he screams and they come jumping at us, exploding before our feet. We are hit by the flames and de-morph from the pain. Xandred cackles as we fall to the hard ground before him, the dry grass blowing in the evil breeze.
"Well. I'm waiting." I try to get up, but the flames did a lot of damage. It feels like my bones are made of stone but hurt like stones are on them. Pain is pressing in on all sides of me and I can't escape it-it's everywhere. The team lies around me, in agony as well.
What can we do?
"Beg me to spare you, you worthless rangers." That comment angers me but I can do nothing about it except glare at him, the rocks weighing down on me.
"No matter what you do to us…we'll never bow to you," Jayden pants, struggling to sit up. He's so brave and fearless but how can we fight him? We…we can't.
"Even now, your spirit can't be broken. Perhaps you just lack the proper incentive." His voice is cold and a shiver goes down my spine. I don't like the way he's looking at us and I don't like where this is going. He walks towards us, his stride purposeful and evil. He grabs my arm and lifts me halfway up since I can't support even myself.
"Hey!" I say weakly, struggling for him to let go. But if anything, he grips me tighter.
"If you will not beg for yourselves, then I'll see if you will beg to spare this one." He shoves me down in front of him and puts his foot in the middle of my back.
"Emily!" Mike cries, but he cannot get up. It's like with Deker, when I feel like Xandred is putting all of his weight in this one single foot and is balancing it all on me. I feel like the rocks have just been multiplied in weight and they press down on me even harder.
"No!" Jayden reaches out towards me with one hand. Xandred brings his sword down so it rests right in front of my left shoulder blade, closer to my neck. I take a deep breath, my heart pounding furiously. It seems like it's trying to get in a lifetime worth of beatings when it's so sure I will die in the next few seconds.
"I know how you feel, red ranger. And I will take her away from you," Master Xandred threatens. I see in Jayden's eyes he doesn't know what to do. He has to save the entire world, but with me at stake, he's doubting his mission. But a whole world isn't worth me. There are still so many people who haven't had a chance to live their lives and they never will if Jayden tries to save me.
"Jayden…" I mumble my hands spread out in front of me. I extend one slowly out to him, hoping he knows what I'm trying to say. I still feel the metal blade of Xandred's sword on my skin, cool and hard and evil.
"Emily! Emily, I'll get you out of this, I promise." Jayden looks at me earnestly but I shake my head. It's just the two of us now, everyone else has faded away, even the sword resting on me, urging its master to kill me right then and there.
"No Jayden. You have to…you have to save the world. I'm not worth it as just one person."
"But Emily…" Jayden trails off, looking deep into my eyes. But I can't let him try and save me. It's the whole world at stake, a whole world of people who still have their whole lives out before them. At least I got to experience this and find great friends and a true love. Some people have yet to have that.
"Didn't you always say 'one person is insignificant to the fate of the world?' It's the …it's the same here." Jayden looks like his heart is breaking and mine is too, but I know that he would say the same if our positions were reversed.
Just seeing the haunted look in Jayden's eyes is making my heart break into millions of pieces that can never be healed, that will be scattered among the wind and will never be put back together again. There will always be some parts that I'll never find, caught on a branch or under a rock somewhere, alone forever.
"Your sadness sweetens my victory and is making the Sanzu River rise more as we speak." Xandred's voice breaks through to us and I close my eyes tightly for a moment, trying to stop the tears that threaten to overflow. It's not bad enough that my hear is shattered, but when I cry my soul will be broken too.
"Xandred, you will pay for this," Kevin says menacingly as Jayden still stares at me. We're still in our own world, trying to read each other's eyes and looking deep inside ourselves, trying to get through this.
Xandred gives a small laugh. "I have the Samurai rangers team in the best place possible. I may do whatever I wish and you will never defeat me. Besides, Dayu will be pleased." So that's why he's doing this. That's why he chose me. For Dayu.
"This is Dayu's revenge," I whisper. Xandred nods.
"It's what she wanted. And you will soon join her, yellow ranger. You will soon join her."
"No! Stop!" The team cries, their voices intertwining with horror and fear and anger. I know I would be feeling the same sadness that they are experiencing now. I am going to die before their eyes and they can't do anything.
"Guys, I…" I want to say something to them, anything, so they know how much I love them. Btu I don't' know what. I don't know how to put what I'm feeling into words; I only hope they know I love them.
"Emily…" Kevin stares at me and I can tell it's taking all of his strength just to life his head up. Just to look at me. The others seem weak too but all have their eyes on me. The weakling, under Xandred's boot, love shining from her eyes to her team…
To Jayden.
"Say good bye to your friends, yellow ranger." Xandred raises his sword and I see the expressions in their faces change. But I will not close my eyes. I will not spend my last moments looking into the darkness of my eyelids-I want to spend it looking at the beauty of my team…my friends.
"No!" They all cry out as the sword whooshes down and hits my skin.
"Emily!" Jayden cries. Fire starts from the wound and spreads throughout my body. The pain is awful and he forces the sword deeper. If I was morphed, it may have not been as bad but I'm completely vulnerable. The agony is terrible, overshadowing everything I had ever experienced before. The metal twists deeper into my skin but I do not cry out. I will not give him the satisfaction of hearing my pain-filled voice. It feels like my body is on fire, the place where he inflicted the wound very cold. From the wound it's like liquid ice water making its way down my neck into my very soul.
"Emily! Emily!" Jayden's shouts penetrate through the dark pools filling inside me, closing over everything. But his voice was breaking through the heavy water. My eyelids flutter, wanting so desperately to close. But I will not go under. I will see my friends until the very end. I see them get up, rage covering their features and charge at Xandred, though their yells strangely muffled.
"Emily, what did he do to you? Oh Emily." Jayden had dragged himself over to me and now held my head in his lap as the team fought Xandred. The fire he caused is still burning brightly inside me, my blood flowing from the wound and onto Jayden's clothes.
"Jayden…" I murmur, trying to speak through the pain. "Jayden…I'll be okay. "He looks at me unbelievingly.
"Emily, what are you saying? You're not okay, you just got stabbed. I'll get you out of this, and you will be okay. But you're not now." I smile slightly, discomfort and the smell of blood sickening me. But it's my own blood, my own life dripping out of me.
"Jayden, I…I love you," I get out, as I feel like I'm about to throw up from the salty smell of my own blood splashing onto Jayden.
"I love you too, Emily. Listen to me, try to hang on; I love you." And for the tiniest moment, I think I see him shed another tear…for me. The fire is burning in my heart, the darkness proliferating through me but I focus on Jayden's words.
I love you too, Emily. I love you.
I love you.