Chapter 14: Nora

Her legs swinging from a branch of a tree several feet off the ground, Nora peered through the lens of her camera intently. Below her, the small herd of Pegasi grazed peacefully, aware of her presence but content to ignore her. Nora snapped pictures as quietly as she could. While they accepted her presence, she didn't want to go too far.

The leader of the herd's head lifted, and she snorted. Wings of all shades unfurled, and Nora gasped, grabbing hold of the branch right as a gust of wind slammed her, almost causing her to drop her camera. She looked up, watching the Pegasi fly off.

"Damn, told you they'd spook," Nora frowned and looked down at the four walking into the clearing.

"They're just stupid horses, who cares?" the tallest of the group, a young Elf with long pointed ears and his hair back in a ponytail, shrugged.

"I really want to ride one though. I heard they can dimension jump," the young man to his left complained. His attention darted to Nora as she climbed down from the tree, hoping to slip away quickly."Oh, Lady Russell," the four stopped, and Nora paused, her back to them as she resisted a groan.

"Hey, there..." Nora turned to them with a weak smile.

"Good afternoon. Are you on your way to training?" the female of the group, a Fae, asked with a pleasant smile.

"No, I have the day off," she shook her head. "I'm just on my way to the market," Nora lied easily, awkward as the four watched her.

"I see," the Elf nodded. "We best be on our way to training. Good day," he bowed his head respectfully.

"Yeah..." Nora sighed, watching them leave.

"Must be nice, being the daughter of the Light," she heard the young man sniff. "Having a day off," Nora rolled her eyes and sighed, already used to that sort of attitude. Reaching out, Nora touched the tree, and closed her eyes.

She reappeared on the outskirts of Briarwood, and kicked a stone hard. Taking in a deep breath, she sat down at the base of the tree, and looked at the camera in her hands, starting to flick through her pictures.

Hearing a loud explosion, she looked up, her eyes wide, and stood. Running up the hill as she heard more explosions, Nora stopped, her hands flying to her mouth as she saw Briarwood in flames. Her camera hit the ground; the lens cracking, and she took off at a run.

Jerking awake, Nora reached to her side quickly to grab her sword, only to grasp air. It took a moment for her to realise where she was, and when she did, she relaxed with a heavy sigh. Sitting up, her black hair fell into her face, and she brushed it aside.

"Whatever.." she muttered, getting up and opening the door to her bedroom. It was later than she expected, and everyone was up and about their usual activities.

"Mornin lass," Flynn greeted with a smile as he looked up from his jeep when Nora walked past. "You slept late. Even Ziggy's up before you," he commented.

"Yeah...didn't sleep too well," she shrugged, walking on over to the kitchenette. Flynn didn't push her, which she was grateful for, and she grabbed a glass to fill with juice.

"Nora?" her brow furrowed as Ziggy approached her, and she lifted the bowl she'd just poured cereal in, and walked off.

"Oh boy," Flynn chuckled as he looked up again. "You've really made her mad," he told the Green Ranger, who huffed.

"I'm trying to apologise, she won't let me!" he complained.

"Give her time," he looked around to Teddie, who was writing in her notebook. "She's stubborn, stop bugging her every two minutes and let her cool off," she said, not looking up.

"Are you speaking from experience?" Heckyl asked, not looking up from his book as Teddie leaned her back to his side. "Or because you're exactly the same?" he continued, and flinched as her notebook hit the side of his head. He smirked very slightly, and with a sigh, Teddie looked up at Ziggy.

"Dude, seriously. Give her space. Nora was hard to approach before all this," she told him.

"You must have done something bad if she won't even talk to you," Dillon spoke up from the other sofa. "I mean she normally just shouts at you. What did you say to her?" he asked. Ziggy didn't respond, but looked guilty.

"Oh, definitely bad if the lad won't say," Flynn chuckled, before the engine of his jeep made a popping noise, and he was splattered with oil, letting out a yell of alarm.

"Maybe that will teach you to focus on your work instead of gossiping," Summer smiled as she passed him a towel and walked past. He glowered at her, and wiped the oil from his face as Dillon smirked. The light atmosphere faded, however, as the alarm blared, and the Rangers all moved to the computers quickly.

"Strange," Dr. K spoke up as she examined the readings. "It's not just an alert to the Venjix force, but a massive heat surge in the area," she commented.

"South, not too far from the water treatment facility," Teddie said to the team, who nodded.

"Let's move out," Scott ordered.

"Rangers, be cautious out there. Your suits were not designed for extreme heat," Dr. K warned them as they left. As their vehicles sped off, Nora's bedroom door opened and she peered out, curious.

Teddie's bike skidded to a stop as she reached the co-ordinates. As she flipped up her visor, she heard the others heading towards her. She then looked around, and frowned.

"What's going on?" Dillon asked as he stepped out of his car and glanced around the area. His brow furrowed. "Isn't this the place?" he asked.

"Maybe we're late?" Ziggy suggested as they walked around.

"Dr. K would have warned us if they'd changed locations," Summer shook her head. Her hand was already reaching for the engine cell swinging from around her neck.

"Stay alert," Scott told his team, and they all nodded.

"I don't like this," Arianna murmured nervously, scanning the area with her worried pale gaze. "Something is off," she said. The Mercury Ranger tucked her hair behind her ear, unable to see anything that would have been picked up on the sensors. She stopped as Dillon put his arm out, and she bumped it lightly. His frown had grown, as he looked at the ground but seemed to be focusing.

"I hear something," he warned quietly.

"You do?" Teddie turned to him confused. She'd not sensed anything. "I don't-" she stopped, whirling around. "Get down!" she yelled, and everyone dove to the ground, obeying without hesitation as a pillar of fire billowed through the area. They all looked around sharply as Scott let out a scream of pain.

"Guess you weren't fast enough," Siren smirked as she approached with another Attackbot.

"So are you and Tenaya taking turns failing to beat us or what?" Ziggy asked her as they got back to her feet. He glanced to Teddie as she darted past, sliding to a stop beside Scott as her tanned skin lit up in a golden light. She touched Scott as he struggled to try and breathe normally through the pain; burns lining his legs and a good portion of his body.

"Big words from the weakest member of the team," Siren retorted, and Ziggy flushed, struggling to find a comeback as Teddie healed Scott's wounds.

"Enough," Arianna spoke up, stepping forwards. "You won't win, Siren, you never do," the Mercury Ranger vowed in her soft tone, falling into a fighting stance. Siren just smirked, and tossed her curly dark hair over her shoulder.

"We'll see about that. Flamebot!" Siren snapped her fingers, and a tall Attackbot walked into view. Flames flickered from turrets on both arms, and steam billowed from pipes over its shoulders.

"Doctor K said our suits aren't designed for extreme heat," Teddie warned as she looked up from Scott. "So be careful," she told them.

"Right," Summer nodded. "Ready?" she called to the other four.

"Ready!"

"RPM, GET IN GEAR!" the team Morphed and rushed at Siren and the Flamebot, only to be forced to scatter as flames burst from the Attackbot's turrets and swept the area. They were forced to react defensively and continue to dodge the flames sweeping the area, as Siren smirked.

"What's the matter, Rangers? You started out so fearlessly," she laughed, and fired a blast. Ziggy yelped, crashing to the ground.

"Invincibility Shield!" Dillon stepped in the way and blocked the flames from hitting the Green Ranger.

"That doesn't last too long, Ranger Black, what then?" Siren called to him, only for Arianna to catch her attention. The Mercury Ranger rushed in, and as the Flamebot turned to hit her with the fire, Arianna's form rippled and she turned to mercury. It splattered to the ground, and as the Flamebot was confused, turning to attack Summer and Flynn instead, Arianna's body reformed.

"Jet Fists!" she called on her weapons, and punched the Flamebot hard. It stumbled and hit the ground as Dillon's shield faded, and both the Green and Black Rangers breathed a sigh of relief.

"Good move," Flynn nodded to Arianna as the Rangers regrouped and approached the fallen Attackbot. However, it raised an arm, and they dodged the fire that exploded out.

"We can't even get close!" Dillon growled.

"Zip Charger!" Summer fired a blast from her own weapon, but the Flamebot moved its jet of flame. The fire collided with the blast, and it exploded harmlessly. Siren then let out a scream, and the Rangers were bombarded by the painful shock-waves that were created by her scream. They hit the ground, and Siren laughed.

"This is fun. I can't believe Tenaya passed on watching this happen," she commented, only to cry out as a golden ball of light collided with her face, and she fell to the ground.

"You need to just stop talking for once," Teddie told her, looking exhausted as she and Scott leaned against each other.

"We need to retreat for now," Scott ordered his team, who nodded. "Let's go," they hurried off as Siren got back to her feet.

"Run while you can," she spoke softly.

Nora sat on her bed, looking at the camera in her hands and flicking through the pictures taken. After a moment, she let out a heavy sigh, and fell back on the mattress, glaring at the ceiling.

By the time Nora had reached the city, her lungs were burning and sweat rolled down her face. She looked around, horrified as she found nothing but chaos and destruction.

"This is...what is happening?" she questioned softly, looking around. "Where is everyone?" she looked around for any sign of the living, but only found more death. "My phone..." she remembered, and pulled it from her pocket. She'd turned it off while taking pictures in the Magical Realm, not wanting it to disturb the creatures she was watching. Switching it back on, she found missed calls from both her parents, as well as the rest of her family.

Her hands were shaking, making it hard to use her phone, but eventually managed to find her father's contact details. She called him, and pressed the phone to her ear as she fought the stinging in her eyes.

The beeping made her frown as the call didn't go through. She tried again, only to get the same beeping tone. "Dad?" her voice shook, and she then tried to call her mother, only to have the same happen. "How is this possible? Calls connect in the Magical Realm, so..." Nora ran to the tree nearby, and placed her hand on it, waiting for the pull of magic.

Nothing happened.

Nora's legs gave out from under her, and she crumpled to the ground.

"What's going on?" she whispered, her phone on the ground beside her. The beeping of another unconnected call echoed from the device as she struggled to understand what was going on. "I need to get to the portal," Nora pushed herself up, gripping the tree for assistance, and turned to hurry to the outskirts of town. She froze, as she found herself looking at the damaged chassis of a robot that towered over her. Black with traces of red and gold, the robot was nothing short of intimidating.

"Oh? It seems we have a survivor," the robot drawled. Nora backed away from him, but as she looked around, she found herself surrounded by smaller robots. Her eyes narrowed, and she threw out her hands, speaking in a language the robot didn't understand.

Flames erupted around Nora, destroying the robots, and she cast another spell, turning invisible. However, as she made to run, the cold metal hands of the leader caught her.

"The invisibility is a nice touch, human, but unfortunately not so effective against me," to her horror, the robot actually laughed at her.

"Let me go! What do you want?!" Nora thrashed in his grip, but he didn't release his painful hold on her, bruising her wrists.

"She's a fighter. She'll be perfect for the Master's plan," he threw her backwards, and several Grinders grabbed her before she could react. "Don't worry, you won't remember anything," as Nora tried to cast another spell, the metal fist collided with the side of her jaw, and darkness and pain swallowed her up.

Nora shook her head, trying to rid herself of the thoughts of the day Venjix had launched the attack, and she stood up.

"Dude, you never stop eating. How are you not fat?" Heckyl looked up, arching an eyebrow as Nora sat down opposite him and stole the pack of cookies he'd been demolishing.

"Fast metabolism," he answered, taking them back. "Linked to my powers, it would seem," Heckyl's eyes went back to his book. Nora watched him for a moment, and snorted, biting into the cookie she'd swiped.

"You got Rose'd, huh?" she commented, lifting her camera to cycle through the pictures.

"A common thing?" Heckyl asked her.

"Rose doesn't like not knowing something," Nora explained lightly, still looking through her pictures. "Hey, Heckyl?" Nora's voice was softer; more uncertain. He made a humming noise to show he was listening as he turned the page, his head in his hand. "How did you realise you liked Teddie?" Heckyl paused, and after a moment, he looked up to meet Nora's hazel gaze.

"What?" he asked, genuinely puzzled by her question. Nora shuffled, looking away awkwardly.

"How did you know? I mean, from what I've heard, the Dark Energem...you shouldn't have-" she stopped herself, seeing him tense out of reflex at the mention of the Dark Energem. "Sorry, that's...never mind," she shook her head, looking embarrassed.

"I didn't, not at first," Nora looked up in surprise at his answer. He was looking away, pensive. "Like you said, the Dark Energem shrouded any feelings that weren't darkness. But," Heckyl paused, his own face warming as he thought about it. "I suppose it's because it had been so long, that's why I noticed it, even if I didn't know what it was," he considered. When Nora's head tilted, curious, he continued. "At first I'd just considered her the best option to get close to the Rangers; I'd already saved her life before," he commented.

"From the truck, during that wish thing," Nora remembered, and he nodded.

"We spent some time together, and I suppose I started finding myself curious about her. She was kind and considerate, and after so long of being on Sledge's ship, it was different. I got to know her as more than just the White Ranger whose Energem I wanted," Heckyl continued, thinking about it. "I was drawn to her, but it wasn't until..." he trailed off, and Nora frowned.

"What happened?" Heckyl wondered, pressing his hand to the door that had shut behind him. He drew his hand back as the cold burned his fingers, and a shiver ran down his spine.

"What's wrong?" Teddie turned to him, carrying a tray of burgers.

"The door...shut behind me, I can't open it," Heckyl told her. Teddie frowned, setting the tray down, and slipped between him and the door, pushing at it.

"It's locked?" she wondered, and felt a pulse of magic. "Chase...you're a dead man when I get out of here," she vowed.

"Why Chase?" Heckyl asked her curiously. Teddie paused. "Wait, why did he ask me to get these when you were already doing it?" he asked, and Teddie refused to look at him, her heart pounding so painfully she was certain he could hear it.

"Because my brother's an idiot and likes to play pranks," she told him after a moment, turning around. She pressed against the door in surprise as she realised he hadn't backed away from her. He was so close that she brushed against him, making his eyes widen. "I...uh..." Teddie swallowed, not sure what to do as he stared at her, looking just as baffled. There was an awkward, tense silence that fell over the pair as Teddie stood completely still, and he seemed to be having an internal debate.

Teddie prayed he didn't feel her heart pounding painfully in her chest, but wasn't too sure how he wouldn't, being so close to her. The air between them fogged up as the cold started to seep through their clothes, and Teddie fought against the shivering that wasn't entirely to do with the cold air of the freezer. Her lips parted slightly as she tried to say something, but Heckyl's hand slid up her cheek, warmer than her face and mostly covered by his leather fingerless gloves, silencing any thought she might have had. Warmth spread from his fingertips across her face, and her next breath was ragged as he leaned in, and she reached up to meet him.

The freezer door suddenly opened behind Teddie, taking the pair by surprise, and they pulled away from each other quickly.

"Until?" Nora pressed, snapping him from his thoughts. He sighed, rolling his eyes in an attempt to play it off.

"Until Chase locked us in the freezer and I almost kissed her," Nora's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hands in a poor effort to hide her laugh.

"Man, you two really are idiots," Heckyl sighed and turned a frown on her, more embarrassed than annoyed.

"Why do you ask?" he asked her, and Nora's laughter immediately died.

"I..." she frowned, looking down at her camera again. Hearing the dull roars that were the telltale signs of the Rangers returning, they looked up as Flynn and Scott's cars arrived back in the garage, along with Summer on her bike.

"That was-what happened to you?" Heckyl frowned as Teddie stumbled out of the jeep, helped by Arianna. Soot covered their faces and uniforms, and Teddie looked exhausted. She groaned, falling into the seat beside him and slumping into his side.

"Tired..." she mumbled.

"You were only out there for half an hour," Heckyl frowned, before realisation dawned on him. Teddie whined as he made her straighten up, examining her face. "You didn't get hurt again, did you?" he asked her, exasperated.

"I didn't!" Teddie shook her head. "Let me sleep," she pleaded.

"What happened?" Dr. K asked as she walked out of her lab. "The energy readings were all over the place, and the heat levels were off the chart," she looked back at the reading on the tablet in her hand.

"That Attackbot was crazy strong," Ziggy complained, smearing more soot across his face.

"It controlled fire, we couldn't get near it," Arianna explained as she and Summer helped Scott sit down.

"Fire?" Nora repeated quietly. Her hands clenched into tight fists. "Not him," she whispered to herself.

"A Flamebot," Dr. K mused, thoughtful. "It would seem Venjix is considering an attempt to target you first, before launching an attack on the city," she considered.

"And if it wasn't for Teddie, I'd have been the first casualty," Scott looked down at his tattered shirt and jacket. They were burned, revealing his skin underneath. He touched it, not feeling any different. He just couldn't get the memory out of his head, and the strange warmth of the burns healing at a rapid rate.

"You'll get used to it," he looked up at Arianna as she smiled sympathetically. "Trust me, it's disconcerting, but you'll appreciate it more than anything," she told the Red Ranger, who looked unsure. "Eventually," she added with a laugh. Scott glanced over to Teddie, who was dozing on Heckyl's side as he watched her, looking mildly annoyed.

"We need a way to stop that fire," Summer spoke up.

"But how?" Flynn shrugged. "The heat was intense, our suits can't handle that, and Dillon's shield only lasts five seconds," he pointed out as Summer glanced to Dillon.

"Teleporting in is too risky as well," Scott spoke up, leaning forwards as he thought about it. "We need a way to divert the flames, so that we can take the Flamebot out quickly," he said.

"Divert the flames..." Ziggy repeated quietly, and looked around. "What about-" he stopped as he realised that Nora had disappeared, and the door to her bedroom was shutting.

"That's not a bad idea," Teddie yawned, realising what he was thinking. "I'll-" Heckyl stopped her, looking at Nora's camera. He whispered to Teddie, whose brow furrowed, before she turned to Ziggy.

"Go talk to her," Ziggy frowned in confusion. "We're going to need Nora for this. So...go talk to her," Teddie yawned, and seemed to doze off again as the Green Ranger tried to argue. He sighed, and made for the stairs. "So...why him? Nora wants to stab him from what I could tell," she mumbled.

"Clearly your powers of observation have suffered recently," Heckyl angled the camera to her, and Teddie paused, looking at the pictures he was showing.

"Huh," she murmured.

"I thought your friends called you a 'Violent Cupid'?" he asked, and winced as her elbow jabbed his stomach.

"Let me go!" Nora thrashed in the chains that restrained her, refusing to give in as they dragged her along. She'd woken in a strange warehouse; hands bound behind her back in heavy metal chains that chafed her wrists. She'd felt the blood dripping for some time, but ignored it. Every time she tried to cast a spell, they'd strike her or yank at the chains, throwing her off.

She was yanked into another room, and her thrashing stopped as her eyes grew wide in horror. Others were bound just like her, covered in soot, dirt and bruises, being forced along. For a moment she stood watching, before she was pulled along again, forced into line.

"Hey," she heard a whisper behind her, and glanced around. "Any idea what's going on here?" a young man around her age whispered. Dried blood stuck his dark hair to his forehead. He looked scared, but more composed than most. Nora shook her head wordlessly. "I'm Dan," he told her.

"Nora," she answered quietly.

"Congratulations!" they looked up at the loud voice, and Nora spotted the robot from before at the front of the prisoners. There was still damage done to his chest, like something had tried to hack through him. "You are the first of the pawns for Master Venjix's plan," he declared, throwing his hands in the air. "Your world has fallen. Your protectors have fallen," Nora froze at his comment, dread setting into her stomach.

"That's not true!" one man spoke up, defiant. "The Mystic Force protected the city. They may have retreated for now, but they'll be back!" he declared.

"Mystic Force..." the robot considered quietly, running his hand along the red metal over his head. "Ah yes, those pathetic Power Rangers. Most of them escaped, yes, but their Green Ranger...well, he won't be running around in that cape any more," he told them.

"Xander..." Nora murmured, horrified at his insinuation.

"And that Gold armoured one? She was pathetically weak for someone bragging the title 'Legendary Golden Warrior'," the robot laughed.

"The Mystic Force have never failed us!" the man seemed undeterred by the robot's boasting. "You'll never win!" he shouted, and there was a murmur in the crowd. The robot sighed, and lifted his blaster. The man let out a choke, and crumpled to the ground. People screamed in horror, and Nora stared at the lifeless body on the ground, which was then dragged away.

"Anyone else have any opinions on the matter?" the robot asked smoothly, lifting his blaster again. Nobody spoke, and all that could be heard were the sobs of people. Nora breathed heavily, sick to her stomach as the sight flashed through her mind. "Now, where was I?" he asked himself. "Ah yes. Your world now belongs to Master Venjix. And you will be the final step in his grand plan!" he declared.

A knock at the door made Nora look up, trying to calm herself.

"What?" she snapped, and the door opened. Ziggy peeked in, and Nora clenched her fists. "Leave me alone," she growled at him, and her temper flared when he stepped into the room and closed the door behind him.

"I'm sorry," he said before she could snap at him. "I was out of line. I never should I have called you a machine," Ziggy apologised to her, and watched as Nora's eyes blazed. But she didn't speak, or set him on fire, so he continued. "You've been helping me be a better Ranger, and I was...I'm sorry," the Green Ranger repeated, and Nora watched him, before letting out a growl.

"Fine," she hissed. "Stop looking at me with those tragic eyes," she grumbled, and he brightened up. "I'm sorry for being so hard on you as well," Nora sighed, rubbing her arm. "But, I can't help you, not with this Attackbot," she shook her head, and Ziggy's face fell.

"What? Why not?" he asked her, baffled.

"Because the last time I fought one of those Flamebots..." Nora's breath caught as she thought about it. "I just can't," she shook her head.

"Nora, we need you," Ziggy told her seriously. "Scott was almost barbecued by that thing. We need something to stop the fire," he insisted.

"I can't," Nora's voice was quiet and shaky.

"Why?" he demanded.

"Because the last time I did, someone died!" Ziggy froze at her raised voice. Nora stared at him, and her eyes burned. "Dammit," she put her hands to her face as the tears welled up and quickly escaped. "Dammit..." she repeated as a sob escaped.

"What do you suppose they're going to do to us?" Dan asked, his voice light as he sat hunched in the small cell he'd been given. Nora didn't look up from the ground, her arms wrapped around her legs. Her eyes were dull. "Use us to repair them? Make more of them? Eat us?" he listed.

"Robots don't eat. And they wouldn't eat humans," Nikki spoke up from her own cell, beside Nora's. "Do you really believe what they said? About the Mystic Force?" she asked softly.

"Who knows?" Jamie murmured, her voice soft and worn from crying.

"I heard that they'd been around since my dad was young. How could they lose?" Dan questioned. "They made it up, they have to have. What do you think Nora?" he asked, directing his attention to her.

"They're alive," her voice was quiet. "But I think they sealed the way into the Magical Realm. They're gone," her voice didn't change in tone.

"Of course they are," an older man, Dee, snorted. "They ran, like the cowards they are. Get used to it kids, we're dead and they're safe," he told them. Nora's eyes flashed, but she didn't move.

"We're not," Dan insisted. "We'll get out of here. We have to," he said.

"Well that's vague," Nikki snorted. "How do you propose we do that?" she asked, not sounding very believing. Not that the others could fault her. They'd all heard the rumours about people who'd tried to escape and paid the price.

"I'm still working on that. But we'll escape," Dan told them.

"And go where?" Dee spoke up from his own cell. Dan rolled his eyes. "Face it kid, we're dead wherever we go. Venjix rules the world now. Best get over it, and accept whatever gruesome death they have planned for us," he told them.

"He doesn't rule everywhere yet," Dan's quiet voice earned all their attention. "I heard that robot, the one who loves to talk. Apparently there's one city still standing, a place called Corinth," he told them.

"I've heard of that place," Jamie nodded. "It was a military project, a domed city designed to protect them from anything," she explained.

"Then we head there," Dan told them.

"Your optimism is sweet and all," Dee spoke once again. "But there's no way you'll get there. It's miles away, and you'll have to get past all them robots. You ain't a Power Ranger. Them cowards left long ago," he laughed, and it echoed down the corridor.

"Shut up," the laughter stopped as Nora stood, furious. "The Power Rangers are heroes. They're the reason you're alive to be a bitter asshole, so shut your damn mouth," she snarled. "I've had enough of this dump. If there's a place we can go, then let's go," she decided.

"Now that's more like it," Dan grinned.

"You might have won her over, but there's one more important thing," Nikki leaned on the cell door. "We're prisoners, locked in cells?" she reminded them. Their eyes then widened as Nora threw out her hand and flames exploded from her hand, melting the metal bars.

"You were saying?" she asked as she moved the flames, melting the cells around them. Everyone stepped over the molten metal, gaping at her. "Let's ditch this dump," Nora told them.

"This way, there's an exit," Dan led the way, and the small group that remained moved as quietly as they could, before turning a corner and coming face-to-face with a group of Grinders. Nora raised a hand, and the crates around them smashed into the Grinders. Dan and Nikki grabbed their blasters, and tossed one to Dee as he looked stunned by the escape attempt.

"There's the way out!" Jamie gasped, but as they raced towards it, there was an explosion that blasted them off their feet.

"Well well, more rats trying to escape," they looked up at the robot approaching, followed by another Attackbot. Turrets were resting on its shoulders, and pipes emerged from its back, billowing smoke.

"You guys make a run for it," Nora told them, getting to her feet. "I'll stop these creeps," she said, her hands shining with her fire magic.

"Don't have to tell me twice," Dee was up and out the door in seconds.

"Nora-"

"Go!" Nora snapped at the group getting to their feet.

"Stop them," the robot ordered lazily, turning and walking off. The Attackbot beeped, and flames burst from its turrets, making Jamie scream. Nora worked quickly, chanting in the language of the Mystics, and the flames diverted, slamming into crates nearby. They burst into flames, and the small group with Nora made for the door as Nora held out her hand, casting another spell. A long sword appeared and she caught it, moving with the momentum and slammed it against the Attackbot.

"Run!" Nora screamed as the group hesitated. They finally ran off, leaving Nora to fight the Flamebot by herself. She kicked it back and followed it, swinging down with a powerful slash that severed one of the turrets. Leaping back, Nora was hit by the shockwave of the small explosion, and crashed to the ground as the Attackbot twitched, badly damaged.

Pushing herself up, Nora breathed heavily, her entire body flooded with adrenaline. She'd given up. After hearing that the Mystic Force was gone and that both Ari and Xander hadn't been able to take the General, she'd not known what to do. But she wasn't about to let someone like Dee tell her that they were cowards. And being told to just give up, even though she already had, rubbed her the wrong way.

With a yell, she rushed in and slashed down the front of the Attackbot. It blocked, and her sword embedded in the thick metal. She was then kicked back, and hit the hard ground again. Looking up, her eyes widened as the Attackbot went to strike her.

"Nora!" to her horror, Dan leapt in, grabbing her sword. With force, he yanked the blade free, and swung down in a clumsy, untrained attack.

"Dan, no!" Nora cried out, but as she got back to her feet, a blast from nearby flew past and collided with Dan's back, ripping through his chest. He stopped, choking as blood bubbled from his mouth, and he dropped the sword. "No!" Nora screamed, and threw powerful magic at the Attackbot. It slammed against the wall, ripping apart from the force, and clattered to the ground. Nora raced to Dan's side, as he lay choking on blood.

"Go," he whispered to her, pressing a piece of paper into her hand. "Find Corinth," he smiled at her, before his head slumped to the side. Tears spilled down her face.

"Pathetic," she looked up as the General approached. "You humans, so squishy," he commented. Nora stood up, lifting her sword as she did, and her eyes blazed.

"I'll show you what we humans are capable of!" she yelled, casting another spell. Magic exploded out from around her, slamming into the robot and tossing him back as the warehouse shook, taking severe damage. Nora then turned and burst out the door, escaping as the warehouse exploded.

"Because I hesitated...because I wasn't strong enough, someone died protecting me," Nora choked out. "I can't risk that again," she said, and after a moment she felt arms around her. As Ziggy hugged her wordlessly, she only cried harder, not reciprocating, but not pulling away.

"It won't happen again," he said, quiet and confident. "I'm sorry," he murmured, and was surprised when Nora moved, grabbing his jacket as she continued to cry.

He stood there, letting her cry, until she was finally calmer, worn out from crying so much.

"I'm sorry," she muttered, not moving at first.

"You can trust us, you know that right?" Ziggy reminded her. "I mean, we're the Power Rangers, we'll be okay, and we'll keep you safe," he said. Nora didn't speak at first.

"You can let me go now," she muttered, and the Green Ranger's eyes widened. He dropped his arms and stepped back, before clearing his throat as Nora wiped at her eyes.

"Nora, you're our only hope against this thing. We can't get close without you," Ziggy told her, and Nora sighed heavily.

"Why is it..." she muttered, walking over to her desk. She lifted her sword, and turned back with a smirk. "That you are totally helpless without me, Ziggy Grover?" she teased, and the Green Ranger felt his face warm.

"Well we can't all be bad-ass witches with swords," he replied, and when she laughed, he grinned slightly.

"Well then," Nora nodded. "I guess we better be ready.

The alarm blared, jerking Teddie from her sleep, and she groaned.

"Duty calls," Heckyl said, not looking up from his book.

"Fine..." she grumbled, standing and stretching as the others hurried over to the computers.

"The Flamebot's heat levels are back up," Dr. K alerted as she read over it.

"We still don't have a way to fight it," Dillon shook his head.

"Yes you do," they looked around as Nora walked over, her sword by her side and her arms folded. "I'll handle the flames, you guys take it out," she told them, and they frowned at her as Ziggy grinned.

"How can you handle the flames?" Dillon asked, and she rolled her eyes.

"Seriously? You geniuses have access to the Ranger files right? Are you not finished them yet?" she asked them, exasperated.

"You're not going to tell us that you were a Ranger too, are you?" Flynn asked dubiously. Nora snorted at the suggestion.

"God no," she shook her head. They exchanged looks, not sure if they should be offended or not. "But my parents were. The Red and Blue Mystic Force Rangers, who commanded Fire and Water magic," Nora smirked. "And guess which of my parents I took after," she told them.

"I did say she had a fiery temper," Teddie giggled as the others exchanged looks.

"Okay, but you stay out of range," Scott told her. "We'll take it down. You handle the flames, and that's it," he ordered, and she saluted mockingly. "Let's get out there," he told the team, and they hurried off.

Siren rolled her eyes as she walked through the city with the Flamebot, looking around.

"Honestly, the one time I want those colourful losers to show up," she complained aloud, firing a blast at a random building to make herself feel better. She was taken by surprise, when Arianna leapt in the way, using a shield of mercury powers to deflect it, and the Attackbot moved to dodge it. "Finally," she hissed.

"Aw, you do care," Teddie smiled as the others joined Arianna.

"And you clearly have a death wish," Siren retorted. "Flamebot," she snapped her fingers, and the Attackbot trotted forward obediently. Smoke billowed from its pipes, and it threw out its arms, firing two jets of fire at the Rangers. To Siren's shock, the fire curved off course, and extinguished. "What?!" she growled in horror. "That's impossible!" she shouted.

"What's wrong Siren? Having some trouble?" Summer grinned under her helmet. Siren snapped her fingers, and the Attackbot spat out more flames. This time they curved right round, and Siren dove out of the way. The flames circled the Attackbot, and it was forced to stop spilling them out. Siren looked up, horrified to see that the Attackbot was melted in some areas, charred and burned.

"How..." she hissed, looking around. She spotted Nora nearby; the girl smirking as her hands glowed a soft red. "You," she realised. "Get her!" she ordered the Attackbot, who threw more fire out at Nora. The young Mystic chanted quietly, and the flames surrounded her.

"No!" Scott gasped.

"She's okay," Teddie told him, smiling. "She has the power of the Phoenix on her side," the flames exploded out, revealing that Nora was unharmed.

"Grinders!" Siren screeched, and the robots burst onto the scene.

"Let's go!" Scott ordered his team, who scattered to fight off the robots. Leaping over their heads, Arianna landed lightly and spun around, using her Jet Fists to pummel them and denting them more and more with each powerful strike.

"I'm glad Nora agreed to help," the Mercury Ranger commented.

"I can't believe Ziggy managed to convince her," Dillon commented. "Teddie!" he called to the White Ranger, who nodded and leapt into the air. She landed in his cupped hands, and he spun tossing her into the air.

"Rocket Hammer!" she called on her weapon, and slammed it down, causing a small explosion that destroyed the Grinders around her. "Nice combo," Teddie laughed, high-fiving Dillon, who smirked slightly.

"Someone's gotta help you look cooler out here," he told her. Teddie laughed, jumping back and kicking another rushing at her.

"I already look cool out here," she told him.

"Whatever you say," the Black Ranger told her, tossing a Grinder to the ground.

"What are you waiting for? I'm doing my bit here," Nora called to the Rangers, who nodded.

"Weapons combine! Road Blaster!" Scott yelled. They formed their powerful combined weapon, and he lifted an engine cell. "Engine Cell, Activate!" he inserted it, and it lit up.

"Fire!" the group yelled, and the powerful blast slammed into the Flamebot, causing it to explode.

"Dammit!" Siren ran off, and the Rangers ran over to Nora, who grinned back at them.

"That was incredible," Scott told her.

"Hey, you need a plant, Teddie will grow it for you. You need something way cooler, I'm your girl," Nora told them.

"Hey! I'm plenty cool!" the White Ranger argued.

"Sure lass," Flynn patted her head, and she huffed.

Ziggy's back hit the hard lab floor and he let out a groan, lying there and staring up at the ceiling as he caught his breath.

"So close," Nora offered her hand to him.

"Really?" he asked in surprise. She smirked.

"Nowhere near it," she answered, and the Green Ranger huffed before taking her hand, letting her pull him back up. "But you're improving," Nora told him, and Ziggy brightened. "So let's keep going," she said, moving back into a fighting stance.

"Hey Nora," Scott called as he watched the two spar. "How is it that you can do that? Use magic?" he asked her, curious. She glanced up at him.

"Because I believe," she answered simply, catching Ziggy's fist as he threw it out. "Nice try," she smirked, and there was a cry and another thud as he hit the ground.

"Trust me, you'll never get a real answer out of her," Scott glanced to Teddie and Heckyl as they walked in. "Magic users are all the same. They never make sense," Heckyl told him.

"Rude," Teddie rolled her eyes, but was smiling softly all the same. "How are you holding up?" she asked the Red Ranger.

"Still debating on if I imagined the burn," Scott told her honestly, and Teddie laughed.

"You'll get used to it. Eventually," she told him.

"I'm still not used to it," Heckyl commented, and Teddie sighed.

"Nora, here, you left this earlier," she called as Nora helped Ziggy up again.

"Oh, my camera. Thanks," Nora grabbed it quickly, aware that she was blushing, but was thankful she could blame it somewhat on training. She looked to Teddie, who seemed innocent, but Nora knew she was very good at hiding some things.

"Hey Scott, you up for some training?" Teddie just turned to the leader, who nodded.

"Come on, let's get some ice for that before it bruises," Nora smirked to Ziggy, who was rubbing his wrist.

"You're still mean," he told her.

"Yeah yeah," Nora just clapped a hand to his back, making him wince as they left.

"You ever wonder just how she puts up with him?" Scott asked curiously.

"I do," Dr. K spoke up from her computer.

"I'm still curious on how they even met," Teddie shrugged.

Nora had no idea how long she'd been travelling. And worse, she had no idea where she was. The last marker leading to Corinth had been miles ago.

"Maybe I went the wrong way..." she murmured to herself, taking a break and sitting on the wreckage of a car. She sighed heavily. "Maybe Corinth really was a rumour," the girl sighed, her stomach rumbling.

Hearing a screech, her head lifted, and she heard the tell-tale beeping of Grinders. "Shit," she growled, leaping up and racing in the direction of the robots. Coming to the top of a small hill, she spotted Grinders surrounding a skinny figure on the ground, cowering. "Hey creeps!" Nora rushed in, and barely heard the cry of alarm before cutting through the Grinders. Dodging their blasts with moves well practised over the last year, Nora destroyed the Grinders, and looked around, making sure there weren't any more. "You okay?" she asked.

"You're...human?" he peeked up from under his arms with big brown eyes. Nora arched an eyebrow, lowering her hood and pulling down the goggles so they hung from her neck. "You are!" he leapt up and before she knew it, he was hugging her.

"Get off!" Nora shoved him off, and the boy tripped over his own feet, landing in the dirt. She scowled at him, taking in his scruffy appearance. He wore a ruined suit that looked like it was too big on him, with curly hair covered in a layer of sand. His skin was covered in dirt, but he didn't seem hardened by the Waste.

"I-I'm sorry, I j-just haven't seen a person in like a week," he stammered.

"A week?" Nora repeated. She hadn't seen another person in months. "How have you survived on your own for so long?" she demanded.

"Lucky, I guess," he shrugged, getting back to his feet. He was tall, at least a head and shoulders taller than her. "What are you doing out here?" he asked, curious.

"What are you doing out here?" Nora countered, unable to stop herself from being defensive.

"Okay, fair point," he raised his hands defensively. "Thank you. For helping me," he said, and Nora rolled her eyes, looking away awkwardly.

"It's fine. A destroyed Grinder is a good Grinder," she shrugged. She turned to leave, but he cried out.

"W-wait! Please, you can't leave me out here alone," he pleaded, and she sighed.

"Clearly," she muttered, and her stomach grumbled.

"You need food? I have some left," eager to please, he offered up his bag, and Nora couldn't resist. She grabbed something small, and split it with him, taking a seat in the sand. "I'm Ziggy, Ziggy Grover," he introduced himself.

"Ziggy?" Nora repeated. He nodded. "Of course you have to have a weird name," she commented.

"My parents were fans of that English singer guy," Ziggy answered as he chewed on his half of the energy bar. "You?" he looked up.

"Nora, Russell," she answered.

"So, Nora, Russell," his goofy grin made her arch an eyebrow. Something about his attitude reminded her of Teddie. Her chest hurt at the thought of her friend. "Where are you headed to?" he asked.

"Uh," she paused, a little unsure of what to tell him. But his honest expression made her doubt he was able to dupe anyone. "Corinth. If I can find it," Nora decided to be honest back.

"Corinth?" a grin spread across his face. "I just came from there! I can show you," he told her confidently.

"Really?" Nora frowned. "If you just came from there, why would you go back?" she asked, holding off on asking the question she wanted to ask him. She wondered just why he'd left in the first place.

"You just saved my life," Ziggy told her with a shrug. "I owe you. And Ziggy pays his debts," he said, but after he said it, he glanced away, looking worried.

"Are you sure? You don't look too eager to go back," Nora said, finishing off the food.

"Of course I am. It's a week away, but we can make it," he smiled.

"Okay, if you're sure," Nora agreed, and his bright smile was almost comical. "Lead the way," she instructed, and he jumped to his feet. She got up slower, and watched as he started climbing up the hill. "I guess beggars can't be choosers, let's hope this guy is the real deal," she commented to herself, starting to follow him.

I'd been sitting on this chapter half written for a while now, and I had some time this evening and I was done with FF14 for the day (the new patch is my life right now) so I figured I'd finally force myself to write, and very quickly got over my block with the right music (FF14's soundtrack is great for that).

I hope you liked it!

Please review!