Episode 11: Part 1
It had been a month since the Vanguard Rangers' climactic battle against Archangel Gideon on the streets of Hyperion Falls. Despite the extraordinary events surrounding the battle and the discovery of the Whitesteel Armor, the relative peace since the Rangers' victory had brought with it a brief return to normalcy.
On that particularly gray and chilly Saturday, Claire Li lay on her bed taking an afternoon nap when Izzy burst into the dorm room with a cheerful smile, "Hey neighbor! Are you decent?"
The startled White Ranger shot upright in her bed dropping the small book that was resting on her stomach while she was asleep. She fumbled at her night stand for a moment before retrieving her glasses to put over her bleary eyes. "Izzy! How many times have I told you not to barge in here without knocking! You scared the crap outta me."
The Pink Ranger ambled over and sat down on the bed with a shrug, "Sorry. I was just excited. I wanted to know if I could borrow some of your colored pencils and scissors."
Claire blinked in confusion before getting up and retrieving them from her desk. "What do you need all that for?"
Izzy tapped Claire on the head with the pencil case, "I was going to make some homemade Valentine's Day cards. It's coming up this week you know."
The White Ranger sighed, "Valentine's cards? Isn't that kinda something a 2nd grader would do?"
Izzy smiled and shook her head, "I'm studying to be an elementary school teacher, remember? Besides, Valentine's Day is my favorite holiday... all the love, and passion, and romance..."
"Yeah, overpriced candy, inflated expectations, and gaudy commercialized gifts... no thanks." Claire countered climbing back into her bed with a sigh.
Izzy glanced down and picked up the book that had fallen on the floor. Raising the book up, she gave a triumphant smirk, "Says the girl who was reading a Harlequin Romance novel."
Claire's eyes went wide and she swiped for the book but Izzy kept it away.
"Ooh, how romantic. I never knew you had a dirty mind Claire. I wonder if there's any good smut in here too." Izzy laughed trying to page through the book while fending off a frantic White Ranger. Amid the girls' playful scuffle, a small card dropped out from the pages. It was a small card in red and white that looked like a Valentine, except it was sealed. Printed on the front was the name of the Red Vanguard Ranger.
Claire's heart stopped as Izzy examined the card and looked up to her with a smile, "I knew it! I knew you had a soft spot deep down there! You've got a crush on Joe, don't you?"
The White Ranger sputtered and felt her face grow hot, "I... um.. please don't say anything! You can't tell anybody... especially not him!"
Izzy grinned, "I promise. But maybe I can help you out."
"No," Claire said quickly, "You can help me most by not saying anything and pretending we never had this conversation. Joe agreed to go to an art exhibition with me later this week and I was going to talk with him that night, ok?"
Izzy gave a solemn nod before breaking into a grin and giving Claire an affectionate little hug, "Aww, Claire Bear has a crush..."
The White Ranger sighed, wondering which would require more courage this week... confronting her crush or possibly disposing of any other witnesses starting with Izzy.
A few days later, Joe sat with Nick and Danny at the Mugshot café hanging out after classes ended for the day. "Sounds like you're in a tough spot bud. Time is running out," Nick commented as he opened the plastic wrap of a large brownie he had just bought.
"Tell me about it," the Red Ranger sighed, "You really think I should just ask Jen Kaufman out then?"
Danny gave a pensive look from across the table and stirred his coffee, "I don't know. You did tell us that every time you suggested doing something with her outside of schoolwork, she's always busy, or something comes up."
Nick shrugged, "Well, you never know until you try. What have you got to lose?"
Joe frowned slightly, "Oh I don't know… maybe my dignity?"
He was interrupted as Izzy entered the café and greeted them with a cheerful smile.
"Hey Iz, you look like you're in a good mood. What's up?" Nick asked as she reached in her purse for a large bag of chocolates.
"Oh, I just thought I'd spread some early Valentine's Day cheer to my favorite male Rangers," she smiled giving both Nick and Joe a large Hershey's kiss followed by a real kiss on the cheek.
"Hey! What about me?" Danny asked feigning outrage.
"Oh, I didn't forget about you," Izzy sighed taking his hand, "I was going to give you two kisses too. Now close your eyes."
To Danny's surprise, the Pink Ranger turned his hand over and placed two chocolates in them. "They'll go good with your coffee," she smiled patting him sweetly on the cheek and taking a seat at the table while he rolled his eyes.
"Hey Iz, I'm actually glad you're here," Joe said as she got settled, "I was planning on asking your friend Jen out. I was hoping maybe you could put in a good word for me or something?"
The Pink Ranger blinked in surprise and grimaced slightly, "Oh, umm… I don't know. I'd love to help you, but I'm not sure that would be a great idea."
The boys looked at her curiously as she continued carefully, "It's just that… well, you don't know Jen like I do, and it might not be a good match. She's my friend, but she can be kind of a flakey party girl too… and a lot of work to handle."
While those were in fact true statements, Izzy did feel a little bad meddling to try and cover for Claire.
Danny gave a perceptive nod, "Makes sense, it already sounds like she's been compartmentalizing work and fun." Turning to the Red Ranger, he said, "I hate to say this man, but you might have to face the facts. Jen might only be interested in you as a study partner."
Joe huffed indignantly, "Oh really? We'll just see about that."
He was interrupted again as the cafe door opened and Jen Kaufman entered. Spotting the Rangers at the table she gave a bright smile and a wave. "Hey everyone! I thought I'd find you here. Would you mind if I borrow Joe for a quick minute?"
The Red Ranger gave his friends a smug look and left the table to go talk to her. Once out of earshot, he sat her down at a table across the café and smiled, "Hey Jen, what's up?"
The brunette girl gave a slightly embarrassed look and said, "Well… I know you're probably going to be busy tonight, but I was wondering if you'd be able to help me study for our big Psych exam tomorrow. I always seem to do better when you're the one explaining things."
Joe paused a moment and gave a conflicted frown. He had already studied ahead of time because he had already made plans to go to an art exhibition with Claire… but this was also a great opportunity for him and he really wanted to prove his friends wrong. Claire was his friend and he was sure it wouldn't be a big deal cancelling. After all, she would understand if it meant that schoolwork was involved.
Finally, he looked to Jen and gave a smile, "Sure. I'd love to help you. I'll come by around 7 tonight?"
"Great. Sounds good, and thanks again!" she said enthusiastically.
Before she left, he caught her arm, "Oh, Jen... one other thing. Since I'm helping you out, there's something I'd like you to do for me. Can I just talk to you alone for a few minutes after the exam tomorrow? It's about something important. 5 minutes... that's all I need."
"Oh? Ok. That's fine," she nodded with a smile. "I'll see ya then."
Later that evening, Claire ate an earlier dinner and hurried out of the shower. She hummed a cheerful tune to herself and smiled as she pulled out a stylish black cocktail dress. She was looking forward to the event tonight. It was a chance to have cocktails, and look at art, all while dressing up and looking pretty.
Compared to Izzy, Claire generally preferred comfort over excessive preening. Although she was never frumpy by any means, it wasn't that often she felt she needed to really impress anyone either, tonight being one of those exceptions however.
That was until her cell phone rang. Answering it, she heard Joe's voice, "Hey Claire. I'm glad I caught you in time. About tonight, I'm afraid I'm going to have to cancel."
"Oh?" she replied suddenly feeling her spirits sinking.
"Yeah, I've got a really big exam tomorrow and I still need to do some more cramming tonight. I'm really really sorry. I promise I'll make it up to you."
"That's all right. I understand," Claire sighed, "Don't sweat it, ok? Ace the test and I'll catch up with you tomorrow."
Well, it was a legitimate excuse Claire thought to herself as she ended the call. She could get wound up during exam time and in her position, she might have done the same thing. Though she was still kinda disappointed, it wasn't the end of the world either.
There was still the comedy movie she was going to with Joe and Nick on Valentine's Day itself. The three had originally planned it as a fun alternative activity. Maybe she could still give him his card after the show. Tonight might have hit a snare, but things would eventually work out. She was sure of it.
Torchlights flickered in the Dark Spire of the Abyss as the demon counselor Shemhazai passed the locked throne room of Lord Gideon. She sighed as Gideon's elite guardsmen stood outside the locked doors and gave her no more than a disinterested glance as she passed by. Lord Gideon had been locked in his throne room for long stretches of time these past several weeks. Though he didn't seem troubled by his recent defeat at the hands of the young Vanguard Rangers, what troubled her more was the time spent with General Abaddon.
She had always been a loyal subject to Lord Gideon and had continued to perform her duties even when her fellow commander and rival General Abaddon had been undergoing disciplinary measures. Why Gideon was collaborating and showing recent interest in that simple minded and bloodthirsty brute was beyond her. Even on the battlefield, the demon general's higher thought processes rarely rose above direct attack, slaughter, and pillage. Shemhazai tried to convince herself there must be a good reason for Gideon's actions and to trust her master, but she still could not help but feel a bit put out.
Her thoughts were interrupted as she heard a hissing voice from the darkness, "What troubles you mistress?"
The female Cambion turned her head to face the snakelike head of one of the lesser demons in her legion. "That is none of your concern Ophidius."
"Ah, but you're mistaken," Ophidius whispered, "You are my commander and I worry when you get distracted. When commanders get distracted, their troops have a greater chance of getting killed."
"It sounds like you're volunteering your services to me," the counselor said with a dismissive sniff. "Is that what you want? You wish to be useful?"
Ophidius gave a serpentine laugh, "If it may put your mind at ease."
Shemhazai paused and considered for a moment. As she did, a cruel smile flickered across her lips, "Very well Ophidius. You have an ability to spread animosity and mistrust among the humans with the whispers of your venomous tongue. I want you to go spread some discord and chaos in advance of our next attack. But I want you to be discreet. Is that understood?"
"Perfectly mistress." Ophidius answered with a bow before slithering away back into the dark shadows.
The next afternoon, the classrooms in the Psych building began to clear out as students finished their exams and turned them in to their professors. After the exam, Joe sat back down in his seat to gather his things but caught a smile and thumbs up from Jen across the room. The exam had gone well and the study session the night before had been surprisingly fun as well. He hoped he could work off that and turn it into a real date in a few days time. Jen had mentioned there was going to be a local concert going on and a band she liked was playing there. With any luck, he might still be able to pick up some tickets after the exam today.
Before he could head out the door and catch up with Jen, he was surprised when Claire entered the room and headed over to his desk. "Claire? I wasn't expecting to see you till later. What are you doing here?"
Claire gave a sheepish smile, "Oh I don't know. I couldn't wait. I figured I'd come over and see how you did since we missed last night."
"Thanks. That's really sweet of you. I studied with Jen last night and it went great." Joe smiled, "I'm really sorry again about yesterday though."
"Oh… no worries," the White Ranger said waving it off, "I'm sure the art show would have been kinda boring anyway. Besides, we're still on for the movie night on Friday right?"
Joe bit his lip, "Err, about that. I think I might have to scratch that one too. I might actually have a date that night after all."
"What?" Claire exclaimed in a near shriek startling a few of the other students leaving the room.
"I was thinking of asking Jen out to a concert that night" Joe winced as some of the departing students gave them passing glances, "If Danny or Izzy don't have plans, then I'm sure they can fill in for me."
"Joseph Hale, what the hell is wrong with you?" Claire fumed, "We had plans! Nick has the tickets already! I… don't you think he'll be upset if you bail on us?"
"Geez, it's just a movie Claire," the Red Ranger said recoiling in surprise from Claire's unexpected outburst, "I'm sure he'd understand… and besides, I'll pay him for the ticket if I have to."
"That's not the point you dummy!" the White Ranger sputtered in rage, "You just… and last night… but now… and I can't… arrrgh!"
Claire spun on her heel and hurried out of the room in blind anger leaving the startled and bewildered Red Ranger alone in the classroom still frozen in his seat.
A light snow sprinkled from the skies as Claire stormed out of the building and into the main quad of the college. Nearby, she could hear several other students passing by on the slushy walkway. As they passed by, they seemed to be in just as much of a foul mood as the groups of passing students appeared to be locked in their own quiet bickering matches. At the moment, she really didn't care. As the cold air stung her face, Claire kept striding forward until she reached a large oak tree at the edge of the lawn to catch her breath.
Giving the bark of the tree a soft punch with her glove, she suppressed a bitter sniffle, "It's so unfair! Why is he so hung up on her? What's so great about that dumb broad Jen Kaufman anyway? I wish she'd just go away!"
From up above in the tree, the serpentine demon Ophidian hung from a branch curiously listening to the anguish of the White Ranger below him. A cruel smile appeared on his lips as he flicked his forked tongue out.
'I think that can be arranged,' he thought to himself gleefully, seeing another way he could spread more human suffering to degrade the demon seal on the world.
Before he could slither down the tree and get a better listening spot, he froze as he spotted the Pink Ranger approach from across the way. Seeing that his position was becoming too dangerous, the demon retreated, deciding to continue spreading discord and pain elsewhere on campus.
"Claire? Hey, what are you doing out here?" Izzy asked in concern walking up to her friend. She had been heading back from class and stopped when she saw the White Ranger standing around by herself. "Are you crying? Is everything ok?"
Claire quickly wiped her eyes and shook her head. Taking a deep breath, she turned to the Pink Ranger and looked her in the eye, "Iz, I didn't think I was going to have to say this... but I'm going to need your help after all."