Chapter 28: Rescued

A/N: Revised Chapter

"I believe I know why they could have taken Tashiko," Kevin told the others as they sat in the Common room. "What is it?" Emily asked, worried. Kevin looked at Antonio who sighed and stood up. He walked in front of the rangers and raised his shirt, showing them that the injury he had yesterday, had simply vanished. "What?" the other three rangers exclaimed in shock. "We believe Tashiko has this healing ability," Antonio told them and glanced at Kevin.

"Back during the Nighlok's attack on the guardian's, I had a pain in my chest that had simply vanished once Tashiko touched me," Kevin explained. "I also felt that," Emily replied, remembering how Tashiko had touched her and her pain was gone. "Yeah, so did I," Mike nodded. "She was holding my hand when I woke from the beating Serrator had given me." "But why would the Nighlok's want her healing abilities?" Mia asked. "Nighlok's use the Sanzu River to heal and hydrate, why would she be any use for them?"

"Maybe, there's something more to her power," Kevin suggested. "We just don't know what." Antonio's eyes widened, remembering what Jayden had told him. She's the Purple Samurai ranger! What if what Jayden had told him was true? What if Tashiko was in indeed the Purple Samurai ranger?


"Don't touch me!" Tashiko snarled at Ami, her body suddenly glowing purple. Thunder echoed outside when suddenly a lightning bolt shot out from the sky and hit Ami. The Nighlok skidded the floor from the impact and clutched her chest, glaring at Tashiko. Tashiko's mouth was opened in a silent yell before her head fell forward. "What, what the hell? You...you can't do that! I-I severed your Symbol Power!" Ami yelled.

Tashiko didn't move before her lips turned into a sinister smile and slowly glanced up. "You disabled her's but not mine."

"You," Ami whispered, clenching her fists. She shot forward, punching Tashiko across the face. Tashiko spat out a wad of blood and chuckled darkly. She glanced back at Ami, her eyes growing dull and her gaze growing dark. The air suddenly thickened making the Nighloks take a step back. "What is she?" Dayu growled, glaring at the teen. "A menace," Ami replied as she sucker punched Tashiko in the face. Tashiko chuckled and looked at Ami. "You hit pretty hard. But it will take more of that than to kill me."

Ami punched her again, with more force earning another chuckle from Tashiko. "Keep going Ami. When I'm set free, I'm going to rip you apart," Tashiko threatened. Ami let out a frustrated scream, punching her more quickly. "Really?" Ami shouted. "I would like to see you try!" She tried to punch but Tashiko swung to the side, avoiding the attack and kicked Ami away. Ami skidded the floor, making Tashiko smirk. "You missed."

Ami glared at her and snarled, "I won't miss this time!"

"Is that a challenge, Uragiri? Wasn't bathing in the Sanzu River, enough for you?" Tashiko laughed.

Ami's eyes widened angrily and screamed, "Y-You bitch!" She went to punch Tashiko again, but the latter swung to the side, evading her attack. "Stay still!" Ami shouted. "You think the same trick will work on me twice?" Tashiko taunted Ami. "Let me go and we'll fight like real warriors!"

Ami clenched her fists and summoned a whip. She whipped the chain that hung Tashiko and pulled it, ripping it from the ceiling and dropping Tashiko into the ground.

Tashiko slowly sat up, a grin spreading across her face.

"Ami, what the hell do you think you're going?" Dayu stated, grabbing Ami from her shoulder and spun her around.

"I can tell you, Ami can't resist a good challenge," Tashiko answered, getting to her feet.

Ami pushed Dayu away and stated, "Don't touch me. Let me deal with her!" "At this rate, she'll escape!" Dayu yelled at her.

Tashiko approached the two Nighlok's and began to trace a symbol with her finger. "Symbol Power: Lighti-" She was cut short when vines appeared and tied her down. Tashiko snarled like a wild animal and glared at Hideo who had his hands up.

"Enough of this," Hideo declared. "We need to stop messing around and get the information out of them, now." He turned to Kameyo who was beside him and said, "I want you to take her energy away and weaken her power." "Sir, yes, sir," Kameyo replied, approaching Tashiko. "Ami, you get out of here, right now," Hideo stated. "Serrator told me," Ami argued. "Leave," Hideo growled, through his teeth. "I will report your behavior to Serrator."

Ami began to breathe heavier out of her anger before she spun around and left the cave.


Antonio paced back and forth in the Common Room. Two days had passed since the Serena, Jayden and Tashiko had been captured and the rangers had no luck in finding them. He was beginning to grow extremely frustrated that they were going nowhere.

We need to find another way, Antonio thought as he continued to pace. He saw from the edge of his vision, Mike's folding zord moving around the table, also trying to help in the search. He snapped his fingers and rushed towards the others. "Guys," he told them, making them glance at him. "I have an idea."


Serena winced as she heard the crunch of bones when Catyasu stomped into Jayden's hand. It was followed by the Red rangers scream as Catyasu leaned towards him. "Tell me, Red ranger, what's the Sealing Symbol?"

Jayden trembled out of the agony of his broken hand but remained silent. Catyasu removed his foot from his hand and stated, "Well, I guess, I'll have to break your other hand."

It had been two days since they've been captured and tortured to no end. Serena could feel the chains digging into her wrists and her arms ached from hanging in the same place for too long. Her body had burns, whip lashes and her clothes were torn and bloody. She had the metallic taste of blood in her mouth and could feel her lip had been busted. Dayu had done a number on her but Serena hadn't loosened her tongue. She would remain loyal to the rangers, even if it meant her last breath. No, don't like that. I must survive, she thought, narrowing her eyes. For the rangers and for the sake of my sister.

Serena heard footsteps and glanced up to find Ami walking towards Tashiko. The younger teen was the one that looked the worst out of everyone in the cave. Blood was dripping from her mouth and her clothes were almost shredded. Her back had painful whiplashes and she hadn't said anything for a while.

Serena was worried she was dead.

Ami walked towards Tashiko and looked her over, making Tashiko slowly open her eyes to look at her. "I don't believe it," Ami whispered, shaking her head in amazement. "You're still alive." "I will stay alive, until I see you get shredded," Tashiko answered quietly. Ami clenched her jaw and slammed a kick into Tashiko's face making her fall to the side. Tashiko coughed up blood panting feverishly.

"You won't stay alive with those injuries," Ami grunted, giving her a smirk. "You're going to die." Tashiko laughed painfully and stated, "Tell me, are you afraid I'll rise again? That this time, I'll destroy you?" Ami froze before relaxing. "No. I'm not afraid. I just love how satisfying it is to watch you die." Tashiko looked at her and whispered, "Why did you do this to us?"

Ami realized that this was the other Tashiko talking. "Because I hate you, Tashiko. I hate you, Maria, and everyone else. You all took the chance of me getting rescued by Kevin! You took that away from me!" "You, and I know, that the truth was that you fell to your death!" Tashiko replied. "You wanted him to save you but it was too late!" Ami felt tears streaming down her eyes and she screamed, slamming her foot into Tashiko's side. Tashiko screamed in agony and laid on her side, her eyes wide in pain. "Stop!" Serena screamed at Ami. "Leave her alone!"

Hideo appeared in a swirl of magic and swung his scepter at her, knocking Ami to the ground. She skidded the floor before quickly getting to her feet. "That is enough! You'll kill her!" Hideo yelled, glaring at Ami. "So what?" Ami yelled back. "That's all I wanted! I want to end her life!" Hideo kneeled down and waved his scepter around Tashiko. Her wounds were critical and her glassy hazel eyes indicated she was in deep pain. "You broke her rib and she probably punctured her lung," Hideo told Ami as he saw blood streaming from Tashiko's nose. "Hideo, please," Tashiko begged quietly. "Break the seal. Let myself free." Hideo looked at her wide eyed but shook his head. He couldn't let Maria free, not yet, but he couldn't let Tashiko die either. "Let's get you safe and then we'll talk," Hideo told her, caressing her hair.

"Get away from her!" Ami snarled, pulling Hideo away from Tashiko, throwing him into the ground. Hideo grabbed his scepter and tried to get to his feet but Ami planted her foot on his chest, keeping him on the ground. "I know what you're planning, but it isn't going to work," Ami growled, extending her claws. "I will kill you before you get that chance." Hideo smirked at her and said, "We'll see about that." Ami clenched her jaw and raised her claws, ready to kill Hideo when a yellow shuriken flew past the half-Nighlok and hit Ami. The Nighlok gasped, staggering back from the impact and glanced up to find the five Samurai rangers facing her. "What?!" Ami snarled. "How….Impossible! How could you have found us?!"

Kevin stepped forward, tossing his folding zord in his hand. "Pretty easy if you think about it," he declared. "Our zords were being drawn here, especially the Ape folding Zord," Emily replied, stepping forward as the ApeZord flew off her shoulder and towards Serena. Ami scoffed and growled, "Of course." "We know who you really are, Ami," Mia told her. Ami turned to glare at Mike and Emily who glared back. "Emily and Mike told us about what you did to our Yellow ranger," Antonio stated, taking out his Barracuda Blade. "You traitor." "We uncovered your dirty secrets Ami," Mike added, getting into a fighting stance. "And know we want our friends back," Emily declared. Ami looked at Emily and raised her hand but Emily just scoffed. "Don't bother. Your seal has been neutralized."

Ami took a step back seeing the rangers slowly advancing towards her.

"You're surrounded," Kevin stated. "There's nowhere to run." Ami smirked and laughed, "Oh contraire, monsieur. I'm not alone in this. Catyasu! Kameyo! We got company!" The two Nighlok suddenly appeared from a gap making the rangers grab their weapons. "You!" Mike and Emily gasped, seeing Kameyo lick her finger. "Hello, Green, Yellow. Are you here for another, sucking?" Catyasu turned to the Pink, Gold and Blue rangers who took a step back at the gigantic Nighlok. "Well, you rangers are so puny!" he declared, summoning his metal flail.

Serena dropped to the ground after Hideo let her free from her shackles. He helped her to her feet and said, "You and your friends need to get out of here. It's about to get much worse." Serena looked at Hideo gratefully and asked, "What about you? Ami has seen you helping Tashiko." "Do not worry about me," Hideo told her. "I'll deal with her." Serena looked at him sadly before giving him a tight hug. "Thank you," she whispered before rushing to help Jayden out of his shackles. Hideo looked at the Nighlok's fighting and sighed, clutching his scepter tightly. He was about to do something he was going to deeply regret.

"Vines!" he yelled as vines appeared from the ground, tying Catyasu and Kameyo. The two Nighlok glared at Hideo making Kameyo yell, "Hideo! What the hell are you doing?!"

Ami turned around to glare at Hideo and summoned her whip. She whipped at him, grabbing his legs and pulled his feet away from him. Hideo grunted as he slammed the ground but the rangers hit Ami with their weapons, making her fly towards the wall. She hit it painfully and fell to her knees, chuckling darkly. The rangers rushed towards her and pointed their weapons at her. "It's over, Ami," Emily stated, knowing that finally, she was free from this monster. Ami chuckled lowly before gradually getting louder. "You...You...really think it will be that easy?" Ami glared at them making the rangers flinch back from her sinister glare. "I'm like a shadow, rangers. I'll follow you, I'll strike you before you know it. You'll never see me coming!" She disappeared before the rangers could react, followed by Kameyo and Catyasu.

Serena walked towards the rangers with an injured Jayden leaning against her shoulder. "Serena!" Emily cried, hugging her sister tightly. "Hey squirt," Serena answered, hugging her sister back. "Jayden!" Kevin sighed in relief, giving him a one arm hug. "Glad to have you back." "Welcome back," Mike told the Red ranger as Antonio glanced at Tashiko who was being freed by Hideo. "Get away from her!" Antonio snarled at the Nighlok.

All the rangers turned around to face Hideo who took a step back. "Wait! Don't hurt him!" Serena told the rangers, making them look at her. "He's a Nighlok!" Mia stated, pointing at Hideo. "Yes, a Nighlok that fed us, and cured us to endure this nightmare," Jayden added, grunting in pain.

The other rangers exchanged confused glances to why the oldest rangers were defending a Nighlok. "Please, I don't mean any harm," Hideo told them, grabbing his scepter tightly. "It's okay, Hideo," Serena told him, walking towards him. "No stay back!" Hideo replied, putting his hand outwards. "I'm sorry you three had to endure this. I'll love to chat, but…" He trailed off, seeing Tashiko laid on the ground and looked at his crystal ball. "I have something to do." He disappeared in a swirl of magic, making the rangers exchange glances.

Antonio rushed towards Tashiko's side and gently picked her up. She was unconscious and she looked in bad condition. "C'mon, we need to head back. She needs medical attention." He carried Tashiko bridal style as the other rangers nodded in agreement. "So does Jayden and Serena," Emily nodded as she took out her Samuraizer. As she traced the symbol to teleport home she made a vow, Ami. You'll pay for every drop of blood spilled today.


"They beat us to try to get answers," Serena told the others as Emily bandaged her. "But, we never once opened our mouth. Poor Tashiko got the worse of it." "But why would they beat Tashiko?" Kevin asked, rubbing his chin. "They kept saying that she had a special power," Jayden answered as he winced when Mia rubbed alcohol in his wounds. "Special Power?" Emily echoed, glancing at the other rangers. "They thought Tashiko had the power to see the future," Serena told them. "She lost her memory, why would they think that?" Emily asked her sister. Jayden bit his lip and let out a sigh. "Well," he began making everyone glancing at him. "Tashiko has told me before that she has been having dreams about us in the future. She keeps, seeing our deaths."

The rangers opened their eyes wide and Mike asked, "What is that supposed to mean? We are going to fail?" "No," Jayden quickly responded. "We cannot fail. If she can see the future, we have the power to change it." "Jayden's right, we can't just give up and let the future she was seeing unfold," Serena replied. "We'll fight for a new future," Emily added, glancing at Serena. "Then I guess that means, no more secrets," Serena stated, glancing at Jayden who held her glare. "For a better future," Mike told them, extending his hand in the middle. The others smiled and placed their hand on top of Mike's. "Rangers together!" Kevin yelled. "Samurai Forever!" the others yelled, throwing their hands in the air.


Antonio sat near Tashiko's bed and gently grabbed her hand. "C'mon Tashiko, please wake up soon," he whispered. He watched her chest rise and fall slowly, the machine attached to her mouth giving her air so she could breathe. She was gravely injured and she was barely alive from the beating she received from Ami.

"Please, Tashiko. I miss you and I have to tell you something...I've been keeping inside of me." The Gold ranger gently touched her head and slowly caressed her head. He awaited for a reaction but there was none. Antonio felt a wave of sadness hit him and he felt the tears forming in his eyes. He wanted to tell her how much he cared for, that he liked her, maybe even….loved her.

He didn't care how long he had to stay here by her side, but he wanted to be there when she woke up.