Chapter 34?

The soft playing of music had her weaving through the edge of The Forest to find the musican on the edge of the cliff with another standing next to her, long golden hair flying in the wind. The blonde glanced at her as she moved to stand between them.

"How much longer will we play this game?" The blonde asked.

"…it's time isn't it?" The musician asked.

Her eyes glanced around the open field and a slight smirk appeared.

"….yes it's time. But let's allow them some hope ladies."

A soft ruby light emitted from between her fingers.

"We must have something to use after all."

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Three days.

Three days of absolute silence. Not even a false beep of a gap sensor had the rangers on edge. And it didn't help that Bianca was once again confided to her room. Silverwing could sense her distress and it made Thundarus antsy.

"I'm gonna lose my mind." Mike noted, pacing.

"So you've said the past hour." Kevin stated.

"Easy guys, we're all on edge." Emily said, catching Mike start to glare.

"I don't even fell like fishing today." Antonio said from the couch.

"This is definitely strange, even for the Nighlok." Mia said.

The entire team looked to their silent leader, who was meditating.

"Jayden." Kevin started.

The leader twitched his shoulder to signal he could hear.

"What do you suggest?"

"We must be prepared both mentally and psychically. Getting riled up over silence isn't necessary."

The team murmured their agreement and all moved to form a circle of meditation with their leader, Mike grumbling but following along. Silence filled the air and a rain of calm settled over the group. Ji entered to find his rangers in that position a few hours later. Sarah followed behind, placing a hand to his shoulder. The mentor frowned at the sad look on Sarah's face.

A sudden shrill had the group standing in unison, moving as one to stand over the map that opened on the coffee table.

"Out on the coast, in a clearing." Ji noted.

The team nodded and headed out.

"Are they ready Mentor?" Sarah asked.

Ji noted her serious tone. She'd never really used his title before.

"Let's hope so. We must trust that they are."

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The rangers finally found the clearing and tensed at seeing Dayu, Florina, and a large army of Moogers. Jayden clenched his fist at seeing the Black Rose Ranger between the two Nighlok.

"So glad you could make it rangers." Florina teased.

"Let's just get started." Mike stated, holding up his spin sword.

"Oh but don't you want to finally meet my rose?"

The group watched the black ranger power down and shock filled the air.

"Bianca?"

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She watched the shock plaster across the rangers faces. She'd revealed herself to be the evil black samurai ranger, working for Master Xandred…and none of them had even thought to suspect her, their greatest ally, to be the one trying to destroy them from the inside out. She smirked upon seeing utter shock, the seven rangers trying to comprehend what had just happened.

"Why Bianca?" Jayden managed to get out of his suddenly dry throat.

"All symbols come with a price Jayden…we bear the strongest. You of all should know that."

"You can't let him control you this way. This is…"

"The only way…Master Xandred had allowed me full extent of my powers."

"The necklace." Mia realized, seeing the young woman palm the object around her neck.

"Yes…the heart is full of Sanzu River water, which allows me to sever the bonds that hold my symbol in place. You could say Xandred's turned my curse…into a gift." She replied with a smirk.

"You know your body can't retain that much symbol power. It's too great!" Antonio countered.

"That's what this little beauty is for. My pain…becomes Xandred's strength."

"What are you doing this? You're betraying your family…your friends!" Kevin shot back.

Bianca shrugged, watching the moogers surround the rangers. She was suddenly before the red ranger as the lower level Nighlok kept the other six rangers busy.

"Easy…Xandred has given me what I want. Now I will fulfill my end of the bargain."

"You can't mean…"

"Once I'm a Nighlok, you must destroy me. If you can do that Silverwing and Thundarus will be yours making you that much stronger. Master Xandred won't stand a chance."

"I won't do it! There has to be another way!"

"When I was being chased by the Nighlok at the Tengen Gate…that was when Florina placed a flower on me. I can't escape Xandred's power anymore. My free will is slowly fading…"

"We'll break it Bi! We have to try!"

Bianca shook her head with a small smile.

"I'm sorry Jayden…but don't you see? You're fire…and I'm ice…one of us is going to lose…"

"Why? We can work together! Fight it!"

Bianca turned her gaze away.

"…the world is said end in fire or ice…its destiny for one of us to fail…and I'd rather it be me. So if you don't fight me…"

She turned back to him, eyes shining a light orange.

"I'll make you."

Jayden took a step back in defiance.

"I won't draw my sword against you." He placed a hand to her shoulder. "You're my best friend."

"…and you're mine…which is why I need you to do this Jay."

"I can't…I won't…"

Bianca turned her gaze to connect with his.

"Jayden Shiba, eighteenth head of the red ranger Shiba clan, fight me or…"

"I can't fight the person I love…" Jayden said turning his gaze away.

Bianca froze in place before shaking her head quickly, her hands tight to her side.

"It's too late now."

"It's never too late Bi." Jayden said, going to reach for her.

Bianca shook her head, tears pricking the corners of her eyes as she stepped back, moogers moving to stand beside her.

"It is now. If the moogers don't finish you I'll be waiting…"

"Bianca, wait!"

"I'll be waiting…red ranger…"

The moogers rushed at the red ranger as he called for his best friend again. The young woman merely kept walking over to where Dayu and Florina stood. The three women then walked away.

"Well, his affection for you finally shows. A little late though…" Florina said, flicking her blonde locks over her shoulder.

"What now snow princess? The move is his." Dayu stated.

"If I know Jayden…he will try to find a way to save me...or he'll fight only if there's no other option." Bianca stated.

"He'll have to fight. My flower children will see to that." Florina added with a smile.

The three now stood on a cliff, overlooking the battle between the moogers and rangers.

"Patience Florina. Remember…every chess piece has a certain move. I want the red ranger to think this through…his next move will be vital to our plan."

"You plan to fail knowing it will be your demise." Dayu figured.

"You will get what you want Dayu." Bianca reminded.

"But you won't. Your love for the red ranger…"

"Does not matter…" Bianca interrupted turning away from the fight.

"As long as they succeed…then I am happy."

Author's Note: OK, so how many of you were expecting that! BAM! Haha I kid, well, KEEP GOING! THERE'S MORE!