author's note: PLEASE READ THE FINAL AUTHOR'S NOTE AT THE END OF THIS CHAPTER!
Chapter 36
A week passed by as the rangers began to prepare to put their plan into action. The Nighlok attacks were few in between so Antonio chose to take care of them while the other five continued to work on their plan. When asked about Bianca when he returned, the gold ranger always shook his head in vain. It was if the guardian had all but vanished…
Until one sunny day suddenly went cloudy and it began to snow light flakes. The team found their leader on the large porch, eyes to the light grey sky. Lion was perched on his shoulder and Thundarus stood before him, breath evident on the air.
"Jayden?" Emily asked.
"It's time…isn't it?" Antonio stated.
"Yeah…"
The red ranger faced his team.
"Let's go."
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The rangers arrived at the large clearing, cavalry style, with Antonio perched on Thundarus. The team dismounted, the gold ranger thanks the wild stallion for the ride. Thundarus bobbed his head in acknowledgement and they all face the rather large army of Moogers and Budding Razors. Dayu and Florina stood before their army, staring the rangers down. The army began to quiet as they parted way for the one person the rangers were looking for.
"I see you got my invitation."
"You know you could've kept the sun out." Antonio said.
Bianca smirked.
"Such a touching reunion but you think we could move on to the battle." Florina stated, eyes brightening to orange.
"You heard her…"
The guardian pulled out her samurizer and in a dark flash became the Black Rose Ranger.
"Attack!"
With a roar, the Nighlok surged forward as good and evil met. The ranger team fought almost manically in perfect unison as Jaden and Bianca clashed in a flying dance of swords. Underneath her helmet, Bianca smiled. It was all going according to plan after all…
"Emily now!" Jayden called out.
Bianca's eyes widened as the yellow ranger released the fox zord. The agile orange zord began to yip and run through the sea of Nighlok, causing time to slow. The rangers quickly destroyed them as Florina rushed to the guardians' aid.
"Oh no you don't! I've worked too hard to get this rose!"
Time went slow motion as Jayden ripped the necklace from Bianca's neck, threw it at Florina, and the team sent a sextuplet strike after it. The crystal heart full of Sanzu River shattered and Florina, eyes wide, went up in flames. Bianca powered down and fell into Jayden's waiting arms as the other rangers crowded around.
"Did it work?" Mia asked.
Thundarus trotted forward and gently muzzled the young woman's face with his own. Eyes fluttering open, she looked at her friends in shock.
"But how?"
"Sarah and Mentor did some extended research on Florina. It wasn't a mere flower controlling you but the necklace itself." Kevin explained.
"So…" Antonio paused. "…how do you feel?"
Bianca leaned off Jayden slowly, pulling her samurizer from her pocket. She then faced the black horse.
"Symbol power: shrink!"
The zord gave a soft neigh as he was enveloped in a white light before reappearing in folding form on her shoulder.
"You look perfectly healthy." Mia noted.
"Let's really find out shall we?"
The team faced Dayu, who looked unimpressed.
"You're still here? This ought to be easy." Mike said.
"Don't get cocky." Dayu replied, disappearing into a gap.
The rangers watched as Florina grew to a giant.
"Ready team?"
"Allow me to help." Bianca stated with a smile.
Bianca then powered up, this time her suit white with black and silver accents. The Thundarus blade appeared in her left hand and a long silver-blue dagger in her right.
"Silver Thunder White Samurai Ranger!"
"So awesome!" Mike exclaimed.
They quickly formed the mega zord, who then jumped onto a giant-sized Thundarus' back. The group was a little shocked when a new spot opened up between Jayden and Kevin, Bianca appearing.
"Hey welcome aboard!" Emily said.
"This is so cool!" Antonio noted.
"You haven't seen anything yet. Emily, Mia, call out swan and fox." Bianca started.
The two young women nodded, unleashing the zords and Bianca unleashed Silverwing. The swan and Silverwing folded up into short dagger tips while the fox morphed into a staff to connect them.
"Ladies and gentlemen, meet the Wings of Time Staff."
"You rangers sure take forever!" Florina screamed, shooting vines their way.
The megazord leaned forward with the staff, sending frozen razor-sharp feather at the vines, shredding them. Thundarus surged forward and the megazord cut down the Nighlok with the staff. They cheered as the Nighlok was finally destroyed.
Meanwhile, a certain Nighlok stood watching with a fragment of crystal in her palm.
"Thank you…guardian."
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"Are you sure you have to go home?" Emily asked.
"Now Em…" Sarah started.
"Oh come on! With Florina gone, we can totally have actual girls' day!" Mia added.
"The Nighlok attacks are still around you know." Kevin noted.
The two women stuck their tongues out as the rest of the team laughed.
"Unfortunately yes. Without the crystal heart, it seems Master Xandred has no use of me anymore. I'll be perfectly safe at home."
"So that was your true plan after all along." Mike concluded.
Bianca nodded as she finished zipping up her bag.
"Hey, where's Jayden and Mentor." Emily asked as the group moved into the living room.
"Right here." Ji said.
Bianca noticed the scroll in the red rangers' hand.
"Everything ok?"
"Just a letter from your grandfather wishing your safe return home." Jayden replied with a shrug.
The guardian didn't miss Sarah and Ji's shared looks.
"Oh, well I guess we should head out then Sarah."
The group exited the house to where an SUV was parked waiting.
"Was kind of expecting you to ride." Mike noted.
Rolling her eyes, Bianca moved to hug each ranger goodbye.
"Be safe." Mia said.
"Don't forget to write or email." Emily added.
"It was wonderful to meet you Bianca." Kevin said.
"We'll go to a real party next time you visit." Mike said.
"Lots of fishing Bi." Antonio finished.
Bianca then faced the leader of the team with a raised brow.
"Nothing from my best friend, the mighty red ranger?"
She was all smiles as he pulled her close to clash his lips over hers. The team whooped in excitement and laughter. The two pulled away in laughter as well, arms around each other.
"Alright you two, break it up." Sarah said between giggles.
The alarm going off had Ji answering his phone.
"Sorry rangers, there's a new Nighlok attack in the forest."
The team pulled Bianca and Sarah into a group hug.
"Careful rangers." Sarah said.
Jayden laid a kiss to Bianca's temple with a smile.
"See you soon."
With that, they headed off with a newfound excited energy. Ji and Sarah stood on either side of Bianca.
"…Lauren's arrived hasn't she?" Bianca asked.
Ji glanced down at the young guardian and sighed.
"She arrived this morning."
"Do you truly believe they're ready Ji?" Sarah asked.
"I believe they are."
Bianca glanced back to the still open gate.
'Jaden…I hope you're ready for the challenge you're fixing to face…'
AUTHOR'S NOTE: TECHINCALLY THIS IS THE END OF THE STORY! I had wanted to end it here but i had a friend want me to finish it out with a bang. THIS ENDS WHERE LAUREN IS FIRST INTRODUCED IN THE SHOW!