Strength In Numbers

Full Summary – -Fourth in Bailey Series- Since Mesogog's defeat, Bailey had been wandering aimlessly, until she found herself in Panorama City. Working at a café, she finds life to be normal, until she notices a sullen looking teen with an affinity for the color red who is a regular at the café. She knows he's a ranger and knows trouble isn't too far behind where the rangers are concerned. With Master Xandred and his army of Nighloks trying to end civilization, Bailey can't help herself but to join in the fight. She just needs to be sure they don't find out that she's been helping them in their fights all along. Once a ranger, always a ranger, but not quite when there's secrets being kept.

Jayden/Bailey, Kevin/Mia, Mike/Emily, Antonio/Lauren

A/N: I do have a two-shot called Giving Up The Game that you may want to read first before starting this, but it's not absolutely needed. Also, I changed Bailey's faceclaim to India Eisley.

01

From Within The Shadows

"I'm heading out, Max," Bailey Oliver-Mitchell said, dusting off her hands on her apron before tossing it onto the counter. She looked to the side, ensuring all her tables were taken care of, then moved behind the counter to clock out. "Try not to burn the place down while I'm gone, yeah?"

"You mean you actually want to come back tomorrow?" Max's eyebrows rose in mock surprise. "To this lovely place where we're overworked and underpaid and the customers leave their trash and everything for us to pick up as if we don't have anything better to do?"

Bailey giggled quietly. "Yep, that's what I mean. I want to come back to my job tomorrow."

"So, it has nothing to do with the fact that Ass Face never showed up today?"

"Sad Guy," Bailey immediately corrected. Then she made a scoffing sigh, slapping herself on the forehead. "I mean, Jayden. Look." She folded her arms, seeing the smirk that slowly started to cross her friend's face. "My plans don't' revolve around whether or not he's going to be here and—would you stop laughing?"

Max tried and failed to do as he was told, placing his hand over his mouth. Finally, he let out a big sigh, shaking his head as he still grinned. "I'm sorry, Bay, but you're not a very good liar. It's almost impossible for you to lie."

That's what you think, Bailey thought, bringing her hands behind her back, tucking away the communicator that sat on her wrist. That she was consistently able to pass off as a high-tech watched she'd built in her spare time. Then again, she'd once had a hand in creating a morpher from scratch and a new source of powers, hiding what wasn't exactly a watch as a piece of cake.

"And you're lying about how much you like to see this guy around."

"Sure, Max. Sure." Bailey lifted her hand, waved to Max and slipped out of the café, fondly known as the Perk Up—shortened from the Panorama Perk Up.

She held the door open for a young mom and her baby going inside, then slid her mini backpack over her shoulders and headed away from the plaza. She whistled to herself as she went, looking around at those that were smiling as they went about the warm day in Panorama City. It wasn't going to last long, she knew that for sure, may as well, get some good use out of the warm weather before she was sent running from whatever monster decided to show up that day.

As Bailey went, she couldn't help but feel a little bummed. There weren't many other people she knew in Panorama city, and that been by her own decision. Since having defeated Mesogog, and not having too many idea of what she wanted to do in college, if she were going to go, Bailey had decided to take a year off and see where life took her. Well, life took her to what she'd always wanted; to be outside of her sister's shadow and to make her own decisions. But now that she didn't have Avalon around as much as she used to, she felt, honestly, a little lost.

Her previous traveling had taken her from Reefside to Angel Grove to Stone Canyon to Mariner Bay to Australia to Los Angeles to Blue Harbor Bay to Panorama City. Almost aimlessly bouncing around as she visited her family and friends, as if trying to…what? Relive the old days? There was always a saying that you could never go back to the way things were. Avalon and Billy had left Panorama City a few days earlier and Bailey hadn't realized how strange it'd be without them around.

At least she had other things to keep her busy. Like…watching Power Ranger coverage on the news. She should've known there'd be a point where she couldn't go somewhere without their being a ranger team. To the point that she practically expected it. But there was also the fact that, it seemed, rangers were abel to sense each other. It couldn't' have been a coincidence that she ended up in Panorama City and there was a new ranger team.

Something had to have called her there.

Or maybe its wishful thinking, Bailey reminded herself. She took in a deep breath and kept going, hitching her rucksack up her back as she went. Something painful dug into her back, probably one of the cleats on her climbing shoes. It pressed between her shoulders, a painful reminder that she hadn't spent a lot of time on herself lately.

But that was why she decided to cut out of work early that day. Seeing friends was always better than being at work. Not that she wasn't friends with her co-workers, Max was her best friend. But it was nice when conversations didn't default to, "What an asshole this customer was today."

Turning into the quaint neighborhood, Bailey looked around to find the house she was looking for. Well, she hadn't needed to look too long. The sound of loud crashing accompanied by loud, snorting laughter wafted from a nearby garage. She hurried over, and pulled it open, her mouth dropping open in surprise when she took in the sight in front of her.

The sight of a paint covered Farkas "Bulk" Bulkmeier and a laughing Spike Skullovitch.

"Well, I see things really don't change too much, yeah?" Bailey remarked, closing the garage door behind her. She tried not to take too much notice of how Bulk glared at her, spitting paint to the ground, knowing it'd make her lose control. But it also hit her with a wave of nostalgia; comforting yet sad all the same.

Spike turned at the sound of the garage door closing. His face stretched into a wide grin and he threw his long, gangly arms into the air. "Aunt Bailey!" He shrieked before enveloping her in a hug.

"Hi Spike," Bailey hugged him back. "How ya going?" Bulk mumbled to himself, wiping paint from his face. Bailey reached over to a nearby bench and picked up a towel. She tossed it to her old friend wit a greeting. He grumbled back in response, muttering something like, "Skull owes me for this," under his breath. She took a cursory glance around the garage, seeing the paraphernalia and odds and ends strewn about that were either brightly colored or old fashioned. "I think you might be stuck in the 90s."

Bulk merely glared at her as he pressed his lips together and spit another stream of paint falling out of his mouth and splattering to the floor with a wet thwack.

The sound was covered by the sound of hers and Spike's laughter.

Mike Fernandez grimaced, twitching his fingers against the joystick on the arcade game he stared into, ignoring the flashing lights to focus on the ninja character as it beat up the enemy character on screen. He grimaced, watching as his character, the ninja, seemed to be beaten up no matter what he tried to do to get the upper hand.

Just as what happened that morning.

Just as it always seemed to happen.

No matter if he were facing off against Jayden or Kevin, he was always the loser. The one who received the harsh taps of the bamboo stick against his back, arm, or across the ass. As Jayden was quick to point out that morning, smirking at him all the while. Who did that, anyway? Mentor Ji didn't smirk at them whenever they did something wrong and he proved his point. He just sent them in through the training again.

But Jayden…

Just because he's been a ranger longer…Mike shook his head, tried to focus on the game once more. The Ninja leapt over the shoulder of the enemy and started a flurry of barrages onto the enemy, making its HP deplete in seconds. Hit after hit.

A grin came to Mike's face. Finally, finally something he could do right! And he didn't have Jayden and the other rangers watching over his shoulder, waiting for him to mess up. In the arcade, he was the winner and he knew exactly what he was doing!

"Hey, Mike!"

Mike looked up just briefly, to see his best friends Matthew and Reece heading his way. Or, who were his best friends. When was the last time he'd hung out with them? Had to have been long enough if he had to question it. Guilt rolled through his stomach. They were his best friends but…he had no choice but to stay away from them. That was one of the stipulations of being a Samurai ranger. Something his father had warned him bout ages ago, when he was young and only dreamt about being a ranger.

Didn't really understand the power that was going to be thrust in his hands, didn't understand the responsibility, the weight of which would be crushing him further as the days passed.

Taking in a deep breath, Mike turned his attention back to the game, where he defeated the enemy with ease. Now if only he could handle confrontations with his friends the same way. With the same confidence.

Matthew came up to Mike's side, clasping him on the shoulder, gently shaking him. But he was smiling. That was a good sign. He must not have been taking Mike's absence too hard. "Where've you been?" Matthew asked. "You're not in school, you're never at home…"

"You didn't even come to graduation, man," Reece added. He looked at Mike with mild concern. "It's like you're a ghost nowadays.

Mike took in a deep breath as he thought. Of course he was a ghost. He no longer lived at home. It wasn't safe of his parents. They knew that, and had to keep the secret. How hard was it for them? To come up with some grandiose lies just to keep the façade going?

"It's…kind of a long story," Mike murmured. He moved away from the arcade game and started through the darkened room towards the doors. The blasting sound of music and gunfire from the other games they passed buffeted his ears until they were outside.

"Oh come on," Matthew insisted. "You can tell us!"

"Yeah," Reece agreed. "We can keep a secret."

"It's not even really a secret…" Mike shook his head, practically seeing Jayden and Kevin glaring at him the seconds the words left his mouth. Could practically feel the burning, disapproving gaze from Mia and the silent, questioning one from Emily digging into his back. No matter where he went, there was always a reminder of them. "It's just…I've joined this great them. But…they're all so talented. It's really intimidating."

"I mean playing video games professional should be intimidating," Reece said.

"Huh?" Mike's eyebrows furrowed. Playing video games…professionally?

"Don't sweat it," Reece agreed. He threw his arms around Mike's shoulders, gently jostling him. "You're the best gamer around. You always know how to read your opponents and figure out the best moves to take them down."

"And they're the best smackdowns! Ever!" Matt declared.

Mike grinned, glad that his friends were able to cheer him up, even a little bit. But it still didn't help him entirely. They didn't get it. The thinly veiled explanation, of joining a professional gaming team…it was as close as they'd get to the truth. Mike shook his head. "I can't sense n attack like Kevin," he murmured.

His friends exchanged a glance. Matt ventured to ask, "Who's Kevin? Is he part of your team?"

Oh yeah, he was part of the team. He was the one who was improving the most, since having had started to become a ranger. He was the one that Jayden wanted to spar with the most because he knew what he was doing and he was a challenge.

Mike was…

"I've never seen you this serious before, dude," Reece murmured, studying him closely.

"It takes some getting used to," Mike replied, pushing himself away from his head. "But protecting the world from evil is a big deal."

Another exchanged glance. "What video game's that?"

Mike started to say something then stopped. He came to a complete stop, looking around. Felt a low trembling below his feet. He looked around, watching as those in the plaza started to notice the rumbling as well, slowly getting to their feet as they, uneasily, started to move.

The ground cracked open and a large, grotesque monster appeared where it had stood before. Mike gasped, falling into a fighting stance, recognizing the monster as a Nighlock standing before him.

The Nighlock, Rofer, laughed as he flailed his arms about, making the innocent citizens of Panorama City scream and run for cover. "Hang onto your seats, things are going to get wild!" It threw out a hand that extended even further, clotheslining a screaming citizen, knocking him over onto his back. "Care for some punch?" Another extension of the arm that flipped a man over. "This'll really grab ya." He grabbed a woman to his chest before flinging her away.

Mike jumped into action before he could stop himself. He sprinted toward the Nighlock, leaving his friends behind. "You guys get out of here," he shouted over his shoulder toward his friends. "I'll be right back!" He pumped his arms as he ran, moving faster as the seconds passed. I can take care of this guy by myself! The Nighlock turned his way, throwing out a fist that Mike easily dodged and continued forward. I know I can do it! "Samurizer!" He took out his morpher and started to draw a symbol in the air that hovered before him, a deep, mossy green. "Go go, Samurai!" He morphed as he ran, coming to a stop right before Rofer. "You're through here, Nighlock!"

"Hey, if you wanna hold my hand, try buying me some flowers, first!" Rofer shot out a fist toward Mike, which Mike easily evaded.

He pulled out his Spin Sword and held it in front of him, pointed edge aimed directly toward the heart of the Nighlock. "How about I buy you a one-way ticket back to—" He was cut off by a solid punch across the face from an extended fist, the power behind it knocking him off his feet. "Ah!" He landed on the ground and was buffeted again, flying through the air.

Each time Mike tried to get back to his feet, he was taken down by another strike from a flying fist. He wouldn't stand a chance unless he got the opportunity to stay up on his own two feet. Rofer continued to laugh maniacally as he took on the Green Samurai Ranger.

"When it comes to my fist, you're all thumbs!" Rofer crowed. Finally, Mike was thrown hard enough away that he was able to leap onto a nearby roof. "Tired of my underground fight club already?"

Mike gasped for air, bringing his hand to his chest. His knees quaked beneath him as he tried to keep himself upright. The rainfall of blows took more out of him that he thought it would. The Nighlock was tougher than he thought. That was your first mistake, he thought. "He can't reach me up here," he whispered to himself. A tiny reassurance in the grand scheme of things. Until he felt that tell-tale rumble beneath his feet second before he was smashed beneath the chin by a fist. "Ah!" He was knocked off the roof and plummeted toward the ground.

At the last second, Mike twisted himself over, landing on his shoulders, rolling across the ground to keep himself composed. "I may be down, but I'm not out!"

"Well, let's see what else you can handle!" This time, Rofer shot out two of his fists.

Mike braced himself, waiting for them to come closer.

"Cephala Club!"

The fists were knocked aside by a giant purple club, knocking Rofer to the side. Seconds later, a figure dressed in purple, a purple ranger, landed on the ground in front of Mike in a crouch. She stood pointing the club toward Rofer. "You've worn out your welcome!" She pressed her heels together and turned the club to its side, seeming to pump it. "Canon Mode! Fire!"

The mouth of the club opened and a large swirl of purple-orange energy shot out and struck Rofer directly in the chest. Rofer fell to his back, legs flailing. Then he used his hands to try and bring himself back to his feet, the fists digging underground with blinding speed before punching out toward the purple ranger once more, making her roll out of the way to dodge it.

The fists ignored her and started toward Mike once more. But, this time, Mike was saved by a rush of fire that deflected them off course. Mike looked up to see the Red Samurai ranger standing in front of him.

"Jayden!"

Jayden glanced at Mike over his shoulder. "Are you okay?" Mike nodded back in response. Jayden took a step toward Rofer, holding out his Spin Sword menacingly.

Rofer stepped back, shaking his head, waving his hands. His skin started to crackle with each movement he made. "Uh-oh, feels like I'm starting to dry up. Looks like I'll punch out for now. Later, rangers." A crack opened in the ground and he disappeared, sliding through it as he were made of putty.

The purple ranger dismissed her weapon, placing her hands on her hips, disgruntled, watching the Nighlock return from where it came from. Then she turned, noticing the rangers watching her, and leapt from sight before they could stop her.

"Wait!" Mike called, to no avail. Getting to his feet, he looked to Jayden. "Who was that?" He asked.

"I don't know," Jayden replied. He slowly shook his head. "But we need to find out.

A/N: Should I be posting this story when I have so many others to do (including making more progress in Headstrong and Shattered Grid)? No. Am I doing it anyway? Yes!

Finally, the Samurai stories. I'm excited about this for a lot of reasons. A lot of them have to do with Bay, some of it has to do with Av, but a lot of it has to do with the fact that I actually enjoyed this season ore than I thought I would (though I initially hated it and had to do a re-watch to appreciate it). I hope you liked the beginning of this one, you don't have to read my two-shot Giving Up The Game to understand this, but I'd recommend it.

Let me know what you think! (Oh, also, per the ending author's note in New Beginning, this was originally supposed to be called Get Up, but I changed it. Also! I edited my profile, so check that out as well!)

~Av