Chapter 38: Danger and Destiny Part 2
Chase's chest was burning, demanding oxygen, as he and Olivia ran through the city. She wasn't faring much better as they occasionally stopped to try and catch their breath.
"I don't...know how much longer I can go on like this," Olivia gasped for breath when they moved down a dark alleyway. "Is he still following us?" she asked, and Chase peered out. He cursed, seeing Jim approaching.
"He is," he confirmed, and Olivia's fists clenched. Her father had been imprisoned for his actions, and now he was back and acting strange. He'd attacked them with speed and strength that should have been impossible, and when they'd run, he'd given chase.
"What is going on? Why is he acting this way?" she demanded. She wanted to defend herself, but something was wrong and not only was she hesitating to fight him, but he was tough. He'd knocked Chase aside in one blow.
"I don't know, but our best bet is to get to the Garage and find Teddie," Chase told her, taking her hand. Olivia nodded, knowing that he was right.
"Let's go. We shouldn't be too far from there now," she looked around, and they took off, pushing their shaky limbs. Jim sped up, running towards them and slowly gaining on them. "Chase, go find Teddie," Olivia stopped suddenly, turning to face her father. "I'll hold him off," she told him.
"Oli, no!" Chase shouted as she ran at Jim, who grabbed her fist as she punched out at him. Her blue eyes widened, before he punched her across the face, and she fell to the ground. "No!" Chase ran back towards her, only for Teddie to jump in between them. She kicked him hard, and Jim doubled over with a groan. Teddie then spun, and kicked him across the head. Jim crumpled, and Teddie stepped back, breathing heavily.
"Teddie!" Heckyl reached them as Teddie helped Olivia to her feet.
"Th...thanks," she breathed, a hand to her bruised eye.
"Did some twin thing tell you we were in trouble?" Chase smiled with relief, but it quickly faded when Teddie didn't react, looking down at Jim. "Ted, what's wrong?" he asked, and Teddie closed her eyes, taking a deep breath.
"It…" she stopped herself, and frustration bubbled up. Chase frowned, and Heckyl put his hands on her shoulders.
"Teddie, you can't shut down and run off without saying anything," he told her.
"Shut up," she muttered, and as she tried to pull away, he grabbed her wrists. "Heckyl, stop it," Teddie's voice quivered, but she didn't pull away.
"What is going on?" Chase demanded. "What happened? Do you know why Jim suddenly went terminator on us?" he asked. There were too many questions, and it was starting to annoy him.
"He's probably a hybrid. It turns out there's a lot of them around the city, and Venjix has taken control over them," Heckyl explained, sparing the unconscious man on the ground a look before returning his attention to Teddie. "His goal was to turn hybrids against humans," he added quietly.
"That explains the other zombies we saw," Olivia considered as she took Chase's hand, trying to help soothe him. "But he was more focused than them," she said.
"Cassie was the same. If they had a strong focus, it seems they went after it. Cassie still had the Siren side of her, and I would imagine your father has some lingering...issues," Heckyl told her, and Olivia shuddered.
"Let me go," Teddie muttered quietly, but he still didn't release her. "Heckyl, please. I can't," she shook her head, weakly tugging in his grasp.
"What happened?" Chase asked as he took another step towards them. "Teddie, tell me," he spoke, and Teddie took a ragged breath.
"Don't. Please," her voice shook more.
"Teddie, you can't afford to shut down. The rest of your team need you," Heckyl refused to let her go.
"Heckyl, mate, you need to stop," Chase warned. He didn't know what was going on, but he could see Teddie struggling to keep it together.
"Would you rather she gives up entirely, when Venjix has the city in his grasp?" Heckyl snapped at him, his own frustration slipping free. Chase's eyes narrowed.
"Do not give me an excuse to punch you now," he warned.
"Chase, please, we can't start this when the city is in danger," Olivia spoke up, trying to calm him down. "The Rangers-"
"Are screwed!" Teddie's shout made them all jump. "We can't Morph! Dillon's in some kinda coma, and...and if we Morph..." the tears finally broke free and her body shook with sobs. "We can't Morph, or we'll end up just like Spencer and Annie," Teddie cried, and Chase felt his entire body go cold.
"What...what are you talking about?" he asked slowly.
"They're gone!" Teddie sobbed, and Heckyl pulled her close. She cried, clinging to him as she couldn't stop it. Chase sank to his knees, struggling to breathe at the thought. Their brother, gone. "I've been so horrible to Spence since...since we fought about Dr. K, and now he's gone and I can't even apologise," she wailed, barely able to remain standing.
The doors into Dr. K's smaller section of the lab slid open and the lights flickered to life as she and Tenaya stepped in. Tenaya was visibly shaking with fear, but Flynn's words had sunk in. She needed to help them. Removing her hand, she connected her wiring to the computer with Dr. K's help.
"I'm going to download the virus into your memory drive," Dr. K explained to her as the others watched. "You'll go into the Control Tower and upload it into Venjix' server," she told Tenaya, who nodded.
"Isn't this dangerous? What if the virus infects her?" Arianna asked.
"It's okay. Go ahead," Tenaya nodded, and Dr. K started working.
"Scott," Summer frowned suddenly as they worked, staring at his Morpher.
"What?" he asked as she approached slowly. Seeing his Morpher flashing, he lifted it, and it beeped with each flash.
"What's going on with your Morpher?" Arianna asked as Scott stared at it. A moment later, he gave a small laugh.
"It's military code," he realised, watching it to try and decipher it.
"Military? Your dad?" Flynn asked as Scott nodded.
"12...5...sorensen," he frowned. "Sector 12, Quad 5?" he guessed.
"The old Sorensen Factory's in that quad!" Flynn remembered, making them smile.
"I'm ready," Tenaya announced as she stepped out.
"Once the virus is downloaded, I'll signal you to Morph," Dr. K said to the team as she stepped out. "Venjix will link into the biofield, and the virus will activate," she told them.
"Fighting a virus with a virus?" they looked around as Teddie stepped into the lab. She wiped her eyes, which were red as her face was streaked with tears. She offered a small smile. "I'm in," she told them with a confident nod, and they grinned, happy to have her back.
"Okay. Ziggy, you stay here and guard Dr. K-"
"What am I, chump change?" Nora asked with a raised eyebrow. Scott rolled his eyes and pushed her lightly.
"The rest of us, we're going on," Scott declared, leading the way out. Heckyl grabbed Teddie on her way out to follow, and she turned to him, watching his embarrassed look.
"I'm sorry...for pushing you, I-" he was cut off when she kissed him, pulling him down towards her.
"Thank you. For being there," she whispered back. "You're right. I can't shut down. I need to help finish this, for them," Teddie smiled at him, and he sighed.
"Does everything sink in so slow with you?" he complained, and she rolled her eyes. "Just be careful," he muttered, and Teddie nodded, kissing him again before following the rest of the team out.
"Don't worry, you two," Ziggy grinned to Dr. K and Nora. "You can rely on me," he declared. Nora sighed, and Dr. K arched an eyebrow.
"The last time she did that, you two ended up in a cave," she pointed out, making Cassie, Gem and Gemma giggle.
"Oh yeah, good times," Ziggy grinned, and Nora blushed as he winked at her.
"You're such an idiot," she muttered.
Grinders beeped loudly as they ushered around the group of humans they'd gathered up, and didn't see the Rangers peering in.
"Okay, it's the factory," Scott confirmed, seeing hybrids under Venjix's control carry others, injured or bound, inside.
"Are they making more hybrids?" Arianna wondered.
"Whatever they're doing, we need to get them out," Scott told them.
"There's been Grinders all over town. What if they're in other locations too?" Summer worried.
"There are," Teddie confirmed, and Summer's eyes widened. "But don't worry, we have other help there," she smiled, and Scott nodded.
"Between the rest of B-Squad, and other past Rangers, we'll have these places cleared out," the Red Ranger nodded, having spoken with Teddie about it on the way.
"Then let's get in there and stop this mess," Flynn grinned to them.
Inside the factory, people tried to fight back, only to be knocked out by a small round device the Grinders placed on them. It shocked them, and knocked the person out, removing their ability to resist. One turned to place one on the next person, only to be grabbed.
"Thanks, I'm already wired," Scott smirked, kicking it away. The rest of the team burst in, and started fighting off the Grinders. They dodged the blasts from others, fighting off the Grinders and destroying any of the machines they were using.
"Teddie, you and 'Anna take the ones up top!" Scott shouted when a blast narrowly missed his head.
"On it!" they nodded. Arianna created a shield, blocking another hit, and allowing Teddie to hit it with a well aimed ball of golden energy. The Grinder twisted, firing another shot that took out more Grinders, before falling.
"Thanks," one of the soldiers groaned as Summer freed them.
"Come on, hurry!" she encouraged more of them to escape, and the soldiers fought back to help. Smashing through the cuffs holding his father's wrists, Scott freed him and made sure the Grinders weren't nearby.
"Dad, are you alright?" he asked quickly.
"Yeah, you got my message," Colonel Truman commented, impressed.
"Yes, sir, I did," Scott grinned.
"Let's get these people out of here," he told them.
"Here," he was surprised when Teddie held out one of the Grinder's weapons. "Just in case," she then moved past him and punched the Grinder lunging at them.
"Reminds me of her brother, when I first met him," he considered, and Scott managed a small smile.
"They're both pretty stubborn," he said, and glanced at his dad again, knowing that they were exactly the same. They then hurried out, leading the prisoners to safety. The Rangers stayed at the back, guarding them from the Grinders that gave chase.
Teddie leapt over some of the barrels, kicking out and knocking the Grinders aside. She rolled forwards, pushing up on her hands and spinning her legs out and knocking more aside. When she flipped back upright, Teddie grinned and punched another.
Nearby, Arianna closed her eyes as the Grinders surrounded her, but as they tried to strike her together, her body rippled and turned to liquid, splashing to the ground as the Grinders hit each other. Arianna reformed, and kicked out at the last one standing.
When the team stood together again, catching their breath, they frowned when the Grinders backed away.
"What's going on?" Summer wondered.
"Let's hope Tenaya did her job…" Flynn muttered.
"She will, we need to keep faith," Teddie said confidently, before the Grinders parted and Venjix stepped into view.
"Greetings, Rangers," he chuckled as their eyes widened and they went pale. Grinders were easy to fight, even in the masses, but Venjix himself was a whole other story.
"Dr. K, are we free to Morph?" Scott called quickly.
'Negative,' Dr. K denied, and they looked up at the massive robot.
"Playtime is over!" Venjix declared, slamming the base of his double-edged club against the ground. "Join me in a world of machines. You'll suffer no disease, no hunger, no fear. Or be crushed and destroyed!" Venjix roared.
"That doesn't sound like living at all to me!" Summer shouted.
"She's right," Arianna agreed.
"And hey, the bad guys usually offer that sort of thing when they know they're gonna be beaten," Teddie grinned, tapping a finger to her chin thoughtfully. "Where's the logic behind offering your 'salvation' to us?" she asked, and Venjix growled.
'The Virus is done. Should I disconnect?' Tenaya announced as Dr. K, Gem and Gemma worked quickly.
"Not yet," Dr. K told her. "Let's see what else Venjix has buried in there," she smirked, and data began to flow to her computer. "Irrelevant...archaic! Useless!" she scoffed, getting up in frustration.
"Dr. K!"
"Look!" the twins grinned, and she turned back quickly. "These encrypted files," Gem grinned as Dr. K's eyes widened.
"The biofield!" she breathed.
Out in the garage, Ziggy looked around, having heard a noise while raiding Dr. K's sugar supply. He wandered over to where a screw was rolling along the ground, before Grinders suddenly burst in. He kicked one aside, and inside the lab, Dr. K looked up.
"Under control, Doc!" he shouted as Nora rolled her eyes and grabbed her sword. Heckyl watched for a moment as Ziggy slid under the table and then used it to slam a Grinder out of the way.
"The more I watch Rangers in action...the more I wonder how bad my plans must have been," he muttered, shaking his head before joining them.
"Say goodbye to humanity!" Venjix growled, annoyed by their responses. He raised his club, and it started to glow golden with energy. The Rangers stood tall, not backing down.
'Rangers, you are clear to Morph,' Dr. K announced as Venjix fired his blast of power. It exploded, breaking up the ground around them and kicking up smoke. When it faded, the Rangers were revealed to be unharmed, standing together Morphed.
"What?!" Venjix snarled. "Attack!" he roared, sending the Grinders forwards. He watched as the Rangers raced to meet the Grinders, confident and ready to fight.
"RPM, GET IN GEAR!" in the garage, Ziggy had gotten the message too, and Morphed quickly. "That's more like it!" he grinned, fighting off the Grinders with much greater ease. Four of them grabbed him, but the belts spinning around his gloves and boots slashed through the robots. "Turbo Axe time," he called on the massive axe.
"Great, now the rest of us need to watch out," Nora muttered, but was grinning as he sliced through the Grinders running towards her. "My hero," she said dryly, making him laugh.
"Come on, give me some kinda challenge," Teddie goaded as the Grinders surrounded her. She leapt up, kicking one upside the head and tossing it away. She landed and kept moving without pause, knocking them out of the way with powerful kicks that smashed through their circuits. "Or don't, whichever you prefer," she grinned, jumping back and kicking a barrel. It flew at the grinders and smashed into them, knocking them to the ground.
"I never expected to be a Ranger, but I'm glad I got the chance," Arianna threw a series of punches, each hitting the Grinders hard and knocking them back to make room for others. "Especially against these freaks," she added, grabbing one of the Grinders and using its gun to blast through more of them.
Nearby, Scott fought against Venjix, but he was powerful, and threw the Red Ranger aside.
"Enough!" Venjix roared as Scott caught his breath, a hand to where he'd taken a hard hit to the chest. The Grinders all backed away, confusing the Rangers.
"What's happening?" Summer wondered.
"This ain't good," Teddie muttered, running to Scott's side.
"Since you won't join me, you'll be deleted!" Venjix declared as Teddie helped their leader up, and the others ran to their side.
"Any time, Doc…" Flynn hissed, crossing his fingers. Venjix jerked suddenly, and the Grinders vanished in a flash of light.
"What?!" Venjix roared.
Inside the Garage, Ziggy fell forwards as the Grinders vanished, causing his axe to sail through the air and hit nothing.
"Man, I'm good," he laughed.
"You mean the Doc is good," Nora laughed, lifting her sword from where she'd been about to plunge it through another of the robots.
"Let's see what she has planned next," Heckyl said to the pair, who nodded.
"I detect a hack!" Venjix realised with a snarl. Roaring, he threw his club up, and the energy slammed into the command centre above.
"Oh no," Teddie breathed as she saw it swinging precariously badly damaged and hanging on by a thread.
"He caught on faster than we thought," Scott muttered.
"Tenaya!" Dr. K shouted as Dillon's eyes shot open.
'He's gonna bust in. I don't think I can hold him off,' Tenaya warned, voice shaking.
"Where is she?" Dr. K glanced around as Dillon rushed over.
"The control tower," Dr. K said as the link vanished, cut off by the damage.
"I'll get her out," Dillo said, turning to walk away.
"No!" the genius stopped him quickly, eyes wide.
"Sorry Doc," Dillon offered a smile, before running out.
"Dillon! Looking good?" Ziggy blinked as Dillon almost collided with him. He didn't wait, sprinting away without a word.
"Ranger Green, give me a hand," Dr. K requested. "All of you, a hand please," she called as they hurried over. They heard Dillon speed off in his car, but stayed with the Doctor, wondering what she had planned next.
Near the factory, Venjix fought off the five Rangers with fury, enraged by the hack that had deleted the Grinders.
"Zip Charger!"
"Turbo Cannon!" Summer and Flynn rushed in as Scott was knocked aside again. They fired blasts, but both bounced off the thick armour. The ground behind him exploded as the power of the Turbo Cannon burst outwards and hit Flynn, while Summer's Zip Charger rebounded and hit her, knocking her down.
"Street Sabre!"
"Rocket Hammer!"
"Jet Fists!" the other three ran in with their close range weapons. Venjix grabbed Scott's sword, and swung him into Arianna as she punched him, barely denting his armour, before he took Teddie's hammer to the chest. He retaliated with a hit of his club, and Teddie slammed to the ground with a groan.
"So what are we doing here?" Nora asked as she and Ziggy removed the paneling of the cases where the Ranger suits normally were. Only the Green and Black suits remained.
"Can't. Busy," Dr. K responded shortly, too focused and in a rush as the twins worked rapidly on a computer. Even Cassie looked baffled. Dr. K began typing, and lights began to gather where the cases stood, making their eyes widen.
"Now...you will witness my power," Venjix growled, facing the five Rangers as they breathed heavily.
"Alright," Scott stood tall. "Let's end this," he declared. Pushing themselves up, they refused to back down against the powerful virus.
"Let's do it!" they shouted together, slamming their spinning belts to Venjix and pushing hard. Venjix resisted, before letting out a yell and staggering backwards. When he recovered, he growled and raised his club, channeling his power through it and blasting them off their feet. Each of them landed heavily, their helmets vanishing as they slammed into the barrels and crates scattered around.
"You cannot defeat me! I...am...Venjix!" he roared. "My creator, I know you can hear me! You have lost. It is machines that shall rule the world!" Venjix declared as the five stood together again. He laughed loudly, and started walking towards them. Hearing a strange noise, they all looked up.
"What is that?" Scott questioned.
"No," Teddie put her hands to her mouth, tears filling her eyes as two Zords flew towards them.
"I don't believe it," Flynn laughed.
"Impossible!" Venjix roared as he realised.
"Target in sight," Spencer called as his Rooster Zord flew towards the fight.
"Lock on," Annie grinned.
"Fire!" they shouted together, and their blasts hit the Control Tower above. It dangled dangerously, hanging on by a few pieces of metal. "Hey, you missed!" Annie complained.
"Your side was already damaged!" Spencer shouted back at her, before the metal snapped and the command base hurtled towards the ground. "See? I didn't miss!" he defended.
"Look out!" Scott yelled as the command base fell towards them.
"If they kill us with this, I'll kill them!" Teddie shouted as they ran, and Venjix roared.
"No!" he shouted, before the command base landed on him, and exploded.
When the fallen base didn't move any further, seeming secure, they looked around for any trace of anyone.
"I can't believe this," Summer murmured.
"Is that really it?" Arianna wondered.
"Hey guys!" they looked up when Spencer's call reached them. Teddie's eyes widened, and filled with tears again.
"Spencer, you jerk!" she flung herself into her brother's arms, hugging him tightly. "You absolute doongi, fulwit!" Spencer laughed as she hurled insults at him.
"Hey, do I have to get Tanner out here to beat you for that language?" he asked.
"I'm sorry, Spence, for everything," Teddie sniffed, and he chuckled.
"Me too Ted," he hugged her, before letting her go so she could hug Annie.
"How did you…" Flynn couldn't form the words as the others ran over to hug them too.
"That's the Morphin' Grid for ya. Can't create it..." Annie winked.
"Can't destroy it. We were just turned into...energy, for a while," Spencer chuckled.
"Dillon?" Dr. K contacted over their Morphers. "Dillon, Tenaya, do you read me?" she pleaded. The others were silent as they waited, hoping for some response.
"We're okay Doc," to their relief, Dillon responded, and they all let out the breath they'd been holding. "Just enjoying the view," they looked up, and spotted a parachute floating down towards the ground. They couldn't help but laugh.
'Oxygen levels normal,' the machine beeped and announced as Hicks and some of the other soldiers, including Kayden and Jacob, stepped out of the dome.
"All clear," Hicks grinned, feeling much better despite the bruising around his face.
"Well, when the Rangers don't need you anymore, I hope you'll consider working with me," Colonel Truman said to Scott, whose eyes widened. "I'd like you to command the Eagle Squadron," she said, and Scott gave an excited laugh, his face hurting from smiling so much.
"Eagle Squad?" Scott repeated, not entirely sure he'd heard him right.
"There's no better man for the job," Colonel Truman told him, and held out his hand. "So?" he asked, and Scott shook his hand.
"It'd be an honour, dad," he laughed, and hugged him as the Colonel smiled and hugged him tightly.
"Ziggy, no! You don't need to bring that much!" Nora's shouts echoed down as Summer packed the last of the things into the boot of Dillon's car.
"So far, the implants are holding," Dr. K said as she scanned Tenaya's eyes. Since her 'defective' eyes had been replaced with robotic ones, Dr. K wanted to give them a check before they left. "But I can't predict how long you'll be able to see," she warned carefully. Tenaya smiled.
"Either way, I'm going to be fine," she said, glancing at her brother as he sat nearby. Dr. K nodded, smiling back, and turned to watch as they approached the car.
"You guys ready to go?" Flynn asked.
"Ready as we'll ever be," Summer smiled as Dillon put an arm around her.
"Hey! You can't leave without saying goodbye!" Ziggy yelped, and he and Nora ran down.
"Well, if you guys wanna hang around, we've got plenty of room in the shop," Flynn grinned at them.
"Shop?" Dillon repeated, tilting his head.
"Sure, me da and I are building the new computer networks for the city," he told them proudly.
"With a lot of help from my husband, I assure you," Annie smirked as she walked in with Spencer.
"No thanks," Tenaya laughed. "I think we'd rather spend some time away from computers for a while," she grinned, making them laugh. Flynn nodded, understanding. They looked around as Scott drummed on the hood of Dillon's car.
"Drumroll please, ladies and gentlemen, 'cause you're looking at Eagle Squad's newest recruits!" he announced as he led Gem and Gemma over.
"We get to blow things up…"
"And get paid for it," the twins high-fived.
"You're going to have your work cut out for you," Teddie giggled. Scott nodded, but was still smiling. He was too excited at the offer to lead the squad. They then looked at Dr. K as she rolled over a table.
"Series Operators, I'll need your Morphers," she told them, opening the case. They all hesitated, as it sank in. Their job was officially done, and they were no longer needed. To their surprise, Ziggy was the first to return his to its place in the case, followed by Teddie. Flynn then followed, running his fingers down it. Soon, the case was filled with all their Morphers and Engine Cells, and Dr. K smiled at them.
"No more Series Operators," Summer said as they all looked at the case. "What next?" she asked.
"Well, we're going back out to Briarwood," Teddie announced. "Gonna open the portal to the Mystic Realm," she told them.
"I've always been interested in magic-"
"Your magic shows suck," Nora muttered under her breath, earning a glare as the others giggled.
"So I'm gonna go too, check it out," Ziggy continued.
"Aye. That's the reason you're going," Flynn snorted, and Ziggy rolled his eyes before Nora took his hand and linked their fingers. He blushed, and grinned as Flynn elbowed him.
"I'm going with them to Briarwood, but I'll be back soon. We're going to work on getting communications with the rest of SPD out there," Spencer spoke up. "See if we can't get them to come back out here," he chuckled.
"And I'll be working with him on that. Need to make sure he doesn't cause more trouble," Annie grinned. Spencer groaned at her.
"We discussed this…"
"No, I just can't call you reckless. Anything else is still fine," Annie smirked at him.
"Sounds good," Flynn nodded. "How about you, 'Anna?" he asked the Mercurian.
"There were a lot of injuries in that last fight," she said. "So I'm going to be helping with that for a while, until communications off-world are back up, and I can see my parents again," Arianna smiled gently.
"Sounds fitting for you," Scott nodded, and she blushed at the comment.
"What about you, Cass?" Teddie asked as the other Hybrid ran her fingers idly down her neck.
"I'm going to help Dr. K with the other part of Flynn and Annie's jobs," they exchanged looks, and Cassie offered a small smile.
"Isabella escaped, and she's dangerous. She needs to be stopped," Dr. K told them, and was surprised when Teddie groaned. She walked over and wrapped her arms around the small Doctor.
"For one thing, you seriously need a break," she said seriously, and Dr. K blushed. "Second, this one ain't your fault, so don't be treating it like it is. We'll be keeping an eye on you. Right guys?" Teddie looked to the rest of the team.
"Right," they nodded, and Dr. K bit her lip as she smiled happily.
"Would it kill you to leave the poor girl alone?" Heckyl pulled her off the doctor, much to her relief, and Teddie giggled, leaning into him instead.
"Well uh, I hate to break this up, but we gotta get going," Dillon told them.
"Sorry, going where?" Scott asked, confused.
"We have no idea," Tenaya smiled, happy at the thought.
"But somewhere out there, there's a world waiting to be rebuilt," Summer told them.
"And who knows how many more camps, and how many more people are still out there," Arianna added, and they nodded.
"Alright them, uh, just don't make me have to come out there and save you," Scott grinned as he shook Dillon's hand, and clapped a hand to his arm. Dillon laughed.
"Please, you're as bad as him for running out into the waste," Teddie teased before hugging Dillon. He was a little surprised, but hugged her back. "But seriously, don't make us have to come save your sorry butts," she winked at him, and he shoved her away.
"You're still a brat," he told her.
"And you love me for it," she sang as she bounced over to Tenaya, who was surprised when she was hugged next. "Keep an eye on them, they are both dumb when it comes to each other. And you, really," Teddie added as a consideration, and Tenaya laughed as both Summer and Dillon glared at her.
"Are you just trying to be as annoying as possible before everyone leaves?" Heckyl asked her with an arched eyebrow.
"How else are they gonna remember how much they like me?" Teddie asked innocently.
"Try not to let him get himself killed out there," Dillon told Nora, and she grinned back, hugging him tightly.
"I'll do my best. I'm kind of fond of him now," she shrugged, and Dillon turned to Ziggy, who hesitated before Dillon hugged him, making him grin.
"Oh, I almost forgot," Dr. K held out Dillon's watch that Tenaya had left behind in the lab. "You left this in my lab," she said as Dillon stared at it for a moment. He then turned to Tenaya, who smiled at him.
"Keep it," they said at the same time. Dr. K smiled brightly, a little excited, and pocketed it.
"You know, not all siblings have to do that talking in unison thing," Teddie called to the pair as they went to the car.
"Teddie, I have a really good memory," Dillon said as he opened the door. "And I plan on beating you for every comment you've made, when I get back," he promised. "And Doc?" he called to Dr. K as Teddie grinned. She turned back to him. "Thanks," he said, and Dr. K's smile grew as they watched them drive off. When the roaring engine faded, the team exchanged looks.
"Well, back to packing!" Ziggy grinned, bouncing away.
"Ziggy, honestly, you're going to pack the kitchen sink at this rate! The last time you went out there, you didn't bring anything!" Nora reminded as she followed him up the steps.
"And remember how bad a time I had? In just my suit?"
"Ripped suit," Nora muttered.
"Exactly! I am being prepared for anything!" he declared. She sighed, and smiled in exasperation.
"You're an idiot," she declared, and he grinned, leaning in and kissing her.
"Yup," he nodded when he pulled back.
"Guess I better get started on packing," Teddie decided.
"You've still not started?" Spencer asked as he watched her walk away.
"Hey, I went through a lot of trauma. I needed some time to recover!" she called back to him.
"She means sleep. She slept a lot," Heckyl corrected.
"Hey!"
"Maybe now this place will be a bit quieter for you," Scott said to Dr. K as the bickering continued. Dr. K just shrugged, not looking too worried.
"I've grown to like it," she admitted, and after closing the case of Morphers, she walked back to the lab, not seeing the light flickering in Scott's Morpher.
We've done it!
We've finally done it cries softly
Thank you all for your encouragement, whether from reviewing/favouriting/following, and for reading it! I can't believe that it's over!
Well, not entirely over. There's a 3 parter that I have written that I'll post soon. I just really need to write the first chapter of Ninja Steel. Too bad Netflix really enjoys crashing my PC. But we'll get there eventually.
This is now officially my longest Power Rangers story, and it was a real journey, but we got there.
Let me know what you think!
Please review!
