Disclaimer: I don't own Power Rangers, House of Anubis or Big Time Rush
House of Power Rangers
Chapter 15: House of Duels
"Jayden, it's crazy to do this. Take on Deker and do it alone?" Kevin says, pacing up and down the living room. The rangers had all got home not long ago and Jayden had asked to speak to all of them in the living room, Shaylee included. He'd told them about Deker's ultimatum; he has 24 hours to rest then he's either to meet Deker at the beach to give him the 'ultimate battle so he can be free' or if he chooses not to show he'll start attacking innocent people
"Deker, insists. That's how it has to be," Antonio replies. Jayden isn't even really there. He doesn't seem to be paying any attention.
"You can't do this! A samurai only fights battles that are necessary," Kevin argues, trying to dissuade his leader.
"This is necessary," Jayden says, finally looking up at Kevin. "If I don't go, Deker threatened to hurt innocent people."
"Okay, fine we'll handle him just like any other Nighlok! As a team!"
"Kevin, you don't get it!" Jayden says exasperated, standing up. He knows what their duty is as samurai. "If I'm not alone it won't satisfy him."
"Since when do we let a Nighlok dictate how we battle!" Kevin yells, shocking everyone. None of them had ever really argued before so this was a first. No one says anything for a moment before Mia speaks up, "I know now that Deker won't stop until Jayden duels him." Mia turns to , "We have to let him go."
"Mia, how could you say that! Jayden isn't just our leader. He's also the only one who has the sealing power," Kevin pleads. "Jayden, you're the key to stopping the Nighlok."
"Kev's right. You shouldn't risk," Mike says, agreeing with the blue ranger.
"This discussion is over," Jayden says, in a final tone, leaving the room, leaving the room in a stunned silence.
Later that night, Jayden's training in the indoor dojo because it's late and dark outside. The others heard Kevin join their leader, helping him to train as they sit in the kitchen at the table. Ji had poured them all mugs of calming chamomile. No one really knew what to say but the silence was heavy.
"Why are we so worried? Jayden can beat anyone. He'll be fine," Antonio says after taking a sip.
"Yeah, I'm sure he will," Emily says, speaking up about it for the first time.
"Yeah," Mike nods.
"All I know is that Deker needs to be dealt with and hesitating would be a mistake," Mia adds. Earlier, she had been up against Dayu after the both of them had escaped the dream world. She'd seen Dayu's dream and realised that the old folk tail Daisuke had told them about from the tapestry was about Deker and Dayu. She'd felt for the Nighlok woman and hesitated to fight her, asking if there was a chance for her to become human again. While it was kind, the hesitation had allowed Dayu to try and harm her but luckily Emily had been able to jump in to defend her but ended up getting injured in the process. The yellow ranger had assured her it was fine and she was almost better but the pink ranger couldn't help but blame herself hesitating for her friends injury. She wouldn't do it again.
"I'm afraid, Mia is right. There is no other choice but to fight Deker. We just have to have faith that Jayden is prepared for this battle," Ji says from behind them.
"He will be," Shaylee says. "My cousin's strong, well-trained and I know he may not look it but he's smart too." The rangers smile a bit at her comment. "He's got this." Nina's the first to finish, washing her mug before going to her room.
Nina lays in her room on her bed not sure exactly what she's doing. Shaylee hadn't come in yet and Nina hadn't left since she came in after drinking the tea. The others probably thought she was asleep as it had been a couple of hours since. She knew Jayden would be fine. He had to be. She didn't want him to go and be in harm's way but she knew he had to. Maybe she should tell him that, more so to ease her own mind. Yeah, she thought to herself, getting up from her bed, walking to the door. She wasn't even sure if Jayden was in his room but she couldn't hear any noise coming from the indoor dojo so it was probably the best place to start. Walking down the corridor to his door she knocks, leaning forward to hear for a reply.
"Come in," he calls from the other side of the door. She exhales before pushing the door open. She sees Jayden standing by his desk. There's not as much on his desk as hers. Just a notepad and a pot of pens and pencils. He looks over at her though as she enters although she stays by the door.
"Hey," she says.
"Hey," he says walking over to stand in front of her. "You were quiet earlier."
"Yeah… I didn't really know what to say," she admits. "Honestly, I wish you didn't have to go but I know you have to. If I were in your situation I would go too. But look," she says stepping closer. "I know you're gonna come back. I know you're going to win. I know it but I need you to say it too."
Jayden smiles at her almost timidly as though he might scare her if he reacts to suddenly. He knows that's ridiculous of course! Nina's so much stronger than that but it's clear that she needs him to believe too. He puts a hand on her shoulder, staring right at her,
"Nina," he says, seriously, "I'm going to win and I'm going to come back." She nods, not looking away,
"Good." She smiles, stepping back and he moves his hand. "Now get some rest. You have a big day tomorrow."
"Good night, Nina."
"Good night, Jayden."
The next morning, before Jayden's supposed to leave after eating breakfast with the rangers he goes back to his room to grab his disc. When he steps out to the courtyard he finds the rangers all out there along with Shaylee, standing on either side of the path.
"Good luck, Jayden," Emily speaks first as he steps down.
"You can do this bro," Mike says, fist bumping him.
"You're the best," Antonio states, placing a hand on Jayden's shoulder. He doesn't look at him, just staring straight ahead but they know he's listening. "I've known that since we were kids and it's no different today."
Mia pipes up too, "Do what needs to be done."
"I'm trusting you not to mess this up, cuz," Shaylee says. Jayden just looks down and shakes his head but when he looks up there's a ghost of a smile on his face. As Jayden walks towards Kevin the gap sensor goes off, startling them all.
"Nighlok attack. Jayden! What now?" Kevin asks.
Ji runs out, "Rhinosnorus is back."
Jayden reaches into his back pocket and pulls out the two discs he grabbed from his room; the tiger and beetle discs. "Here," he says holding them out to Kevin.
"I don't understand," Kevin replies, his brow furrowed.
"With these discs, you can form the megazord without me. I need you to lead the team until I get back. I know you can do this." Kevin hesitate for a moment before taking the discs.
"It would be an honour. I won't let you down Jayden!" He turns to the other rangers. "Come on rangers! Let's stop that Nighlok." The rangers begin running towards the gate but Nina hesitates, turning back to the red ranger.
"You're coming back," she tells him firmly and he nods before she goes and follows her fellow rangers.
Reaching the city hall again, the rangers see the Nighlok terrorising people, threatening to eat them now instead of putting them in a dream world. Kevin sends his dragon folding zord towards Rhinosnorus who's about to take a big chunk out of a man.
"Alright team! We can do this!" Kevin calls as they arrive on the scene, the civilians managing to escape.
"Samuraizer, go, go samurai!" The rangers call to morph, seeing that the coast is clear. Once their morph is complete the rangers simultaneously say, "Rangers together! Samurai forever!"
"For Jayden!" Kevin yells as they run into battle. They don't struggle too much as the Nighlok calls forth some moogers. Exchanging her spin sword for her lightning mace Nina is able to clear a path, destroying moogers fast enough to help Kevin destroy the Rhinosnorus. When they manage to destroy the Nighlok is his current form, it goes mega mode forcing them to activate the megazord which they can thankfully do with the help of Jayden's discs.
Hours later back at home, Jayden has a sling for his arm and is standing outside in outdoor dojo with Kevin and Mike. As soon as the rangers defeated the Nighlok, they rushed to the beach to check on their leader. They found him kneeling on the ground, dirty, tired and his arm was injured but apart from that he seemed pretty okay. After he assured them that Deker was home they helped him back home.
"Kevin, thank you for leading the team when I couldn't," Jayden says.
"It was an honor," Kevin smiles, "but it's not my job."
"There can only be one red ranger," Mike says knocking his fist with Jayden's before fist bumping him.
"Guys, dinner is served!" Antonio announces, wheeling a tray into the courtyard. Lifting the golden (of course) cover off the top, it reveals a large fish.
"Dude, that fish went mega mode," Mike grins.
"Hey, when I serve a fish to my friends, it's gotta be the best," Antonio says as they walk over. "I'm gonna go call Ji and the girls. We'll make a whole meal out of it," he says running inside causing the others to laugh at his hyperactivity.
Soon enough, they're all at the table outside, Antonio serving them all.
Jayden speaks up, "Everyone, I just want to say I'm sorry. I know I had to deal Deker to stop him from hurting people, but…" Jayden hesitates for a moment. "I also think something in me wanted to fight him to prove myself worthy of being the red ranger."
"No Jayden, he forced your hand," Emily assures him
"You did what you had to do," Mike adds.
"And even if you did think that," Nina says, "You should know that you've more than proved yourself. Way before you fought Deker."
"Thank you but there's still much to do, and I promise I won't ever jeopardise our mission again," Jayden tells them.
"Deker's gone but Master Xandred is still out there and until he's defeated, no one is safe." Kevin reminds them.
"As rangers, it's our responsibility to save the world from the Nighlok. I'm just grateful we don't have to do it alone," Jayden tells them. He may be strong but no one could do this battle on their own.
"I think this calls for a toast," Shaylee says, looking around at the others. They all smile knowing what she's thinking.
"Rangers together, samurai forever!"
Chapter sixteen! Whoop, whoop! I know it's kinda short but trust me the next chapter (the Christmas chapter! Finally!) more than makes up for it in length! And as you've probably noticed by now, the ones with more of my own plot tend to be longer so be ready on Tuesday. I know I don't usually write much for the battle scenes, I just feel like I wouldn't write them right but if you want me to try, just let me know. Anyways, just warning you that you are quickly catching up to the chapter I'm currently working on so it's possible that in a few of weeks I may have to change the chapter updates to once a week but I'll let you know if it comes to that. Thanks for reading
