AN: Thank you so much for the reviews, I'm glad people are enjoying the story. So here we go another chapter, lemme know your thoughts :)
Chapter 16
Evie and Mike were playing a video game, while Emily and Mia were playing snap next to them.
Jayden was sketching and Kevin was reading when the gap sensors went off.
"What have we got?" asks Jayden coming to his feet as Ji pulled up the map.
"Moogers in the city centre, and some look giant" answers Ji.
"Game is not over" says Evie as Mike pauses the game.
"Not even close" nods Mike.
They run out of the house morphing as they ran through the gate.
The boys grab the zords to form the battle wing while the three girls start attacking the moogers.
"Work together, watch each other's backs and keep them off the civilians" orders Evie.
"Right" nods Mia.
"Got it" agrees Emily as they start to fight.
But the number of moogers didn't seem to shrink down.
"Jesus I hope the guys turn up soon, cause these guys keep coming" says Mia.
"Yeah, and we can't do anything about those giant moogers either" agrees Evie.
"There they are" calls Emily as she sees the zords appear.
The battle wing is formed and they take out the giant moogers.
"God these creeps never get tired" says Emily as the moogers keep coming.
"This is getting out of hand" agrees Evie.
"And its not looking good" nods Mia as the three of them end up back to back taking down the moogers, but there were a lot more moogers.
Evie sees a mooger lunge at Emily while her back was turned and she lunged across blocking the hit wincing as it sliced down her arm.
"Evie" cries Emily.
"I'm good" she assures as she spins to start a new attack when Jayden and the boys appeared at their sides.
"About time you boys showed up" smiles Evie.
"We weren't about to let you have all the fun" answers Kevin.
"And there is a whole lot of ugly here" agrees Mike.
"Yep, time to change this picture" nods Jayden as he activates his spin sword, "spin sword, blazing strike" he says as he launches his attack on the moogers.
"Dragon splash" calls Kevin as he launches his own.
"Airwave" yells Mia as he goes out.
"Forest vortex" comes from Mike.
"Seismic swing" shouts Emily.
"Metallic slice" finishes Evie, as they blast the moogers away and for a moment they think they have respite, until more come out of the gaps.
"There's more" groans Mike.
"Oh come on" sighs Evie.
"They're like roaches" grimaces Mia.
"Then we need to be the exterminators" says Jayden and they attack again.
"Man you moogers just don't give up" grumbles Mike right before the Nighloks begin to pulse weirdly and they throw the other rangers to the side.
"What gives?" demands Mike.
"Red ranger, red ranger" they chant and all head for Jayden.
"What's going on?" asks Evie as she the Nighloks converging on her and Jayden still chanting and then another voice that sends chills down both their spines and it comes from the gaps.
"Master Xandred" murmurs Jayden and Evie feels her blood freeze.
"Fuck" she mutters as she and Jayden renew their attacks Evie sticking close to Jayden. "He knows" she realises.
"He knows" agrees Jayden,
"That voice is putting them all in a trance" realises Mike.
"It's like they're hypnotised" agrees Emily.
"It's creeping me out" says Mike.
"Hey lets circle up and help protect Jayden" suggests Kevin.
"Right" nods Mia as they all close up on Jayden and Evie.
"Watch out Jayden" calls Evie as another mooger tries to attack him.
"There's a new symbol power combination I've been wanting to try out" decides Jayden.
Evie nods and throws her sword to him before turning and dodging the mooger attacks.
Jayden activated another symbol power and using the two swords he comes to his feet. "Spin sword blazing storm" he calls as both sword activate.
"Everyone down" yells Evie and the rest of the team drops as Jayden launches the attack blasting the moogers away with it.
"Red ranger, they're in danger" cackles Master Xandred before the gaps stop glowing.
They power down and Jayden walks towards the last gap he heard the voice from.
Evie walks over and takes his hand running her hand along his arm comfortingly, "we always knew it was a possibility that he'd find out" sighs Evie.
"All right can some please tell me what the hell that was?" demands Mike.
"I've never heard anything so evil" shudders Emily.
"That wasn't a normal Nighlok was it?" asks Mia looking at Evie and Jayden.
"No, I'm pretty sure that was Master Xandred" replies Jayden turning to face the others squeezing Evie's hand before letting go.
"Master Xandred, as in the Lord of the Nighloks, you think he's back?" clarifies Kevin.
"Are you serious? Why would he be calling out red ranger, red ranger, why just you?" asks Mike.
Jayden looks back at the gap and Evie sighs, "we'll explain once we get back to the house, I don't want us out in the open right now" says Evie.
They nod and all head back, once they arrive, they sit down.
"Why were the moogers just after Jayden?" asks Kevin.
Ji looks at Jayden and Evie nods, "he must know, it's the only reason to solely target Jayden" she says.
"I agree" nods Ji.
"Know what? Are you three keeping secrets from us?" asks Mike.
"Not intentionally, its just not come up until now" explains Evie.
Ji sits down, while Evie remains next to Jayden resisting the urge to hold his hand.
"There is a secret symbol that can create a seal. The previous red ranger used it to imprison Master Xandred" says Ji before continuing, "when Master Xandred last attacked us, it was a surprise. And we were almost defeated. The situation was dire, and Master Xandred himself attacked the red ranger, the blow was devastating. With the last of his strength, he drew the sealing the symbol, and that is how Jayden's father was able to seal Master Xandred away" finishes Ji.
"So that means it's up to Jayden now?" asks Mike as Evie and Jayden sit down with them.
"Yes, only members of the red ranger Shiba family can use the seal. Each family has ancient symbols that are exclusive to their bloodlines, this is one of the most valuable that is still known to us" nods Ji.
"Guess that means you really are the man" says Mike looking at Jayden.
"Jayden's father gave his life to save us all" realises Emily.
Jayden tenses before turning and walking out of the room.
Evie watches him go with an ache in her chest, this wasn't going to end well, she could feel it in her bones. This was going to make things so much more complicated.
"Jayden wait" calls Kevin.
"Let him be" snaps Evie knowing how hard this was for him.
"What's the big deal? Jayden just needs to use the super-secret Shiba symbol to seal Master X away" points out Mike.
"Its not that simple" interrupts Ji. "It takes unbelievable symbol power to make the seal permanent. Which is why it didn't hold, Jayden's father might've survived his injury, but he gave all of his strength, all of his symbol power to make the seal" explains Ji with a sigh.
The others all look around, "what now?" asks Kevin.
"Go and train I have no doubt we'll need to be at our peak" says Ji.
They nod and head off save Evie who doesn't move.
Ji stands up and walks over resting his hand on her shoulder.
"This is going to change everything Ji, Master Xandred and the Nighloks will be gunning for Jayden like a bull at a red flag. And I have no problem putting myself in front of him, and I don't think the others will either. But Jayden is not going to like it, he was worried enough about having others' lives in his hands and now it's going to be putting our lives on the line for him. He's going to do something stupid and annoyingly noble, I can just see it" sighs Evie running her hand through her hair.
"Go and talk to him, perhaps you can calm him down" suggests Ji.
"I doubt it, but I'll try" replies Evie as she stands up and heads down to Jayden's room.
She walks in without knocking and finds him sat on his bed looking at the lion who was sat in his hand.
"I don't have the strength to use the symbol Evie" he sighs.
"I know you don't" replies Evie shutting the door behind her.
"You're already in enough danger without this being added to it. This is more than just another Nighlok, this is Master Xandred himself" says Jayden.
Evie kneels down in front of him and cups his face, "I know that, and we will make the others understand that too. But I believe in you, you might not have the symbol now, but you will in time. We just need to buy you that time, right now, you're the one we need to keep safe" reminds Evie.
"I don't want you to have to protect me Evie, damn it, it is hard enough going into battle knowing not only is my team in danger but that you are too. And now you're all going to try and protect me, and that could get you hurt or worse" snaps Jayden as he pushes away and stands up walking to the other side of the room and leaning on his dresser his back to her.
Evie stands up and walks over to him, ducking under his arms and leaning against the dresser so he had to face her.
"I never said we would be stupid or reckless about it, and I will try and make the others see that they shouldn't just throw themselves in front of you. But this seems big to them, so I'm not making any promises. And its their decision, they know what they signed up for. But for the record, I'd put myself in front of you in a heartbeat even if you didn't have the sealing symbol" she adds.
"God Evie" sighs Jayden as he cups her face and kisses her hard and fast.
Evie responds in kind, allowing them a momentary outlet for what they were both feeling.
They break for air and Evie looks at him, "don't do anything stupid" she pleads.
Jayden doesn't say anything and just rests his forehead against hers before pulling her into a tight hug resting his head on top of hers.
Evie hugs him back, "I love you" she murmurs.
"You too" he replies.
"I'm going to change, remember, don't be an idiot" reminds Evie gently pecking him quickly on the lips before she walks into her room and quickly changes heading out onto the training area catching the conversation.
"He has to, its his destiny" smiles Emily confidently.
"Damn straight it is" agrees Evie as she walks out.
"And until then, we have to protect Jayden right" says Kevin looking at Evie.
"He needs time, yes, but that does not mean just throwing yourself in front of him like a human shield at every turn. We need to be smart about this, if any of us fall for Jayden or otherwise, then we will be down a ranger and that won't be good for any of us. So, we continue to work as a team, we protect each other, and we protect Jayden" corrects Evie.
"He's the most important though, he can end this" points out Kevin.
"If we work as a team, we can protect Jayden from anything" nods Mike.
"Now I see it, this is what we've trained our whole lives to do. We to give Jayden the time he needs to master the symbol" smiles Emily.
Evie goes to try and reframe her point when she sees Jayden.
"That's not necessary" interrupts Jayden as he walks out. "You protect yourselves. It's business as usual. Stay focused on the battle at hand as a team alright, like Evie said" orders Jayden as he grabs his training sword and walks over to one of the dummies.
"But we need to protect you. You're the one who can end this, for good" points out Kevin.
"No" snaps Jayden smashing his sword against the dummy making everyone jump. "That's too much of a burden to bear, I'm not worth more than anyone else. We keep each other safe, not just me" he sighs before he starts to train.
Then the gap sensor starts to blare.
They race out of the house, arriving at the spot but are surprised at how remote it is.
"The Nighlok must be here somewhere" says Emily as they look around.
"I've got a bad feeling" murmurs Evie her eyes scanning the area.
"There he is" calls Mike as the Nighlok appears above them.
"Which of you is the red ranger?" demands the Nighlok.
Jayden steps forwards.
"Why hello there. Rumour has it that you've got some special tricks up your sleeve. The boss has a problem with that, so I have to destroy you, sorry" smirks the Nighlok.
"Sorry, you're the one who's going to be sorry" retorts Jayden coldly.
"He really does know about Jayden have the sealing symbol" says Mia.
"Yep, and that is not a good thing" replies Evie.
As Jayden walks forwards Mike and Kevin grab him, "this is too dangerous" the argue.
Evie steps in front of him, "what did I just say about something stupid, now is not the time to go noble hero on us" snaps Evie.
"She's right, let us protect you, or at least help you" pleads Kevin.
Jayden breaks from their hold and dodges around Evie as he runs towards the Nighlok.
"Damn you, you stupid fucking idiot" swears Evie as the Nighlok sends blasts at Jayden as he charges forwards the others ducking to avoid them, Mike grabbing Evie and pulling her out of the way, and to stop her charging after Jayden.
Jayden morphs, and jumps up to engage the Nighlok.
"Why won't Jayden listen?" asks Mia.
"Because he's a fucking idiot who's decided to be the noble martyr and doesn't want us to protect him. Well I say screw that, time to save him from himself" answers Evie.
"I agree, lets get up there and help" nods Kevin.
The five of them morph and run towards Jayden, but moogers intercept them.
"Hard and fast we need to get to Jayden, but stay focused" orders Evie as she attacks the moogers with an unrestrained zeal.
She risks a glance at Jayden and sees the Nighlok knock him down, and his sword go flying, "Jayden" she screams as she kicks the mooger aside and races towards him, launching herself up she knocks Jayden out of the way, but before she can get out of the way part of the blast hits her.
And she's already in motion and off balance, meaning she knows there's no way to steady herself as falls from the top of the hill, de-morphing as she hits the ground.
"No" yells Jayden as he jumps down landing next to her.
"Evie" cries Emily trying to break through the moogers.
"You bastard" shouts Mike angrily.
Jayden looks down at Evie who wasn't moving.
Anger filled him and he turned to the Nighlok standing up.
"I thought you'd be tough, but you need a girl to take hits for you, how pathetic" sneers the Nighlok.
"Now you're really going to be sorry" growls Jayden as he launches another series of attacks at the Nighlok, but he was strong and none of the hits were able to knock him down and a lucky hit by the Nighlok sends Jayden to the floor.
"Double slash" smirks the Nighlok as he sends his attack at Jayden.
"Jayden, we're coming" yells Kevin as he and Emily race towards him.
"No protect yourselves" pleads Jayden trying to pull himself up but Kevin and Emily leap in front of him taking the blast instead.
Both drop to the floor de-morphing next to Evie who was still down.
"No damn it this is exactly what I didn't want to happen" groans Jayden.
"Those fools must really care about you. Their mistake" says the Nighlok walking forwards.
Jayden pulls himself up standing in front of them, "you're not touching them" he warns.
Suddenly the Nighlok is hit by two spin sword strikes and Kevin and Mia emerge from the explosion landing next to him.
"Jayden, we're here" assures Mike.
"Six for the price of one, that's a deal" nods the Nighlok as he prepares to strike when suddenly another Nighlok appears from nowhere and attacks the Nighlok but hits Mike and Mia as well sending them backwards.
Jayden grabs Evie's sword and jumps up finding himself between the two Nighloks.
"Come on, I'll take both of you on if I have to, whatever it takes to protect my friends" says Jayden eyeing the two Nighloks warily and keeping himself between the Nighloks and the team. He recognised the second one from the pagoda with Dayu.
The three launch into a battle as Jayden faces off against both, but he's surprised to find that the newcomer seemed as content to attack the other Nighlok as he was Jayden.
Mia and Mike were pulling themselves to their feet while the other three were still unconscious on the floor.
"That's enough Deker, the red ranger is my opponent to defeat" argues the first Nighlok.
"Stand aside Nighlok" retorts Deker as he blocks a hit meant for Jayden.
"You both need to stand aside" snaps Jayden.
They continue to fight.
"That's it, time to finish you off" snarls the Nighlok attacking Jayden.
"Nope its time to get fired up" retorts Jayden as he activates both the swords and launches his attacks again, even more fired up than before and thanks to the others, he wasn't as badly hurt as he could've been. His attacks, fast and ferocious.
"It's amazing" murmurs Mia as she tries to pull herself up.
"Where's he get the strength to fight them both off?" asks Mike in awe.
Jayden launches another series of attacks and finds himself holding off both Nighloks in a standoff.
"Okay boys, your move" says Jayden looking between them.
There is a tense silence for a few moments until the Nighlok laughs, "you're both in luck, I'm drying out. Master Xandred won't be happy about this" he says before disappearing into a gap.
Jayden and Deker turn to face each other, Jayden still tensed for a fight.
"He'll be back, why did you help me?" asks Jayden.
"My only desire is to find someone skilled enough to be my opponent. Someone worthy to clash against my sword Urumasa" answers Deker.
"Jayden no, don't fight him" yells Mike.
But Jayden and Deker launch into a battle, but Jayden's fatigue was catching up to him and a moment later a strike to his arm causes him to drop one of the swords, and he staggers backwards into a rock.
"No" cries Mia.
"Jayden" calls Mike pulling himself to his feet and trying to make it to Jayden who adjusts his grip on his other sword.
"That was too easy, this isn't the battle I want. You're tired and Rabtish took too much out of you. Urumasa won't be satisfied unless you're at your peak. And right now, you're concern for your friends is a distraction. Next time though, you will taste his slash" says Deker as he slices the rock next to Jayden in two with ease.
"Now go, you need to be at full strength" he adds before launching himself up onto the hill and turning back into his human form.
"You will satisfy my hunger red ranger, but for now I will leave you be until you are ready to face me, and then we will duel" he says.
"Wait isn't that the weird dude from when we fought that other Nighlok?" asks Mike.
"Yeah I think that's him" confirms Mia.
"Hey what are you?" yells Mike.
"I am Deker" he answers before walking away.
"Deker?" asks Mia in confusion.
"Never heard of him before" says Jayden.
Kevin and Emily both stir and let out groans as they come to.
"Kevin, Emily" calls Mia rushing over to them.
Mike and Mia both check them over while Mike calls for Ji to come and get them.
Jayden powers down and hurries over to Evie who unlike the other two wasn't stirring having taken the entire hit solely by herself.
He pulls her into his arms checking her over before shaking her, "Evie, come on, wake up" he pleads cupping her face.
She lets out a small moan and her eyes flutter but don't open.
"No come on, Evie, open your eyes, please baby open your eyes" says Jayden.
She coughs and her eyes open sluggishly, "Jayden" she murmurs her voice sounding weak and small.
"Hey, I'm right here" he smiles.
"You're okay?" she asks.
"Me, damn it Evie you're the one who took the hit, not me" he reminds.
"Oh, yeah" she says with a laugh before groaning and clutching her side and coughing again her eyes closing.
"No, hey, open your eyes" urges Jayden.
"I hurt" she mutters as she opens her eyes again, but he can see it's a struggle.
"I know, Ji is on is way, just hold on. What happened to not doing anything stupid?" he asks running his thumb over her cheek.
"I said you not do stupid, I wasn't stupid" answers Evie, "I said I'd do it for you. Tried to tell them not to be idiots though" she murmurs coughing again and groaning.
"No more talking for now, save your strength" soothes Jayden.
Evie nods faintly and leans against him.
Jayden looks up at where Emily and Kevin were both in bad shape and he sighs, it was his fault. They'd taken those hits for him, and he had never wanted that. He looked back down at Evie who's eyes have closed again, and he can see her breathing is slightly laboured.
"Baby, you still with me?" asks Jayden.
"Mhm" she replies with a weak nod but doesn't open her eyes.
Jayden closes his eyes, focusing on the bond he and Evie had shared since they were 12 channelling it into Evie to try and ease some of her discomfort.
A minute later her eyes open again, "you shouldn't have done that" she says.
"Yes I should have, you needed it more than me" he answers.
"Least breathing hurts a bit less" admits Evie.
"Then it did its job" smiles Jayden brushing her hair back from her face, before his hand settles on her ribs just below her bra.
"Young and stupid" murmurs Evie with a small smile.
"Young and stupid" nods Jayden thinking back.
Jayden looked at Evie who sat opposite him.
"You're sure about this?" he asks.
"I am, you?" replies Evie.
"Me too" nods Jayden.
"Trust me" smiles Evie holding out hand.
"More than anyone" confirms Jayden taking her hand.
"You know no one has used this in years" reminds Evie.
"You always did like to be first" smiles Jayden.
"Like you don't too" retorts Evie as she looks at him, green eyes meeting blue.
"We can't undo it" notes Jayden.
"Nope, if this works, its you and me, for the rest of our lives" nods Evie.
"No one I'd rather it be" assures Jayden.
"Me neither" smiles Evie.
In unison they pull out the samuraisers and start to draw the symbol they'd both memorised.
Once it was complete their eyes lock again, their hands interlacing between them.
"What is mine is yours, what is yours is mine. United as one, with strength, with trust, with love and with truth. From this day, until the end of our days" they recite before spinning the symbols their symbol disappearing into the other.
For a moment nothing happens and they both sigh and go to release their hands when suddenly they feel power surging between them, for a brief moment everything was clear, perfect clarity between the two of them as they look at each other. The power between them as a mix of red and black emanating from their joined hands, and then they feel a searing heat on their ribs and they see the symbol appearing as if like a brand crossed with a tattoo. They both share a brief smile of triumph until the power suddenly dissipates leaving both feeling empty, and in the next moment both slump to the side, unconscious.
But they'd been successful, the new kanji still fresh on their skin, from that moment on, they were bonded, for the rest of their lives. Two halves of a whole, that could never be replicated, replaced or forged, as unique to the two of them as a person's fingerprint. With a bond no one but they would ever fully understand.
Jayden is pulled back to the present by Evie shifting in his arms, "I'm right here" he promises.
"I know" she smiles reaching up and resting her hand on his kanji.
Jayden laces his hand with hers again as they wait.
Ji turns up a little while later and they get the others back to the house Jayden settling her into one of the beds tucking the blanket around her before retrieving Gordon and setting him next to Evie whose hand snakes out and takes his. It turned out that she'd bruised a few of her ribs which was why her breathing wasn't quite right. And the hit to her head was making her woozy. He was just glad it hadn't been more serious. And that sharing his strength had allowed him to ease some of it for her.
"Don't do anything stupid" she murmurs.
Jayden just squeezes her hand and brushes her hair back kissing her forehead, "love you" he murmurs quietly so the others can't hear.
"You too" says Evie before her eyes slide shut and she's out for the count.
Jayden turns and slips out of the room, he gets to his own room and sighs. He couldn't let his team suffer because of him. And he knew they'd keep trying to sacrifice themselves for him, and he wasn't going to let them do it.
"This is my fight" he decides and throws a bag together and goes to slip out of the house but stops as he sees the picture of him and Evie, his arms wrapped around her from behind, his head resting on her shoulder, bright smiles on both their faces.
Picking it up he slides it into the bag and grabs a piece of paper, penning a quick letter, he folds it up and writes Evie's name on it, setting it on the dresser. Before sighing and silently slipping out of the house. He got to the gate and glanced back but stays firm to his decision and walks out of the gate. He wouldn't let anyone else suffer to try and protect him, not the team and especially not Evie. They might be two halves of a whole, but that didn't mean he ever wanted her to suffer on his behalf.