"Look what I've got!" Maya and Kendrix glance up at me as I waltz into the apartment, bouquet of sunflowers in hand.
"Ooh, I'll get a vase!" Kendrix squeals, and I raise an eyebrow. We barely have anything other than cold cuts in the fridge sometimes, I didn't know we had a whole vase hidden somewhere.
"Where'd you get those?" Maya questions, and from the raise of her eyebrow, I know what she's going to follow up with, "Did you finally meet up with-"
"No." While I do feel a bit of guilt each time I remember his discarded phone number, I feel even worse when I realize how badly I'd betrayed Zayne. Even if we're no longer dating. Even if he'd purposely cut off our telepathic bond. I guess I'd spoken kind of harshly, since the brunette flinches, and I smile softly, "I got these at the local florist."
"There's something really special about sunflowers, don't you think?" Kendrix asks wistfully as she hands the blue vase over to me.
"Very special," Maya agrees, "They're so beautiful, yet so very powerful. Sunflowers light up the world. In my world, we have sunflower statues at our temple gates. It's believed that they hold the secrets of the universe." My eyes widen as she educates us on her home planet, Mirinoi. Despite the time I'd spent in space with Andros, Teej, Carlos, Cassie, and Ashley, to learn about a whole other planet still intrigues me. There's so much out there to explore…
Kendrix's communicator beeps in unison with Maya's, and the two glance down at their notices, then back up at me. "Sorry, K. Work is calling," the blonde apologizes, and I shoot her a lopsided grin.
"I should be the one apologizing to you, miss workaholic," I tease, and the two laugh as they exit the apartment. I'd be lying if I said I miss living and working on the Megaship. Silence was rare, even in the wee hours of the morning. Someone was always around for me to pester, but on Terra Venture, the others are pretty much always out, except for at night, when we return from our shifts. Honestly, I'm not quite sure where Leo goes off to, since he's the only one of us who's currently "between jobs", as he likes to say, but it doesn't matter too much. He's gone most of the day anyway-
The doors open up again, and in walks the man himself. I wave over to him, and he smiles, peeking down at the sunflowers in the vase. A wave of some odd emotion passes over his features, and I clear my throat. Leo, quiet? Weird.
"Aren't they pretty?"
"Let me guess, you got them from Chris?" His tone is teasing, light-hearted, but his cheeky grin still doesn't reach his eyes. Sometimes I wish our bond wasn't fading, especially since now, I'm almost not connected to anyone else. It'll be nice to be left to my own thoughts again, but at the same time… it feels like an emptiness, somehow. Like having someone else share my thoughts and emotions helps to relieve the burden I feel.
I roll my eyes. "I haven't even called him." Leo's eyes widen, and I sigh, "You expected me to? What about Zayne?"
"That's… true." Okay, something really is off. He's always talking at one hundred words per minute, nearly impossible to shut up. So this is a rare occurrence.
"What's on your mind, Red? Y'know, since I can't read it anymore." Leo laughs at this, and I smile triumphantly.
"Just Mike, I guess." He steps over to where he's placed a framed picture of he and his brother, along with the latter's dog tags, and picks them up, "I'm glad you're here."
Whoa. That was surprising, too. I stand from my seat at the kitchen counter and sit in the chair next to him. "You understand what it's like to lose someone, er, a lot of people. Sometimes I feel like…" Leo's voice trails off again, and I reach out, resting a hand on his shoulder.
"No one else understands but you," we murmur in unison, and I almost can't bear to meet his eyes. When I do, though, tears fill his gaze, and I feel them pricking at the backs of my own. As painful as it is, it's true. Or rather, it feels like it is. I open my mouth, about to break the intense silence, when our communicators beep.
"Leo, Kara, there's trouble at the plaza!" For a robot, Alpha's timing is pretty impeccable.
"We're on our way."
—
As if there isn't already tons to worry about, when we arrive at the scene, some innocents are still trapped in the crossfire. "There are civilians over there," Maya observes, and I frown, nodding in acknowledgement.
"We've gotta help them," Kai agrees, but Leo interjects.
"Guys, I've got an idea." Oh boy. Whenever he says that, something either shockingly smart or insanely reckless follows. "Hey, Fishface!" He leaps into battle, slashing at the monster with his Quasar Saber, and I shake my head. (Like I said, insanely reckless.)
"Stay out of this, Rangers!" Okay, that Magna Defender dude really pushes my buttons. All he does is leap into combat whenever he thinks he'll be able to get the Lights of Orion for himself, then expect us not to at least try to protect Terra Venture?
I spin, raising my Saber above my head, and bring it down, a shout ripping from my chest, but the monster parries it away. It counters with a kick to my chest, and I stumble, arms waving as I try to keep my balance.
"Why, thank you for joining us, Rangers! Now I can get rid of all of you!"
"We'll see about that." Maya's threat doesn't go unfollowed, as we aim and fire our Quasar Launchers… but for the first time, it's blasts are deflected, and I grit my teeth. Now really isn't the time for the enemy to be pulling out trump cards like this.
"Nice try!" The monster swings it's bag-like weapon, and I drop my Launcher.
"Everyone down-" My warning's cut off by the attack I'd tried to evade, and explosions rocket in front of us, sending me into the air and then back onto the ground. Before Fishface can finish us off, though, the Defender starts firing his own weapon.
Then, seemingly with no regard, he aims directly into the path of the trapped civilians. Fear surges through me, and Leo seems to have the same idea. We scramble to our feet in unison, me tugging at the Magna Defender's arm and Leo at his gun.
"You've gotta stop, there are innocent people-" The bastard shoves Leo to the ground, but as I go to help him up, the Defender fires again. The shots miss Fishface, instead landing on the roof of a nearby building, and I swear under my breath, hefting my Quasar Saber into the air again. Just like how I'd channeled my energy into a strike earlier, I contain all my rage and yes, fear, into my blade. Then, just as the roof is about to crumble onto the bystanders, I let out a cry, slashing my sword down. The energy blast that emits from my weapon is enough to disintegrate the debris, and I turn back to the situation at hand.
To my disappointment- but not my surprise- the Magna Defender reloads his blaster, ready to fire once more. I won't have time to stop him, but it turns out that I won't need to, when Kai and Damon grab onto his arms, holding him back.
But of course, this means there's no one who can stop Fishface when he lowers his bag of explosives again, and I duck, bracing for the pain… but none comes. Instead, the sunflower statue that'd stood in the center of the plaza just moments before is now a pitiful cloud of dust.
"It's not in this one, either," he mumbles, but before the Defender can land another blow on him, he opens his bag, pulling out a handful of dust, "Gotta go!" The monster tosses the dust onto the ground, and he's gone. Good. One less thing to worry about, at least for now.
"C'mon, we've gotta help those people!" Kai urges, and he, Kendrix, and Damon rush over to help those who'd gotten injured in the crossfire.
I'd gladly assist, too, if I wasn't frozen in shock. Even during my time with the Space Rangers, I'd never once come into contact with someone like the Magna Defender.
You know what? He doesn't even deserve that title.
"What is wrong with you?" Leo's anger is palpable, with or without our dying bond, and it finally gives me the kickstart I need to move, joining the Red Ranger, "Didn't you see those people over there?"
"They could've gotten hurt. Or worse, if that roof fell onto them," I hiss. My version of getting mad isn't quite the same as Leo's. When I'm pissed, I get quiet. The others have said it's scary, and I utilize that fact to the best of my ability.
"They are not my concern." An irritated snarl looses from my throat, and I turn away. Disgusting.
"But they're ours!" Maya shouts, pointing an accusing finger at him, "You're out of control."
"Don't you care about innocent people?" Kendrix questions from where she sits, taking care of an injured woman.
"They're insignificant. I have a mission to complete."
"So do we: a mission to protect these people," I retort, "What could be more important than that?"
"She's right," Leo agrees, "We can help you, but we have to work together."
"No. What I must do, I must do alone."
—-
Something occurs to me as I sit in the apartment after the fight, nursing my bruised tailbone. (I landed on it after the explosion.) Leo and I both agree that sometimes, the two of us are the only ones who can understand each other. That sometimes, we feel alone in our pain. But that doesn't mean we go around letting those pent-up emotions dictate our actions towards others.
"He just didn't care about those people," Kendrix exclaims.
"Too busy trying to be Mr. Macho," Damon comments, and I scoff at the nickname.
"Maybe we can call him that instead of Magna Defender. He isn't much of a Defender, anyway."
"He said he had a mission," Kai muses, "It's pretty obvious he intends to carry it out," he pauses, turning to face us, "No matter what the cost." So much for my attempt to lighten up the situation.
"What could be so important to put human lives at risk?" Maya demands, pacing over to the center of the room, and the following silence is somehow louder than anything we could possibly say, "You're unusually quiet, Leo. What are your thoughts on this?" She's right. He'd somehow gone this whole time without saying a peep, which had miraculously become a regular occurrence.
I hate it. Even though sharing a telepathic and emotional bond with him had been great for my own health, it also allowed me to understand him on a deeper level. One that I find myself more and more to not be able to reach.
"I think it's a personal vendetta. His anger is so great, it consumes him." That meaningful silence fills our apartment again, only interrupted by the beeping of our communicators.
"Rangers, you're needed!"
—
"Come on guys, let's do it!" The sooner we take this stupid monster down, the sooner we'll only have to deal with Mr. Macho, at least for sometime. So, at Leo's command, I rush forward eagerly, Quasar Saber at the ready. Two Stingwingers are there to meet me, but I quickly dispatch them, flipping above their heads and slashing at their backs. Three more surround me, and when the one directly in front of me punches forward, I duck, letting it hit its buddy right in the face. That one falls, and I stab upward, into the first Stinger's chest. Then, I grab it's shoulders and toss it into my final foe, only relaxing when they both hit the ground.
Thankfully, the others back away from me, only one or two brave insects unlucky enough to get into the path of my sword.
But in the thick of combat, I don't realize that Fishface had grabbed a little girl until a piercing scream rings through the air. And just our luck, Mr. Macho's facing off against him.
"All of you, drop your weapons or else!" I glance at Leo, silently willing him to make the right call.
"We better do what he says." It's never been easier to surrender. Our Sabers clatter to the ground, and I can only hope that Magna will do the same.
"Drop it!" The black-clad fighter murmurs something that's out of my earshot.
Then, he raises his weapon.
"Prepare to meet your doom."
"No!" Leo shouts.
"Don't come any closer!" Fishface warns.
"Stop, it's too big of a risk!" Kendrix begs.
Nothing works. Magna takes another step closer. And another. I shut my eyes.
"You've gotta stop!" Leo pleads, and I hear his footsteps as he runs forward, "Think of the girl!" I'm not sure why, but a faint memory arises.
Once, Zayne'd attempted to teach me how to use telekinesis. I'd claimed it was "only a KO-35 thing". He'd shook his head, his gorgeous dimples appearing as he smiled at me fondly.
"All it takes is a bit of concentration, and a lot of willpower."
"You've just gotta have the right motivation," I whisper the words he'd told me all those years ago, and suddenly, my arm shoots out. The bag of explosives that Fishface had been aiming at Leo's back is redirected into the sky, and the explosions miss him, but only barely. Some still contact his back, no doubt leaving burns, but that doesn't change the fact that I'd used telekinesis.
"Did you- how?" Kai questions, incredulous, and I shake my head, exhaustion washing over me suddenly.
"I don't know why you wanna destroy him," Leo begins, "but you've gotta control your anger!"
"Oh boy, you two are pathetic!" There's absolutely no way I'll be able to move the bag again, but what I can do is deflect the blow it'll generate.
"Galaxy Gauntlet!" My weapons snug in place, I dive in front of Leo and the Magna Defender, and once I've crossed my arms, I brace for the explosion. It hits full force, and I'm knocked back, landing on my side on the ground. My blades had cut through most of the initial blow, but they weren't enough to shield my teammate and the Defender from the whole attack, and I groan, the burn wound pulsing under my suit.
"Kara," Leo hisses, and I glance over at him, "why'd you do that?"
"Trust me, it was only for your sorry butt, Red." If only fond nicknames could physically heal injuries, we'd be good to go.
"And now to finish the great Magna Defender!"
"Enough games, Fishface." With our luck, maybe the two will finish each other off, and we won't have to deal with any fighting for the next couple of weeks. I wouldn't mind that, honestly.
"I couldn't agree more!" As they launch back into battle, Leo and I roll out of the way, and I gasp, spotting the Defender's sword still on the ground.
"Magna Defender, heads up!" Leo calls, and the armored warrior catches his weapon with ease, delivering the final blow to Fishface… just kidding. When Mr. Macho stumbles, I figure the arc of black energy he'd sent from his sword wasn't strong enough to finish the monster off completely.
"I'll deal with you later. There's still one more sunflower statue left, and it must contain the Lights of Orion!" He tosses his bag straight at the statue, and it shatters, scattering sparks and debris, but still no lights. The breath I'd been holding escapes as I scramble to my feet.
"No lights?"
"They'll never be owned by evil," the Magna Defender remarks.
"We'll see about that!" As Fishface gulps down the potion that'll gigantify him, fatigue sweeps over my limbs, and I stumble into Damon, who steadies me gently.
"Are you okay after… what you did?" I nod, gazing up at our now huge enemy.
"I will be, once we take this thing down."
"Galaxy Megazord, transform!" Leo orders, and we send a flying kick into Fishface's chest. However, the Megazord's so big that we can't land it back onto its feet, so we end up on the ground as the monster attacks us again and again. "We're not done yet! Quasar Saber!" Our counterattack throws Fishface off of us. "Condor missile mode!" Usually, this attack is enough to finish the job. But not today. Our foe whirls his bag around, releasing its stream of explosive sand, and we're knocked out of the Megazord.
For a moment, all I can picture is when I lost the old Megazord to Astronoma and Dark Specter. All I can think of is how at a loss we were.
"The Galactabeasts!" Leo cries, and I plant both hands onto the ground, willing my body to just get up. Fishface's monstrous laughter only spurs me on, but no such luck: my muscles are simply exhausted.
"I didn't mean to break up the party-" His remark is cut short by a strange rumbling, and I let my eyes close for a moment. What now?
"What's that?" Damon breathes, getting to his feet and peering closer at… whatever is about to emerge from the ground. Then, at a single command from the Magna Defender, his Toro Zord appears, a huge figure against the cloudy sky. As if this wasn't enough showing off, the Defender himself proceeds to transform into a sort of Zord, standing tall and imposing.
"He's amazing," Leo whispers, and I can't help but begrudgingly agree as he leaps onto the back of his Zord, the two charging forward together. Badass good guy? Badass morally ambiguous guy? Whatever he is, he's a badass for sure, and we'd be toast without him. After pinning Fishface with his Zord's horns, the Defender leaps into the air, slashing at him again and again until he's knocked down.
And even though our Galactabeasts might be temporarily out of commission, we're far from it ourselves. "Transdaggers!" Kendrix and Leo shout, firing straight at Fishface.
"Over here, fish-breath!" The Red Ranger taunts, and the monster's momentary distraction gives the Magna Defender enough time to strike once more.
"Defender Toro Zord, activate! Defender power!" This time, the Defender's strike is enough to eliminate Fishface, and I grin. Maybe he's deserving of his title after all. We de-morph, and despite the pain I know is in our aching bones, we rush after our ally.
"Wait! I don't know who you are, or what your problem is, but you've gotta get a grip on your anger," Leo calls after him. Simply talking it out didn't seem to work in the past, but maybe it will now. I mean, he did get to let his rage out on Fishface, right?
The Magna Defender spins to face us. "You have no idea what you're talking about. A long time ago… Scorpius took my only son from me."
Holy shit.
"I will not stop until I destroy him." Leo steps forward, and my head bows slightly. We both know his pain. We can help him.
"I know how you feel. But you've got to have control! Without that, you're as bad as them." But it looks like nothing we can say will ever be enough, because the Magna Defender walks away.