Chapter 15: Aftermath
In the wake of the Zangyack Empire's attack on New Famille, everyone that was not injuried during the fight, scrambled to put together a M.A.S.H. unite together in order to help all those who were injured during the battle. With General Ozi and Governess Marie taking charge on the ground, the Gokaigers, along with Navi and Dora, went up to the lower atmosphere of the planet in the Gokai Gallon to recover the Ranger Keys and hopefully, find Gai alive and in one piece. When they got to where Gai was last seen as the Super Sentai God, the Gokaigers, Navi, Dora, Ozi and Mai were surprised to find all the Ranger Kays floating around in one place. What was even more surprising was that Gai was floating right smack dab in the middle of all the Ranger Keys. Once Gai was spotted, Marvelous transformed and ran to nearest door. As soon as he had a safety line secure around his waste, Marvelous jumped out into space. Brushing Ranger Key after Ranger Key aside, Marvelous made his way over to Gai within a matter of seconds. When Gai was within arm's reach, Marvelous grabbed hold of the silver pirate and tugged on the line to signal to the others to pulled them back in. Safely back on board the Gallon, Marvelous rushed Gai to the infirmary to see if he was still alive. After hooking Gai you to a heart monitor, the pirates and company found that, while it was faint, Gai's heart was still beating. Relieved that Gai was still alive, Don hooked his friend up to an oxygen machine so that it might help him recover faster. Knowing that Gai would hopefully be fine, everyone save Luka left the infirmary to go and recover the Ranger Keys. It took a little more then an hour to do but Marvelous, Ahim, Don and Joe were able to collect all the Ranger Keys without any difficulty.
Once everything was at hand, Marvelous turned the Gallon around to return to New Famille. No one spoke during the trip back. Everyone onboard the ship just sat in quite reflection in what had just occurred on New Famille. Everyone but Luka that is, who emerged from the infirmary with tears in her eyes and her hands shaking in rage. "Luka." said Don acknowledging the yellow pirate's presence. Luka was silent. Everyone else didn't notice at first but Luka had a death glare fixed upon Don and Dora. "Luka…what's wrong?" asked a scared Don. Luka did not respond. She stood in front of everyone unable to stop herself from shaking she was so mad. Then finally, it happened.
"THIS IS ALL YOUR FAULT!" yelled Luka as she grabbed a nearby vase and through it at Don and Dora. The terrified duo were just barely able to duck under the vase as it whizzed passed their heads.
"L-L-L-L-L-Luka-san…." began a stuttering Dora "wha-wha-wha-wha-what what what what-"
"What did you do?!" said Luka through gritted teeth. "WHAT DID YOU DO?! My boyfriend!" said Luka pointing towards the infirmary. "My boyfriend is lying in a hospital bed because of the two of you."
"Luka!" cried Don. "We did'n't have anything to-"
"His potential is unlimited!" cried Luka quoting Don and Dora from earlier before. "He could have God like powers if he combined all the Ranger Keys. NONE OF THAT SHIT WOULD HAVE EVER ENTERED GAI'S HEAD IF IT WASN'T FOR THE TWO OF YOU!"
"Luka calm down." said Joe approaching the lockout with caution.
"STAY OUT OF THIS JOE!" screamed Luka ready to hit the nearest thing.
"What's going on in here?" said Marvelous with Navi close behind.
"I'm about to kill Doc an Dora, that's what's going to happen." said Luka
"Luka-san," began Ahim "We are all hurting from this but please, this is not helping anyone."
"I DON'T CARE!" screamed Luka trying to fight back the tears.
"Luka-san…" began Ahim trying to walk towards her friend. Ahim was stopped by Marvelous who put his hand on her shoulder. Marvelous then took a deep breath and walked over to Luka.
"Marvelous don't." warned Luka raising a fist ready to punch Marvelous. But then the most unexpected thing happened. Marvelous pulled Luka in and began hugging her.
Seeing this caused Ahim's, Joe's and Don's jaws to drop. This was not the Marvelous that they had come to know over the years. They always knew that under his tough guy persona beat the heart of kind and caring man but they never imagined that he would ever show this kind of affection. Luka was especially surprised by this as Marvelous' sudden display of comfort is messing with her emotions. "He's going to be okay, Luka." said Marvelous stroking her back. "Gai is going to be okay." Luka couldn't understand it but Marvelous' words and hug made her anger disappear. Once see was no longer mad, Luka wrapped her arms around Marvelous' ribs, buried her face into his chest and began to cry. Luka didn't cry this hard sense her sister died. Ahim, after getting over the shock of seeing Marvelous lower his walls, stepped in to sooth Luka. With Luka now in good care, Marvelous returned to the cockpit to bring the Gokai Galleon back to New Famille.
When the Galleon landed, Ahim walked out of the ship to survey the damage done to her kingdom. She walked through what seemed like miles of make shift hospital tents. With every tent she passed by, the queen's heart sank lower and lower with every agonizing moan and mournful cry. Every now and then, a someone would emerge from a tent to dispose of bloody rags and gauze. Ahim tried to look away from the blood soaked garments but she honestly, physically couldn't. She felt that that blood, the blood of the brave souls that fought for the security of New Famille was on her hands. These men and women of all the races of her new home put their faith in her. They believed that she would protect them from the Zangyack. They believed that all their troubles were over. That the horrors they were forced to live with for so many years was finally behind them. But now, the harsh reality of the world has come and kicked them square between the eyes. No place is safe from the Zangyack. And worse of all, as Ahim sees it, is that she let this happen. She had gotten too confident. Too comfortable. Ahim felt that everything was at hand and then it all fell apart. If only she had ordered the men to inspect the treasures before they brought it back to New Famille with them, then none of this would have happened. All those lost millions would still be alive. All these wounded would be as right as rain. And Gai…Oh Gai. Gai would have never gone to such extremes. As far as Ahim was concerned, she did that to Gai. And by effect, she caused Luka to feel all those painful emotions.
Eventually, Ahim made her way to the tent that Mai was being kept. Ahim didn't enter the tent. Instead, she pulled back the tarp to take a peak inside. Looking across to the far end of the tent, she saw Mai was lying down on the a cot, still unconscious with her parents sitting down beside her. Despite the distance between them, Ahim could see that her aunt Marie was fighting back tears while she held her daughter's hand. Seconds later, one of the doctors entered the tent with a machine in hand. "General," began the doctor "we were able to stop the bleeding, but Lieutenant de Famille has lost alot of blood. We ran some tests and found that you are the exact same blood type. If we are to save your daughter we must preform a blood transfusion right away." Ozi said nothing. He rolled up his sleeve and let the doctor prepare to make the transfusion.
"How is she?" said a voice coming from behind Ahim. Ahim turned around to meet Joe's face. Joe wasn't wearing his normal stoic mask right now. The blue pirate was showing clear concern for the woman he loves. "Is Mai alright?"
"Mai-chan…" Ahim wanted to tell Joe that Mai would be okay. She wanted to tell him that Mai would pull through, but just the thought of Mai in that bed was too much for Ahim to bare. "I am sorry." said Ahim bowing her head, tears forming in her eyes. "I need…"
"What?" asked Joe. Ahim didn't respond. "Ahim, what do you need?" Joe asked again. Ahim turned and walked away form Joe, whipping the tears from her face. Joe started to go after her, but was stopped by Marvelous, who was standing not too far from the them. Without saying anything, Marvelous motioned to Joe to go check on Mai. Joe nodded, understanding that Marvelous would take care of Ahim.
It took about twenty minutes but Marvelous was finally able to find the young queen. Ahim had run off to the outskirts of her would be capital city. She was sitting on large stone under a tree right at the bank of a small pond. Though her back was turned to Marvelous, he could see that Ahim had her head down in her hands and that she was sobbing uncontrollably. Marvelous, as quietly as he could, sat next to Ahim. Ahim though, was able to sense that someone had sat next to her and looked up at whom it could be. Marvelous looked upon Ahim's red face and equally eye and puffy eyes with sorrow and pity. "Ahim…" began Marvelous.
"Oh," began Ahim "I…I…I…" tried as she may, Ahim was unable to come up with anything to say.
Marvelous put his arm around her shoulder and pulled her in closer. He then clamped his other hand onto the one on Ahim's shoulder and began to gently squeeze her. "It's okay Ahim." said Marvelous. "None of this is your fault." Ahim, her head now resting on Marvelous' breast, was so surprised by this that she didn't know how to react. It was only after Marvelous told her for the fifth time that the Zangyack attack was not her fault, she began to cry again. Only now, the young queen cried in relief and soon enough, felt a new sense of purpose wash over her.
After a good long cry, Ahim sat up and looked into Marvelous' eyes. "We have work to do." said a now determined Ahim. Marvelous looked upon Ahim with pride as he nodded in agreement.
